The 2010 Census form will be mailed to every residence in Brockton starting in March, 2010. The information that the census collects is vital in determining how more than $400 billion dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services.   Please take the time to fill out and return the census form.  Remember the 2010 Census is safe, easy and important to Brockton.

For more information on the 2010 Census please visit http://www.2010.census.gov/.

For help answering questions go to www.brocktonGOTV.org for a list of "Questionnaire Assistance Centers" and "Be Counted" sites around the city that will be open from March 19-April 19.

The City of Brockton's Census Complete Count Committee is encouraging people to apply for part-time, temporary census jobs in Brockton.

Go to www.brocktonGOTV.org for a list of March Census test sites and dates to work in Brockton.

Neighborhood Housing Services are offering foreclosure clinics and counseling, first time homebuyer workshops, down payment and closing cost assistance for Brockton area residents.  Please see attached document for clinic dates and further information.

Youth Build Brockton Graduate Patrick Breton Introduces General Colin Powell

Washington, D.C- On March 1, 2010, President Obama and General Colin Powell talked about education at an event for the America's Promise Alliance. Patrick Breton, a 2008 Youth Build Brockton graduate, introduced General Colin Powell at this event.  Breton’s experience at Youth Build enabled him to earn his GED and attend college. Breton gave his testimony that described the many positive changes in his life since he enrolled in and graduated from Youth Build Brockton.  Youth Build Brockton is a vital partner of Brockton’s Promise and their efforts to make a sustainable difference in the lives of youth in Brockton

The link below leads to the video of Patrick Breton's speech as presented on C-Span:

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/292311-1

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti, the Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board (BAWIB) and the Metro South Chamber of Commerce are joining together to provide the necessary leadership in promoting the 2010 Youth Employment Campaign.  Working with the Brockton Public Schools, MY TURN, Inc., Brockton Area Private Industry Council (BAPIC) the One Stop Career Center and other youth-serving agencies, our aim is to engage youth in productive and enriching activities over the summer months.  Please help us by pledging a summer job or by making a donation today!

For more information, or to make a pledge or donation, please contact:

In honor of Black History month, Mayor Linda M. Balzotti announced that her office in conjunction with the Brockton City Council and the Brockton 21st Century Corporation, is re-establishing the Brockton Minority Business Directory.

Please see attachments for the Minority Business Directory application form and for the full press release.

The City of Brockton's Emergency Management Agency will be holding CERT training within the next few months. Training requires 9-10 hours. Applicants must live in the city of Brockton, have a telephone, and be willing to have a CORI check. Applicants should be physically able to help in various emergency situations. All supplies and equipment are supplied by the city. To sign up please call (508) 580-7871 and leave your name, phone number, and email address if you have one.

The Community Emergency Response Team training program prepares you to help yourself, friends, family, and neighbors in the event of a disaster.  By getting trained in CERT you will have the skills to help emergency responders save lives and protect property. For more information on CERT training please visit www.citizencorps.gov.

Black History Month is a time to remember important individuals and events in African American history.  Please take time this month to reflect and learn about African American heritage.

State Representative Christine E. Canavan today joined the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and her colleagues to announce a total award of $131,161 to Councils on Aging (COAs) in the 10^th Plymouth District to help support local programs and continue enriching the lives of area seniors.

 "The Council on Aging in Brockton provides important services for our seniors. I am happy to see that state funding will continue to support these vital programs,” said Mayor Linda M. Balzotti.

Please see the attached document for the full press release from State Representative Canavan. 

It is vitally important to our city and our schools that the Census 2010 is accurate and that every Brockton citizen is counted.  Population and need are the basis for apportioning more than $400 billion in federal funding to cities and schools, so it is incumbent upon us to help the US Census get a complete and accurate count.   Please see the attached document from the Brockton Public Schools for more information.

The USCIS warns Haitians applying for temporary protected status to be aware of immigration scams.  USCIS has a dedicated website providing guidance on its response to Haiti at www.uscis.gov/haitianearthquake.

Please see attachments for more Information on temporary protected status for Haitians.

Please be advised that Mayor Linda Balzotti and DPW Commissioner Michael Thoreson have declared a SNOW EMERGENCY effective 9AM Wednesday, February 10, 2010  within the City of Brockton.

A PARKING BAN will be in effect throughout the city. There will be no parking allowed on either side of the street, please park your vehicles off of the street to allow the DPW crews to clear the streets.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation, patience and support. Please drive safely.

THE SNOW EMERGENCY WILL END AT 12PM(NOON) TODAY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2010.

State Representatives Christine Canavan, Geraldine Creedon and Michael Brady, along with State Senator Thomas Kennedy, announced that H.4241, An Act authorizing the city of Brockton to prevent the siting of a power plant in Brockton, will be heard before the legislature’s Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government during the committee’s next hearing, at 10:30am, Tuesday February 9, 2010 in Hearing Room B-2 at the State House.

The hearing is open to the public, and the Brockton delegation encourages local residents, as well as city and town officials, to join them in delivering testimony in favor of the legislation that would prevent the construction of the proposed power plant within the city.

HOW TO LOCATE LOVED ONES IN HAITI

To find U.S. Citizens living or traveling in Haiti please contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.

The Department of State has established an e-mail address for those trying to contact friends and relatives in Haiti.

Send e-mail to: Haiti-Earthquake@State.gov and include as much of the following Information as possible:

• Full name, date of Birth and passport information of the individuals you are trying to contact.
• Their contact information in Haiti: telephone number, e-mail address, hotel name or address.
• Your name and contact information, and your relationship to the person in Haiti
• Any special or emergency circumstances.

Additional Contact Information:

• State Office for Refugees and Immigrants: (617) 727-7888
• MA State Information Line: DIAL 211

   L&M Bargain Store Inc., a family owned retail business with locations in Boston and Brockton has committed itself to donating 10% of its gross sales to relief efforts in Haiti for the next two weekends. We will donate 10% of each transaction in our stores to the agencies of Catholic Charities, combined Jewish Philanthropies, and the American Red Cross. These organizations will direct the funds to "on the ground" services including food distribution, medical care, and other basic survival needs.

Brockton Mayor Linda Balzotti joined Congressman Stephen Lynch, State Senator Tom Kennedy and State Representative Michael Brady on Sunday, January 17^th for a community meeting and information session on the rescue and relief operations underway in Haiti.  Representatives from the United States Coast Guard, the Red Cross and the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services gave updates on the current situation and offered information to those who have been impacted by the earthquake and have family or loved ones living or travelling in Haiti.

Please see attachment for more Information. 

The Immigration Pastoral Center Inc. of the Diocese Saint Francis of Assisi in Brockton is willing to assist those in the Haitian community looking to apply for Temporary Protection Status.

For more information on Temporary Protection Status and the required documentation please see the attachment below.

Mayor Balzotti anounced today that computers with internet access are available to those trying to locate loved ones in Haiti or donate money to Haitian disaster relief efforts.  The computers are availible at the Council on Aging from 9am-2pm, M-F at 10 Father Kenney Way in Brockton.

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti, who last month formed five task forces to study and address issues of Public Safety, Street Violence, Education, Economic Growth, and Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, has charged the citizen-led task forces with providing her a detailed report of their findings within 60 days.To assure community involvement in the process, the draft reports will be available to residents via the city website, http://www.ci.brockton.ma.us/.  Please see attachment for futher information.

BROCKTON- Mayor Linda M. Balzotti announced today that the Office of the Mayor is working with state and local agencies and leaders of the Haitian community to provide support and resources to local families and to the people of Haiti.

Please see attachments for more information. 

**UPDATED CONTACT AND** **DONATION INFORMATION BELOW**

For the work week starting Monday January 22. 2010 the Bartlett Street Bridge will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 7AM to 3:30PM and then it will be re-opened to traffic for the night.  Residents will have access to their driveways at all times. 

On Monday, January 25th at 7AM the bridge will be closed until the new bridge is installed.  Bridge re-opening is scheduled for the end of 2010.

Congressman Stephen F. Lynch along with Brockton Mayor Linda Balzotti will be hosting a community meeting and information session on rescue and relief operations underway following the earthquake in Haiti.  Representatives from the United States Coast Guard, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and other federal agencies will be available to give updates on the current situation and offer information to those who have been impacted by the earthquake and have family or loved ones living or travelling in Haiti. 

The Meeting will be held:

Sunday January 17, 2010

Christ the King Parish

42 Wendell Avenue, Brockton

From 3pm to 5pm

Please see attachment for donation and contact information for Haiti disaster relief efforts.

The water will be shut off on WALDO STREET (from north Main Street to 70 Waldo Street) for the purpose of working on the water main.  This will occur on Thursday, January 14, 2010 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. We would appreciate your patience during this inconvenience.  Please see attachment for further information.

See the attached document for more information.
560 Oak Street
Press_Release_Sky_Vegetable.pdf
Contact Information:
Wary Waldron
mwaldron@brockton21.com
508-586-0021

Mayor James E. Harrington announced today that due to extensive work and collaborations, the Brockton Girls softball league has a new home of their own. Working with Councilor MacMillan, Softball league president Tom Ross, and the North Little league, in 2010 the girls league will hold all its home games at the Raymond School field complex previously occupied by the North Little league. The North Little league will move all its games to North Junior high field.

See the attached document for more information.

Office of the Mayor

City of Brockton, Massachusetts

 Notice to Amend Annual Plans Y2008 &Y2009

The City of Brockton intends to amend its use of Community Development Block Grant Recovery (CDBG_R) Funds. Private Roads, East Market Street and Curtis Street will not be resurfaced using these funds. The following streets will be added to the initial proposal: Nye Square and Winsten Street.

The City of Brockton has established a fifteen (15) day comment period on this change. All comments must be received at Building a Better Brockton Inc., 50 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301 by 4:00 PM, October 16, 2009 or by email addressed to the City of Brockton’s website, http://www.ci.brockton.ma.us. Comments received will be noted in the submission to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

                                                                        James E. Harrington, Mayor

                                                                        City of Brockton

                                                                        45 School Street

                                                                        Brockton, MA 02301

                                                                        September 21, 2009

The City of Brockton intends to amend its Annual Plan Community Development Block Grant for the years 2008 and 2009 by establishing a Clearance, demolition and removal of buildings and improvements line item under those plans.

The aforementioned amendment will be available for public review at the office of Building a Better Brockton Inc. 50 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

The   City of Brockton has established a fifteen (15) day comment period.  All comments must be received at Building a Better Brockton Inc., 60 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301 by 4:00 PM, October 10, 2009.

See the attached document for more information.

Mayor James E. Harrington was joined by Police Chief Conlon, Capt Gomes, members of Brockton InterFaith Community, and over 75 members of the City’s crime watch community for a first ever Brockton Police Summit. At the summit, the City’s CompStat Police model was presented along with the introduction of the newly redistricted Police Department and the three area commanders chosen to lead the new districts.

See the attached document for more information.

On or about September 17, 2009, the City of Brockton acting through Building a Better Brockton, Inc.  will submit  a request to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for  the release of federal funds through  the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Neighborhood  Stabilization Program(NSP1).

  See the attached document for more detals on the request and on how to submit your comments.

The Stonehill College Athletic Department is pleased to announce that they will be holding their annual Sports Camp this summer.

Stonehill College offers ten different camps where young athletes will learn to improve their technical skills and game knowledge in a fun and enjoyable setting.  Both day and overnight camps are offered for children in grades 1 through 12. 

The Stonehill camps are coached by NCAA Division II coaches and staffed by Stonehill Varsity athletes as well as other qualified college coaches.  Interested athletes are encouraged to visit the camp’s website at:  www.stonehillsportscamp.com, check out the attached document or call: 508-565-1773 for more details.

Mayor Harrington announced the launching of the Brockton's Art in the Windows program.  This program involves working with the owners of downtown buildings with specific empty storefront windows to display art work and even artists working in windows.

See the attached document for more information.

Mayor Harrington, on behalf of the City of Brockton, has filed a petition with the State Supreme Judicial Court to appeal the final decision of the Energy Facilities Siting Board.

See the attached document for more information.

Sign up and enjoy a FREE summer activities program for our community for teens 13-19!  The program runs every weeknight from June 29th until August 21st, 2009, from 6 PM until 10 PM.

See the attached document for more information and the program schedule.

Mayor James E. Harrington, in conjunction with Building A Better Brockton announced today that he will be providing the United Way of Greater Plymouth County based in Brockton with up to $610,000 dollars in Federal Stimulus funds under the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). These funds are designed to help address the city’s homelessness concerns.

See the attached document for more information.

If you or someone you know has a yard to be proud of please enter them in the Brockton Blooms Garden Contest 2009.

See the attached document for more information, and see our online forms for the nomination papers that can be filled out online, printed and sent in.

See how much electricity is produced at the Grove Street Solar facility, with a small picture of the solar field. This is a live site that provides current and historical power production at the field.

BrightFields Project Live

WHAT TO DO:

•  If you have flu symptoms, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the disease.Do not return until two days after your symptoms are gone.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands frequently.
• Go to the hospital if you hve severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, but if your symptoms are mild stay home to avoid spreading the virus to others at the hospital.
• Masks my be recommended for those who come in close contact with swine flu patients, but there is no need for the public to wear masks.
• It is safe to eatproperly handled pork. Cook it to at least 160 degrees.

Source: CDC, NY Dept. of Health

Mayor James E. Harrington in conjunction with The Brockton 21^st Century Corporation and Building A Better Brockton announced today that through their efforts in working with the State of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts BioTech Council, the City of Brockton has been designated as a BioReady Community. In a ceremony held in Cambridge, the City of Champions was distinguished with a gold level designation by the Biotechnology council.

See the attached document for the rest of the story.

Dear friends,

Here is a great idea from our youth that needs serious community support, and the Mayor and I hope that you will spread the word and make these great kid’s dreams a reality.

They are looking for places to give back to the community as part of their senior class project and we should come together as a community and help them achieve their goal and dreams.

Please contact Dr. Szachowicz more info on this wonderful project. Please spread the word and make Boxer history!

Moises M. Rodrigues

Director of Community Services

Mayor Harrington's Office

City of Brockton

Phone 508-580-7123

Fax 508-559-7960

The Brockton After Dark Planning Committee is looking for a coordinator to coordinate its Summer long youth program in the City of Brockton.

See the attached document for more information.

Good news: the Brockton Recycling Depot has just received their shipment of green recycling bins.  If residents should need a new bin, please stop by the Recycling Depot located at 301 Oak Hill Way.   The Depot is open Monday through Saturday 8:30AM to 3:00PM.  

Thank you for your continued patience and support!  Remember to keep Brockton Beautiful!  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brockton residents, please be advised that DPW is temporarily out of stock on green recycling bins.  A new order is set to be delivered by mid-April.

  The Recycling Depot (located at 301 Oak Hill Way) does have a small quantity of "repairable" bins on hand and also free "Recycle" stickers which can be affixed to a container of the residents' choice.  Please contact the Recycling Depot at 508-580-7827 for further assistance. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.   Thank you for your continued patience and support. 

Mayor Harrington will be offering early retirement to those that qualify in order to reduce the amount of layoffs needed to balance the budget.

See the attached press release for more information.

The Neighborhood Housing Services is offering several foreclosure clinincs and counseling, along with first time homebuyer workshops and closing cost assistance. 

The foreclosure clinics will be held January 21st, February 4th, February 18th, March 4th, March 18th and April 1st, 2009.

The first time homebuyer workshops are two sessions each and there is a $15.00 fee.  They will be held January 5th and 7th (Rockland Trust), January 26th and 28th, February 23rd and 25th, and March 23rd and 25th,, 2009.

All will be held at the HarborOne Credit Union on Legion Parkway unless otherwise specified.  See the attached document for more details.

The full text of Mayor Harrington's State of the City Address from February 9th, 2009 can be found on the Documents page or by clicking HERE!

If you know of someone you would like to nominate for Woman of the Year please print off the nomination form found online and fill it out along with an essay letting us know why she should be honored.

All nominations must be sent in to the address on the form by February 27th, 2009.

Mayor James E. Harrington met with the proponents and officials of Brockton Clean Energy, a company proposing to build a gas and diesel power plant in the City of Champions. Despite pleas and an incentive based sales pitch, the Mayor reiterated his opposition to the power plant. 

See the attached document for the entire press release..

Mayor Harrington condemned the heartless shooting and vows to do whatever is necessary to bring healing to those affected.  See the attached document for the full story.

   Mayor Harrington announced today that he's taking every precaution to keep residents safe in anticipation of the severely cold weather affecting our region.

  Please see the attached document for details.

Mayor Harrington is pleased to announce a tentative agreement reached with members of the Brockton Police Department that will change the face of policing in the City of Brockton.  Subject to City Council approval, the agreement calls for the redistricting of the city into three distinctive geographic precincts with a separate commander each precinct.

See the attached document for more information.

Mayor James E. Harrington announced today that the City of Brockton was notified by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security that the City will be awarded the Senator Charles E. Shannon Community Safety Initiative grant for the third year in a row. The grant in the amount of $835,000, an increase of $150,000 over prior years, will serve to address the city’s youth violence and prevention initiatives.

See the attached document for more information.

Mayor Harrington in conjunction with the Brockton 21^st Century Corporation announced today the appointment of Donald A. Walsh as the Chief Executive Officer of the Brockton 21^st Century Corporation and the Building A Better Brockton, Inc.

See the attached document for more information.

Mayor James E. Harrington announces that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is providing the City of Brockton with up to one million dollars to address the City's foreclosed housing issue.

See the attached document for more information, or contact the Myor's office at (508) 580-7123.

The City of Brockton has prepared a proposal for its allocation of funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes and residential properties in the City of Brockton.

See the attached document for more information.  Any comments must be received at the Building a Better Brockton Corporation, 60 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301, by 4:00 PM on November 28, 2008 or by e-mail to mayor@ci.brockton.ma.us.

  The City of Brockton has been granted public space recycling containers from MassDEP’s FY08 Municipal Sustainability Grant Program.

  The containers are located at the Manning Pool Water Park, City Hall, the Department of Public Works office, the Recycle Depot, and also a supply for local events. For more information contact the DPW Recycle Depot at 508-580-7827.

Please note that the Department of Public Works is beginning a Sewer Rehabilitation Project on Plymouth St., from Crescent Street to Centre Street, which is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM on Sunday, September 14, 2008.

All work in the vicinity of the Plouffe School will be done during the evening hours from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM and will take approximately two-three (2-3) weeks to complete, weather permitting.

The remainder of Plymouth Street Sewer Rehabilitation Project on Plymouth Street, from Centre Street to Court Street, is scheduled to begin at 7:00 AM on Monday, September 15, 2008.

All work from Center Street to Court Street will be done during the daylight hours from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM and work is expected to last until late November, weather permitting.

There will be NO PARKING permitted on PLYMOUTH STREET for the duration of the entire sewer rehabilitation project.

Due to the road work expect delays when traveling in this area.

Detours for these streets are to be set in the field by the Brockton Police Department.

****Please seek alternate routes during this period to avoid delays and prevent vehicle damages as the roadway will be under construction until the end of November.****

We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Please note that T.L. Edwards is doing drainage and reconstruction work on Gladwood Street from Pearl Street to Tosca Drive and the project is scheduled to begin Monday, September 15^th, 2008. 

The reconstruction project on Gladwood Street is expected to take several weeks to be completed, weather permitting. 

Due to the road work expect delays when traveling in this area.

Residents please note that T.L. Edwards will begin the reconstruction of ELSIE ROAD from CHRISTOPHER ROAD to HOVENDON AVENUE on MONDAY, AUGUST 25TH, 2008.  The project is expected to take several weeks to complete, weather permitting.  Detours for this neighborhood will be set in the field by the Brockton Police Department.  Residents and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes during reconstruction to avoid delays and to prevent vehicle damage. 

We appreciate your patience and support during the reconstruction process. Please do not hesitate to contact D.P.W. if you have any questions or concerns. 

Drive safely! 

Chathem West is recruiting for volunteers that are eager to work with a variety of ages after school or on weekends for 6-week sessions beginning in October 2008!

Information sessions are on Wednesday, September 10th from 6-7 PM

Monday, September 15th from 3-4 PM, and Wednesday, September 17th from 2:30-3:30 PM

See the attached document or call Nathania at 508-580-1404 ext. 16 for more information

Mayor James Harrington cordially invites Brockton residents and friends from neighboring communities to join him for a Memorial Service on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 9:30AM at the City Hall Amphitheater.  Together, we can commemorate the brave men and women who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks and renew our commitment to America’s promise.  We hope you will join us for this special tribute. 

Please see the attached document, or contact Mayor Harrington’s office at 508-580-7123 if you have any questions or concerns.

Residents please be advised that T.L. Edwards will begin the reconstruction of Benham Street from Cary to Sheridan Streets on Wednesday, July 30th. The project is expected to take several weeks to complete, weather permitting. Detours for this area will be set in the field by the Brockton Police Department. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes during reconstruction to avoid delays and to prevent vehicle damage.

 We appreciate your patience and support during this reconstruction process. Please do not hesitate to contact the D.P.W. Commissioner's office at 508-580-7135, if you have any questions or concerns.

 Drive safely!