'We do not give up': Why Brockton mayor says city's future 'very bright' despite challenges

BROCKTON — Mayor Robert F. Sullivan laid out a vision for his third term in a speech Monday during the swearing-in of the city's elected officials.

"The future is bright. It's very, very bright in the city of Brockton," Sullivan said. "The challenges are real, but together, through collaboration, we will create positive and everlasting change within this city."

His address comes as the city starts a pivotal year. The city and its public-school students face the continuing fallout from the schools spending up to $20 million more than budgeted in fiscal year 2023. Millions of dollars in public projects are underway or will start soon. And downtown keeps grappling with an increase in homelessness, with knock-on effects for business owners and other residents.

Sullivan, who convincingly won election to a third term in November, gave a 15-minute speech following the inauguration of city councilors and school committee members. Here are a few highlights:

School deficit: 'Determine the system failures'

One of Sullivan's duties as mayor is chairing the school committee. He said that after news of the deficit broke in August, city workers and elected officials have worked hard during what he called a "trying and difficult and scary time."

At a hastily organized pre-holiday emergency meeting, city councilors okayed spending down city reserves to prevent a possible financial takeover by the state.

"We do not give up," the mayor said. "With the assistance and support of this Brockton City Council, we will be able to emerge from this serious fiscal challenge."

Sullivan called on all local elected officials to work "cooperatively and collaboratively for the good of the city," a reference to finger-pointing between city councilors and school committee members over the fiscal mess.

The new year should see completion of two audits, one organized by the school committee and another by the city.

"I fully support, and I look forward to, the findings of the school deficit investigation and audit," Sullivan said. "This is why. We need to determine the system failures and then we need to take corrective actions to ensure that this can never happen again in the city of Brockton."

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Public safety building to open in summer 2025

Sullivan earned sustained applause when he confirmed that, as a part of the $98 million new public safety building, Warren Avenue will be made two-way between Spring and Belmont streets. He also announced that the expected opening date for the facility is summer 2025. Previous estimates had been that it would open in spring 2025.

"It's going to be an awesome addition to downtown and it's going to benefit the employees, visitors and the neighborhood as a whole," the mayor said.

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$10M City Hall renovation begins

Sullivan said residents should expect scaffolds to rise around City Hall in the coming weeks, as the massive 19th-century showpiece begins a $10 million renovation funded with federal COVID recovery dollars. The makeover will plug gaps to ensure that fresh air flows in the old edifice and patch leaks in the roof. Water damage, for instance, can be seen in the ceiling of the city council chamber.

The mayor mentioned other big-ticket projects made possible by the federal taxpayer money, including renovations to the senior center, War Memorial, Cosgrove Pool and parks and playgrounds throughout Brockton.

"We are investing millions of dollars of the ARPA money to improve, to modernize and to upgrade our facilities so that future Brocktonians can all enjoy a city we can be proud of," Sullivan said.

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'Compassionate and humanitarian' approach to homelessness crisis

Sullivan also addressed the mounting frustrations of residents and downtown business owners as the city struggles to handle the impact from a spike in homeless persons. He said his Homelessness Task Force would continue its work.

"I am the mayor for all that live in the city of Brockton, those residing in homes and those facing homelessness. It is my belief that we need to address the increase in our homeless population with a compassionate and humanitarian approach," he said.

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New faces take their oaths of office

Brockton voters returned to office every incumbent who ran. Even so, four new or newly re-elected city councilors and school committee members started their terms.

Former City Councilor Jean Bradley Derenoncourt was sworn in as one of the four at-large councilors. Philip Griffin won the Ward 3 city council seat but was unable to attend Monday's ceremony.

On the school committee side, Ana C. Oliver took office after a recount confirmed her narrow victory in Ward 3. Claudio E. Depina Gomes was sworn in to represent Ward 2.

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