Finance Committee recommends multiple volunteer appointments, including Louis Martins

The Brockton Finance Committee on Feb. 2 recommended favorably a slate of mayoral appointments and forwarded them to the full City Council for final confirmation.

Louis Martins, a longtime Brockton resident and real estate broker, was recommended to serve on the Brockton Redevelopment Authority for a five-year term ending January 2031. Martins told the committee he has worked with local developers, frequently interacts with the building and engineering departments and said he would avoid conflicts between his private business and public duties. Multiple councilors praised his record and family involvement; the committee voted to recommend the appointment to the council.

The committee also recommended two appointments for Natasha Jean Gillis. Gillis, who could not attend because of a recent fall, submitted a written statement asking for the committee's vote and said serving on the cemetery board would honor her father buried at Calvary Cemetery. The committee recommended her appointments to the cemetery board of trustees (five-year term to January 2031) and to the Women's Commission (three-year term to January 2029).

Stephen M. Owens was recommended to the commission on human rights for a three-year term ending January 2029. Owens described his background in public service and private-sector roles, including work at Eversource and the Department of Revenue, participation in church-based outreach and prior volunteer work with homeless populations. Councilors asked about his experience and goals; the committee voted to forward his nomination to the council.

The committee's recommendations are advisory; final confirmation will take place at the full City Council meeting.