June 23, 2024

Paul,

This week's update includes a summary of the Select Board's June 18 annual planning workshop and the agenda for this Tuesday's meeting, June 25 @ 5:30 pm.

Also included is information on the Town's online system called BrookONline for paying bills, signing up for meeting alerts, reporting problems, and making requests.

Regards,

Paul Warren

Please note that this email is being sent by me as an individual and not as an official action on behalf of the Board. The content is created by me and any errors or omissions are solely my responsibility.

News and Updates

Did you know that Brookline has an online system for paying town bills, being alerted of upcoming meetings, and for reporting problems? The system is called BrookONline and it includes the following functions:

• E-Payments - Pay your town bills and fees for items including taxes, utilities, recreation programs, permits, and more.
• E-Notifications - Sign up to receive timely emergency alerts, town information, meeting notices, social network feeds and more.
• Report & Request - This feature allows the submission of requests, reporting of issues (potholes, graffiti, broken street-lights, etc) and checking the status of other requests. A smartphone app is also available.

Last Select Board Meeting - June 18

Annual Planning Workshop

Opening Remarks - Bernard Greene offered remarks on the purpose and objective of the workshop

Presentation & Discussion of National Community Survey Results - The Board reviewed and discussed the 2024 National Community Survey Results.

FY 2026 Accomplishments & Priorities - The Board reviewed and discussed goal setting best practices, accomplishments for 2024, and initial goals for the coming year.

Fiscal Policies - The Board reviewed and discussed the Town's fiscal policies including revenue position, including policies (Free Cash, reserves, Capital Improvement Plan, etc.).

• Fiscal policies
• Local Receipts
• Fund Balance and Aaa Rating
• Reserves
• Debt levels
• CIP Planning

Strategic Planning & Vision - The Board discussed an approach to further developing a Strategic Plan.

Links:

• Meeting Agenda
• Full Meeting Video

Last Select Board Meeting - Tuesday, June 11

Executive Session - The Board will enter into executive session for the purpose of litigation strategy in the case of Bergeron, et al. vs. Town of Brookline et al., U.S. District Court, Dkt No. 1:23-cv-12934-JEK, for alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Public Comment - Up to fifteen minutes for public comment on matters not appearing on the agenda. Advanced registration is available by calling 617-730-2202 or by email at kmacgillivray@brooklinema.gov.

Miscellaneous - Approval of miscellaneous items, licenses, and contracts.

• Meeting Minutes from June 11, 2024.
• Hire request from the Department of Public Health.
• Gift of $7,913.16 from the Simon family for the Police department.
• $311,799 grant from the Department of Mental Health.
• Amend budget for ARPA Project #23-51: Brookline Teen Center.
• Restructure $30,000 ARPA funds for Public Health Champions project.
• Temporary ARPA reallocations to increase EV charging funding.
• $30,100 amendment with Lemesurrier related to the Tunnel project.
• $64,723 amendment with Miller Dyer Spears for a traffic study.
• $98,780 amendment with Miller Dyer Spears for additional Article 97 services related to the Pierce School project.
• $148,785 amendment with Miller Dyer Spears for environmental services
• Coolidge Corner Merchant's Association request for a 2024 Sidewalk Occupancy Permit.
• Petition from Eversource for construction along University Road.
• Applications for Change of Manager, Alternate Manager, and Entertainment License for XOXO Sushi at 1154 Boylston Street.
• Expand alcohol license to include outdoor dining for El Penol at 404 Harvard Street.
• Expand alcohol license to include outdoor dining for The Upper Crust at 286 Harvard Street.
• Entertainment license for Merai at 14 Harvard Street.
• Authorize Town Administrator to approve memorandum of understanding between the Town and Schools regarding the Pierce School's temporary use of the former Newbury College property on Fisher Hill.

Annual Appointments - Request from Town Administrator for annual appointments of department heads, administrators, other officials and employees and of setting the benefits, salaries, and wages of all non-union employees effective July 1, 2024.

Housing Advisory Board Interview - Carol Gladston

Walnut Hills Cemetery Trustee Report

Extreme Heat - Review of Emergency Policy.

Ground Floor Commercial Incentive - vote on standards presented on June 11, 2024.

40B Affordable Housing Status - Update by the Department of Planning and Community Development on the Town's percent of land and housing units associated with affordable housing, related to the Comprehensive Permit process (Mass General Law 40B).

429 Harvard Street 40B

• Public Hearing
• Presentation on the 429 Harvard Street Project Eligibility Letter application under Mass General Law 40B by Oak Hill Properties, LLC.
• Question of authorizing the Chair to sign a letter to MassHousing conveying the Select Board's comments.

Town Clerk Reserve Fund Transfer - $10,515 Reserve Fund Transfer for Town Meeting expenses to be submitted to the Advisory Committee.

Fire Department Reserve Fund Transfer

• $979,302 to address the shortfall in the FY24 Fire personnel budget.
• $41,000 to address the shortfall in the FY24 Fire utilities budget.

Fire Department Appropriation Transfer Request

• $9,700 from Emergency Mgt General Supplies to Fire Admin Diesel.
• $12,800 from Admin Computer Equipment to Admin Water.

Linds:

• Meeting Agenda
• Zoom Registration