March 17 - Weekly Update from Paul Warren

Paul,

This week's issue includes a summary of the March 12th Select Board meeting and the agenda for this coming meeting to be held on March 19.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions.

Best 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.

Last Meeting - March 12, 2024

The following miscellaneous agenda Items were approved:

Hire requests from the Finance Department, DPW, and Council on Aging.
Grants for training our 911 dispatchers, municipal road safety program, and funding and equipping our 911 communications center.
Change in D/B/A for Winestone located at 1160 Boylston St.

BEEP Program Lease - The Board discussed and approved a modification to the lease agreement with Temple Ohabei Shalom. The discussion included the incremental lease cost and the practice of using capital improvement funds to pay operating expenses.

Appointment to the Community Preservation Act Committee and Retirement Board - The Board discussed and approved Steve Heikin as the Housing Advisory Board Representative to the Community Preservation Act Committee, and Finance Director, Lincoln Heineman to the Retirement Board.

FY2025 Department Budget Reviews - Budgets were presented to the Board for the Town Clerk, Human Resources, Personnel Benefits and the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations.

Town Clerk Budget is increasing $418,000 or 46% to $1.3M. The budget was presented by Town Clerk, Ben Kaufman. The increase supports two elections that are in addition to the Annual Town Election. These elections include the 2024 State Primary and the 2024 Presidential Election.
Human Resources Budget is unchanged at $667,000. Director of Human Resources, Ann Braga presented the budget.
Personnel Benefits Budgets Personnel Benefits comprise nearly 25% of the Operating Budget and includes pensions, health care, unemployment, and on-the-job injuries. Costs are increasing well above inflation, due primarily to increases in health care and retirement costs.. The budget was presented by Deputy Town Administrator, Melissa Goff. The budget is growing $9 million or 12% to $89 million.
Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations Budget is increasing $54,000 to $428,000 or 15%. The increase is due to added professional services to help with mediation and language access services. The budget was presented by Lloyd Gellineau, Chief Diversity Officer.

FY2025 Financial Plan - Board discussed moving $500,000 from Other Post Employment Liabilities to the Reserve Account. This change was recommended by the Town Administrator based on guidance from the rating agency Moody's. This will help Brookline maintain our Aaa bond rating which helps us lower our borrowing costs.

Public Hearings on Town Meeting Warrant Articles - The Board held public hearings on Articles 15, 16 and 19. The language of each Article can be found in the Warrant. The explanations for each Article can be found here. An amendment to Article 19 was filed and can be found here.

Article 15 - Establishes staggered terms of office for Constables. The Article was presented to and discussed by the Board.
Article 16 - Reduces the number of members on the Commission for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Relations. The Article was presented by Member VanScoyoc and discussed by the Board.
Article 19 - Is a non-binding resolution calling for a ceasefire and lasting peace. Select Board member shared initial statements, the petitioners of the resolution presented Article 19. The petitioner of the amendment to Article 19 gave a brief presentation. The public then provided extensive Public Comment.

Links:

Next Meeting - Tuesday, March 17 @ 6PM

Announcements, Updates and Public Comment

Please note

The details for each agenda item, including backup materials can be found in the meeting packet.
If you would like to speak at public comment or would like to share a written public comment with the Select Board members, please email cyoung@brooklinema.gov.

Miscellaneous - The Board will consider approval of miscellaneous items, licenses, vouchers, and contract. There are 15 items included for approval. These items are approved as a group, without discussion unless otherwise requested by a Select Board member. The list of 15 items and supporting materials can be found under Agenda Item #3 in the meeting packet.

Sale of Bonds - The Board will consider authorizing $24,495,000 in General Obligation Bonds of the Town be awarded to Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.

Alcohol License Renewal - The Board will consider renewing the Alcohol License for the Hemlock Grille located at the Brookline Golf Course.

Comprehensive Plan Contract - The Board will consider approving a contract with Agency Landscape and Planning, LLC in the amount of $575,000 and also consider designating a Select Board member to chair the Comprehensive Plan Steering Group.

Departmental Budget Reviews - The Board will review the FY2025 budgets for the Council on Aging, Fire Department and Library.

Warrant Articles Public Hearing - Board will hold public hearings, discuss and possibly vote on Article 9 and Article 18. Details on each Article can be found in the Warrant and the Article Explanations. The Board typically does not vote on an article during the same meeting of the public hearing.

Article 9 seeks to establish accrued liabilities reserve
Article 18 is a resolution calling for the creation of a social wealth study committee.

Warrant Articles - The Board will discuss and possibly vote on Articles where it has previously held public hearings. Details on each Article can be found in the Warrant and the Article Explanations. The following Articles are included:

Article 15 establishes staggered terms of office for Constables.
Article 16 reduce the number of Commission for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations members from 15 to 9.