September 29, 2024

Paul,

The Select Board will meet this week on Tuesday, October 1 at 5:00 PM. The agenda is included below. A summary of the Board's prior meeting held on September 24 is also included.

The News and Updates section provides information on the Comprehensive Plan Kickoff and Open House, Washington Street Redesign, and the Hall's Pond Cleanup.

Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.

Warmest 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

Planning The Future of Brookline - The Comprehensive Plan will help shape the future of Brookline's neighborhoods, open spaces, transportation corridors, and businesses districts. Please come to the Comprehensive Plan Open House and In-Person Visioning Workshop Wednesday, October 9, 7:00-9:00 PM, 22 Tappan Street (New Freshmen Building) to share your perspective on the future of Brookline.

Washington Street Redesign - Brookline is competing for State and Federal funds to redesign Washington Street for safe and accessible travel modes including – pedestrians, bicyclists, micro-mobility users, transit riders, public safety vehicles, and motorists. The most recent public meeting of the design committee can be viewed here.

The Select Board must approve the design before it is submitted to the State.

Please share your thoughts and opinions with me on this important project at pwarren@brooklinema.gov

Hall's Pond Cleanup - Join the Friends of Hall’s Pond on Sunday October 15, from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM for their Fall Community Day. Plantings, cleanup, children’s story time, a guided tour, and good company! Help the Friends of Hall's Pond get the Sanctuary ready for winter.

This Week's Meetings and Events

The calendar is subject to change. Please see the Board and Commissions Calendar and the Non-Board Calendar for updates.

Monday, September 30

• 5:30 PM - Public Safety Subcommittee Hearing Warrant Article 13
• 6:30 PM - Chestnut Hill Commercial Area Study Committee
• 7:00 PM - School Sustainability Task Force
• 7:00 PM - Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee
• 7:30 PM - Affordable Housing Overlay District Study Subcommittee

Tuesday, October 1

• 4:00 PM - Commission on Disability
• 5:00 PM - Select Board
• 5:00 PM - Committee on Town Organization and Structure
• 5:00 PM - Public Safety Subcommittee
• 5:00 PM - Schools Subcommittee
• 6:30 PM - Solid Waste Advisory Committee
• 7:00 PM - Advisory Committee

Wednesday, October 2

• 12:30 PM - MLK Celebration Committee

Thursday, October 3

• 7:00 PM - Zoning Board of Appeals

Friday, October 4

• 8:30 AM - Driscoll School Building Advisory Committee

Upcoming Select Board Meeting - Tuesday, October 1 @ 5:00 PM

Agenda, Packet, Meeting Registration

Executive Session - Pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) ("Purpose 3"), for the purpose of discussing litigation strategy in the case of Cecillia Mah v. Town of Brookline. 

Public Comment - Public Comment period for those who request to speak to the Board regarding Town issues. Advance registration, while not required, is available by calling the Select Board’s office at 617-730-2202 or by e-mail at kmacgillivray@brooklinema.gov. The full Policy on Public Comment is available at https://www.brooklinema.gov/372/Policies . 

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

• Transmission of the Preservation Commission's Annual Report to the Select Board (in the form of its Certified Local Government Annual Report submitted to the Massachusetts Historical Commission). 
• Question of approving contract PW/24-19 "Epoxy Lining of Sewer Manholes" with National Water Main Cleaning Company in the amount of $1,357,620.00. 
• Question of approving contract PW/25-03 "Complete Street Improvements at Beacon St. and Strathmore Rd." with Dagle Electrical Construction Corp. in the amount of $148,841.00. 
• Question of approving EWO 2 with Brown and Caldwell in the amount of $28,000 for GIS data development for stormwater model and data gap analysis for surveying work performed by others. 
• Question of accepting an award from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds for FFY 2025 Municipal Road (MRS) Program in the amount of $31,080. 
• Question of accepting a rebate check from National Grid, An Energy Solutions Implemented Program, in the amount of $23,550 for the installation of heating pumps. 
• A Temporary Wine and Malt Beverages Sales License to Pierce School PTO for Fundraiser and Auction to be held on November 15, 2024 from 6:00PM - 9:00PM at 194 Boylston Street. 300 people expected to attend. 

Boards and Commissions - Interviews with the following candidates

• Brookline Commission for the Arts - Melissa Ann MacQuarrie
• Preservation Commission - Nicolas Choumenkovitch 
• Brookline Commission on Disability - Rachael Wurtman 
• Park and Recreation Commission - Ann S. Coles 

Noise By-Law Waiver - Public Hearing - Question of approving a noise by-law waiver for Bonded Wearing Course -- Hammond Street Nighttime Paving. Work to happen between October 1 through October 14, 2024. 

Warrant Articles - Public Hearing - Discussion and possible vote on the following warrant articles for the November 19, 2024 Special Town Meeting:

• Warrant Article 5 - Amend the General By-Laws to create a Brookline Youth Council.
• Warrant Article 6 - Authorize the acceptance of a restrictive covenant prohibiting future development from the developer of Puddingstone at Chestnut Hill in Hancock Village.
• Warrant Article 19 - Resolution pertaining to the establishment of a Jewish American Heritage Month.

Warrant Articles - Continued discussion and possible vote on Warrant Article 4 - Accept Chapter 59, Section 5N of the General Laws, allowing for the creation of a Veteran's Tax Work-Off Reduction program. 

Chestnut Hill Commercial Area Study - Presentation and discussion of the Chestnut Hill Commercial Area Study. 

Outdoor Dining - Question of approving the proposed amendments to the Outdoor Dining Program Regulations and Guidelines. 

Committee of Seven - Question of appointing David Pearlman as the Select Board representative and Chair of the Committee of Seven for Public Safety Building Front Entrance Lobby Feasibility Study. 

Boards and Commissions - Police Commissioners Advisory Committee

• Question of amending the charge of the Police Commissioner Advisory Committee to reflect seven total members and removing staggered terms.
• Question of appointing three new members to the Police Commissioners Advisory Committee. 
• Question of appointing a chair or co-chairs to the Police Commissioners Advisory Committee. 

Boards and Commissions - Question of reappointing the following individuals to various Boards & Commissions: 

• Human Resources Board - Lori Cawthorne
• Board of Assessors - Harold Petersen 

Previous Select Board Meeting - September 24

Agenda, Packet, Meeting Video

Miscellaneous - The Board approved the following miscellaneous items, licenses, and contracts. 

• Meeting Minutes from September 10, 2024.
• Grant from MassDot in the amount of $92,050.00 for flexposts and in-street pedestrian signs. 
• Donation from Briseidy Borgos of Dracut, MA in the amount of $800 for supplies for the Therapeutic Recreation Division.
• Hire request from the DPW/Water & Sewer Dept for a Carpenter.
• Brookline Rotary's request to place signs in various locations related to the annual Brookline Dog Day event. Signs will be placed beginning October 1 and will be removed by October 27, 2024. 
• One-Day Entertainment License for Arts Brookline/Brookline Music School's Porchfest event on September 28, 2028 (11:00AM-6:00PM). 

Boards and Commissions Interviews - The Board interviewed the following candidates for Boards and Commissions:

• Police Commissioners Advisory Committee: Joseph Figler, Karen Lischinsky, Kristine Knauf , and Soraya Sadeghi
• Park and Recreation Commission: Juan Almagro, Rory Hallowell 

November Election - The Board approved the Warrant, Early Voting Schedule, and Police Details for the November 5, 2024 State Election.

Warrant Articles -November 19, 2024 Special Town Meeting:

• Warrant Article 3 - The Board discussed and voted Favorable Action for the Appropriation of Transportation Network Company (TNC) funds. 
• Warrant Article 4 - The Board discussed the Article which proposes to Accept Chapter 59, Section 5N of the General Laws, allowing for the creation of a Veteran's Tax Work-Off Reduction program.
• Warrant Article 17 - The Board discussed and voted No Action on the Article which is a Petition for a special act allowing the Town to disqualify bidders that engage in the design, manufacturing or maintenance of nuclear weapons.

Boards and Commissions - The Board received a discussed a presentation by the Chair of the Small Business Development Committee of the Committee's Annual Report to the Select Board. 

Outdoor Dining - The Board received and discussed a Presentation of information and recommendations related to the Outdoor Dining Program Proposed Revisions. 

Marijuana Retail Establishment License - The Board voted to accept the return of the Brookline Marijuana Retailer Establishment License from Mission MA, Inc and voiding the Host Community Agreement between the Town and Mission MA, Inc. 

Boards and Commissions - The Board voted to:

• Reappoint Rita McNally to the Housing Advisory Board.
• Appoint Ruth Nemzoff to the Age Friendly Cities Committee.
• Appoint Katha Seidman to the Brookline Commission for the Arts.