MassVoter.com← Brookline Select BoardBrookline Select Board · 2020–2021 Board · Regular meeting
September 15, 2020
11 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Bernard Greene, Nancy Heller, Heather Hamilton, Raul Fernandez, John VanScoyoc
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approve the meeting minutes from Thursday, September 3, 2020 as amended
On motion it was, Voted to approve the meeting minutes from Thursday, September 3, 2020 as amended.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to approve the meeting minutes from Thursday, September 3, 2020 as amended. Aye: Bernard Greene, Nancy Heller, Heather Hamilton, Raul Fernandez, John VanScoyoc.”
Approve the applications for the following Alternate Managers, Khalil Paige, Carlos Vazquez, and Matthew Perkins for NETA at 160 Washington Street Brookline, MA
On motion it was, Voted to approve the applications for the following Alternate Managers, Khalil Paige, Carlos Vazquez, and Matthew Perkins for NETA at 160 Washington Street Brookline, MA.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to approve the applications for the following Alternate Managers, Khalil Paige, Carlos Vazquez, and Matthew Perkins for NETA at 160 Washington Street Brookline, MA. Aye: Bernard Greene, Nancy Heller, Heather Hamilton, Raul Fernandez, John VanScoyoc.”
Approve the request for authorization to hire a Community Engagement Organizer (T-4) in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations
On motion it was, Voted to approve the request for authorization to hire a Community Engagement Organizer (T-4) in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to approve the request for authorization to hire a Community Engagement Organizer (T-4) in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations. Aye: Bernard Greene, Nancy Heller, Heather Hamilton, Raul Fernandez, John VanScoyoc.”
Pursuant to the terms of Article VIII of the employment agreement between the Town and Fire Chief John Sullivan, of its intent to reappoint Chief John Sullivan for a three year term, commencing on...
On motion it was, Voted: pursuant to the terms of Article VIII of the employment agreement between the Town and Fire Chief John Sullivan, of its intent to reappoint Chief John Sullivan for a three year term, commencing on March 26, 2021.oted Select Board's Intent to Renew Fire Chief John Sullivan's Employment Agreement.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted: pursuant to the terms of Article VIII of the employment agreement between the Town and Fire Chief John Sullivan, of its intent to reappoint Chief John Sullivan for a three year term, commencing on March 26, 2021.oted Select Board's Intent to Renew Fire Chief John Sullivan's Employment Agreement. Aye: Bernard Greene, Nancy Heller, Heather Hamilton, Raul Fernandez, John VanScoyoc.”
FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 1 as submitted
On motion it was, Voted 5-0 FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 1 as submitted.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted 5-0 FAVORABLE ACTION on Article 1 as submitted. Aye: Bernard Greene, Nancy Heller, Heather Hamilton, Raul Fernandez, John VanScoyoc.”
NO ACTION on Article 4
On motion it was, Voted 5-0 NO ACTION on Article 4.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted 5-0 NO ACTION on Article 4. Aye: Bernard Greene, Nancy Heller, Heather Hamilton, Raul Fernandez, John VanScoyoc.”
FAVORABLE ACTION on article 22 as submitted
On motion it was, Voted 5-0 FAVORABLE ACTION on article 22 as submitted.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted 5-0 FAVORABLE ACTION on article 22 as submitted. Aye: Bernard Greene, Nancy Heller, Heather Hamilton, Raul Fernandez, John VanScoyoc.”
FAVORABLE ACTION on article 23 as submitted
Voted 5-0 FAVORABLE ACTION on article 23 as submitted.
From the minutes
“Voted 5-0 FAVORABLE ACTION on article 23 as submitted. Aye: Bernard Greene, Nancy Heller, Heather Hamilton, Raul Fernandez, John VanScoyoc.”
FAVORABLE ACTION: that the Select Board is hereby authorized to acquire, by purchase, gift, eminent domain or otherwise, in fee simple, the parcels of land located at 110 Fisher Avenue, 124 Fisher...
On motion it was, Voted 5-0 FAVORABLE ACTION: that the Select Board is hereby authorized to acquire, by purchase, gift, eminent domain or otherwise, in fee simple, the parcels of land located at 110 Fisher Avenue, 124 Fisher Avenue, 150 Fisher Avenue and 146 Hyslop Road (Tax Parcel Identification #s 255-01-01, 256-24-00, 256-21-23 and 256-20-00), which parcels of land constitute approximately 3.13 acres of land at the former Newbury College campus on the west side of Fisher Avenue, including all buildings and structures thereon and all privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging, as well as all trees and shrubs thereon, for general municipal purposes, and for all purposes and uses accessory thereto; that, in order to carry out this acquisition, the Town hereby appropriates Fourteen Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($14,900,000) to pay the costs of acquiring approximately 3.13 acres of land at the former Newbury College campus on the west side of Fisher Avenue for general municipal purposes, including all costs incidental and related thereto, and such amount shall be expended under the direction of the Select Board; that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Select Board is authorized to borrow said amount under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 7(1), or under any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor; that any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted 5-0 FAVORABLE ACTION: that the Select Board is hereby authorized to acquire, by purchase, gift, eminent domain or otherwise, in fee simple, the parcels of land located at 110 Fisher Avenue, 124 Fisher Avenue, 150 Fisher Avenue and 146 Hyslop Road (Tax Parcel Identification #s 255-01-01, 256-24-00, 256-21-23 and 256-20-00), which parcels of land constitute approximately 3.13 acres of land at the former Newbury College campus on the west side of Fisher Avenue, including all buildings and structures thereon and all privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging, as well as all trees and shrubs thereon, for general municipal purposes, and for all purposes and uses accessory thereto; that, in order to carry out this acquisition, the Town hereby appropriates Fourteen Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($14,900,000) to pay the costs of acquiring approximately 3.13 acres of land at the former Newbury College campus on the west side of Fisher Avenue for general municipal purposes, including all costs incidental and related thereto, and such amount shall be expended under the direction of the Select Board; that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Select Board is authorized to borrow said amount under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 7(1), or under any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor; that any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 20, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount; and that the Select Board is authorized to apply for, accept and expend any grants that may be available to pay for any portion of this project, and the amount of any borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by the amount of any such grants received by the Town. Land Description: PARCEL I - Tract I (124 Fisher Avenue): A certain parcel of land situated in Brookline, Massachusetts, shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Land, Hyslop Road, Brookline, Norfolk County, Mass. Property Line Plan" by Yunits Engineering Co., Inc., Consulting Engineers, dated August 31, 1982 and recorded with said Registry as Plan No. 1057 of 1983, in Plan Book 307, bounded and described as follows: EASTERLY on Fisher Avenue, one hundred and fifty (150) feet; NORTHERLY (160) feet; on land now or formerly of Montrose Foundation, Inc., one hundred and sixty WESTERLY on lot marked "27,329 S.F." on said plan, one hundred eighty and 80/100 (180.80) feet;.”
Approve the application for Kenwood Investments LLC, 120 Braintree Street, Boston, MA 02134, for the keeping, storage and use of (6) parked cars at 287-291 Tappan Street
On motion it was, Voted to approve the application for Kenwood Investments LLC, 120 Braintree Street, Boston, MA 02134, for the keeping, storage and use of (6) parked cars at 287-291 Tappan Street.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to approve the application for Kenwood Investments LLC, 120 Braintree Street, Boston, MA 02134, for the keeping, storage and use of (6) parked cars at 287-291 Tappan Street. Aye: Bernard Greene, Nancy Heller, Heather Hamilton, Raul Fernandez, John VanScoyoc.”
WHEREAS: The Town of Brookline has adopted urgent climate action goals, with a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050; and WHEREAS: Brookline's buildings generate about two-thirds of the Town's...
On motion it was, Voted: WHEREAS: The Town of Brookline has adopted urgent climate action goals, with a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050; and WHEREAS: Brookline's buildings generate about two-thirds of the Town's carbon emissions; and WHEREAS: The overwhelming passage of Article 21 at the Special Town Meeting in November of 2019, which sought to prohibit the use of fossil fuels in newly constructed and substantially renovated buildings, establishes carbon reduction as a major Town policy priority; and WHEREAS: The Attorney General's Office rejected Warrant Article 21 on legal grounds, but encouraged the Town to pursue other means to limit fossil fuels in buildings including the possibility of creating incentives under the Town's zoning by-laws; and WHEREAS: It is essential that any zoning incentives achieve meaningful fossil fuel free construction while limiting detrimental impacts upon neighborhoods; and WHEREAS: Strong initial work has taken place over the last month to craft a preliminary approach to achieve this goal, including a draft Fossil Fuel Free (FFF) Warrant Article and Explanation; and WHEREAS: The complexity of this task requires additional time and closer collaboration between the Select Board, Petitioners, and Town Staff to ensure that the issues associated with zoning incentives are thoroughly evaluated and that any proposed changes to the Zoning By-Laws are crafted deliberately and expertly; NOW THEREFORE, THE SELECT BOARD VOTES THE FOLLOWING: That the
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted: WHEREAS: The Town of Brookline has adopted urgent climate action goals, with a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050; and WHEREAS: Brookline's buildings generate about two-thirds of the Town's carbon emissions; and WHEREAS: The overwhelming passage of Article 21 at the Special Town Meeting in November of 2019, which sought to prohibit the use of fossil fuels in newly constructed and substantially renovated buildings, establishes carbon reduction as a major Town policy priority; and WHEREAS: The Attorney General's Office rejected Warrant Article 21 on legal grounds, but encouraged the Town to pursue other means to limit fossil fuels in buildings including the possibility of creating incentives under the Town's zoning by-laws; and WHEREAS: It is essential that any zoning incentives achieve meaningful fossil fuel free construction while limiting detrimental impacts upon neighborhoods; and WHEREAS: Strong initial work has taken place over the last month to craft a preliminary approach to achieve this goal, including a draft Fossil Fuel Free (FFF) Warrant Article and Explanation; and WHEREAS: The complexity of this task requires additional time and closer collaboration between the Select Board, Petitioners, and Town Staff to ensure that the issues associated with zoning incentives are thoroughly evaluated and that any proposed changes to the Zoning By-Laws are crafted deliberately and expertly; NOW THEREFORE, THE SELECT BOARD VOTES THE FOLLOWING: That the Planning Department be charged with producing a report to the Select Board that reviews and evaluates the use of zoning and other incentives to promote fossil fuel free construction within Brookline. In preparing this report, the Planning Department shall involve other town staff, including but not limited to the Building and Legal departments, who have intimate knowledge of the Town's zoning by-laws, the state building code and other regulatory processes. That a FFF Working Process be established to ensure that the Planning Department receives input and information necessary to produce a comprehensive and objective report. The Working Process shall involve periodic and regular opportunities to listen to (i) local residents who have expertise in zoning, development, construction and related skills, (ii) the petitioners of the recently proposed Fossil Fuel Free zoning incentive by-law, (iii) Town boards and committees, including but not limited to the Planning Board and the Economic Development Advisory Board, and (iv) any other residents, groups or organizations interested in the issue. That the Planning Department's report shall evaluate a range of zoning incentives to influence FFF construction in all zoning districts of the town including, but not limited to, potential bonuses for height, floor area, parking, setback, etc. To the extent possible, the report shall use data and cite existing studies to evaluate the use of zoning incentives. The report shall also review existing zoning by-law incentives, processes, and language that could be modified to incorporate FFF requirements and shall examine and consider non by-law incentive mechanisms, including waivers, fees, fast-track permitting, and special permitting. The Planning Department shall provide monthly, public updates to the Select Board on progress towards completing the report. In addition to the forums available from the Working Process, the Planning Department shall convene a formal public hearing prior to the completion of its report. The final report shall be submitted no later than January 15, 2021..”
From the Brookline Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s CivicClerk meetings portal. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Brookline.News (candidate profiles, 2024 and 2026) and the Michael Rubenstein for Brookline Select Board campaign website.
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