Brookline Select Board

“Voted to allocate $475k to the Brookline for Racial Justice & Equity upon agreement of the grant conditions developed by the town. Aye: Bernard Greene, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman Against: John VanScoyoc.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

“On motion it was, Voted 3-0 No Action on Article 4 Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Michael Sandman Absent: Miriam Aschkenasy.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

“1. Voted 3-1 Favorable Action on the Budget Article 7 as presented by Ms. Goff with the Piece School project allocations Aye: Bernard Greene, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman Against: John VanScoyoc.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

“VOTED: To approve the budget for fiscal year 2024 set forth in the attached Tables I and II; to appropriate the amounts set forth for such fiscal year in the departments and expenditure object classifications within departments, as set forth in Tables I and II, subject to the following conditions; to raise all sums so appropriated, unless other funding is provided herein; and to establish the following authorizations: 1.) TRANSFERS AMONG APPROPRIATIONS: Transfers between the total departmental appropriations separately set forth in Tables 1 and 2 shall be permitted by vote of Town Meeting or as otherwise provided by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, Section 33B(b). Within each separate departmental appropriation, expenditures shall be restricted to the expenditure object classifications set forth in the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, and voted by the Town Meeting, for each department, subject to the following exceptions: A) Expenditures within the appropriation for the School Department shall not be restricted. B) The following transfers within the appropriations for each department (other than the School Department and the Library Department), shall be permitted only with the prior written approval of the Select Board and Advisory Committee: i) Transfers from the appropriation for the capital outlay object classification to any other object classification. ii) Transfers to the appropriation for the personal services object classification from any other object classification. iii) Any transfer which has the effect of increasing the number of positions or the compensation for any position, exclusive of adjustments in wages and benefits voted separately by Town Meeting. v) Transfers within the Department of Public Works from the Parks Division to any other purpose. vi) Transfers within the Department of Public Works from the Snow and Ice budget to any other purpose. C) Transfers within the Library Department appropriation shall be permitted with the approval of the Board of Library Trustees, and written notice of such approval shall be submitted promptly to the Advisory Committee, Town Administrator and Town Comptroller. D) All other transfers within the total appropriation for a particular department shall be permitted with the written approval of the Town Administrator, subject to review and approval of the Select Board, and upon the condition that written notice of each such approval shall be submitted promptly to the Advisory Committee and Town Comptroller. 2.) PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS AND LEASES: The Chief Procurement Officer is authorized to lease, or lease with an option to purchase, any equipment or capital item funded within the FY2023 budget, and to solicit and award contracts for terms of not more than four years, provided that in each instance the longer term is determined to be in the best interest of the Town by a vote of the Select Board. 3.) ALLOCATION OF SALARY ADJUSTMENTS: Appropriations for salary and wage adjustments (Item #20) shall be transferred by the Town Comptroller to the various affected departments within (60) days from the beginning of the fiscal year, or in the absence of duly approved collective bargaining agreements, within (60) days of the approval of the collective bargaining agreements by Town Meeting. The Select Board shall determine the salaries, which may include merit adjustments, for employees not included in any collective bargaining agreement. Should a balance remain after the Town Comptroller has made the transfers specified herein, said balance shall be transferred by the Town Comptroller to a budget line entitled Personnel Services Reserve (Item #19), which shall be used to fund costs incurred over the course of the fiscal year pursuant to employee contracts and/or established personnel policies. The Town Comptroller shall include an accounting of all transfers made from this reserve in the Annual Financial Report. 4.) STIPENDS / SALARIES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS: The stipends of members of the Select Board shall be at the rate of $4,500 per year for the Chair and at the rate of $3,500 per year for each of the other four members. The annual salary of the Town Clerk shall be at the rate of $106,861 effective July 1, 2023, plus any adjustment approved by vote of the Select Board. The Town Clerk shall pay all fees received by the Town Clerk by virtue of their office into the Town treasury for Town use. 5.) VACANT POSITIONS: No appropriation for salaries, wages, or other compensation shall be expended for any benefit-eligible position which has become vacant during the fiscal year unless the Select Board, at an official meeting, has determined that the filling of the vacancy is either essential to the proper operation of the Town or is required by law. This condition shall not apply to appropriations of the School Department. 6.) GOLF ENTERPRISE FUND: The following sums, totaling $2,517,574 shall be appropriated into the Golf Enterprise Fund, and may be expended under the direction of the Park and Recreation Commission, for the operation of the Golf Course: Salaries $875,572 Purchase of Services $438,060 Supplies $481,000 Other $9,600 Utilities $137,741 Capital $170,642 Debt Service $119,721 Reserve $25,000 Total Appropriations $2,257,336 Indirect Costs $260,238 Total Costs $2,517,574 Total costs of $2,517,574 to be funded from golf receipts with $260,238 to be reimbursed to the General Fund for indirect costs. 7.) WATER AND SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND: The following sums, totaling $32,522,728 shall be appropriated into the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund, and may be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works for the Water and Sewer purposes as voted below: Salaries Purchase of Services Supplies Other Utilities Capital Intergovernmental Debt Service Reserve Water Sewer Total 2,658,407 622,907 3,281,314 163,617 150,000 313,617 149,805 27,000 176,805 13,900 6,980 20,880 141,379 141,379 543,349 65,000 608,349 8,551,815 14,169,817 22,721,632 925,750 1,261,540 2,187,290 139,185 180,425 319,610 Total Appropriations 13,287,207 16,483,669 29,770,876 Indirect Costs 2,218,878 Total Costs 532,974 2,751,852 15,506,085 17,016,643 32,522,728 Total costs of $32,522,728 to be funded from water and sewer receipts with $2,751,852 to be reimbursed to the General Fund for indirect costs. 8.) REVOLVING FUNDS: a.) The Park and Recreation Commission is authorized to maintain and operate, under the provisions of General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 and Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2005, a revolving fund for special recreation programs and events. All receipts from said programs and events shall be credited to the fund. Annual expenditures from the fund shall not exceed $4,600,000. b.) The Building Commissioner is authorized to maintain and operate, under the provisions of General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 and Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2005, a revolving fund for the repair and maintenance of the Town's rental properties, including all those listed in the vote under Article 13 of the Warrant for the 1999 Annual Town Meeting. All receipts from said rental properties shall be credited to the fund. Annual expenditures from the fund shall not exceed $225,000. c.) The Commissioner of Public Works is authorized to maintain and operate, under the provisions of General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 and Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2005, a revolving fund for the construction and reconstruction, upkeep, maintenance, repair and improvement of sidewalks and walkways along public streets and ways over, across and through town owned property. Annual expenditures from the fund shall not exceed $100,000. d.) The Director of Planning and Community Development is authorized to maintain and operate, under the provisions of General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 and Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2005, a revolving fund for the Façade Improvement Loan Program. Annual expenditures from the fund shall not exceed $30,000. e.) The Library Director is authorized to maintain and operate, under the provisions of General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 and Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2005, a revolving fund for the Copier Program. Annual expenditures from the fund shall not exceed $30,000. f.) The School Department is authorized to maintain and operate, under the provisions of General Laws Chapter 44, Section 53E1/2 and Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2005, a revolving fund for the School bus Program. Annual expenditures from the fund shall not exceed $75,000. 9.) SCHOOLHOUSE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR: The sum of $7,635,891 included within the Building Department appropriation for school building maintenance, shall be expended for School Plant repair and maintenance and not for any other purpose. The listing of work to be accomplished shall be established by the School Department. The feasibility and prioritization of the work to be accomplished under the school plant repair and maintenance budget shall be determined by the Superintendent of Schools and the Building Commissioner, or their designees. 10.) SNOW AND ICE BUDGET: The sum of $457,530, included within the Department of Public Works appropriation for snow and ice operations, shall be expended for snow and ice operations and not for any other purpose, unless transferred per the provisions of Section 1.B.vi of this Article 9. 11.) INTERFUND TRANSFERS: In order to fund the appropriations voted for the various departments itemized on Table 1, the Town Comptroller is authorized to make the following interfund transfers: Cemetery Sales Special Revenue Fund [to the General Fund for the Department of Public Works] Recreation Revolving Fund [to the General Fund for benefits reimbursement] $ 100,000 $460,811 13.) HOST COMMUNITY FUNDS Appropriate $683,639 to be expended under the direction of the Town Administrator for marijuana mitigation activities, and to meet the appropriation transfer $683,639 from the HCA stabilization fund. 14.) BUDGETARY REPORTING: The Town Comptroller shall provide the Advisory Committee with a report on the budgetary condition of the Town as of September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30, within 45 days of said dates. This financial report shall include a summary of the status of all annual and special appropriations voted in this article; a report on the status of all special appropriations voted in prior years which remain open at the reporting date; and a summary of the status of all revenues and inter-fund transfers which have been estimated to finance the appropriations voted under this article. 15.) SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS: The appropriations set forth as items 36 through 70, inclusive, in Table 1 shall be specially appropriated for the following purposes. In addition, with the exception of Items #65 - 70, they shall be transferred from the General Fund to the Revenue-Financed Capital Fund. Appropriate sums of money for the following special purposes: 36.) Raise and appropriate $1,099,920, to resolve the special revenue account deficit as a result of COVID expenses that may not be eligible for reimbursement. 37.) Raise and appropriate $25,000, to be expended under the direction of the Chief Procurement Officer for town furniture upgrades. 38.) Raise and appropriate $375,000, to be expended under the direction of the Building Commissioner, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for the Brookline Village Library HVAC improvements. 39.) Raise and appropriate $900,000, to be expended under the direction of the Police Chief, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for upgrades/replacement of the Police and Fire Department's radio infrastructure. 40.) Raise and appropriate $200,000, to be expended under the direction of the Police Chief, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for the equipment and of the Body Worn and In-Car Camera program. 41.) Raise and appropriate $500,000, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, for traffic calming. 42.) Raise and appropriate $700,000, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, for bike access improvements. 43.) Raise and appropriate $75,400, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, for Accessible Pedestrian Signals. 44.) Raise and appropriate $3,930,000 [$4,680,000 if override passes], to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for the rehabilitation of streets. 45.) Raise and appropriate $500,000, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for the rehabilitation of sidewalks. 46.) Raise and appropriate $800,000, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for design work related to the Washington Street Rehabilitation and Complete Streets Program. 47.) Raise and appropriate $520,000, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for the design of the renovation of Amory Tennis Courts, Parking and Halls Pond. 48.) Raise and appropriate $350,000, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for improvements to Monmouth Park. 49.) Raise and appropriate $2,000,000, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for the renovation of Schick Playground. 50.) Raise and appropriate $285,000, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for the renovation of playground equipment, fields, and fencing. 51.) Raise and appropriate $100,000, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works for the rehabilitation of Town and School grounds. 52.) Raise and appropriate $300,000, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts to be approved by the Select Board and the Park and Recreation Commission, for the rehabilitation of tennis courts and basketball courts. 53.) Raise and appropriate $375,000, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board and the Tree Planting Committee, for the removal and replacement of trees. 54.) Appropriate $150,000, to be expended under the direction of the Recreation Director for the renovation of the Soule Courtyard, and to meet the appropriation transfer $150,000 from the recreation revolving fund balance. 55.) Raise and appropriate $300,000, to be expended under the direction of the Recreation Director, with any necessary contracts to be approved by the Select Board and the Park and Recreation Commission, for tree work at Putterham Woods. 56.) Raise and appropriate $25,000, to be expended under the direction of the Chief Procurement Officer for school furniture upgrades. 57.) Raise and appropriate $200,000, to be expended under the direction of the Building Commissioner for HVAC equipment. 58.) Raise and appropriate $90,000, to be expended under the direction of the Building Commissioner for ADA renovations to Town and School facilities. 59.) Raise and appropriate $250,000, to be expended under the direction of the Building Commissioner for elevator renovations. 60.) Raise and appropriate $130,000, to be expended under the direction of the Building Commissioner for upgrades to energy management systems in Town and School facilities. 61.) Raise and appropriate $125,000, to be expended under the direction of the Building Commissioner, for public building fire alarm upgrades. 62.) Raise and appropriate $170,000, to be expended under the direction of the Building Commissioner, for improvements to life safety systems and building security in Town and School facilities. 63.) Raise and appropriate $1,000,000, to be expended under the direction of the Building Commissioner, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the School Committee, for minor renovations / upgrades to school buildings. 64.) Raise and appropriate $2,026,982, to be expended under the direction of the School Superintendent, with any necessary contracts to be approved by the School Committee, for the expansion of classroom capacity in various schools. 65.) Raise and appropriate $600,000, or any other sum, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for storm water improvements and to meet the appropriation, authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to borrow $600,000 under General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 8(5), as amended, or pursuant to any other enabling authority; and authorize the Select Board to apply for, accept, receive and expend grants, aid, reimbursements, loans, and all other forms of funding and financial assistance from both state and federal sources and agencies for such purpose. 66.) Raise and appropriate $2,000,000, or any other sum, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for water system improvements and to meet the appropriation, authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to borrow $2,000,000 under General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 8(5), as amended, or pursuant to any other enabling authority; and authorize the Select Board to apply for, accept, receive and expend grants, aid, reimbursements, loans, and all other forms of funding and financial assistance from both state and federal sources and agencies for such purpose. 67.) Raise and appropriate $3,000,000, or any other sum, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for wastewater system improvements and to meet the appropriation, authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to borrow $3,000,000 under General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 7(1), as amended, or pursuant to any other enabling authority; and authorize the Select Board to apply for, accept, receive and expend grants, aid, reimbursements, loans, and all other forms of funding and financial assistance from both state and federal sources and agencies for such purpose. 68.) To raise and appropriate $275,000 to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for improvements at Robinson Playground; and to meet the appropriation, authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to borrow $275,000 under General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 7(1), as amended, or pursuant to any other enabling authority; and authorize the Select Board to apply for, accept, receive and expend grants, aid, reimbursements, loans, and all other forms of funding and financial assistance from both state and federal sources and agencies for such purpose; and to rescind a like amount voted at the November 15, 2022 Special Town Meeting under Article 1, Item 4, which item was inadvertently omitted from the warrant for such meeting. 69.) To raise and appropriate $355,000, or any other sum, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Works, with any necessary contracts over $100,000 to be approved by the Select Board, for improvements at Murphy Playground, and to meet the appropriation, authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to borrow $355,000 under General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 7(1), as amended, or pursuant to any other enabling authority; and authorize the Select Board to apply for, accept, receive and expend grants, aid, reimbursements, loans, and all other forms of funding and financial assistance from both state and federal sources and agencies for such purpose and to rescind a like amount voted at the November 15, 2022 Special Town Meeting under Article 1, Item 5, which item was inadvertently omitted from the warrant for such meeting 70.) Appropriate Two Hundred Nine Million Nine Hundred Fifteen Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Eight Dollars ($209,915,958) to pay costs of constructing a new PreK-8 School which includes renovations/addition to the existing historic Pierce School and other site improvements including reconstruction and repair of the Town Hall and Pierce School garages which are beneath the new school and the Town Park across School Street, including the payment of all costs related to designing the new school project, equipping and furnishing the school, site improvements, and all other costs incidental and related thereto (the "Project"), which new school facility shall have an anticipated useful life as an educational facility for the instruction of school children of at least 50 years, and for which the Town may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (the "MSBA"), said amount to be expended under the direction of the Town of Brookline Select Board; that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, is authorized to borrow said amount pursuant to G.L. c.44, §7(1) or G.L. c.70B, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor; that the Town acknowledges that the MSBA's grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any project costs the Town incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town; that any grant that the Town may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser of (1) thirty-five and fifty-five hundredths percent (35.55%) of eligible, approved project costs, as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA; that the amount of the borrowing authorized by this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in and received pursuant to the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the Town and the MSBA; provided, however, that the appropriation and authorization to borrow pursuant to this vote shall be contingent upon the Town's passage of a ballot question to exempt the principal and interest payments on such borrowing from the tax limitations of G.L. c.59, §21C (Proposition 2 ½). 16.) FREE CASH: Appropriate and transfer $20,067,869 from free cash for the following purposes: a.) b.) c.) d.) Operating Budget Reserve Fund (MGL Chapter 40, Section 6) - $767,368; Liability/Catastrophe Fund (Chapter 66 of the Acts of 1998, as amended) - $381,006; Stabilization Fund (MGL Chapter 40, Section 5B) - $4,500,000 Reduce the tax rate (Special Appropriations) - $14,419,495.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

“On motion it was, Voted No Action on Article 12 Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc Against: Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

“Voted: 2-2 Favorable Action on Article 12 Aye: Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman Against: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

“On motion it was, Voted 3-1 to Refer Article 13 to the Town Administrator as outlined by Chair Greene. Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Michael Sandman Against: Miriam Aschkenasy.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 18 (PDF)

“On motion it was, Voted 3-1 Favorable Action on Article 10 Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Michael Sandman Against: Miriam Aschkenasy,.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

“On motion it was, Voted the proposed slate of the MBTA-CA Multifamily Permitting Committee. committee members: Dick Benka (chair) Rick Fredkin Carol Gladstone Ken Lewis Linda Olson Pehlke David Pollak Katha Seidman Neil Wishinsky Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Michael Sandman Absent: Miriam Aschkenasy.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

“On motion it was, Voted to approve the proposed charge for the MBTA-CA Multifamily Permitting Committee: Purpose The MBTA-CA Multifamily Permitting Committee (the Committee) will identify, develop, and analyze potential options for complying with the MBTA Communities Act, in parallel to the work already underway along Harvard Street, so that Town Meeting can be presented with credible and meaningful alternatives in considering how best to comply with that Act's requirements. The Committee shall focus on developing potential options that could but need not include portions of the Harvard Street study area that: (i) seek to minimize adverse impact to commercial districts and existing businesses, (ii) include at least one option likely to incentivize the creation of additional housing units that are suitable for all stages of life and income levels, and (iii) take into consideration the location of additional housing relative to available capacity for open space, schools, and other public infrastructure. Scope The Committee, with the support of the Department of Planning and community Development, will make recommendations to the Select Board on proposed solutions (which could but need not include portions of Harvard Street), including any site plan review standards that affect the theoretical housing yield, by July 14, 2023, or as soon thereafter as reasonably feasible. That will likely give enough time for the State to review potential options submitted by the Select Board over the summer. Following this process, the Committee will assist staff in drafting warrant articles and related materials, including site plan review standards in time for Fall 2023 Town Meeting (estimating August 31st warrant article deadline). Committee meetings will be held remotely via zoom. Prior to making recommendations to the Select Board, the Committee shall: Notify property owners and tenants (including commercial tenants) of at least one public hearing of any proposed zoning changes; Develop two or more solutions for MBTA Communities Act compliance, with a goal of at least one solution that would likely incentivize at least 699 net new housing units constructed (10% of the theoretical housing capacity required by the State) - which could but need not include solutions being developed on Harvard Street, or be entirely separate from Harvard Street; Evaluate the possibility of compliance through the use of, but not necessarily limited to, existing T (two-family) zones and M (multi-family) zones; and Consider and resolve to the extent feasible any unintended consequences updated zoning may have, including impacts of the MBTA-CA parking model, negative impacts on existing businesses, climate resiliency, potential demolition of existing housing stock or loss of character-defining features of the Town..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 10 (PDF)