MassVoter.com← Brookline Select BoardBrookline Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
June 6, 2023
7 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approve the Authorization to Hire request from the Planning Director for the following vacant position: Assistant Director for Community Planning (T11)
Question of approving the Authorization to Hire request from the Planning Director for the following vacant position: Assistant Director for Community Planning (T11)
From the minutes
“Question of approving the Authorization to Hire request from the Planning Director for the following vacant position: Assistant Director for Community Planning (T11) Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve Change Order #26 to the contract with Gilbane Building Company in the amount of $297,327.20 for various scope changes to contract work as described in the "Change Order Explanation" by the...
Question of approving Change Order #26 to the contract with Gilbane Building Company in the amount of $297,327.20 for various scope changes to contract work as described in the "Change Order Explanation" by the architect for the Driscoll School Project.
From the minutes
“Question of approving Change Order #26 to the contract with Gilbane Building Company in the amount of $297,327.20 for various scope changes to contract work as described in the "Change Order Explanation" by the architect for the Driscoll School Project. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve amendment #32 with William Rawn Associates in the amount of $16,410.00 for added construction administration services related to the High School project
Question of approving amendment #32 with William Rawn Associates in the amount of $16,410.00 for added construction administration services related to the High School project.
From the minutes
“Question of approving amendment #32 with William Rawn Associates in the amount of $16,410.00 for added construction administration services related to the High School project. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Accept and authorize the Chair to executive the Drainage Easement at 51 Bartlett Crescent as authorized by an affirmative vote on Article 6 of the November 2022 Special Town Meeting
On motion it was, Voted to accept and authorize the Chair to executive the Drainage Easement at 51 Bartlett Crescent as authorized by an affirmative vote on Article 6 of the November 2022 Special Town Meeting.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to accept and authorize the Chair to executive the Drainage Easement at 51 Bartlett Crescent as authorized by an affirmative vote on Article 6 of the November 2022 Special Town Meeting. Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve and transmit to the Advisory Committee the following reserve fund transfer requests: Building Department $743,000 from the reserve fund to school building utilities Library $25,200 from...
On motion it was, Voted to approve and transmit to the Advisory Committee the following reserve fund transfer requests: Building Department $743,000 from the reserve fund to school building utilities Library $25,200 from the reserve fund to library utilities
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to approve and transmit to the Advisory Committee the following reserve fund transfer requests: Building Department $743,000 from the reserve fund to school building utilities Library $25,200 from the reserve fund to library utilities Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve the reallocation of up to $603,300.78 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the projects and programs described in the Town Administrator's memorandum of June 6, 2023 for wage...
On motion it was, Voted to approve the reallocation of up to $603,300.78 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the projects and programs described in the Town Administrator's memorandum of June 6, 2023 for wage expenditures, as recommended by the Town Administrator.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to approve the reallocation of up to $603,300.78 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the projects and programs described in the Town Administrator's memorandum of June 6, 2023 for wage expenditures, as recommended by the Town Administrator. Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
SENIOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
SENIOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
Yes: Aschkenasy, Greene, VanScoyoc, WarrenAbstained: Sandman
From the minutes
“SENIOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION Discussion and possible vote on the senior means-tested property tax exemption. Lincoln Heineman, Finance Director reviewed that in November 2022 Town Meeting passed a meanstested senior tax exemption. The State has recently approved it. It is now up to the Select Board to consider the appropriate asset limits, which were recommended by the Board of Assessors of a limit of $110,000. The Select Board directed staff to engage with the senior population organizations and advocates to get their feedback. As a result of the feedback, the consensus was a higher asset limit of $750k, excluding the taxpayer's primary home. Some board members felt that number was too high and considered the residential exemption Brookline offers that other communities do not. Chief Assessor Rachid Belhocine provided a review of the tax exemptions and the complicated calculation process. The Board considered the goal of the exemption, and the sentiment was expressed that an asset limit of $110,000 for a single person and $152,200 for a married couple, excluding the primary domicile, would not reach many senior taxpayers. The law governing the exemption is quite restrictive, with the only factors in the Select Board's control being what, if any, the asset limit is; and in subsequent fiscal years (FY2025 and later) what portion of the residential levy, up to a maximum of 1%, would be allocated towards the total allowable exemptions town-wide. On motion it was, To set the asset limit for the senior means-tested exemption as directed by the law signed on January 5, 2023, by the Governor of Massachusetts under Chapter 437 of the Acts of 2022 at $750,000.00, excluding the taxpayer's primary domicile, to be implemented by the Board of Assessors effective Fiscal Year 2024. Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Paul Warren Abstained: Michael Sandman.”
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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