MassVoter.com← Brookline Select BoardBrookline Select Board · 2023–2024 Board · Regular meeting
November 28, 2023
16 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your Brookline ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Attendance
Present: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Enter into executive session
On motion it was, Voted to enter into executive session.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to enter into executive session. Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve the following Executive Session meeting minutes: April 25, 2023 September 9, 2023 October 3, 2023 ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES 1
Question of approving the following Executive Session meeting minutes: April 25, 2023 September 9, 2023 October 3, 2023 ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES 1. Thursday, November 30th First Light will be held at various commercial locations throughout the own. 2. Wednesday, November 29, 203 there will be a ribbon cutting at the Muddy River, December 4, 2023 the Driscoll School will hold an open house of the new school. 3. Select Board Member Warren indicated his support for not calling a Special Town Meeting for a non-binding resolution for reasons of safety, cost, and community cohesion. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Fraiza Khan, Precinct 13 spoke about pain and division going on in the Town. She urged the board to follow in the footsteps of the Brookline Interfaith Clergy Association denouncing all divisiveness and calling for unity. She expressed concerns about the limitations of public signs.
From the minutes
“Question of approving the following Executive Session meeting minutes: April 25, 2023 September 9, 2023 October 3, 2023 ANNOUNCEMENTS/UPDATES 1. Thursday, November 30th First Light will be held at various commercial locations throughout the own. 2. Wednesday, November 29, 203 there will be a ribbon cutting at the Muddy River, December 4, 2023 the Driscoll School will hold an open house of the new school. 3. Select Board Member Warren indicated his support for not calling a Special Town Meeting for a non-binding resolution for reasons of safety, cost, and community cohesion. PUBLIC COMMENT 1. Fraiza Khan, Precinct 13 spoke about pain and division going on in the Town. She urged the board to follow in the footsteps of the Brookline Interfaith Clergy Association denouncing all divisiveness and calling for unity. She expressed concerns about the limitations of public signs. 2. Tracy Burns, TMM#8 Mothers Out Front, urged the town to move forward with hiring a Sustainability Director, acknowledging the importance of this position. 3. Sana Hafeez precinct 4 spoke on concerns with the public sign policy feeling that the town's message indicates that Palestinian lives don't matter and is an attempt to codify silence into laws and policies. 4. Sean Lecky precinct 3, feels that it's clear that the Brookline Town Government, including the Select Board, School Committee, and town meeting members that the lives of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, and those perceived, as Muslim, are of absolutely no value in Brookline. He spoke on posters around town to raise awareness about the current situation in that community. He is concerned with the public policy on these posters prompting fear in the Muslim community and denying their right to free speech. 5. David Eisenberg, spoke on the town's sign/flag policy. He feels the board should not be given the right to exercise this policy except for individual schools, if they have a flag of their own, or if a department, such as the police or sanitation has a flag. No other flags or signage should be anywhere on town, property. He supports avoiding any signage and keeping the town's policy uniform. He supports the State Flag, US Flag and Town flag. MISCELLANEOUS Question of approving the following meeting minutes: November 14, 2023 November 15, 2023 Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve the authorization to hire for a Recreation Leader/Assistant Aquatics Director (GN08) in the Recreation Department
Question of approving the authorization to hire for a Recreation Leader/Assistant Aquatics Director (GN08) in the Recreation Department.
From the minutes
“Question of approving the authorization to hire for a Recreation Leader/Assistant Aquatics Director (GN08) in the Recreation Department. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Accept a donation from the Area D Open to provide funding for the Therapeutic Recreation Division in the Recreation Department in the Amount of $250
Question of accepting a donation from the Area D Open to provide funding for the Therapeutic Recreation Division in the Recreation Department in the Amount of $250.
From the minutes
“Question of accepting a donation from the Area D Open to provide funding for the Therapeutic Recreation Division in the Recreation Department in the Amount of $250. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve the following authorization to hire requests for the Department of Public Works: Administration IT and GIS Systems Manager (T10) Highway and Sanitation Code Enforcement Program Manager...
Question of approving the following authorization to hire requests for the Department of Public Works: Administration IT and GIS Systems Manager (T10) Highway and Sanitation Code Enforcement Program Manager (T7) Parks and Open Space Division Forestry Zone Manager
From the minutes
“Question of approving the following authorization to hire requests for the Department of Public Works: Administration IT and GIS Systems Manager (T10) Highway and Sanitation Code Enforcement Program Manager (T7) Parks and Open Space Division Forestry Zone Manager Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve the authorization to hire request in the Department of Health and Human Services: 2 Regional Public Health Specialists (GN-10)
Question of approving the authorization to hire request in the Department of Health and Human Services: 2 Regional Public Health Specialists (GN-10)
From the minutes
“Question of approving the authorization to hire request in the Department of Health and Human Services: 2 Regional Public Health Specialists (GN-10) Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve the slate for a Committee of Seven for the RFQ for HVAC and Electrical Services
Question of approving the slate for a Committee of Seven for the RFQ for HVAC and Electrical Services.
From the minutes
“Question of approving the slate for a Committee of Seven for the RFQ for HVAC and Electrical Services. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve Change Order #12 with Lambrian Construction, in the amount of $39,360.00, for added HVAC work at the high school
Question of approving Change Order #12 with Lambrian Construction, in the amount of $39,360.00, for added HVAC work at the high school.
From the minutes
“Question of approving Change Order #12 with Lambrian Construction, in the amount of $39,360.00, for added HVAC work at the high school. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve Change Order #33 with Gilbane Building Company for $52,997.00, for various scope changes to contract work
Question of approving Change Order #33 with Gilbane Building Company for $52,997.00, for various scope changes to contract work.
From the minutes
“Question of approving Change Order #33 with Gilbane Building Company for $52,997.00, for various scope changes to contract work. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve an appropriation transfer request for the Police Department: From: 21002020 510101 Perm full time $235,691.00 To: 21002070 523015 Public safety equip $136,282 21002020 539031 Public safety...
Question of approving an appropriation transfer request for the Police Department: From: 21002020 510101 Perm full time $235,691.00 To: 21002070 523015 Public safety equip $136,282 21002020 539031 Public safety supplies $69,667 21002010 551099 Training expenses $29,742
From the minutes
“Question of approving an appropriation transfer request for the Police Department: From: 21002020 510101 Perm full time $235,691.00 To: 21002070 523015 Public safety equip $136,282 21002020 539031 Public safety supplies $69,667 21002010 551099 Training expenses $29,742 Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Noise Bylaw Waiver request from Shawmut Design and Construction for work to be done at 850 Boylston Street, Saturday, December 1, 2023, and Sunday, December 2, 2023, from 3:00 AM-10:00 PM to...
Noise Bylaw Waiver request from Shawmut Design and Construction for work to be done at 850 Boylston Street, Saturday, December 1, 2023, and Sunday, December 2, 2023, from 3:00 AM-10:00 PM to operate a crane inside the parking lot to lift and move materials.
From the minutes
“Noise Bylaw Waiver request from Shawmut Design and Construction for work to be done at 850 Boylston Street, Saturday, December 1, 2023, and Sunday, December 2, 2023, from 3:00 AM-10:00 PM to operate a crane inside the parking lot to lift and move materials. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve the following alternate manager application for NETA: Escarlyn Cordero
Question of approving the following alternate manager application for NETA: Escarlyn Cordero
From the minutes
“Question of approving the following alternate manager application for NETA: Escarlyn Cordero Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve an application for a change in lodging agent from Sunyeob Park to Jeanna Heezen for 1077 Beacon St. d/b/a 1077 Beacon St. LLC
On motion it was, Voted to approve an application for a change in lodging agent from Sunyeob Park to Jeanna Heezen for 1077 Beacon St. d/b/a 1077 Beacon St. LLC.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to approve an application for a change in lodging agent from Sunyeob Park to Jeanna Heezen for 1077 Beacon St. d/b/a 1077 Beacon St. LLC. Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Authorize the Town Administrator to sign an MOU related to the Metro Public Health Collaborative (MPHC) for the purpose of the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Metro Public Health...
On motion it was, Voted to authorize the Town Administrator to sign an MOU related to the Metro Public Health Collaborative (MPHC) for the purpose of the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Metro Public Health Collaborative.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to authorize the Town Administrator to sign an MOU related to the Metro Public Health Collaborative (MPHC) for the purpose of the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Metro Public Health Collaborative. Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Approve the Tree Preservation Bylaw rules and regulations as presented
On motion it was, Voted to approve the Tree Preservation Bylaw rules and regulations as presented.
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted to approve the Tree Preservation Bylaw rules and regulations as presented. Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman, Paul Warren.”
Call a Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom; to waive the requirements of Sections 2.1.2 through 2.1.4 of the Town's By-Laws; to open and close the Warrant;...
On motion it was, Voted: To call a Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom; to waive the requirements of Sections 2.1.2 through 2.1.4 of the Town's By-Laws; to open and close the Warrant; and to insert in the said Warrant the following article: ARTICLE 1
Yes: VanScoyocNo: Aschkenasy, Sandman, WarrenAbstained: Greene
From the minutes
“On motion it was, Voted: To call a Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom; to waive the requirements of Sections 2.1.2 through 2.1.4 of the Town's By-Laws; to open and close the Warrant; and to insert in the said Warrant the following article: ARTICLE 1 RESOLUTION CALLING ON BROOKLINE TOWN MEETING TO STAND WITH ISRAEL. ----------WHEREAS, ON OCTOBER 7, 2023, THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS HAMAS LAUNCHED A BRUTAL, BARBARIC ASSAULT AND ATTACK ON THE STATE OF ISRAEL AND BROUGHT IMMENSE SUFFERING TO THE INNOCENT CIVILIANS OF ISRAEL AND THE REGION; AND WHEREAS, THE ISRAELI PEOPLE HAVE AN INALIENABLE RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST ACTS OF TERRORISM; AND WHEREAS, THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE MOURNS THE THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT VICTIMS OF HAMAS'S TERRORIST ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL, INCLUDING WOMEN, CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY, AND IS CONCERNED FOR THE INNOCENT CIVILIANS WHO HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED AND ARE BEING HELD HOSTAGE; AND WHEREAS, BROOKLINE TOWN MEETING HAS, IN PREVIOUS RESOLUTIONS, DEMONSTRATED AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING INNOCENT VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE; AND WHEREAS, THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE STRONGLY CONDEMNS THESE HEINOUS TERRORIST ACTIONS BY HAMAS IN ISRAEL; AND WHEREAS, THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE REJECTS ANTISEMITIC PROPAGANDA CLAIMING THAT ISRAEL IS A TERRORIST OR APARTHEID STATE, AND/OR THAT THE ATTACKS BY HAMAS TERRORISTS ARE SOMEHOW JUSTIFIED BECAUSE OF PAST ACTIONS BY ISRAEL; AND WHEREAS, THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN ISRAEL, IN THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE AND AROUND THE WORLD; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: THAT BROOKLINE TOWN MEETING SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, TO SUPPORT ALL THE VICTIMS OF THE RECENT HAMAS TERRORIST ATTACK AGAINST THE STATE OF ISRAEL, AND TO WORK TOWARD THE SAFE RETURN OF THOSE WHO ARE BEING HELD HOSTAGE, OR ACT ON ANYTHING RELATIVE THERETO. 1-3-1 Aye: John VanScoyoc Against: Miriam Aschkenasy, Michael Sandman. Paul Warren Abstained: Bernard Greene Motion failed.”
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →