Brookline Spring Town Meeting 2021: What To Know

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline's Town Meeting to begin May 19 will be held virtually again. This marks the third time since the town was formed that the elected representatives have not been required to perform duties in person.

Pre-pandemic, the 240 Town Meeting Member would gather in the auditorium at Brookline High School and raise their hands or use a handheld electronic device to register their votes. This spring they will call in from home and "raise" their hands on Zoom.

Town Meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. May 19 and is likely to last at least three days. Earlier this year, Town officials decided rather than attempt to hold the meeting in person, it would be best to follow a number of other communities and use Zoom and phone technology to hold the meeting once again.

The Spring Town Meeting includes more than 40 warrant articles that propose everything from an increase in property tax exemptions for veterans and the elderly, to creating incentives for fossil fuel free construction in town. This is in addition to approving the town's FY22 budget.

What's on the docket:

Article 6: provides for an increase in the property tax exemptions for veterans and the elderly.
Article 7: would allow the town to apply a bond premium to the Driscoll School renovation fund.
Article 8: relates to 40B project easements
Article 9: the annual town budget
Article 10: proposes using $625,000 of the town's reserve fund.
Article 11: proposes reading a land acknowledgement statement at the beginning of any annual or special town meeting after the singing of the National Anthem to honor Indigenous peoples.
Article 14-17: relate to the short term rentals in Brookline, including a definition (not more than 27 days), proposed regulations allowing for them, and proposing who should enforce the rules.
Article 18: the preservation commission is requesting Kent Street be included in a local historic district.
Article 19 -20: relate to the capping of cannabis delivery operators and marijuana couriers Brookline, and other marijuana establishment bylaw language updates.
Article 21: would allow micro unit dwellings and age restricted units throughout town.
Article 22: would require all agenda packet documents for the town's 74 boards, committees and commissions be posted on the town website at the same time they're sent to members.
Article 23: relates to affordable housing.
Article 24: relates to creation of a sustainability planning division in town.
Article 25-26: related to fossil free construction. One proposes incentivizing fossil fuel free construction through zoning opportunities, the other aims to limit new fossil fuel infrastructure in new construction.
Article 27: relates to how bidding and construction work is being done at the Colonel Floyd Apartments.
Article 28: relates to how the town's Racial Equity Fund is funded.
Article 29-30: would expand outdoor dining in town, removing a six-month limit and allow outdoor seating in parking spaces and privately-owned areas near restaurants.
Article 31: is related to redesigning streets so drivers comply with 25 m.p.h. speed limits
Article 32: proposes a by law to establish the Community Preservation Act that the town just voted in favor of.
Article 33 proposes setting up a structure the town to make disaster information on funds received more easily accessible and transparent.
Article 34: would encourage households with high net worth to make annual voluntary tax-deductible contributions to the town.
Article 35: the resolution proposes increasing town voter participation through
Article 36: proposes to create a moderator's committee to report on progress to address the fiscal advisory committee recommendations.
Article 37: relates to declaring a climate emergency, creating a plan and investing in educating the town.
Article 38- 39: relates to creating a site assessment and pre-development review for affordable housing.
Article 40: relates to ensuring the long-term financial viability of Brookline Interactive Group (BIG), the town community cable access network.

How to watch:

Watch it on any Brookline Interactive Group channel, or online here.

Night 1:

Night 2:

Annual Town Meeting materials:

1. WARRANT 2021 Annual Town Meeting
2. 2021 Annual Town Meeting Article Explanations
3. Combined Reports May 2021 Annual Town Meeting

Read more about the warrant articles: