2019 Annual Report

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Town of Brookline 2019 Annual Report

314th Annual Report of the Town Officers of Brookline for the year ending December 31, 2019

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Table of Contents Town Officers………………………………………………………...……………… 3 Select Board………………….……………………………………………..……….. 9 Town Administrator………………………………………………………………… 14 Town Moderator..…………………………………………………………………… 19 Advisory Committee……………………………………………..…………………. 20 Town Meeting………………………………………..………...……………………. 22 General Government Town Clerk…………………………………………………………………... 39 Registrars of Voters………………………………………………………… 40 Town Counsel……………………………………………………………….. 41 Human Resources…………………………………………..……………… 42 Public Safety Police Department………………………………………………….………. 44 Fire Department…………………………………………………………….. 52 Building Department………………………………………………………... 57 Building Commission……………………………………………………….. 59 Board of Examiners………………………………………………………… 60 Public Works Administration.……….……………………………………………………... 61 Engineering and Transportation Division ……………………………….. 63 Highway, Sanitation and Fleet Services Division……………………….. 69 Parks and Open Spaces Division……………………………………….... 72 Water and Sewer Division……………….………………………………… 76 Recreation Department………………………………………...………………….. 78 Public Schools………………………………………..………...…………………… 80 Library………………………………………..………...………………………….…. 86 Brookline Interactive Group…………..………...………………………….…..… 90 Planning and Community Development………………………………………... 92 Regulatory Planning..………………………………………………………. 92 Zoning Board of Appeals ……………….……………..…………..………. 92 Preservation Commission……………………..…………………………... 93 Community Planning…………………..………………………………….... 94 Housing…………………………………………………...... 95 Economic Development …………………..……………………………….. 96 Housing Authority…………………………………………………………… 98 Human Services Health Department…………………………………………………..……… 102 Council on Aging……………………………………………………………. 107 Age-Friendly City Committee………..………………….…………..…… 110 Veterans' Services……………………..………………….……………..… 111 Commission on Disability….. ……………………………………………... 112 Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations…………………………... 113 Commission for the Arts…………………….……………………………... 115 Commission for Women………………………………………………….... 116 Information Technology Department……………………………………………. 117 Finance Treasury Division……………..…………………………………………….. 119 Comptroller's Division. …………………………………………..………… 120 Assessors Division………………………………………………………….. 121 Purchasing Division……………………………………….………………... 122 Norfolk County Registry of Deeds………………………………………… 124 Retirement ……..………………………………..……………………..…… 126 Telephone Directory..……………..……………..……………....……………..… 127 Town Fact Sheet..……………..……………..……………..………….…………… 128

2019 Annual Report

TOWN OFFICERS For the Municipal Year 2019

______CONSTABLES ELECTED TOWN OFFICES Joseph G Figler (2022) MODERATOR Neil Gordon (2022) Edward (Sandy) Gadsby (2021) Stanley N. Rabinovitz (2022) Regina M. Frawley (2022) TOWN CLERK Kristine L. Knauf (2022) Patrick J. Ward (2021) ______APPOINTED BY THE MODERATOR SELECT BOARD Bernard Greene, Chair (2021) ADVISORY COMMITTEE Benjamin J. Franco (2020) Sean Lynn-Jones (2019) Nancy S. Heller (2021) Carla Wyman Benka, Vice Chair (2019) Raul Fernandez (2022) Benjamin Birnbaum (2021) Heather Hamilton (2020) Clifford M. Brown (2019) Carol B. Caro (2019) TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY John Doggett (2020) Regina Healy, Chair (2021) Dennis L. Doughty (2020) Carol Axelrod (2021) Harry Friedman (2019) Michael Burstein (2019) Janet Gelbart (2020) Chris Chanyasulkit (2020) David-Marc Goldstein (2019) Koinonia Givens (2019) Neil R. Gordon (2019) Vivien Goldman (2021) Susan Granoff (2019) Gary Jones (2020) Kelly A. Hardebeck (2020) Karen Livingston (2020) Amy Hummel (2021) Carol Troyen Lohe (2021) Alisa G. Jonas (2019) Jonathan Margolis (2020) Janice S. Kahn (2020) Puja Mehta (2019) Steven R. Kanes (2021) Judith Vanderkay (2019) Bobbie M. Knable (2021) David C. Lescohier (2020) SCHOOL COMMITTEE Carol S. Levin (2019) David Pollark, Chair (2019) Pamela C. Lodish (2021) Helen Charlupski (2019) Mariah C. Nobrega (2019) Susan Wolf Ditkoff (2019) Michael Sandman (2019) Suzanne Federspiel (2020) Lee L. Selwyn (2020) Michael Glover (2020) Kim Smith (2021) Jennifer L. Monopoli (2021) Stanley L. Spiegel (2020) Julie Schreiner-Oldham (2020) Claire B. Stampfer (2019) David Arenas Pearlman (2021) Charles Swartz (2020) Barbara C. Scotto (2021) John R. VanScoyoc (2021) Christine Westphal (2021) BROOKLINE HOUSING AUTHORITY Michael Jacobs, Chair (2021) COMMITTEE ON TOWN ORGANIZATION AND Joanne M. Sullivan, Vice Chair(2020) STRUCTURE Sue Cohen (2023) Jean D. Berg, Chair (2020) Barbara B. Dugan (2020) Dick Benka (2021) Judith Katz (State Appt) (2021) Harry Bohrs (2019) Betsy DeWitt (2020) Michael Robbins (2021) Martin R. Rosenthal (2021) Robert M. Stein (2019)

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SENIOR MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENTS

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SELECT BOARD'S OFFICE Kevin Stokes, Chief Information Officer Melvin A. Kleckner, Town Administrator Melissa Goff, Deputy Town Administrator PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Justin Casanova-Davis, Asst. Town Alison Steinfeld, Director Administrator Joseph Viola, Assistant Director Polly Selkoe, Chief Planner BUILDING DEPARTMENT Kara Brewton, Economic Development Officer Daniel Bennett, Commissioner Charles Simmons, Public Buildings POLICE CHIEF Director Andrew Lipson Tony Guigli, Building Project Administrator PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT COUNCIL ON AGING Andrew Pappastergion, Commissioner Ruthann Dobek, Director Frederick Russell, Water and Sewer Director Peter Ditto, Engineering/Transportation Director DIVERSITY INCLUSION/COMMUNITY Erin Chute Gallentine, Parks & Open Space RELATIONS Director Lloyd Gellineau, Director Kevin Johnson, Highway Director

FINANCE DEPARTMENT RECREATION Jeana Franconi, Director of Finance/ Leigh Jackson, Director Treasurer/Collector David Geanakakis, Chief Procurement SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT Officer Ben Lummis Michael DiPietro, Comptroller Gary McCabe, Chief Assessor TOWN COUNSEL'S OFFICE Joslin Ham Murphy, Town Counsel FIRE CHIEF John Buchheit, Assoc. Town Counsel John F. Sullivan Patricia Correa, First Asst. Town Counsel Jonathan Simpson Assoc. Town Counsel HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Dr. Swannie Jett, Director TOWN LIBRARIAN Sara Slymon, Director HUMAN RESOURCES Ann Hess Braga, Director VETERANS SERVICES William McGroarty, Director

2019 Annual Report

______Boards and Commissions Appointed by the Select Board

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Dr. Anthony Schlaff, Chair (2020) Rebecca Stone, Acting Chair (2021) Patricia Maher (2020) Jennifer Goldsmith (2020) Dr. Peter Moyer (2018) Nicole McClelland (2020) Dr. Nalina Narain (2019) Dr. Gloria Rudisch (2021) Gretchen Soddard (2018) Felina Robinson (2022) Elizabeth Stillman (2022) AUDIT COMMITTEE Meenakshi Garodia (2022) Bernard Greene, Chair Susan Wolf Ditkoff BUILDING COMMISSION Peter Finnerty Janet Fierman, Chair (2018) Gregory Grobstein Karen Bresawski (2020) James Littleton George Cole (2019) Lee Selwyn Kenneth Kaplan (2019) Nathan Peck (2018) BOARD OF ASSESSORS Gary McCabe, Chair (2019) COMMISSION ON DISABILITY Mark J. Mazur (2021) Saralynn Allaire, Chair (2019) Harold Petersen (2020) James Miczek, Deputy Chair (2019) Myra Berloff, Treasurer (2018) BOARD OF EXAMINERS Select Board Member Ben Franco Barnett Berliner (2017) Robert Heist (2018) Fred Lebow (2018) Ann Kamensky (2018) Vacancy (2016) Joan Mahon (2017) Elaine Ober (2017) BROOKLINE INTERACTIVE GROUP Henry Winkelman (2019) Amy Emmert Leslie Forde CONSERVATION COMMISSION Lori Landay Marcus Quigle, Chair (2021) Karim Martin Roberta Schnoor, Vice Chair (2021) Laura Nooney Pamela Harvey (2019) Noah Xu Werner Lohe (2020) Pallavi Kalia Mande (2021) COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS Benjamin Wish (2021) Lea Cohen (2019) ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Ohad Cohen (2020) Marian Lazar (2017) Amy Emmert (2019) Sara Erkal (2021) COUNCIL ON AGING Betsy Frauenthal (2019) Yolanda Rodriguez, Chair (2020) Kebbie Ghaderi (2021) Peter Ames (2020) Daniel Gostin (2018) Doris Toby Axelrod (2020) Donna Hollengerg (2018) Judith Chasin, Vice Chair (2021) Ilana Hirsch Lescohier (2018) Rita d’Entremont (2020) Courtney McGlynn (2018) Jean Doherty (2020) Syndey Nolan (2020) Philip Fullerton (2021) Peg O’Connell (2021) Barbara Kean (2020) Chris Santos (2019) Helen Lew (2020) Austin Seeley (2021) Alberta Lipson (2021) John Mulhane (2019) Muriel Stark (2021) Roberta Winitzer (2019) William Wong (2020) Jackie Wright (2020)

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ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Pat Ahlin (2021) HUMAN RESOURCES BOARD Clara Chin (2021) Edward DeAngelo, Chair (2019) Paula Friedman (2020) Lori G. Cawthorne (2018) Joanne Katz (2021) Gerald Raphel (2019) Sherri Lee (2019) Dana M. Teague (2020) Mimi O’Connor (2021) Beth Venti (2018) Fran Perler (2020) Martha Schieve (2021) MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMITTEE Antoinnette (Toni) Schroder (2020) Select Board Member Bernard Greene, Chair Vera Sharma (2021) Jack Curtis Marian Weissman (2020) Robert Daves Amy Kamensky HONORARY MEMBERS Bobbie Knable Celia Lascarides Bill Mitchell Agnes Rogers Evelyn Roll NAMING COMMITTEE Fred Lebow, Chair (2017) COMMISSION FOR DIVERSITY, John Bain (2018) INCLUSION & COMMUNITY RELATIONS Carla Benka (2017) Joan Lancourt, Chair (2021) Helen Charlupski (2018) Sandy Batchelder, Jr. (2020) Wendy Ecker (2018) John Malcolm Cawthorne (2019) Harry Friedman (Alternate) (2017) Jessica Chico (2022) Eloise Lawrence (2021) NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT Irving Allen (2022) Dick Garver, Chair (2016) Bob Lepson (2020) Paul Bell, Vice Chair (2016) Mariah Nobrega (2021) Mark Allen (2020) Cornelia Van Der Ziel (2020) Dennis DeWitt (2017) Emre Muftu Student Rep. Deborah Goldberg (2015) Casey Hatchett Police Liaison David Jack (2016) Susanne Federspiel School Liaison Robin Koocher (2015) Raul Fernandez Select Board Rep. VACANCY (2020) Lloyd Gellineau Diversity Office Liaison ALTERNATES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD Stephen Chiumenti (2015) Paul Saner, Co-Chair (2020) Anne Meyers, Co-Chair (2018) PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Clifford Brown (2020) John Bain, Chair (2019) Derrick Choi (2017) Clara Batchelor (2020) Alan Christ (2019) Antonia Bellalta (2018) Susan Houston (2018) James K. Carroll (2018) Carol Levin (2018) Daniel Lyons (2020) Kenneth Lewis (2019) Nancy O’Connor (2020) Thomas Nally (2019) Wendy Sheridan (2019) Marilyn Newman (2019) Alden Raine (2018) Donald A. Warner, AIA (2019)

HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD PLANNING BOARD Roger Blood, Chair (2021) Stephen Heikin, Chair (2020) William Madsen Hardy (2020) James Carr (2019) Jonathan Klein (2021) Robert Cook (2017) Rita McNally (Tenant Rep.) (2020) Linda Hamlin (2018) Jennifer Raitt (2019) Blair Hines (2020) Steven Heiken (Planning Board Rep.) Matthew Oudens (2019) Michael Jacobs (Housing Authority Rep.) Mark Zarrillo (2020)

2019 Annual Report

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PRESERVATION COMMISSION Jesse Geller (2021) David King, Chair (2020) Johanna Schneider (2022) James Batchelor (2020) Mark Zuroff (2023) Wendy Ecker (2020) Elton Elperin (2020) ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Rosemary Battles Foy (2018) Stephen Chiumenti (2018) David Jack (2020) Randolph Meiklejohn (2020) Peter Kleiner (2018) Lark Palermo (2018) Kate Poverman (2020) ALTERNATE MEMBERS Elizabeth Armstrong (2020) Richard Panciera (2018)

REGISTRARS OF VOTERS Linda Golburgh, Chair (2018) Andrew J. Mcllwraith (2016) Peggy McGuire (2018) Patrick J. Ward, Ex Officio

RETIREMENT BOARD Gary Altman, Chair (2018) John Canney (2020) Jeana Franconi (2021) Robert Ward (2020) Michael DiPietro, Ex-Officio

SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE John Dempsey, Chair (2017) Deane Cody (2018) Mary Litterst (2019) Kathleen O’Connell (2018) Clint Richmond (2017) Susan Rittling (2017) John Shreffler (2019)

TRANSPORTATION BOARD Chris Dempsey, Chair (2021) Linda Pehlke (2021) Jonathan Kapust (2022) Karine Gibbs (2022) Nancy Moore (2020) Ali R. Tali (2021)

TREE PLANTING COMMITTEE Nadine Gerdts, Chair (2019) Elizabeth Erdman (2019) Hugh Mattison (2018)

TRUSTEES OF WALNUT HILL CEMETERY Joslin Ham Murphy (2019) Nina Brown (2017) Bob Cook (2018) Gerard Hayes (2017) Peggy McGuire (2016) Vacancy (2018)

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______MISCELLANEOUS APPOINTMENTS

AGENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF REAL ESTATE Kyle Banoey

CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR John F. Sullivan

FENCE VIEWER Peter Ditto

INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS Miranda Corbine & Patrick Maloney

INSPECTOR OF PETROLEUM John F. Sullivan

INSPECTOR OF WIRES Brian Richard

KEEPER OF THE LOCK-UP Andrew Lipson

LOCAL MOTH SUPERINTENDENT OF INSECT PEST CONTROL Andrew Pappastergion

RIGHT TO KNOW COORDINATOR Ann Hess Braga

MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK William McGroarty & Elmon Hendrickson

2019 Annual Report

Select Board

L-R: Town Administrator Mel Kleckner, Bernard Greene (Chair), Raul Fernandez, Benjamin J. Franco, Nancy Heller, and Heather A. Hamilton.

As Chair of the Select Board, I am pleased to submit this report of the Select Board's activities during the calendar year 2019.

The Select Board is the executive arm of the Town Government. Its primary functions consist of calling Town elections and the Annual and Special Town Meetings, working with the Advisory Committee on the Town budget presented to Town Meeting, setting public policy and strategic direction, issuing licenses and permits for restaurants and other commercial activity, setting certain fees, approving contracts for municipal projects and services, creating necessary Town regulations, and hearing appeals from lower Town bodies. The Select Board also oversees certain volunteer and appointed Boards and Commissions.

At the beginning of the year, the Select Board was comprised of Neil Wishinsky, Chair, Ben Franco, Nancy Heller, Bernard Greene, and Heather Hamilton. At the May 7, 2019 Town election, Raul Fernandez was elected to serve a three-year term in the seat being vacated by Mr. Wishinsky, who did not run for re-election after serving for 6 years. Neil Wishinsky was an effective Board member who put the Town's interests first. We welcome Raul to the Board and thank Mr. Wishinsky for his commitment to the Town of Brookline. At its organizational meeting on May 8, the Select Board elected Bernard Greene to serve as Chair.

The Board meets on most Tuesday evenings throughout the year to carry out its various functions and perform ceremonial duties. The Select Board assigns its members to serve as liaisons to various Boards and Commissions throughout the year. In addition, individual Select Board Members serve as chairs of many ad hoc committees to advance a project or policy issue. The Select Board could only accomplish its work with the help of the staff of the Select Board office: Town Administrator Mel Kleckner, Director of Administrative Services Devon Williams; Deputy Town Administrator Melissa Goff and Assistant Town Administrator Justin Casanova-Davis; and the staff of the Select Board's office, Kate MacGillivray, Tiffany Souza, and Susan Ford. We thank the entire staff of the Select Board's office for their dedication and competence in coordinating the Board's activities while managing the Town government affairs. Finally, the Board also wishes to acknowledge all the department heads and their staff's fine work during 2019.

The Select Board, working with other Town entities, must also face the challenge of resolving the fractures in our Town that in unnerving ways reflect the fractures we see nationally in America – not just extremism of the right, which, fortunately, is minimal in Brookline, but also the oftentimes rigidity and absolutism of people who may be motivated by laudable goals but are often unwilling to acknowledge that there may be alternative ways to achieve those goals or

9 www.brooklinema.gov alternative goals themselves. The Select Board will continue to seek community engagement and dialogue on hot- button issues in Town and find the necessary compromises that will lead our Town to a more perfect community.

Some Highlights of Select Board Activities and Accomplishments in 2019

Newbury College. In December 2018, Newbury College announced that it was closing operations following the conclusion of the spring semester and graduation on May 12, 2019. The Select Board established a Newbury College Acquisition Advisory Committee to investigate the feasibility of acquiring some or all of the 10-acre campus on Fisher Hill. The Committee advised the Select Board on a plan that resulted in the Town submitting a bid for the entire campus. The Town's bid was not accepted, and the college was sold to a well-financed developer of senior living facilities. The Select Board next established a Newbury Zoning Committee to review and propose modifications to the redevelopment proposal presented by the successful bidder, Welltower Inc. Welltower's plans are to construct a continuum of care facility on the "east side" of the property and to sell the "west side" of the property to the Town of Brookline. The project will be subject to Brookline's Inclusionary Zoning bylaw and will result in additional affordable housing units for the Town.

Waldo-Durgin. The Waldo-Durgin project is a mixed-use development that will include a hotel, a residential building, a parking garage, and commercial uses along the street-front in Coolidge Corner. The May 2019 Annual Town Meeting approved zoning amendments and a zoning overlay district. The project is conveniently located near the Green Line of the MBTA into downtown Boston and the Number 66 bus that travels from Nubian Square in Roxbury to Harvard Square in Cambridge. In addition to its prime public transportation location, the project also includes 11 affordable onsite units. The developer, Chestnut Hill Realty, will make a $3,275,000 contribution to the Town's Housing Trust Fund in lieu of the additional 10 affordable units otherwise required by Brookline's Inclusionary Zoning bylaw.

Housing. The Select Board continued with its efforts to expand the availability of housing in Brookline that is affordable to families and individuals in multiple income brackets and to increase racial integration of all housing in Brookline.  Housing Affordability. Affordability efforts include the entire continuum from very low-income housing to middle income or workforce housing. Using the Inclusionary Zoning bylaw, affordable units are a part of housing projects across Town including 20 Boylston Street, 54 Auburn Street, Hancock Village (the Gerry Building), Waldo-Durgin, and units that will be developed as a result of the senior living facility being developed by Welltower at the Newbury College site. The Town's Inclusionary Zoning By-Law is designed to generate new affordable housing units serving households below 50%, 80%, and 100% of Area Median Income (AMI). The effort to increase middle-income housing options was aided by the November 2019 Town Meeting approval of a bylaw permitting Accessory Dwelling units by right in single-family homes. The Town used its own resources for various affordable housing development and preservation projects, including (i) a $3 million commitment for an affordable senior housing project at 384 Harvard Street (2Life Communities formerly known as Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly), (ii) additional Town support to the Brookline Housing Authority (BHA) Rental Assistance Demonstration projects in the form of the waiver of building permit fees at 61 Park Street (currently under construction), (iii) $1.3 million in funding for 90 Longwood Avenue, and (iv) approximately $435,000 in CDBG funds for BHA capital improvement projects at several sites. The Town-owned Kent-Station Street parking lot in Brookline Village was made available for a proposed air rights development of affordable senior housing – a Request for Proposals was issued to prospective developers in August of 2019.  Racial Integration in Brookline. Racial integration efforts include marketing initiatives that highlight the benefits of living in Brookline to Black and Hispanic families and individuals. These potential residents include professionals who are new arrivals to the Boston area who may not have significant financial impediments to owning a home or renting an apartment in Brookline and residents of communities adjacent to Boston who want to enjoy the benefits of living in Brookline either as homeowners or renters. The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations produced and circulated a brochure, "Town of Brookline: You're Right at Home Here," as part of one of these initiatives. The brochure will reach out to local universities, hospitals, law firms, financial services companies and other employers, and local media targeting Black and Hispanic communities in Boston. To ensure fair housing opportunities for those families and others, Brookline is a member of the WestMetro HOME Consortium (HOME) and participates in the HOME Regional Fair Housing Plan, which is a regional effort to enforce fair housing laws and reduce segregated housing in Metro Boston.

New England Treatment Access. On March 23, 2019, New England Treatment Access (NETA) began retail sales of recreational cannabis at its Registered Marijuana Dispensary (RMD) at 160 Washington Street at Boylston Street in Brookline Village. The RMD has operated at that site since February 2016. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control

2019 Annual Report

Commission (CCC) issued NETA a Provisional License in July 2018 for the operation of an Adult Use Marijuana Retailer. In November 2018, the Brookline Select Board issued a license to NETA to operate as an Adult Use Marijuana Retailer with certain conditions. On March 15, 2019, NETA received their Notice to Commence Operations from the CCC, which began on March 23. NETA operates a very successful cannabis retailer drawing thousands of customers daily from a wide area of eastern Massachusetts and surrounding areas. This was primarily due to the dearth of competing cannabis retailers as the CCC slowly rolls out new licensing. The success of NETA together with heavy construction activity in Brookline Village, resulted in many quality of life problems in the surrounding community. In response to these problems, the Select Board established a Cannabis Mitigation Advisory Committee. It also designated funds generated by the Town's Host Community Agreement with NETA to address the issues by Town departments.

School Building Projects. The pressure on school facilities caused by enrollment growth and expanding program needs of students continued in 2019. Unfortunately, a solution to these pressures that would have renovated and expanded the Baldwin and the Driscoll Schools and would have been financed by a debt exclusion was rejected by the voters at the May 7, 2019 Town election. The Town was forced to improvise with sub-optimal solutions to the enrollment and facilities problems with a rental of a building on the Maimonides School Brookline campus, other rentals, and additional efforts to more efficiently use school space. In December, a debt exclusion for the Driscoll school renovation and expansion was approved by the voters. During 2019 the very complicated High School expansion project continued to progress, and the former Devotion School temporarily renamed the Coolidge Corner School pending final approval of the new name, the Florida Ruffin Ridley School, was completed and opened to students.

Town Finances

On March 11, 2019, Moody's reaffirmed the Town's Aaa bond rating. Brookline is one of just 14 communities in Massachusetts that has been assigned the Aaa rating by Moody's. The Town's FY19 Financial Plan was also again awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation citation by the Government Finance Officers Association. In addition to the general duties of Select Board members, each Board member devotes a great deal of time to chairing and participating on the Boards and Commissions of the Town. A few key assignments of Select Board members in 2019 were:

Mr. Wishinsky Newbury Acquisition Committee Coolidge Corner Study Committee

Mr. Franco Brookline Fiscal Advisory Committee CDBG Advisory Committee Commission on Disability Licensing Review Committee (with Greene) Pierce Building Committee Town-School Partnership Committee (with Greene) Zoning Bylaw Committee (with Greene)

Ms. Heller Brookline High School Expansion Building Committee Climate Action Committee Council on Aging

Mr. Greene Audit Committee Baldwin Building Committee Licensing Review Committee (with Franco) Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee Town-School Partnership Committee (with Franco) Zoning Bylaw Committee (with Franco) Police Surveillance and Military-Type Equipment Study Committee

Ms. Hamilton Kent/Station Affordable Housing Committee Driscoll Building Committee Land Bank Study Committee Hubway (and Scooters) Advisory Committee

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MassPort Citizens Advisory Committee

Mr. Fernandez Commission on Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations Indigenous Peoples Celebration Committee Lower Boylston Study Committee Small Business Development Committee

Town Meeting

Town Meeting is Brookline's legislative arm of government. Brookline has a representative Town Meeting comprised of 240 Town Meeting Members elected by precinct, members of the Select Board who serve at large, and the Town Clerk and Town Moderator who serve at large. In addition, any state legislator who resides in Brookline is also an at large Town Meeting Member. Currently State Representative Tommy Vitolo serves as an at large Town Meeting Member. The basic functions of Town Meeting are to appropriate funds, pass local bylaws, and adopt policy resolutions. Town Meeting is able to efficiently and fairly perform the legislative duties of Town government because of the hard work and knowledge of Town Moderator Edward "Sandy" Gadsby and Town staff who work tirelessly beginning with the opening of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in the spring and any Special Town Meeting, typically held in the fall.

In 2019, the Annual Town Meeting was held on May 21, 23, 28, and 30. The Annual Town Meeting considered 30 warrant articles. The fall Special Town Meeting was held on November 19, 20, 21, and on December 4, 11, and 12. The Special Town Meeting considered 34 warrant articles, the Second Special Town Meeting considered 1 warrant article (16 year old voting), and the Third Special Town Meeting considered 3 warrant articles (cannabis regulation). The warrant articles in the Annual Town Meeting and the three Special Town Meetings are summarized in the Town Meeting section of this Annual Report.

Budget Objectives

Each year as part of the annual budget process, the Select Board adopts a series of objectives and priorities for the coming year. This process is instructive when allocating funds in the Budget, but also when determining the weekly agenda and ongoing activities of the Board. The following objectives were adopted by the Board in January as part of the annual budget process;

Finance and Administration

1. To ensure the Town's budget allocates resources responsibly, to ensure long-term financial sustainability while observing prudent financial practices that retain the Town's Aaa credit rating. 2. To comprehensively review the recommendations made by the Brookline Fiscal Advisory committee concerning Town and School budget principles and policies. 3. To review, discuss, and adopt Select Board goals to provide direction to departments and improve performance indicators. 4. To review and update boards and commission applications and simplify the process to search and apply for openings. 5. To work with the School Committee on the development and execution of a comprehensive plan to address space and enrollment needs in the schools.

Diversity and Community Engagement

6. To provide leadership and support to the Town Administrator, the Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations Office, Boards and Commissions, Town Departments, and other community stakeholders in collaborative efforts to implement meaningful diversity and inclusion initiatives and continue the GARE evaluation process. 7. To work with the Human Resources Department to ensure that job opportunities and advertisements are publicized in a manner that encourages a diverse applicant pool.

2019 Annual Report

8. To work with Town staff to provide excellent government services that effectively address the needs of all citizens and expands community engagement. 9. To implement where possible, diversity and inclusion efforts into the Town's services, planning, and procurement process. 10. To encourage Town staff to develop innovative programs and initiatives to increase racial diversity in Brookline through marketing or outreach programs.

Economic Development, Planning and Regulation

11. To update the zoning by-laws. 12. To work with the Cannabis Mitigation Advisory Committee to responsibly monitor and implement mitigation efforts regarding marijuana establishments within the Town. 13. To actively participate in the disposition of Newbury College, whether through the purchase of or the regulation of land use. 14. To support the increase in the production of quality affordable senior, middle-income, and low-income housing and ensure that the Town qualifies for safe harbor under Chapter 40B. 15. To develop and implement local rules and regulations in conjunction with State regulations associated with short- term property rentals.

Environmental Planning

16. To identify and pursue fossil-fuel-free opportunities for municipal buildings and support energy-efficient projects. 17. To encourage the use of different portfolio options for the Town and our municipal electricity contract and increase the percentage of fossil-fuel-free electricity the Town uses. 18. To adopt a vehicle fleet policy for Town departments and encourage the utilization of electric and alternative vehicles throughout the Town. 19. To work with Sustainability staff to ensure that sustainable goals are incorporated into municipal projects. 20. To work with National Grid to ensure they undertake appropriate mitigation and restoration actions to address gas leaks within the Town.

Bernard Greene Chair, Brookline Select Board

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Town Administrator Melvin A. Kleckner

It is a privilege to report on the activities and policy issues facing the Town of Brookline in 2019.

School Expansion Planning

With a plan in place to expand its facilities to accommodate growing school enrollment, the Town was dealt a setback when the ballot question to fund replacement of the Driscoll School and the construction of a ninth elementary school at the Baldwin site was rejected at the annual town election in May. Clearly, there was significant neighborhood opposition to developing a school on the relatively small Baldwin site and near congested traffic intersections in Chestnut Hill. A lawsuit challenging the Town’s ability to use the site for school purposes created additional challenges. The Select Board had determined that it would combine both the Driscoll and Baldwin projects together on the ballot question. When the combined ballot question was defeated, the Board sought further direction from the School Committee.

The Board received a report from the School Committee on October 1, recommending that the Driscoll project proceed independent of a new 9th school. The Board commenced a series of public discussions, including a public hearing, on the possibility of scheduling an election for the purpose of placing the Driscoll debt exclusion question back on the ballot. The Board voted to set a special election for this purpose on December 10, 2019. At a special town meeting in November, funding for the Driscoll project was approved, subject to a referendum of Brookline voters. On December 10, the voters approved the debt exclusion question, allowing for the debt costs on the Driscoll project to be exempt from the tax limitations imposed upon Brookline by Proposition 2½. The Driscoll building committee reconvened soon thereafter to restart design of this project.

Meanwhile, final design of the High School project continued throughout 2019. This unique project includes a new large building that will be built over the MBTA Green Line D-Branch, connecting it to the existing campus. In the summer of 2019, demolition of the old building on the site commenced and the project had begun.

Finally, the Pierce School project engaged in feasibility planning necessary to secure state funding under the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) program. The Pierce project is a major challenge given its sprawling footprint in Brookline Village and its “open classroom” design.

Economic and Community Development

On March 23, 2019, the first legal sale of marijuana in the Boston area took place at the New England Treatment Access (NETA) facility in Brookline Village. NETA had been open successfully at this location for over a year as a registered medical marijuana dispensary. The Town developed an extensive “opening plan” to avoid traffic gridlock on Route 9. With Boston and national media in attendance amid a celebratory atmosphere, the opening went smoothly. However, despite NETA’s best efforts to manage demand, crowds at the Brookline facility grew throughout 2019 as the state failed to license additional marijuana retail facilities in the Boston area. Neighborhood complaints about parking, litter, public consumption of marijuana and other inappropriate behavior increased, and the Select Board received demands to mitigate this activity. This matter came to a head at the special town meeting in November with citizen petitions to reduce hours, require advance appointments and otherwise restrict marijuana operations in Brookline. The Select Board advanced community mitigation funding to implement more extensive enforcement in Brookline Village and committed to developing changes to NETA’s annual license. NETA voluntarily reduced its hours and other changes were agreed upon for a renewed license in 2020. Meanwhile an additional adult use license was being advanced by Sanctuary Medicinals on Beacon Street in Coolidge Corner. There was understandable concern at this location given the conditions that have evolved at the NETA facility, but the Select Board were able to establish license conditions at this location with the benefit of experiencing the situation in Brookline Village.

Finally, at the November Town Meeting a citizen petition sought use of tax revenue derived from marijuana sales to support racial equity programming and services. To the extent that state law will allow the Town to allocate marijuana mitigation funds to support this activity, I have committed to allocate substantial funding for this purpose.

With the leadership of the Economic Development Advisory Board, hard work from staff and creativity of Select Board appointed project committees, the Town has been able to consistently attract positive commercial development.

2019 Annual Report

Brookline Village has been a focus of development activity in 2019, with continued construction of Children’s Hospital’s Brookline Place project, the hotel development at River Road, major renovation of the Audi dealership and several other projects. The Town’s Gateway East project finally broke ground and will help transform the gateway to the Longwood Medical Area, bordered by the Emerald Necklace park system, in a much safer and pleasant traffic corridor.

In one of the more ambitious projects in a generation, the Town approved zoning and related agreements for redevelopment of the Waldo-Durgin property in the heart of Coolidge Corner. Once a center of Brookline’s motor car activity in the early 1900’s, the Waldo-Durgin property had become underutilized and in disrepair. A new zoning overlay will accommodate a large mixed-use development project to include a hotel, a residential building, and a parking garage along with commercial uses along the street-front. This project is a Major Impact Project due to its size. A Design Advisory Team will be chosen to review the project and give feedback before the application moves to the Planning Board and the ZBA.

The development of Chapter 40B housing projects continued in Brookline throughout 2019. With a state authorized “safe harbor” period made available through the Town’s housing production plan, the Town was able to catch up on the licensing and permitting of multiple 40B applications. With multiple housing projects having been permitted, the Town moves closer to the state’s 10% affordable housing threshold that will allow a more traditional approach at permitting housing developments in compliance with the Town’s underlying zoning.

Newbury College

At the end of 2018, Newbury College in Brookline announced that it would be closing its academic institution in 2019, liquidating its assets to support its original educational, non-profit mission. For Brookline, the sale and reuse of such a large and valuable piece of property on Fisher Hill was a major concern, and the Select Board quickly appointed a committee to advise them on the Town’s possible acquisition of the property. The firm of McCall and Almy was retained to provide the Town with expertise in the sale of such a unique and valuable piece of real estate. Newbury College arranged for a competitive sale of its entire property through a series of bidding rounds. The Town submitted proposals in each round, but was not selected due to its lower price proposal and contingencies associated with the purchase of land by a municipality (including town meeting and voter approval). However, the Town positioned itself well in the process and was contacted by the new owner, Welltower, offering to work together to develop the property in a mutually acceptable way. The Select Board adapted its committee from an acquisition committee to a zoning committee, and began negotiations with Welltower that would rezone the main (east) campus and sell the west side of the campus to the Town. As 2020 began, the Town was actively engaged with the community on both the development of the main campus for a senior living community and the acquisition by the Town of the property on the west side of the campus, including a large academic style building. A few years ago, the Town acquired land adjacent to the west Newbury campus and constructed a new park and play facility at this location.

Municipal Budget and the Brookline Financial Advisory Committee

In February, my office prepared and submitted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 annual Financial Plan, including the Budget and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The FY 2020 Budget balanced $318,456,079 in revenues and expenses, including enterprises and other self-supporting operations. This represented an increase of 4.6% over FY 2019. FY 2020 represents the second year of a 3-year Tax Override plan authorized by voter referendum in May of 2018. This 3-year plan included a $6.58 million increase in the Town’s tax levy to support school enrollment growth and a commitment to increase non-property tax revenue by $2.85 million. The plan also authorized tax increases to support debt service for the Brookline High school expansion project.

Throughout 2019, the Brookline Financial Advisory Committee (BFAC) met to review the Town’s long-term budgetary and fiscal issues. The Select Board established BFAC in 2018 in order to;

 Review and evaluate Brookline’s fiscal and financial projections through FY22  Examine Town and School budget principles and financial policies  Suggest actions that address misalignment between projected revenues & expenditures

The members of BFAC are highly experienced professionals with backgrounds in finance, accounting/financial control, budgeting, economics, and economic development. BFAC focused much of their work in 2019 to researching and documenting the qualities and metrics associated with Aaa bond rated municipalities. While the Town prides itself on

15 www.brooklinema.gov its premier Aaa bond rating, BFAC identified several areas of long-term concern with the Town’s ability to retain this rating, including its level of reserves. BFAC is also focused on the use of performance measurement in making effective budgetary decisions, making the budget process and related decisions more transparent to Brookline residents, and seeking economic development to grow the Town’s revenue base. We welcome this critical review and look forward to the Committee’s findings and recommendations in 2020.

Environmental Sustainability

In December, the Town’s first Sustainability Program Administrator, Zoey Lynn, resigned from her position. Ms. Lynn brought great passion and extremely hard work as the Town’s first Sustainability Program Administrator. I sincerely appreciated her many contributions, especially in coordinating the Climate Summit in June which brought together many community interests to focus on actions the Town could take to meet our aggressive climate reduction goals. As evidenced by strong policy and legislative actions, the Town’s sustainability efforts are a major priority of the community. There needs to be an effective staff capacity in the organization to promote and facilitate policy discussions; develop and respond to proposals that advance the Town’s commitment to addressing climate change; undertake administrative actions with respect to the Green Communities Program, the Brookline Green Electricity Program and related programs and grants; and coordinate with other departments whose services, programs and projects include sustainable initiatives. I do not take lightly the issues that Ms. Lynn has raised relative to compensation, authority, supervision and support. As a result, I will retain a consultant to study these issues carefully before acting to fill this position.

In November, Brookline Town Meeting enacted a by-law that would prohibit new construction and major renovations from using fossil fuel sources (oil and natural gas) for heating needs. This is the first such proposed by-law in Massachusetts. With all town by-laws requiring the Massachusetts Attorney General’s approval to ensure conformance with the state constitution and law, the Town eagerly awaits this review. Meanwhile, the Town has been aggressively pursuing gas leak repair and gas main replacement by National Grid, the natural gas utility provider in Brookline. Along with several other communities facilitated by the MAPC, the Town is an active participant in this regional initiative. The Select Board now routinely requires any utility petitions to first receive assurance that there are no known gas leaks in the vicinity of the project. If there are, the Town insists that gas leaks be repaired before other utility work can proceed.

Finally, the Town is focusing on the use of renewable energy sources when its own buildings and facilities are renovated or reconstructed. It is expected that the new Driscoll School will avoid using fossil fuels in its heating and ventilation systems.

In an era of rapid climate change, the Town has been active it assessing its risks for global warming and creating contingency planning. In response to state and federal prompting, the Town embarked on an aggressive project of enhancing the structural integrity of the dam comprising the Brookline Reservoir. This project also includes major improvement to the walking path, the gatehouse and other essential features of this popular Brookline recreational resource.

In April, the Town embarked on an experiment involving the use of electric scooters as a means of micro mobility in Brookline. The Town is partnering with three separate scooter companies to conduct an eight-month pilot. This pilot program will help the Select Board, Transportation Board, and Town staff determine whether shared electric scooters contribute to the Town’s mobility, equity, safety, and climate action goals. The Town received substantial input on the trial and will evaluate next steps as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts tackles legal and administrative hurdles to make scooter use safer and more legally acceptable. In addition, the Town is an active participant in the shared Blue Bikes system being used in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville.

Management Transitions

There were some notable changes within the Town’s management ranks in 2019. Two key department head positions were appointed. In May, Acting Director of Recreation Leigh Jackson was appointed to that permanent role. Leigh Jackson was hired as the Town of Brookline's Assistant Recreation Director in May 1, 2017, and had served as Acting Recreation Director since May of 2018. Ms. Jackson possesses a master's degree and has strong experience in recreation program management and budgeting. In the case of this department head position, the Park and Recreation Commission voted to recommend Ms. Jackson to the position without opening the process to a competitive search. I

2019 Annual Report agreed to consider Ms. Jackson exclusively, but required a process to fully vet Ms. Jackson's credentials and suitability for the position. I was especially appreciative of the panel to advise me in this process, including Select Board member Nancy Heller, Nancy O' Connor, Amy Hummel and James Carroll.

In June, I recommended for the Select Board’s approval the appointment of Ann Hess Braga as Human Resources Director. Ms. Hess Braga is a career human resources professional, most recently serving as the Director of Talent Acquisition Management and Employment within the Human Resources Department in the City of Boston. She has also served for a period as Staff Director for the Boston City Council, exposing her to the details of the policy and operational issues of a municipal government. Ms. Hess Braga has a master’s degree in public administration and is active in several professional associations. We are pleased to welcome Ann to Brookline.

Effective on December 31, Chief Assessor Gary McCabe retired from his position after 12 years in Brookline and a full career in municipal property assessment. Mr. McCabe is a highly experienced and skilled assessor who brought fairness, consistency and integrity to the Town’s system of property assessment. Gary’s use of technology and data facilitated the many property tax related questions and policies faced each year in Brookline, including projection of new tax growth, determining tax impacts from Proposition 2½ override or debt exclusion proposals, advocating for senior citizen and other means based tax exemptions and valuing aspects of possible land acquisition. Mr. McCabe’s most effective use of data was employed each December when the Select Board determines the annual classification of taxes to be borne by the residential and commercial classes and assigns the exemption for owner occupied residences. The Town of Brookline benefitted greatly by Gary McCabe’s service, and we wish him well in his retirement. I was pleased to collaborate with the Finance Director in appointing Deputy Chief Assessor Rachid Belhocine as Acting Chief Assessor to temporarily fill this vacancy.

Also in 2019, the Town experienced a major loss when Patrick Maloney, Assistant Health Commissioner, announced his retirement. Pat Maloney led the Department’s Environmental Health division, including the licensing and inspection of Brookline’s food establishments. Mr. Maloney was a recognized expert and outstanding leader in the field of environmental health, representing state and national associations in addition to his work in Brookline. Pat Maloney provided outstanding service to the Town of Brookline and will be missed. We wish him well in his retirement.

Finally, I was advised in October of the retirement of Andrew (Andy) Pappastergion as Public Works Commissioner. Andy graciously agreed to remain in a temporary assignment throughout the transition to a new DPW Commissioner. The open and competitive process to fill such an important position will take time, and I will be retaining a consultant who will assist the Town. I will also convene a screening panel that will consist of a Select Board member and several residents with an interest and/or experience in the public works field. I am very appreciative of Andy Pappastergion’ s willingness to place Brookline above his own personal interests, and continue to serve the Town in 2020.

Conclusion

As Town Administrator, I rely upon many individuals for my success. I am deeply thankful to members of the Select Board for their support and their selfless service to the Town. In May at the annual town election, Raul Fernandez was elected to an open seat on the Select Board created by Neil Wishinsky’ s decision not to seek reelection. I look forward to working with Mr. Fernandez and am excited by his enthusiasm and commitment for change. The Town is deeply indebted to Neil Wishinsky for his several years of service as a Select Board member and chair of the Board. Neil took on the challenge of serving as Select Board chair very seriously. His skill and experience as a federal government manager and investigator were very valuable to the Town. I am personally appreciative of the many hours I spent with Neil addressing complex and controversial Town issues. He epitomizes the essential role that volunteers serve in Brookline’s town form of government.

I am very pleased to have an outstanding group of competent and committed department heads of the Town. I wish to specifically highlight the contributions of Deputy Town Administrator Melissa Goff. Ms. Goff is a highly effective budget manager and administrative professional who I rely upon greatly. Justin Casanova-Davis as Assistant Town Administrator and other members of the Town Administrator’s office led by Stephanie Orsini and including Kate MacGillivray, Dawn Davis., Tiffany Souza and Susan Ford are all dedicated employees who work in the best interests of all residents of Brookline. In January, Ms. Orsini resigned to assume a position in the private sector. Her strong organizational skills and work in developing better communications on the Town’s web site and on social media are lasting contributions of her tenure with the Town. Thank you, and good luck Stephanie. After some transition, I was pleased to welcome Devon Williams to this position, now referred to as Administrative Services Manager. The Town

17 www.brooklinema.gov was pleased to attract Ms. Williams from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, where she served in an administrative role. We welcome Devon to Brookline and look forward to growing this essential administrative position.

In September, I commenced my fourth three-year term as Brookline’s Town Administrator. I am humbled to serve such a fine community. As 2019 concludes, we look forward to the pivotal year of2020, when the federal census will be completed and the United States will conduct its election for President.

2019 Annual Report

Town Moderator Edward (Sandy) Gadsby

During my first 25 years as Town Moderator, we have only on one occasion had a Town Meeting that lasted more than three sessions. The year 2019 marked a sea change in this regard, with an Annual Town Meeting that lasted four sessions and a Fall Special Town Meeting that lasted six. The reasons for these long, some might say tedious, Town Meetings are twofold. First, certain advocacy groups within Town Meeting were unusually aggressive in bringing their issues to the floor of the meeting; and second, there seemed to be a far greater desire among our TMMs to speak from the floor than has been the case in past years. There were 225 presentations, comments and questions at the Annual Meeting and an unprecedented 335 at the Fall meeting. Here are the highlights of the 2019 meetings.

As usual, the principal business of the Annual Town Meeting in May consisted of the adoption of the FY 2018-19 budget, which this year amounted to $303.5 million. As has been the case in most recent budgets, school issues predominated, with the School budget consisting of 60% of the Town’s operating budget and a Pierce School feasibility study and resolution urging acceleration of the Driscoll School reconstruction obtaining near unanimous Town Meeting support. Other significant actions taken at this meeting included the establishment of a Brookline Village Parking Benefits District and three articles directed at encouraging racial equality and diversity in the Town.

As noted above, the regular Fall Special Town Meeting was a long and exhausting affair, as opposed for example to the 2018 one-session meeting. It seemed that almost all the most controversial issues facing the Town found their way onto the warrant for this meeting, in one form or another. A $115 million bonding appropriation for the Driscoll School reconstruction was passed with only 13 negative votes. In the energy and climate change areas, Town Meeting approved zoning changes facilitating solar installations and electric vehicle charging and, in a practically unanimous vote that received widespread publicity, adopted a by-law prohibiting the installation of fossil fuel based systems in new construction. Perhaps the most controversial matter was a resolution approved by a 75% affirmative vote to file a home rule petition imposing a real estate transfer tax to fund affordable housing projects. Town Meeting also dealt with e-scooters, accessory and micro housing units, leaf blowers, facial surveillance technology and a proposal to lower the voting age to 16 in municipal elections. After considerable pre-Town Meeting fireworks and a spirited debate at the meeting, we also voted overwhelmingly to rename the former Devotion School after Florence Ruffin Ridley, a Brookline African-American resident who was a leading early 20th Century educator and civil rights activist. There were also articles at this meeting encouraging racial equality and its funding by the Select Board. Finally, in a special meeting within the Fall Town Meeting, in response to strong neighborhood support Town Meeting considered and to some extent limited the operation of the Brookline Village marijuana retail operation.

We also met for a Special Town Meeting in April, at which the Newbury College property was the only significant subject matter. Town Meeting adopted a resolution calling for the acquisition of that property by the Town, by an astonishing unanimous electronic vote.

To the great regret of many of us, Town Meeting continues to become a less collegial and more contentious forum. This may in large part reflect the controversial nature of so many of the issues that made their way to a Town Meeting agenda, but it also may be a mirror of the political and social malaise that is sweeping our society. At least the key aspects of our democracy have been in large part preserved in our Town Meeting through all of this, which is distinctly not what is going on in our nation at large.

As I do each year, I extend my gratitude and that of the Town to the principal committees that I appoint, the Committee on Town Organization and Structure and the Advisory Committee, and to their able chairpersons, Jean Berg and Mike Sandman. The Advisory Committee members expend considerable time and effort in making our Town Meeting process comprehensible and effective, for which it deserves special recognition.

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Advisory Committee Mike Sandman, Chair

Organization and Function

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 39, Section 16 states that “every town whose valuation for the purpose of apportioning state tax exceeds one million dollars shall, and any other town may, by by-law provide for the election or the appointment and duties of appropriation, advisory or finance committees, who shall consider any or all municipal questions....”

The Brookline Advisory Committee, in accordance with Town by-laws, consists of not fewer than 20 nor more than 30 established registered voters of the Town, all appointed by the Town Moderator. At least one elected Town Meeting Member is appointed from each of the sixteen precincts, plus up to eight additional Town Meeting members and up to six members-at-large.

The Advisory Committee functions not only as a Finance Committee, but as an informed citizens’ group that counsels the Town through its recommendations to Town Meeting. It consists of dedicated Brookline residents who are committed to the Town’s fiscal health and good governance. The Advisory Committee’s subcommittees hold public hearings on matters contained in the Warrant for each Town Meeting, and the Committee then votes to make recommendations to Town Meeting. These recommendations are published in the Combined Reports, which are mailed to all Town Meeting Members in advance of Town Meeting and posted on the Town website, and delivered in spoken comments at Town Meeting itself. Throughout the fiscal year, the Advisory Committee exercises its authority to honor or dismiss departmental requests for transfers from the Reserve Fund, which is established to deal with unforeseen or emergency expenditures.

Advisory Committee Subcommittees

The Chair of the Advisory Committee appoints each member to serve on one or more subcommittees and selects a member from each subcommittee to serve as its Chair. There were nine subcommittees in 2019: Administration and Finance; Capital; Human Services; Personnel; Planning and Regulation; Public Safety; Schools; Long-Term Planning and Policies; and the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on a Ninth School.

Activity in 2019

Overview: During FY2020, the Advisory Committee reviewed and developed recommendations to Town Meeting and the Select Board on the FY2020 budget and on a wide range of warrant articles, many of which had implications for the budget. In the course of that work, the full Advisory Committee and its subcommittees met over 120 times. In addition, the Capital Subcommittee made multiple visits to project sites.

Spent three months reviewing the Town Administrator’s Proposed FY2020 Financial Plan and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and developing the Advisory Committee’s version of the budget for FY2020. Presented a detailed analysis and recommendation to the May 2019 Annual Town Meeting, including an overview of the Town budget and the longer-term fiscal outlook, a comprehensive report on the School budget, and descriptions and analyses of the numerous construction/renovation projects included in the CIP.

Monitored fiscal trends and met to hear and discuss presentations from the Brookline Fiscal Advisory Committee, which the Select Board had appointed pursuant to the Advisory Committee’s FY2019 recommendation.

Continued to follow a process for more detailed review of Reserve Fund transfer requests, including subcommittee evaluation of all such requests prior to review by the full Advisory Committee.

Prepared and presented to Town Meeting comprehensive reports on a number of complicated Warrant Articles and financial considerations. The Committee investigated and made recommendations on amendments to the FY2020 budget. Other topics to which the Advisory Committee devoted a great deal of attention and analysis included the financial implications of rebuilding the Driscoll School. Members of the committee presented in-depth analysis of and

2019 Annual Report detailed reports on these topics. Committee members assisted several petitioners in the process of improving their Warrant Articles. One outstanding example was the work done by the Planning & Regulatory Subcommittee on helping the petitioners finalize a warrant article restricting the future installation of new natural gas infrastructure. Another example was the extensive hearings and work with petitioners on warrant articles modifying the conditions under which recreational marijuana dispensaries operate.

The Committee adopted the practice of publishing timed agendas so that members of the public could plan attendance at the times the agenda items in which they had an interest were being discussed. The Committee maintained ongoing communications and provided materials to all department heads, Town boards and commissions, Town Meeting Members, union officials, local newspapers, and other interested parties. Held open public hearings on issues before Town Meeting.

Members of the Advisory Committee participated on committees appointed by the Select Board and the Moderator, including the Brookline Financial Advisory Committee, the Land Bank Study Committee, the Newbury College Acquisition Study.

Membership

During 2019, Mike Sandman was chosen to serve as Chair of the Advisory Committee. Carla Benka was re-elected to serve as Vice Chair.

The Advisory Committee will continue working diligently on behalf of Town Meeting to carefully consider all matters related to the finances and governance of the Town. It will strive to make recommendations that it considers to be in the best interest of the Town and all of its residents.

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TOWN MEETING

Summary of Actions Taken Annual Town Meeting May 21, 2019

ARTICLE ONE ARTICLE NINE – ITEM #36

Appointment of Measurers of Wood and Bark. (Select Annual (FY20) Appropriations Article.(Advisory Board). A motion of Favorable Action was passed by Committee) A motion of Favorable Action was Passed a counted vote of 187 in favor and 1 opposed. by an electronic recorded vote of 275 in favor, and 1 opposed. ARTICLE TWO ARTICLE NINE – ITEM #67 Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements. Annual (FY20) Appropriations Article. (Advisory (Human Resources) A Vote of No Action was passed Committee) A motion of Favorable Action was passed by a Majority vote. by an electronic recorded vote of 155 in favor, 58 opposed, and 17 abstentions. ARTICLE THREE ARTICLE NINE – ITEM #68 Annual Authorization of Compensating Balance Annual (FY20) Appropriations Article.(Advisory Agreements. (Treasurer/Collector) A motion of Committee) A Vote of No Action was passed Favorable Action was passed by a unanimous vote ARTICLE NINE – ITEM #69 ARTICLE FOUR Annual (FY20) Appropriations Article.(Advisory Committee) A motion of Favorable Action was Report on the Close-Out of Special passed by a unanimous vote. Appropriations/Bond Authorization Rescission.(Select Board). A motion of Favorable Action was passed by a ARTICLE ELEVEN unanimous vote. Brookline High School Project MBTA/Town of ARTICLE FIVE Brookline easement plan. (Select Board) A motion of favorable action was passed by a counted vote of 200 Approval of Unpaid Bills of a Prior Fiscal Year. (Select in favor and 1 opposed. Board) A motion of favorable action was passed by unanimous vote. ARTICLE TWELVE

ARTICLE SIX Acceptance of an easement at 20 Boylston Street. (Commissioner of Public Works) A motion of favorable Report on the close-out of special appropriations / action was passed by a unanimous vote. Bond Authorization Rescission. (Select Board) A Vote of No Action was passed by a Unanimous vote. ARTICLE THIRTEEN

ARTICLE SEVEN Amend the zoning By-Law and Zoning Map to establish and accommodate a Waldo-Durgin Overlay Approval of unpaid bills of prior fiscal year. (Select District. (Wishinsky, Coolidge Corner Study Board) A Vote of No Action was passed by a Committee, et al) A motion of favorable action as Unanimous vote. passed by an electronic recorded vote of 208 in favor, 4 opposed and 12 abstentions. ARTICLE EIGHT ARTICLE FOURTEEN Acceptance of legislation to increase property tax exemptions (Assessors).. A motion of favorable Action was passed by a unanimous vote. Authorize the Select Board to enter into or amend agreements pertaining to the Waldo-Durgin Development project. (Select Board) A motion of favorable action was passed by a unanimous vote.

2019 Annual Report

ARTICLE FIFTEEN Authorize the Select Board to accept and execute a Resolution regarding pedestrian friendly street restrictive covenant and related agreements for lighting. (Caro,TMM10) A motion of favorable action securing tax payments for the Waldo-Durgin was passed by a unanimous vote. Development Project site. (Select Board) A motion of favorable action was passed by a unanimous vote. ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE

ARTICLE SIXTEEN Resolution regarding electrification of the Town’s motorized fleet.(Gray,TMM10,Hamilton) A motion of Establish a parking benefits District in Brookline Village favorable action was passed by a unanimous vote. (Dempsey) A motion of favorable action was passed by an electronic recorded vote of 124 in favor, 85 opposed ARTICLE TWENTY-FOUR and 10 abstentions. Resolution regarding increasing the town supply of ARTICLE SEVENTEEN green electricity from renewable energy sources.(Lescohier, TMM 11) A motion of favorable Amendment to section 6.8.2 of the Town’s General By- action was passed by a unanimous vote. Laws pertaining to members of the public facilities naming committee. (Gordon) A motion of favorable ARTICLE TWENTY-SIX action was passed by a majority vote. Resolution pertaining to the engagement of a race ARTICLE EIGHTEEN and equity review consultant.(Brown, Wolf Ditkoff, Sandman) A motion of favorable action was passed Amend section 8.6.7 of the Town’s General By-Laws by a majority vote. pertaining to the restraint of dogs in designated off- leash areas. (Commissioner of Public Works) A motion ARTICLE TWENTY-SEVEN of favorable action was passed, as amended, by a majority vote. Resolution calling for an apology to Gerald Alston.(Offner) A motion of favorable action was ARTICLE NINETEEN passed by an electronic recorded vote of 111 in favor, 66 opposed and 12 abstentions. Amend article 8.23.1 of the Town’s General By-Laws – Tobacco Control.(Ishak,Gordon,Silbaugh) A motion of ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT favorable action was passed by an electronic recorded vote of 175 in favor, 21 opposed and 13 abstentions. Resolution in support of changing the flag and seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.(Van der Ziel, ARTICLE TWENTY TMM15) A motion of favorable action was passed by an electronic recorded vote of 158 in favor, 4 opposed and 15 abstentions. Amend the Town’s General By-Laws adding a new article 8.37 pertaining to menstrual hygiene product ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE access. (Stone, TMM3) A motion of favorable action was passed by a unanimous vote. Resolution to encourage diversity among Town Meeting Members.(Nobrega) A motion of favorable ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE action was passed by a counted vote of 165 in favor and 1 opposed. Amend section 8.37.5 of the Town’s General By-Laws pertaining to Host Community Agreements with ARTICLE THIRTY Marijuana Establishments.(Silbaugh, Wishinsky) A motion of favorable action was passed by a Resolution pertaining to an outdoor swimming pool unanimous vote. siting study. (Caravallo, Jonas, Roseman,Scharf,Toomey) A motion ARTICLE TWENTY-TWO

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Summary of Actions Taken Special Town Meeting April 9, 2019 7:00 P.M.

ARTICLE ONE

Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements.(Human Resources) A motion of favorable action was passed by a count of 188 in favor and 1 opposed.

ARTICLE TWO

Authorize the Select Board to acquire real property at the Newbury College campus by purchase or eminent domain, and appropriate funds for such purpose.(Select Board) A Vote of No Action was passed by a Majority vote

ARTICLE THREE

Resolution regarding Newbury College. (Select Board) A motion of favorable action was passed by an electronic vote of 199 in favor and 2 abstentions.

Summary of Actions Taken Special Town Meeting April 9, 2019

Appropriation to situate an elementary school at Newbury College.(Regina Frawley, TMM 16) A Vote of No Action was passed.

Summary of Actions Taken Special Town Meeting November 19, 2019 7:00 P.M.

ARTICLE FOUR ARTICLE FOURTEEN

Appropriation for a four section Driscoll School Amend section 6.04 of the Zoning By-Law pertaining to (Ananian TMM10, et al), A motion of favorable action electric vehicle parking (Ananian TMM10, et al). A was passed by an electronic recorded vote of 203 in favorable action was passed by a unanimous vote. favor, 13 opposed and 10 abstentions. ARTICLE FIFTEEN ARTICLE TEN Amend section 6.02 of the Zoning By-Law to eliminate Amend Article 4.9 of the Town’s General By-Laws to minimum parking requirements and establish dissolve the committee on campaigns (Select Board). maximum parking ratios for storefront uses within the A motion of favorable action was passed by a majority transit parking overlay vote. district (TPOD), (Pehlke, TMM2, et al). A motion of favorable action was passed by a counted vote of 199 ARTICLE THIRTEEN in favor and 1 opposed.

Amend Section 4.07 of the Town’s Zoning By-Law to allow accessory ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installations (Planning Department, et al). A motion of favorable action was passed by a counted vote of 205 in favor and 1 opposed.

2019 Annual Report

ARTICLE NINETEEN ARTICLE TWENTY-FOUR

Amend the Town’s Zoning By-Law to allow accessory Amend article 3.14 of the Town’s general By-Laws dwelling units (Blood). A motion of favorable action as pertaining to the commission for diversity, inclusion and passed by an electronic recorded vote of 192 in favor, community relations and citizen complaints (Conquest. 2 opposed and 4 abstentions. TMM6). A motion of favorable action was passed by an electronic vote of 108 in favor, 23 opposed and 29 ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE abstentions.

Adoption of a new general By-Law prohibiting new ARTICLE TWENTY-FIVE fossil fuel infrastructure in major construction (Gray TMM10, et al). A motion of favorable action was passed Adoption of a new general By-Law prohibiting the Town by an electronic recorded vote of 211 in favor, 3 from using face surveillance (Hummel, TMM12). A opposed and 6 abstentions. motion of favorable action was passed by an electronic recorded vote of 178 in favor, 9 opposed and 12 ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE abstentions.

Amend article 8.31 of the Town’s general By-Laws to ARTICLE THIRTY prohibit blowing leaves and debris onto public property (Warner). A motion of favorable action was passed by Adoption of a new general By-Law pertaining to the a majority vote. establishment of a Brookline community engagement plan (Brown, TMM1, et al). A motion of favorable action was passed by majority vote.

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2019 Attendance

01 Albuquerque, Ana 11 5 03 Steinfield, Frank R. 11 11 01 Brown, Deborah 11 8 03 Stone, Rebecca E. 11 10 01 Cavell, Cathleen C. 11 11 03 Wiecek, Michael 11 10 01 Daley, Susan 11 2 04 Axelrod, Sarah T. 11 9 01 Ercolino, Elijah 11 11 04 Boehs, Sarah T. 11 9 01 Franco, James F. 11 11 04 Christ, Alan 11 11 01 Gordon, Neil R. 11 11 04 Farlow, Martha A. 11 11 01 Herman, Helen Y. 11 11 04 Fishman, Daniel Reuven 11 8 01 Hillman, Carol B. 11 8 04 Frumkin, Peter 11 9 01 Ishak, Anthony 11 2 04 Gerdts, Nadine 11 3 01 Lynn-Jones, Sean M. 11 9 04 Givens, Koinonia 11 1 01 Metral, Alexandra E. 11 11 04 MacMillan, Wendy 11 10 01 Neuefeind, Bettina 11 10 04 Mulhane, John T. 11 10 01 Schram, Robert L. 11 11 04 Nobrega, Mariah C. 11 11 01 Silbaugh, Kate 11 11 04 O'Neal, Sr., Donelle S. 11 9 01 Sloane, Robert 11 2 04 Ortiz, Jaymmy 11 1 01 Terrell, Charles 11 11 04 Priestly, Vena 11 7 01 Warren, Paul J. 11 9 04 Shaw, Jeremy 11 1 02 Englund, Jennifer 11 7 04 Siegel, Marjorie 11 11 02 Hellerstein, Benjamin 11 7 04 Smith, Virginia A. 11 8 02 Kidd, Judith H. 11 9 04 Volk, Robert 11 11 02 Liss, Lisa 11 9 05 Daves, Robert S. 11 11 02 McNally, Rita K. 11 6 05 DeWitt, Betsy 11 1 02 O'Brien, Barbara A. 11 6 05 Drake, Cynthia 11 11 02 Pehlke, Linda Olson 11 11 05 Fischer Fox, Olivia 11 11 02 Piercy, Jane A. 11 8 05 Glover, Michael A. 11 7 02 Roberts, Susan M. 11 9 05 Lindenboim, Amie 11 11 02 Schachter-Kahl, Livia 11 10 05 Machmuller, Wendy S. 11 11 02 Shreffler, John R. 11 11 05 Mattison, Hugh 11 11 02 Spiegel, Diana Lees 11 8 05 Meiklejohn, Randolph 11 10 02 Spiegel, Stanley L. 11 7 05 Michaels, Faith I. 11 9 02 Studdard, Caitlin M. 11 8 05 Naro, Anthony 11 3 02 Wimberly, Davis 11 7 05 O'Leary, Phyllis R. 11 10 02 Wolff, Bruce 11 1 05 Olins, Andrew M. 11 10 03 Becker, Kathryn M. 11 11 05 Reyelt, William E. 11 11 03 Benson, Jeffrey R. 11 6 05 Stampfer, Claire B. 11 10 03 Bohrs, Harry K. 11 10 05 Wishinsky, Neil A. 11 10 03 Dewart, Mary D. 11 11 05 Wurster, Erik F. 11 11 03 Dewart, Murray 11 11 06 Anderson, Catherine C. 11 11 03 Doughty, Benjamin 11 5 06 Bassett, John 11 10 03 Doughty, Dennis L. 11 11 06 Bergstein, Brian A. 11 9 03 Gilman, Jane C. 11 11 06 Conquest, Arthur 11 10 03 Jones, Gary D. 11 11 Wellington 03 Leka, Donald G. 11 11 06 Dempsey, Christopher 11 11 03 Levene, Meggan E. 11 11 06 Doldron, Malcolm C. 11 6 03 Sandman, Michael A. 11 11 06 Duffield, Cher K. 11 10 03 Scanlon, Kathleen M. 11 11 06 Englander, Scott L. 11 11

2019 Annual Report

06 Hochleutner, Brian 11 9

06 LaPlante, Virginia 11 0 09 Harris, Paul E. 11 10 06 Open Seat, 11 0 09 Hinchey, Nathaniel 11 0 06 Richmond, Clinton Q. 11 11 09 Jozwicki, Barr A. 11 9 06 Rudolph, Jeffrey David 11 10 09 Jozwicki, Joyce 11 10 06 Saltzman, Daniel G. 11 11 09 Katz, Pamela C. 11 10 06 Smith, Kim 11 10 09 Kaufman, Benjamin 11 10 06 Sneider, Ruthann 11 6 09 Lepson, Robert D. 11 11 06 Trecker, Anne 11 9 09 Loula, Elizabeth Catherine 11 10 07 Cohen, Susan F. 11 9 09 Rosenstein, Harriet 11 8 07 Duclos, Keith A. 11 7 09 Rosenthal, Martin R. 11 11 07 Electris, Christi E. 11 11 09 Swartz, Charles 11 10 07 Ellis, Susan P. 11 7 09 Tyndal, Dwaign 11 5 07 Frey, Ernest A. 11 11 09 Vanderkay, Judith A. 11 10 07 Giller, Phyllis 11 0 09 Weintraub, Robert J. 11 9 07 Granoff, Susan 11 9 09 White, George Abbott 11 11 07 Gray, Mark A. 11 9 10 Alperin, Michael 11 1 07 Hardebeck, Kelly A. 11 3 10 Ananian, C. Scott 11 10 07 Jarrell, Lara 11 8 10 Caro, Carol B. 11 11 07 Levy, Mark E. 11 11 10 Caro, Francis G. 11 10 07 Margolis, Jonathan J. 11 9 10 Davis, Jonathan H. 11 11 07 Pantalone, David 11 1 10 Davis, Linda M. 11 11 07 Provost, Stacey Zelbow 11 9 10 Gaehde, Lilly Christina 11 10 07 Shon-Baker, Rita 11 10 10 Gray, Jesse 11 11 07 Slayton, James M. 11 6 10 Knable, Bobbie M. 11 11 07 Wapinski, Ilan 11 8 10 Liu, Andreas 11 9 08 Bernard, Lauren Sara 11 7 10 Livingston, Frederick C. 11 7 08 Burns, Tracie Eliot 11 11 10 Maddocks, Ariel C. 11 8 08 Cox, Abigail Schoenbaum 11 9 10 Morris, Jessica Dawn 11 8 08 Crandell, Gina 11 0 10 Scholnick, Theodore 11 9 08 Goldstein, David-Marc 11 11 10 Shuman, Stanley 11 0 08 Greenwald, Anne 11 10 10 Spingarn, Alexandra 11 10 08 Harris, John 11 11 "Sandy" 08 Johnson, Anita L. 11 10 10 Sweitzer, Naomi 11 8 08 Loechler, Edward L. 11 11 10 Wilson, Rachel 11 1 08 Margolis, Hadassah M. 11 11 11 Benedon, Carrie 11 0 08 Miller, Robert M. 11 11 11 Fischer, Shira H. 11 9 08 Poverman, Kate 11 10 11 Gertler, Nicholas B. 11 9 08 Scotto, Barbara C. 11 10 11 Giora-Gorfajn, Shanna 11 11 08 Toffel, Michael W. 11 11 11 Goldsmith, Jennifer 11 9 08 Toomey, Maura 11 11 11 Gray, Martha E. 11 11 08 Weitzman, Donald C. 11 11 11 Jones-Dasent, Boney 11 10 09 Bellis-Kates, Elizabeth 11 9 11 Lescohier, David C. 11 11 Susan 11 Lewis, Kenneth G. 11 8 09 Brooks, Liza 11 1 11 Lowe, David J. 11 11 09 Fernandez, Raul 11 1 11 Mautner, Rebecca Plaut 11 10

27 www.brooklinema.gov

11 McClelland, A. Nicole 11 9 14 Lodish, Pamela C. 11 11 11 Moran, Maryellen 11 9 14 Mittel, Shaari S. 11 11 11 Pollak, David M. 11 11 14 O'Connell, Kathleen M 11 10 11 Sheehan, Brian D. 11 6 14 Rich, Benjamin 11 0 11 Wachter, Jeffrey 11 1 14 Ridruejo, Carlos 11 6 11 Wholey, Leonard 11 10 14 Roseman, Lynda E 11 11 12 Bruce, Stephanie A. 11 11 14 Samih, Youkavet 11 7 12 Burstein, Michael A. 11 11 14 Schoffmann, Sharon R. 11 10 12 Cooke-Childs, Lee 11 11 14 Segel, Jennifer E. 11 10 12 Daly, Nancy A. 11 9 14 Silberberg, Isaac 11 8 12 Friedman, Harry K. 11 11 14 Zelkha, Sassan 11 11 12 Greenfield, Stefanie A. 11 8 15 Berger, Eileen Connell 11 8 12 Hatchett, Casey A. 11 6 15 Coffin, Abby R. 11 2 12 Hummel, Amy 11 11 15 Cunningham, Elisabeth W. 11 10 12 Karon, Jonathan A. 11 9 15 Cunningham, Jason 11 4 12 Klafter, David B 11 10 15 Flanagan, Jane M. 11 10 12 Lowenstein, Mark 11 8 15 Gutman, Barbara 11 10 12 Margolis, Harry S. 11 5 15 Hall, John L. 11 7 12 Meyers, Judy 11 11 15 Hallowell, Benedicte J. 11 6 12 Milner-Brage, Jules Eksel 11 11 15 Kahn, Janice S. 11 11 12 Offner, Mike 11 10 15 Knauf, Kristine L. 11 10 12 Slotnick, William 11 1 15 Krepchin, Ira P. 11 11 13 Aschkenasy, Miriam T. 11 8 15 Liao, Robert 11 1 13 Baker, Joanna 11 11 15 Nangle, Richard 11 10 13 Benka, Carla Wyman 11 11 15 Pearlman, David Arenas 11 11 13 Chanyasulkit, Chris 11 11 15 Rourke, James C. 11 6 13 Doggett, John 11 11 15 van der Ziel, Cornelia H. J. 11 10 13 Fischer, Andrew M. 11 9 16 Allaire, Saralynn J. 11 8 13 Freeman, John W. 11 10 16 Baines-Walsh, Laura 11 9 13 Gacioch, David Quinn 11 10 Kathryn 13 Hoy, Francis Charlton 11 10 16 Bowman, Adrienne S. 11 11 13 Kaplan, Ruth 11 0 13 Lohe, Werner 11 11 13 Saner, Paul A. 11 7

13 Selwyn, Lee L. 11 9 13 Senecal, Barbara M. 11 10 13 Tadmor, Ada 11 10 13 VanScoyoc, John R. 11 9 14 Brown, Clifford M. 11 10 14 Fishman, Gill 11 1

14 Friedman, Paula K. 11 8 14 Goldstein, Kenneth M. 11 10 14 Levitan, Fred 11 10 14 Lipson, Roger R. 11 11

2019 Annual Report

SUMMARY OF RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY TOWN MEETING REQUIRING ACTION BY THE SELECT BOARD OR DEPARTMENTS

TOWN ART RESOLUTION SUMMARY ACTIONS TAKEN MTG. # Calls on the Great and General Court to support The Resolution was sent to the Court, Governor, May ’01 20 statewide legislation banning the use of cellular Attorney General, Executive Office of Public Safety, Annual telephones while operating a motor vehicle. Boards of Select Board, and Mayors. The Resolution was sent to death penalty abolition May ’01 Supports the abolition of the death penalty and the 23 leaders, the Governor, the Town’s legislative delegation, Annual passage of the Innocence Protection Act. and President of the U.S. Calls on the General Court to adopt legislation Copies of the Resolution were sent to each member of requiring all school buses to be fitted with three- Brookline’s legislative delegation asking that it be Nov. ’01 16 point lap and shoulder restraints by July, 2003. brought to the attention of the Ways and Means Special Also, calls upon the Town’s representatives in Committee and other appropriate legislative bodies and such matters to research and arrange compliance. officials. May ’02 Calls on the Town’s Zoning By-Law Commission 13 Referred to the Zoning By-Law Commission for Review. Annual to conduct an investigation into “Mansionization”. Supports the opposition of any U.S. attack on Iraq Nov. ’02 1 Copies of the resolution were sent to the Town’s and requests that the Select Board transmit this Special legislative delegation and Federal representatives. resolution to our congressional delegation. Resolution was posted in public places and sent to the Seeks the revocation and elimination of provisions Norfolk County D.A., State Police, Town’s legislative May ’03 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Homeland Security 17 delegation, State Attorney General, Governor, local U.S. Annual Act, and other Executive Orders that are deemed to Attorney, the U.S. Attorney General, and President of the diminish civil liberties. U.S. Calls for children’s welfare organizations to be May ’05 25 informed and for Town groups to explore raising The resolution was widely publicized. Annual awareness about corporal punishment of children. Nov. ’05 Supports the construction and implementation of a Copies of the resolution were sent to the Town’s 29 Special plan to withdraw troops from Iraq. legislative delegation and Federal representatives. The Town continues to support the Village Square May ’06 Supports the improvement of the Gateway East Project (formerly called Gateway East). Design plans 30 Annual Area. have been submitted to the state, and construction is planned for approximately 2016. Reaffirms the Town’s commitment as a Sanctuary Town, endorses the platform of the Keep Our Families Together Campaign, calls upon the U.S. Department of Nov. ’06 Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs A copy of this resolution was sent to the Massachusetts 26 Enforcement to issue a moratorium on immigration raids Special until Congress comes to an agreement on comprehensive Congressional delegation and to the President of the U.S. immigration reform and urges the U.S. Senate to defeat HR 4437 and urges the President to veto any such legislation. Nov. ’06 Urges that at least 50% of Town committee Notification of the resolution was sent to all Boards and 28 Special meetings should be held in the evening. Commissions.

www.brooklinema.gov

TOWN ART RESOLUTION SUMMARY ACTIONS TAKEN MTG. # Urges support for Support Tax Exemptions and Nov. ’07 Copies of the Resolution were sent to each member of 22 Incentives Legislation for Certain Property Special Brookline’s legislative delegation. Owners Using Wind and Solar Power. Nov. ’07 Support Statewide Legislation to Encourage the Representative Frank Smizik filed legislation at the state 23 Special Purchase of Fuel-Efficient Vehicles. level. Urges the Town and the unions to proceed with good faith negotiations for joining the Group The Town and the union Public Employee Committee May ’08 Insurance Commission (GIC) and resolve further 30 reached an agreement to switch to the state Group Annual that future consideration of appropriations for Insurance Commission effective July 1, 2010. labor agreements take into account the status of efforts to opt into the GIC. Calls on the Great and General Court to support The Resolution was sent to the Court, Governor, May ’01 20 statewide legislation banning the use of cellular Attorney General, Executive Office of Public Safety, Annual telephones while operating a motor vehicle. Boards of Select Board, and Mayors. The Resolution was sent to death penalty abolition May ’01 Supports the abolition of the death penalty and the 23 leaders, the Governor, the Town’s legislative delegation, Annual passage of the Innocence Protection Act. and President of the U.S. Calls on the General Court to adopt legislation Copies of the Resolution were sent to each member of requiring all school buses to be fitted with three- Brookline’s legislative delegation asking that it be Nov. ’01 16 point lap and shoulder restraints by July, 2003. brought to the attention of the Ways and Means Special Also, calls upon the Town’s representatives in Committee and other appropriate legislative bodies and such matters to research and arrange compliance. officials. May ’02 Calls on the Town’s Zoning By-Law Commission 13 Referred to the Zoning By-Law Commission for Review. Annual to conduct an investigation into “Mansionization”. Supports the opposition of any U.S. attack on Iraq Nov. ’02 1 Copies of the resolution were sent to the Town’s and requests that the Select Board transmit this Special legislative delegation and Federal representatives. resolution to our congressional delegation. Resolution was posted in public places and sent to the Seeks the revocation and elimination of provisions Norfolk County D.A., State Police, Town’s legislative May ’03 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Homeland Security 17 delegation, State Attorney General, Governor, local U.S. Annual Act, and other Executive Orders that are deemed to Attorney, the U.S. Attorney General, and President of the diminish civil liberties. U.S. Calls for children’s welfare organizations to be May ’05 25 informed and for Town groups to explore raising The resolution was widely publicized. Annual awareness about corporal punishment of children. Nov. ’05 Supports the construction and implementation of a Copies of the resolution were sent to the Town’s 29 Special plan to withdraw troops from Iraq. legislative delegation and Federal representatives. The Town continues to support the Village Square May ’06 Supports the improvement of the Gateway East Project (formerly called Gateway East). Design plans 30 Annual Area. have been submitted to the state, and construction is planned for approximately 2016. Reaffirms the Town’s commitment as a Sanctuary Town, endorses the platform of the Keep Our Families Together Campaign, calls upon the U.S. Department of Nov. ’06 Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs A copy of this resolution was sent to the Massachusetts 26 Enforcement to issue a moratorium on immigration raids Special until Congress comes to an agreement on comprehensive Congressional delegation and to the President of the U.S. immigration reform and urges the U.S. Senate to defeat HR 4437 and urges the President to veto any such legislation. Nov. ’06 Urges that at least 50% of Town committee Notification of the resolution was sent to all Boards and 28 Special meetings should be held in the evening. Commissions.

2019 Annual Report

TOWN ART RESOLUTION SUMMARY ACTIONS TAKEN MTG. # Urges support for Support Tax Exemptions and Nov. ’07 Copies of the Resolution were sent to each member of 22 Incentives Legislation for Certain Property Special Brookline’s legislative delegation. Owners Using Wind and Solar Power. Nov. ’07 Support Statewide Legislation to Encourage the Representative Frank Smizik filed legislation at the state 23 Special Purchase of Fuel-Efficient Vehicles. level. Urges the Town and the unions to proceed with good faith negotiations for joining the Group The Town and the union Public Employee Committee May ’08 Insurance Commission (GIC) and resolve further 30 reached an agreement to switch to the state Group Annual that future consideration of appropriations for Insurance Commission effective July 1, 2010. labor agreements take into account the status of efforts to opt into the GIC. Through this resolution, the Town of Brookline May ’09 Recognizes the tenth anniversary of the Brookline- 28 acknowledged the valued friendship between the people Annual Xi’an China Exchange Program. of Xi’an and the people of Brookline. Asks the Select Board and other Town officials to The Carlton Street Footbridge Rehabilitation project is work diligently with appropriate State officials in Nov. ’09 formally included on the Commonwealth's 5 order that the reconstruction of the Carlton Street Special Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for project Footbridge includes suitable handicap-accessible funding starting in Federal Fiscal Year 2016. features. Encourages the Town to gradually increase the The Select Board's stipends for FY16 reflect the FY11 Nov. ’09 Select Board’s stipend and encourages the 15 increase voted on at the May, 2010 Annual Town Special Advisory Committee to review the stipends and Meeting. make recommendations for adjustments. Urges the Advisory Committee and Board of Select Board to give serious consideration to the The FY16 Financial Plan increased funding from the Nov. ’09 other funding and cost containment 16 General Fund to $3.2M and includes $281K from Special recommendations of the OPEB Task Force for assessments of grants and special revenue funds. managing and controlling the Town’s retiree health care costs. Calls on the U. S. Conference of Mayors and President of the United States to commence Through this resolution the Town expressed support for negotiations for a verifiable treaty to eliminate Nov. ’09 the work of President Obama and the over 3,000 mayors 17 nuclear weapons, and calls on the Selectman to Special worldwide who have committed their cities to the effort send a message of support for these negotiations to to abolish nuclear weapons. the President of the United States, and to our members of Congress. Urges the Select Board to establish an annual The MLK Celebration Committee planned another May ’10 town-wide commemoration of Martin Luther successful event. The Human Resources Director 17 Annual King, Jr. Day and to report annually on progress presented the third annual Diversity report to the Board toward realizing the vision of Dr. King. in April 2013. Urges the Select Board to establish a committee May ’10 The summer of 2014 was Brookline’s third year as a 18 tasked to examine the suitability of a bicycle Annual member of the Hubway regional bike system. sharing program for Brookline. Encourages the consideration of birds when The Parks and Open Space Division web site contains May ’10 19 designing building projects and when lighting links to resources promoting bird-safe building designs in Annual buildings at night. support of this Resolution. Intended to poll Town meeting on their preference The schedule for the May, 2011 Town Meeting was Nov. ’10 for the current Town Meeting schedule or to hold 19 determined when the Moderator took a motion to adjourn Special Town Meeting on two non-consecutive evenings on the first night. per week.

www.brooklinema.gov

ART TOWN MTG. RESOLUTION SUMMARY ACTIONS TAKEN # The Transportation Board has completed a review of all known “no turn on red” restrictions under town Asks the Transportation Board to adopt standards jurisdiction. Reports and a summary of action table are regarding a right turn on red and report their available in the No Turn On Red folder in the Nov. ’10 Special 20 progress to Town Meeting as expeditiously as Transportation files located at possible. www.brooklinema.gov/transportation. Work orders for all approved sign removals and installations are being processed by the DPW. Requests the suspension of the sale and/or serving Nov. ’10 Special 21 of veal products to the public within the Town of The resolution was widely publicized. Brookline. Urges the Town to honor Governor and Mrs. Dukakis with recognition appropriate to their The Dukakis Recognition Committee submitted a May ’11 18 accomplishments and urges the Select Board to report with their recommendations to the Annual appoint a committee to make a recommendation to November, 2012 Special Town Meeting. be brought to the 2012 Annual Town Meeting. Urges the Transportation Board to assess and At their July, 2012 meeting the Transportation May ’11 19 evaluate its current Traffic Calming Policy and Board adopted a new Traffic Calming Policy & Annual Procedures Procedures. The Interim Report on the Norfolk County was discussed and accepted by the Board in Urges the Select Board to coordinate with other September, 2011. The County Commissioners Norfolk County communities to seek a remedy to May ’11 have proposed legislation which would change 21 the inequities in the current county structure, Annual the way the county is funded. The Board petition the delegation to study the issue and report continues to discuss this issue with the County on progress before September 15, 2011. Manager, State Representatives and various other municipal and county officials. The Town Administrator formed a Parking Meter Task Force that was charged with evaluating the new multi-space meters installed in various commercial areas of the Town. A series of changes have been made to improve the system, Urges the Town to modify, relocate or retrofit the including the replacement of the curbside multi- Nov. ’11 Special 14 new multi-space meters. space meters with single-space meters that accept credit cards. In addition, the multi-space meters remain in the parking lots but were converted to a “pay by space”, thereby eliminating the need to return to your vehicle to place the receipt on the dashboard. Urges the Health Department and Park and Recreation Commission to continue the Town agencies are formally monitoring park use Nov. ’11 Special 15 coordination and monitoring of use of playgrounds this spring and summer and will report results by day care centers to address any systemic back to the Park and Rec Commission. problems that are observed. Intended to poll Town meeting on their preference for the current Town Meeting schedule or to hold The schedule for the May, 2015 Annual Town Nov. ’11 Special 16 Town Meeting on two non-consecutive evenings Meeting calls for two non-consecutive evening per week for the Annual Town Meeting schedule meetings (Tuesday / Thursday). only. Acknowledges with profound regret the The Town Clerk distributed copies of this enslavement of Native-Americans and African- May ‘12 resolution to the public libraries and schools in 27 Americans and the exploitation of slave labor by Annual Town and posted this resolution on the Town’s this Town, within this Town, and amongst the website. citizens of this Town.

2019 Annual Report

ART TOWN MTG. RESOLUTION SUMMARY ACTIONS TAKEN # Requests the Board to direct the Town Administrator to create a Task Force on Clean The Task Force submitted a report with their May ‘12 Construction examining the desirability and 28 recommendations to the May, 2013 Annual Town Annual possibility of the Town enacting clean construction Meeting. and compliance standards. Asks the Committee to submit a report to the 2013 Annual Town Meeting. Calls for the United States Congress to pass a The Town Clerk sent copies of the resolution to constitutional amendment to overturn the United the President of the United States, the Governor May ‘12 29 States Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Annual United v. Federal Election Commission Brookline’s congressional and state legislative delegations, The Boston Globe and the TAB. Asks the Town to support the concept of state- Through this resolution the Town expressed Nov. ’12 Special 7 wide pre-foreclosure mortgage mediation under support for state-wide pre-foreclosure mortgage appropriate circumstances. mediation. The Solar Roof Study Committee presented a Asks the Select Board to work with the Building Solar PV Check List which was adopted by both Commission to establish a committee, the purpose the Building Commission and Select Board to be Nov. ’12 Special 15 of which is to study the potential costs and used to assure that all potentially relevant capital benefits, including non-financial costs, of making projects include a solar assessment as part of their Town-owned roofs “solar-ready” design process. Calls on our US Senators and Representatives to Copies of the resolution were sent to the oppose further funding of the war in Afghanistan President, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of except as needed to bring our troops safely home, State, Governor Patrick, all U.S. senators and Nov. ’12 Special 16 reduce overall military spending and support representatives from Massachusetts, and the federal funding for Iraq and Afghanistan war Brookline TAB and major Boston-area veterans. newspapers, television stations and radio stations. Asks the that funds be included in the FY 15 budget that would support a professional Funding for a consultant to study Transit Signal engineering study of the costs and benefits of May ‘13 Prioritization was included in the proposed 22 upgrading Town-owned traffic signals, controllers, Annual FY2015-FY2020 CIP and is currently under and associated equipment along Beacon St. (the C review by the Advisory Committee. line) to allow for the prioritization of MBTA trolleys. A copy of this resolution was sent to the President of the United States, US Secretary of Energy, Massachusetts State Congressional Asks Town Meeting to adopt a resolution in delegation, Governors of Maine, Massachusetts, May ‘13 opposition to transportation fueled by high impact 23 New Hampshire, and Vermont, CEO of Portland Annual fuels such as those from refineries using feed Pipeline Corporation, CEO of Montreal Pipeline stocks from Canadian Tar Sands. Limited, CEO of Enbridge Incorporated, Prime Minister of Canada, and the Provincial Premiers of Canada. The Select Board made appointments in January, Calls for the Select Board to make appointments to 2014 and the May, 2014 Annual Town Meeting Nov. ’13 Special 16 the Human Relations-Youth Resources warrant includes a proposed reorganization of the Commission (HR/YRC). Commission. A copy of the resolution was sent to President Opposes unilateral United States intervention in Nov. ’13 Special 17 Obama and to Brookline’s congressional the Syrian conflict. delegation. Urges the Select Board not to increase beyond current levels the hours of operation of the general The hours set in the Select Board’s vote from Nov. ’13 Special 18 police surveillance cameras funded by the January, 2010 remain in effect. Department of Homeland Security.

www.brooklinema.gov

ART TOWN MTG. RESOLUTION SUMMARY ACTIONS TAKEN # The Director of Veterans Services set up the May 14̓ Annual 27 Asks the Select Board to honor the memory of honor flag program. The first ceremony honoring deceased veterans who were residents of Brookline deceased veteran William McCarthy will be held on April 6, 2015. There is a second request to honor a WWII Battle of the Bulge veteran. Calls for the deployment of enforcement officers The Town Administrator assembled a taskforce to in business districts beginning in the fourth analyze and resolve some of the important issues May 14̓ Annual daylight hour after snowfalls to enforce the of keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Due 28 Town’s snow removal by-law. The specific to their diligence, the taskforce was able to portion of that by-law is Section 7.7.1, which propose several changes to the Bylaw that would requires owners of commercial property make increase penalties, provide for the posting and sidewalks non-slippery suitable for pedestrian notification of each compliance period, and allow travel within the first three hours between sunrise for delays in enforcement due to extreme and sunset after the snow and ice has come upon circumstances. such sidewalk. The Solar Roof Study Committee presented a Asks the Select Board to work with the Building Solar PV Check List which was adopted by both Commission to establish a committee, the purpose the Building Commission and Select Board to be Nov. ’12 Special 15 of which is to study the potential costs and used to assure that all potentially relevant capital benefits, including non-financial costs, of making projects include a solar assessment as part of their Town-owned roofs “solar-ready” design process. Calls on our US Senators and Representatives to Copies of the resolution were sent to the oppose further funding of the war in Afghanistan President, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of except as needed to bring our troops safely home, State, Governor Patrick, all U.S. senators and Nov. ’12 Special 16 reduce overall military spending and support representatives from Massachusetts, and the federal funding for Iraq and Afghanistan war Brookline TAB and major Boston-area veterans. newspapers, television stations and radio stations. Asks the that funds be included in the FY 15 budget that would support a professional Funding for a consultant to study Transit Signal engineering study of the costs and benefits of May ‘13 Prioritization was included in the proposed 22 upgrading Town-owned traffic signals, controllers, Annual FY2015-FY2020 CIP and is currently under and associated equipment along Beacon St. (the C review by the Advisory Committee. line) to allow for the prioritization of MBTA trolleys. A copy of this resolution was sent to the President of the United States, US Secretary of Energy, Massachusetts State Congressional Asks Town Meeting to adopt a resolution in delegation, Governors of Maine, Massachusetts, May ‘13 opposition to transportation fueled by high impact 23 New Hampshire, and Vermont, CEO of Portland Annual fuels such as those from refineries using feed Pipeline Corporation, CEO of Montreal Pipeline stocks from Canadian Tar Sands. Limited, CEO of Enbridge Incorporated, Prime Minister of Canada, and the Provincial Premiers of Canada. The Select Board made appointments in January, Calls for the Select Board to make appointments to 2014 and the May, 2014 Annual Town Meeting Nov. ’13 Special 16 the Human Relations-Youth Resources warrant includes a proposed reorganization of the Commission (HR/YRC). Commission. A copy of the resolution was sent to President Opposes unilateral United States intervention in Nov. ’13 Special 17 Obama and to Brookline’s congressional the Syrian conflict. delegation.

2019 Annual Report

TOWN ART RESOLUTION SUMMARY ACTIONS TAKEN MTG. # Urges the Select Board not to increase beyond Nov. ’13 current levels the hours of operation of the general The hours set in the Select Board’s vote from January, 18 Special police surveillance cameras funded by the 2010 remain in effect. Department of Homeland Security. The Director of Veterans Services set up the honor flag May 14̓ 27 Asks the Select Board to honor the memory of program. The first ceremony honoring deceased veteran Annual deceased veterans who were residents of Brookline William McCarthy will be held on April 6, 2015. There is a second request to honor a WWII Battle of the Bulge veteran. Calls for the deployment of enforcement officers The Town Administrator assembled a taskforce to in business districts beginning in the fourth analyze and resolve some of the important issues of May 14̓ daylight hour after snowfalls to enforce the keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Due to their Annual 28 Town’s snow removal by-law. The specific diligence, the taskforce was able to propose several portion of that by-law is Section 7.7.1, which changes to the Bylaw that would increase penalties, requires owners of commercial property make provide for the posting and notification of each sidewalks non-slippery suitable for pedestrian compliance period, and allow for delays in enforcement travel within the first three hours between sunrise due to extreme circumstances. and sunset after the snow and ice has come upon such sidewalk. Raises the issue of obstetric fistula, a medical Town Clerk submitted this resolution to Congressmen May 14̓ 30 condition that occurs from a prolonged obstructed Keating and Kennedy and Senators Edward Markey and Annual labor where the baby gets stuck in the birth canal, Elizabeth Warren. compressing the tissue so no blood gets to it, causing it to die. Calls on the Town to affirm its support for the The general By-laws were amended to reflect the goal of May 14̓ 31 prohibition of discrimination or harassment on the the Resolution an offered at the 2014 Special Town Annual basis of gender identity and gender expression in Meeting. employment, housing, public accommodations, credit and lending, and public education. Asks the Town to urge the Massachusetts May 14̓ 32 Legislature to enact Senate Bill (SB) 1225, An Act Annual Relative to Public Investment in Fossil Fuels, or a successor bill with substantially the same content. The Town has divested for fossil fuels of all Town SB1225 would require the Commonwealth’s scholarship and special revenue funds. Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board to fully divest its direct holdings in fossil fuel companies over a five-year period. Recommends that the transportation board and any The Transportation Board is considering new regulations Nov 14̓ 16 other boards or committees reconsider changes to to improve the closed license system that currently exists. Special the taxi license regulations and the expected revenue for the Town from the sale of medallions. Relates to the Town’s project to convert all street The Engineering Division continues to move forward Nov 14̓ 17 lighting to LEDs in order to lower costs and to with its LED lighting replacement program. Special decrease the carbon footprint of the Town Seeks support for the Massachusetts Domestic Through this Resolution the Town expressed support of Nov 14̓ 18 Worker’s Bill of Rights that was enacted this past the Massachusetts Domestic Worker’s Bill of Rights. Special summer.

35 www.brooklinema.gov

TOWN ART RESOLUTION SUMMARY ACTIONS TAKEN MTG. # Calls for the Town to oppose the Northeast Energy Direct Project of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline and The Town Clerk sent a copy of this resolution to all similar projects that may be later proposed. It the Town’s state and federal legislative Nov 14̓ 19 also asks for an affirmation that there is a need for representatives, the Governor, Massachusetts Special public policy at the local, state and federal levels Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, to encourage renewable energy and combat and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The climate change and to support legislation to ban or issue is being debated. impose a long-term moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.

May ‘15 17 Urges the Select Board to Support Changes to the The Town’s Housing Production Plan is now Annual Affordable Housing Law Mass G.L. c. 40B. underway.

May ̓15 18 Request the Select Board study and consider use of The Select Board formed a Committee and Annual Eminent Domain for two green space buffer zones submitted a report to the Fall Town Meeting. along Russett and Beverly Road

May ‘15 19 Urges town-wide elected officials, state Town Clerk notified elected officials of this Annual representatives and state senator to actively oppose Resolution. Boston 2024’s Olympics bid. Select Board to increase the Use of Electricity Town is working to regulate power through Nov ‘15 14 from Renewable Sources of Energy Using a procurement with Metropolitan Area Planning Special Community Choice Aggregation Plan Commission (MAPC) with a completion date of January 2017. Concerns the exercise of Eminent Domain in The Select Board formed a Committee and Nov ‘15 15 Hancock Village. reported to the Fall Town Meeting. Special

Urges that Brookline to express its support for a The Town Clerk sent a copy of this resolution to Nov 15̓ 16 moratorium on all high-stakes use of standardized the President of the United States, Massachusetts Special test and call on state and federal officials to Congressional Delegation, Governor, Secretary of immediately adopt said moratorium Education, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives members of the Joint Committee on education and the Brookline delegation to the General Court. Urges the Town of Brookline to call on federal and The Select Board sent a copy of the Resolution Nov 15̓ 17 Massachusetts agencies to deny permits for the with the explanation of the Article and Federal Special Northeast Direct natural gas pipeline proposal and Docket numbers to Governor Baker, Attorney the Access Northeast natural gas pipeline proposal General Healy Secretary of the Energy and and call on federal and Massachusetts agencies to Environmental Affairs Matthew Beacon, reject investment in the Access Northeast project Commissioners of Public Utilities, Secretary of proposed by Eversource and National Grid and to the Department of Public Utilities, Energy deny their consideration for setting electricity Facilities Board of Director Andrew Greene, rates. Senator Cynthia Creem; the Brookline delegation to the General Court; President Obama; Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, to Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioners; and the Brookline Congressional delegation.

2019 Annual Report

TOWN ART RESOLUTION SUMMARY ACTIONS TAKEN MTG. # Urges the Town to commit to achieving the goal of Following the passage of the resolution in Nov 15̓ 18 having all school and town departments at all November 2015, the Diversity Inclusion and Special grade levels reflect the 23% of Brookline residents Community Relations Commission (DICRC) has who are Black, Latino, Asian and other people of been working in collaboration with the Office of color. Diversity Inclusion, Community Relations Office Human Resources to provide better analytics for employee and applicant demographics and to consider ways to work with the Town and School departments to reflect the our Brookline residents who are Black, Latino, Asian and other people of color. May ’16 17 Establishing the need for an exception system for Program is going to be implemented in May Annual accommodations for the new Hybrid Pay as You 2017. Incorporated a size and exception program Throw Waste Collection System. into the Hybrid Pay as You Throw Waste Collection System. May ’16 A new plaque was installed at the site of the 18 Plaque at the site of the former St. Aidan’s Church Annual former St. Aidan’s Church. May ’16 Honor Roland Hayes with a plaque at his former 19 Plaque was installed and dedicated in June 2016. Annual residence. The Select Board sent a copy of the Resolution May ’16 Calling for an end to the US economic, 20 with the explanation of the Article to Annual commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III. The Select Board sent a copy of the Resolution with the explanation of the Article to Governor Charles Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, Massachusetts Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, Speaker of the Massachusetts House Robert DeLeo, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton, May ’16 Affirming Brookline’s Commitment to Solar 21 Commissioners of Public Utilities Angela Annual Electricity. O'Connor, Jolette Westbrook and Robert Hayden, Secretary of the Department of Public Utilities Mark D. Marini, Energy Facilities Siting Board Director Andrew Greene, Senator Cynthia Creem, Representatives Edward Coppinger, Michael Moran, Jeffrey Sanchez and Frank Smizik. The Select Board sent a copy of the Resolution with the explanation of the Article to the President of the United States; the Massachusetts May ’16 Urging rejection of free trade deals containing 22 delegation to the U.S. Senate and House of Annual ISDS. Representatives; and the Brookline delegation to the Massachusetts Legislature on behalf of the entire Town Meeting. Electrical Vehicle Charging Station Sub- Committee of the Select Board’s Climate Action Committee met and developed a report for the Nov ’16 Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations and the 2017 Annual Town Meeting (in combined 18 Special Massachusetts Electrical Code reports). Concluded that amendments were needed for the Transportation Access Plan and Zoning By-Laws, creation of best practices, and pursuit of funding; among other conclusions.

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TOWN ART RESOLUTION SUMMARY ACTIONS TAKEN MTG. # DPW is looking to revamp how the department internally manages leaf blower by-law violations. Administration of Leaf Blower by-law, Nov ’16 Increased attention will be put forth by the 24 specifically concerning the staffing within DPW Special Department to help facilitate the enforcement of concerning enforcement. the by-law in Article 23 of the November 2016 Special Town Meeting. The Town has kept a close watch of current costs Nov ’16 Funding requests to defend the Town’s planning associated with 40B projects. Town Counsel’s 32 Special interest before the Housing Appeals Committee budget has been deemed sufficient to defend the Town’s interests regarding 40B projects. Nov ’16 Committee formed and will present report to 33 Senior Tax Relief Committee Special November 2017 Special Town Meeting. Select Board have established a committee on the Nov ’16 Brookline Village Parking Lot air rights for topic and the committee is currently meeting. The 34 Special affordable senior housing. Committee has received a grant from Mass Housing Partnership. File the 2012 Climate Action Plan as amended in May ’17 Commitment to the Paris Agreement of 2015 20 2015 with the proper groups. Climate Action Annual (concerning climate change). Committee tasked with further actions. Fully engage with the GARE implementation Select Board has assigned the additional training May ’17 22 process with municipal departments and the and implementation of the GARE process to Annual community. DICR. Urging for the investigation whether sufficient Letters concerning the resolution were sent to May ’17 1 grounds exist for the impeachment of President Members of the United States House of Special Donald J. Trump. Representatives that represent the Town. Select Board has changed all letterhead, signage, Nov ’17 Gender neutral language required for future 20 and communications representing the gender Special documents and communications. neutral language of the Board. Nov ’17 Select Board are working towards the creation of 20 Indigenous Peoples Day creation. Special an Indigenous Peoples Day Committee. Select Board has communicated the resolution to Nov ’17 22 Criminal Justice Reform needed from the State. legislators, statewide elected officers, and the Special Norfolk County District Attorney. Select Board has yet to establish a committee, but May ’18 33 Review of non-electronic communication. past efforts have been made towards paper Annual reduction. The Veterans Service Office recognized the May ’18 Recognize “Boys of Brookline” and Albert “Boys of Brookline” and Albert Edward Scott at 34 Annual Edward Scott. the Town’s Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day Services in 2018. The Town Clerk sent a copy of the Resolution with the explanation of the Article to the May ’18 Calling for the United States to prevent Nuclear 35 President of the United States, the Massachusetts Annual War. delegation to the U.S. Senate, and Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III. Nov ’18 Calling for the State to reinstate the effect of State The Town Clerk sent a copy of the Resolution to 22 Special and Local Tax Deductions. the Brookline delegation to the General Court. Planning and Transportation staff are working Nov ’18 Conduct a study for the restoration of the Olmsted with a consultant to develop the concept design 23 Special Bridle Path. study as well as working to setup trials to allow users to experience the concept.

2019 Annual Report

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Town Clerk Patrick Joseph Ward

On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, the Annual Town Election was held. Polling Places were open from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. A total of 9,808 of the 37,179 eligible registered voters in the Town, or 26.3%, participated in the Annual Town Election.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at 7:00 P.M., Town Meeting Members convened for the Annual Town Meeting, held at Brookline High School’s Roberts-Dubbs Auditorium, adjourned to Thursday, May 23, 2019, Tuesday, May 28, 2019, and dissolved on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 10:26 P.M., in order to complete the business of the thirty-one article Warrant.

At the Annual Town Meeting, Moderator Edward N. Gadsby, Jr. asked for a moment of silence while Town Clerk Patrick Joseph Ward read the final roll call for Town Meeting Members who had died since the previous Annual Meeting:

HONOR ROLL

Ruth D. Dorfman 1972-1986

James P. Duggan 1986-1992

David A. Kleiler 1992-2000

Daniel G. Partan 1969-1986

Robert M. Stein 1973-1975; 1977-1984

Natalie G. Zuckerman 1970-1989

Requiescat in Pace

On Tuesday, November 13, 2018April 9, 2019, at 7:00 P.M., Town Meeting Members convened for a Special Town Meeting held at Brookline High School’s Roberts-Dubbs Auditorium, adjourned at 7:37 P.M., called back to order at 7:40 P.M and was dissolved at 08:11 P.M.

On Tuesday, November 13, 2018April 9, 2019, at 7:30 P.M., Town Meeting Members convened for a Special Town Meeting held at Brookline High School’s Roberts-Dubbs Auditorium, adjourned at 7:39 P.M., called back to order at 8:12 P.M and was dissolved at 08:13 P.M.

On Tuesday, November 13, 2018April 9, 2019, at 7:00 P.M., Town Meeting Members convened for a Special Town Meeting held at Brookline High School’s Roberts-Dubbs Auditorium, and was dissolved at 08:11 P.M. amended the FY2019 Budget, including changes to the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund, a $500,000 appropriation for a Brookline Reservoir repair project, and an appropriation of ride share revenue for transportation projects; amended the General By-Laws by clarifying the definition of “demolition” under the Demolition Control By-Law and making demolition permits non-transferrable; resolved that the Town encourage retailers to donate unopened and unused commercial items for sale rather than include such items in commercial single-stream waste disposal programs; and

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resolved to request the Town Administrator to engage a consultant to study the concept and feasibility of establishing a protected path suitable for two-way, non-motorized travel along Beacon Street.

On Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 7:00 P.M Town Meeting Members convened for a Special Town Meeting held at Brookline High School’s Roberts-Dubbs., adjourned to Wednesday, November 20, 2019, Thursday, November 21, 2019, Thursday, December 5, 2019, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 and dissolved on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 9:57 P.M.

On Tuesday, December 10 2019, the special Town Election was held. Polling Places were open from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. A total 6,730 of the 37,967 eligible registered voters in the Town, or 17.7%, participated in the Special Town Election.

The Office of the Town Clerk, in 2019, recorded 563 579 births, pending final returns from other communities, resulting in an decrease increase of 167 births from the previous year. There were 7 birth amendments recorded. The office also recorded 348 359 deaths, pending final returns from other communities, resulting in an decrease increase of 114 deaths from the previous year. There were 6 death amendments recorded The office also recorded 380 371 marriage intentions, an increase of 26 9 marriage intentions from the previous year, and 359 377 marriages licenses, an increase of 2 18 marriage licenses from the previous year. There were 10 marriage amendments recorded The office posted 1,659 public meeting notices, in accordance with the Open Meeting Law, resulting in an increase of 417 from the previous year. There were 2,626 dogs licensed in 2019, an increase of 29 from the previous year. The Town Clerk, in his capacity as Records Access Officer for the Town of Brookline, also received 147 formal public records requests during 2019.

Total 2019 revenues collected by the Office of the Town Clerk were $156,508, an increase of $5,593 from 2018 revenues.

Registrars of Voters

The Board of Registrars of Voters is a four member board whose responsibilities include registering voters, creating a local listing of residents, certifying nomination papers and petitions, processing absentee voter applications and administering elections and any necessary recounts or challenges. The Town Clerk serves as an Ex Officio member of the Board of Registrars of Voters. The Democratic Registrars are Town Clerk Patrick J. Ward and Assistant Town Clerk Linda G. Golburgh, who serves as Chair. The Republican Registrars are Andrew J. McIlwraith and Margaret C. Maguire. In 2019 the Board of Registrars of Voters administered and supervised the May 07, 2019 Annual Town Election and the December 10, 2019 Special Town Election. The Board of Registrars of Voters published the 2019 Street List of Persons Seventeen Years of Age and Older and established a total population of 49,927, an increase of 605 residents from 2018. Of this population, 37,495 were registered voters, an increase of 766 from 2017.

Political Parties and Designations

Democrat 17,925 Unenrolled 17,171 Republican 2,059 United Independent Party 123 Libertarian 87 Green Rainbow 32 Interdependent 3rd Party 20 American Independent 15 Socialist 12 Conservative 15 Green Party USA 11 MA Independent Party 9 Pizza Party 5

2019 Annual Report

Pirate Party 3 Working Families 3 Constitution Party 1 Latino-Vote Party 1 Natural Law Party 1 Prohibition Party 1 We the People 1 World Citizens Party 1

Town Counsel Joslin H. Murphy

The principal role of the Office of Town Counsel is to provide legal support and guidance to Town of Brookline officials, department heads and administrators, and Board and Commission members in a majority of Town related matters, and to provide representation in litigation matters involving the Town. At present, the legal team is comprised of Town Counsel Joslin H. Murphy, First Assistant Town Counsel Patricia Correa, Associates Town Counsel John Buchheit, Jonathan Simpson, and Michael Downey, Senior Paralegal Kerry Fleming, Paralegal Christina Moore, and Senior Clerk Jane Tavolieri.

The Town’s attorneys provide formal and informal legal opinions, draft, review, and approve the form of contracts, leases, and other municipal legal instruments; respond to open meeting and public record law inquiries and appeals; and represent the Town at administrative law hearings, in state and federal agency appeals, and in the state and federal trial and appellate courts. They assist Town Meeting members and others in the preparation of warrant articles for Special and Annual Town Meetings; draft notices and votes for the Town’s public bodies; and attend board and commission meetings and the Annual and Special Town Meetings.

With the assistance of paralegal staff, counsel represent the Town in claims and lawsuits in which Town officials and employees, and the Town itself, are named as parties, including personal injury and property damage claims brought under M.G.L. c. 84 and the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act, and in tax foreclosure proceedings at the Land Court and claim proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court to ensure that any outstanding debts owed to the Town are protected.

The Legal Department’s Accomplishments in 2019 include the following:

 Assisted with the negotiation and execution of a License for Entry and Easement Agreement for the High School Expansion Project.  Advised and provided legal support related to the local regulation of recreational marijuana.  Represented the Town’s public bodies in several open meeting law complaints and public record access appeals.  Provided legal support in connection with the School Department’s negotiation of a long term lease agreement for use of the school building at 2 Clark Road.  Added an in-house labor/employment associate counsel position to better serve the Town’s needs.  Provided legal support in negotiations pertaining to the proposed purchase of the former Newbury College- West Campus property.  Successfully defended the Town against a tort claim action and recovered over $17,000 in damages by counterclaim.  Provided advice and support to residents and staff with draft warrant articles, with a particular emphasis on sustainability-focused initiatives.  Successfully defended the Town in litigation matters, including personal injury, property damage, and Land Court claims.  Provided training and guidance to Town officials, employees, and Board and Commission members in laws and regulations pertaining to Public Records, Open Meetings and Conflicts of Interest.

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 Provided Town officials and staff with informal and formal opinions in a wide variety of matters pertaining to Town business.  Negotiated, drafted and reviewed numerous contracts and other legal documents related to environmental matters; real estate transactions; and substantial development projects.  Provided legal support to school administrators, principals, and other school personnel pertaining to student enrollment eligibility, record access, discipline, deposition subpoenas and contracts.

Human Resources Ann Braga, Director

The mandate of the Human Resources Office is to develop and administer fair and equitable Human Resources polices for the Town and its employees and to provide a system of Human Resources administration that is uniform, efficient and represents the mutual interest of the Town and employees of the Town. Our duties fall into three broad categories, Personnel Administration for Town personnel, Benefit Administration for Town and Public School employees and Labor Relations. In 2019, the Human Resources Office worked diligently in these areas, with a focus on employee training and professional development, broadening our diverse workforce, and effective settlement of labor contracts.

The Human Resources office continues to expand and diversify our recruitment networks to increase the vitality and breadth of our candidate pool. In 2019, Human Resources continued the implementation of an upgrade to our new online applicant tracking system for the effective recruitment, hiring and onboarding of candidates. This system offers candidates a simple, professional online application process, provides additional recruitment sources to encourage a diverse applicant pool, increases the efficiency of hiring managers and decreases cost per hire. This system gives the Human Resources Office the ability to utilize advanced analytics and reporting functions to develop meaningful recruitment and hiring data.

2019 also saw an increased demand for hiring, reflecting a currently vibrant employment market, and a parallel demand for more creative recruiting efforts that brought in highly qualified candidates. The Human Resources Office worked closely with our recruiting partners and our applicant tracking system to identify additional options for reaching qualified candidates in this tight job market.

The Human Resources Office continues to support our Departments to assist them in managing employee performance, organizational development and planning, employment and compliance, interpretation of policies and procedures, employee development, disciplinary issues, total absence management including sick leave use, Family Medical Leave, reasonable accommodation requests and case management of workplace injuries.

Also in support of our personnel policies, the Human Resources Office identified new training modules to further develop effective training and development tools. Specialized topics for employee training and professional development in 2019 focused on effective hiring techniques for managers with an eye to diversity hiring and compliant hiring practices. Bantering training, or “office banter” was continued again this year for the labor force, with emphasis on understanding the role that humor can play in the workplace, but with a goal of creating a positive culture and avoiding prohibited conduct. The Town also focused on individualized new hire orientations and policy review, looking for new and efficient ways to provide this service to our new hires that is welcoming and informative. Among the employee trainings conducted this year, Human Resources assisted the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the roll out of our membership in the Government Alliance on Race and Equity organization to Town and School executive management.

In 2019 the Human Resources Office kicked off our benefits open enrollment period with the Annual Wellness Fair featuring vendors from the Town’s dental plan, cafeteria plan/flexible spending, life insurance, optional retirement savings plans, occupational health providers, local fitness centers, and we also offered eye exams and eyewear which saw high employee participation. Town departments also participated including the Recreation Department with

2019 Annual Report exercise programming and fitness opportunities, and the Public Health Department with information on important health initiatives. The Wellness Fair highlights the health and wellness resources available to employees and provides an opportunity to provide one-on-one discussion of the Town’s health and optional benefits programs. Educating employees on the importance of wellness and helping them navigate the complexity of health, life, and dental insurance and pre-tax benefits remains a priority for Human Resources. We continue education on our health care tools, i.e., use of HRAs and FSA and more efficient use of our health insurance plan options, and strive to educate our employees on how to reduce their health care costs, as well as the Town’s.

In local partnership with the MUNIS Steering Committee, and sub-committee, the Human Resources Office continued to assist in the development of efficiencies with regards to payroll and human resources administrative functions. As a result, recommendations continue to be evaluated and developed for Town and School coordination and implementation. These recommendations will assist in best practices with regards to federal and state wage rules and human resources processes. The Human Resources Office works with seven unions and two sizeable non-union groups, the middle management/technical professional and Department Head groups, to ensure the high standard of rules and procedures to manage its personnel.

Human Resources Board

The Human Resources Board is comprised of five Town residents with diverse professional expertise in human resources, including the private sector, public sector, academic, union and non-unionized settings. They provide general recommendations for the Human Resources program on the adoption, modification or elimination of Human Resources policies and adjudicate grievances and complaints under the Human Resources bylaw and provisions of the Town labor contracts.

In 2019 the Human Resources Board continued to support the Human Resources Department in its efforts to develop and administer fair and equitable polices for the Town. Throughout the year the Human Resources Board’s regular monthly meetings dealt with a wide span of personnel issues, and it did so judiciously and promptly.

The Human Resources Board heard and ruled on a number of reclassifications and/or creation of new positions brought by the Human Resources Office with the respective Department Heads. This work continues to revise antiquated civil service titles, to align classifications and pay rates both internally and externally, and to identify talent gaps with regard to succession planning initiatives.

The Human Resources Board also heard grievances regarding workplace disputes that arose during 2019. The Board reviewed each grievance on its own merits, either rendering a decision or recommending that the parties work more diligently to resolve the matter or to come to some settlement. The careful consideration of the grievances that come before the Board has an important effect in maintaining harmonious labor relations between the Town’s management and its unionized employees.

The Human Resources Board Policy Subcommittee has maintained its goal of focusing on assisting the Human Resources Office in updating policies and working toward a simple mechanism for employees, both union and non- union, to easily obtain the policies, contracts and rules that establish their rights and responsibilities, as well as training and advancement opportunities in the Town of Brookline.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Police Department Andrew Lipson, Chief of Police

The Brookline Police Department is made up of an extraordinary group of men and women who have dedicated their careers to service. In 2019 these Officers worked hard to provide a high level of service to the members of our community while addressing quality of life issues and striving to maintain a low crime environment. The following report highlights the wide range of responsibilities our department is tasked with. Policing continues to evolve in the 21st Century and our Officers adapt accordingly to an ever growing set of challenges as we seek to provide service, safety and to solve problems.

As a Department, we organized several community outreach events meant to build upon the established relationship we have with the community. Some of these events include the Chief for a Day Essay Contest for 5th graders in Brookline, Police and Youth Basketball League, and Active Threat training for local houses of worship. Many of these events are sponsored annually by our Department, but this year we brought back a popular program for youth and created two new initiatives.

In August, we welcomed 20 rising 7th and 8th grade Brookline students to our Summer Youth Program. The goal of the Summer Youth Program is to foster positive interactions/relations between the youth and the police department while teaching self confidence in the youth as well as developing team building and leadership skills. Throughout the week, participants engaged in team building exercises, problem solving activities, and educational presentations. Activities included crime scene investigation and solving a mock crime, self-defense, cyber safety and mock scenarios requiring critical thinking and decision making. The youth also took a tour of Fenway Park as well as day trips to Boda Borg and the Boston Police Department’s Marine Unit. The week concluded with a field day and cookout at Larz Anderson Park.

As part of an initiative to de-mystify policing and what the Brookline Police Department trains on, a series of presentations were offered to residents titled “Community Roll Call”. The first part of the series focused on Mental Health and how Brookline Officers are trained to deal with this ever increasing demand on Policing. Approximately 65 people attended the first part of the series and we plan to continue offering more sessions in 2020.

During the Holiday season, we began an initiative entitled “Police and Pies”. As part of this initiative, we identified over 150 individuals, families, community organizations and partners throughout our Town that we felt would greatly benefit from a holiday pie delivered to their door by a police officer. Thanks to generous donations from Star Market, Stop and Shop, Trader Joes, Wegmans and Drive-by-Pies we collected and delivered these pies on Sunday December 22.

In October, the Department made two promotions. Sergeant Andrew Amendola was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned the commander of the third platoon. Detective Al Gustie was promoted to Sergeant and is assigned as a Patrol Supervisor for the third platoon.

Throughout the year, the Department continued to train and mentor our newest officers as they finished their probationary year. At the end of 2019, we began the hiring process for seven new officers. All were subject to an extensive background investigation, medical exam, psychological exam, panel interview as well as the state mandated physical abilities test. Six candidates successfully completed all portions of the hiring process and began the Cambridge-Northeastern Police Academy in early January 2020.

With these new officers in the academy, we are still operating below our full authorized number of police officers. We have actively sought out opportunities to educate the community on the Civil Service exam and hiring process to encourage individuals to take the exam next year.

The annual Brookline Police Awards ceremony was held in October. The following officers were recognized: 2019 Police Officer of the Year: Officer Armard Forbes, Public Service Medal: Officer Kevin Sullivan and the Commendation Medal (for 5 commendations): Officer Michelle Lawlor. Additionally, throughout the year there were numerous commendations issued to officers of all ranks and divisions for exceptional police work.

YEAR END REVIEW OF CRIME

In 2019, there were 608 Part A crimes in Brookline, down 15.67% from the 721 Part A crimes in 2018. Of the 608 crimes reported in 2019, there were 120 cases cleared by court action, 113 cleared by arrest, 35 cleared exceptionally, 5 cleared through a referral and 5 closed by completed service resulting in a 45.72% clearance of crimes.

In 2019, there were reductions in rapes, assaults, burglaries, larcenies and motor vehicle thefts but increases in murders and robberies when compared to 2018. In 2019 there was 1 homicide, 2 rapes, 11 robberies, 103 assaults, 43 burglaries, 440 larcenies and 8 motor vehicle thefts.

For 2019, violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery and assault) were down 16.43% with 117 this year versus 140 in 2018. Property crimes (burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) were down 15.49% with 491 this year versus 581 in 2018.

RACE AND GENDER BREAKDOWN OF POLICE/COMMUNITY INTERACTIONS

Arrests

In 2019, there were 343 arrests, up from the 290 made in 2018. In 2019, 138 arrestees were white (40.2%), 116 arrestees were black (33.8%), 66 arrestees were Hispanic/Latino (19.2%), 13 arrestees were Asian/Pacific Islander (3.8%), 8 arrestees were Middle Eastern/East Indian (2.3%), and 2 arrestees were unclassified (0.6%). There were no Native American/Alaskan Indian arrestees this year. 9 of the arrestees were juveniles (2.6%). 282 of the arrestees were male (82.2%) and 61 arrestees were female (17.8%).

Of all those arrested in 2019, 65 of them were residents of Brookline and 278 lived outside of Brookline. In 2019, there were 3 sex offenders registered in our system. These individuals were all white males. There were also 3 individuals placed in protective custody. Two of the individuals were white males and one was an Asian/Pacific Islander male. The Department also housed 20 prisoners for various federal agencies.

Field Interrogations

In 2019, there were 38 field interrogations conducted, up from the 26 conducted in 2018. Of these people who were stopped and questioned for suspicious activity, 16 were white, 14 were black, 7 were Hispanic, 1 was Middle Eastern/East Indian and none were Asian/Pacific Islander or Native American/Alaskan Native. 87% of the people FId identified as male and 13% identified as female. Of all the field interrogations in 2019, 13 of them were residents of Brookline (34.2%). 25 of field interrogations involved non-residents of Brookline (65.8%).

Moving Violations

In 2019, there were 13,745 moving violations issued, up 48.3% from the 9,271 issued in 2018. Of the motorists issued citations in 2019, 58.1% were white, 16.8% were black, 8.4% were Asian/Pacific Islander, 11.2% were Hispanic/Latino, 4.6% were Middle Eastern/East Indian and none were Native American/Alaskan Native. Less than 1% were not classified by a race category. Of these citations, 59.5% were issued to male motorists and 40.0% were issued to female motorists. 0.4% of motorists were not classified by a gender category. In 2019, there was one unknown instance in which a non-inventory motor vehicle search was conducted.

Citizen Complaints

In 2019, there were 8 citizen complaints filed with the Office of Professional Responsibility. Two of the complaints involved more than one allegation.

Five complaints involved Brookline Police Officers. One complaint was filed with no specific individual(s) mentioned. One complaint involved multiple Brookline Police Officers. One complaint involved a civilian employee (Parking Control Officer).

The first complaint was for excessive force and general misconduct, which were both unfounded. The second complaint was for rudeness/discourtesy, which was unfounded. The third complaint was for improper procedure, which was withdrawn/filed. The fourth complaint was for rudeness/discourtesy, which was filed. The fifth complaint was for rudeness/discourtesy, which was sustained. The sixth complaint was for racial profiling and malicious prosecution, which were both unfounded. The seventh complaint was for rudeness/discourtesy, which was not sustained. The eighth complaint was for unsatisfactory service, which was withdrawn/filed.

DETECTIVE DIVISION

In 2019, 1192 cases were assigned to detectives for follow up investigation. Certain cases were assigned to multiple detectives depending on the complexity. Assignments included both Part A and Part B crimes, attempted crimes and other reported incidents which may not have reached the level of a crime but receive follow up nonetheless.

The Division added a new unit in March. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) consisting of two Detectives under the supervision of the Detective Lieutenant evening shift. The units’ purpose is to focus on crimes which pose the greatest risk to the community. The unit investigates crime involving narcotics, prostitution and human trafficking, internet crimes against children and internet crimes of fraud and financial exploitation. In addition to a focus on serial crime offenses and habitual adult offenders who present a threat to the community.

In June, the division had a detective sworn in by the U.S. Marshal as a member of the United States Secret Service (USSS) New England Electronic Crimes Task Force. In December, the division had a detective sworn in by the U.S. Marshal as a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) assigned to their New England Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (NERCFL).

The Domestic Violence Unit was involved in the investigation of 88 cases in 2019. These involved follow up on arrests for domestic violence, restraining order violations and allegations of domestic abuse. The Town Counsel Liaison was assigned 67 cases in 2019. These cases primarily involve motor vehicle accidents and other incidents in which Town property sustains damage.

TRAFFIC AND RECORDS DIVISION

The Traffic and Records Division has a variety of responsibilities that include data collection, revenue collection, traffic enforcement, details, public records law processes and oversight of special events within the town. In 2019, there were 116,348 parking violations issued with the Traffic/Parking division collecting $3,075,823 in fines and penalties.

Complaints received from citizens about traffic concerns in their neighborhoods are followed up by this Division. Studies are conducted to verify the concerns and data is collected and analyzed. This includes utilizing technology that captures traffic data on specific roads, and analysis of data from past parking enforcement efforts and crashes. Traffic Division personnel are sent to address any parking or other traffic concerns.

In 2019, there were 1270 reported traffic crashes in Brookline. This includes calls placed to Brookline Police Dispatch as well as crashes observed by police officers that resulted in a service call. It should be noted that not all crashes involved a motor vehicle. The majority of crashes were property damage only where operators required assistance with exchanging information.

The Division is charged with overseeing the Department’s records and archives. On a daily basis we are the ‘keeper of records’. The Department’s Motorcycle Unit increased the number of officers trained and certified in police motorcycle operations in 2019. It is currently staffed by 8 Officers with 5 motorcycles in the fleet.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND TRAINING DIVISION

In 2019, the Training Division continued to adjust its curriculum to meet and/or exceed Massachusetts Police Training Council standards as well as meet the needs of our Department’s Accreditation requirements. Several topics officers were trained on included Managing Implicit Bias, Defensive Tactics and Crowd Control, Integrated Response to an Active Shooter held in conjunction with the Brookline Fire Department and Fallon Ambulance, and annual Firearms Qualifications. In addition to these mandatory in- service trainings for all officers, many individual officers completed specialty trainings in various topics of interest.

The Community Service Division oversees all social media platforms for the Brookline Police Department. This includes a website, Twitter account, Facebook page, Instagram account and a YouTube channel. The Department currently has 4,135 people following us on Facebook, 1,633 followers on Instagram, and 10,641 followers on Twitter.

The Community Service Division continues to assign an Officer to assist the senior residents of Brookline, age 60 and older, addressing a wide range of issues affecting them. Officers work in the field, implementing programs and teaching classes to help elders stay safe and help maintain an exceptional quality of life. In 2019, the Community Service Division continued to provide seminars and classes on categories such as: senior safety, scams/protecting the elderly from being victims and “Are You Prepared” a presentation on responses to an active shooter.

Walk and Talk Unit

The Walk & Talk Officers continued to work in partnership with the Brookline Housing Authority as well as members of the Brookline Teen Center (BTC) and Brookline High School (BHS). They attended many BTC sponsored events and began working with BTC staff, teens and the Diversity Committee in designing and planning a mural to be painted on the walls of the Clinton Path Tunnel in the spring of 2020. At BHS, these

47 officers attended the weekly Roundtable Meeting with BHS Deans and Program Coordinators. In conjunction with BTC and BHS, these officers coordinated a basketball tournament between members of the police department, the fire department, BHS staff and local teens. These officers also coordinated a police versus teens 3 on 3 basketball league at the BTC with their staff.

The Community Service Division and the Walk & Talk Officer’s continued their role coordinating the Department’s Juvenile Justice Program. Since its inception the program has had approximately twenty two youths referred to it in lieu of going to court. In that time, thirteen youths have successfully completed the program. Four were referred to BHS for counseling, two were referred to the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Juvenile Justice Program and three had their cases sent back to the Brookline District Court due to multiple prior court interactions.

AWARE Program and School Resource Officers

The AWARE program involves lessons on Citizenship, Healthy Relationships, Substance Abuse, Cyber- Safety Bullying and Student Empowerment. During the school calendar year for 2019-2020, AWARE Officers Kerrigan, J. Amendola and McCabe continued to discuss the topic of Cyber-Awareness in all eight of the Brookline elementary schools grades 6, 7 and 8. The Brookline Public School reports that there are 1,781 students enrolled in the middle school grades for the 2019-2020 school year and there were roughly 210 AWARE classes taught. The officers continue to build relationships with middle school age students through the classrooms. Topics discussed are cyber-awareness, substance/addiction awareness, healthy relationships and the role police officers play in the community.

As part of the Summer Youth Program, the Department welcomed approximately 20 middle school students. Throughout the week, participants engaged in team building exercises, problem solving activities, and educational presentations. Activities included crime scene investigation and solving a mock crime, self- defense, cyber safety and mock scenarios requiring critical thinking and decision making. They also took a tour of Fenway Park as well as day trips to Boda Borg and the Boston Police Department’s Marine Unit. The week concluded with a field day and cookout at Larz Anderson Park.

Another way that Officers of the Community Service Division help the community is through the car seat program (CPS). Some officers have received training from CPS to become car seat technicians. With this training, throughout the year they have assisted in the installation of approximately 150 car seats.

In March, Officer Conneely was assigned to Brookline High School as the new School Resource Officer. Since starting this newly created position, Officer Conneely has worked on creating a safe and welcoming environment. The purpose of this high school resource officer is to build long lasting positive relationships for open communication. Officer Conneely also attends weekly juvenile round table meetings with other members of the Department and BHS administrators.

Community Resource/Comfort Dog

The Community Resource Dog/Comfort Dog-Bear, started with the Brookline Police Department at the end of March 2019. During the months of April, May and June, Bear and his handler, Officer McCabe, spent a good portion of their time out at Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI) in Walpole training and getting to know each other. Along with the initial training, Bear is also continuing scent training for missing persons. Bear’s first major assignment in the Brookline community was working the Boston Marathon in Washington Square. Bear has become an instant celebrity within the town, he has his own Instagram account for the community to follow and connect with him. Currently the account has 506 followers.

PATROL DIVISION

Dispatch Center

The Brookline Public Safety Dispatch Center is currently made up of eleven full-time Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers and one trainee who graduated from the state dispatch academy in November. She is well into her in-house training program and will soon be assigned to a permanent shift. The Dispatch Center is currently in the hiring process for new Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers and an Emergency Telecommunications Dispatch Supervisor due to the resignation of Kevin Lessard who has been with the Department since 2006.

In the first half of 2019, a major initiative began with the Commonwealth wide implementation of the Text to 9-1-1 program. The Public Safety Dispatch Center conducted training and testing in the first half of the year in anticipation of calls that came in this new format of Text-to-9-1-1.

The Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers of the Brookline Public Safety Dispatch Center participated in several continuing education courses including Peer Support/Group Crisis Intervention for Dispatchers. Our Dispatchers also partook in Emergency 911 Dispatcher Crisis Intervention Training which incorporates Mental Health First Aid for First Responder topics along with additional mental health training from Law Enforcement agencies who have adopted the CIT model for their Departments.

The Dispatchers of the Brookline Public Safety Dispatch Center have made 67,849 Police Computer Aided Dispatch Entries, 10,439 Fire Dept. CAD entries, and have assigned 6,248 Case Numbers. Also, the Dispatch Center has received 18,198 Emergency 9-1-1 calls and 23 Text to 9-1-1 Calls. The Dispatch Center made 5,570 outbound and inter-agency calls totaling 19,066 emergency calls from January 1 through December 31, 2019.

Special Response Team

The Brookline Police Special Response Team is made up of 15 Officers from various divisions under the supervision of Commander-Deputy Superintendent Ward, Tactical Commander-Detective Lieutenant O’Neill, Support Commander-Lieutenant Amendola, Sniper Team Leader-Sergeant Richards, and Entry Team Leader-Sergeant Gustie.

In 2019, the SRT was activated one time, which was to provide security during the 123rd Boston Marathon. During this event the team worked in conjunction with Cambridge SRT and Fallon Tactical Medics to provide security and rapid response. This security plan included long range over watch positions. We also added two trained K9’s into our team deployment structure.

Patrol Warrant Unit

For 2019, the Patrol Warrant Unit has been comprised of 9 officers and is under the Supervision of Det. Sgt. Matthew McDonnell. For 2019, 48 subjects/individuals were investigated and 72 separate outstanding warrants cleared either through arrest, turn-in by initiation of PWU such as calling subjects for minor offenses and requesting they clear their warrant otherwise we would initiate an arrest, or through investigation such as confirming a subject is in custody of the County, State, Federal custody possibly being held on other charges.

Bike Unit

The Brookline Police Bike Unit is under the direction of Unit Commander Deputy Superintendent Ward and supervision of Sergeant Sutherland and Sergeant Richards. Currently, the unit is made up of 13 officers from various divisions. Seven officers are from the patrol division, three are from community service division, two are from traffic and one is from the detective division.

During this past year, the bike unit was activated several times for assignments both within the Town of Brookline and with the regional COBRA unit assisting out of town events. The unit assisted in the following events within the Town of Brookline: the 123rd running of the Boston Marathon, two Envision Beacon Street events (lower and upper Beacon Street), Lawrence School fun run, Brookline Village Day and Brookline Day. The Bike Unit was also activated to provide regional assistance for the New England Patriots championship parade, Game seven of the Stanley cup finals, July 3rd and 4th celebration on the Esplanade, and the straight pride parade in Boston.

Due to numerous complaints from citizens, the bike unit was utilized to assist with extra directed patrols in the neighborhoods that were in close proximity to New England Treatment Access located at 160 Washington Street. This assignment focused on enforcing open public consumption of marijuana, parking violations, and any other concerns addressed by residents.

Liquor Licensing

In 2019, twenty-three (23) Administrative Inspections were conducted. Administrative inspections involve an inspection of the licensed premise to ensure compliance with State and Local laws. This would include ensuring a duly appointed and Select Board approved manager or alternate manager is on the premises, the liquor notebook is in order, required signage is posted, staff has the required training certifications, etc. For those licensed establishments with outside seating, the inspection includes ensuring they are in compliance with regulations. Throughout the year, seventy-six (76) one-day licenses and eleven (11) new or transferred alcohol licenses were issued. There were approximately forty-two (42) additional special reports completed regarding alteration of premises, entertainment licenses, manager changes, liquor investigations, new licenses, and license transfers.

Lodging Report

In 2019, there were no major issues with our lodging houses. All Lodging houses were inspected by the Health, Building, Fire and Police Departments. Pine Street Inn Properties was the only lodging house of concern, due to them not having a resident agent living on the property at the time of inspection. The issue is being rectified by management.

Animal Control

Officer Cheung is assigned as the Animal Control Officer for the Town of Brookline. He answered a total of 816 animal related calls for service which is a 5% increase from 2018 (780). Officer Cheung is a reliable Animal Control Officer who is not only available to answer a host of various animal related service calls but also general police duties. For example, Officer Cheung was assigned the 194 Boylston St and then Sumner Rd and Buckminister Rd traffic posts on school days during 2019. Very rarely would Officer Cheung be unavailable to cover his post.

In addition, Officer Cheung proactively patrols parks and other open spaces for violators concerning animal issues. In fact, Officer Cheung alters his schedule to assure the many animal related complaints are mitigated before they become a bigger problem.

Crisis Intervention Team

As of July 2019, all sworn members of the Department as well as all of our Public Safety Dispatchers have been trained in Mental Health First Aid and have received basic training on responding to individuals in crisis as part of our required annual in-service training. In addition, 88% of our sworn personnel have received a minimum of forty hours of CIT training, and have received additional, specialized training in areas such as restorative justice, human trafficking, trauma-informed care, homeless outreach, suicide prevention, Alzheimer’s/Dementia and overdose response. Our Department’s grant-funded social worker has continued to assist our officers with some of our more complicated cases, allowing us to collaborate with mental health professionals in innovative ways to protect and assist some of our most vulnerable community members.

Critical Incident Stress Management

The Greater Boston Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team has been established as a collaboration among 10 police departments in the Greater Boston area. These 10 police departments include: Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, MIT, Newton, Somerville, Watertown and Waltham. The Team is a resource of specially trained officers who will serve as Peer Support and provide peer counseling to officers who have experienced a traumatic event or may be affected by a loss. In 2019, the Greater Boston CISM Team was made up of 99 team members, 1 control chief, 2 assistant control chiefs, 18 points of contact, 6 clinicians, 3 retired police officers, 2 staff advisors, 2 chaplains, 15 dispatchers, an 8 member governance committee and 55 team activations. These are all increases from 2018. Out of the 55 activations, 51 were for Team Agencies while 4 were outside agency requests. Brookline PD utilized the team on 8 separate occasions.

Critical Infrastructure Monitoring System

In 2019, there were 67 requests for review of camera footage from the Critical Infrastructure Monitoring System cameras located in Town. Incidents that footage was requested for include Armed Robbery, Assault and Battery, Assault with a Knife, Break and Enter of a Motor Vehicle, Burglary, Credit Card Fraud, Disorderly Conduct/Threats, Failure to Stop for Police, Fall Outside, General Investigation, Hit and Run, Homicide, Man Hole Explosion, Motor Vehicle Crash, Office of Professional Responsibility, OUI- Drugs, OUI-Liquor, Rape, Stolen Motor Vehicle, and Unarmed Robbery. Throughout the year there were no incidents of misuse reported and no violations of policy/procedure regarding the use of these cameras.

Fire Department John F. Sullivan, Chief

Administration Division

As the second decade of this new millennium has drawn to a close, The Brookline Fire Department reflects on the year gone by with great encouragement for the future. In March, the department promoted its first female fire officer. In April, The department welcomed eleven (11) new members with representation from a diverse background of candidates. These young men and woman represent the very best of Brookline and a bright promise for the future. In December, we took occupancy of its new $4.2 million dollar Training and Maintenance facility. These state-of-the-art resources are the key foundational components to our department’s ability to keep our members trained in the most innovative, progressive and safe techniques.

The department is committed to developing facilities, practices and trainings aimed at reducing exposure to cancer hazards, and promote firefighter wellness, fitness and safety. The Fire Department Administration undertook major steps toward the development of a comprehensive strategy for reducing our member’s exposures to harmful and potentially carcinogenic elements. We are working with the architectural firm Garcia, Galuska and DeSouza on a multi-year project that would require major renovations to our fire stations, in the area of environmental zoning. These plans also address the long-standing need to build out added capacity and resiliency for female fire fighters in the workspace.

One crucial area of demand is our Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction Division. The Town of Brookline continues its expansion as a strong regional economic development engine. This growth continues to strain the small dedicated staff resources of our Fire Prevention Division. Increased staffing in this critically important functional area is essential in order to meet this mounting demand while continuing to maintain the division’s core responsibilities of inspection, code enforcement and education.

Starting July 1, 2019, Fire Chief John Sullivan was appointed Emergency Management Director to lead the Town’s Emergency Management Team (EMT). Chief Sullivan pledges to continue to build on the Town’s solid Emergency Management foundation including its celebrated Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Medical Response Corp (MRC).

The next decade, holds even greater promise for our department as we embark on this challenging period of rejuvenation, reform and refurbishment. The department remains committed to continuing its efforts to ensure that it meets and exceeds the highest standards for diversity and inclusion and that all of our members enjoy a safe and accepting workplace.

A review of just some of the other on-going measures in which the FD Administration is engaged include:

 Developing a strategic plan for the fire department  Continuing to build a coalition of support for the fire station renovations project  Overhaul of the department’s antiquated Rules and Regulations  Formulating a detailed blueprint for professional development for all ranks  Cultivating stable and cooperative relations with IAFF Local 950  Mapping the core information technology strategies for the future.  Fostering alliances for public fire education opportunities and promoting Community Risk Reduction.

Fire Suppression Division

The Fire Suppression Division is divided into four working groups whose responsibilities include the protection of the lives and property of the citizens of Brookline from fires, natural and manmade disasters, and hazardous materials incidents. The division also renders emergency medical services and helps to prevent fires by conducting building inspections to enforce state and local fire laws and codes. Suppression is the largest division of the fire department and is staffed by 4 deputy chiefs, 7 captains, 21 lieutenants and 114 firefighters. They respond from five fire stations geographically distributed throughout the town.

The B.F.D. responded to a variety of incidents from medical and household emergencies to major accidents and structure fires. In 2019 we extinguished 31 structure fires in commercial and mercantile occupancies, multifamily homes, high-rise buildings, and single family homes. Fire department response times were exemplary in all instances. Our emergency response system has proven to be multi-dimensional, efficient, effective, and timely. All structure fires for the year were contained to the building of origin with no extension to exposures. In 2019, suppression companies responded 14,383 times to a total of 8,586 calls. Of these, 4,843 were for medical emergencies (including multiple administrations of Narcan and numerous performances of C.P.R), 594 were box alarms and 3,860 were still alarms for hazardous conditions, service calls, and other assistance rendered.

To maintain their skills, fire companies reported to the training facility numerous times throughout the year for classes and practical evolutions. Suppression companies also conducted 534 building inspections of structures with 6 or more dwelling units for compliance with Mass. General Laws regarding installation and upkeep of detection and suppression equipment and conditions relative to occupant safety. Upon the transfer or refinancing of property, a smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection (commonly called a 26F inspection) is conducted. Fire companies performed 767 smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspections. In compliance with Mass General Laws, fire companies conducted 104 quarterly fire drills in all public schools and educational occupancies. The town received or rendered mutual aid to surrounding towns 140 times in accordance with our METROFIRE agreement.

There were 12 fires requiring the response of additional resources above the first alarm including the provision of mutual aid from our partner communities.

In 2019, the Brookline Fire Department continued it’s time honored tradition of rendering efficient and effective fire extinguishment and life-saving efforts to the entire community.

Fire Prevention Division

The Bureau of Fire Prevention is headed by a Deputy Chief. The staff consists of 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, and a full time clerk. Fire Prevention personnel focus on all aspects of life safety within the community. Its primary objective is to reduce preventable deaths, injuries, and property loss through public education programs, yearly and quarterly fire inspections of residential and commercial properties, and through enforcement of adopted fire codes, laws and by-laws. The process of fire inspections in combination with code enforcement and fire prevention education enlightens building owners and tenants. This helps to gain voluntary compliance, as well as limit the number of repeat violations in the future. In addition to annual fire safety inspections, the fire inspectors have a wide range of other responsibilities which include:

 31 Incidents for Building Fires  Investigation of all fires within the Town. Dollars Lost $2.75M/Dollars Saved/Protected $34.6M  43 Lodging House Inspections  155 Common Victualler Inspections

 3,177 Fire Watch Details performed  767 Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Inspections  255 Plan Reviews  222 Certificate of Occupancy  534 Building Inspections of buildings with 6 units or more. Performed by the fire suppression companies. Coordinated by Fire Prevention.  414 Incidents for Cooking Fires  38 Confirmed Fire events other than Building and Cooking  60 Healthcare and hotel inspections  222 Certificate of Occupancy Inspections  153 Hot works permits issued  247 Various Permits  39 Site Assessments  38 Propane use/storage permits  Open Air Parking lot inspections  Retail package store inspections  Second hand motor vehicle License inspections

The Fire Prevention Bureau prides itself on our collaboration with all Town Departments including Police, Health, Building, Planning, Transportation and the Select Board Office on various Town wide issues including:

 Staying current on Legislation, code and bylaw changes  Custodians of MFIRS reporting to the Department of Fire Services  Received and processed all telephone, in-person, and email inquiries.  Actively maintaining an all-access public fire prevention window for issuing fire permits, smoke detector certificates and conducting department business.  Medicinal and Retail Marijuana working group meetings  Short-term rental Warrant Article development  Public School safety assessments  Fire Drills and Emergency Evacuation drills coordination  Participation and collaboration with the Transportation Department and public meetings  Preliminary discussions and meetings on the 2022 US OPEN  Hoarding Task Force partnership  Senior Smoke Detector Installation Program  Coordination of SAFE grant program with the public Schools  Enforcement and oversight of NFPA 241 plans-Construction Site safety Liaison duties with Fire Alarm/Police Dispatchers  Establishing and maintaining working relationships with local Hospitals Colleges and Universities

The Bureau has worked diligently to fine tune the Accela permitting portal making operation of the program more customer friendly. Temporary propane installations are still occurring for temporary heat due to the back log of natural gas installs within the State. Currently, the increase of construction projects within the Town has focused a lot of the Bureaus attention to oversight in maintaining the safety of the community as well our Public Safety personnel and guests visiting and working within the Town.

Training Division

The Brookline Fire Department Training Division is staffed by one Deputy Chief, one Captain, and one Lieutenant. Our training staff is responsible for all aspects of developmental and proficiency training. 2019 was a challenging, albeit exciting year for our training division. Our entire training ground was plowed under to make way for our new $4.2 million training facilities. The “burn building” was on-line for our use in late April, and in December, we were able to take occupancy of our new office and classroom facility co-located with our Maintenance garage.

A great asset for own Town is our long-standing tradition of operating our own recruit academy. During the peak of construction, the division ran a 14-week recruit academy which included eleven Brookline recruits, as well as candidates from Wellesley, Belmont, Dedham and Malden. Under less than ideal conditions, all recruits were successful in passing their State FF I/II examinations.

The Training Division maintains partnerships with other training resources including the Massachusetts Fire Academy the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the State Homeland Security Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). Together with these partners, we stay at the forefront of the newest innovations, initiatives and technologies.

The officers of our Training Division also operate as our Safety and Accountability Officers on the scene of all building fires and special calls. The Captain of Training additionally serves as the department’s Disease and Infection Control Officer (DICO).

In cooperation with our EMS partners at Fallon Ambulance our training staff coordinates all of our medical first responder continuing education needs including our EMT certification, recertification and CPR programs. This past year, the department initiated an Active Shooter / Hostile Event Response (ASHER) training program. We will be scheduling many more joint training exercises with the Brookline Police Department and Fallon Ambulance on this important subject as the year’s progress.

The safety for all our members is our department’s primary concern. Our department is aggressively pursuing multiple projects, initiatives, and policies to limit our member’s exposure to carcinogens in the fight against the many occupational cancers that continues to affect firefighters worldwide. In 2019 we teamed up with the Massachusetts Fire academy to hold a series of Cancer Awareness classes to our membership as well as providing a skin Cancer screening. Training staff is currently renewing our decontamination protocols to provide for on-scene “gross” deacon of both PPE and exposed areas of a members skin prior to leaving the incident scene, as well as best practices for further decontamination at the station.

Training Division ran additional training programs in 2019:

 Extensive Engine CO/ pump operation,  Ladder CO operations and  Live Fire Drills.  Ice Water Rescues  Hazmat Air monitoring and Mass Decontamination  Annual SCBA Training/ May Day Procedures  FD Radio Communications  Blasting Detail orientation  Dementia Friendly Training/Goddard House  National Grid Gas + Electric online Certification Program

Maintenance Division

The Maintenance Division maintains 27 vehicles, 2 trailers, 1 cold water rescue boat and 2 ice rescue boats as well as all associated equipment. The division is also responsible for the maintenance of the department’s SCBA breathing equipment as well as all mobile and portable radio equipment.

The front-line fleet is comprised of five (5) engine companies, two (2) ladders companies and one command vehicle. The department also maintains 3 spare engine companies and a spare ladder company for use when front-line apparatus are out of service for repairs, warranty work or preventative maintenance (PM). The division also services all support and staff vehicles.

The Town and the Department have sustained a very sound program of rehabilitation and replacement of vehicles which ensures that our capabilities are always maintained and current and within National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. Our engine companies are scheduled for substantive rehabilitation at their 10 year mark, and replacement after 17 years of service. Our ladders are on a 12 year rehabilitation schedule and replaced every 20 years. Staff and support vehicles are evaluated by our Chief mechanic and are replaced as needed. The Department is committed to working closely with the Town’s Climate Action and Sustainability Committee to meet the Town’s overall climate goals wherever feasible.

In 2019, the Maintenance Division experienced significant change. Chief Mechanic Tim Daly announced his retirement after 40 years of service with the Town of Brookline. Tim’s retirement comes a little over one year after the retirement of Chief Mechanic Charlie Driver in early 2018; together these men gave nearly a century of service to the Town! Tim officially retired in September 2019, but agreed to stay on as a part- time contracted employee to mentor and advise our new Chief Mechanic Jose Salgado, who came to us from the DPW. These men, along with new fleet mechanic Ken Deberardinis, undertook a smooth transition of both leadership and physical facilities. The department extends are most sincere gratitude to Tim Daly in his much-deserved retirement, and equally looks forward to the future under Jose’s leadership!

Building Department Daniel F. Bennett, Building Commissioner

Code Enforcement and Inspection

The Building Department is responsible for administering the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Town of Brookline bylaws as they relate to land use and the construction and occupancy of buildings and structures.

The Department's goal is to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress, facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment.

Staff enforces the State Building Code as well as Town by-laws and regulations related to zoning, building, plumbing, gas fitting, electrical, mechanical/sheet metal, fire safety, sprinklers, accessibility, noise, signage, preservation and demolition. The Department performs annual inspections of lodging houses, places of assembly, parking facilities and common victualler locations prior to their annual license renewal. Building Department staff reviews applications and inspects projects for which permits have been issued and enforces provisions of the Massachusetts State Building Code.

The Building Department issued 6,330 permits in 2019. There were 11 new single-family residential building permits issued and 4 permits for two family and multi-family residential buildings (67 Units). In addition there were numerous permits issued and inspections performed for additions, alterations, roofing, siding, window replacement, basement, bathroom and kitchen renovations. As a result, there were more than 600 certificates of use & occupancy, annual inspections and condominium conversions issued.

Pursuant to M.G.L. inspectors attended continuing education courses offered by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards. These courses assure that inspectors are well versed in code updates/changes, latest construction materials and methods. The Department is committed to reducing paper usage & storage and trips to Town Hall with on line permitting and accepting credit card payments. The Department continues to improve the Accela Permitting System. Staff will continue to work with other Departments to bring them on to the Accela program. On line applications require all supporting documentation including construction plans, license information, workers comp insurance, contracts, affidavits, reports and other technical information to be downloaded in digital format. This aligns with the departments desire to enhance document storage and minimize paper usage.

The following major projects took place in 2019:

 Completed construction of a 47,000 SF Addition with interior renovations to the medical Office Building at 1 Brookline Place. Continued onsite inspections and building code compliance check for new commercial building at 2 Brookline Place.  Continued onsite inspections and code compliance work for the 10 story hotel with 174 guest rooms - 30 structured parking spaces and first floor restaurant /bar.  Reviewed and approved tenant fit up permits at 1 Brookline Place; 14,500 sf outpatient clinic, 8,000 sf legal offices – 2 Brookline Place; retail space and outpatient services 1st thru 5th floors.  Approved construction of a 6 story residential building with 62 units of Senior Housing and 1st floor retail for JCHE.  Completed construction of the Fire Department Maintenance and Training Facility at Station No. 6.  Provided staff support to the Board of Appeals and Planning Dept. for Comprehensive Permit applications, Zoning By Law articles and Fossil Fuel free Town By Law.  Continued construction related inspections and code enforcement of a 25 (twenty-five) unit residential building, appx. 5,000 sf of mixed use retail, and 27 (twenty-seven) parking spaces between two buildings.  Reviewed and Approved permit application for a 5 story residential multi family dwelling with 45 residential units and 1st floor parking garage.

 Completed construction of a 17 unit residential multifamily building including 1st floor retail and parking (10 spaces).  Commenced construction of the Brookline High School Expansion Project. The project consists of a five story 117,000 sf education facility for 700 students and a 70,000 sf three story Stem Wing addition.

The following permits and certificates were issued in 2019:

Permits Issued: 6,330 Certificates Issued 561 Building 2,100 Plan Review 80 Electrical 1,542 Board of Appeals Cases 90 Plumbing 1,137 Lodging House 51 Gas Fitting 833 Violation notices 40 Mechanical 467 Inspections: Sprinkler 45 Common Vic. /Food Vendor 221 Sign/Façade 67 Complaints 138 Occupancy 146

Public Buildings

The Public Buildings Division of the Building Department is responsible for the repair, maintenance, rehabilitation and general upkeep of all Town and School buildings. Division staff, made up of a Director, Operations Manager, Energy Systems Manager, Tradesman and others, provide services to all Town and School buildings. The Division uses its staff for emergency calls, small to medium size projects and completion of punch list and other remaining items from larger projects. Generally large-scale projects and preventative maintenance is performed by outside contractors. In addition, specialized services such as burner/boiler maintenance, elevator, sprinkler testing, fire alarm and glazing services are performed by outside contractors. Buildings are monitored 24/7 through our energy management system for heating and cooling. The tradesmen handled more than 7800 in house work orders, while outside contractors responded to 2100 service orders in 2019. A majority of these work orders are due the department’s shift, a few years ago, to increasing preventative maintenance (PM) work. The volume of PM work orders now exceeds those of Corrective Work Orders. Department staff continues to work with the School Administration to plan and coordinate the upcoming CIP projects which include the High School Expansion Project (111 Cypress St, Stem Wing Addition, Gymnasium and misc. renovations), Pierce and Driscoll School. The Florida Ruffin Ridley (FRR) School Addition and Renovation has been up and running for a year now. The building has state of the art controls for all lighting and mechanical systems. In September, students from the High School (9th grade) started attending the Old Lincoln School The School will be swing space for 2 years while the High School Expansion work continues.

In addition to routine maintenance and testing that occurs in the summer, the interior of schools were painted and new carpeting was installed. Much work was done at the Heath and Lynch Rec buildings. This included new shades, flooring throughout and painting/carpentry work. New AC/heat pump units were installed in various rooms at Lawrence, New Lincoln and Heath Schools as part of a program to provide areas in the school with a better controlled interior environment. This provided needed space for those staff/students that are medically required to have cooling. Fire Alarm panels were upgraded at the Museum of Transportation, Coolidge Corner Library and Old Lincoln School as part of a long range upgrade program. This will ensure the long term safety of staff, students and others using the buildings.

As part of our energy savings measures new LED lighting has been installed in the New Lincoln School, Heath Department, Main Library and Public Safety building. LED lighting is planned to be installed at other buildings as well. Funding for these projects was partially paid from Energy Conservation monies budgeted in the CIP, Green Communities funds and rebates from Eversource and National Grid.

The Town will continue to pursue the installation of Solar panels on Town and School Buildings. There is a plan in place now to install a number of panels at specific sites based on a study that was recently

2018 Annual Report

completed. Potentially the FRR School would be next in order as the building was prewired and constructed in such a way to easily accept solar panels. Other buildings include the Highway Garage, Runkle, Heath and Town Pool Buildings.

The Public Buildings Division will work closely with the using agencies and building committees to come up with designs based on the Town voting for fossil free buildings – Fire Stations, Driscoll and Pierce Schools.

The Public Buildings Division continues to expand on our security measures including upgrades to a single keycard vendor for all departments. In addition, security equipment was added at all three Libraries.

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds the ongoing work at the Fire Stations – including changes made for woman’s locker rooms, bathrooms and clean zones. The elevator at the Heath was upgraded and modernized as part of a long term program for elevators. As the CIP continues to be reviewed and funded, Building Department staff works internally to plan and implement the Roof Replacement program, Building Envelope & Fenestration repairs, Fire Alarm upgrades, Elevator Modernization Program and many others.

BUILDING COMMISSION

The five Building Commission members are appointed by the Select Board in accordance with Town By- Laws. Three staff members report to the Commission. Collectively their responsibilities include the management of engineers and architects and oversight of contractors in connection with construction work on public buildings.

Typically, at the beginning of a project, the Commission assists the Using Agency in identifying program and infrastructure needs. Once funds are approved by Town Meeting, the project proceeds to design and then construction and lastly closeout. The Commission’s staff conduct many of its routine activities and report regularly to it.

The projects in which the building commission was involved with are as follows:

 Building Envelope Work (Public Safety, Main Library, Soule Rec, Baker Windows) - it is anticipated that the design, bid, contract award and completion will occur toward the end of summer 2020.  Baldwin/ Driscoll School Schematic Design - completed in the spring of 2019.  High School Expansion Design - completed fall of 2019. Early bid package issued spring of 2019. Procurement of project is being done in phases and will be completed the spring of 2020.  High School Expansion – work started summer of 2019.  CC Library Renovation- closeout of project completed end of 2019.  Reservoir Gatehouse Building Envelope Restoration- part of park project; contract has been awarded and completion anticipated end of 2019; working with parks department; involves MHC funding.  Reservoir Gatehouse Building Interior Renovation- part of park project; contract has been designed bid and is in the process of being awarded. Completion of the work anticipated spring of 2020; working with parks department.  Harry Downes Field House – part of park project; the work was bid and the bid was over budget; it is anticipated that the redesign, rebid, contract award and completion will occur toward the end of spring 2020; working with parks department.  Fire Station No.6 Maintenance and Training Facility- contract completed fall of 2019.  Fire Station No. 7 Building Envelope Work – contract completed spring of 2019.  Golf Course Club House Roof Replacement – contract completed summer of 2019.  Water Department Floor Replacement- contract designed bid and awarded. Completion anticipated beginning of summer of 2020.  Miscellaneous- closeout and continued planning and implementation of capital projects.  Accessible bathrooms at the Putterham Library Community Room is planned for the summer of 2020.

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 Punchlist, warranty and other close-out work continued at the Florida Ruffin Ridley School.  At the end of 2019 and subsequent to town votes, the project team for the Michael Driscoll School project began to gear up for design and construction, with the goal of having on site work commence at the end of calendar year 2020.

Going forward into 2020, the Building Commission is prepared for new challenges and is committed to maintaining high quality in the design, construction and renovation of Town and School buildings.

Board of Examiners

The Board of Examiners was established with the adoption of the Town of Brookline Building Code in 1956. The Board consists of three members appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Board meets as required to hold examinations and ensure that all work in the construction, reconstruction, enlargement, alteration, repair, removal and demolition of all buildings or structures in the Town is performed by qualified licensed persons. The Board established eleven classes of licenses for specific types of work. In 1994 the BBRS ruled those Municipalities that established licensing requirements for construction supervisors prior to January 1, 1975 may maintain their existing licensing requirements and accept either their Municipal License or the State Construction Supervisor’s License (CSL). Today the State CSL program consists of eight designations under the Massachusetts State Building Code and accounts for a majority of the license in the Town. During 2019 no Brookline licenses were renewed.

2019 Annual Report

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Andrew M. Pappastergion, Commissioner

The Mission of the Department of Public Works is to provide efficient, effective and economical services to the citizens of the Town at the desired level and in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. This is accomplished through the efforts of a well-trained workforce and the leadership of a very competent and accountable professional staff.

The Department is responsible for all endeavors relating to planning, designing, operating, maintaining, and managing public ways, park lands, open space, public grounds, town cemeteries, water distribution systems, sewer collection systems, storm drain systems, and the collection and disposal of solid waste and recycling. The Department also provides engineering support services and motor equipment maintenance services to all town departments.

Management The Department of Public Works (DPW) divides its multiple responsibilities for the management, maintenance and operations of the Town’s infrastructure among five principle Divisions: Administration, Engineering and Transportation, Highway and Sanitation (including Fleet Service), Parks and Open Space (including Forestry, Conservation and Cemetery) and Water and Sewer.

Overseeing each of these Divisions is the Commissioner of Public Works, Andrew M. Pappastergion. Together with his management team, the Commissioner establishes both long and short-term policy direction, forecasts annual operations and capital budgets, and structures departmental management and staffing.

Excluding Administration, each Division is headed by a Director, charged with operations, budget and management responsibilities that are tailored to the specific public resource under their jurisdiction. Peter Ditto serves as Director of Engineering and Transportation, Erin Gallentine serves as Director of Parks and Open Space, Kevin Johnson serves as Director of Highway & Sanitation and Frederick Russell serves as the Director of Water & Sewer.

For purposes of departmental scale, Public Works employs 163 permanent full-time positions and has an annual FY2020 operating budget of $15.6M, excluding the Water and Sewer Division, which is operated as an enterprise with an annual budget of $28.6M. In addition, the DPW Capital Improvement Program for fiscal year 2020 was funded at $12.5M, which includes the Water and Sewer Enterprise.

Middle Management While each division within Public Works is lead by a Director, the mid level management structure includes Operations Managers, General Foremen, a Fleet and Facilities Maintenance Supervisor, a Tree Warden/Conservation Officer and a Transportation Administrator, all providing support and assistance to the management team.

Administrative Team The Administrative staff consists of eight (8) positions, led by the Administrative Manager that provides critical support services for all the daily functions of the Department. Located at Town Hall and offsite facilities at Netherlands Road (Water & Sewer) and the Municipal Service Center on Hammond Street (Highway, Sanitation, Parks & Fleet Services) the business team provides customer service and handles inquiries for utility and refuse billing, refuse and recycling collection, work requests through the BrookOnLine mobile application and permitting system. In addition, all normal business functions for payroll processing, accounts billable and payable, requisition and purchase order processing and budget tracking, are efficiently performed by administrative staff.

Public Guidance and Governance Brookline citizenry play an integral role in Town management, programming and politics through an appointed structure of official Boards and Commissions. The Department of Public Works operates within this vein of public participation, supporting the roles of specific project advisory or selection committees, targeted task forces, and boards or commissions with certain mandated authorities or controls. The following boards and commissions, whose memberships are appointed by the Board of Selectmen, work on a permanent and prescribed basis with various

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Public Works Divisions: Park and Recreation Commission; Tree Planting Committee; Conservation Commission; Transportation Board; Solid Waste Advisory Committee; and the Cemetery Trustees.

2019 Highlights

American Public Works Accreditation Program The Brookline DPW was successfully re-accredited in September 2019. The APWA Accreditation Program recognizes Public Works agencies that have met the rigorous requirements of the Best Management Practices established nationally in the public works industry. The Brookline Department of Public Works achieved this milestone in August 2011 and became the first agency in New England to do so. As part of this continuing program of excellence, APWA requires re-accreditation every four years ensuring that public works agencies maintain a high level of operational efficiency. The Brookline DPW was successfully re-accredited in 2015 and again in September 2019.

PeopleGIS Maintenance Management System During 2019, the Department completed the transition from the Cartegraph Work Order System to the PeopleGIS Maintenance Management System that was begun in 2018. The new system continues to track service requests and generate task orders for roadway/sidewalk repair, traffic control, sanitation, parks, forestry, fleet maintenance, water and wastewater maintenance. Task orders are forwarded to each Division for scheduling, follow up and completion. In 2019, the Department received and processed 16,119 work requests from the public.

BrookOnLine Mobile Application The BrookOnLine Notifier Application is a tool that gives citizens the ability to report issues of concern directly to the DPW for resolution using either the internet or a mobile device. Issues such as potholes, graffiti, street lights and broken parking meters can be reported in real time providing the Department with additional eyes on the streets. Resolution of each issue can be tracked for timely completion. In 2019 the Town received 2,608 requests for all categories which was a decrease of 17.8% over 2018. Areas with the largest increases were Graffiti (33.7%), Sidewalk Repairs (14.5%) and Potholes (12.9%). The most notable decreases were Parking Meters (90.7%), Streetlights (38.7%) and Public Trees (32.4%).

Bylaw 7.7 – Removal of Snow and Ice from Sidewalks Pursuant to Section 7.7.6 of the Bylaw, the Department hereby reports that during 2019 the following efforts were made to implement the provisions of the Bylaw:  Public Education – The provisions of the Bylaw are detailed in the annual Winter Guide that is sent to all residents, including a listing of the penalties for non-compliance. Guides are also distributed through the Brookline Chamber of Commerce for all local businesses. In an effort to better inform our business community, the Department worked in association with the Police and Health Departments to issue a special notice to business owners detailing their responsibilities under the law.  Enforcement – Enforcement areas are divided among the DPW, Police, Health and Building Departments and include both commercial and residential areas. In 2019, 268 requests for enforcement were received and investigated resulting in the issuance of 62 citations.  Public Assistance – Public assistance to homeowners in need was provided through the Shovel Our Snow program administered by the Recreation Department.

By-Law 8.31 - Leaf Blower Control Gasoline powered leaf blowers are permitted only between March 15th to May 15th and October 1st to December 31st between the hours of 8am and 8pm on Monday through Friday and 9am and 6pm on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Leaf blowers must have a manufacturer’s label certifying a noise level of no more than 67dBA at 50 feet. For calendar year 2019, the Department received 97 complaints and pursuant to Section 8.31.8 of the By-Law, issued 21 warnings and 9 citations.

DPW Town Meeting Forum

The DPW Town Meeting Forum was held in May. In attendance were approximately 30 Town Meeting Members including some public participation. After introductions of my staff we opened the floor to any questions and concerns over DPW operations. Topics relative to sidewalk, curbing, road construction and the Complete Streets Policy, trash

2019 Annual Report and recycling collection and the future direction of recycling, potholes, Water pipe infrastructure, Crosswalks and signage to help pedestrian safety, Woodland and Heath road mitigation, Parking issues and permits, Tree pit maintenance and pesticide use as well as park use and cleanup. In closing the TMM’s were appreciative of our efforts to answer questions and the services we provide on a daily basis.

National Public Works Week - DPW Open House

In May during National Public Works Week the DPW held the annual Open House. Employees from each DPW Division demonstrated their role in the community. Over 1,000 people visit the Municipal Service Center including the annual 3rd grade school field trip as well as families of the Brookline community. The students and community learned how to compost and plant, how street signs are made, watched a welding demonstration, witnessed the robotic camera travel and record a water pipe, enjoyed a recycling magician show and of course the smaller kids loved climbing up on the big trucks.

Fill-A-Public Works Truck This year the Department of Public Works joined hundreds of Public Works Departments from across New England in collecting food and household goods to support our local community food bank. We teamed up with the Brookline Food Pantry and collected non-perishable items and basic necessities. Throughout our locations at the Municipal Service Center, Brookline Town Hall, and Stop & Shop supermarket we were able to collect a truckload of donations during National Public Works Week. The food drive was once again considered a success in assisting our own community and residents.

ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORTATION DIVISION

The Engineering and Transportation Division of the Department of Public Works (DPW) is charged with the management and administration of town infrastructure, as well as the design and implementation of the vast majority of Public Works’ items contained in the Town’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Town infrastructure would include surface facilities in the areas of all public right-of-ways, such as roadways, sidewalks, traffic signals and parks, as well as those facilities that lie underground, for example, storm drain/sewer systems, water supply lines, and traffic signal/street lighting conduit. CIP projects range in type from roadway reconstruction, to sewer separation, to landfill reclamation efforts.

In order to effectively manage both the diversity and complexity of infrastructure issues for which the Division is responsible, administrative programs and project undertakings are assigned to one of two disciplines: Engineering or Transportation. While it is inevitable, and largely by organizational design, that these two sectors should frequently overlap, the Engineering Section is fundamentally concerned with issues of civil and environmental engineering, while the Transportation Section is devoted primarily to transportation planning and traffic engineering.

ENGINEERING

Division Charges

Responsibilities of the Engineering Division are divisible into 4 broad categories: 1) Permit Administration and Inspection; 2) Archival Maintenance and Reference; 3) Interagency Coordination and Oversight; and 4) CIP Project Management and Engineering.

Permit Administration and Inspection

The Engineering Division oversees the issuance of Street Opening and Occupancy Permits, typically given to Contractors working in public right-of-ways for utility companies, communication corporations, public authorities or private property owners. Construction work that would typically require such permitting can be either at the sidewalk or street surfaces, or require digging or trenching beneath these finished grades. Parks and school grounds also demand permit consideration.

The purpose of this permit process is both to protect the public infrastructure property of the municipality and to promote public safety. This permit system and associated data base is actively maintained on the Town’s network. The system

63 www.brooklinema.gov does generate revenue through licensing fees, which serve to offset costs of oversight and administration. Division inspectors, with the aid of a pre-application process, determine the type of work, associated charges and anticipated impacts to material integrity and traffic/parking conditions. In addition, inspectors monitor the work and assure that restoration meets with Town specifications.

Sanitary Sewer, Storm Drain, and Water Supply Connections are also within the permitting purview of the Engineering Division. Following application procedures, engineered plans and necessary documentation are submitted to Division personnel for review and subsequently, if recommended, for approval by the Director. Generally, these connection permits are associated with parcel developments, capacity and material upgrades, or maintenance when failures occur. In 2018, the Division issued 415 Street Opening permits and 346 Occupancy permits.

Archival Maintenance and Reference

The Engineering Division maintains record plans of its water, sewer and storm drain systems, including individual parcel connections. In addition, plot plans, or surveyed drawings, complete with bound locations, are maintained for all lands within the Town, whether public or private. These infrastructure and survey documents are kept in an extensive archive, copies of which are available to the public upon request. Along with records of property and Town-owned services, the Engineering archives contain construction plans for all DPW projects, such as roadways, bridges and park facilities.

Interagency Coordination and Oversight

The Engineering Division coordinates directly with state authorities, such as the MBTA and MWRA, whose infrastructure is both located in Brookline and serves the community and/or its immediate region. Similarly, Engineering permits and supervises the maintenance, upgrade and installation of utility systems or communication networks, whether publicly or privately sponsored. Significant projects this past year were undertaken by the following State agencies or utility companies:

 MWRA  National Grid  Eversource

In addition, Brookline Engineering works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation ( MADOT), both in administering state and federal transportation dollars for local Brookline projects through two programmatic vehicles: the State’s Chapter 90 Reimbursable Roadway Funds and the State’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

The Chapter 90 program is a recurring annual state appropriation for municipalities, the amount of which will fluctuate annually based on the formulaic tabulation and legislative authorization factors. Approximately $1,125,907 was allocated to Brookline in CY 2018 through the Chapter 90 program.

CIP Project Management and Design Engineering

The Engineering Division implements projects listed in the Town’s CIP, which might entail project planning; feasibility studies; site surveys; design engineering; preparation of specifications and cost estimates; project advertising and bidding; contract execution; and construction administration and supervision. In this capacity, Engineering functions inter-divisionally, serving the professional engineering, architecture, landscape, and surveying needs of each of the other divisions within DPW.

The following project briefs, which represent CIP items listed in Parks, Water and Sewer, Highways, as well as Engineering and Transportation, offer an overview of the Division’s 2018 endeavors:

Engineering CIP

Roadway Reconstruction

2019 Annual Report

1.4 Miles of roadways were resurfaced or reconstructed which included the following streets: Wallis Road from Independence Drive to Shaw Road; Walnut Hill Road from Goodnough Road to Shaw Road; Shaw Road from Walnut Hill Road to Wallis Road; Wolcott Road Extension from Wolcott Road to Wallis Road.

Babcock Street, which is being reconstructed from Harvard Street to Commonwealth Avenue, is approximately 70% complete. Remaining work includes granite curb removing and resetting, replacing concrete sidewalks, street light replacement, final pavement surfacing, and installation of pavement markings. It is anticipated that the reconstruction will be done by early summer.

Sidewalk Maintenance

Approximately 190 square yards of cement concrete sidewalks, 11.8 square yards of cement concrete driveways and 51 square yards of accessibility ramps were replaced under the maintenance contract. This contract was terminated for non-performance. Unused funds will be carried over to the FY19 contract.

Granite Curbing

172 linear feet of new granite curb was installed. See note under Sidewalk Maintenance.

Carlton Street Footbridge

The rehabilitation project’s 100% plans, specifications and cost estimates, developed by Kleinfelder Engineering, remain under review by MADOTs Highway Division. Pending their evaluation, the project will be assigned a funding position in either the State’s 2019 or 2020 TIP at an estimated cost of $3,690,510.

Back Landfill Closure and Reuse Project

Closure of the rear landfill has been completed. All waste relocation has been completed and capped with a flexible membrane liner. The operations area received a 6” thick bituminous concrete pavement. Block walls with wood fences were constructed around the perimeter of the operations area. Detention basins and drainage swales were constructed and landscaped with wetlands plantings. The outlet stream from Lost Pond was day lighted and realigned.

Water and Sewer CIP

Town

The Town continued working with its consultant to complete the I&I inspection of Sewer subareas NI-1, NI-4, NI-5 and NI-9. The work included flow isolation and CCTV to identify I&I sources. As a result of the investigation, the Town has prepared Sewer System Contract PW/18-22. Work includes the following:

 Spot repair of sewer mains  Install/repair sewer manholes  Line various size sewer mains with cured-in-place pipe  Cleaning of sewer mains  Manhole rehabilitation

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The Town executed a contract with Green Mountain Pipeline Services LLC in the amount of $1,485,700 to perform the above mentioned work and expects the work to be completed in the summer of 2019.

Parks and Open Space/Recreation CIP Supervised the reconstruction of the following playgrounds:

 Brookline Avenue  Corey Hill  Emerson

Supervised the construction of the new playground at the Fisher Hill Reservoir site.

NPDES Phase II General Permit for Small Municipal Storm Separate Sewer Systems

The Engineering Division is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the Town‘s Storm Water Management Program (SWMP). The DEP and EPA require a SWMP to contain the following BMPs:

 Public Education  Public Participation  Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination  Construction Site Runoff Control  Post Construction Runoff Control  Municipal Good Housekeeping

During the IDDE inspection, the Town found 1 illicit connection which was corrected. Further investigation will continue as outlined in the Town’s agreement with the EPA.

43 applications (4 of which were greater than 1 acre) were submitted and approved for Stormwater Permits as required by the Town’s By-Law which addresses construction site runoff. As a result, 43 site inspections were made.

TRANSPORTATION

A Transportation Administrator, Traffic Engineer, and two Administrative Assistants staff the Transportation section of the division.

Duties of the DPW - Transportation Division staff include:

1. Providing technical support and administrative services to the Select Board, Transportation Board, School Committee, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Public Transportation Advisory Committee, Safe Routes to School Townwide Task Force, Zoning Board of Appeals, Brookline Police Department and other town departments; 2. Responding to resident inquiries or complaints regarding motor vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian safety, parking, and taxi operations; 3. Conducting safety improvement, traffic safety, and parking studies; as well as spot studies on the use and placement of traffic control devices and parking signage; 4. Overseeing the design of intersection and traffic signal improvement projects in compliance with the Town’s Complete Streets, Traffic Calming, and Crosswalk Policies; 5. Managing the town parking system (metered and curbside parking spaces); 6. Administering the school staff, resident daytime, guest overnight, resident overnight, and commercial area employee parking permit programs; 7. Regulating the taxicab industry, valet services, and livery services; 8. Assessing the impacts of all major new development projects on traffic flow and parking.

2019 Annual Report

Transportation Board Meetings

The Transportation Board, a citizen body of six appointed by the Select Board, is charged with oversight of the Town’s Traffic Rules and Regulations. The Board meets on a regular basis to review and adopt traffic and parking policies, to review and approve various license applications, and to act upon recommendations for traffic safety and parking improvements identified by town residents and Division staff. During 2018, the Board conducted thirteen (13) public meetings and hearings at which they took action on over one hundred (100) traffic, parking, taxi, and other items under their jurisdiction.

Program Administration

The division staff administers the resident daytime parking permit program, the overnight guest parking program, the overnight resident parking program, the commercial lot permit parking program, the commercial meter permit parking program, the commercial on-street permit parking program, and the temporary parking permit program as well as regulating the Valet, Taxi, and Livery industries. It also evaluates and acts upon, with the approval of the Transportation Board, all requests for handicapped parking and valet parking spaces.

In 2019, the Division:

 Issued over 2600 resident daytime parking permits;  Issued over 500 commercial daytime on-street parking permits;  Issued 1 Taxi Dispatch Licenses, 30 Taxi Business Licenses, and 30 Hackney Certificates;  Issued Valet Parking Licenses for 1 restaurant establishment and 1 private residential building;  Issued over 9000 Temporary No Parking/Tow Zone signs to residents and/or contractors to assist during moving or construction periods;  Issued over 9000 temporary parking permits to residents and others who suffered conditions that qualified them for short-term exemptions to the 2-hour daytime and overnight parking time limits;  Managed the resident overnight parking program, that now encompasses over 326 off-street parking spaces in 13 locations, renting an average of 140 overnight parking spaces each month;  Issued over 131 commercial meter hang-tags to 49 businesses for employee parking in Brookline Village, and 70 parking permits for employee daytime parking in the Coolidge Corner commercial district lots;  Developed and oversaw the issuance of over 860 school teacher and staff daytime parking permits for the BEEP @ Temple Emeth, BEEP at Temple Ohabei Shalom, Coolidge Corner School, District wide, Driscoll, High School, Lawrence, Lincoln, Pierce, Runkle, Webster Place Administrative Offices, and the Maimonides schools; and  Oversaw the Feasibility Study for a Town and School Employee Parking & Transportation Demand Management program providing a benefit program to encourage employees to utilize alternative modes of transportation.

Complete Streets

Staff continues to implement the new Complete Streets Policy, adopted by the Select Board, which formalized the Town’s commitment to create a comprehensive transportation network that sufficiently accommodates people of all ages and abilities, whether traveling by foot, bicycle, wheelchair, mass transit, or motor vehicle. In 2019 staff oversaw the complete street design process for Clinton Path, Clinton Road (Buckminster to Dean), Fuller Street (Gibbs to Townline), Heath Street (Tully to Glenland), Kent Street (Station to Linden), and Webster Street to improve pedestrian and cyclist access and safety. Additionally staff developed the concept designs for the 5 Complete Streets projects funded through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation grant program. These projects will be constructed in 2019 and 2020 by a contractor hired by the Engineering Division.

Pedestrian & Motor Vehicle Safety Improvement Program

Our in-house staff and on-call transportation consultants perform area-wide safety improvement studies in response to traffic volume, speed or parking conditions that might contribute to unsafe vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian movements. Neighborhood associations or residents living on a particular street will typically initiate such requests for

67 www.brooklinema.gov a traffic calming study, which is then prepared and approved by the Transportation Board following a lengthy public process.

In 2019 DPW - Transportation Division staff worked with residents and the Transportation Board in the following parts of town to design and/or implement safety improvement projects to lower motor vehicles speed and increase motor vehicle and pedestrian safety:

 Developed a safety improvement plan for Woodland Road to reduce motor vehicle speed and improve pedestrian access & safety  Developed and oversaw the construction of new pedestrian actuated rectangular rapid flash beacons to improve pedestrian safety on Newton Street at Princeton Road and Lagrange Street at Princeton Road as part of a Baker School Safe Routes to School project  Oversaw the construction of a raised intersection on Essex Street at Dummer Street and a raised intersection on Pearl Street

Bicycle Infrastructure Design & Construction

In response to the Town of Brookline’s continued desire to become a Green Community and design facilities that reduce our carbon footprint, the Transportation Board and the Transportation Division staff have made it a priority to build a multi-modal transportation network that encourages alternative modes of transportation instead of personal automobile trips. In order to encourage more citizens to use bicycles to travel throughout the town, and to connect regional bicycle routes, a safe network of routes must be designed and constructed. This commitment led to the Town receiving the designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community in the Bronze level from the League of American Bicyclists.

In 2019 Division staff oversaw

 the installation of bicycle accommodations on St. Mary’s and Ivy Streets including a buffered contraflow bicycle lane and shared lane markings (sharrows)  the installation of bicycle accommodations on Pearl Street, as part of the complete streets project, including a raised, separated bike lane, a buffered street level bicycle lane and shared lane markings  the installation of a raised, separated bike lane on Essex Street  the design and installation of a contraflow bike lane on Fuller Street  the design of a parking protected bike lane on Beacon Street westbound in the St. Mary’s Commercial District to be constructed in 2020  the design of a buffered contraflow bike lane on Green Street to be constructed in 2020  worked with the community to conduct a spring and fall pilot for the Beacon Street Bridle Path project

Safe Routes to School Program

In 2019 DPW-Transportation Division staff worked with staff from the School and Health Departments, as well as PTO representatives, pedestrian advocates, bicycle advocates, and public transportation advocates to create a Safe Routes to School Townwide Task Force to promote the participation of the Town’s K-8 schools in the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program. The Massachusetts Safe Routes program works to increase safe biking and walking among elementary and middle school students by using a collaborative, community-focused approach that bridges the gap between health and transportation. SRTS utilizes the six E’s to implement its program- Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Evaluation, Engineering, and Equity.

During the month of October Brookline took part in the international Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day, a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. During this one-day thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico – participate every October.

Promoting Use of our Public Way for the Community

In 2019, staff worked with community members and organizations to highlight and support the vision that our public streets should be designed and used for the good of the community as a whole and not for the exclusive use of motor

2019 Annual Report vehicles. In June Transportation Division staff joined staff from the Department of Diversity, Inclusion, & Community Relations in proposing a Select Board Proclamation in support of PRIDE month and oversaw the community painting of a rainbow crosswalk on Washington Street outside Town Hall.

Staff also spearheaded an effort to partner with SOOFA to install as a 1 year pilot digital ink boards throughout 4 commercial districts to act as neighborhood news feed that connects the community with screens everyone can see and anyone can use. These screens display special events held by the Town and other non-profit groups, arts & entertainment events, local business advertisements, etc. Additionally those signs which are near MBTA Greenline or Bus stops display real time arrivals for waiting transit users.

Support of Alternative Modes of Transportation and Green Community Status

In 2011 the Town was awarded a Green Community status by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources in recognition of our resident and town staffs commitment to reducing our energy usage and improving our carbon footprint. Transportation Division staff have been a partner in this process developing plans and overseeing construction projects to develop a multi-modal transportation network that encourages alternative transit modes. In 2019 this work included

 Overseeing the first E-Scooter Share Pilot Program within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during which over 180,000 rides were taken on e-scooters provided by Bird, Lime, and Spin between April 1st and November 15th

 Expanded the BlueBikes Bike Share program from 9 stations to 12 stations including one near the Brookline Housing Authority property on High Street to improve transportation equity and access in the program

 Working with staff from the Council on Aging to secure funding for 3 important Senior Transportation related programs including funding the Transportation Outreach Specialist position for the Transportation, Resources, Information, Planning, and Partnership for Seniors (TRIPPS) program, the medical transportation program Home and Escort Linkage Program (H.E.L.P), and a subsidized On-Demand Ride-share Program for seniors

 Worked with the Town’s Sustainability Administrator and Town Meeting Members to develop a warrant article which provides a framework to reach the goal of being a carbon neutral transportation system by 2050 with interim goals by 2030

HIGHWAY, SANITATION AND FLEET SERVICES DIVISION

The Highway, Sanitation and Fleet Services Division is comprised of four (4) separate work programs each with independent goals and objectives. The Highway, Sanitation, Fleet and Facilities, and the Traffic Systems are each described in detail below along with their key accomplishments. All of the Division Programs are managed by senior supervisors who report directly to the Division Director.

HIGHWAY

The Highway Program is responsible for the maintenance of more than 254 lane miles of asphalt roadways and 150 miles of sidewalks of varying surface types. During 2019, Highway continued its effort to make intermediate repairs to roadways and sidewalks in an effort to preserve their surface integrity for the safety of the public and to keep them clean and more aesthetically appealing. The unit continued its program of working in conjunction with contractual services to accelerate the replacement of sidewalks in areas of the Town where pedestrian traffic is heaviest and the sidewalks are in an advanced state of deterioration. In addition to the surface repair of streets and sidewalks, the Highway unit is responsible for the public pathways, municipal and school parking lots, paved play areas, along with other roadway appurtenances including curbside benches, litter baskets, fencing, and guardrails as well as clearing of snow, sand, leaves, litter, graffiti, and other unwanted debris from public ways and facilities.

HIGHWAY STATISTICS 2019

Bituminous Concrete placed 1118 tons

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Concrete Sidewalk placed 1982 sq. yd. /8,748 linear feet

Leaves collected 2168 tons

Street Sweeping debris 848 tons

Waste Concrete, Asphalt & Gravel 2468 tons

Snow Storms / Events 22 Snow Accumulation 47.3”

Household Hazardous Waste Day 1190 Participants

Snow and Ice Control The Department is responsible for the clearing of snow and ice from 254 lane miles of public roadway, 900 street intersections, and 77 private ways. In addition, snow clearing operations are done on over 60 miles of public sidewalk generally within commercial areas, along walking routes to and from public schools and adjacent to public buildings and parks. Winter operations also include snow clearing from all public buildings and facilities including public schools.

Sidewalk Replacement The Highway Division continued with an aggressive sidewalk replacement program. The Division crews placed a total of 972 cubic yards of concrete in 2019. The replacement remains stable through training, cross-training, quality equipment and a dedicated workforce. The ability to sustain this level of productivity is based on funding to purchase concrete and maintaining existing manpower levels.

Employee Training The Massachusetts Department of Public Safety amended the regulations for Hoisting Licenses by adding a continuing education requirement. Each license holder is mandated to complete 4 hours of education within a two year renewal period. The DPW holds on-site training averaging 30 employees for training to satisfy the requirements. This year the entire Department underwent 2 hours of Right to Know training and 4 hours of Bantering training.

Recyclable Concrete and Asphalt The disposal of waste roadway materials (asphalt and concrete) generated by roadway and utility repairs has resulted in annual expenses for hauling the material off-site. Over the past several years, the Highway unit has begun a program to recycle these waste materials into useable processed gravel for reuse as a base material for sidewalks and backfill for utility trenches thereby avoiding both disposal costs and the expense of purchasing new material.

SANITATION

The Sanitation Program is responsible for the collection and disposal of municipal solid waste for 7434 accounts that serve 13,308 residential and commercial units and a recycling and recovery program that includes the annual collection of residential household hazardous wastes.

Solid Waste On June 1, 2017, the Department implemented a new Hybrid Pay As You Throw (HPAYT) curbside collection system for municipal solid waste (MSW). 12,706 carts are distributed Town-wide.

Recycling Since the implementation of the Single Stream Recycling program in 2010, recycling volumes have seen an increase by 5.89 % while solid waste tonnage has decreased by 17.6%

2019 Annual Report

Household Hazardous Waste The Sanitation Division continued offering the weekly household hazardous waste drop-off center. The center located at the Transfer Station is opened to residents every Tuesday from May thru October.

The DPW designated areas at Town Hall, the Health Center and the Municipal Service Center for the year-round collection of Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL), batteries and cellphones.

Solid Waste Code Enforcement Program Solid Waste Complaints Received 497 Inspections/Re-inspections 820 Solid Waste Warnings Issued 410 Solid Waste Citations Issued 87 Total Fines Collected $939.00 Number of Waste Haulers Permitted 34 Waste Hauler Permit Fees Collected $13,630.00

FLEET AND FACILITY SERVICES The Fleet and Facility Services Program is responsible for the acquisition, inventory, inspection, maintenance and disposal of all mechanized Public Works equipment, with the exception of the Water and Sewer Division. The Fleet Services Unit also maintains and inspects all other automotive / truck equipment within the Town except for equipment operated by the Fire Department. In addition, this Unit assists in the administration of the Town’s taxi licensing and inspection program, as well as the routine physical maintenance of all Department of Public Works buildings, including garages, office, and storage facilities town-wide.

Employee Technician Training A strong and continued emphasis on technical training has benefited the Fleet Services Unit enormously. By utilizing vendor and manufacturer relationships, technician training has been increased at minimal or no cost to the Town. The increase in training hours to 150 hours has directly improved technician efficiency and productivity.

Employee Technician Shifts The Fleet Maintenance Section continued to operate two work shifts. This enabled the section to better serve the needs of all departments. Operating two maintenance shifts during the day has allowed us to complete 740 Preventive Maintenance Work Orders. This also improves response time to breakdowns and drastically reduced vehicle downtime.

Taxi Cab Inspections In conjunction with the DPW’s Transportation Division and publicly appointed Transportation Board, the bi-annual 40 taxi cab inspections were completed.

TRAFFIC SYSTEMS The Traffic Systems Program is responsible for the maintenance of traffic signals, parking meters, pavement markings, ornamental and utility street lights, fire alarm boxes, signs, and graffiti. In total, this inventory is comprised of approximately 1,120 individual signals, 3,600 street lights, 1,883 parking meters, 30 multi-space meters, 28 school zone warning lights, 10,210 signs, 229 master fireboxes, 302 street fireboxes, 100 miles of overhead wires, and pavement markings on more than 200 lane miles of streets throughout the Town. Along with daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance routes, the division executed work orders issued by the Transportation Division for regulatory sign installation, pavement markings, and parking meter modifications. New to this unit’s responsibility is the maintenance of 30 multi-space meters and the installation of 3600 LED cobra head street lights.

Traffic Signals Maintenance of the signalized intersections, flashing beacons, and school zone flashers continued throughout the year.

Street Lights

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All Streetlights owned by the Town were updated in the GIS program listing location and type of streetlight. This data enabled a smoother transition to the new LED fixtures currently replacing the existing high pressure sodium Units. The program is virtually complete with the installation of 3,494 fixtures.

Parking Meters The maintenance and repair of 1,883 parking meters and 30 multi-space meters is a daily function of the Traffic Unit. Currently, 384 meters are the traditional POM type meters and 1,499 are the new IPS single head meters that use coins and credit cards. These meters are located in Coolidge Corner, JFK Crossing, Washington Square and Lower Beacon Street. In addition, the 30 Multi-space meters are in all parking lots and reservations that have converted to “pay by space”.

Signs and Pavement Markings The Town continued to upgrade street signs, stop signs and poles to meet current MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices) standards of text size and retro-reflectivity. The Traffic division completed 401 work orders. These work orders are generated by two factors. One is from the Transportation Division for the installation of new signs approved by the transportation board and the installation of Historic signs and the 2nd is annual maintenance repaired and or replacing signs that faded or due to knockdowns. The Traffic Division has worked with the Engineering Division on a program to standardize pavement makings throughout the town. Part of the program is utilizing new marking products like 3M inlay tape and logos.

Street Lights The Traffic systems Program continued the maintenance of street lighting, including ornamental, park, path and standard street lighting totaling over 4,000 lights. In 2019, 90 street light work orders were completed.

Events & Special Tasks In conjunction with other departments, the Traffic Systems Program plays a major role in the planning and executing of several major events throughout the year (Boston Marathon, Half Marathon, Bike parade, Avon Breast Cancer Walk, Aids Walk, Jimmy Fund Walk, Town, State, and Federal elections, Walk for Hunger) and several minor events. Placing and removing all flags and banners on poles throughout the Town for different Town or private events is a common task.

Fire Alarm The Division continued the maintenance of the Fire Alarm System that includes Master Boxes, Street Boxes and approximately 100 miles of cable wire. In 2017, the Department prepared a condition report of the entire system and has recommended replacement of master and street boxes with a new wireless system that will render the wired cable obsolete in the future. In 2019, Division Crews began the installation of the new wireless street boxes in locations approved by the Fire Department. Once the new system is complete the old wired boxes will be removed.

PARKS AND OPEN SPACE DIVISION

The Mission of the Parks and Open Space Division is to develop a clean, green, safe, accessible and well maintained network of parks and open spaces for both passive and active recreation that preserves the historic integrity and cultural significance of Brookline’s landscape. Please visit www.brooklinema.gov/parks for updates throughout the year on our park and open space system, technical resources, projects, programming and events.

The Parks and Open Space Division, in partnership with the Park and Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission, Tree Planting Committee, and Walnut Hills Cemetery Trustees, is responsible for the design, development, policy, programming, maintenance and management of over 500 acres of public open space, on over 120 sites comprised of 38 parks and playgrounds, 3 sanctuaries, 10 public school grounds, land around 15 public buildings, 5 public parking areas, 2 cemeteries, over 60 traffic circles, islands and open space, and over 50,000 public trees throughout the Town. The Division implements a comprehensive maintenance program on 25 multi-use playing fields, a safety inspection and repair program for playground structures at 22 parks and 10 schools, and ongoing maintenance, painting and repair at 25 basketball courts, 31 hard surface tennis courts, and one set of 6 clay courts. The Division is responsible for seasonal preparations, horticulture improvements, litter pick-up, trash collection, leaf removal, turf restoration, carpentry and fence repairs, as well as snow and ice removal during the winter months. In addition, the Division maintains the full-sized outdoor skating facility (the Jack Kirrane Ice Skating Rink) at Larz Anderson Park.

2019 Annual Report

The Division is pleased to welcome Jessie Waisnor, formerly a part-time landscape architect, now as a full-time Landscape Architect, within the Parks and Open Space Division Team and Kiara Huntress, Park Ranger.

Parks, Schools & Public Grounds

The Parks and Open Space Division provides design, renovation, maintenance and repair of all Town parks, school grounds and public grounds including items such as play equipment, park furniture, walkways, and landscaping, . The following highlights some of the significant 2019 projects:

Harry Downes Playground & Field

The construction for the complete renovation of Harry Downes Playground and Athletic Fields began in the spring of 2019. Improvements include universal access within the park, improved circulation and connections between the two sides of the park, updating of playground equipment, new water play feature, a new obstacle course, replacement of the irrigation system, replacement of the synthetic turf field and renovation of the running track. The project was substantially complete by the end of 2019 with the synthetic field and track open in late August for fall high school sports. The natural turf athletic field will require grow-in time in the spring and summer of 2020 and there is ongoing coordination with the contractor on some punch list items within the splash pad and playground, before opening to the public. ..

Brookline Reservoir Park

Construction began in the spring of 2019 for improvements to Brookline Reservoir Park which include a complete renovation of the stone dust path, repointing the stone riprap around the reservoir basin, new ADA compliant entrances, landscape improvements, invasive species removal, installation of an ornamental fence, refurbishment of the benches, new lighting, cleaning and preservation of the historic gatehouse and removal of trees, stabilization of the earthen embankment, and planting of grasses in compliance with the Office of Dam Safety regulations. Construction of a new accessible restroom inside the gatehouse will commence this spring and is anticipated to take about eight to twelve weeks to complete.

Daniel F. Ford Playground at Emerson Garden

Work was completed at Emerson Garden and the park re-opened in June of 2018 with a heavily attended opening celebration. As a well-loved open space and heavily used Green Dog park, the division continues to vigorously maintain the open lawn areas in efforts to provide a healthy stand of grass for all. In the summer of 2019, repair work was performed to the rubber resilient surfacing within the playground area, all under contractor warranty. In the early winter of 2019, a small project was begun directly adjacent to the splash pad, to address muddy edges around the water play. This project, which will install a new decorative band of permeable concrete pavers will be completed in early spring 2020.

Cypress Street Playground

The public design review process for Cypress Street Playground began in December of 2018, and continued throughout 2019, culminating in November after seven public meetings. A full park renovation, the project is anticipated to begin construction in the spring of 2020 and be completed in late August of 2021, to coincide with the opening of the Brookline High School expansion project. Park renovations will include new lighted natural turf playground fields with two softball fields and an overlying rectangular field; a new plaza edge along Greenough Street adjacent to the High School; a new corridor from Dana Street across from the newly revitalized MBTA Brookline Hills Green Line station; new expanded inclusive children’s playground; newly upgraded basketball court; new accessible walkway from Tappan and Cypress down to the crosswalk at the T station; and improved landscaping throughout the park.

Larz Anderson Park

The lagoon and its Tempietto, causeway and footbridge were constructed circa 1910-1916. Since that time, various renovations to the concrete structures have been performed in efforts to maintain and stabilize them. A thorough conditions assessment of the three structures was previously completed by an historical consultant to the Division, and

73 www.brooklinema.gov found that the structures were beyond repair, due in part to their original concrete construction. As such, full renovation and reconstruction plans were developed by a consultant to the Town in 2019 to fully replace the three structures. These plans will be placed out to public bid for construction in 2020.

Athletic Needs Assessment and Master Plan

In the spring of 2019, the Division solicited proposals for an Athletic Field Needs Assessment and Master Plan and Strategic Plan Update, to update the former Master Plan completed in 2006. The Division engaged GreenPlay, a well- known athletic master planning firm, who was also involved with the 2006 document. A number of public engagement meetings were held in June, and a statistically valid survey of Brookline residents was conducted in September. Work is ongoing with a completed document expected in early summer of 2020.

Margaret E. Robinson Playground

In September of 2019, the public design review process for Robinson Playground began, and is expected to go through the spring of 2020. Anticipated improvements will include re-design of the children’s playground and splash pad; addressing park edges for accessibility issues; renovation of the existing hard court space, natural turf areas; site furniture and destinations for picnicking throughout the park; grading and drainage improvements, and landscaping improvements, The project will go out for public bidding over the winter of 2020-2021 for construction in 2021.

Judge Henry Crowley Park at Saint Mark’s Square

Town forestry and horticulture crews pruned all trees in the park, reseeded the lawn and created and installed a new plant palette to replace shrubs and trees that were in poor condition. In addition, the open lid trash receptacles at two of the Square’s busier entrances were removed and replaced by new solar powered trash compactors.

Park Rangers

In 2019, Rangers patrolled parks and open spaces, checked and issued over 1600 picnic, party and event permits, provided information and general visitors’ services to park patrons, enforced rules and regulations, and completed maintenance tasks to improve visitor experience, accessibility and safety. They provided staffing at the Larz Anderson picnic pavilion and BBQ areas, managed visitor services, trash, and recycling and performed daily restroom and BBQ maintenance. For many Brookline residents and park visitors, Park Rangers serve as a primary point-of-contact for the Town. Throughout the year, the Rangers serve as liaisons and advocates for the dog owners, athletic groups, playground visitors, and park abutters who visit Brookline’s parks and open spaces, and work to build interdepartmental relationships within the Town.

Rangers patrolled parks and open spaces, providing information and general visitors’ services to park patrons, reviewing over 7500 athletic field user permits, enforcing rules and regulations, monitoring the Green Dog Program, assisting with public events, and identifying and completing maintenance tasks to improve visitor experience, accessibility and safety. Similar to last year, the most common maintenance issue noted on the Rangers’ daily reports was litter. Rangers picked up over 20,000 pieces of litter from Brookline green space over their 1000 park visits.

Park Rangers and other Parks staff assisted and helped organize several volunteer projects throughout the year. Notably, the Friends of Halls Pond and the Friends of Dane Park each hosted seasonal cleanups in their respective parks, yielding great turnout and a very productive workforce. Altogether, over 800 hours of volunteer labor were recorded, with over 300 participants, a notable increase over last year.

Green Dog Program

In 2019, 1348 residents and 165 non-residents enrolled in the Green Dog off-leash program. In addition to processing the years’ applications and regular visits to the 14 Green Dog sites, the Rangers responded to a wide array of Green Dog related issues, ranging from general inquiries on the program’s rules and regulations to resolving conflicts between dog owners to more complex issues involving complaints or concerns regarding other park users. Throughout 2019, the Green Dog Advisory Subcommittee, consisting of Park and Recreation commissioners, Parks staff, program members and community leaders met in working groups, site visits and a public hearing to collect information and assess all aspects of the Program. The Subcommittee created an additional enforcement/visitor services position to assist with program compliance and park ranger duties, amended the Town bylaw to allow for citations, updated the

2019 Annual Report

Athletic Field User Policy, created the Friends of Green Dog, and modified the Green Dog Program fee structure to better support Program demands.

Forestry

The goal of the forestry program is to preserve and maintain all shade trees along public ways, parks, school grounds, cemeteries, and all other public grounds. The Division provides for the safety of all public ways and grounds through the removal of dangerous limbs and trees and is responsible for replacing trees removed and adding as appropriate. The total number of trees under the Division’s jurisdiction is reported as more than 50,000. Included in that total are over 11,000 public street trees. The forestry crew is on call 24/7 to address forestry emergencies.

In 2019, the Town was pleased to receive a Tree City USA Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation for its care and stewardship of the urban forest. Brookline has received Tree City USA recognition for over 29 years.

Tree Planting

The Town continues to strongly support the tree planting program with a goal of planting more trees than are removed each year. In 2019, approximately 173 trees were removed, and over 405 street and park trees were planted. A wide variety of trees are planted to ensure that species diversity is maintained. Species diversity helps in protecting the Town’s urban forest from attack by a single disease or pathogen, such as Dutch elm disease, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid or the Emerald Ash Borer.

The three-member Tree Planting Committee, established in 1886, supervises the selection, planting and removal of all street trees in Brookline. Nadine Gerdts is the Chair of the Tree Planting Committee and serves with Hugh Mattison and Elizabeth Erdman.

Conservation

The Brookline Conservation Commission is responsible for the administration of environmental laws and policies, open space protection and management, water management, and preservation of natural features of the environment. The Commission administers and enforces the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Brookline Wetlands Protection By-Law through its review of permit applications and issuance of Determinations of Applicability, Orders of Conditions, Certificates of Compliance, and Enforcement Orders.

In 2019, the Open Space and Recreation Plan was reviewed and approved the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Division of Conservation Services. The Open Space and Recreation Plan is a planning document which guides the community in its stewardship and oversight of the open spaces throughout Brookline. It is also required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to remain eligible for various grant opportunities. Open Space 2019 has been published in print and is available on the Town website.

Cemetery

Walnut Hills Cemetery

The initiative of the Division is to provide excellent maintenance and management of the Walnut Hills Cemetery to support the dignity, tranquility and overall appearance of the cemetery and visitor experience. Town staff and the Cemetery Trustees rely on the Master Plan for the Walnut Hills Cemetery as the guiding document for short and long term improvements.

Old Burying Ground

The Friends of the Old Burying Ground, supported by Town staff, continue to fundraise to support the full restoration efforts of the historic stones and markers. The team reviewed conservation efforts achieved over the last 17 years and completed a program in 2019 to update the monument and memorial conditions assessment and restore additional priority stones and monuments.

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WATER AND SEWER DIVISION

The Water and Sewer Division operates and maintains the Town’s water and wastewater systems consisting of 355 miles of piping and appurtenances that provide the entire population with reliable drinking water, for both domestic use and fire protection, and for the collection of sanitary sewage and storm water drainage. The operation of all three systems is accomplished in strict accordance with all federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations to promote the health and welfare of the community.

Under the leadership of the Director, the Division’s administrative staff efficiently and courteously handles all water and sewer business functions, including payroll, accounts payable, licensing, permitting and customer relations. Approximately 1500 requests for information and assistance and more than 40,000 utility service invoices are processed annually, with over 4,500 billing complaints and inquiries are investigated and resolved. In the past year, Division staff has serviced and processed 57 applications for Licensed Drain Layers and have issued 96 permits for repairs to sewers and drains.

Components of the water distribution system include over 135 miles of cast iron and ductile iron pipe, 2,027 line valves, over 1,500 fire hydrants, 10,800 service connections, 1.67 million gallon water storage facility. During 2019 the Division installed, repaired or replaced 133 service pipe connections, repaired 14 service and main leaks and repaired or replaced 41 fire hydrants. In addition, the Division conducted 17 fire flow tests and 13 hydrant flow tests yielding $7,500.00 in revenue. Emergency response was provided for 570 service requests and 305 complaints were investigated and resolved for water quality, water pressure, and leakage problems. The Division purchased 1,746 million gallons of water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), representing an decrease of 3.8% compared to 2018 consumption with an average daily usage of 4.97 million gallons and a maximum daily usage of 6.94 million gallons. The maximum flow week occurred from 07/28/19 to 08/03/19 where 44.07 million gallons of water was consumed. Retail water and sewer sales generated $27.7M in revenue.

The Town continually provides vital educational sessions to Water and Sewer Division staff in waterworks operations, confined space entry, trench safety, hydrant repair and water main leak detection, to name a few.

After 46 years of service to the Town of Brookline, Deb Baker retired from her position as Business Manager for the Water and Sewer Division. Deb managed the office and was an invaluable resource to the entire Department. We thank Deb Baker for her exemplary service, dedication and commitment and wish her a happy retirement.

The Division was fortunate to be able to promote Sueretta Channer to the vacated Business Manager position. Joining the Division in September to fill the Administrative Assistant position vacated by Sueretta Channer is Christine Hurley. Christine was previously employed by Mass General Hospital as an Administrative Assistant and brings a strong customer service and organizational skill set to the Division. In 2018 the Water & Sewer Division implemented a new rate structure for billing water and sewer. The new rate structure focused on revenue sufficiency, stability, equity between customer classes and affordability. Key changes included adjustments to the ascending block rate, revised base charges to cover approximately 15% of the Division’s fixed operating and debt costs and modifications to the elderly discount.

In 2009 the Division implemented a Water Main uni-directional Flushing program as recommended by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This program has been ongoing for the last several years. The Water Main Flushing Program is an effective method of improving drinking water quality for residents and businesses, and is an integral component of a water utility’s distribution system maintenance program.

In 2018 the Division purchased leak correlation transmitters and began performing leak detection surveys of water mains, previously contracted out to a private firm, with Division Staff. In 2018, the Division located and repaired 14 water leaks estimated at 354,240 gallons per day.

Also, in 2019 the Water & Sewer Division began restoration of the 1.67 million gallon Singletree Water Storage Tank Gatehouse, which houses operational gauges, valves and monitoring equipment for the storage tank.

The Division’s Cross Connection Control Program, established in 1989 pursuant to the Drinking Water Regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has inspected all high and moderate high risk facilities throughout the Town and identified 1982 violations requiring the installation of nearly 2000 backflow preventer devices on irrigation systems,

2019 Annual Report fire sprinkler systems and high hazard plumbing systems. Annual testing of these devices by Division staff is mandated by the State of Massachusetts regulations and yielded $166,348 in revenue in 2019.

The wastewater collection system is made up of 104 miles of separated sanitary sewer pipe. The Department of Public Works is currently completing sanitary sewer system improvements directed to eliminate inflow and infiltration. Presently the town’s average wastewater flow is 8.67 million gallons per day.

The second system comprises 101 miles of storm drains that collect runoff and roadway drainage from 3,296 catch basins and discharge through twelve drainage districts to the Muddy River, Saw Mill Brook, Stony Brook, and the Charles River. The major part of both systems was constructed between 1880 and 1930 and includes pipe sizes from 6” to 150” in diameter.

During 2019 emergency assistance was provided for 47 requests involving broken, plugged or backed up sewer and drains as well as the repair of 97 sewer and drain manholes and catch basins. 1,331 catch basins were cleaned generating 428 tons of sand sediment and debris.

Representation to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) was provided by Jay Hersey of the Engineering Division, who serves as the Town’s designee to the MWRA Advisory Board. In addition, Andrew M. Pappastergion, Commissioner of Public Works is an elected member of the MWRA Board of Directors serving in his seventh consecutive 3-year term representing the sixty one (61) cities and service area.

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Recreation Department Leigh Jackson, Acting Director

Brookline Recreation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life through enriching experiences that support the Brookline Community in developing and maintaining healthy lifestyles. We endeavor to provide a wide range of recreational opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities. The team at Brookline Recreation enters into each year with a set of objectives centered on the needs of the community. We remain focused on constantly improving the delivery of services to the citizens of Brookline. The staff works smart to maintain successful programs and services, innovating where possible.

To that end, Recreation collaborated with the Parks and Open Space Division to update the Town’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Strategic Master Plan from 2006. The 2019 Fields Needs Assessment Master Plan & Strategic Plan will be utilized by The Town to guide planning, facility development, programs and services for the next 5 to 20 years. Green Play, LLC, led the project with survey and data work done by RRC Associates.

In 2019, we started to make an internal shift to be implement more of a customer friendly focus; we led internal customer service training and decided to update the BREC registration software in order to meet that goal. Though the internal process will begin within the Recreation Department in FY20, the community will begin to benefit from this new system in Fall/Winter FY21.

We want to thank the Parks and Recreation Commission for their support in FY19. We hope our FY19 Report gives you a picture of some of the work that we have accomplished this fiscal year for the residents of Brookline. The report below is an effort to share some of the program work completed in the department, broken down into General Fund, Recreation Revolving, and Golf Enterprise sections. What you will not see below is the thousands of people we serve in our day-to-day programming in Sports (Basketball, Soccer, Lacrosse) Environmental Education, Therapeutic Recreation, and through the Winter programming division. We are thankful to our keystone partners: Parks and Open Space Division, DPW, Brookline Public Schools and other partners: Senior Center, Steps to Success, and Teen Center for helping us meet the goals of this community. We could not succeed without the excellent full time staff (30), Part- time Staff (250) and Volunteers (hundreds per season) who come to work every day with a smile and ready to serve this amazing community. We look forward to raising our bar and serving the physical, mental, and social health needs of Brookline residents in the years ahead.

Aquatics

Over 83,000 patrons visited the facility last year. They had the opportunity to take part in a variety of aquatic activities to meet their interest. We continue to work very closely with our community partners, including Brookline Public Schools for our Dolphin Program. In 2019 we introduced more programs. In 2019 we added more private lessons, while maximizing our staffs’ teaching opportunities at the same time. We have also been able to increase our Dolphins’ team participation back to previous highs, with the competitive team and Dolphins in Training. Lastly, we have introduced additional water exercise options and an additional springboard diving section. Our Sand Filter Project is still underway; however, we have already removed all sand from existing filters and replaced the lateral and diffuser assemblies in four of the filters as well as lowered new gravel and filter sand. In 2019 we drained the pool, repaired links, and inspected the CO2 system. We expect to see more progress in 2020.

Summer Camp

The summer of 2019 proved to be another successful season for Brookline Recreation Department’s Summer Camp Program. Operating from five locations around Brookline, our camp programs engaged children from kindergarten – 8th grade in developmentally appropriate, enriching experiences designed to challenge their mind, body and spirit.

In 2019 we employed approximately 100 local teens, college students, and young professionals. We engaged 663 kids with 2052 registrations in our active Summer Camp program. In cooperation with the Teen Center, we ran a two-week option at the end of August, which helped to serve local families in need of quality fun prior to the start of school. We served an additional 95 in our Summer Environmental Education Camp.

2019 Annual Report

Soule - Early Childhood Education

Soule Early Childhood Education is a full American Montessori Certified program. We offered 74 families our Montessori-Reggio program that focused on thinking, independence and art. We offered a high quality early childhood environment for children 12 months to 5 years old. We have a great deal of culture diversity at Soule. We have 17 teachers who speak 5 non-native languages. We have 55% of our children bilingual or trilingual, who speak an astounding 17 different non-native languages. We are very proud of the way the community celebrates and shares culture and important events. In FY21 we plan an outdoor classroom capital improvement project to create more appropriate outdoor learning and exploratory play space for our children.

Brookline Recreation’s After School Program “ASP”

The After School Program serves the communities after school recreational needs for children aged 5 to 10 years old. We have seen the demand for after school care in Brookline increase in FY2019. Throughout the school year, we were “full” to capacity with 40 children and had a wait list of 30-35. We expect the demand to continue in future years.

We pride ourselves on being an after school program that enriches the mind, body and spirit; we have planned enrichment theme based curriculum throughout the week. We offer enrichment from arts to mental and physical health, such as yoga, sport activities, creative arts, and movie making. Special guest/entertainers regularly visit the ASP classroom. Our special guests have taught us how to cook healthy meals, meditate, hold yoga poses, complete science experiments with dry ice, and we offered team-building activities. We executed cultural activities that help children learn, feel connected, and celebrate Brookline’s diversity.

Annual Brookline Day 2019

At the 2019 Annual Brookline Day, we had the most successful event yet with approximately 4,000 visitors. Brookline Day celebrates what it means to be a community member in Brookline. The Annual Brookline Day is a family friendly event for all ages to come together and enjoy activities, eat great food, and recreate together. Our signature Brookline Day 5K is a great example of programmatic pieces designed to connect people and offer healthy activity. In FY19, we saw 263 runners participate in the 5K and kids 1K races. We celebrate and bring awareness to all that Brookline has to offer through local businesses in a way that is enjoying, active, and fun! This year we showcased 96 town vendors, including diverse local programs and services.

Our Parks and Recreation Commission was highly satisfied with the event this year. We will be looking at alternative locations in the coming years, in hopes of easing transportation issues.

Golf

The Robert T. Lynch Golf Course generated approximately 30,000 rounds in FY19. The Driving Range was expanded as well, increasing golf revenues. Additionally, The Golf Course implemented the second annual Brookline Town Open golf tournament for the community, which brought in 79 players for the one-day event.

In 2019 we collaborated with the Department of Public Works on adding a Bocce program. Our hope is the program brings more of the Brookline residents to The Course and furthered our partnership with the Senior Center. The Department of Public Works helped us build the temporary Bocce Court, located near the Grill on the Turn, near hole 18. The court is regulation for Bocce but also serves as a program area for horseshoes and bag toss. We envision that this area will get more and more use over time. The court is a non-permanent structure and may move, dependent on demand and fit analysis prescribed by our planned 2021 Golf Course Master Plan.

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THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF BROOKLINE Ben Lummis, Interim Superintendent

The Public Schools of Brookline include eight PK-8 elementary schools (Baker School, Coolidge Corner School, Driscoll School, Heath School, Lawrence School, Lincoln School, Pierce School, and Runkle School), Brookline High School - a comprehensive high school for grades 9 through 12, and an early childhood program. As of October, 2019, there were a total of 7,857 students enrolled in our district.

The school district’s mission is to ensure that every student develops the skills and knowledge to pursue a productive and fulfilling life, to participate thoughtfully in a democracy, and succeed in a diverse and evolving global society. As the district works to fulfill this mission, we keep the following foundational beliefs in mind:

1. Brookline should expect nothing less than exceptional and equitable outcomes for all of our learners. We must use our resources to ensure that we enable every student to succeed at high levels. 2. In an effective school system, what takes place in our classrooms and our schools matter the most. The resources of the school district must be organized in a way that recognizes the centrality of our classrooms. As such, the administration supports principals as instructional leaders, so that principals can support educators, so that educators can support each and every one of our students.

In 2019, the district’s primary focus remained high quality teaching and learning for all students, and especially for students in groups we know are disproportionately impacted by opportunity and outcome gaps, including race, income, disability, and language status. We prioritized staffing, programs and materials to ensure educators had the resources needed to support individual student needs.

Since town voters approved the three-year operating override in May 2018, the district has focused on three major goals: maintaining the quality of education, programs and services in the face of historic and ongoing enrollment growth; maintaining small class sizes and the resources needed to fund new student supports positions in guidance, nursing, and English Learner instructors; and continued work on critical priorities including educational equity, restorative practices, professional development, and curricula review and renewal.

Five Core Values guide the Public Schools of Brookline

Our five Core Values inform all of PSB’s work: everything from budget decisions to each building’s School Improvement Plan. The aspirations underlying each of the Core Values are defined below. Pursuit of these values guides how we allocate our funding, people, efforts and time.

High Achievement for All

The Public Schools of Brookline inspires our students to develop a passion for learning. We support students, through strong relationships, to become invested in their learning, develop the confidence and persistence to grow as learners, and meet their goals for success in and beyond school. To pursue our value of all students achieving at high levels, the PSB is committed to:

 Maintaining small class sizes  Quality early childhood education  Inclusive classrooms and district-wide special education programs;  A comprehensive high school curriculum with an extensive variety of opportunities and programs  Differentiated instruction for all learners, preK-12

Educational Equity

The Public Schools of Brookline identifies, understands, and eliminates barriers to educational achievement in our schools. Educators in every school provide their students with the support needed to reach and exceed Brookline’s high standards. To pursue educational equity, the PSB is committed to the following program supports:

2019 Annual Report

 District-wide strategies such as: o High quality curriculum across all grades and all schools o Inclusive classrooms with educators and specialized instructional personnel o High quality professional development opportunities and supports focusing on instructional coaching and collaboration o Specialized programs and services district-wide in support of access for all learners o Literacy and Math Specialists across schools to provide support and create high outcomes for all students o Child Study Teams individualizing student interventions and extensions o District-wide and school specific professional development on equity o District-wide equitable access to educational technology  Targeted Support Programs such as: o The Calculus Project o African American and Latino Scholars o Young Scholars o Steps to Success o Alternative Choices in Education (ACE) – an intensive and personalized alternative pathway for BHS students o Leveled Literacy Interventions

Excellence in Teaching

The Public Schools of Brookline understands that passionate, knowledgeable, and skillful educators are the core strength of our schools. To support excellent instruction throughout our schools, the PSB is committed to:

 Strong, effective mentoring programs for all new staff and administrators  A meaningful and structured approach to educator evaluation and support  Instructional coaching and professional development for teachers in math, literacy, educational technology, and Enrichment and Challenge Support.  Recruiting and retaining outstanding educators  Job-embedded professional development on early release dates  A wide variety of professional learning opportunities

Respect for Human Differences

The Public Schools of Brookline provides a safe environment for expressing and exploring human differences and commonalities. Our schools create caring and understanding communities that promote a deep sense of belonging and respect for all. To support respect for human differences throughout our schools, the PSB is committed to:

 Meeting individual student needs through social-emotional learning at the K-8 schools and the high school  Professional development focused on bias and anti-racism  Ongoing review of instructional material to make them more representative of the diversity of our students and families  The METCO Program  Comprehensive district-wide Special Education opportunities  Robust school-based and district-wide English Learner program  Bullying prevention programs in all of the K-8 schools  Providing support to students through the Advisory Program at BHS  Ongoing commitment to development of Cultural Proficiency in students and staff

Collaboration

The Public Schools of Brookline commits to collaboration in all aspects of education to foster interaction among diverse viewpoints and to broaden learning opportunities for our students, educators, and community. Collaboration among faculty and between schools and our long-standing community-based partners creates the shared ownership

81 www.brooklinema.gov of our schools that adds value to the lives of all community members. To support collaboration, the PSB is committed to:

 Collaboration among faculty and administrators, including o Child Study Teams o Common planning time during which faculty members collaborate on lesson planning, assessing student work and improving instruction o School-based collaborative study groups where faculty members study topics related to strengthening instruction and improving their practice  Essential partnerships: o Parent Teacher Organizations, School Site Councils, and other specific parent groups (e.g., Special Education Parent Advisory Council, English Learner Parent Advisory Council, etc.) o Brookline Education Foundation o The Brookline High School Innovation Fund o Brookline Community Foundation o The Brookline Community Mental Health Center o Municipal Departments: . Building Department and the Public Building Division – Facilities Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement . The Public Library of Brookline – Education Technology and Library Services partnership . Parks and Open Space – Playgrounds and Fields . Police/Fire – Emergency Planning and Response . DPW – Sidewalks, grounds maintenance and snow removal  Extended Day and enrichment programs in all K-8 schools

We have several highlights to share from 2019:

The Florida Ruffin Ridley School

In May, 2018, as part of the Town of Brookline’s continuing commitment to diversity and inclusion, Brookline Town Meeting voted 171 to 19 to change the name of the Edward Devotion School on Harvard Street. The change to the school’s name was in recognition of the fact that Edward Devotion had been a slaveholder. Town Meeting approved the temporary renaming of the building as the Coolidge Corner School (CCS) and directed the school district to initiate a process to identify a permanent name, subject to Town Meeting approval.

Following the May 2018 Town Meeting vote, the school district – in close coordination with the Town of Brookline and the larger Brookline community – launched a 16-month inclusive, public process to identify a permanent name. The process included broad public outreach to the community to submit new names for the school, as well as the creation of a Nominations Committee comprised of CCS students, to research, review and present the names to the larger community.

In total, 119 unique names were nominated from more than 250 submissions. The student group, led by the CCS principal and vice principal, prepared for their work to review the nominations by meeting with the Town Meeting warrant petitioners, Deborah Brown and Anne Greenwald, participating in a Hidden Brookline history tour, and discussing the importance of restorative justice efforts with the school district’s educational equity director. Over the course of several months, the Nominations Committee decided upon 15 semi-finalist names (from the 119) and then began a thorough process of researching and vetting these 15 names.

The information gathered by the students about the 15 semi-finalist names was presented to the Brookline community at three Renaming Nights in April 2019. Participants at these public sessions were able to learn more about each of the semi-finalist names and provide their feedback to the committee. The Nominations Committee was charged with selecting between 3-5 names to submit to the Brookline School Committee for final consideration.

In May 2019, the Nominations Committee presented four names to the Brookline School Committee: Florida Ruffin Ridley, Ruth Batson, Roland Hayes and Sybil Holmes. The School Committee held two public hearings and a listening session to solicit feedback from the community on these names and, in June 2019, voted to recommend the name of Florida Ruffin Ridley to the Town of Brookline Naming Committee.

2019 Annual Report

Florida Ruffin Ridley was an African-American civil rights activist, suffragist, writer, editor, teacher (the second African-American teacher in Massachusetts) and longtime resident of Brookline (according to research done by the President of the Brookline Historical Society, Mrs. Ridley and her husband were likely the first African-American homeowners in Brookline). Mrs. Ridley’s two children went to the Brookline Public Schools, with her son being named Valedictorian at Brookline High School in 1918.

At their meeting on November 19, 2019, Brookline Town Meeting officially voted to permanently change the name of the former Edward Devotion School to the Florida Ruffin Ridley School, effective September 1, 2020.

We are proud of the hard work done by so many members of the Brookline community throughout this school renaming process, and we look forward to the official celebration of the new school name in the fall of 2020.

School Construction Projects

The school district has embarked on a process to address the long-standing enrollment growth that we have faced. Since 2005, the school district’s K-8 student population has grown by 41%, or 1599 students. By adding the equivalent of four K-8 schools into existing buildings and rented facilities, our system experienced a serious degradation of instructional infrastructure. Squeezing so many students into existing spaces resulted in dramatically overburdened teaching and learning spaces, as well as cafeterias, gyms, and administrative offices. Spaces needed for contemporary education, such as dedicated rooms for special education, English Learner (EL) instruction, project based learning, and teacher collaboration, are lacking. The following school construction projects will help us to address these issues:

Driscoll School Building Project

On December 10, 2019, the voters of Brookline approved a debt exclusion override to fund the new Driscoll School, reaffirming the town’s commitment to provide an extraordinary education for every child.

The Driscoll School, currently a 3-section school (that is, three homerooms at each grade, K-8), will expand and become a 4-section school, thereby increasing district capacity and addressing overcrowding. The new school will be built on what is now the school’s playground, bordering Washington Street; once the new school building is completed, the current school will be demolished and the playground will occupy the portion of the site bordering Westbourne Terrace.

In January 2020, the Driscoll School Building Advisory Committee will begin collaborating with the architects to prepare for construction and refine the design plan. We anticipate that the construction of the new Driscoll School will tentatively begin in late 2020 or early 2021. We will continue to involve families, staff, and community members throughout the process.

Brookline High School Expansion and Renovation Project

Construction work on the Brookline High School project commenced in June 2019. The project will address rising enrollments in grades 9-12. Since 2005, Brookline High School grew by 11%, or 203 students, and student enrollment is predicted to continue increasing in the coming years.

The building at the corner of Tappan and Greenough Streets was demolished. In its place a new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) building will be built.

A recently-acquired building at 111 Cypress Street was also demolished. A new building is being built in its place, with a new address of 22 Tappan Street. This new high school building will rise up and over the MBTA tracks, thereby creating a main entrance from Tappan Street and incorporating the building into the larger BHS campus. In cooperation with the MBTA, and in recognition of the air rights to build up and over the trolley tracks, the high school construction project will also address improvements to the Brookline Hills MBTA station, to the benefit of the entire community.

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The construction project will also include renovations to the 3rd floor of the main building and to the Tappan gymnasium, as well as improvements to Cypress Field. We anticipate that the high school project will be completed by the summer of 2021.

The loss of the building at the corner of Greenough and Tappan reduced the classroom space available on the main campus. In order to accommodate all students for the 2-year construction period, a plan was developed for 9th grade students to use the Old Lincoln School (OLS) at 194 Boylston Street. The freshman class is split into two teams (Red Team and Blue Team): one team starts their day at OLS (for their core classes) and one team starts their day at the main campus (for their elective classes). In the middle of the day, the students switch – walking between campuses. We call this “cohorted travel” – whereby the entire cohort of students is switching locations at one time, chaperoned by school administrators and assisted by the police department. The students depart OLS, cross Route 9, cross the tracks at the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the park (Davis Path), walk on White Place for a short distance, and then take a left turn on Davis Avenue. We have been extremely pleased with how well this rather unorthodox solution has turned out!

Pierce School Renovation

The school district continues to work with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on the Pierce School Building Project. We are working to demonstrate to the MSBA our readiness to manage and fund the project. The Pierce School has grown by 57% since 2006 and is in dire need of renovated and improved instructional spaces and expansion of core spaces (library, cafeteria, gymnasiums, etc.)

Following are brief descriptions of just a few of the programs and curriculum areas within the Public Schools of Brookline that serve to illustrate how our Core Values and District Goals are translated into direct service to students.

K-8 and 9-12 Science

The vision of the K-8 science program is to ensure that all students have a deep, enduring understanding of how to think and work as scientists/engineers, as well as key scientific/engineering concepts that will have real world value for them throughout their lives; and that all students are life-long learners, stewards of the environment and responsible global citizens who are equipped with the skills they need to innovate in the 21st century.

The K-8 science curriculum is designed to actively engage students using hands-on inquiry, intriguing materials, science notebooks, scientific tools, and high quality media. The curriculum integrates science/engineering content, practices and concepts in alignments with state curriculum frameworks. All K-8 science units are designed to coherently build understanding from year to year, connecting all of the scientific disciplines: life science, physical science, earth/space science and engineering.

At the high school level, the science department strives to inspire all students to become informed, curious, life-long learners about the world around them. A rigorous science curriculum builds upward through the grades with a sequence of cumulative skills interwoven with subject-specific content. Skills involve observation, critical thinking, effective written and verbal communication, manipulation of equipment, and application of technology. This year, computer science and engineering classes were developed as “makerspace-type” spaces in the former auto shop on the BHS campus. High school science courses include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Environmental Science, Engineering Design, Marine Biology, Forensic Science, and Genetics.

K-8 and 9-12 Mathematics

The K-8 mathematics curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all learners so that they become critical problem- solvers and reflective numerate thinkers able to use mathematics effectively in a diverse evolving global and technological society. Our math program utilizes a collaborative-tiered system of support. Each school is supported by math specialists who serve as content specialists, provide coaching and planning support to teachers, and work directly with students. The Think Math curriculum for grades K-5 (adopted in 2007), and the Impact Math curriculum for grades 6-8 (adopted in 2010), serve as the primary curriculum resources in our schools. The math department has also created Content Guides and Scope and Sequence Resource Guides to provide teachers with a variety of materials to better support the implementation of effective math teaching practices.

2019 Annual Report

At the high school level, the goal of our curriculum is to help students gain an appreciation of math in their lives through a balance of computational fluency, conceptual understanding, and problem solving. A variety of courses are offered at various levels that use a balance of direct instruction and student-led exploration of mathematical concepts including Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and a 3-year strand called the Interactive Math Program (IMP).

K-12 Performing Arts

The performing arts program provides students with opportunities to practice creativity every day, develop critical thinking skills, learn how to refine work through practice, analysis and adjustment, and to connect with others through performance. Students are able to learn about the music, drama and dance of cultures from around the world as they develop artistic skills and techniques, develop creative expression while taking risks and learn from mistakes.

Foundational to our performing arts program is that students learn to work in an ensemble as well as independently. To achieve these goals, there are a variety of courses at different levels that balance direct instruction, student-led exploration, and peer to peer learning. Every student has an opportunity to learn an instrument in grades 3 and 4. All 5th grade students meet for music at the same class time in one of their two weekly music classes in order to participate in large choral and instrumental ensembles (band or orchestra). The 6th through 8th grade students choose between six different music class offerings: orchestra, band, chorus, guitar/ukulele, music production, and general music.

At the high school level, there are various offerings for those with little or no experience through those at an advanced level in instrumental music, vocal music, digital music, drama, dance, stagecraft, set design, lighting, and sound design. Each year more than 650 Brookline High School students participate in vibrant performing arts programs, including approximately 60 performances of over 25 concerts and shows. Assisted by a vibrant volunteer parent group, the performing arts at Brookline School flourish and are a vital part of a Brookline education.

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Library Sara Slymon, Director

2019 was a terrifically successful year for the Public Library of Brookline. We are pleased to have had such a productive year with wonderful programs, great strides in collection management, and many fascinating and important staff trainings.

Service

Total circulation for all three libraries for the year was 1,241,269 items. This translates to 159 items per hour for every hour that the libraries were open. This is the same as the circulation in 2018, although we anticipate large increases for 2020.

We had some fascinating programs in support of our strategic plan this year. Some of the most successful, a series of makerspace programming ahead of the 2020 launch of the idea SPACE held at all locations and in all departments, helped orient the community to our forthcoming offering of expanded 3D printing, laser cutting, vacuum molding, knitting, sewing, and robotics. All of the programs were extremely well attended, but some of the most popular were soap making, Makerspace Mondays, and Summer STEAM. The library partnered with LL Bean to provide backpacks and camping gear that is loaned to the public. This continues our very popular Library of Things program which now includes mobile hot spots, kilowatt testing kits, cake pans, Rokus, telescopes, iPads, Osmo kits, Bocce and record players. We offered a “Borrow an Expert” program where patrons could book time with a staff expert on anything from crochet to fandom. Over 20 staff members participated in the program, which the public enjoyed and used frequently.

The staff participated in Ryan Dowd’s webinar program on how to effectively serve patrons who are experiencing homelessness. It was so enthusiastically embraced that we bought an annual subscription and have made completion of the program a mandatory part of the onboarding process for new staff.

2019 was a very busy year for the Reference Department. We have gone through a number of very important and exciting transitions, and we're looking forward to building on the tremendous successes of 2019 in the new year.

Staffing in the Reference Department stabilized in 2019 after several significant retirements in 2018. There are currently 8 full time Reference Librarians and 4 part time reference librarians who are based at the Brookline Village location. This team provides all of the adult programming at the main library, staffs the Reference desk and the desk in the Commons, and has been integral in the design and build out of the ideaSPACE, set to launch in April, 2020. They offer 6 different book groups, including the Poetry and Mystery groups.

The Reference staff developed and deployed a wildly successful ELL tutoring program for patrons who want to develop their English skills. We had identified this as a need that was not being met, and leveraged the TOEFL certified staff to meet this need in the community. The staff has trained over 50 volunteers, offers the classes multiple times per week, and yet the waiting list for a spot is still over 100 people. In 2020 we will find a way to meet the demand for this very important library service. A new full time archivist has been hard at work improving storage for the library’s extensive collection of art and artifacts, using the Trustees Preservation Fund to buy new, state of the art bins for paintings, and shelves for valuable oversized materials such as our extensive antique atlas collection. We launched a live chat service through our website (www.brooklinelibrary.org) which enables patrons to ask the reference staff questions from their computer or other device without coming in or making a phone call.

This year we added free tax services for the public. Patrons can come in and have their tax returns prepared and printed out by trained AARP volunteers. We also updated our website to include an FAQ section for people who are interested in the full range of tax related supplies and services that we offer.

We continued our longstanding partnership with Steps to Success with 2 summer interns who helped tremendously with our graphic novel re-labelling project. We have continued to expand the services of our BookBike, and still host a booth at the Farmer’s Market several times each summer. We have also begun to use the Soofa signs around Town to promote library services to the community, we are pleased augment our traditional outlets which include: the Brookline Tab, the town and library websites, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and occasional television and radio features.

2019 Annual Report

In 2019 we expanded on the success of the Public Library of Brookline’s appearance in the Boston Pride Parade by inviting all Massachusetts libraries to join us. We had 20+ libraries march with us, with a total of over 150 attendees. We experienced tremendous enthusiasm from parade viewers.

The Technical Services department processed 39,417 new items for the collection in 2019, a rate of over 164 items each work day, 16 per day more than last year.

Tech Services major project to support the strategic plan in 2019 was colloquially called “Decolonizing Dewey.” The Dewey decimal system has many problematic classifications ranging from outright racist/misogynistic/anti-Semitic, to outdated, and on to obsolete. The 6 member Tech Services Department is re-cataloging the entire nonfiction collection, across all three locations, so that we will be reflecting the worlds beautiful diversity, and including all of our fellow humans equally.

Technical Services added a new cataloger, Jenny Rae Bailey who is looking forward to helping with our efforts to decolonize our catalog. Jenny has extensive experience as a cataloger in public libraries.

Technical Services worked hard on cataloging all of the new ideaSPACE materials, many of which are unusual formats (knitting needles, sewing machines) and need special categories created for them in the catalog. Colin Wilkins, Collection Development & Technical Services manager, has partnered robustly with other Minuteman libraries, and the Tech Services Working Group to insure that we are engaging in best practices with an eye towards the future.

The Putterham Branch Library completed its analysis and maintenance projects and moved all of their collections. This has led to an expansion of the Youth Services space, the addition of a Tween collection (grades 5-7), and the relocation of our most popular materials to the front of the library for higher visibility and greater ease of use.

Batia Bloomenthal, Putterham Branch Librarian, designed a PlaySpace programs for the patrons of the branch. She selected interactive, educational toys including ride on cars and puzzles for the discerning under 5 crowd. This was in direct response to a request from a patron and has been very successful. The program happens once a week, but we are considering adding another section in 2020.

In 2020, we hope to add hours and staff to the Putterham branch in order to meet the ever growing demand for services at this location.

Putterham remains the third busiest branch library in the state of Massachusetts, behind Coolidge Corner and Framingham’s McAuliffe branch.

On February 15, 2019, longtime beloved Coolidge Corner children’s librarian was tragically killed by a concrete truck. The staff and community were devastated. Grief counselors were engaged for the staff, and the library was closed for several days. Flowers and cards carpeted the front of the branch as we coped with our grief. Two events were held to remember Paula, one for current and former staff, and one for the public. There were funny stories, music, flowers, food, and tears. A trust fund was established to honor Paula’s memory and in 2020 a memorial garden will be dedicated. The staff of the library would like to thank the Trustees of the Library and the people of Brookline for your kindness and generous support during as we endured this terrible loss to our library family.

Although Paula was an irreplaceable personality, we were confident that long time Brookline Village children’s librarian Caroline Richardson would be a great fit at Coolidge, respectful of Paula’s legacy, and able to build toward the future. She has had great success under difficult circumstances.

The Coolidge Corner Branch library enjoyed a very busy year in 2019. Statistics from ALA indicate that the average renovated library sees circulation increases of 27%, but Coolidge was actually at a 31% increase. The public has been very receptive to the design and functionality of the new space. The staff is deeply appreciative of having clean modern workspaces where they can complete their work with dignity.

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Branch Supervisor Ryan Brennan left us to become the Library Director of Dedham Public Library. We hired Ricky Sirois, former Haverhill Library Assistant Director to replace him and are delighted to have him on board. Assistant Branch Supervisor Amanda Troha was similarly lured away to a job at Arlington’s Robbins Free Library as Fox Branch Supervisor. Amanda was replaced by Brita Zitin, who we hired away from Watertown Public Library. Brita is doing a great job.

The Youth Services Department had a very busy 2019. Longtime Supervisor Natalie Layne moved to Wellesley Free Library in order to cut back to part time. In December, we hired Christina McTighe, former Children’s and Family Services Librarian for Altadena Library District.

In addition to our weekly story times for our younger patrons, in June we hosted our 7th annual Tee Off at the Library for families. This year's theme was Knights and Dragons and we had over 100 families come through to play mini-golf in the Library. We also offered monthly story times, led by community members, in five different world languages (Hebrew, Mandarin, Japanese, Taiwanese and Russian) at both Brookline Village and Coolidge Corner branches. Over the summer our 2019 Summer Reading Program “A Universe of Stories,” honoring the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, yielded great results. Over 620 children, ages 3-12, registered for the program and we held 29 special programs over a 10-week period with 1621 patrons attending. Lastly, this November we offered our 4th annual Harry Potter event for families. Over 1100 people were able to attend. They participated in wand dueling, wandered through Diagon Alley, and sent messages via owl post in the Owlery. Competitive Quidditch matches were held, and spell casting contests abounded.

The Circulation Department had an exciting new arrival, Supervisor Gina Wise welcomed a new librarian to the team, Baby Scott. The Circulation staff was incredibly dedicated to keeping things running in her absence and even suggested some improvements which she implemented upon her return. Circulation also rolled out a new paging model this year. Pages used to be responsible for shelving materials all over the building, but now we have dedicated Youth Services and Adult pages. The new system is working much more efficiently than the old model, and consequently morale amongst the pages has improved.

The physical plant of the library was well managed in 2019. We have a team of four incredibly thorough full time custodians who keep all three buildings ship shape. This year we did a lot of painting to freshen up spaces at Brookline Village and replaced some of the older furniture with comfortable new chairs and couches. The custodial staff suggested buying equipment to properly restore and maintain the beautiful terrazzo floors at the Brookline Village location. The machines were purchased and the floors gleam and shine.

Trustees and Staff

The Board of Library Trustees consists of twelve elected members, serving staggered three year terms. The Board sets policy and oversees the management of the library system.

The Trustees are visionary and enthusiastic supporters of the Library who provide funds for books, library materials, professional development and continuing education, and staff professional days. The Trustees augmented the Town appropriation by almost $200,000.

Between 2017 and 2020 the Trustees undertook a rigorous study of the hours and staffing needs at the libraries. The project was given momentum by a letter from a unanimous cohort of Precinct 15 & 16 members insisting that Putterham should be open more hours, comparable to the other two libraries. After 2 years of study and data synthesis, it was determined that there was ample demand for Putterham to be open on Saturdays in the summer, and on Monday and Wednesday mornings (they currently don’t open until 1 on those days), and that Brookline Village also needs to be open on summer Saturdays.

Koinonia Martin-Page, Puja Mehta, Judith Vanderkay, and Michael Burstein were re-elected. Chris Chanyasulkit, Gary Jones, Karen Livingston, and Jon Margolis will be eligible for re-election in the spring of 2020.

The Trustees updated the Meeting Room Policy, Tutoring Policy, Social Media Policy, Telephone Policy, Emergency Policy, and the Officer of the Day Policy.

The staff continues to work through the Trustees five year strategic plan with much success. The plan and all annual action plans can be found here:

2019 Annual Report https://www.brooklinelibrary.org/about/trustees/

Friends

The Friends of the Brookline Public Library were established as an independent 501©3 corporation in 1981. Through an ongoing book sale the Friends raise funds to supplement and enhance library service. They have sponsored a growing number of programs, including storytellers, musicians, magicians, green initiatives, senior socials, film festivals and other educational and entertaining events.

The Friends are one of the primary sponsors of staff development and continuing education. This enables the staff to offer the best and most current library practices to the community. In 2019 the Friends sent staff to the American Library Association midwinter and annual conferences, the Massachusetts Library Association annual conference, BookExpo America, Digital Commonwealth, SIRENS, DPLA Fest, CMON Expo, ComicCon Boston, and the Urban Libraries conference.

With so many immigrants in Brookline, one of the most valuable services that the Friends offer are their free ESL classes.

Brookline Library Foundation

The Brookline Library Foundation was incorporated in 1999 as an independent non-profit 501©3, whose purpose was to raise funds in support of the renovation of the main library. After contributing $4 million for the Main Library renovation project, the Foundation continued to raise significant money to support the library.

In 2019, dedicated and accomplished Foundation Board President Linda Carlisle stepped down as president after 11 years of superlative service. We thank Ms. Carlisle for her hard work and energetic enthusiasm for the library. Linda remains a member of the Board.

In 2018, the Foundation contributed nearly $500,000 towards the renovation of the Coolidge Corner library, allowing us to add many enhancements to the project, including the second lift, a generous opening day collection, and the beautiful opening day party where they hosted nearly 1100 excited library patrons and their families.

The Foundation pays for Children’s Programming, new book collections, innovative library technology, digital resources such as Hoopla and Kanopy, and our Museum Pass program.

Conclusion

I want to thank the Trustees, Foundation, Friends, and people of Brookline for your robust support of the Public Library of Brookline. I would like to thank the staff for all of your hard work, creativity, innovation and devotion to the highest level of service to the Brookline community; it is an honor to lead such a dedicated group of individuals. The Trustees and Staff all appreciate the support of the Select Board, Advisory Committee, Town Meeting, and other municipal departments. We look forward to 2020.

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Brookline Interactive Group Kathy Bisbee, Director

Welcome to BIG - Brookline Interactive Group - your community media center, where inspiration gives voice to dialogue and expression, where new career and life skills are learned, and where our local democratic process remains transparent- recorded, aired, streamed, and archived by BIG’s team of volunteers and staff.

Traditional Funding For Community Media Continues to Drastically Decline

For the past 35 years, BIG’s funding has indirectly come as a result of federal legislation that allowed municipalities to charge cable companies for ‘rent’ of the public airwaves and public right of way. That funding is now under threat from the FCC to remove all or much of the fees that go to the town of Brookline’s general fund for cable services (3%) and to Brookline Interactive Group, supported through a percentage (2%) of these funds to run the community cable channels, provide residents with media equipment, training, and to cover regular town select board and school committee, and annual town meetings.

Unfortunately, BIG’s critical community resources and coverage may not survive without new infusions of support. In 2019, BIG lost over $90k in reduced funding from Brookline’s contracts with the cable companies and due to cable cutting. BIG is being awarded new grants to expand its public media mission in 2020 with new youth media programs, its new Civic Brookline engagement project, the Hidden Brookline and Creative Brookline podcasts, the forthcoming Winiker Family Band documentary and screening, community production grants, and a community assessment process, BIG still stands to lose ⅓ of its total budget as community media nationwide faces difficult policy battles with the FCC and the loss of fees due to cable cutters.

Please consider contributing to protect BIG’s community media resources in 2020 by becoming a donor, member, volunteer, creator, or make a recurring monthly donation on Patreon!

Youth Development & Media Education

Education and media literacy is a core element of BIG’s mission, as teaching and empowering local residents to create their own media is one of our primary goals. This year we’ve watched our students, members, and staff create timely, relevant local content, watched by the community, on our local cable channels, online, and in social media. Our #IamBrookline campaign launched this past year, generating new community engagement in two minutes and under clips voicing concerns, memories, and the joys of living and working in Brookline.

In 2019, BIG provided over 21 after school programs, a job training program for high school students, and assistance to other programs serving youth at our facilities, thus serving over 250 K-12 students. BIG taught extensive media education courses and provided educational coverage through programs in Brookline Public Schools and throughout the Brookline community with our educational partners. Thank you to BIG's partnerships with Brookline High School, Gateway Arts, Brookline Housing, Ivy Street School, Brookline Adult and Community Education (BACE), Brookline Recreation, Brookline Early Education Program, individual K-8 schools and PTO and enrichment groups. A special thanks to the Brookline Community Foundation for their continued support of BIG’s youth program

Community Media Facilitates Dialogue, Awareness & Education

BIG supports Brookline High School teachers and students through providing media and technology training, computer equipment, labs, and facility services. BIG partners with teachers, departments and programs at BHS, including Performing Arts, provides internship opportunities for its students, and hosts gatherings, screenings, film festivals, and programs in collaboration with the BHS Innovation Fund and other organizations. We cover BHS’s graduation, Days of Dialogue, professional development days, and host convenings for department heads, and faculty members.

2019 Annual Report

Our adult classes include podcasting, DSLR and 360 cameras, virtual reality and traditional documentary filmmaking, Unity and 3D graphics programming, editing, studio/field video, motion graphics, audio, and digital storytelling workshops.

BIG averages 250 users in its public and education-related spaces on a daily basis. Half of that usage is student use of the facilities during and after school. On average, BIG’s members created 20 LIVE cable television shows every month in 2019, and produced hundreds of hours of locally-relevant content. Through members, students, staff, interns, partner organizations and volunteers, BIG has generated over 800 hours of content in FY 2018-19.

BIG is a partner to many in Brookline, providing media services and community engagement support for media-related projects, classes and events in the community, with non-profit organizations and Town committees, including the JFK anniversary events, CAN, Climate Action, Domestic Violence Roundtable, Age-Friendly Cities, Brookline Library, the Brookline Teen Center, Steps to Success, Brookline Day, Harry Potter at the Library, Sister Cities, the Senior Center, the Chamber of Commerce, the Martin Luther King Day, Brookline Youth Awards, Brookline Innovation, Women and Girls Thriving in Brookline, the Brookline Arts Center, Brookline Mental Health Center, the Chamber of Commerce, Team Brookline, community art shows and events, and many others.

Families and organizations can rent BIG’s 25-seat theatre, conference room, and studio spaces for birthday parties, kickoff events, or partner with BIG by emailing [email protected].

BIG also provides low-cost media services such as promotional videos, VR (virtual reality) demos at private and public events and galas, offers specialized media and technology training, and develops websites, graphics and flyers for local nonprofits.

View BIG’s community-created content by members like you, or BIG’s live streaming and archive of hundreds of hours of local government meetings on Comcast (Channel 3, 23) and RCN (Channel 3, 15, and HD 613), and on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/BrooklineAccessBATV or by visiting our website at http://brooklineinteractive.org/.

We hope to see YOU at BIG this year!

Become a member, donor, volunteer, or creator at BIG by visiting brooklineinteractive.org or calling 617.731.8566.

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Planning And Community Development Alison C. Steinfeld, Director

The Department of Planning and Community Development is focused on preserving and enhancing the quality of life of residents by protecting and improving neighborhoods; insuring quality development; promoting appropriate economic development; and safeguarding and advancing the amenities that make Brookline a desirable place in which to live, work and invest. These activities include reviewing development and redevelopment projects; working with developers, property owners and regulatory boards to refine proposals; preserving the community’s historic and cultural integrity; maintaining and expanding diverse housing opportunities; undertaking long-term planning initiatives; strengthening and expanding the tax base; promoting sustainability initiatives; exploring grant opportunities; and administering the federally funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Programs. Planners support a host of boards, commissions and committees and work closely with other municipal departments. Consistent with Town policy, the Planning Department is committed to engaging, informing and educating the public and performing its responsibilities in a transparent manner.

The Planning Department consists of three divisions: Regulatory Planning, Community Planning, and Economic Development and Long-Term Planning, each led by a division head under the supervision of the Planning Director, Alison Steinfeld. Administrative support is provided by Linda Hickey and Derick Yung. Planners, who represent diverse disciplines within the planning profession, are encouraged to share ideas and expertise in order to promote and support the best interests of the Town.

REGULATORY PLANNING

The Regulatory Planning Division focuses on land use regulations, including zoning, subdivisions and historic preservation. The Town’s land use regulatory functions are performed by both the Planning and Building Departments, requiring interaction and cooperation within and between the departments as well as boards and commissions. Managed by Assistant Director for Regulatory Planning Polly Selkoe, the division consists of Senior Planner Maria Morelli, Planner Victor Panak, Zoning Coordinator Charlotte Leis and Preservation Planners Valerie Birmingham, Lara Kritzer and, since February, part- time Planner Tina McCarthy.

Regulatory Planners provide staff support to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), Planning Board, Preservation Commission, Zoning By-Law Committee and Design Advisory Teams (DATs). Staff guides applicants through the special permit, variance, design review, demolition, preservation and Comprehensive Permit processes; and provides professional guidance to the regulatory boards and commissions. The division also conducts research to guide the physical development of the community, seeks to protect the historical integrity of Brookline while helping to plan for changes to the built environment, and prepares and reviews zoning amendments for consideration and approval by Town Meeting.

Land Use Zoning Board of Appeals The ZBA, a three-member quasi-judicial board appointed by the Select Board, is responsible for reviewing and approving applications for relief from the Zoning By-Law. The ZBA is also statutorily responsible for ruling on Comprehensive Permit applications to construct subsidized housing under G.L. Chapter 40B. The Board is comprised of three members: Chairman Jesse Geller, Mark Zuroff and Johanna Schneider; and four Associate Members: Kate Poverman, Stephen Chiumenti, Randolph Meiklejohn and Paul Bell.

The ZBA typically meets weekly to hear cases under G.L. Chapter 40A and the Town’s Zoning By-Law. Members also serve on panels to hear Comprehensive Permit cases under Chapter 40B. “40B” projects are eligible for expedited review as well as exemptions from municipal Zoning Codes given that they propose subsidized housing consistent with State statute and regulations. Both the ZBA and Planning Department are committed to representing the interests of the Town and the neighborhood to the maximum extent possible within the statutory constraints imposed by Chapter 40B.

The ZBA granted Comprehensive Permits, subject to extensive conditions, to 1299 Beacon Street (55 units) and 445 Harvard Street (25 units). Also approved with conditions was the request to modify the Comprehensive Permit

2019 Annual Report for 1180 Boylston Street to add five units after the Applicant purchased the abutting lot at 612-614 Hammond Street. ZBA Decisions for both 1299 Beacon Street and 445 Harvard Street were appealed by abutters.

Planning Board The Planning Board, appointed by the Select Board, consists of: Chairman Steven Heikin, Clerk Robert Cook, Linda Hamlin, Blair Hines, Matthew Oudens, Mark Zarrillo and James Carr.

Based on professional advice provided by the Planning Department, the Planning Board makes recommendations to the ZBA on all development proposals that require zoning relief under G.L. Chapter 40A; and reviews most telecommunication facilities as well as all proposed commercial signage, awnings and façade alterations. The Planning Board convenes Design Advisory Teams (DATs) and provides recommendations to Town Meeting relative to land use matters. Members also serve as liaisons to other Town committees, including the Zoning By- Law Committee, Open Space Committee and Housing Advisory Board.

During 2019, a DAT was formed to review a 40A proposal at Hancock Village for a new multi-unit residential building and a community building. The construction of the project is likely to begin in 2020. Following several DAT meetings, a project at 20 Boylston Street for a mixed-use building with ground floor retail and 14 residential units was approved and is now under construction.

The Planning Board and ZBA reviewed a total of 75 applications for zoning relief including new residential units, additions, conversions of existing dwellings for additional units and construction of new commercial structures and uses. A new building on Cypress Street, which will be part of the Brookline High School campus, is under construction as is a significant replacement for a wing of the main facility.

Zoning By-Law Amendments The Planning Board conducted several statutorily required public hearings for zoning amendments submitted to Town Meeting. Numerous zoning warrant articles were discussed and acted upon at Fall Town Meeting, including the following that were approved: allowing small accessory ground-mounted solar installations; requiring that 15% of parking spaces in lots over six spaces be electric vehicle-ready; eliminating minimum parking requirements in the Transit Parking Overlay District for retail uses; and allowing accessory dwelling units under certain conditions.

Preservation A part-time Preservation Planner position was added to the Planning Department in 2019 to support the Town’s commitment to protect, restore and preserve Brookline’s historical, architectural and cultural assets. As part of this work, Preservation Planners advised property owners regarding historical and technical restoration procedures as well as the mechanisms available to protect specific properties and neighborhoods; developed an action plan for future preservation initiatives and projects; and initiated a preservation office reorganization to make the Town’s existing preservation resources more readily accessible to both staff and the public. Brookline’s Preservation Planners provide professional and technical staff support to the Preservation Commission, which includes Chair David King, Vice-Chair Elton Elperin, James Batchelor, Wendy Ecker, David Jack, Peter Kleiner, Richard Panciera and alternate member Elizabeth Armstrong. This year, the Commission, with assistance from the Preservation Planners, created a joint subcommittee with members of the Planning Board to study Beacon Street and develop design guidelines for its future development.

Local Historic Districts The Town has eight Local Historic Districts (LHDs): Pill Hill, Cottage Farm, Graffam-McKay, Harvard Avenue, Chestnut Hill North, Lawrence, Wild-Sargent and Crowninshield. LHD-designation requires that any changes to a property that are visible from a public way be reviewed and approved by the Preservation Planners in order to protect the historic integrity of the district. In 2019, the Planning Department received 144 applications for exterior work and changes in these districts. Preservation Planners regularly worked with applicants throughout the design and application process to ensure that the proposed work was in keeping with the LHD Design Guidelines. In 2019, the Commission and Preservation Planners also began the process of reviewing, revising, and expanding the existing LHD Design Guidelines. The updated Design Guidelines are anticipated to be completed in 2020.

Demolition The Preservation Commission is responsible for reviewing any projects that involve the complete or partial demolition of a building or structure under the Demolition By-Law. Consistent with the by-law, buildings must be

93 www.brooklinema.gov evaluated by the Preservation Planners to determine their historical and/or architectural significance before a demolition or building permit may be issued. If the Planners initially determine that the property is significant or potentially significant, a public hearing is scheduled with the Preservation Commission, during which, the Commission reviews the Preservation Planner’s case report and votes whether or not to uphold the initial determination of significance. If the Commission agrees that the property is significant, a 12-month demolition delay is imposed or, in the case of buildings listed or eligible for listing in the National or State Register of Historic Places, an 18-month delay.

The Preservation Commission reviewed 72 demolition applications in 2019, of which 44 were ultimately determined significant. The Preservation Commission may lift the stay of demolition prior to its expiration in exchange for design review and approval of the new construction or proposed alteration. Preservation Planners regularly work with property owners at all stages of project planning to protect Brookline’s historic and architecturally significant properties and features and to assist property owners in understanding and working with the review process. After a successful amendment to the Demolition By-Law at the 2018 Fall Town Meeting, the new changes, most notably the requirement that the delay runs with the property owner and not the property, were implemented in March of 2019.

Certified Local Government and Town-owned Historic Buildings The Town is a Certified Local Government (CLG), which allows for a close integration of federal, state, and local preservation activities. By extending state and federal programs to the local level, the CLG program allows the Town to complete Section 106 reviews for significant historic properties and gives added weight to any applications for grant funding. In 2019, the Preservation Planners, working with consultants hired through a 2018 Survey and Planning Grant, completed phase two of the Aspinwall Hill neighborhood survey project. Preservation Planners also began planning for future grant projects and submitted a pre-application for additional grant funding to survey the Lindens and Vernon/Harris Street neighborhoods.

COMMUNITY PLANNING Joe Viola, Assistant Director for Community Planning, manages the Community Planning Division, which oversees Housing, Community Development and several general planning initiatives. Staff includes Community Development Administrator Ewana Lindo-Smith, Senior Housing Planner Virginia Bullock, Housing Planner David Guzman and Community Planner Eddie Bates.

Community Development For over four decades, the Town of Brookline has received an annual federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation. The program provides communities with resources to address a wide range of community development needs targeted principally toward low- and moderate-income persons. Although funds are allocated via formula, securing and administering the grant requires significant staff time and strict attention to federal program regulations.

The use of CDBG funding is guided by a Five-Year Consolidated Plan and Strategy. In 2019, while entering the final year of the FYs 2015–2020 Consolidated Plan, staff undertook a planning and public outreach process to inform the creation of the Town’s FYs 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan, to be adopted in 2020. This plan will guide the creation of the Town’s CDBG Annual Action plans and, ultimately, the use of CDBG funds over the next five years. Staff shepherded CDBG funds to support affordable housing, public facilities and social services targeted to the Town’s most vulnerable populations; integrated CDBG and HOME funds within the Town’s overall planning program; and, whenever possible, leveraged other private, state and federal dollars through the commitment of Town-controlled dollars to various projects.

Over $2.0 million in grant funds were administered during calendar year 2019, which includes grant fiscal years 2019 and 2020. In addition to many public service programs that serve elders, youth and other eligible populations, federal funds administered by the division helped the housing authority to address capital improvement needs at a number of its facilities; funded a portion of 2Life Communities’ ground lease needed to construct its project at 384 Harvard Street; funded construction phase oversight and design services for the Town’s Gateway East Project as it moved into construction; and supported public facility improvements and affordable housing renovations being undertaken by the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health and the Brookline Improvement Coalition.

2019 Annual Report

Community Development Advisory Committee Citizen participation is a key component of the CDBG Program and is consistent with Town policy to engage the public in decision-making. In advance of FY20, staff assisted the Community Development Advisory Committee in conducting several public meetings in February and March 2019, deliberating on grant requests and making a funding recommendation to the Select Board. In May 2019, the Select Board held a public hearing to approve a $1.3+ million CDBG budget as part of its approval of the Town’s Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Action Plan for CDBG.

WestMetro HOME Consortium Brookline has participated in the WestMetro HOME Consortium since 1991. Now including eleven nearby communities, the Consortium has distributed over $35 million to its member communities since its founding. Providing grants and loans to for- and non-profit developers and low-income households, the HOME Program has created hundreds of affordable units and leveraged millions in other public and private funds to produce affordable housing.

Housing Preservation and Development Housing Planners focused on creating, preserving and improving affordable rental and ownership housing by working with the Housing Advisory Board (HAB) and Select Board to channel appropriate Town-controlled resources into development and preservation projects. Staff assisted households with incomes ranging from extremely low (less than 30% of area median income—AMI) to upper-moderate (maximum of 110% of AMI).

Staff worked with 2Life Communities to advance its 62-unit affordable senior housing project at 384 Harvard Street to closing. The project received $3.0 million in Town-controlled funding, including Housing Trust, HOME and CDBG. Closing occurred in the spring of 2019, construction commenced in June and a groundbreaking was held in September.

Staff worked with the Brookline Housing Authority on its multi-year Strategic Preservation Initiative in order to take advantage of HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD) as well as federal and state tax credits and state and local subsidies to rehabilitate and preserve nearly 500 units of affordable public housing in six different properties. Construction commenced in 2019 on the first major BHA rehabilitation project—the O’Shea House— located at 61 Park Street. Planning for the BHA’s second RAD project was undertaken in calendar year 2019, with the HAB considering a $1.35 million funding request from the BHA to support a program at 90 Longwood Ave. It is expected the Longwood project will commence in 2020.

The Town’s Inclusionary Zoning By-Law is designed to generate new affordable housing units serving households below 50%, 80% and 100% of AMI. Housing Planners worked to insure that the By-Law was applied appropriately to housing developments through the creation of new housing units or via payments in lieu of units—including for the proposed Welltower project and for five affordable units received as part of a new development project at Hancock Village. There were no developer payments to the Housing Trust during 2019.

Division staff continued to work with the Select Board-appointed Kent/Station Street Affordable Senior Housing Committee to explore the potential for air rights development of affordable senior housing over the Kent-Station Street Parking Lot, with retention of the public parking on the site. The Committee helped create a Request for Proposals (RFP), which was issued to prospective developers in August 2019. It is expected that an Evaluation Committee, appointed to review proposals, will recommend a developer to the Select Board in 2020.

Housing Advisory Board (HAB) Housing planners continued to provide support to the HAB, which is charged with recommending housing policies, plans and programs to the Select Board, particularly those related to promoting affordable housing. The HAB also serves as trustee of the Town’s Housing Trust and, in that capacity, recommends to the Select Board appropriate investments that will help expand, support and preserve the supply of subsidized housing. HAB membership includes Roger Blood (Chair), Steven Heikin (Planning Board representative), Michael Jacobs (Brookline Housing Authority representative), Rita McNally (tenant representative), Bill Madsen-Hardy, Jennifer Raitt and Jonathan Klein.

During 2019, HAB deliberated over a number of housing policy issues and funding recommendations to the Select Board. The HAB and BHA had ongoing discussions about the Authority’s Strategic Plan and its proposal to undertake a second RAD project at 90 Longwood Avenue. The Board had a number of discussions with

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Welltower, an independent senior housing/assisted living developer and purchaser of the Newbury College campus, concerning the developer’s proposed method of meeting inclusionary zoning by constructing units on site, on a site adjacent to its proposed development, or through a cash payment that could possibly be used to create infill units within certain BHA developments. HAB also spent significant time exploring potential opportunities for civic engagement related to garnering support for affordable housing development; discussing approaches to strengthen the Town’s Inclusionary Zoning By-Law; and discussing and holding several public hearings related to Warrant Articles for accessory dwelling units, fossil fuel infrastructure in new development projects, micro units, and proposed legislation for enabling a real estate transfer tax.

Housing Assistance Planners continued to provide homebuyer and renter counseling for those seeking affordable housing in Brookline. Staff managed the resale of six deed-restricted affordable homeownership units involving affirmative marketing, selecting income-eligible households by lottery, determining eligibility, and providing technical assistance to prospective buyers.

Creation and Preservation of Affordable Housing Opportunities Consistent with prior years, Housing Planners worked with for-and non-profit agencies to preserve existing affordable rental housing and provide technical assistance related to the creation of new units. In 2019, staff administered the programming of approximately $435,000 in CDBG funds for BHA capital improvement projects at several sites. In addition, planners administered the programming of approximately $59,000 in CDBG funds to the Brookline Improvement Coalition (BIC) for capital improvements at its Boylston Street property, which has six affordable units. Planners also worked with Hebrew Senior Life to plan for senior affordable housing, assisted living, and expanded community space at 108 Center Street, including a potential partnership with the Brookline Senior Center.

Affordability Monitoring Housing staff is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the Affordability Requirements of homeownership and rental projects, with each development subject to its own set of regulatory documents. Staff monitors 487 rental units at 18 properties to assure continued service to eligible tenants at affordable rents as well as 154 affordable condominium units to confirm owner occupancy.

Planning

Bluebikes Planners worked with MAPC and the Cities of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville to continue to expand the Bluebikes Bicycle Share System as part of a new contract with Motivate International, Inc. The Town’s system grew from nine stations in 2018 to twelve stations in 2019. Staff worked with the Brookline Transportation Board and the Bicycle Advisory Committee to identify and locate new station sites in preparation for a spring 2019 expansion. The City of Everett joined the system in 2019, and the Bluebikes communities met in 2019 to discuss the possibility of other municipalities joining the system in 2020 and beyond.

Gateway East Following years of planning and permitting, construction commenced on the Gateway East Project in June 2019. Transportation, Engineering and Planning staff hosted a public coordination meeting to provide the public with information related to all of the construction projects happening in the Route 9 corridor. Staff worked with Mass Dot’s Resident Engineer to monitor and oversee construction beginning in the spring until work ceased for the winter.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LONG-TERM PLANNING This division works to promote commercial development that enhances tax growth and offsets fiscal burdens; aids in the growth and prosperity of the town’s business community; improves the functional and aesthetic qualities of public space in commercial areas; ensures that long-term capital needs are met; updates and implements the Comprehensive Plan; and reduces climate-changing greenhouse emission to achieve zero emissions by 2050 and prepare for climate-change impacts.

2019 Annual Report

Coolidge Corner Study Committee Following extensive study, analysis and recommendations by the Coolidge Corner Study Committee, Annual Town Meeting approved zoning changes for a 1.3-acre site on the corner of Waldo, Pleasant, and Green Streets. Chestnut Hill Realty intends to construct a mixed-use redevelopment including a hotel and apartment building.

Short-Term Rentals In partnership with the Regulatory Division, planners conducted focus groups and policy research and then drafted a warrant article to permit resident-occupied short-term rentals, with the goal of submitting a warrant article for 2020 Annual Town Meeting.

Sustainability and Climate Action Committee In 2019, Town staff secured a $240,966 Green Communities Grant which will be used by the Public Buildings Division to fund energy conservation measures, including LED lighting, in the Public Safety Building, Public Health Center, Brookline Village Library, Lincoln School and Soule Recreation Center.

The Climate Action Committee (CAC), co-chaired by Select Board Member Nancy Heller and Werner Lohe, focuses on climate, energy and sustainability initiatives. Other CAC members include Building Commissioner Dan Bennett, Michael Berger, Ben Chang, James Carr, David Lescohier, Alan Leviton, Director of Health and Human Services Dr. Swannie Jett, Linda Olson Pehlke, Deborah Rivers, Kathleen Scanlon, David Gladstone and Don Weitzman. In 2019, the Committee finalized the Net Zero Schools Report and recommendations to the Select Board.

In June 2019, the Select Board held a Select Board Climate Action Summit, with over 100 residents and more than a dozen Town employees and officials participating. Staff-led working teams were created after the summit, following priorities agreed to by the Select Board. Their work led to four successful Town Meeting actions: a resolution related to sustainable transportation planning, authorization for solar panels on Town-owned properties, a zoning change to allow ground-mounted solar installations as an accessory use, and a general by-law that prohibits new fossil fuel infrastructure in major construction projects.

Economic Development Advisory Board The Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) seeks to strengthen and expand the tax base to support Town programs and services. Additionally, EDAB works to increase the value of commercial properties by promoting the vitality of our commercial areas and supporting our small businesses. In 2019, EDAB worked with the petitioners of the fossil fuel by-law to significantly shape the article, including creating a waiver and appeal process as well as blanket exemptions for: restaurant and residential kitchens, hot water heating systems for buildings over 10,000 square feet, and HVAC systems for medical and laboratory buildings requiring precise temperature controls. Additionally, EDAB sponsored a Market & Development Feasibility consultant study along the Boylston Street corridor.

Economic Development Advisory Board and Planning Department Staff Meredith Mooney, Alden Raine, Alan Christ, Marilyn Newman, Susan Houston, Cliff Brown, Co-Chair Paul Saner, Thomas Nally, Kara Brewton, Derrick Choi, and Co-Chair Anne Meyers. Not pictured: Kenneth Lewis, Carol Levin, and Donald A. Warner.

Small Business Development Committee Chaired by Select Board Member Raul Fernandez, this Committee first met in the fall of 2019, with the mission to study and recommend methods (including funding requests and sources) to the Select Board to incubate, launch, recruit and sustain small businesses in Brookline; special attention will be paid to minority and women-owned businesses. Early work included a recommendation to the Select Board to support a Business Improvement District in Coolidge Corner.

Small Business Development Committee Melissa Tapper Goldman, David Leschinsky, Raul Fernandez, Talia Glass, Annika Sarin, Sam Glasgow, Mark Barer, Steve Silverman, Anne Meyers, Elias Audy; Raj Kumar Dhanda, Debbie G. Miller, Debbie Raisner Thompson, Sandy Machado.

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Business Communications and Outreach As part of an overall effort to communicate with the public more effectively, the division launched an Instagram account for the Planning Department (Brookline planning). Many of our businesses use this social media platform for their own businesses, so they are more likely to see timely announcements from the department at the same time. Additionally, planners worked with the Information Technology Department to update and integrate the way staff stores its annual storefront survey data so that all Town Departments (and the general public) can access mailing addresses of all tenants, including businesses – see https://gisweb.brooklinema.gov/ to access the online abutters program.

INTRA-DEPARTMENT Planners within the various divisions are encouraged to share ideas and work together not only to promote sound planning practices, but to expand their own professional knowledge.

Newbury College Campus Reuse All divisions were involved in planning for the reuse of the former Newbury College in Fisher Hill, which closed in 2019. Planners assisted the Town Administrator’s Office in coordinating the Town’s response to the school closing, submitting bids to acquire the property, and then working with the ultimate purchaser of the campus. It is anticipated that a package of warrant articles will be submitted to 2020 Annual Town Meeting to amend the zoning by-law to allow use of part of the campus for a senior living facility, provide for affordable housing per the Town’s Inclusionary Zoning By-Law and authorize the Town to acquire 3.1 acres of the former campus.

Brookline Housing Authority

The Brookline Housing Authority (BHA) is an independent public agency established in 1948 under Massachusetts General Law. It provides affordable housing and extensive resident services. The BHA collaborates closely with the Town of Brookline and other community organizations.

Board of Commissioners The Board consists of five Commissioners, four of whom are elected by Town voters. The fifth is appointed by the Governor. One Commissioner is a Housing Authority resident. Commissioners serve five-year terms.

Michael Jacobs, Chair Joanne Sullivan, Vice Chair Barbara Dugan, Treasurer (Resident Representative) Susan Cohen Judy Katz (Governor’s Appointee)

Michael Jacobs was elected Chair of the Board for 2018 by his fellow Commissioners. Mike has worked his entire career in the affordable housing field as a consultant and in senior positions at Mass Housing, the Boston Housing Authority, and others. He also is a member of the Town’s Housing Advisory Board.

Senior Staff Patrick Dober, Executive Director Matthew Baronas, Assistant Director Lisa Brown, Executive Operations Manager Sharon Cowan, Director of Modernization Geri Davis-Moye, Director of Finance Carlos Hernandez, Director of Section 8 George Lalli, Director of Maintenance Maria Maffei, Director of Redevelopment Danielle Mendola, Director of Resident Services Sheila O’Flaherty, Director of Asset Management

Accomplishments & Activities

 BHA continued its successful operations in 2019 with a low vacancy rate, a ‘clean’ financial audit, good scores on property inspections, and continued loyal service by a highly diverse staff of 38 women and men. The BHA achieved a rare perfect score on the annual state review of more than 80 administrative procedures.  BHA’s strong relationship with the Brookline Food Pantry continued to grow with the opening of a second on-site weekly food distribution center at the High St. Veterans property. The Brookline Community Foundation also sustained its generous support by providing its highest-ever level of funding for BHA resident service programs.

Property Redevelopment

Rehabilitating the existing properties to preserve them for future generations is a top BHA priority.

 The total renovation of the seniors property at 61 Park Street commenced in August 2019. It features all new apartment units with air conditioning, and high-efficiency, non-fossil fuel utility systems.  The total renovation of the seniors property at 90 Longwood Ave, which includes rebuilding the BHA’s aging office space is expected to commence in August 2020. The Town is contributing $1.35 million in financing.

Capital Improvements

CDBG funding received from the Town is vital to BHA’s ability to maintain its properties. The projects listed below were commenced or completed in 2019 with the help of CDBG and other funding. In addition, CDBG funds granted for 2020 will replace the exterior doors and locks at the High St. Veterans and Egmont St. properties, and 2021 CDBG funds replace the aging boilers at High St. Veterans.

 Exterior stairways and community playground at High St. Veterans  Security camera upgrades at several properties  Fire alarm upgrades at 50 Pleasant St.  Community room carpet replacement at 50 Pleasant St.  Hot water tank and boiler replacements at several properties  Mechanical bathroom fans at Egmont St.

Self Sufficiency, Education & Health Programs

In calendar year 2019, the Brookline Housing Authority’s Resident Services Program recorded a combined 15,779 “service instances” to BHA residents and other low-income community members.

 For Seniors: Together with Springwell, the BHA provides independent living services and service coordination at all seniors properties, a community hot lunch at 90 Longwood Ave. and Meals on Wheels. The BHA also partnered with Jewish Family & Children’s Services and other groups to provide exercise and nutrition classes.  For Students: The BHA is a founding partner of Steps to Success (STS), Inc. along with the Public Schools of Brookline. STS provides comprehensive support to PSB students from low income families. In addition, the BHA operates after-school homework programs at the Trustman Apartments and High Street Veterans properties. In 2019, the Family Learning Centers afterschool enrichment program was utilized more than 3,000 times.  For Pre-Schoolers: The Brookline Early Education Program (BEEP) and the Parent Child Home Program offer literacy initiatives to BHA parents and young children as well as weekly playgroups at Walnut-High St. and Egmont St.

 Job Training: In 2019, Next Steps partnered with the Brookline High School and Steps to Success to co-sponsor the annual Jobs and Career Fair. Next Steps also provides one-on-one career counseling and computer literacy classes.  English Literacy: In 2019, the ESOL Program engaged 69 Limited English Proficient students from 25 different countries, in seven different curriculum sections.  Free Tax Returns: The BHA continues to provide free income tax preparation services. 355 Brookline tax filers benefited this year, netting total tax refunds of $510,121. The average refund per filer was $1,436.  Food Assistance: BHA continues its partnerships with the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) and the Brookline Food Pantry (BFP). The BFP operates distribution centers at Egmont Street and a newly opened center at High St. Veterans. GBFB provides 30 pounds of food per month for seniors.  Mental Health: With BHA funding and collaboration, the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health delivers a wide range of counseling services as well as a Transitional Housing Program for formerly homeless households. In 2019, the BHA and the Brookline Center initiated a new partnership called the Healthy Lives program, which delivers care coordination for BHA adult residents with medical and mental health conditions.  Community Policing: The BHA teams with the Brookline Police Department in the “Walk and Talk” program. Select police officers are assigned to BHA developments. Crime rates at BHA developments are at or below town-wide averages.  Special Needs: The BHA provides subsidy and services for people with various special needs in partnership with Vinfen, the Brookline Center, the Pine Street Inn, and others.

Public Housing Operated by BHA – 954 total units

Housing for Seniors & Disabled # of Apartments

Walnut Street Apartments 4-24 Walnut Street 24

Ralph Sussman House 100 50 Pleasant Street

Arthur O’Shea House 100 61 Park Street

Theresa Morse Apartments 100 90 Longwood Ave

John W. Kickham Apartments 39 190 Harvard

Col. Floyd Apartments 60 32-40A Marion Street 19-36 Foster Street Extension

Housing for Families

Walnut Street Apartments 76 22 High Street

High Street Veterans 186 1-33 New Terrace Road 176-224 High Street 186-218 Chestnut Street 100

Egmont Street Veterans 120 51-85 Egmont Street 338-348 St. Paul Street 209-221 Pleasant Street

Trustman Apartments 86 7-33 Egmont Street 144-156 Amory Street 337-347 St. Paul Street

Affordable Housing

86 Dummer St. 32

Housing for People with Disabilities

Scattered Sites 33

Housing Vouchers Administered – 1,088 total vouchers

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers 1,049 vouchers Massachusetts Rental Vouchers 39 vouchers

Application Procedures

Applications for all programs are available Monday through Friday between 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. at the main office, 90 Longwood Avenue, by calling (617) 277-1885 or online at www.brooklinehousing.org. Translation services are available through a telephone service and on the Housing Authority’s website.

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HUMAN SERVICES

Health Department Dr. Swannie Jett, Director

Our vision is an inclusive community that is healthy, safe, connected & equitable for all. The mission of Brookline Public Health and Human Services Department (BPH) is to preserve, protect & promote the physical, mental, and environmental health of the Brookline Community. We collaborate with partners to reduce health inequities and respond to emerging public health challenges.

Administration During 2019, the Department assessed the health status of the town to increase programming and health interventions as necessary. The assessment led to increased health promotion surrounding vaping, marijuana usage, affordable housing, climate change, and rats.

The Department leadership structure was maintained, providing more access to the Health Commissioner, and allowing us to be more responsive to the community. In addition to the on-going biweekly management team meetings, periodic all-staff meetings with an educational component served to help build a sense of mission and community among staffers, and to enhance intra-departmental communication.

This year, the Department continued to be successful in leveraging non-Town resources for a broad range of projects. Over $150,000 was raised from a variety of sources including medical centers, foundations, federal and state government, etc. In addition, well-qualified graduate students were recruited for internships to assist with operations and gain experience in public health.

Also, we worked closely with other town departments on policies relating to opioids, affordable housing, vulnerability assessment/sustainability, racism, recreational marijuana, tobacco, climate change, and rats. Scores of individuals and groups toured the Train Memorial Health Center, Brookline’s first Green Building, and the building was featured as part of the national Solar Tour by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association. In addition, the Jennifer A. Lynch Garden of Remembrance, located adjacent to the Health Center, provided a focal point for a number of public events.

Environmental Health After 35 years of service with the Town of Brookline and 40 years of Public Health practice, Division Director and Assistant Health Commissioner Patrick Maloney, MPAH, CHO, RS retired from Brookline. Mr. Maloney enjoyed his many years in Brookline and working with the dedicated and professional staff at the Department of Public Health.

This Division, oversees many State-mandated programs including the licensing and inspections of food establishments, housing code inspections, swimming pools, solid waste handling practices, animal, insect, rodent control, and the abatement of general nuisances.

Additional programs included asbestos removal, lead, hazardous waste, indoor air quality and the enforcement of state and local tobacco control requirements.

This year the Division held educational workshops on code revisions to the State food code for all of our regulated establishments as well as workshops on compostable utensils. Also we held a workshop in cooperation with Brookline Commission on Disability staff on “Service Animals and The Law” for all of the Towns Food Service /Retail establishments.

Mosquito control activities continued this summer as part of the Town Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. We treated 3500 Town catch basins and wetlands with a bacterial larvicide, to prevent the hatching of adult mosquitoes.

We helped enforce the Town’s policy on snow removal with the DPW, implementing new regulatory requirements and fines. Also, working with town departments, we continued two programs mercury and CFL/fluorescent light recycle. We also received support from the State Health Department to continue our safe

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sharps disposal program. We continue to respond to numerous requests for information on indoor air quality, mold, lead and solid waste disposal. Also, we offered rabies vaccination clinics which included a low cost microchipping for resident’s pets.

Our sealer of weights and measures tested all town weighing and measuring devices, taxi meters, and scanners to ensure accuracy. This year inspections included additional scales for the licensed medical and recreational marijuana facilities in Brookline.

We continued implementation of the revisions to the Town by-Laws restricting the use of Non-compostable utensils, plastic bags and polystyrene in food and retail establishments and polystyrene in food service establishments in addition to the requirement to offer public water to patrons of sit down food establishments.

Lastly, we continue to assist with plan review for a variety of 40B projects planned in the community. We participated in the sustainability summit in addition to attending the many inter-department planning and community meetings for the pending adult marijuana facilities planned for the community.

Child Health Under the direction of Gloria Rudisch MD, MPH, the Division of Child Health continues to be the Department's liaison with School Health Services nursing leadership. The department continues to support the reapplication of the School Health Services for a renewal of a state health-based grant. Brookline Public Health provides consultation and helps implement prevention programs related to school health. In addition, we maintain a regular schedule of child immunizations staffed by the Public Health Nurse and with physician backup. Over three-hundred children were served.

Our Day Care Resource staff, experts in areas of child development, has served as resource consultants to day cares. They also provide educational and training sessions to day care directors and staff. Also, they continue to work with Parks & Open Spaces Division to maintain equitable use of Brookline parks by the day cares.

Community Health Led by Lynne Karsten, MPH, this Division oversees community health initiatives; among them, women’s health, community immunization, youth programs including safe routes to schools, climate change, elder health programs, healthy eating, and physical fitness. Again in 2019, the division celebrated International Day of Yoga, holding its very popular annual yoga class on the Summer Solstice, held in Schluntz Gym in June because of inclement weather.

BPH is in the second year of a state funded grant program, the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program. Brookline serves as the lead town: “The Seven Communities Collaborative,” involving six additional towns. Paula Silverman, MPH, heads this program. Brookline continued monitoring compliance with the Town/State Tobacco Control By-Law and pursuing complaints concerning infractions. In 2019 a spike in health-related vaping illnesses in the nation caused Massachusetts to introduce a temporary ban on the sale of vaping-related products. This required an immediate response by MTCP to inspect all sites in the seven towns to ensure compliance.

The Women’s Health campaign involves organizing educational programs and screenings. In concert with the Council on Aging, the Department promoted a series on healthy aging/health issues for seniors. We continued to work with town departments to train staff in the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). Currently, there are over 30 AEDs in strategic town building locations, in addition to those in all emergency response vehicles. Employees in town buildings and schools where AEDs are located have received CPR/AED training. Brookline’s annual celebration of National Public Health Week, the first week in April, included a keynote talk by Sandro Galea, MD, Dean, BU School of Public Health, discussing “How the Trump Administration is Shaping Your Health”. Suzanne E. Salamon, MD, Brookline resident and Beth Israel Deaconess gerontologist, offered important tips on “How to Age Well,” and together with the Department’s Substance Abuse Prevention Program located at Brookline High, offered a well-attended talk, “A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens.” We continue to co-sponsor monthly American Red Cross blood drives at the Main Library.

Community Health plays a key role in organizing “Car Free School Day,” a day to educate school-aged children about climate change. With strong parental and school support, Car Free School day is now celebrated three times during the year: winter and spring – promoting a day to travel to school other than by private car.

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The Division is seated on two Town of Brookline committees. Community Health has now become affiliated with the School Department’s recently formed “Safe Routes to School” subcommittee. We also expanded our collaboration with the Select Board’s Committee on Climate Change and CAB (Climate Action Brookline) with their initiatives to raise awareness about reducing Brookline’s “carbon footprint.”

The Community Health Division has received authorization and funding to hire one additional staff person, a Community Health Specialist. This position will be filled in early 2020.

Emergency Preparedness Part of the Town’s cross-departmental Emergency Management Team, which meets regularly to prepare for the possibility of a large scale emergency, the Office of Emergency Preparedness coordinates planning for potential pandemics as well as medical countermeasures to bioterrorism. Led by Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Cheryl Anne Snyder, MS, the Office is entirely grant funded. In 2019, the Office was awarded over $75,000 in grant funding from five different sources; primarily via grants received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security. Emergency Preparedness staff work to build strong relationships with local, regional, state, and national partners.

The Office coordinates nearly 200 volunteers, who serve as members of the Brookline Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). Brookline MRC volunteers provide support for local activities throughout the year, and prepare to assist department staff in the event of an emergency. In 2019, Brookline MRC volunteers contributed over 1,000 hours of volunteer services to the Town, valued at approximately $30,000. The Brookline MRC was one of a handful of MRCs nationwide to receive a 2019 Community Preparedness and Resilience Award from the Department of Health and Human Services, for building community resilience.

Brookline MRC volunteers attend a variety of preparedness trainings in Brookline and beyond; volunteers also assist with annual events in Town, including support for the Boston Marathon, Lunar New Year, and other community events. In the fall, more than 70 volunteers supplement department staff to provide nearly 1,000 flu shots to the Brookline community via three town-wide immunization clinics.

In addition, Emergency Preparedness staff work with a variety of local organizations to increase community preparedness and resiliency throughout Brookline. For example, the Emergency Preparedness Buddies Program – developed in cooperation with Brookline Police and the Council of Aging – helps vulnerable adults and elders prepare for emergencies. EP Buddies Program trainings are free, and delivered on site at Brookline Housing locations, as well as other elder and disabled residential sites in Town. The Office also provides preparedness training, information, and supplies to the entire Brookline community.

Public Health Nursing/Epidemiology The Public Health Nursing/Epidemiology oversaw the investigation and control of over 350 reports of communicable disease. The 2018-19 influenza season was severe and we assisted several schools and long term care facilities with outbreak control.

Also, the division received over 104 reports of humans exposed to animals. This included reports of 55 bats found in homes in Brookline.

We continue to utilize MAVEN and MIIS (secure, web-based surveillance programs) to receive reports, add information, track trends.

Immunization clinics for under-insured children administered 618 immunizations required for school entry. The division also maintains and distributes lists of clinics that can provide medical treatment for these children. Regularly scheduled blood pressure screenings provided 80 patient visits and the annual flu clinics provided more than 1000 flu vaccinations.

Also, we responded to over 500 inquiries on topics such as travel health, immunizations and mosquito disease incidence.

Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Program for Youth This Division, led by Mary Minott, LICSW, is a town/school partnership coordinating Prevention and Intervention Services for Brookline youth and their families. Based on data from the Department’s Brookline Student Health

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Survey, the Division’s 2018-2019 strategic action plan focused on the prevalence of marijuana use, binge drinking, mental health and healthy teen relationships. We received a Brookline Community Foundation grant for $25,000 for the B-PEN program. Also, we received $15,000 subcontract grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The Division’s Prevention Services include the Brookline Parent Education Program (B-PEN) and the Brookline High School Peer Leadership Program. B-PEN helps parents navigate the social, emotional and developmental challenges affecting Brookline's teens and pre-teens. Topics included underage alcohol, marijuana and other substance abuse, healthy relationships/teen dating violence prevention, healthy media use, and teens and stress. The B-PEN website provides up to date information on teen health topics, parenting advice, and local resources. The B-PEN 2019 Public Health Week forum Adolescent Psychology 101 for Parents, hosted child development and parenting expert Joani Geltman, highlighted positive parenting strategies. Collaborating with Brookline High School Guidance Director and B-PEN staff organized a series of educational workshops for students on vaping with the Caron Foundation.

The Peer Leadership program trains high school students to provide alcohol and drug awareness and healthy relationships workshops to eighth graders. Peer Leaders’ new video and parent and community presentation, Marijuana and Teen Culture, raised awareness about current trends and new products. This year’s annual Wellness Summit, Teen Relationships in the Era of #MeToo, brought together school and youth leaders for an information/brainstorming session. Peer Leaders followed up the summit with a Day for Change in March at Brookline High School with workshops throughout the day designed to build on the school’s culture of respect and empower students to be agents for positive change.

In response to the new vaping products and the rise in referrals for nicotine addiction, the program implemented Project Connect, a new nicotine cessation program developed by the Caron Foundation. Also, the program saw an increase in referrals for marijuana usage.

Advisory Council on Public Health A dedicated group of six unpaid volunteers continue to serve as members of the Advisory Committee on Public Health (ACPH); Dr. Anthony L. Schlaff, Cheryl Lefman, Patricia Maher, Dr. Peter Moyer, Dr. Nalina Narain, Dr. David Hemenway, and Gretchen Stoddard. Meeting monthly, the Council provides the Health Commissioner with advice on budget, policy and Town Meeting issues; Cheryl Lefman resigned from the Advisory Council on Public after 16 years of dedicated service. Dr. David Hemenway was appointed in May to replace Cheryl Lefman. Dr. Hemenway is the Director of the Harvard Injury Control Research Center and Professor of Health Policy.

ACPH wrote recommendations to Select Board concerning scooters and usage of helmets.

ACPH was involved in several public hearings in 2019. We discussed CBD’s and a presentation by the Leaf Collaborative (TLC).

ACPH voted unanimously for warrant articles 20 and 27. ACPH voted 4-1 the second time after voting 5-0 against warrant article 19. The following recommendations are listed below:

1. Advancing public health by banning the sale to adults of otherwise legal products should be done only when there is clear public health benefit, as such actions can be perceived as overreach that in turn can limit public acceptance of other public health action. 2. This action could burden long-term and committed smokers of menthol cigarettes who might not be able or willing to quit. 3. New regulations require compliance checking which requires funding. Brookline should fully fund tobacco control. 4. No specific data are available, but are needed, regarding African American, LGBTQ, and low-income resident rates of tobacco and flavored tobacco use in Brookline. 5. Youth still have the ability to purchase flavored tobacco products on the internet or the black market.

Friends of Brookline Public Health In 2019, the Friends of Brookline Public Health (FPH), a membership organization conceived to build a constituency for public health in Brookline, entered its twentieth year. The goal this year was to continue striving

105 towards obtaining its 501(c) (3) status by recruiting more members who are interested in supporting local organizations and sponsoring community events.

During National Public Health Week, the organization sponsored an event, “How the Trump Administration is Shaping Your Health.” Guest lecturer, Dr. Sandro Galea, MPH, DrPH, Dean of Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) was the recipient of the Alan Balsam Public Health Leadership Award (2019). This award is presented by FPH to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions in the field of Public Health.

FPH hosted the annual public health forum, “Health Care Reform, Politics and the 2020 Presidential Election”, a conversation with Governor Michael Dukakis. Governor Dukakis was interviewed by Cary Goldberg (WBUR Health, Medicine & Science Reporter) and Raul Fernandez (Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development). Dr. Swannie Jett, Director of Public Health and Human Services served as the moderator.

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Council on Aging Ruthann Dobek, Director

The Brookline Council on Aging is a resource for residents over 60. Our mission is providing social services that allow people to remain independent. We operate the Senior Center five days a week with some evening and weekend programs. http://www.BrooklineSeniorCenter.org

Services

● Case management, mental health support ● Home care: meal prep, errands, cleaning, shopping ● Income tax prep, job search, computer skills, property tax work off ● Health: blood pressure, podiatry, hearing, flu clinic, Reiki ● Vibrant Assistive program for the blind ● Legal clinic ● Transportation: taxi discounts, bus, van, TRIPPS, rides to eye appointments, ride sharing ● Fuel assistance ● Advocacy: SHINE counseling, SNAP food stamps ● Food pantry, food commodity program, daily lunch ● Fitness center ● Medical equipment loans ● Memory café ● Support groups: bereavement, Alzheimer’s ● Monthly Newsletter, Elder Resource Guide information and referrals

TRIPPS

TRIPPS helps people transitioning from driving to not driving. Maria Foster, our TRIPPS coordinator, addressed growing transportation options in a new white paper that surveyed local taxi discount users.

LGBT Programs

Programs include meet-ups, movies, Pride Month events and staff trainings. Kate Jovin represented the Center at the Agewell Equality Steering Committee, sponsored by Ethos, a non-profit that fosters caregiving and cultural diversity.

Party of the Century

24 Brookline area people over the age of 100 were recognized October 15. The party also honored the 100th birthday of our own Agnes Rogers. Agnes served as chair of the Council and as a result of her advocacy, the Center was created. The oldest celebrant was Dr. Elinor Downs, 108, a retired pediatrician, who is in the memoir writing class. Music was by the Winikers, and desserts came from New Paris Bakery, which celebrated its own 100th birthday in June.

Tax Advocacy and Financial Assistance

Our tax work off program helps property owners. The Town’s chief assessor, Gary McCabe, retired. Under his tenure, the senior tax work-off program was initiated.

HELP

HELP celebrated its 32nd anniversary as a homemaker service that finds trained workers to assist seniors with meal preparation, errands, cleaning and companionship. 522 people were helped by 80 workers.

Volunteers

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 Carol and Phil Fullerton were named volunteers of the year in April for being welcoming ambassadors, and for their work on the gift cart and the holiday craft fair.  Brookline Bank was recognized as our Community Partner for helping to underwrite a new commercial refrigerator. PHOTO 4  Tim Sullivan, the Town’s supervisor of mail and print operations until he retired in April, was honored as our Unsung Hero.  407 volunteers teach classes along with staffing the food pantry and reception. They are also board members and advisers. Volunteer attorneys staff the monthly legal clinic.

BCAN (Brookline Community Aging Network)

BCAN promotes services and activities that make Brookline a better place to age gracefully. http://www.BrooklineCan.org

● The Age Friendly Business campaign recognizes businesses that are hospitable to older people. ● At the annual meeting in September, Brookline residents Carey Goldberg, host of WBUR’s CommonHealth and Karen Shiffman, executive producer of “On Point” addressed: Watch Us Network UCAN2. Community awards went to the Kent Street Affordable Senior Housing Committee, the Brookline Climate Action Committee and the Brookline Transportation Board.

Budget

● The Town provides about 70% of the operating budget ● The Council, with help from its nonprofit, the Brookline Multi Service Senior Center Corp, supplements the balance with federal, state and private grants along with donations and proceeds from the Annual Benefit. ● The State continues funding us $12 per elder

Grants ● Community Development Block Grants support our taxi discounts ● One family foundation underwrites the Drawing for Pleasure class, another supports monthly birthday parties, and a third pays for the volunteer luncheon. ● The Brookline Community Foundation helps support the Tuesday food pantry.

● Lovin’ Spoonfuls donated 84,000 pounds of produce, dairy and whole grains. We are their eighth largest recipient. The pantry serves an average of 100 people each week.

● TRIPPS received a grant from the National Council on Aging and Lyft to pilot a rideshare program. Another grant from the Mass Council on Aging provides rideshare training. ● A grant from ITN America provides free rides to eye appointments.

Fundraising

Our main focus for fundraising continues to be transportation which gets most of its support from the Annual Benefit. ● The Brookline Rotary provides gas and oil for the vans. The driver’s salary is covered by our nonprofit. ● In October, Senator Cynthia Stone Creem, state majority leader, was honored at the 18th Annual Benefit for her advocacy for older adults. This year she was instrumental in getting a grant for the Alzheimer’s Respite Program which provides caregivers a break from caring for an older adult family member.

Program Highlights

Lunar New Year and August Moon celebrations Piatigorsky Foundation concerts Robert Black’s Elvis tribute performance Black History Month History of the Nantucket Lightship Service

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Brookline Historical Society: 150 Years of Shopping in Coolidge Corner Art Matters presentation: “Rembrandt and Vermeer” “Telling your Story” autobiographical readings Marie Lavine Memorial Concert Gallery 93 exhibits “Remembering JFK” presentation Massachusetts Bar seminar: Basic Estate Planning Identity theft and shredding event “The Upside of Downsizing” presentation “What can DNA testing do for me” presentation History of chocolate Annual Health Care Policy Forum Election Forum Brookline Can program: Happiness is a choice you make Mindfulness and the Tao of Forgiveness workshop Death Café

Staff and Board Updates

● Nick Aldin, van driver, left to become a medical translator ● Sergio Hernandez, assistant custodian, left to become an engineer ● Yolanda Rodriguez continues as chair of the Council of Aging ● New associate members of the Council: Saul Feldman, Marcia Goldstein and Soo Moy

Our success is due to the dedication of staff, volunteers and our board. We’re grateful to everyone who helps us make Brookline a desirable place to live. We look forward to enriching our services and invite the community to get involved.

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Age-Friendly City Committee

The Age-Friendly City Committee coordinates the Town’s participation in the World Health Organization’s Age- Friendly City and Community initiative. The Age-Friendly City program is a long-term, multi-dimensional effort to address the needs of people of all ages. When Brookline joined the initiative in 2012, it was the first municipality in New England to do so. The Brookline effort calls attention to the remarkable set of age-friendly features that were already in place when the initiative was launched. The Brookline program is a collaboration involving Town government, the Council on Aging, and the Brookline Community Aging Network (BrooklineCAN). The initiative relies heavily on volunteer effort provided by BrooklineCAN. Through the initiative, Brookline  Encourages full participation of older residents in community life  Encourages activities that enhance the health and well-being of older residents  Assures strong supports for vulnerable older residents The sectors in which the committee is active include information dissemination, housing, transportation, health, public safety, financial security, parks, and recreation. Participating Town departments include Council on Aging, Library, Public Works (Transportation, Parks & Open Space, Highway, and Engineering Divisions), Recreation, Police Department, Fire Department, Planning Department, Assessor’s Office, Health Department, Veteran’s Services, and Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations. Accomplishments in 2019 include:  Dissemination of information on age-friendly services through the Age-Friendly television show on Brookline Public Access television  Installation of benches in ten new locations on Beacon Street largely outside of the commercial areas.  TRIPPS, a travel advisory service offered by the Council on Aging piloted a program that supports low- income older adults in use of ride-hailing transportation services.  Formation of a Select Board Committee to develop a plan to extend pedestrian-friendly Street lighting.  Issued a research report “Brookline from the Perspective of Its Older Residents: An Age Comparison of Responses to the National Citizen Survey.” A full report on the Committee’s accomplishments in 2017-2018 and plans for 2019 is available on the BrooklineCAN website: http://www.brooklinecan.org/agefriendly.html

Members:

o Nancy Heller, Co-Chair o Ruthann Dobek, Co-Chair o Frank Caro, Co-Chair o Saralynn Allaire o Joshua Cooke (Recreation Department) o Saul Feldman o Lloyd Gellineau (Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations) o Sarah Kaplan (Community Relations Specialist/Americans with Disabilities Coordinator) o Anne Reed (Brookline Public Libraries) o Yolanda Rodriguez (Council on Aging) o John Seay o Shirley Selhub o Roberta Winitzer o Matthew Weiss o Henry Winkelman

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Veterans’ Services Bill McGroarty, Director

Massachusetts General Laws (MGL-115) mandates the Brookline Department of Veterans’ Services to assist Brookline veterans and/or their dependents with living and authorized medical expenses. The Brookline Department of Veterans’ Services administers emergency veteran’s benefits to ensure that qualified veterans and their dependents receive both the help they need and the respect they deserve. The Town of Brookline appropriates 100% of the monies needed to assist the veterans and/or their dependents. A monthly report is submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services. Per Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 115, the state is required to then reimburse the Town of Brookline up to 75% of all approved emergency benefits.

The Department serves as a conduit in filing for all Veterans’ Affairs benefits for which a veteran/dependent may be entitled, as well as other federally-funded or state-funded benefits. Veterans’ benefit paperwork can often be confusing if not overwhelming; this office has extensive experience in case managing VA claims. We continue to utilize the VA expedited claims format for service connected disabled whenever possible to reduce their wait time for benefits by more than half. Residents are encouraged to stop by or call (617) 730-2112 if they have any questions or concerns pertaining to state and federal veterans’ benefits.

We are proud and honored this year to have assisted many Brookline veterans in obtaining the VA pensions and VA Healthcare they were entitled to, and in many cases desperately needed. Brookline veterans and qualified dependents have received over $80,000 this year in new VA compensation and Aide & Attendance pensions. We were able to assist three of our veterans with invisible wounds to gain recognition for their service connected conditions. Each veteran is now receiving a 100% service connected disability pension, more importantly life changing VA treatment for their condition treatment

Our office continues to work with the Boston VA Medical center as they try to improve health care services. Networking with the VA staff we are now able to get our veterans into the medical services within weeks rather than months. For Brookline veterans who find themselves without health insurance, VA Healthcare is an essential lifeline. VA Healthcare provides quality care and saves our veterans thousands of dollars in medical and prescription costs. We assisted over 30 veteran registering for VA health care or obtaining VA medical treatments and or prescriptions.

The Office of Veterans’ Services manages a Veterans’ Work Program to employ veterans with the Town temporarily, providing them financial assistance as they continue their education or seek their first job after leaving the service, graduating college or starting a new career. The Office of Veterans’ Services also provides additional job services to help veterans to secure gainful employment in their chosen career path. The internship program also provides a well-trained and motivated temporary work force to assist Town departments.

Veterans returning from war are in need of many assistance programs, including rehabilitation for hidden injuries such as TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Sometimes these service conditions do not manifest themselves for years after the veteran has returned home. We are working with the VA Medical Center to assure veterans returning from deployment that returning veterans are apprised of all available resources and to strongly advocate to ensuring they receive all necessary medical care. Working with the Brookline Police Department and the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans we were able to intervene when a veteran was in serious danger of harming himself or others. The Office of Veterans Services would like to acknowledge and thank the officers of the Brookline Police Department for their lifesaving professionalism, respect and companion insuring the safety of the veteran in crisis. Almost 5,000 veterans’ graves are decorated annually for Memorial Day. Our office also coordinates the Town’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day Observances. This Veterans Day we honored both our returning veterans and our Vietnam Veterans with a moving speech by Vietnam Veteran and Bronze Star medal recipient Jerry Wachanco.

The Department of Veterans’ Services continues to assist the local American Legion and VFW post in maintaining and revitalizing the veterans’ meeting hall building. The veterans’ post hall is an important resource to our veterans and an asset that benefits the entire community. The Veterans’ Office wishes to thank Head Clerk Claudia Leon for her dedication to our veterans and to their families. Please visit our website, www.townofbrooklinemass.com/Veterans

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Brookline Commission on Disability Saralynn Allaire, Chair

Commission members were Saralynn Allaire, Chairperson; Jim Miczek, Deputy Chairperson; Myra Berloff, Treasurer; Ben Franco, Select Board; Rob Heist; Ann Kamensky; Joan Mahon; Elaine Ober; and Henry Winkelman. Cindy Lee continued as Transportation Board liaison. All members contributed significantly to Commission work. Myra Berloff stepped down in September for personal reasons. Eleven monthly meetings were held.

The Commission reviewed 4 applications for variances from state building access codes and submitted its findings to the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (AAB). The Chair testified at an AAB hearing on one application.

Access improvements continued around Coolidge Corner. Four curb cuts were redesigned to reduce curb cut flooding using funds from a Massachusetts Office on Disability grant.

The Commission continued to address handicapped parking (HP) issues:

 HP space added to Webster Street lot;  worked with Town's IT Department to add HP parking layer to online parking map;  100 No Bicycle Attachment signs were purchased using HP Parking Fine Funds; DPW added these to HP sign posts in commercial areas;  residents with HP spaces on lower Beacon Street were assisted in opposing reduction in HP space use during A.M. hours;  worked with Bicycle Advisory Committee on proposed plan to reverse parking and bicycle lanes on lower Beacon Street; Commission agreed to support plan provided 2 HP spaces were added.

The Commission developed a video showing how to guide a person with vision loss, in conjunction with the Age Friendly Cities committee, BIG TV and Massachusetts Association for the Blind. A substantial draft version was produced by December.

Commission involvement in Town construction projects continued. Concerns were raised about unequal access to a HS building being built; a plan for an alternative route appeared to be a reasonable solution.

The Police and safety departments asked the Commission to help revise the 9-1-1 Disability Indicator form. Subcommittee members recommended 2 changes; both were accepted.

Kevin Stokes, Director of IT, met with the Commission to discuss issues of 508 Conformance. Members provided him with resources.

A subcommittee was formed to address access issues in Town Meeting. A list of current access challenges and potential solutions is being developed.

The Commission met representatives of the SOOFA sign company. Agreement was reached for trial placement of signs with approval by the ADA Coordinator.

The Community Planning and Development Department requested a meeting to discuss project ideas for use of CDBG funds. Members provided information about issues and possible projects.

The Commission engaged in the greater disability community by attending the annual Massachusetts Office on Disability Summit, participating in monthly Commissions on Disability Association networking phone calls, and advocacy work. Members contacted state senator and representatives by phone, letter and email and attended hearings to advocate for important AAB issues.

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Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations Dr. Lloyd Gellineau, Director

The Office Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations continued to promote events and activities that aid the Brookline community to become more culturally competent and to be informed of the achievements and the barriers faced by our protected classes.

The Office created exhibits that feature themes relating to Diversity and Inclusion, including displays that provided information on various cultures, historic events, and civic engagement topics. The Office also created a monthly Diversity and Inclusion Quiz accessible on the Office webpage. The Office collaborated with the Martin Luther King Committee in producing the Annual Martin Luther King Day Event. This year’s event featured a documentary produced by film maker Harvey Bravman entitled “Brookline Facing Civil Rights.” The office also collaborated with the MLK Committee to host an event called “A Conversation on Race and Lessing the Racial Divide, presented by Dr. Deborah Plummer, author of “Some My Friends are…The Daunting Challenges and Untapped Potential of Cross-Racial Friendships.” The Office worked with the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee to produce its first event in October. The Office provided administrative and logistical support for the Lunar New Year Event, and the Asian- American, Pacific Islander Essay Contest. In October of this year the Office collaborated with several organizations including the Quezalguaque Sister City Project to host “Voices from the Border”. In June, the Office offered a program call Exploring Gender Diversity that was presented by Speak Out. In collaboration with the Department of Public Works, the Office celebrated PRIDE Month by having the Washington Street crosswalk painted to represent the rainbow-the symbol on the PRIDE Flag.

The Office continued to provide administrative support to the Brookline Women’s Commission and their programs such as the Women Who Inspire Us program, and the Dress for Success Program. The Office also continued its collaboration and logistical support for the Domestic Violence Roundtable and the Jennifer A Lynch Committee Against Domestic Violence. The Office updated the “Thrive Guide” - the online information and resource guide for the Women Thriving Committee and updated its Employment Portal. The office supported the Story Teller Program organized and ran by Abby Erdman and Eric Hyett. The Office and the Commission for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations continued to meet and collaborate with the Community Planning and Development Department (CPDD) regarding Fair Housing/Affordable Housing. The Office continues to provide administrative support to the Commission for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relation and serves as liaison to the Commission. The Office, in conjunction with the CPDD provided information and consultation to Brookline businesses to help them become more accessible. The Office also partnered with the CPDD to find ways to increase MBE and WBEs in Brookline. The Office met with Sanctuary Medicinal to discuss how they could increase the diversity of their organizations and to suggest how they could be helpful to the Brookline Community. The Office continued to support the Annual Youth Awards, and collaborated with the Public Health Department on Annual Healthcare Forum. The Office and the Public Health Department began planning for a series of forums call Racism and Public Health.

The Office continued to support the Hidden Brookline Committee projects including its popular walking tours and its web presence. The Office continued having Pop-Up Town Halls at different accessible locations throughout Brookline; featuring resources, materials, and networking opportunities from a variety of Town Departments and community groups.The Office conducted a Demographic Survey of elected officials and commission appointees. The purpose of the survey was to analyze the racial, gender, and other demographics that comprise Town’s civic bodies. The Office had success in implementing the GARE process with the Human Resources Department. The Office was successful in bringing a diverse set of individuals to review and make recommendation to the HR Director regarding the Anti-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy. Work on the policy continued and is expected to be completed in March of 2020. The GARE process also reconvened to work with the Information Technology Department. Similar to last year the Office provided two opportunities for Town Departments to participate in Job Fairs. The Office collaborated with the Recreation Department and the Council on Aging to host an ADA Day Celebration Event held in July at the Brookline Avenue Park.

The hiring of a consultant to complete a comprehensive review of the Town regarding its compliance to Civil Right Laws and Diversity and Diversity and Inclusion initiatives remains a work in progress. At the time of this report a second distribution of the RFP has just concluded; the RFP was tweaked to encourage more responsive applicants. It is expected that the review of proposals will occur early in 2020.

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Brookline Commission for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations

The CDICR By-Laws are a Call-to-Action. It directs the Commission to be proactive, and take vigorous affirmative steps to carry out the spirit of the Commission's charter: To "advance, promote and advocate through education, awareness, outreach and advocacy" to move Brookline toward embodying its aspiration - a town in which social justice, diversity, inclusion and equity define its day-to-day culture.

In 2019, the following commissioners served on the CDICR: Sandy Batchelder, Malcolm Cawthorne, Jessica Chicco, Joan Lancourt, Bob Lepson, Kelly Race, and Kea van der Ziel. At various times during 2019, Eloise Lawrence, Mariah Norbrega, Malcolm Doldron and Steven Laduzinski also became commissioners. The liaisons to the CDICR are: Raul Fernandez – Select Board; Michael Gropman – Police Department; Lloyd Gellineau – Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations; Sharon Abromowitz – School Committee, and Emre Muftu – Brookline High School.

During 2019, the CDICR focused its work in 6 areas:  Revisiting and discussing the implications of Commission By-Laws  Identifying and Implementing a set of Commission Goals  Revising the Role of Commission Liaisons to become more proactive  Promoting Employment Diversity  Promoting Housing Affordability  Reviewing Warrant Articles touching on aspects of diversity and inclusion

Revisiting By-Laws: In preparation for developing Commission Goals, we reviewed and discussed the by- laws. They support a proactive, vigorous approach, focused on Monitoring and Enforcing civil rights laws; Eliminating discriminatory barriers; Promoting Communication among and between all groups; Creating Common Ground for efforts toward social justice, inclusion, and equity; and Increasing the Capacity of public and private institutions to foster social justice, inclusion and equity. They encourage Partnering with town depts., commissions, and boards as well as community organizations to take meaningful steps toward social justice, inclusion and equity; Organizing the development and implementation of Educational Programs to deepen the town's understanding of inequities and social justice/inclusion issues; and Reviewing / recommending research on trends and developments that promote social justice, inclusion and equity. Creation of Commission Goals: o By Fall of 2020, build a multi-constituency campaign to increase Housing Affordability in Brookline. (Affordable Housing Committee). In consultation with Mass SMART Growth Alliance, and CHAPA, we are partnering with the HAB, to create a broad coalition of housing affordability stakeholders (Transportation, Green Caucus, BHA, TMMs, EDAB, Disability Commission, BCAN, BIC, Steps to Success, LWV, Brookline for Everyone, Housing Justice for Brookline, etc.) to sponsor 2-3 Housing Affordability Community-Wide Forums, the first on March 29, 2020. These forums will focus on how all these stakeholders/constituencies must work together if we are to increase housing affordability in Brookline. o By Spring of 2020, partner with Human Resources and 2 large town depts. to hold an annual strategy session to develop and monitor active, innovative diversity recruiting goals and plans. (Employment Committee) Through monthly meetings with Town Dept. Managers to review Diversity hiring numbers and recruitment practices, the committee will select one or two depts. and implement a strategic D&I recruiting Campaign. In o Ongoing support and monitoring of GARE program implementation. We are participating in the GARE review of HR policies and practices, and in the selection of an outside consultant (WA26) to gather existing EEO data and develop dept. level GARE goals in all town depts. o By Spring, 2020, add 4 new members to the Commission, at least 3 of whom are from one of the 'protected classes'. [Completed] o Liaison Roles: Create a more proactive role for Commission Liaisons to play as conduits/bridges between their Depts. (e.g. Police, Schools, etc.) and CDICR. [Completed] Warrant Article Reviews: The Commission reviewed multiple WAs which in one way or another touched on supporting diversity, inclusion, and racial equity in Brookline. CDICR commissioners who are TMMs shared Commission recommendations with TM and other Boards and Commissions. We reviewed WAs #6, 9, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34.

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Brookline Commission for the Arts

The Brookline Commission for the Arts (BCA) serves as the Local Cultural Council for Brookline. The BCA is primarily responsible for the stewardship and disbursement of a yearly financial allocation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) to fund local artists and arts and cultural organizations serving the Brookline community. The BCA also oversees the Town Hall Wall exhibition series, the Poet Laureate program, the annual Cultural Contributor Award, Celebrate Music Series, collaborates on Arts Brookline: A Season of Arts and serves as an approval board for public art requests for the Town, and as an advisory board to the Select Board on arts-related projects.

Grant-Making Activities 33 individuals or organizations applied for LCC grants in October 2019. Total amount applied for: $51,804, an increase of $20,811 over 2018. BCA FY20 allocation from the MCC: $14,000 – an increase of $2,000 over FY19. Total amount granted to 23 applicants was: $13,300 and an allocation of $700 for administrative costs.

MCC grants Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW), Brookline Arts Center, Brookline Interactive Group (BIG), Brookline Music School, Brookline Open Studios, Brookline Symphony Orchestra, Continuum Dance Project, Dance Caliente, Deborah Leipziger, Grasshopper, Gregory Maichack, Hubert Ho, John Root, Kristin Wagner, Liz Linder & Rich Griswold, Mark Chester, Metropolitan Chorale, New England Chamber Players, Original Gravity, Puppet Showplace Theater, Rehearsal for Life, Studios Without Walls. In addition the BCA will be organizing a council initiated program at the BU Booth Theatre on May 21, 2020: a world music concert to start a Brookline fund for public art.

Town Hall Walls The program continued to thrive under the direction of three commissioners; Chris Santos, Courtney McGlynn, and Ilana Lescohier. The following local artists exhibited in 2019: Nora Galvin, Summer Barnes, Polina Dorosinskaya, Milan Klic, Marcela Klicova, Winifred Breines, Francine Grossbard Aaron, Austin Seeley, Diana Stein, Frances Dunn and Eloise Dunn.

Other Activities A Grant reception was hosted in May 2019 by the BCA at the Brookline Village Library to give each 2019 grantee the opportunity to make a short presentation about their project. The 6th annual Cultural Contributor Award was presented to Gillian Chadwick Jackson, BCA Arts Coordinator. A Grant workshop was hosted by the Commission in September for artists and organizations. This was free and publicized online, via email, and in the Brookline Tab.

Brookline Poet Laureate The following is a small selection of the activities of Zvi A Sesling, Brookline’s 3rd poet laureate, as he continued to work towards making poetry accessible throughout the community in his final term: feature reader at Jewish Poetry Festival held in Brookline, read at Martin Luther King Day ceremonies, read at community events at Brookline Booksmith and at Brookline schools, Teen Center, and Brookline Senior Center.

Personnel Changes Daniel Gostin and Betsy Frauenthal continued as Chair and Treasurer respectively. Retirements: Chris Santos and Kebbie Ghaderi. New members: Caroline Bowden and Stan Trecker.

Arts Brookline: A Season of Arts 2019 saw the 5th annual collaboration of the commission with Arts Brookline to showcase the many talents of the Brookline artist community and to present Brookline’s 4th Porchfest in June. For the past year, a working group of commissioners from the BCA and ArtsBrookline has been exploring the possibility of seeking designation (granted by Mass Cultural Council) of Brookline Village as a Cultural District.The Cultural District designation is intended to support communities in their efforts to stimulate new arts and cultural activity and attract creative businesses through a variety of funding and marketing opportunities. There are well documented economic and social benefits for a robust array of arts and culture activities and businesses, especially with some resources to support collaboration and resource development.

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Brookline Commission for Women

"Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women." — Maya Angelou

The Brookline Commission for Women (BCW) celebrates women in all their diversity, works collaboratively with others in Brookline to ensure equal treatment, voice, and participation for women and girls, and supports women and girls who are struggling and who strive for a better life.

In 2019, the Commission experienced significant changes. Many of its longest-serving members retired, including former co-chairs Casey Hatchet and Chris Chanyasulkit who had for more than a decade worked tirelessly to lead the BCW’s many efforts in the community. That presented both challenges and opportunities for review and renewal as we entered the new fiscal year. Recruiting a diverse and committed new board became the BCW’s top priority. As a first step toward diversifying our membership and ensuring that young women have a real voice on the Commission, the BCW voted to amend its eligibility requirement so that anyone age 16 or older may serve as a commissioner. Recruitment continues, but the BCW is pleased that as of February 2020, we have eight of eleven seats filled. Current commissioners are: Meenakshi Garodia, Jennifer Goldsmith, Hadassah Margolis, Nicole McClelland, Felina Robinson, Gloria Rudisch, Elizabeth Stillman, and Rebecca Stone.

The BCW continues to honor cherished traditions and collaborations while exploring new avenues to operationalize our mission and address current challenges. Last March 2019, as part of Women’s History Month, the BCW held its 27th annual Women Who Inspire Us event. We celebrated winners of the student essay contest for which students submit an essay about “A Woman Who Inspires Me,” and we honored Brookline’s Woman of the Year: Lihua Shorter, a beloved teacher of World Languages in the Public Schools of Brookline and an adviser for the Asian Pacific American Club. We look forward to hosting our 28th Women Who Inspire Us event on March 25th, 2020.

Newer activities include taking a more active role in public policy advocacy. In May 2019, the BCW endorsed the successful warrant article requiring free menstrual hygiene products in Brookline’s public restrooms, and we plan to work with the town to ensure timely implementation of that new by-law. The BCW decided to formalize its review of warrant articles coming before Town Meeting and now regularly assesses the warrant for articles with direct or potential impacts on women or girls. The BCW supported three articles at the November, 2019 Special Town Meeting and will continue this work in anticipation of the May 2020 Annual Town Meeting.

In December 2019, the BCW co-sponsored the annual Winter Coat Drive, a collaboration with the non-profit Dress for Success Boston which offers support services and appropriate work clothing to low-income women entering the workforce. Thanks to the generosity of the Brookline community, we were able to deliver hundreds of work- appropriate coats to Dress for Success as well as to local women in need through our partners at the Brookline Housing Authority and the Brookline Community Mental Health Center.

In 2020, we look forward to achieving a fully appointed Commission, updating our mission and goals statements, expanding our efforts in and with the community, and especially to celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. constitution establishing the right of all adult women citizens to vote.

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Information Technology Department Kevin Stokes, Chief Information Officer

Information Technology (IT) plays a key role in Brookline’s ability to educate its children, provide employees with the necessary resources to operate more efficiently, respond to emergencies, and efficiently deliver services to the public. Investments in Information Technology and Services provide educators and students with the tools to innovate, explore, create and collaborate continually in new ways.

The mission of the Information Technology Department is to promote and enable the use of Technology as a means to enhance the delivery of Town and School services to the community. The department is led by a Chief Information Officer (CIO) who serves in this capacity for both the Town and School departments. Overall department responsibilities include Town-wide IT leadership and vision along with management of a central Information Technology Organization. The central IT department is responsible for the integration of all activities and resources designated as:

1. Enterprise Systems operation, data processing and integration for key administrative functions to perform; 2. Data and Telecommunications networks required to ensure connectivity and mission critical functionality for all key Town and School locations; 3. Protection of the Town’s computer data and information assets and resources utilizing best practice cyber defenses; 4. Identification of opportunities in the implementation and support of new and existing technologies; 5. Support services necessary to ensure maximum use, user comfort and integration of key technology platforms.

The collective Information Technology Department manages the entire suite of Town & School Enterprise Applications, network connectivity to 49 locations and facilitates the introduction of new technology to improve process, efficiencies and public access to information.

The department consists of three sub-groups to best serve the needs of the organization. The Digital Services and Applications group, working together with our network and infrastructure group and Service Desk group now support 88 different applications and systems. While the implementation of cloud based applications has become more prevalent, the support model required evolves but does not diminish.

We continue to apply best practices in managing application life cycles, keep all major enterprise and cross- departmental applications up to date for security and for feature enhancements, and fine tune preventative measures to maximize uptime. In addition, we closely monitor application performance and operate with best practice change management processes in mind.

As in all previous years, the technology mix will continue to shift as products change and new vendors are introduced into the enterprise. For fiscal year 2019 the IT department is pleased to reflect on the following accomplishments:

BrookONline gets an update!

The Town’s primary citizen facing reporter application, BrookONline got a much needed upgrade. Since being rolled in in 2011 the application has taken in over 1800 tickets where citizens can report service requests that are non-emergency in nature.

The app features include a mobile app (available for Apple and Android devices) and a citizen portal on the Town website. These features will provide the public even more methods of interacting with the Town and requesting service. After requests are entered into the smartphone app or citizen portal, residents will receive an incident number that they can use for tracking purposes or to follow-up with staff. Citizens may also view existing incidents on a map to see what requests are being reported by other residents.

The service requests are grouped by different Town departments that are responsible for their resolution. The departments include the Police Department and Public works and include seasonal options around snow bylaw

117 www.brooklinema.gov regulations. Some of the historically popular issues include potholes, broken parking meters, street lights and signs, snow removal complaint, street light, street signs, sidewalk complaints, garbage, graffiti, or park equipment. To view and add a ticket via the town website, please visit: www.spot.brooklinema.gov

School Technology Activities In support of the PSB Education Technology plan, the Information technology department provides support associated with implementation and lifecycle management of the existing and expansion of the necessary classroom technology. Over the past few years, technology has played a larger and larger role in the Public Schools of Brookline education. Classrooms have embraced technology such as one-to-one devices, Google Classroom, Smartboards and Multimedia . Network infrastructure including email, websites, school information systems, communication, WiFi and documentation continues to evolve. Software to build, innovate, investigate and collaborate enable a world of possibilities in today’s digital environment. Currently, the PSB system has over 9000 student devices supporting a range of instruction, programmatic and individualized learning objectives. To meet and sustain this achievement, the Information technology investments must be standardized and complementary to ensure proper scale for lifecycle management, technological support and assimilation into the classroom. In addition, Information Security remains a core focus to protect against accidental and/or intention disclosure of student and/or staff information.

New and enhanced Digital Services 1. New and enhanced permitting services online  5 new fire permits online  Enhanced food establishment renewal process  Health summer and winter markets renewals online  Email notification of workflow status update enabled  Certificate Attachments in Email notification enabled 2. Water usage portal online (https://brookma.aquahawk.us/login) 3. Enhanced Abutters program that includes Town Meeting Members for notification (http://gisweb.brooklinema.gov/Abutters/) 4. Enhanced meeting agenda system rolled out to the Select Board, Planning, Transportation, and Advisory Committee 5. Enhanced BrookOnline capabilities and application upgrades 6. Enabled staff emergency notification and enabled police dispatch to notify emergency response personnel 7. Assisted the budget office to roll out budget builder and updated open checkbook 8. Assisted in the codification of Zoning bylaw 9. Managed, monitored, and supported 92 + systems and 200+ servers. 10. Rolled out Password Reset Selfserve to all users 11. Rolled out Password Reset Selfserve to Brookline High school freshmen

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Finance Department Jeana Franconi, Finance Director

Overview

The Finance Department is comprised of the Assessing, Comptroller, Purchasing, and Treasury Divisions.

TREASURY DIVISION

The Treasurer is pleased to submit highlights for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 below. For a full review of the Town’s finances, please refer to the Report on Examination of Basic Financial Statements for the year ended June 30, 2019.

Cash Management

This division is responsible for the collection and maintenance of all revenues from all sources, as well as the management and safeguarding of all funds, the administration of all debt, and the proper disbursement of all funds.

Town Cash & Investments $126,230,177 Library Cash & Investments $ 4,444,134 Retirement Cash & Investments $ 299,550,695 OPEB Cash & Investments $ 52,195,557 Total Cash & Investments $482,420,563

General Fund Investment Income earned for the year was $1,767,171.

Bank Service and Credit Card Processing Fees

Through compensating balance agreements, we continue to minimize bank service costs. The division also takes on the financial burden of credit card processing charges that are not covered by convenience fees. Costs for both categories totaled $298,899.

Debt

As of June 30, 2019, the Town had debt obligations of $177.0 million in principle and $69.1 million in interest. During 2019, the Town issued $49.5 million in new general obligation bonds for the High School ($33.9 million) Coolidge Corner School ($10.1 million), Larz Anderson Park ($2.3 million), Harry Downes Field ($1.8 million), Carlton Street Footbridge ($87,220), Golf Course Clubhouse ($66,490), and Water Improvements (1.1 million). The Town retained its Aaa bond rating from Moody’s Investors Service and was able to attain a true interest cost of 2.97%.

The Town also issued $4.7 million in BANS for the Oak Street Properties with an interest rate of 1.7%.

Collections

Collections is responsible for the billing, collection, recording, and reconciliation of annual Real Estate Property Taxes ($220 million), Personal Property Taxes ($3.3 million), Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes ($6.6 million), Water & Sewer Utility Fees ($29.3 million) and Refuse Collection and Disposal Fees ($3 million).

Bill payers have the option to pay by phone (844-234-3779), online, at Town Hall, via mail, or use the drop box located in front of Town Hall.

Credit card transactions are assessed a convenience fee of 2.95% or $1.00 minimum. Electronic check payments are charged a convenience fee of $0.40. The Town does not receive any revenue from convenience fees. These fees are assessed by a third party processor for the secure handing and processing of payments.

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Property Taxes

Uncollected real and personal property taxes for FY2019 as of June 30, 2019 were $1.7 million, representing a 99.3% collection rate.

As of July 1, 2019, the interest rate charged to seniors in the Town’s Deferral Program is 2.91%. The rate changes annually dependent upon the U.S. 10-Year Treasury Note’s annual average.

A taxation fund to aid the elderly and disabled in paying their real estate taxes was approved at the May 2018 Annual Town Meeting. Donations of $6,649 were received and the Taxation Aid Committee awarded $277.94 in FY2019. Applications are available online and in the Assessor’s Office.

Municipal Lien Certificates

An important responsibility of this Office is the timely and accurate issuance of municipal lien certificates (MLC’s). This document is required before buyers and sellers of property can finalize any agreements for the transference of any real property. Lawyers and mortgage lending institutions depend upon this service. We issued approximately 1,956 MLC’s during FY2019. General Law requires that these documents be completed within ten working days of receipt.

Motor Vehicle Excise

We continued to participate in the Registry of Motor Vehicle’s license renewal and registration renewal marking program. The failure to be able to renew these two important permits has proven to be a very effective collection stimulus. Uncollected excise tax at the end of the year was $311,016. We collected 94.3% of the approximately 33,000 bills issued.

Payroll

This division is responsible for the oversight of all payroll activities, including accurate and timely payments to all Town and School employees, along with the related employee and employer deductions, taxes, wage reporting, and collective bargaining compliance issues.

Summary

Treasury takes pride in providing a high level of quality service to all of its constituents. It is with much appreciation that the Treasurer acknowledges the dedicated staff tasked with the collection of taxes and the reconciling of all receipts and disbursements for the Town.

COMPTROLLER’S DIVISION

The Comptroller's Office is responsible for the timely and accurate processing of vendor payments, cash receipts and general ledger transactions, and numerous federal and state reporting functions, including the Commonwealth’s Schedule A and free Cash certification. In addition, the Comptroller serves on the Brookline Contributory Retirement Board.

Accounts Payable personnel, in conjunction with input from a variety of Town Departments, continued to service nearly 5,000 active vendors, processing approximately 40,000 invoices during the calendar year.

The Accounts Payable personnel routinely audits all invoices before the payments are processed and then matches up the resulting checks with their supporting documents for archiving in-house. In addition, the accounts payable team has spent considerable time and effort training departmental users throughout the School and Town in the appropriate use of the accounts payable system.

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Financial Reporting

The Comptroller’s staff worked closely with the auditors to ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures and the promulgations of the Government Accounting Standards Board in the daily financial activities of the various Town departments and in the preparation of the Town’s annual financial statements.

Personnel, Schools, DPW, Water & Sewer, Building, Fire and Police Departments are utilizing the General Billing module.

The Comptroller’s staff continues to provide training and support for the departmental users in General Ledger queries and reports and Accounts Payable, General Billing and Cash Receipts input and processing and reporting of departmental financial data via in customized Crystal Reports. Over 200 users in the Town and School offices have been trained in the Town’s MUNIS Financial system and basic Crystal Report running.

Closing

The Comptroller and his staff worked closely with other key departments to enhance internal controls and financial processing and reporting with the Town. The Comptroller gratefully acknowledges the fine efforts of his staff, in conjunction with the efforts of other Town Departments, which have contributed to another successful year.

ASSESSOR’S DIVISION

The mission of the Board of Assessors is to assess all property in the Town of Brookline in a fair and equitable manner and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our purpose is to promote the fair and equal treatment of all taxpayers in the Town of Brookline in the administration of the property tax, motor vehicle excise tax and related exemptions; to assess all property at its full and fair cash value as of January 1 of each year and to employ valuation methods and techniques appropriate for each class of property and to maintain public records necessary to administer the taxes of the Town of Brookline and to objectively review the petitions and concerns of taxpayers. The Assessors, when necessary, will defend valuation appeals brought before the state Appellate Tax Board.

Accomplishments:

 The Assessors completed a town-wide reassessment of all property in Brookline as of January 1, 2019 for fiscal year 2020 based on the state Department of Revenue’s Standards for the continued certification of assessed values as required under section 56 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws. The Town received approval of value changes from FY2019 by the Commissioner of Revenue per the requirements of section 2A of Chapter 59 on November 14, 2019.  The result of the reassessment of all property is a town-wide increase in the total taxable value of 5.5% to $26.5 billion, the 4th highest assessed value of taxable property in the state (see table below for value by major property class).  The Assessors tested and eventually secured an advanced workflow software and service license to automate the process of extracting certain property transfer information from images of documents filed at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, including deeds and other transfers of ownership.  The software, developed by a company called Just Appraised from Palo Alto, California, reads the recorded documents and builds a transfer record file electronically. The software program searches the Assessors’ Database file to determine which property in the database transferred; then extracts the buyer (Grantee) of the property, aka, the new taxpayer, the buyer’s mailing address, the sale price, the date of sale, and the ROD Book & Page numbers. The extracted information file is then reviewed by an Assistant Assessor and processed for batch uploading into the Assessor’s Database system. The accuracy and efficiency of the automated deed capturing process has allowed the Assessors to re-prioritize certain other data collection efforts, including periodic on-site property inspections.  The Assessors also developed an on-line tool for tracking assessment to sale price ratios over time using the sale price data and the current assessed values (ASR’s). The month-to-month ASR data allows the Assessors to review the direction and pace of changes in the residential market by individual property

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classes, including; single-family, two-family, three-family, and condominiums, in order to better gage the need to make assessment changes in the coming year.

2020 Objectives

The Assessors will be developing a procedure for moving the valuation models used for one, two and three family properties and residential condominiums into the Patriot Properties’ Assess-Pro CAMA system licensed by the Town. Those market models currently reside outside the CAMA database system in a separate software application. The advantage of having built-in models is the ability of assessors to recalculate values in real time following data changes as part of the value review process. The current version of Assess-Pro allows for the inclusion of multiple regression analyses (MRA’s) models, but does not include such models off the shelf. The City of Boston Assessors have recently moved their MRA models into Assess-Pro, so we will be able to consult with them on the process they used.

 The assessors will continue to be diligent in the discovery of taxable property and allowable levy growth due to new construction for fiscal year 2021 and beyond.

PURCHASING DIVISION

The Purchasing Division is responsible for the procurement of all goods & services for all Town and School Departments. The Division’s role is to ensure that all Departments are getting the best value, by using the appropriate process: RFPs, bids, quotes, and good business practice. In addition, established state and cooperative contracts are also used. The procurement process complies with applicable laws, such as M.G.L. Ch. 30B, 30 39M, and 149, which were enacted by the State and adopted by the Town in 1990 and updated in 2016.

Purchasing also manages all contracts and agreements resulting from procurements that have been conducted for Town and School Departments. General Services is part of the Division, providing printing and mail support for Town and School departments.

Personnel

The Purchasing Division staff consists of: Chief Procurement Officer David Geanakakis, Procurement Officer Richard Saville, Buyer Eric Miller, and Senior Office Assistant Nicole Belli. General Services staff are: Supervisor of Mailing & Printing Paul Scarborough and Mail Clerk Morgan Laing-Buckland.

Purchasing and General Services staff would like to thank Tim Sullivan for 39 years of service in the print shop and mailroom and Beth McDonald for her time working in the department. On a daily basis, all division staff consistently offer excellent service, provide informed and accurate information to all departments, as well as companies doing business with Town and School Departments.

Purchasing Activity

During the past year, the Division issued approximately 10,000 purchase orders and conducted nearly 70 public procurements: quotes, bids and RFPs, for various departments. With the assistance of the requesting department, staff develop specifications, investigate and seek out potential vendors, evaluate & award contracts, and monitor vendor performance.

Various contracts for goods and services are managed by the staff and used by all Town and School departments. Establishing mutually beneficial working relationships with companies providing goods and services is also an important task. Examples are: office supplies, copiers, information technology, furniture, consultants and insurance. Significant items from the past year were:

Town Department Bids and RFPs:

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 Master Lease Purchase Financing for Public Works equipment, Salt (Newton Cooperative bid) for DPW, 347 Harvard St, Widow Harris, 21 Newton, 55 Newton, Greater Aspinwall Hill Survey Update Phase II, Signs, Painting, Window Shades, Roofing, Masonry, Overhead Doors, Pool Balance Tank & Sand Change, Bituminous Concrete, Sand, Brookline Athletic Fields Needs Assessment & Master Plan, Newbury College consultants for Real Estate, Conditions Assessment & Architect services.  Continued to prepare issue, award and manage cooperative bid and contract for heating oil, gasoline and diesel for 11 regional Cities and Towns. Obtained fixed prices that were much lower than market for FY20.  Various Town and School contracts were rebid or renewed with ongoing improvement of products and services  Continue to manage the annual computer leasing process, with the assistance of the Information Technology Department. Ongoing program has standardized models with a single vendor, consistent annual payment & low interest rate, low prices, efficient ordering process & faster deployment.  Continued to expand purchases from other cooperative contracts, such as State Contracts, Higher Education Consortium, and Metropolitan Area Planning Council, as appropriate  Purchased additional fuel efficient, hybrid vehicles such as: Toyota Prius Plug in and Ford Fusion Hybrid for various Town Departments. Investigating purchase of electric vehicles for pool cars.

Support to the School Department

Procurement Officer Richard Saville and Buyer Eric Miller are the Division’s primary contacts for the School Department. They dedicate most of their time to support School Department purchases and projects, but all staff support Schools. Significant items from the past year were:

School Department Bids, RFPs and renewals: • Auditor for School Activities, Full Service Snack Vending, Full Service Beverage Vending, High School Expansion, Old Lincoln Modular, Construction Testing and Inspection Services, Lease of Classroom/Office Space, Superintendent Search Consultant, Buses & SPED Transportation, Gym Space, Vending machines, High School project Commissioning and Testing, Food items • Joined Cooperative Purchasing groups to address Food Services needs. • Continued Chromebook and Apple lease purchases to address technology needs • Continued using the School Department master Amazon account and used online ordering to save money on books and other hard to find items • Continued to use online office supply ordering for School and Town Departments • Continued using School Purchasing Card program for appropriate purchases • Continued using building supply accounts for both School Facilities and Town Building Department for appropriate purchases and volume savings • Continued to upgrade a majority of copiers within both the Town and School departments, taking advantage of a cost-savings offer of free maintenance service, resulting in significant savings.

General Services Activity

General Services provides centralized printing and mailing services for all Town and various School departments. Services are done in the most economical manner on site, using outside vendors only if necessary. Daily pick-up & delivery of mail is done by the mail room and print shop staff. • Used in-house print capabilities to reduce the costs of outside printing. The Annual Report, Financial Plan, Financial Trend Monitoring Report, Contract Specifications, Town Meeting Combined Reports, Town Meeting Member Newsletters, Council on Aging newsletters and other materials continue to be printed in-house. • Continued to work with the IT Department to continue to review existing telephone carriers’ bills, to eliminate lines and modify service as needed to reduce costs. • Continued to review bills with wireless provider, changed plans and devices, resulting in lower monthly costs and improved service.

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Norfolk County Registry of Deeds William P. O’Donnell, Register

This year we celebrated the rededication of the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds building. The rededication event was the culmination of an extensive repair and renovation project completed at the Registry during the 2019 calendar year. The improvements made at the Registry, including new wiring, painting, repair of ceiling and roof, will allow for further efficiencies for both our employees and customers alike.

The rededication event also saw the release of our Notable Land Records Book Volume 2. We highlighted a notable citizen from each of the twenty-eight Norfolk County communities. These notable citizens included those who have contributed at the local, state and national levels. In addition, the honorees have distinguished themselves in many fields of endeavor including the arts, medicine, the law, military, diplomacy and government.

The Registry of Deeds is the principal office for real property records in Norfolk County. Its mission is to maintain and provide for accurate, reliable and accessible land records to all residents and businesses of Norfolk County. The Registry receives and records hundreds of thousands of documents annually. It houses more than 8.5 million land documents dating back to 1793 when George Washington was President. The Registry is a primary and indispensable resource for title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipal officials, homeowners, title examiners, real estate attorneys, genealogists and others with a need for land record information.

The Registry operates under the supervision of the elected Register, William P. O’Donnell, who has held the position since 2002.

2019 Registry Achievements  Register William P. O’Donnell and his staff continued their direct outreach to town halls, senior centers, businesses, historical commissions and civic groups across Norfolk County. The Register held office hours at Brookline Town Hall on October 24th.  The Registry of Deeds Customer Service and Copy Center continues to provide residents and businesses with quality service. This year alone, the Center handled more than 5,000 requests. These requests included the filing of Homesteads, accessing deeds, verifying recorded property documents and assisting those in need of obtaining a mortgage discharge notice. Customers can contact the Customer Service and Copy Center at 781-461-6101. Hours of operations are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.  In calendar year 2019, the Registry collected approximately $55 million in revenue.  The Registry of Deeds continues to address legislative issues to benefit consumers. In 2019, we again filed legislation to advocate for mortgage transparency by requiring mortgage assignments be recorded at the appropriate Registry of Deeds.  This year saw a record number of electronic recording filers, approximately 1,685. The Registry is approaching 50% of its recordings being done electronically.  In 2019, we hit a record high of recording our 37,380 Registry of Deeds book. For the sake of security and redundancy, we store our documents 3 different ways: hard copy, electronically and by microfiche.  In calendar year 2019, the Registry processed over 12,000 Homestead applications. The law Chapter 188 (M.G.L.) provides limited protection of one’s primary residence against unsecured creditor claims.  The Registry continues to fine tune its completed History Comes Alive Transcription program. The initiative, the first in New England, makes land recorded documents written by scriveners of the 18th and 19th centuries in the old cursive hand writing style much easier to read by converting the words into easy- to-read electronic text. The program earned the praise of two-time Pulitzer Prize historian, David McCullough.  The internet library of images, accessible to the public through the Registry of Deeds’ online research system at www.norfolkdeeds.org continues to expand. Today, all documents dating back to the first ones recorded in 1793 are available for viewing.  We also continued our commitment to cyber security with annual training of our employees.  We have enhanced our website by including a genealogy page and a section highlighting land records of notable people – United States Presidents, military heroes, noted authors and leaders in their fields of education, environment and the law

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 The Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org routinely updates the public on such news as real estate statistics, answers to frequently asked questions, the latest schedule for our community outreach initiatives, along with detailing of our consumer programs. Additionally, we also write a monthly column for various Norfolk County newspapers and their online websites. We also distribute a weekly press release to alert residents of the latest happenings as well as to remind them of our consumer services.  The Registry’s free Consumer Notification Service allows any county resident to opt in to this free notification service and be alerted when any land document – fraudulent or otherwise – is recorded against their name. For more information, please see our website at: www.norfolkdeeds.org. Currently, over 1,100 Norfolk County residents are signed up for this program.  Register O’Donnell hosted a free computer seminar at the Registry to provide hands-on-training to the general public, municipal officials, real estate professionals, genealogists, and anyone with an interest in Norfolk County land documents.  The Registry continued its community outreach commitment by working with Interfaith Social Services of Quincy, Father Bill’s & Main Spring of Quincy, the VA Boston Healthcare System, Voluntary Service Program and Inner City Weightlifting on our ‘Suits for Success’ program. We also support the New Life Furniture Bank of MA in Walpole to assist those who are in need of household items. Our Toys for Tots’ Drive has collected over the years over 2,000 presents. Our Annual Holiday Food Drive continues to support Food Pantries in Norfolk County. This year’s food drive collected enough groceries and household products to be able to visit multiple food pantries. Finally, the Registry has received more than 4,000 pieces of clothing donations for our “Suits for Success” programs.

Brookline Real Estate Activity Report January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019 During 2019, Brookline real estate activity saw a slight decrease in total sales volume and no statistical change with average sales price.

There was a 7% increase in documents recorded at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds for Brookline in 2019, resulting in an increase of 585 documents from 8,437 to 9,022.

The total volume of real estate sales in Brookline during 2019 was $1,152,773,333, a 4% decrease from 2018. The average sale price of homes and commercial property saw no statistical change in Brookline. The average sale was $1,579,141.

The number of mortgages recorded (1,763) on Brookline properties in 2019 was up 19% from the previous year. However, total mortgage indebtedness decreased 9% to $1,709,056,843 during the same period.

There was 1 foreclosure deed filed in Brookline during 2019, representing a 67% decrease from the previous year when there were 3 foreclosure deeds filed.

Homestead activity increased 7% in Brookline during 2019 with 759 homesteads filed compared to 712 in 2018.

The Brookline notable land deeds selection for the Notable Land Records Volume 2 booklet was Arthur Fiedler, Conductor of the Boston Pops. Arthur Fiedler was appointed the 18th conductor of the Boston Pops in 1930, a position he held until his death in 1979 at the age of 84. Under his direction the Pops made more recordings than any other orchestra in the world. Among his notable performances was the nationally televised opening of Walt Disney World in 1971 and the Bicentennial Celebration on July 4, 1976 at the Hatch Memorial Shell which was attended by 400,000 people.

Finally, our objective at the Registry will always be to maintain, secure, accurate and accessible land records for the residents and businesses of Norfolk County. It is a privilege to serve you.

Respectfully submitted by,

Norfolk County Register of Deeds

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Retirement Frank Zecha, Director

The Brookline Contributory Retirement System (the “System”) administers the defined benefit plan for most Town of Brookline employees, with the exception of teachers and school administrators whose program is administered by the Teachers’ Retirement System. The defined benefit plan, governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 32, provides retirement, disability, survivor, and death benefits to members and their beneficiaries.

The System has a five member Board, which is responsible for ensuring that the System is operating in compliance with M.G.L. Chapter 32. The Acting Chairman of the Board is Gary Altman, an attorney who works full-time as a labor arbitrator and mediator. Rob Ward, retired Chief of the Brookline Fire Department and Sgt. John J. Canney, are the two elected members. Director of Finance, Jeana Franconi, serves on the Board pursuant to an appointment by the Board of Selectman. Brookline Comptroller, Michael F. DiPietro, serves as the ex-officio member, as required by M.G. L. Chapter 32.

The System is funded through members’ deductions, investments and annual appropriations from the Town and Brookline Housing Authority. The Board adopted an actuarial funding schedule to ensure the financial stability of the retirement system. According to the most recent actuarial report, as of January 1, 2018, the System was 57.05% funded.

As of December 31, 2019, there were 4,229 members, 1,824 active members, 905 retired members or their beneficiaries, and 1,500 inactive members. During 2019, the Board voted to grant 29 superannuation and 6 accidental disability retirement allowances. The Board also approved 62 refunds and 67 transfers of member accounts.

The current staff is comprised of (1) Frank Zecha, Executive Director and (2) Maryruth Capite, Deputy Director of Finance. The staff is responsible for financial transactions, reporting of investment activity, comprehensive pre- and post- retirement counseling to employees and their families regarding their rights and benefits, issuing monthly pension payments to retirees and /or their survivors, and other required governmental reporting.

Currently, the Board assets are held with State Investment Trust Fund (PRIT). The Board establishes investment policies and allocates system assets to various investments.

As of December 31, 2019, the System is valued at $345 million. In calendar year 2019, the System had a 16.1% rate of return. The 25 year rate of return is greater than 7.80% annually.

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2019 Annual Report

TOWN OF BROOKLINE TELEPHONE DIRECTORY Main Number: 617-730-2000 Emergency Telephone Numbers: Police 911 Fire 911 Highway 617-730-2160 Parks: 617-730-2167 Water/Sewer: 617-730-2175 Home Heating: 617-730-2300 (weekdays); 617-730-2222 (evenings and weekends) TTY (phone devices for the DEPARTMENT TELEPHONE deaf) Assessor's Office 617-730-2060 Brookline Interactive Group 617-731-8566 Building Department 617-730-2100 Comptroller's Office 617-730-2022 Conservation Commission 617-730-2088 Council on Aging 617-730-2103 Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations 617-730-2777 Emergency Management 617-730-2105 Evelyn Kirrane Aquatics Center 617-713-5435 Fire Department (non-emergency) 617-730-2272 Health Department 617-730-2300 617-730-2327 HELP Program 617-730-2752 Human Resources Office 617-730-2120 Information Technology Department 617-730-2003 Library (Main) 617-730-2345 617-730-2364 Library (Coolidge Corner) 617-730-2380 Library (Putterham) 617-730-2385 Parks and Open Space Division of DPW 617-730-2088 Planning and Community Development 617-730-2130 Police (non emergency) 617-730-2222 Public Works 617-730-2156 617-734-2952 Purchasing Division 617-730-2195 Recreation Department 617-730-2069 617-739-7698 Retirement Board Members and Staff 617-730-2028 Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course 617-730-2078 Select Board's Office 617-730-2200 617-730-2213 Soule Early Childhood Center 617-739-7598 Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention for Youth 617-713-5155 Tobacco Control 617-730-2333 Town Administrator 617-730-2200 Town Clerk 617-730-2010 617-730-2572 Town Counsel 617-730-2190 Transportation Division of DPW 617-730-2177 Treasurer/Collector 617-730-2020 Veterans Services 617-730-2112 Walnut Hills Cemetery 617-730-2179

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TOWN OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS

Settled: 1638 Incorporated: 1705 Population: 59,246 Land Area: 6.82 Square Miles

Government: Representative Town Meeting (240 Elected Town Meeting Members and eight at large) with five-member Select Board and Town Administrator.

Located four miles from downtown Boston, in Norfolk County. Brookline is one of the largest towns in New England. It is primarily a mature suburban, residential community. The primary occupations of Brookline residents are management and professional, heavily concentrated in the fields of medicine and education.

FY 2019 Assessed Valuation: $25,120,408,409 FY 201 Tax Rates: Residential $9.37 Commercial $15.37 Residential Exemption $2,593

Political Parties and Designations

Democrat 17,550 Unenrolled 16,823 Republican 2,026 United Independent Party 131 Libertarian 76 Green Rainbow 32 Interdependent 3rd Party 17 American Independent 15 Socialist 11 Conservative 11 Green Party USA 10 MA Independent Party 5 Pizza Party 4 Pirate Party 3 Working Families 3 Constitution Party 1 Latino-Vote Party 1 Natural Law Party 1 Prohibition Party 1 We the People 1 World Citizens Party 1

Brookline Legislators

United States Senators United States Representative Congress Elizabeth Warren Joseph P. Kennedy Edward J. Markey

State Senator State Representatives Cynthia S. Creem Edward F. Coppinger Michael J. Moran Nika Elugardo Tommy Vitolo

The Town of Brookline is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. The Town of Brookline does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. The Town of Brookline does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices.

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