1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:03,929 water 2 00:00:03,929 --> 00:00:25,560 >> [music] 3 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:30,120 >> water 4 00:00:30,130 --> 00:01:27,550 » [music] 5 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:32,345 » water 6 00:01:32,355 --> 00:05:45,000 » [music] 7 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:50,418 >> I'm here. 8 00:05:50,428 --> 00:05:54,110 » [music] 9 00:05:54,120 --> 00:06:01,554 » I'm here. 10 00:06:01,564 --> 00:06:03,990 » [music] 11 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:10,724 » I'm here. 12 00:06:10,734 --> 00:06:11,200 » [music] 13 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:21,869 >> I'm here. 14 00:06:21,869 --> 00:06:24,630 >> [music] 15 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:30,374 » I'm here. 16 00:06:30,384 --> 00:06:30,520 » [music] 17 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:38,244 >> I'm here. 18 00:06:38,244 --> 00:06:45,270 >> [music] 19 00:06:45,280 --> 00:06:46,759 » I'm here. 20 00:06:46,759 --> 00:06:52,230 >> [music] 21 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:53,309 » I'm here. 22 00:06:53,309 --> 00:07:01,710 >> [music] 23 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:07,054 » I'm here. 24 00:07:07,064 --> 00:07:08,640 » [music] 25 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:14,914 >> I'm here. 26 00:07:14,924 --> 00:07:15,640 » [music] 27 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:20,810 >> I'm here. 28 00:07:20,820 --> 00:07:22,640 » [music] 29 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:25,395 >> I'm here. 30 00:07:25,405 --> 00:07:31,200 » [music] 31 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:37,840 >> I'm here. 32 00:07:37,850 --> 00:07:38,200 » [music] 33 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:42,710 >> I'm here. 34 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,045 » Wow. 35 00:07:45,055 --> 00:07:45,840 » [music] 36 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:48,080 >> Look at them run. 37 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:49,920 Wow. 38 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:50,950 Wow. 39 00:07:50,950 --> 00:09:07,030 >> [music] 40 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:10,196 » Wow. 41 00:09:10,206 --> 00:09:11,200 » [music] 42 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:13,480 >> Look at them 43 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:15,440 Wow. 44 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:16,101 Wow. 45 00:09:16,101 --> 00:11:06,750 >> [music] 46 00:11:06,760 --> 00:11:32,710 » Recording in progress. 47 00:11:32,720 --> 00:11:42,350 » I love you. 48 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:44,200 » My initial parallel is my initial 49 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:54,150 thought. 50 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:59,070 » Wait, thank you. 51 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:18,070 » Sorry, sorry. 52 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:22,390 » They're really good. 53 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:23,040 » I think I 54 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:24,080 >> I like this. 55 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:26,870 >> I know. 56 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:31,440 I know. 57 00:12:31,440 --> 00:14:08,879 >> I know. 58 00:14:08,889 --> 00:14:15,030 » [laughter] 59 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:18,550 » Weed up. 60 00:14:18,560 --> 00:14:24,190 We 61 00:14:24,200 --> 00:15:06,230 Hello. 62 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:08,750 » Hi. 63 00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:23,550 » Hello. 64 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:28,350 Hello. Testing. 2 3. 65 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:34,110 I can hear you. 66 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:35,800 This is Jesse. 67 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:37,240 I can hear you. 68 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:40,590 >> I can hear you. 69 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:41,920 » Thank you. 70 00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:44,990 Hello. 71 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:47,120 We're still about 20 72 00:15:47,120 --> 00:16:27,150 people away from a quorum. 73 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:30,200 Okay. I'm told we have a quorum, so 74 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:55,829 please take your seats. 75 00:16:55,839 --> 00:16:59,430 Well, I love doing that. 76 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:00,880 Okay. 77 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:04,839 Um welcome to the third night of uh 78 00:17:04,839 --> 00:17:09,040 the uh May annual town meeting. 79 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:11,800 Uh it's May 2026 80 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:15,079 for those of you watching in the future. 81 00:17:15,079 --> 00:17:16,720 Um 82 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:20,040 So, we have a bunch of warrant articles 83 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:22,640 left over. We're going to be starting 84 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:25,520 with the special 85 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,240 town meeting number one. 86 00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:29,720 Um 87 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:31,480 and after that, we're going to be going 88 00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:33,280 to 89 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:35,440 article 11, 90 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:38,760 which is about the committee on town 91 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:40,960 organizational structure. Then we'll be 92 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:44,480 going to the immigration articles 17 and 93 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:47,200 25, and then we'll proceed in the normal 94 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:51,640 order of what's left, 13, 14, 15, 20, 95 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:56,880 21, 22. Notice that I listed all of the 96 00:17:56,880 --> 00:18:00,240 remaining articles. 97 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:05,120 I have communicated with all petitioners 98 00:18:05,120 --> 00:18:09,080 of even the latest articles that there 99 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:11,120 is a possibility 100 00:18:11,120 --> 00:18:18,600 that we could finish tonight, and that's only possible if folks are 101 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:21,720 succinct. Um you know, say what you need 102 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:24,400 to say, but to do it in a succinct way, 103 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:30,160 and maybe there's a shot that we could 104 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:34,160 be done. So, we'll give it a try, and I'm going to 105 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:36,520 try and keep things moving. 106 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:39,680 Um I hope I I'll try not to step on 107 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:42,040 anybody in in doing so. I want to make 108 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:45,520 sure all of the issues come out that you 109 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:47,960 need to hear. I don't want anybody to 110 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:52,070 feel like they're being railroaded. 111 00:18:52,080 --> 00:18:54,240 But, we'll see. 112 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:57,240 Um there are some supplements at the 113 00:18:57,240 --> 00:19:00,560 table in the back. They're in blue, and 114 00:19:00,560 --> 00:19:02,560 two of them two of the supplements, 115 00:19:02,560 --> 00:19:03,560 well, actually all three of the 116 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:06,360 supplements have motions we are 117 00:19:06,360 --> 00:19:08,280 considering tonight, so they are 118 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:11,120 important documents. So, if you don't 119 00:19:11,120 --> 00:19:14,040 have them, go get them cuz you're going 120 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:16,120 to need them. 121 00:19:16,120 --> 00:19:19,560 Um we've as as you all know, we've had 122 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:23,920 some issues with remote speakers 123 00:19:23,920 --> 00:19:26,400 uh through the Zoom and they've been 124 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:28,760 kind of unintelligible in the 125 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:32,200 auditorium. I'm told that on the stream 126 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:33,960 and on the cable, it's coming through, 127 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:36,240 but it hasn't been coming through 128 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:40,760 um in the auditorium in in a cogent way. 129 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:42,120 Um 130 00:19:42,120 --> 00:19:46,080 the uh big Big and RIT staff, I'm told, 131 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:48,360 have been working on the issue and 132 00:19:48,360 --> 00:19:50,320 hopefully 133 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:52,840 keep our fingers crossed, have solved 134 00:19:52,840 --> 00:19:55,680 the issue. Um 135 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:59,480 but we'll see how it goes. And then um 136 00:19:59,480 --> 00:20:02,600 there was a email exchange 137 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:05,280 uh suggesting that if you're coming up 138 00:20:05,280 --> 00:20:08,760 to the microphone, be please be sure to 139 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:11,560 get close to the mic. You kind of have 140 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:13,600 to almost eat the mic. Don't eat the 141 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:16,720 mic, but you know, get close. Um so 142 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:18,640 everyone can hear you. You know, we all 143 00:20:18,640 --> 00:20:21,120 want to hear what you have to say. 144 00:20:21,120 --> 00:20:25,560 Um and if you want people to hear you, really need to uh get close to the 145 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:26,720 mic. 146 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:29,560 Okay, so I think we're um 147 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:32,280 ready to go. So, uh I'm going to be 148 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:36,360 convening the special town meeting 149 00:20:36,360 --> 00:20:38,000 number one. 150 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,720 And uh in that town meeting, we have two 151 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:43,960 articles. Uh both of them relate to the 152 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:47,520 parcels we've been referring to as uh 153 00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:49,640 Chestnut Hill West. 154 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:54,080 So, uh there are two motions before you. The 155 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:58,040 first motion, the main motion, is uh 156 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:02,400 a motion uh by the select board. It's it's uh 157 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:06,000 moved by Mr. Rubinstein and seconded by 158 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:07,720 Mr. Pearlman. 159 00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:10,840 And then there's a substitute motion 160 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:13,600 from the advisory committee. 161 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:17,520 Uh moved by Ms. Pelkey and seconded by 162 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:19,440 Ms. Khan. 163 00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:22,280 Um the substitute motion removed is 164 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:26,200 identical to the select board motion but 165 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:29,080 removes a piece of the proposed 166 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:31,400 district. And you're going to be hear 167 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:33,800 hearing more about that 168 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:36,960 over the next uh hopefully not too many 169 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:40,440 minutes. So without further ado, I'm 170 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:42,680 going to recognize the first speaker, 171 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:49,950 which is uh Mr. Rubenstein. 172 00:21:49,960 --> 00:21:51,480 Well, I'm told I should announce where 173 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:54,280 the motions are and that's a good idea. 174 00:21:54,280 --> 00:21:55,920 Uh the select board motion is in 175 00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:59,680 supplement one, pages 1 through 30, and 176 00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:02,120 the advisory committee motion is on the 177 00:22:02,120 --> 00:22:03,920 blue pages, 178 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:07,040 uh which is supplement three, pages 1 179 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:11,230 through 31. 180 00:22:11,240 --> 00:22:14,000 Oh, okay. Right. Thank you, Mr. 181 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:15,800 Rubenstein. We're also going to be 182 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:19,120 considering warrant article two in the 183 00:22:19,120 --> 00:22:22,120 same debate. 184 00:22:22,120 --> 00:22:24,640 Uh so we're going to have one debate and 185 00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:27,480 then separate votes on the two articles. 186 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:30,320 Article two authorizes the select board 187 00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:33,240 to sign a memorandum of memorandum of 188 00:22:33,240 --> 00:22:37,000 understanding and that motion is located 189 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:39,160 uh in supplement article two supplement 190 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:43,000 one, pages 1 through 3, and that is 191 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:45,920 moved by Mr. Rubenstein and seconded by 192 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:47,440 Mr. Powell. 193 00:22:47,440 --> 00:22:49,600 The advisory committee. Okay, Mr. 194 00:22:49,600 --> 00:22:55,990 Rubenstein, you're up. 195 00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:58,240 » Good evening. I'm Michael Rubenstein, 196 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:00,200 vice chair of the select board, speaking 197 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:02,680 on behalf of the select board. 198 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:04,280 brings two warrant 199 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:06,680 articles before you tonight. 200 00:23:06,680 --> 00:23:08,800 Warrant article one creates the Chestnut 201 00:23:08,800 --> 00:23:12,000 Hill commercial overlay zoning district, 202 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:14,480 and warrant article two authorizes the 203 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:16,360 select board to enter into two 204 00:23:16,360 --> 00:23:19,400 agreements with City Realty, owner of 205 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:25,270 5.3 acres in the district. Next slide. 206 00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:28,840 Over two years over for over two years, 207 00:23:28,840 --> 00:23:30,400 the planning department has led an 208 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:34,080 effort driven by two select board goals. 209 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:36,520 Incentivize net new commercial tax 210 00:23:36,520 --> 00:23:37,600 growth 211 00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:39,880 and enhance the livability and identity 212 00:23:39,880 --> 00:23:42,840 of the Chestnut Hill commercial area. 213 00:23:42,840 --> 00:23:45,240 Warrant article one, along with design 214 00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:47,520 guidelines and a preliminary traffic 215 00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:51,200 study, are the results of that work. 216 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:53,280 I would like to thank two of the many 217 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:55,560 people whose hard work has brought us to 218 00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:57,080 this moment. 219 00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:58,880 Director of Economic Development 220 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:01,280 Meredith Mooney and former select board 221 00:24:01,280 --> 00:24:03,080 member and chair of the studies 222 00:24:03,080 --> 00:24:07,000 community advisory group Mike Sandman. 223 00:24:07,000 --> 00:24:08,876 Thank you. 224 00:24:08,876 --> 00:24:09,240 >> [applause] 225 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:13,670 >> Next slide. 226 00:24:13,680 --> 00:24:16,000 The overlay district runs along Boylston 227 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:18,200 Street from the Newton border to a half 228 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,520 block east of Hammond Street. It is 229 00:24:20,520 --> 00:24:22,240 bordered by Heath Street to the south 230 00:24:22,240 --> 00:24:24,160 and extends up Hammond Street to the 231 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:25,200 north. 232 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:27,400 It is divided into four sub-districts 233 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:30,000 with the CHC four sub-district split 234 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:34,320 into east and west blocks. Next slide. 235 00:24:34,320 --> 00:24:36,320 To drive commercial tax growth, the 236 00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:38,520 zoning sets a 60% ground floor 237 00:24:38,520 --> 00:24:40,840 commercial requirement along most of 238 00:24:40,840 --> 00:24:43,400 Boylston and Hammond streets 239 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:45,920 with flexibility on side streets and no 240 00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:48,520 requirement along Heath Street. Next 241 00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:51,070 slide, please. 242 00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:54,080 Projects in the CHC four and CHC three 243 00:24:54,080 --> 00:24:57,080 sub-districts must devote 51% of their 244 00:24:57,080 --> 00:24:59,480 floor area to commercial use, a 245 00:24:59,480 --> 00:25:02,080 threshold calibrated to maximize 246 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:04,040 commercial space while still 247 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:06,400 incentivizing economically viable 248 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:09,800 projects. Next slide. 249 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:15,480 Certain preferred uses, those favored by the neighborhood or generating higher 250 00:25:15,480 --> 00:25:17,880 revenue for the town, can reduce the 251 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:20,960 commercial floor required floor area 252 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:23,360 required, a balance that benefits 253 00:25:23,360 --> 00:25:26,720 neighbors, the town, and developers. 254 00:25:26,720 --> 00:25:29,120 Next slide, please. 255 00:25:29,120 --> 00:25:31,720 Maximum heights were a vigorously 256 00:25:31,720 --> 00:25:34,920 debated element of this work. 257 00:25:34,920 --> 00:25:38,280 The final compromise allows up to 125 258 00:25:38,280 --> 00:25:40,960 ft, 10 stories, in the CHC-4 259 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:44,600 subdistrict, stepping down to 88 ft as 260 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:47,040 you move toward the western border, side 261 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:49,840 streets, and other subdistricts. The 262 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:52,640 maximum allowed height drops to 75 ft in 263 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:55,440 the northern corner and 50 ft in the 264 00:25:55,440 --> 00:25:58,360 neighborhood mixed-use subdistrict. 265 00:25:58,360 --> 00:26:00,800 The zoning also provides bonus heights 266 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:04,760 to advance town goals. Up to 175 ft in 267 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:07,960 the CHC-4 subdistrict for developers who 268 00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:10,320 increase the percentage of their project 269 00:26:10,320 --> 00:26:13,800 devoted to commercial uses. And up to 75 270 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:15,360 ft in the neighborhood mixed-use 271 00:26:15,360 --> 00:26:17,800 subdistrict for those who increase 272 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:19,480 affordable housing. 273 00:26:19,480 --> 00:26:23,390 Next slide, [snorts] please. 274 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:25,080 The zoning includes additional 275 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:27,520 requirements designed to meet the goals 276 00:26:27,520 --> 00:26:29,400 for the district and are summarized 277 00:26:29,400 --> 00:26:33,070 here. Next slide. 278 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:35,840 Traffic has been a major concern, 279 00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:38,040 especially at Boylston and Hammond 280 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:40,760 Streets, a state highway intersection 281 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:43,840 carrying Newton, I-95, and western 282 00:26:43,840 --> 00:26:46,200 suburb traffic to the Longwood medical 283 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:49,160 area and downtown Boston, as well as 284 00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:51,280 connecting South Brookline with the 285 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:55,280 Chestnut Hill station and points north. 286 00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:57,160 The town retained a transportation 287 00:26:57,160 --> 00:26:59,200 engineering and planning firm to study 288 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:02,320 the impact of no development and maximum 289 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:04,640 development scenarios. 290 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:07,480 This preliminary study acknowledged that 291 00:27:07,480 --> 00:27:11,560 over time the traffic problem will get worse 292 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:14,080 independent of us and that further 293 00:27:14,080 --> 00:27:16,000 review will be needed as specific 294 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:18,400 projects come forward. 295 00:27:18,400 --> 00:27:21,000 The town has already begun conversations 296 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:22,960 with Newton and the Massachusetts 297 00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:25,360 Department of Transportation to form a 298 00:27:25,360 --> 00:27:26,920 joint working group on that 299 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:29,240 intersection. Conversations that will 300 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:32,200 continue regardless of tonight's vote. 301 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:34,920 Next slide. 302 00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:37,520 The Advisory Committee substitute motion 303 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:39,960 removes the transit-oriented mixed-use 304 00:27:39,960 --> 00:27:42,880 subdistrict from the overlay district. 305 00:27:42,880 --> 00:27:45,080 The The Advisory Committee expressed 306 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:47,680 concerns that the zoning would yield too 307 00:27:47,680 --> 00:27:50,040 little commercial development, that 308 00:27:50,040 --> 00:27:52,000 resulting development would jeopardize 309 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:55,080 existing tax revenue and worsen traffic, 310 00:27:55,080 --> 00:27:57,560 and that certain zoning decisions need 311 00:27:57,560 --> 00:27:59,920 further consideration. 312 00:27:59,920 --> 00:28:01,160 However, 313 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:03,240 removing the subdistrict would undermine 314 00:28:03,240 --> 00:28:05,840 the goals of this project and over two 315 00:28:05,840 --> 00:28:08,080 years of careful work. 316 00:28:08,080 --> 00:28:11,280 The TOM subdistrict represents a real 317 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:13,880 opportunity to generate commercial tax 318 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:15,120 revenue. 319 00:28:15,120 --> 00:28:17,440 Estimates of net new tax growth from 320 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:21,960 redevelopment there range from $170,000 321 00:28:21,960 --> 00:28:24,800 to over $1.5 million, 322 00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:27,000 enough to quadruple the revenue the 323 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:30,280 subdistrict generates today. 324 00:28:30,280 --> 00:28:32,600 The subdistrict's zoning carefully 325 00:28:32,600 --> 00:28:34,520 blends with the rest of the overlay 326 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:37,400 district and promotes transit-oriented 327 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:39,600 mixed-use development. 328 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:41,560 The maximum height of the TOM 329 00:28:41,560 --> 00:28:44,200 subdistrict matches the CHC-3 330 00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:46,840 subdistrict across Boylston Street, 331 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:48,800 while zero parking minimums allow 332 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:51,560 developers to offer lower-cost housing 333 00:28:51,560 --> 00:28:54,360 that leverages the nearby T. 334 00:28:54,360 --> 00:28:56,960 Height, setbacks, and step backs are 335 00:28:56,960 --> 00:28:59,720 coordinated across the overlay district 336 00:28:59,720 --> 00:29:02,120 to foster vibrant, walkable 337 00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:03,720 streetscapes. 338 00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:06,200 And the required pedestrian walkway 339 00:29:06,200 --> 00:29:08,400 connecting Hammond Street, Boylston 340 00:29:08,400 --> 00:29:10,880 Street, and the street shopping center 341 00:29:10,880 --> 00:29:12,760 breaks up the massing and helps 342 00:29:12,760 --> 00:29:15,720 transform today's parking lot into a 343 00:29:15,720 --> 00:29:18,280 welcoming destination. 344 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:21,240 Finally, any project using the overlay 345 00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:24,560 district district will be required to 346 00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:26,560 make substantial infrastructure 347 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:29,400 mitigation contributions. Funds that can 348 00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:32,320 help the client study, design, and 349 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:34,640 implement solutions to the traffic 350 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:37,160 concerns discussed earlier. 351 00:29:37,160 --> 00:29:40,710 Next slide, please. 352 00:29:40,720 --> 00:29:42,880 Warrant article two authorizes the 353 00:29:42,880 --> 00:29:44,480 select board to enter into two 354 00:29:44,480 --> 00:29:46,720 agreements with City Realty, owner of 355 00:29:46,720 --> 00:29:48,720 the four parcels along the district's 356 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:52,200 western edge. Next slide, please. 357 00:29:52,200 --> 00:29:54,200 The memorandum of agreement includes 358 00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:58,520 broad town protections, over $24 million 359 00:29:58,520 --> 00:30:00,760 in town benefits, and neighborhood 360 00:30:00,760 --> 00:30:03,920 protections negotiated with residents. 361 00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:06,360 The 95-year tax certainty agreement 362 00:30:06,360 --> 00:30:09,480 preserves revenue in two scenarios. 363 00:30:09,480 --> 00:30:11,400 If any part of the property is sold to a 364 00:30:11,400 --> 00:30:14,080 tax-exempt buyer, we receive payments 365 00:30:14,080 --> 00:30:16,560 equivalent to property taxes. 366 00:30:16,560 --> 00:30:18,560 If the planned hotel is converted to 367 00:30:18,560 --> 00:30:20,880 another use, we receive payments 368 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:24,560 equivalent to lost hotel room taxes. 369 00:30:24,560 --> 00:30:27,040 These agreements bind future owners if 370 00:30:27,040 --> 00:30:29,840 City Realty sells. City Realty has 371 00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:31,840 signed these agreements, and the select 372 00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:34,720 board will sign upon your authorization. 373 00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:37,560 Next slide, please. 374 00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:39,960 The City Realty project, shown here in a 375 00:30:39,960 --> 00:30:42,280 concept rendering, consists of three 376 00:30:42,280 --> 00:30:45,000 buildings, a rental apartment building, 377 00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:46,960 a central medical office building with 378 00:30:46,960 --> 00:30:49,240 ground floor retail, and a mixed-use 379 00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:52,120 building combining retail, a hotel, and 380 00:30:52,120 --> 00:30:55,040 condominiums. Two of the buildings, the 381 00:30:55,040 --> 00:30:57,800 ones on either end, include underground 382 00:30:57,800 --> 00:31:01,000 parking. Next slide, please. 383 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:03,080 Between the medical office and hotel 384 00:31:03,080 --> 00:31:04,840 condo buildings, a public gathering 385 00:31:04,840 --> 00:31:08,640 space with trees, benches, and tables is 386 00:31:08,640 --> 00:31:11,320 designed to activate ground floor retail 387 00:31:11,320 --> 00:31:13,960 and welcome the community. Next slide, 388 00:31:13,960 --> 00:31:16,080 please. 389 00:31:16,080 --> 00:31:18,440 Based on the project's fiscal model, the 390 00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:20,560 City Realty development is expected to 391 00:31:20,560 --> 00:31:23,480 generate between $4.2 million 392 00:31:23,480 --> 00:31:26,040 and $6.3 million 393 00:31:26,040 --> 00:31:29,000 in net tax growth per year after 394 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:31,640 accounting for service costs and current 395 00:31:31,640 --> 00:31:32,800 revenues. 396 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:35,320 Next slide, please. 397 00:31:35,320 --> 00:31:37,520 Several approval steps must follow 398 00:31:37,520 --> 00:31:39,840 before construction begins. 399 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:41,960 According to City Realty, the first 400 00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:44,080 building will not break ground before 401 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:46,960 the spring of 2028. 402 00:31:46,960 --> 00:31:51,110 Next slide, please. 403 00:31:51,120 --> 00:31:52,240 Thank you. 404 00:31:52,240 --> 00:31:54,160 Tonight, you have the opportunity to 405 00:31:54,160 --> 00:31:56,360 advance more than 2 years of careful 406 00:31:56,360 --> 00:31:57,320 work 407 00:31:57,320 --> 00:31:59,160 by our planning department, the 408 00:31:59,160 --> 00:32:01,320 community advisory group, several 409 00:32:01,320 --> 00:32:03,560 boards, and many residents who shaped 410 00:32:03,560 --> 00:32:05,080 this proposal. 411 00:32:05,080 --> 00:32:07,160 Together, we can bring meaningful new 412 00:32:07,160 --> 00:32:10,120 commercial growth, new housing, and more 413 00:32:10,120 --> 00:32:13,040 vibrant Chestnut Hill within reach. 414 00:32:13,040 --> 00:32:15,360 The Select Board recommends no action on 415 00:32:15,360 --> 00:32:17,280 the Advisory Committee's substitute 416 00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:19,440 motion for Warrant Article 1 and 417 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:21,840 favorable action on the main motions for 418 00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:24,720 Warrant Articles 1 and 2. 419 00:32:24,720 --> 00:32:25,720 Thank you very much for your 420 00:32:25,720 --> 00:32:26,682 consideration. 421 00:32:26,682 --> 00:32:39,350 >> [applause] 422 00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:40,437 » Okay. 423 00:32:40,437 --> 00:32:43,390 >> [applause] 424 00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:54,110 » Now for the other argument, Mr. Dowdy. 425 00:32:54,120 --> 00:32:56,280 » Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Dennis Dowdy, 426 00:32:56,280 --> 00:32:58,080 Precinct 3, chair of the Advisory 427 00:32:58,080 --> 00:32:59,240 Committee. 428 00:32:59,240 --> 00:33:00,880 Speaking for the Advisory Committee in 429 00:33:00,880 --> 00:33:03,440 support of Articles 1 and 2, you've 430 00:33:03,440 --> 00:33:05,120 heard the detailed description of the 431 00:33:05,120 --> 00:33:07,760 project, so I won't be adding to that. 432 00:33:07,760 --> 00:33:10,280 The Advisory Committee or its Land Use 433 00:33:10,280 --> 00:33:12,040 Subcommittees 434 00:33:12,040 --> 00:33:14,560 Subcommittee held over 11 hours of 435 00:33:14,560 --> 00:33:15,960 discussion on the Chestnut Hill 436 00:33:15,960 --> 00:33:17,960 articles, including a review of the many 437 00:33:17,960 --> 00:33:19,520 refinements that have been considered 438 00:33:19,520 --> 00:33:21,720 over the past few months. 439 00:33:21,720 --> 00:33:23,240 Most of our time was devoted to the 440 00:33:23,240 --> 00:33:25,280 larger issues that accompany an 441 00:33:25,280 --> 00:33:26,960 undertaking such as the one before us 442 00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:29,320 tonight, and our report documented the 443 00:33:29,320 --> 00:33:31,840 details, which I hope you have read, and 444 00:33:31,840 --> 00:33:34,040 which I will remind you covered 445 00:33:34,040 --> 00:33:36,480 examining concerns around traffic, 446 00:33:36,480 --> 00:33:38,640 weighing the flexibility provisions that 447 00:33:38,640 --> 00:33:40,560 were designed to encourage timely and 448 00:33:40,560 --> 00:33:42,640 beneficial redevelopment, 449 00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:44,440 assessing the prospects for additional 450 00:33:44,440 --> 00:33:46,960 developers enti- entering into memoranda 451 00:33:46,960 --> 00:33:48,760 of agreements with the town, as City 452 00:33:48,760 --> 00:33:51,080 Realty has already done, 453 00:33:51,080 --> 00:33:52,720 reviewing the varying requirements 454 00:33:52,720 --> 00:33:54,240 within each subdistrict and how the 455 00:33:54,240 --> 00:33:55,960 public realm will be protected and 456 00:33:55,960 --> 00:33:57,240 shaped, 457 00:33:57,240 --> 00:33:59,000 testing the financial risk-return 458 00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:01,360 balance built into the overlay to ensure 459 00:34:01,360 --> 00:34:03,320 it incentivizes commercial development 460 00:34:03,320 --> 00:34:06,440 without being unnecessarily generous, 461 00:34:06,440 --> 00:34:08,159 and confirming the protections in place 462 00:34:08,159 --> 00:34:10,240 to avoid a situation such as the 463 00:34:10,240 --> 00:34:12,560 demolished and empty Waldo Jorgen site 464 00:34:12,560 --> 00:34:14,159 in Coolidge Corner. 465 00:34:14,159 --> 00:34:16,120 Our most notable disagreement was over 466 00:34:16,120 --> 00:34:18,560 whether the Transit-Oriented Mixed-Use 467 00:34:18,560 --> 00:34:20,440 Sub-District should be included in the 468 00:34:20,440 --> 00:34:21,800 overlay, 469 00:34:21,800 --> 00:34:24,240 given that all parties appear to agree 470 00:34:24,240 --> 00:34:26,240 that the redevelopment of that site is 471 00:34:26,240 --> 00:34:28,600 unlikely in the near future. 472 00:34:28,600 --> 00:34:31,960 And by a 12 to 2 12 to 10 margin, the 473 00:34:31,960 --> 00:34:33,720 committee has recommended a substitute 474 00:34:33,720 --> 00:34:35,840 motion that removes this subdistrict 475 00:34:35,840 --> 00:34:37,520 from Article 1, but in all other 476 00:34:37,520 --> 00:34:39,440 respects is identical to the Slaight 477 00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:40,840 Road motion. 478 00:34:40,840 --> 00:34:42,560 So, we have two presenters now from the 479 00:34:42,560 --> 00:34:45,000 advisory committee, one who will be 480 00:34:45,000 --> 00:34:46,840 articulating the argument for the 481 00:34:46,840 --> 00:34:48,720 removal of the subdistrict and one who 482 00:34:48,720 --> 00:34:50,639 is presenting the minority opinion. So, 483 00:34:50,639 --> 00:34:53,399 first up we have Janice Kahn in support 484 00:34:53,399 --> 00:34:55,120 of the advisory committee's motion, 485 00:34:55,120 --> 00:34:57,040 speaking on behalf of Linda Olson 486 00:34:57,040 --> 00:34:59,720 Pelkey, who is the 487 00:34:59,720 --> 00:35:02,040 who is is the who is the 488 00:35:02,040 --> 00:35:03,920 petitioner here, who was the driving 489 00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:05,600 force behind this recommendation, but 490 00:35:05,600 --> 00:35:07,520 unfortunately Linda was hospitalized 491 00:35:07,520 --> 00:35:09,080 within the past week and is unable to 492 00:35:09,080 --> 00:35:10,880 present tonight. And then after Janice 493 00:35:10,880 --> 00:35:21,990 you'll hear from David 494 00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:24,400 » Okay. Thank you very much, Dennis, for 495 00:35:24,400 --> 00:35:26,360 introducing me. Janice Kahn, committee 496 00:35:26,360 --> 00:35:29,360 member from precinct 15 and a member of 497 00:35:29,360 --> 00:35:31,320 the advisory committee, giving the 498 00:35:31,320 --> 00:35:33,880 report for Linda Pelkey, committee 499 00:35:33,880 --> 00:35:36,440 member precinct 17. 500 00:35:36,440 --> 00:35:38,240 I'm speaking in favor of the advisory 501 00:35:38,240 --> 00:35:39,720 committee's amendment to remove the 502 00:35:39,720 --> 00:35:42,000 transit-oriented mixed-use subdistrict 503 00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:43,640 from the Chestnut Hill commercial 504 00:35:43,640 --> 00:35:45,280 overlay district. 505 00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:48,000 I urge you to support the TOM 506 00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:49,160 to remove 507 00:35:49,160 --> 00:35:51,400 removing the TOM district subdistrict 508 00:35:51,400 --> 00:35:52,880 because the proposed zoning is 509 00:35:52,880 --> 00:35:55,960 impractical, incomplete, and risks 510 00:35:55,960 --> 00:35:58,040 creating consequences that could harm 511 00:35:58,040 --> 00:36:00,400 this area rather than improve it. 512 00:36:00,400 --> 00:36:02,760 First, the TOM subdistrict is 513 00:36:02,760 --> 00:36:04,600 fundamentally different from the rest of 514 00:36:04,600 --> 00:36:06,960 the overlay district. It's location on 515 00:36:06,960 --> 00:36:09,040 the north side of Boylston Street, 516 00:36:09,040 --> 00:36:11,600 combined with its limited land area and 517 00:36:11,600 --> 00:36:14,200 unusual shape created by the Newton town 518 00:36:14,200 --> 00:36:17,080 boundary, makes it a distinct area that 519 00:36:17,080 --> 00:36:19,480 does not naturally fit into a broader 520 00:36:19,480 --> 00:36:22,600 cohesive planning vision. Treating it as 521 00:36:22,600 --> 00:36:24,000 though it functions the same as the 522 00:36:24,000 --> 00:36:25,960 other districts ignores the reality of 523 00:36:25,960 --> 00:36:27,640 the site itself. 524 00:36:27,640 --> 00:36:29,640 Second, the proposed zoning does not 525 00:36:29,640 --> 00:36:31,320 match the existing conditions or 526 00:36:31,320 --> 00:36:33,320 development realities. 527 00:36:33,320 --> 00:36:35,440 Today, this area includes a gas station, 528 00:36:35,440 --> 00:36:39,400 a CVS, a Star Market parking lot, and um 529 00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:42,080 four two-family homes. Star Market 530 00:36:42,080 --> 00:36:44,640 depends on that parking to operate, and 531 00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:46,520 there is currently no indication that 532 00:36:46,520 --> 00:36:47,880 property owners are pursuing 533 00:36:47,880 --> 00:36:49,440 redevelopment. 534 00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:51,760 The proposal assumes a redevelopment 535 00:36:51,760 --> 00:36:54,360 model that doesn't fit the area. It 536 00:36:54,360 --> 00:36:57,320 calls for pedestrian-oriented retail 537 00:36:57,320 --> 00:36:59,200 along a short stretch of Boylston 538 00:36:59,200 --> 00:37:01,400 Street, despite the fact that nearby 539 00:37:01,400 --> 00:37:03,720 development at the street functions 540 00:37:03,720 --> 00:37:07,200 around an internal retail streetscape 541 00:37:07,200 --> 00:37:09,640 and public gathering space. If future 542 00:37:09,640 --> 00:37:11,600 development is ever going to succeed 543 00:37:11,600 --> 00:37:13,880 here, zoning must reflect how people 544 00:37:13,880 --> 00:37:16,520 actually use the area, not how we wish 545 00:37:16,520 --> 00:37:18,400 it would look on paper. 546 00:37:18,400 --> 00:37:20,480 Third, the zoning lacks the detail and 547 00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:23,000 protections needed to produce quality 548 00:37:23,000 --> 00:37:25,320 outcomes. The proposed setbacks are 549 00:37:25,320 --> 00:37:27,800 minimal and can be waived. There are no 550 00:37:27,800 --> 00:37:30,320 meaningful controls on building massing, 551 00:37:30,320 --> 00:37:32,040 there are no step-back requirements, 552 00:37:32,040 --> 00:37:34,600 there are no floor area ratio limits to 553 00:37:34,600 --> 00:37:36,360 prevent oversized structures on 554 00:37:36,360 --> 00:37:39,240 individual parcels. Equally concerning 555 00:37:39,240 --> 00:37:41,000 is that these impacts were never fully 556 00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:43,040 studied. No shadow studies were 557 00:37:43,040 --> 00:37:45,480 completed, no deep-to-health analysis of 558 00:37:45,480 --> 00:37:48,600 the proposed zoning um was ever done. 559 00:37:48,600 --> 00:37:50,720 The TOM subdistrict was addressed only 560 00:37:50,720 --> 00:37:52,240 minimally at the end of the study 561 00:37:52,240 --> 00:37:54,880 process. Before making zoning decisions, 562 00:37:54,880 --> 00:37:57,280 we should understand the consequences. 563 00:37:57,280 --> 00:37:58,960 Traffic presents another serious 564 00:37:58,960 --> 00:38:00,960 concern. Preliminary studies already 565 00:38:00,960 --> 00:38:03,160 suggest that with full build-out, the 566 00:38:03,160 --> 00:38:04,880 Hammond Street and Boylston Street 567 00:38:04,880 --> 00:38:08,320 intersection would fail operationally. 568 00:38:08,320 --> 00:38:10,520 Proposed solutions include a radical arc 569 00:38:10,520 --> 00:38:12,880 cut design that could prohibit travel on 570 00:38:12,880 --> 00:38:15,000 Hammond Street. Such changes could 571 00:38:15,000 --> 00:38:17,560 create major disruptions for residents 572 00:38:17,560 --> 00:38:20,000 and potentially slow emergency response 573 00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:22,520 times, a concern expressed by our fire 574 00:38:22,520 --> 00:38:24,960 chief, but um Chief Sullivan. And 575 00:38:24,960 --> 00:38:26,640 finally, and perhaps most importantly, 576 00:38:26,640 --> 00:38:28,200 this proposal does not deliver the 577 00:38:28,200 --> 00:38:30,440 economic benefits that were the impetus 578 00:38:30,440 --> 00:38:31,080 to 579 00:38:31,080 --> 00:38:33,440 pursue this rezoning in the first place. 580 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:34,880 The proposed subdistrict is largely 581 00:38:34,880 --> 00:38:37,400 residential in character, minimal ground 582 00:38:37,400 --> 00:38:38,840 floor commercial requirements of the 583 00:38:38,840 --> 00:38:40,360 zoning are a tiny fraction of the 584 00:38:40,360 --> 00:38:42,680 buildable square footage allowed, and 585 00:38:42,680 --> 00:38:44,240 these requirements will not create the 586 00:38:44,240 --> 00:38:45,880 kind of vibrant commercial activity 587 00:38:45,880 --> 00:38:47,680 envisioned elsewhere in the district. 588 00:38:47,680 --> 00:38:49,720 The reality is the entire Chestnut Hill 589 00:38:49,720 --> 00:38:52,160 commercial zoning overlay incentivizes 590 00:38:52,160 --> 00:38:54,480 housing over commercial development in 591 00:38:54,480 --> 00:38:56,360 the last important commercial area in 592 00:38:56,360 --> 00:38:58,560 the town. The TOM, in contrast to the 593 00:38:58,560 --> 00:39:00,520 other subdistricts, already abuts a 594 00:39:00,520 --> 00:39:03,520 thriving commercial area in Newton. If 595 00:39:03,520 --> 00:39:05,360 we encourage commercial development 596 00:39:05,360 --> 00:39:08,440 here, which the TOM does not do, 597 00:39:08,440 --> 00:39:10,240 Brookline could get needed commercial 598 00:39:10,240 --> 00:39:12,760 tax dollars. We all support thoughtful 599 00:39:12,760 --> 00:39:14,840 growth, better zoning, streamlined 600 00:39:14,840 --> 00:39:17,000 permitting permitting, predictable 601 00:39:17,000 --> 00:39:18,600 well-designed development are worthy 602 00:39:18,600 --> 00:39:20,840 goals, but this proposal doesn't achieve 603 00:39:20,840 --> 00:39:23,080 it. Removing the TOM subdistrict is not 604 00:39:23,080 --> 00:39:24,960 a rejection of progress. Good planning 605 00:39:24,960 --> 00:39:27,440 requires realism, careful study, and 606 00:39:27,440 --> 00:39:29,840 zoning that reflects actual conditions. 607 00:39:29,840 --> 00:39:31,760 I urge you to support removing the TOM 608 00:39:31,760 --> 00:39:33,800 subdistrict tonight. Give this area the 609 00:39:33,800 --> 00:39:35,480 thoughtful planning process it deserves 610 00:39:35,480 --> 00:39:37,320 and bring it back to town meeting next 611 00:39:37,320 --> 00:39:39,360 year. Thank you. Please vote favorable 612 00:39:39,360 --> 00:39:41,480 action on the Advisory Committee's 613 00:39:41,480 --> 00:39:44,217 amendment. 614 00:39:44,227 --> 00:39:57,030 » [applause] 615 00:39:57,040 --> 00:39:58,640 » Good evening. 616 00:39:58,640 --> 00:40:00,800 David Town Meeting member from 617 00:40:00,800 --> 00:40:03,880 Precinct 11, uh member of the Advisory 618 00:40:03,880 --> 00:40:07,120 Committee, also a member of the Chestnut 619 00:40:07,120 --> 00:40:08,280 Hill 620 00:40:08,280 --> 00:40:10,800 uh commercial study 621 00:40:10,800 --> 00:40:14,160 community advisory group, as is uh 622 00:40:14,160 --> 00:40:15,640 Janice. 623 00:40:15,640 --> 00:40:18,640 Um speaking for uh 624 00:40:18,640 --> 00:40:20,560 the minority of 625 00:40:20,560 --> 00:40:23,400 on the 12 to 10 vote of AC members who 626 00:40:23,400 --> 00:40:26,560 voted to keep the TOM district in the 627 00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:29,360 overlay zoning. Here's why. 628 00:40:29,360 --> 00:40:32,400 The TOM subdistrict is an integral part 629 00:40:32,400 --> 00:40:35,160 of the Chestnut Hill commercial area. 630 00:40:35,160 --> 00:40:37,000 It's part of the mall. 631 00:40:37,000 --> 00:40:39,360 Removing it leaves a gap in our planning 632 00:40:39,360 --> 00:40:41,320 and zoning framework 633 00:40:41,320 --> 00:40:43,080 like presenting a smile with a missing 634 00:40:43,080 --> 00:40:45,320 tooth. 635 00:40:45,320 --> 00:40:47,640 Yes, there are four small brick houses 636 00:40:47,640 --> 00:40:49,840 in the northeast corner that predate the 637 00:40:49,840 --> 00:40:52,880 mall, but they're totally isolated and 638 00:40:52,880 --> 00:40:56,040 two of them already belong to WS, 639 00:40:56,040 --> 00:40:58,440 the mall owner, reinforcing the reality 640 00:40:58,440 --> 00:41:00,800 that the future of this subdistrict is 641 00:41:00,800 --> 00:41:02,640 commercial. 642 00:41:02,640 --> 00:41:04,760 The TOM's a 4-minute walk to the 643 00:41:04,760 --> 00:41:07,440 high-speed D line stop, exactly where we 644 00:41:07,440 --> 00:41:10,040 should be encouraging transit-oriented 645 00:41:10,040 --> 00:41:11,640 development. 646 00:41:11,640 --> 00:41:13,920 The six and seven-story height limit is 647 00:41:13,920 --> 00:41:17,080 contextually appropriate, mirroring the 648 00:41:17,080 --> 00:41:20,400 CHC3 this subdistrict height 649 00:41:20,400 --> 00:41:22,200 uh that we're establishing directly 650 00:41:22,200 --> 00:41:24,360 across Boylston Street. 651 00:41:24,360 --> 00:41:27,400 The only other context is the mall and 652 00:41:27,400 --> 00:41:31,040 the tennis courts across Hammond Street. 653 00:41:31,040 --> 00:41:34,120 Traffic on Route 9 is going to get worse 654 00:41:34,120 --> 00:41:36,040 even if nothing new is developed 655 00:41:36,040 --> 00:41:38,480 anywhere in Brookline. 656 00:41:38,480 --> 00:41:40,360 And this is in large part a regional 657 00:41:40,360 --> 00:41:42,680 issue and not tied to this small 658 00:41:42,680 --> 00:41:44,320 subdistrict. 659 00:41:44,320 --> 00:41:46,440 It's not reasonable or normal to expect 660 00:41:46,440 --> 00:41:49,360 detailed traffic planning to come first. 661 00:41:49,360 --> 00:41:52,040 Mass DOT will come to the table after we 662 00:41:52,040 --> 00:41:54,600 pass the zoning and the real process of 663 00:41:54,600 --> 00:41:56,120 figuring out the best approach to 664 00:41:56,120 --> 00:41:57,880 mitigation will begin when a big 665 00:41:57,880 --> 00:41:59,800 project, in this case 666 00:41:59,800 --> 00:42:01,880 presumably City Realty's, starts 667 00:42:01,880 --> 00:42:04,320 applying for permits. 668 00:42:04,320 --> 00:42:06,760 Let's not make the same mistake at the 669 00:42:06,760 --> 00:42:10,520 same spot twice and repeat what happened 670 00:42:10,520 --> 00:42:13,160 50 years ago when the Star Market was 671 00:42:13,160 --> 00:42:15,000 built entirely in Newton because 672 00:42:15,000 --> 00:42:16,680 Brookline did not have 673 00:42:16,680 --> 00:42:19,360 development-friendly zoning in place for 674 00:42:19,360 --> 00:42:21,880 this exact parcel. 675 00:42:21,880 --> 00:42:24,040 We got a parking lot. We still have a 676 00:42:24,040 --> 00:42:25,240 parking lot. 677 00:42:25,240 --> 00:42:28,280 Let's be planful today and not wait 678 00:42:28,280 --> 00:42:31,920 passively for something to come to us. 679 00:42:31,920 --> 00:42:34,440 If we don't do this now, don't kid 680 00:42:34,440 --> 00:42:36,360 ourselves that we'll get back to it 681 00:42:36,360 --> 00:42:38,400 anytime soon. 682 00:42:38,400 --> 00:42:40,640 Remember what happened 4 years ago to 683 00:42:40,640 --> 00:42:43,480 the proposed Brookline Hills Overlay 684 00:42:43,480 --> 00:42:45,680 District at the other end of Boylston 685 00:42:45,680 --> 00:42:48,200 Street that got pulled at the last 686 00:42:48,200 --> 00:42:50,480 minute and not presented to town 687 00:42:50,480 --> 00:42:53,560 meeting. Gone without a trace. 688 00:42:53,560 --> 00:42:57,560 Not a peep since May 2022. 689 00:42:57,560 --> 00:42:59,960 Here and now, we have the comprehensive 690 00:42:59,960 --> 00:43:02,720 plan coming to fall town meeting with a 691 00:43:02,720 --> 00:43:05,720 long list of other priority areas to 692 00:43:05,720 --> 00:43:06,880 study. 693 00:43:06,880 --> 00:43:09,480 Let's complete our 2-plus years of work 694 00:43:09,480 --> 00:43:11,000 on this area 695 00:43:11,000 --> 00:43:13,040 and be ready to move on to implementing 696 00:43:13,040 --> 00:43:15,600 the rest of the comp plan, which is just 697 00:43:15,600 --> 00:43:18,390 around the corner. 698 00:43:18,400 --> 00:43:19,069 » Thank you. 699 00:43:19,069 --> 00:43:24,910 >> [applause] 700 00:43:24,920 --> 00:43:27,000 » So, thank you. 701 00:43:27,000 --> 00:43:28,720 Janice, and uh thank you, 702 00:43:28,720 --> 00:43:31,280 David. Uh the Advisory Committee uh 703 00:43:31,280 --> 00:43:33,560 overwhelmingly by a vote of 20 to 2 704 00:43:33,560 --> 00:43:36,760 supports Article 1 as amended uh to 705 00:43:36,760 --> 00:43:39,200 eliminate the Tom Sub-District. And by a 706 00:43:39,200 --> 00:43:42,800 vote of 21 to 0 with one abstention, we 707 00:43:42,800 --> 00:43:45,400 recommend favorable action on Article 2. 708 00:43:45,400 --> 00:43:47,440 Thank you. 709 00:43:47,440 --> 00:43:50,040 >> Thank you. Next up is uh 710 00:43:50,040 --> 00:43:52,320 Anne Myers uh representing the Economic 711 00:43:52,320 --> 00:44:01,635 Development Advisory Board. 712 00:44:01,645 --> 00:44:03,400 » [laughter] 713 00:44:03,400 --> 00:44:06,560 >> Thank you. 714 00:44:06,560 --> 00:44:08,600 My name is Anne Myers and I'm speaking 715 00:44:08,600 --> 00:44:10,840 tonight on behalf of EDAB, the Economic 716 00:44:10,840 --> 00:44:12,600 Development Advisory Board, which I 717 00:44:12,600 --> 00:44:13,840 chair. 718 00:44:13,840 --> 00:44:15,400 Excuse [clears throat] me. EDAB voted 719 00:44:15,400 --> 00:44:17,440 unanimously in support of special town 720 00:44:17,440 --> 00:44:18,800 meeting articles 721 00:44:18,800 --> 00:44:21,200 one and two because the proposed zoning 722 00:44:21,200 --> 00:44:23,040 and accompanying agreements directly 723 00:44:23,040 --> 00:44:25,640 advance EDAB's core mission, which is to 724 00:44:25,640 --> 00:44:27,000 strengthen the vibrancy of our 725 00:44:27,000 --> 00:44:28,800 commercial districts and expand 726 00:44:28,800 --> 00:44:31,120 Brookline's commercial tax base to 727 00:44:31,120 --> 00:44:34,560 support high-quality town services. 728 00:44:34,560 --> 00:44:36,720 For years, EDAB has emphasized the need 729 00:44:36,720 --> 00:44:38,360 for Brookline to take a more proactive 730 00:44:38,360 --> 00:44:40,440 approach to development. We can no 731 00:44:40,440 --> 00:44:42,240 longer rely on a passive model of 732 00:44:42,240 --> 00:44:43,320 waiting for developers 733 00:44:43,320 --> 00:44:44,600 >> the mic. 734 00:44:44,600 --> 00:44:47,160 You need to almost eat it. 735 00:44:47,160 --> 00:44:50,160 >> Sorry. Can you hear me now? 736 00:44:50,160 --> 00:44:52,360 Okay. I'm sorry. 737 00:44:52,360 --> 00:44:54,360 For years, EDAB has emphasized the need 738 00:44:54,360 --> 00:44:56,040 for Brookline to take a more proactive 739 00:44:56,040 --> 00:44:58,240 approach to development. We can no 740 00:44:58,240 --> 00:45:00,640 longer rely on a map passive model of 741 00:45:00,640 --> 00:45:02,400 waiting for developers to initiate 742 00:45:02,400 --> 00:45:04,600 meaningful rezoning proposals. 743 00:45:04,600 --> 00:45:08,630 If Brookline wants to address 744 00:45:08,640 --> 00:45:11,320 Uh, sorry. 745 00:45:11,320 --> 00:45:13,040 If Brookline wants to address long-term 746 00:45:13,040 --> 00:45:14,680 structural budget challenges while 747 00:45:14,680 --> 00:45:16,920 maintaining quality of life 748 00:45:16,920 --> 00:45:18,920 that the residents expect, the town must 749 00:45:18,920 --> 00:45:21,080 strategically rezone areas capable of 750 00:45:21,080 --> 00:45:23,080 supporting economic growth and mixed-use 751 00:45:23,080 --> 00:45:25,120 development. The Chestnut Hill 752 00:45:25,120 --> 00:45:27,200 commercial area overlay does exactly 753 00:45:27,200 --> 00:45:29,440 that. It establishes a clear and 754 00:45:29,440 --> 00:45:31,440 predictable framework for development in 755 00:45:31,440 --> 00:45:33,720 an underutilized commercial district 756 00:45:33,720 --> 00:45:35,560 informed by substantial community 757 00:45:35,560 --> 00:45:38,080 engagement and the expertise of EDAB's 758 00:45:38,080 --> 00:45:40,560 real estate advisory subcommittee. 759 00:45:40,560 --> 00:45:42,720 The overlay incentivizes economic 760 00:45:42,720 --> 00:45:44,680 development, encourages mixed-use 761 00:45:44,680 --> 00:45:48,480 projects, and improves the public realm. 762 00:45:48,480 --> 00:45:50,440 The reality is that the existing zoning 763 00:45:50,440 --> 00:45:52,360 has not produced meaningful development 764 00:45:52,360 --> 00:45:54,880 on the Brookline side of Route 9 despite 765 00:45:54,880 --> 00:45:57,080 one of the strongest development cycles 766 00:45:57,080 --> 00:45:59,320 we've had in decades. Look across the 767 00:45:59,320 --> 00:46:00,800 street and see how Newton has 768 00:46:00,800 --> 00:46:02,560 successfully capitalized on those 769 00:46:02,560 --> 00:46:05,280 opportunities. Our current zoning simply 770 00:46:05,280 --> 00:46:07,280 does not support economically viable 771 00:46:07,280 --> 00:46:09,520 development, particularly projects that 772 00:46:09,520 --> 00:46:11,640 expand commercial uses and generate 773 00:46:11,640 --> 00:46:14,240 meaningful tax revenue. 774 00:46:14,240 --> 00:46:15,800 Given Brookline's limited commercial 775 00:46:15,800 --> 00:46:17,720 development opportunities and the strong 776 00:46:17,720 --> 00:46:19,880 market pressure for residential 777 00:46:19,880 --> 00:46:22,040 development, mixed-use development 778 00:46:22,040 --> 00:46:24,160 represents our best opportunity to grow 779 00:46:24,160 --> 00:46:26,760 and diversify the commercial tax base. 780 00:46:26,760 --> 00:46:29,560 Importantly, this overlay includes new 781 00:46:29,560 --> 00:46:31,880 policy tools specifically designed to 782 00:46:31,880 --> 00:46:34,040 promote commercial uses, including 783 00:46:34,040 --> 00:46:36,440 commercial oriented sub-districts that 784 00:46:36,440 --> 00:46:39,080 require at least 51% commercial floor 785 00:46:39,080 --> 00:46:41,560 area, and incentives for higher revenue 786 00:46:41,560 --> 00:46:44,400 generating uses such as hotels, medical 787 00:46:44,400 --> 00:46:47,400 office, and research lab space. 788 00:46:47,400 --> 00:46:49,560 Finally, it's critical that town meeting 789 00:46:49,560 --> 00:46:51,240 adopt the overlay zoning in its 790 00:46:51,240 --> 00:46:53,520 entirety, including the transit-oriented 791 00:46:53,520 --> 00:46:56,320 mixed-use sub-district north of Route 9. 792 00:46:56,320 --> 00:46:57,840 That district was part of the Select 793 00:46:57,840 --> 00:46:59,360 Board's original charge to the 794 00:46:59,360 --> 00:47:01,720 committee, and is essential to creating 795 00:47:01,720 --> 00:47:03,680 momentum needed for broader development 796 00:47:03,680 --> 00:47:05,200 throughout the corridor. 797 00:47:05,200 --> 00:47:07,160 I urge you to vote no on the Advisory 798 00:47:07,160 --> 00:47:09,040 Committee substitute motion for Article 799 00:47:09,040 --> 00:47:11,960 1, and then vote yes on Articles 1 and 2 800 00:47:11,960 --> 00:47:13,960 to support the overlay as proposed by 801 00:47:13,960 --> 00:47:16,320 the Select Board. If we don't pass this 802 00:47:16,320 --> 00:47:18,400 now, I fear that it'll be a long time 803 00:47:18,400 --> 00:47:20,240 before another developer comes knocking 804 00:47:20,240 --> 00:47:22,320 on Brookline's door with a mixed-use 805 00:47:22,320 --> 00:47:24,480 development proposal. Developers have 806 00:47:24,480 --> 00:47:25,960 lots of other places where they can 807 00:47:25,960 --> 00:47:27,840 invest their time and money. 808 00:47:27,840 --> 00:47:29,000 Thank you. 809 00:47:29,000 --> 00:47:29,937 >> Thank you. 810 00:47:29,937 --> 00:47:34,390 >> [applause] 811 00:47:34,400 --> 00:47:38,160 » One thing I'll comment on is uh 812 00:47:38,160 --> 00:47:39,840 some speakers will come and then they'll 813 00:47:39,840 --> 00:47:43,040 cover the timer, so you never know 814 00:47:43,040 --> 00:47:44,760 how much time you have left. It's going 815 00:47:44,760 --> 00:47:47,080 to be a while, I think, before I get to 816 00:47:47,080 --> 00:47:48,440 questions. 817 00:47:48,440 --> 00:47:51,800 >> Question of clarification on Mr. Dowdy's 818 00:47:51,800 --> 00:47:56,630 remarks. 819 00:47:56,640 --> 00:47:59,400 » Okay. 820 00:47:59,400 --> 00:48:01,040 >> Sorry, Kelly Hardebeck, 821 00:48:01,040 --> 00:48:03,080 town meeting member from Precinct 7. Um, 822 00:48:03,080 --> 00:48:04,280 sorry. 823 00:48:04,280 --> 00:48:07,400 Uh, we are confused about the votes. 824 00:48:07,400 --> 00:48:09,400 >> Okay, that's an appropriate question. 825 00:48:09,400 --> 00:48:10,600 >> Thank you, sir. 826 00:48:10,600 --> 00:48:12,160 Mr. Dowdy, I'm sorry, if you could uh 827 00:48:12,160 --> 00:48:13,800 rewrite the votes that the AC took and 828 00:48:13,800 --> 00:48:17,670 what those were. Thank you. 829 00:48:17,680 --> 00:48:18,880 » Um, 830 00:48:18,880 --> 00:48:21,000 thank you, Dennis Dowdy, uh, Precinct 3 831 00:48:21,000 --> 00:48:23,040 Advisory Committee Chair. Uh, at our 832 00:48:23,040 --> 00:48:27,040 discussions, uh, Ms. Pelkey recommended, 833 00:48:27,040 --> 00:48:29,240 uh, proposed an amendment to remove the 834 00:48:29,240 --> 00:48:31,800 Tom from Article 1. 835 00:48:31,800 --> 00:48:33,560 That amendment passed at the Advisory 836 00:48:33,560 --> 00:48:36,200 Committee by a vote of 12 to 10. 837 00:48:36,200 --> 00:48:36,760 Uh, 838 00:48:36,760 --> 00:48:38,880 and then subsequently, the amended 839 00:48:38,880 --> 00:48:43,080 article passed by a vote of 20 to 2. 840 00:48:43,080 --> 00:48:43,520 >> Thank you. 841 00:48:43,520 --> 00:48:43,920 >> Is that clear? 842 00:48:43,920 --> 00:48:44,920 >> Thank you. 843 00:48:44,920 --> 00:48:47,640 >> Okay, that was That was an appropriate 844 00:48:47,640 --> 00:48:49,600 question, I think, for the for the 845 00:48:49,600 --> 00:48:52,200 moment. Um, 846 00:48:52,200 --> 00:48:54,320 before I recognize the next person, I'm 847 00:48:54,320 --> 00:48:56,280 just going to explain, uh, I'm going to 848 00:48:56,280 --> 00:48:58,760 be recognizing Janice Kahn. 849 00:48:58,760 --> 00:49:01,040 Uh, Janice was kind of pulled out the 850 00:49:01,040 --> 00:49:04,040 last minute to deliver remarks from 851 00:49:04,040 --> 00:49:06,480 another Advisory Committee member. She 852 00:49:06,480 --> 00:49:08,960 was speaking on behalf of the Advisory 853 00:49:08,960 --> 00:49:11,360 Committee and that member. Uh, 854 00:49:11,360 --> 00:49:13,160 now she's going to be speaking on behalf 855 00:49:13,160 --> 00:49:15,680 of of herself. She had signed up in 856 00:49:15,680 --> 00:49:18,280 advance, way in advance, to speak in 857 00:49:18,280 --> 00:49:20,600 this time slot. So, I'm going, even 858 00:49:20,600 --> 00:49:23,080 though this is her second time up at the 859 00:49:23,080 --> 00:49:25,680 podium, I'm going to grant that because 860 00:49:25,680 --> 00:49:28,200 this is for for her own voice, this is 861 00:49:28,200 --> 00:49:38,110 the first time up. So, Janice Kahn. 862 00:49:38,120 --> 00:49:40,080 » Thank you very much, Mr. Moderator. 863 00:49:40,080 --> 00:49:42,040 Janice Kahn, town meeting member from 864 00:49:42,040 --> 00:49:44,480 Precinct 15 and a member of the Advisory 865 00:49:44,480 --> 00:49:46,720 Committee speaking as a resident of the 866 00:49:46,720 --> 00:49:48,440 Chestnut Hill commercial area and 867 00:49:48,440 --> 00:49:50,400 changing hats. 868 00:49:50,400 --> 00:49:54,000 And, um, I'm speaking in favor of the 869 00:49:54,000 --> 00:49:55,800 Advisory Committee's amendment to remove 870 00:49:55,800 --> 00:50:00,560 the TOM subdistrict and in favor of the amended Chestnut Hill overlay 871 00:50:00,560 --> 00:50:01,920 zoning. 872 00:50:01,920 --> 00:50:03,880 The vast majority of those casting a 873 00:50:03,880 --> 00:50:06,240 vote in favor of Warrant Article 1 will 874 00:50:06,240 --> 00:50:08,680 be unaffected by the numerous negative 875 00:50:08,680 --> 00:50:10,160 impacts that will result from the 876 00:50:10,160 --> 00:50:12,120 passage of this article. 877 00:50:12,120 --> 00:50:14,120 Strong opposition from residents of 878 00:50:14,120 --> 00:50:17,240 precincts 14, 15, and 16 to the 879 00:50:17,240 --> 00:50:19,320 increased density in the overlay zoning 880 00:50:19,320 --> 00:50:21,800 and to the proposed traffic mitigation 881 00:50:21,800 --> 00:50:23,920 at Hammond and Boylston Streets is based 882 00:50:23,920 --> 00:50:26,280 on our experience. This is not 883 00:50:26,280 --> 00:50:29,080 theoretical for us. Traffic impacts are 884 00:50:29,080 --> 00:50:30,840 real and the number one issue for many 885 00:50:30,840 --> 00:50:32,080 of us. 886 00:50:32,080 --> 00:50:34,520 This part of Brookline is suburban in 887 00:50:34,520 --> 00:50:36,840 design and car dependent. 888 00:50:36,840 --> 00:50:38,960 My comments focus on two subdistricts of 889 00:50:38,960 --> 00:50:42,360 the overlay zoning, the CHC4 subdistrict 890 00:50:42,360 --> 00:50:44,040 and the Transit Oriented Mixed Use or 891 00:50:44,040 --> 00:50:47,200 TOM subdistrict. Two takeaways. 892 00:50:47,200 --> 00:50:50,040 Um, the CHC4 zoning before you is likely 893 00:50:50,040 --> 00:50:51,840 the least bad option for the 894 00:50:51,840 --> 00:50:54,120 neighborhood. So, I'm speaking in favor 895 00:50:54,120 --> 00:50:56,560 of that. And the TOM should be removed. 896 00:50:56,560 --> 00:50:59,200 And here's here's why for both. The 897 00:50:59,200 --> 00:51:00,840 overlay zoning has two important 898 00:51:00,840 --> 00:51:03,200 protections requested by residents 899 00:51:03,200 --> 00:51:05,560 abutting the CHC4 Chestnut Hill Office 900 00:51:05,560 --> 00:51:07,360 Park or CHOP site. 901 00:51:07,360 --> 00:51:09,720 First, no curb cuts on Heath Street. 902 00:51:09,720 --> 00:51:11,560 Originally, this request was only in the 903 00:51:11,560 --> 00:51:14,080 memorandum of agreement, but it is now 904 00:51:14,080 --> 00:51:15,720 in the zoning. 905 00:51:15,720 --> 00:51:17,520 The developer of Chestnut Hill Square 906 00:51:17,520 --> 00:51:19,760 negotiated a similar agreement with the 907 00:51:19,760 --> 00:51:21,760 nearby residents in Newton and 908 00:51:21,760 --> 00:51:23,760 Brookline. So, 909 00:51:23,760 --> 00:51:25,960 that's good. Neighbor, second, neighbors 910 00:51:25,960 --> 00:51:27,840 urged that the highest building be 911 00:51:27,840 --> 00:51:30,560 farthest from the existing residences. 912 00:51:30,560 --> 00:51:33,760 As a result, building within 170 ft of 913 00:51:33,760 --> 00:51:35,560 the Brookline-Newton border is limited 914 00:51:35,560 --> 00:51:38,560 to 88 ft or seven stories, which is just 915 00:51:38,560 --> 00:51:40,600 one story higher than the existing 916 00:51:40,600 --> 00:51:41,760 zoning. 917 00:51:41,760 --> 00:51:44,000 Because City Realty's proposal became 918 00:51:44,000 --> 00:51:46,200 the driver for the overlay zoning for 919 00:51:46,200 --> 00:51:48,800 the entire area and the town had already 920 00:51:48,800 --> 00:51:51,480 negotiated building heights of 12 and 14 921 00:51:51,480 --> 00:51:54,360 stories to enable their project. Through 922 00:51:54,360 --> 00:51:58,480 bonuses, they can build to 175 feet. 923 00:51:58,480 --> 00:52:00,560 However, the developer agreed to two 924 00:52:00,560 --> 00:52:03,080 additional zoning changes addressing 925 00:52:03,080 --> 00:52:04,920 neighborhood impacts. 926 00:52:04,920 --> 00:52:07,520 One, the upzoning starts at 10 stories, 927 00:52:07,520 --> 00:52:11,480 125 feet, for 51% commercial and not the 928 00:52:11,480 --> 00:52:13,360 12 stories that was in the original 929 00:52:13,360 --> 00:52:16,120 overlay, bringing the proposal closer to 930 00:52:16,120 --> 00:52:17,880 the heights and density the neighborhood 931 00:52:17,880 --> 00:52:19,320 could support. 932 00:52:19,320 --> 00:52:21,520 Second, a mid-level height of 12 933 00:52:21,520 --> 00:52:24,240 stories, 150 feet, for additional 934 00:52:24,240 --> 00:52:26,360 percent commercial space and or 935 00:52:26,360 --> 00:52:28,200 significant neighborhood benefits was 936 00:52:28,200 --> 00:52:30,840 negotiated. Neighborhood benefits such 937 00:52:30,840 --> 00:52:33,120 as enhanced design review committee, a 938 00:52:33,120 --> 00:52:34,640 five-member neighborhood group to work 939 00:52:34,640 --> 00:52:36,000 with the developer on elements in the 940 00:52:36,000 --> 00:52:39,200 public realm are specified in the MOA. 941 00:52:39,200 --> 00:52:41,480 Regarding the town, at the February 10th 942 00:52:41,480 --> 00:52:43,160 select board's hearing at town hall, 943 00:52:43,160 --> 00:52:45,480 Newton City Councilor Lyle Baker 944 00:52:45,480 --> 00:52:47,160 questioned the inclusion of the Chestnut 945 00:52:47,160 --> 00:52:49,560 Hill overlay zoning in the May warrant, 946 00:52:49,560 --> 00:52:51,240 concerned that he had just heard of 947 00:52:51,240 --> 00:52:53,240 rezoning the commercial area north of 948 00:52:53,240 --> 00:52:55,720 Route 9, which abuts Newton. He urged 949 00:52:55,720 --> 00:52:58,440 the town to wait. On March 9th, 950 00:52:58,440 --> 00:53:00,360 Councilor Baker, chair of the Newton 951 00:53:00,360 --> 00:53:01,920 Planning and Zoning Committee, gave an 952 00:53:01,920 --> 00:53:03,960 update to the members of the committee. 953 00:53:03,960 --> 00:53:06,000 I attended that meeting in person online 954 00:53:06,000 --> 00:53:08,360 with Carla Bianca, um Tamini from 955 00:53:08,360 --> 00:53:11,160 Precinct 14, and town administrator Chaz 956 00:53:11,160 --> 00:53:12,960 Carey. The city council has had 957 00:53:12,960 --> 00:53:14,680 questions and expressed concerns about 958 00:53:14,680 --> 00:53:16,320 the rezoning and the traffic mitigation 959 00:53:16,320 --> 00:53:18,960 proposed for Route 9. I understand why 960 00:53:18,960 --> 00:53:21,520 closing Hammond Street to cross traffic 961 00:53:21,520 --> 00:53:23,920 is a serious concern for residents in 962 00:53:23,920 --> 00:53:26,480 both Brookline and Newton. There are no 963 00:53:26,480 --> 00:53:28,640 north-south roads between Hammond Pond 964 00:53:28,640 --> 00:53:30,800 Parkway to the west and Hammond Street 965 00:53:30,800 --> 00:53:33,280 to the east. If Hammond Street is closed 966 00:53:33,280 --> 00:53:35,600 to through traffic, either drivers will 967 00:53:35,600 --> 00:53:37,800 be forced to wait in a queue on Route 9 968 00:53:37,800 --> 00:53:40,360 to make a U-turn or proceed to the the 969 00:53:40,360 --> 00:53:42,680 road that directly crosses Route 9, 970 00:53:42,680 --> 00:53:46,360 Chestnut Hill Avenue, which is 1.7 miles 971 00:53:46,360 --> 00:53:48,000 to the east. 972 00:53:48,000 --> 00:53:49,600 Brookline and Newton at the TOM are 973 00:53:49,600 --> 00:53:51,480 intertwined. The parking area in 974 00:53:51,480 --> 00:53:53,680 Brookline is a condition of the permit 975 00:53:53,680 --> 00:53:55,920 for the Star Market, which is in Newton. 976 00:53:55,920 --> 00:53:57,760 I note that when Chestnut Hill Square, 977 00:53:57,760 --> 00:53:59,440 fully in Newton, was being considered 978 00:53:59,440 --> 00:54:01,360 for development, Brookline leaders were 979 00:54:01,360 --> 00:54:03,600 given the opportunity to weigh in. So, 980 00:54:03,600 --> 00:54:05,320 the idea that we should ignore what 981 00:54:05,320 --> 00:54:07,840 Newton has to say now is not borne out 982 00:54:07,840 --> 00:54:09,720 by our history. 983 00:54:09,720 --> 00:54:11,600 Importantly, the TOM subdistrict was 984 00:54:11,600 --> 00:54:14,120 only minimally discussed in Brookline at 985 00:54:14,120 --> 00:54:15,960 the last Community Advisory Group 986 00:54:15,960 --> 00:54:18,200 meeting. It has not been studied. It's 987 00:54:18,200 --> 00:54:20,240 not ready for a vote. Please vote for 988 00:54:20,240 --> 00:54:22,080 the Advisory Committee's amendment and 989 00:54:22,080 --> 00:54:23,760 remove this subdistrict from the 990 00:54:23,760 --> 00:54:25,720 overlay. And then I urge you to vote 991 00:54:25,720 --> 00:54:28,240 favorable action on the overlay for the 992 00:54:28,240 --> 00:54:30,280 south side of Boylston Street and Route 993 00:54:30,280 --> 00:54:33,120 9. And a final word on process. 994 00:54:33,120 --> 00:54:34,960 Members of the CAG, including myself, 995 00:54:34,960 --> 00:54:36,920 spent nearly 2 years attending numerous 996 00:54:36,920 --> 00:54:39,160 meetings, running focus groups early on, 997 00:54:39,160 --> 00:54:41,280 and at the last official meeting, which 998 00:54:41,280 --> 00:54:43,160 members were never told in advance was 999 00:54:43,160 --> 00:54:45,560 the last meeting, there was no vote. I'm 1000 00:54:45,560 --> 00:54:46,960 a former president of the League of 1001 00:54:46,960 --> 00:54:49,160 Women Voters of Brookline, and we say, 1002 00:54:49,160 --> 00:54:51,360 "Your vote is your voice." This was a 1003 00:54:51,360 --> 00:54:53,320 staff-led process that in the final 1004 00:54:53,320 --> 00:54:55,880 analysis gave the group no vote and 1005 00:54:55,880 --> 00:54:58,400 therefore no voice. This was different 1006 00:54:58,400 --> 00:55:00,520 from Gateway East in Brookline Village, 1007 00:55:00,520 --> 00:55:02,640 whose committee members did vote. I urge 1008 00:55:02,640 --> 00:55:04,920 the town never again to use this deeply 1009 00:55:04,920 --> 00:55:07,400 flawed community process with any other 1010 00:55:07,400 --> 00:55:09,560 neighborhood in Brookline. Thank you. 1011 00:55:09,560 --> 00:55:11,063 >> Thank you. 1012 00:55:11,063 --> 00:55:13,080 >> [applause] 1013 00:55:13,080 --> 00:55:15,680 >> Next up is Matt Hyatt 1014 00:55:15,680 --> 00:55:29,990 with the Planning Board. 1015 00:55:30,000 --> 00:55:31,200 » Can you hear me? 1016 00:55:31,200 --> 00:55:31,840 >> Yes. 1017 00:55:31,840 --> 00:55:33,800 >> Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Matt Hyatt, 1018 00:55:33,800 --> 00:55:36,240 Precinct 4 Town Meeting member and chair 1019 00:55:36,240 --> 00:55:37,440 of the Planning Board, speaking on 1020 00:55:37,440 --> 00:55:39,320 behalf of the planning board. Uh the 1021 00:55:39,320 --> 00:55:41,720 board discussed Article 1 over multiple 1022 00:55:41,720 --> 00:55:44,240 meetings including a work session in 1023 00:55:44,240 --> 00:55:45,800 early February where we focused on the 1024 00:55:45,800 --> 00:55:47,960 design guidelines. Uh the board focused 1025 00:55:47,960 --> 00:55:49,480 discussion on building scale and 1026 00:55:49,480 --> 00:55:51,360 transitions, pedestrian connectivity, 1027 00:55:51,360 --> 00:55:52,960 parking and transportation impacts, 1028 00:55:52,960 --> 00:55:54,480 affordable housing incentives, street 1029 00:55:54,480 --> 00:55:56,600 canopy and sustainability requirements, 1030 00:55:56,600 --> 00:55:58,800 and urban design standards. The board 1031 00:55:58,800 --> 00:56:00,160 concluded that the proposed Chestnut 1032 00:56:00,160 --> 00:56:01,720 Hill Commercial Overlay District is 1033 00:56:01,720 --> 00:56:03,960 strongly aligned with 1034 00:56:03,960 --> 00:56:05,680 uh cities with several key town planning 1035 00:56:05,680 --> 00:56:08,200 initiatives. Those include the overlay, 1036 00:56:08,200 --> 00:56:10,120 uh advancing uh the comprehensive plan 1037 00:56:10,120 --> 00:56:13,480 from 2005, creating a district framework 1038 00:56:13,480 --> 00:56:14,840 for mixed-use redevelopment in the 1039 00:56:14,840 --> 00:56:16,320 Chestnut in Chestnut Hill that supports 1040 00:56:16,320 --> 00:56:18,320 commercial tax base growth, expanded 1041 00:56:18,320 --> 00:56:20,040 housing opportunities on a more walkable 1042 00:56:20,040 --> 00:56:22,080 commercial corridor. Board also noted 1043 00:56:22,080 --> 00:56:24,080 consistency with the 2024 Housing 1044 00:56:24,080 --> 00:56:25,600 Production Plan which identified 1045 00:56:25,600 --> 00:56:27,400 Boylston Street as a mixed-use and 1046 00:56:27,400 --> 00:56:29,280 housing opportunity area appropriate for 1047 00:56:29,280 --> 00:56:31,360 additional housing production. And in 1048 00:56:31,360 --> 00:56:32,720 addition, the proposal incorporates 1049 00:56:32,720 --> 00:56:35,440 goals from the 2021 Urban Forest Climate 1050 00:56:35,440 --> 00:56:37,120 uh Resiliency Master Plan and broader 1051 00:56:37,120 --> 00:56:38,800 climate planning efforts requiring tree 1052 00:56:38,800 --> 00:56:40,960 canopy expansion, increased setbacks to 1053 00:56:40,960 --> 00:56:42,840 support tree planting, sustainable site 1054 00:56:42,840 --> 00:56:44,320 design measures, stormwater management 1055 00:56:44,320 --> 00:56:46,200 strategies, and pedestrian-oriented 1056 00:56:46,200 --> 00:56:48,200 public realm improvements. 1057 00:56:48,200 --> 00:56:49,600 The board emphasized that the zoning 1058 00:56:49,600 --> 00:56:51,240 proposal was informed by substantial 1059 00:56:51,240 --> 00:56:53,400 public engagement effort and extensive 1060 00:56:53,400 --> 00:56:54,800 technical analysis related to 1061 00:56:54,800 --> 00:56:56,360 transportation, redevelopment 1062 00:56:56,360 --> 00:56:58,320 feasibility, urban design, open space, 1063 00:56:58,320 --> 00:57:00,240 infrastructure impacts, and the members 1064 00:57:00,240 --> 00:57:01,560 highlighted mitigation measures 1065 00:57:01,560 --> 00:57:02,840 including pedestrian and bicycle 1066 00:57:02,840 --> 00:57:04,400 improvements, tree canopy requirements, 1067 00:57:04,400 --> 00:57:06,560 and activated open space, sustainable 1068 00:57:06,560 --> 00:57:07,800 building infrastructure, and design 1069 00:57:07,800 --> 00:57:08,960 standards intended to improve 1070 00:57:08,960 --> 00:57:10,480 walkability and neighborhood 1071 00:57:10,480 --> 00:57:12,440 compatibility while supporting long-term 1072 00:57:12,440 --> 00:57:15,080 economic development and housing goals. 1073 00:57:15,080 --> 00:57:17,080 And also, the planning board emphasized 1074 00:57:17,080 --> 00:57:19,120 that all eligible project eligible 1075 00:57:19,120 --> 00:57:20,640 projects will remain subject to the 1076 00:57:20,640 --> 00:57:22,240 town's design review and special permit 1077 00:57:22,240 --> 00:57:24,520 process and the accompanying 78-page 1078 00:57:24,520 --> 00:57:25,920 Chestnut Hill Commercial Design 1079 00:57:25,920 --> 00:57:27,760 Standards and Guidelines developed 1080 00:57:27,760 --> 00:57:29,200 through a lengthy public process with 1081 00:57:29,200 --> 00:57:31,360 urban design firm Sasaki established a 1082 00:57:31,360 --> 00:57:33,160 framework for future project review by 1083 00:57:33,160 --> 00:57:34,400 the Planning Board and the Design 1084 00:57:34,400 --> 00:57:36,680 Advisory Bodies. The standards provide 1085 00:57:36,680 --> 00:57:38,280 guidance for site plan and pedestrian 1086 00:57:38,280 --> 00:57:40,080 circulation, streetscape improvements, 1087 00:57:40,080 --> 00:57:41,920 building massing, scale transitions, 1088 00:57:41,920 --> 00:57:43,720 frontage design, open space, public 1089 00:57:43,720 --> 00:57:46,120 amenities, facade composition, and 1090 00:57:46,120 --> 00:57:48,040 design quality expectations intended to 1091 00:57:48,040 --> 00:57:49,640 shape the redevelopment outcomes 1092 00:57:49,640 --> 00:57:51,280 consistent with the goals of the overlay 1093 00:57:51,280 --> 00:57:52,800 district. 1094 00:57:52,800 --> 00:57:56,720 Therefore, the board voted 6 to 0 with 1095 00:57:56,720 --> 00:57:58,960 one exception one abstention to 1096 00:57:58,960 --> 00:58:01,360 recommend favorable action in support of 1097 00:58:01,360 --> 00:58:03,800 Warrant Article 1, the main motion. 1098 00:58:03,800 --> 00:58:04,680 Thank you. 1099 00:58:04,680 --> 00:58:06,605 >> Thank you. 1100 00:58:06,605 --> 00:58:10,710 >> [applause] 1101 00:58:10,720 --> 00:58:12,120 » Next up is 1102 00:58:12,120 --> 00:58:25,790 Mr. Banker. 1103 00:58:25,800 --> 00:58:28,080 Another tall person, the mic is set up 1104 00:58:28,080 --> 00:58:28,360 for you. 1105 00:58:28,360 --> 00:58:41,830 >> Fortunately, the mic is up already. 1106 00:58:41,840 --> 00:58:43,440 Thank you. 1107 00:58:43,440 --> 00:58:46,120 Dick Bencker, Precinct 14. 1108 00:58:46,120 --> 00:58:48,000 I urge you to support the Advisory 1109 00:58:48,000 --> 00:58:50,080 Committee amendment to remove the TOM 1110 00:58:50,080 --> 00:58:52,640 subdistrict from Article 1. 1111 00:58:52,640 --> 00:58:55,080 There's absolutely no need to upzone it 1112 00:58:55,080 --> 00:58:56,720 at this time. 1113 00:58:56,720 --> 00:58:59,360 We know that both WS Development, which 1114 00:58:59,360 --> 00:59:01,320 owns the large parking lot next to the 1115 00:59:01,320 --> 00:59:04,320 Star Market, and CVS have made clear 1116 00:59:04,320 --> 00:59:06,600 that they have no plans to redevelop 1117 00:59:06,600 --> 00:59:08,320 their holdings. 1118 00:59:08,320 --> 00:59:09,680 We know that the parking lot in 1119 00:59:09,680 --> 00:59:11,800 Brookline is part of the parking 1120 00:59:11,800 --> 00:59:14,560 required by Newton's special permit, 1121 00:59:14,560 --> 00:59:17,160 which allowed WS Development to enlarge 1122 00:59:17,160 --> 00:59:18,720 the Star Market. 1123 00:59:18,720 --> 00:59:21,200 Next slide, please. 1124 00:59:21,200 --> 00:59:22,880 We know that the Planning Department 1125 00:59:22,880 --> 00:59:25,040 engaged Kittelson & Associates as 1126 00:59:25,040 --> 00:59:27,040 traffic consultants. 1127 00:59:27,040 --> 00:59:29,120 We know that Kittelson produced reports 1128 00:59:29,120 --> 00:59:31,720 that projected increases in traffic 1129 00:59:31,720 --> 00:59:33,720 resulting from the proposed overlay 1130 00:59:33,720 --> 00:59:35,160 district. 1131 00:59:35,160 --> 00:59:37,440 And we know what those traffic increases 1132 00:59:37,440 --> 00:59:40,600 are from a build-out of just the Tom 1133 00:59:40,600 --> 00:59:43,080 subdistrict based on development 1134 00:59:43,080 --> 00:59:46,760 projected by our planning department. 1135 00:59:46,760 --> 00:59:49,200 We know that Kittelson calculated that 1136 00:59:49,200 --> 00:59:52,000 the Tom subdistrict traffic would see a 1137 00:59:52,000 --> 00:59:55,720 resulting increase of more than 550 1138 00:59:55,720 --> 01:00:00,480 trips, an 1,800% increase in the AM peak 1139 01:00:00,480 --> 01:00:01,720 hour 1140 01:00:01,720 --> 01:00:06,840 of 930 trips, almost a 2,000% increase 1141 01:00:06,840 --> 01:00:09,000 in the PM peak hour, 1142 01:00:09,000 --> 01:00:12,520 and of 400 trips, almost an 800% 1143 01:00:12,520 --> 01:00:15,760 increase in the Saturday peak hour, 1144 01:00:15,760 --> 01:00:18,120 making it one of the three largest 1145 01:00:18,120 --> 01:00:21,000 projected contributors to traffic, and 1146 01:00:21,000 --> 01:00:23,240 the one closest to Route 9 and the 1147 01:00:23,240 --> 01:00:25,760 Hammond Street intersection that is at 1148 01:00:25,760 --> 01:00:28,520 issue for the arc cuts. 1149 01:00:28,520 --> 01:00:30,560 We know that Kittelson's reports have 1150 01:00:30,560 --> 01:00:32,800 been shared with MassDOT 1151 01:00:32,800 --> 01:00:34,960 along with the arc cuts. 1152 01:00:34,960 --> 01:00:37,960 Kittelson's one and only recommendation 1153 01:00:37,960 --> 01:00:39,880 for dealing with the projected increase 1154 01:00:39,880 --> 01:00:42,840 in traffic volume at the intersection of 1155 01:00:42,840 --> 01:00:45,960 Route 9 and Hammond Street. 1156 01:00:45,960 --> 01:00:48,440 Kittelson expressly designed the arc 1157 01:00:48,440 --> 01:00:51,800 cuts to prioritize commuter traffic 1158 01:00:51,800 --> 01:00:55,760 through Brookline on Route 9. 1159 01:00:55,760 --> 01:00:58,280 To accomplish that, the arc cuts would 1160 01:00:58,280 --> 01:01:00,720 force Hammond Street traffic simply 1161 01:01:00,720 --> 01:01:03,280 wanting to cross Route 9 or turn left on 1162 01:01:03,280 --> 01:01:06,640 Route 9 into making significant detours 1163 01:01:06,640 --> 01:01:09,720 onto Route 9 and then back again after 1164 01:01:09,720 --> 01:01:13,000 U-turns just to get to the other side of 1165 01:01:13,000 --> 01:01:14,720 Route 9. 1166 01:01:14,720 --> 01:01:16,840 The arc cuts would force those detours 1167 01:01:16,840 --> 01:01:18,880 on those on Hammond going from South 1168 01:01:18,880 --> 01:01:21,880 Brookline and other parts of Brookline, 1169 01:01:21,880 --> 01:01:24,560 the schools, the religious institutions, 1170 01:01:24,560 --> 01:01:27,120 the post office, the Star Market, the 1171 01:01:27,120 --> 01:01:29,920 Chestnut Hill T stop, Boston College 1172 01:01:29,920 --> 01:01:32,480 campuses, and beyond. 1173 01:01:32,480 --> 01:01:34,400 They would cause diversions onto 1174 01:01:34,400 --> 01:01:37,040 residential neighborhood streets not 1175 01:01:37,040 --> 01:01:39,840 designed to accommodate heavy traffic 1176 01:01:39,840 --> 01:01:42,680 where kids live and where kids bike and 1177 01:01:42,680 --> 01:01:45,280 walk to the Hayes School. 1178 01:01:45,280 --> 01:01:47,400 Next slide, please. 1179 01:01:47,400 --> 01:01:49,520 And they would lead to mazes with 1180 01:01:49,520 --> 01:01:52,400 pedestrians having to cross four or five 1181 01:01:52,400 --> 01:01:55,640 different traffic corridors just to get 1182 01:01:55,640 --> 01:01:58,640 across Route 9. 1183 01:01:58,640 --> 01:02:00,840 Now, it's perfectly true that Article 1 1184 01:02:00,840 --> 01:02:03,480 doesn't address traffic or changes in 1185 01:02:03,480 --> 01:02:04,920 road design. 1186 01:02:04,920 --> 01:02:07,400 But we've been told that after whatever 1187 01:02:07,400 --> 01:02:10,680 version of Article 1 passes, MassDOT 1188 01:02:10,680 --> 01:02:13,440 will begin formal discussions of Route 9 1189 01:02:13,440 --> 01:02:15,280 options. 1190 01:02:15,280 --> 01:02:17,960 If the Town subdistrict is included in 1191 01:02:17,960 --> 01:02:20,960 the overlay zoning, the Middleton data 1192 01:02:20,960 --> 01:02:23,200 from the Town's build-out would 1193 01:02:23,200 --> 01:02:25,120 logically be included in the 1194 01:02:25,120 --> 01:02:27,880 consideration of those options. 1195 01:02:27,880 --> 01:02:30,440 Despite the fact that redevelopment 1196 01:02:30,440 --> 01:02:32,720 plans for the Town are nowhere near the 1197 01:02:32,720 --> 01:02:34,160 horizon, 1198 01:02:34,160 --> 01:02:36,640 unlike those of City Realty and the 1199 01:02:36,640 --> 01:02:38,440 expressed interests of the growth 1200 01:02:38,440 --> 01:02:41,680 companies, Salvatore Capital, and CH 1201 01:02:41,680 --> 01:02:44,160 Realty Ventures on the other side of 1202 01:02:44,160 --> 01:02:45,920 Route 9. 1203 01:02:45,920 --> 01:02:48,560 As a practical matter, it's totally 1204 01:02:48,560 --> 01:02:50,960 unnecessary to include the Town 1205 01:02:50,960 --> 01:02:53,360 subdistrict at this time. 1206 01:02:53,360 --> 01:02:55,280 Whether like me, you believe it would be 1207 01:02:55,280 --> 01:02:58,680 premature and actually a disservice to 1208 01:02:58,680 --> 01:03:00,560 the Town's residents to include the 1209 01:03:00,560 --> 01:03:01,640 Town, 1210 01:03:01,640 --> 01:03:03,640 or whether you just want to eliminate a 1211 01:03:03,640 --> 01:03:06,720 bone of contention that's unnecessary, 1212 01:03:06,720 --> 01:03:08,760 please support the Advisory Committee 1213 01:03:08,760 --> 01:03:11,800 motion to remove the Town subdistrict 1214 01:03:11,800 --> 01:03:14,720 from the proposed zoning overlay. 1215 01:03:14,720 --> 01:03:15,920 Thank you. 1216 01:03:15,920 --> 01:03:17,078 >> Thank you. 1217 01:03:17,078 --> 01:03:21,950 >> [applause] 1218 01:03:21,960 --> 01:03:24,280 » Next up is uh Roger Blood for the 1219 01:03:24,280 --> 01:03:33,590 Housing Advisory Board. 1220 01:03:33,600 --> 01:03:35,160 I think you're going to need to adjust 1221 01:03:35,160 --> 01:03:47,550 the mic for this. 1222 01:03:47,560 --> 01:03:49,000 » Can you hear me? Can you hear me good? 1223 01:03:49,000 --> 01:03:51,200 No? 1224 01:03:51,200 --> 01:03:52,840 >> Yeah, it it needs to be aimed right at 1225 01:03:52,840 --> 01:03:56,870 your mouth. 1226 01:03:56,880 --> 01:03:57,600 » How's that? 1227 01:03:57,600 --> 01:04:03,230 >> Yeah, that's better. 1228 01:04:03,240 --> 01:04:05,400 » Good evening. Um I'm Roger Blood 1229 01:04:05,400 --> 01:04:07,200 speaking for a unanimous Housing 1230 01:04:07,200 --> 01:04:09,720 Advisory Board. 1231 01:04:09,720 --> 01:04:10,520 The uh 1232 01:04:10,520 --> 01:04:15,840 the HAB recommends favorable action on 1233 01:04:15,840 --> 01:04:17,680 special town meeting articles one and 1234 01:04:17,680 --> 01:04:18,760 two, 1235 01:04:18,760 --> 01:04:20,360 uh which would create the Chestnut Hill 1236 01:04:20,360 --> 01:04:22,520 Commercial Overlay District including 1237 01:04:22,520 --> 01:04:24,920 the Western Subdistrict designated for 1238 01:04:24,920 --> 01:04:27,080 the City Realty's planned mixed-use uh 1239 01:04:27,080 --> 01:04:29,400 development. The HAB finds that the 1240 01:04:29,400 --> 01:04:31,480 proposed zoning overlay under article 1241 01:04:31,480 --> 01:04:33,600 one incorporate significant affordable 1242 01:04:33,600 --> 01:04:36,760 housing provisions and resources, 1243 01:04:36,760 --> 01:04:38,520 all consistent with the town's housing 1244 01:04:38,520 --> 01:04:40,160 production plan. 1245 01:04:40,160 --> 01:04:41,920 The article also aligns with 1246 01:04:41,920 --> 01:04:44,360 long-standing town goals for mixed-use 1247 01:04:44,360 --> 01:04:46,520 development while generating a 1248 01:04:46,520 --> 01:04:49,920 significant fiscal benefits to the town. 1249 01:04:49,920 --> 01:04:51,800 The proposed City Realty mixed-use 1250 01:04:51,800 --> 01:04:54,200 development will contribute both both 1251 01:04:54,200 --> 01:04:57,600 much-needed affordable on-site housing, 1252 01:04:57,600 --> 01:05:00,000 21 permanently affordable rental units 1253 01:05:00,000 --> 01:05:01,640 in 140-unit 1254 01:05:01,640 --> 01:05:04,400 building C, and in addition, a 1255 01:05:04,400 --> 01:05:06,960 negotiated contribution 1256 01:05:06,960 --> 01:05:09,600 of 10.93 million 1257 01:05:09,600 --> 01:05:10,280 to the [clears throat] Brookline's 1258 01:05:10,280 --> 01:05:12,360 Affordable Housing Trust from the sale 1259 01:05:12,360 --> 01:05:15,160 of luxury condominium units in the hotel 1260 01:05:15,160 --> 01:05:17,840 mixed-use building A. 1261 01:05:17,840 --> 01:05:19,280 In the earlier discussion of warrant 1262 01:05:19,280 --> 01:05:21,640 article Well, oh, I did this thinking 1263 01:05:21,640 --> 01:05:22,880 that warrant article 15 was going to 1264 01:05:22,880 --> 01:05:24,960 come first, and it didn't. So, uh you're 1265 01:05:24,960 --> 01:05:26,520 not going to have You'll hear the the 1266 01:05:26,520 --> 01:05:28,320 discussion later about leveraging the 1267 01:05:28,320 --> 01:05:29,440 trust. 1268 01:05:29,440 --> 01:05:31,520 Um 1269 01:05:31,520 --> 01:05:34,840 the um the the trust has a a record of 1270 01:05:34,840 --> 01:05:37,120 effectively leveraging its funds, 1271 01:05:37,120 --> 01:05:39,400 including the expected roughly 11 1272 01:05:39,400 --> 01:05:41,720 million to produce um 1273 01:05:41,720 --> 01:05:43,960 a a great deal more affordable housing 1274 01:05:43,960 --> 01:05:46,880 and as well as preservation uh in 1275 01:05:46,880 --> 01:05:48,320 advancing the town and the HAB's 1276 01:05:48,320 --> 01:05:49,400 mission. 1277 01:05:49,400 --> 01:05:51,560 In addition to City Realty, 1278 01:05:51,560 --> 01:05:54,040 City Realty's the project's sizable 1279 01:05:54,040 --> 01:05:56,600 affordable housing on site and financial 1280 01:05:56,600 --> 01:05:59,400 contributions, the HAB also supports 1281 01:05:59,400 --> 01:06:02,120 article one's housing-related provisions 1282 01:06:02,120 --> 01:06:05,080 for the neighborhood mixed-use 1283 01:06:05,080 --> 01:06:09,200 subdistrict of the zoning overlay. 1284 01:06:09,200 --> 01:06:11,310 This feature provides a 50 for a 50% 1285 01:06:11,310 --> 01:06:12,080 [clears throat] 1286 01:06:12,080 --> 01:06:13,440 affordable 1287 01:06:13,440 --> 01:06:15,760 uh unit density bonus. 1288 01:06:15,760 --> 01:06:18,040 This concept was previously conceived by 1289 01:06:18,040 --> 01:06:20,600 the HAB's Affordable Housing Unit 1290 01:06:20,600 --> 01:06:24,000 Overlay District or AHAD subcommittee as 1291 01:06:24,000 --> 01:06:24,800 a 1292 01:06:24,800 --> 01:06:27,520 uh promising tool for creating uh 1293 01:06:27,520 --> 01:06:29,720 affordable housing anywhere, but this is 1294 01:06:29,720 --> 01:06:31,720 a great place to start. 1295 01:06:31,720 --> 01:06:33,640 Um 1296 01:06:33,640 --> 01:06:36,160 Article two of special town meeting 1297 01:06:36,160 --> 01:06:38,000 augments article one with a memorandum 1298 01:06:38,000 --> 01:06:40,720 of agreement and tax certainty uh 1299 01:06:40,720 --> 01:06:43,440 associated with the City Realty project. 1300 01:06:43,440 --> 01:06:45,720 In particular, the structure and 1301 01:06:45,720 --> 01:06:49,080 enforceability of the 10.93 million uh 1302 01:06:49,080 --> 01:06:50,880 Affordable Housing Trust 1303 01:06:50,880 --> 01:06:53,920 contribution from building A, and also 1304 01:06:53,920 --> 01:06:55,760 uh reinforcing the provision under 1305 01:06:55,760 --> 01:06:58,040 inclusionary zoning for the required 1306 01:06:58,040 --> 01:07:01,120 delivery of the 21 deed-restricted uh 1307 01:07:01,120 --> 01:07:04,240 rental units within building C. 1308 01:07:04,240 --> 01:07:07,040 While the town cannot mandate early 1309 01:07:07,040 --> 01:07:09,200 commencement of construction. This 1310 01:07:09,200 --> 01:07:11,800 agreement also includes incentive 1311 01:07:11,800 --> 01:07:13,520 structures and penalties that 1312 01:07:13,520 --> 01:07:15,680 collectively will discourage any 1313 01:07:15,680 --> 01:07:18,600 prolonged delay of the anticipated 1314 01:07:18,600 --> 01:07:22,880 build-out and the the very generous payout in terms of 1315 01:07:22,880 --> 01:07:24,440 affordable housing 1316 01:07:24,440 --> 01:07:27,920 and and tax revenue to the town. The Hab 1317 01:07:27,920 --> 01:07:30,880 did not take any position on the um 1318 01:07:30,880 --> 01:07:33,400 the difference between the um the 1319 01:07:33,400 --> 01:07:36,160 advisory committee and the uh the select 1320 01:07:36,160 --> 01:07:38,040 board in the main motion on the the 1321 01:07:38,040 --> 01:07:40,600 rezoning north of north of Route 9. 1322 01:07:40,600 --> 01:07:42,040 >> Please please vote yes 1323 01:07:42,040 --> 01:07:43,280 >> on 1324 01:07:43,280 --> 01:07:45,480 uh articles 1 and 2. Thank you very 1325 01:07:45,480 --> 01:07:46,941 much. 1326 01:07:46,941 --> 01:07:49,550 >> [applause] 1327 01:07:49,560 --> 01:07:52,040 » Next speaker is uh 1328 01:07:52,040 --> 01:07:55,160 Greg Reegman Reegman who is a not a 1329 01:07:55,160 --> 01:07:57,640 Brookline not a Brookline resident but 1330 01:07:57,640 --> 01:08:00,080 is the president and CEO of the Charles 1331 01:08:00,080 --> 01:08:02,440 River Regional Chamber representing 1332 01:08:02,440 --> 01:08:05,120 businesses and nonprofits along across 1333 01:08:05,120 --> 01:08:07,320 five communities west of Boston 1334 01:08:07,320 --> 01:08:09,880 including as of April 1 1335 01:08:09,880 --> 01:08:11,400 uh companies that were part of the 1336 01:08:11,400 --> 01:08:13,560 Brookline Chamber of Commerce. 1337 01:08:13,560 --> 01:08:16,359 Uh in an earlier life Greg was the 1338 01:08:16,359 --> 01:08:19,120 publisher and editor-in-chief of the 1339 01:08:19,120 --> 01:08:23,040 former Brookline Tab and um hoping there 1340 01:08:23,040 --> 01:08:25,319 are no objections to Mr. Reegman 1341 01:08:25,319 --> 01:08:27,560 addressing us. 1342 01:08:27,560 --> 01:08:30,279 >> Thank you Mr. Moderator and town meeting 1343 01:08:30,279 --> 01:08:31,920 members. It's an honor to be here 1344 01:08:31,920 --> 01:08:33,359 tonight representing the businesses and 1345 01:08:33,359 --> 01:08:35,240 nonprofits of the special community. My 1346 01:08:35,240 --> 01:08:36,359 name is Greg Reegman. 1347 01:08:36,359 --> 01:08:40,150 >> We have a point of order. 1348 01:08:40,160 --> 01:08:41,400 You you need to 1349 01:08:41,400 --> 01:08:43,120 >> The answer to that he's not a resident 1350 01:08:43,120 --> 01:08:45,670 of Brookline. 1351 01:08:45,680 --> 01:08:46,680 » You 1352 01:08:46,680 --> 01:08:48,400 You're asking if Mr. Reegman is a 1353 01:08:48,400 --> 01:08:49,600 resident of Brookline? 1354 01:08:49,600 --> 01:08:50,400 >> That's right. 1355 01:08:50,400 --> 01:08:54,829 >> He is not a resident of Brookline. 1356 01:08:54,839 --> 01:08:56,400 Um 1357 01:08:56,400 --> 01:08:59,359 if you object to Mr. Reegman addressing 1358 01:08:59,359 --> 01:09:00,319 you 1359 01:09:00,319 --> 01:09:02,960 please raise your hand and if you're on 1360 01:09:02,960 --> 01:09:05,600 the Zoom, please raise your hand on the 1361 01:09:05,600 --> 01:09:07,120 Zoom. 1362 01:09:07,120 --> 01:09:10,910 And we need 15. 1363 01:09:10,920 --> 01:09:15,279 I see one in the room. 1364 01:09:15,279 --> 01:09:17,680 We have any on the Zoom? 1365 01:09:17,680 --> 01:09:20,640 We have two on the Zoom. 1366 01:09:20,640 --> 01:09:22,359 Mr. Reedman. 1367 01:09:22,359 --> 01:09:24,200 >> Thank you, Mr. Murray. Greg Reedman, 1368 01:09:24,200 --> 01:09:26,319 president and CEO of the Charles River 1369 01:09:26,319 --> 01:09:28,480 Regional Chamber. It's an honor to be 1370 01:09:28,480 --> 01:09:30,040 here tonight representing the businesses 1371 01:09:30,040 --> 01:09:31,400 and nonprofits 1372 01:09:31,400 --> 01:09:32,759 uh in this special community. It really 1373 01:09:32,759 --> 01:09:34,680 is something that means a lot to us. Um 1374 01:09:34,680 --> 01:09:37,120 we submitted a letter in support of 1375 01:09:37,120 --> 01:09:39,400 articles one and two, and in opposition 1376 01:09:39,400 --> 01:09:41,040 to the amendment that would remove the 1377 01:09:41,040 --> 01:09:43,440 Tom subdistrict. Um I'm going to keep my 1378 01:09:43,440 --> 01:09:45,560 comments very just high-level conceptual 1379 01:09:45,560 --> 01:09:46,880 here. I have four points I wanted to 1380 01:09:46,880 --> 01:09:49,920 stress from a business perspective. Um 1381 01:09:49,920 --> 01:09:52,880 first, businesses like certainty. And I 1382 01:09:52,880 --> 01:09:54,560 think we all know that's why the tariffs 1383 01:09:54,560 --> 01:09:57,160 cause such chaos for the economy and 1384 01:09:57,160 --> 01:09:58,160 some other things that have happened 1385 01:09:58,160 --> 01:10:01,160 recently. Without certainty, uh busi- 1386 01:10:01,160 --> 01:10:02,480 when when there is certainty, businesses 1387 01:10:02,480 --> 01:10:04,720 know what they can and can't do. Growth 1388 01:10:04,720 --> 01:10:07,320 depends on predictability. Investors are 1389 01:10:07,320 --> 01:10:09,360 far more likely to commit to communities 1390 01:10:09,360 --> 01:10:12,000 that provide a clear vision and stable 1391 01:10:12,000 --> 01:10:13,120 framework. 1392 01:10:13,120 --> 01:10:15,160 Uh number two, approving the entire 1393 01:10:15,160 --> 01:10:17,800 district now provides that certainty. It 1394 01:10:17,800 --> 01:10:20,120 allows for regional planning. There's no 1395 01:10:20,120 --> 01:10:22,560 doubt that this corridor faces traffic 1396 01:10:22,560 --> 01:10:23,840 challenges. We've heard about it 1397 01:10:23,840 --> 01:10:26,320 tonight. Addressing them will require 1398 01:10:26,320 --> 01:10:28,800 state attention, attention from the town 1399 01:10:28,800 --> 01:10:30,320 of Brookline, attention from the city of 1400 01:10:30,320 --> 01:10:32,560 Newton. The best way to do that is to 1401 01:10:32,560 --> 01:10:33,920 begin planning now, even if the 1402 01:10:33,920 --> 01:10:35,200 development's going to be years from 1403 01:10:35,200 --> 01:10:38,320 now. Uh number three, this vote is much 1404 01:10:38,320 --> 01:10:41,320 more than about just Chestnut Hill or a 1405 01:10:41,320 --> 01:10:43,200 single development. It's about whether 1406 01:10:43,200 --> 01:10:45,640 or not Brookline is prepared to take 1407 01:10:45,640 --> 01:10:47,440 meaningful steps to strengthen its 1408 01:10:47,440 --> 01:10:49,280 economic future. 1409 01:10:49,280 --> 01:10:51,440 New housing will help employers attract 1410 01:10:51,440 --> 01:10:53,880 and retain workers. New retail, 1411 01:10:53,880 --> 01:10:55,720 restaurant, office, and hotel activity 1412 01:10:55,720 --> 01:10:57,480 will bring energy, visitors, and 1413 01:10:57,480 --> 01:10:59,840 economic activity to the corridor. Final 1414 01:10:59,840 --> 01:11:03,120 point, this decision impacts not just 1415 01:11:03,120 --> 01:11:04,520 the businesses that are happening in 1416 01:11:04,520 --> 01:11:05,760 Chestnut Hill or what happens in 1417 01:11:05,760 --> 01:11:07,440 Chestnut Hill, but really every business 1418 01:11:07,440 --> 01:11:09,320 that you love all across town. Every 1419 01:11:09,320 --> 01:11:12,320 small business, restaurant, retail shop. 1420 01:11:12,320 --> 01:11:13,200 Uh 1421 01:11:13,200 --> 01:11:15,320 it's been a terrible number years as you 1422 01:11:15,320 --> 01:11:16,760 all know for small businesses, 1423 01:11:16,760 --> 01:11:18,120 inflation, 1424 01:11:18,120 --> 01:11:20,880 uh the high cost of health insurance, uh 1425 01:11:20,880 --> 01:11:22,480 uncertainty about so many different 1426 01:11:22,480 --> 01:11:25,480 ways, and now a tax increase due to the 1427 01:11:25,480 --> 01:11:26,960 override, and I'll remind you the 1428 01:11:26,960 --> 01:11:29,360 businesses pay a disproportionate share 1429 01:11:29,360 --> 01:11:31,200 of property taxes because of the tax 1430 01:11:31,200 --> 01:11:34,240 shift. Giving the small businesses the 1431 01:11:34,240 --> 01:11:36,560 opportunity to benefit from the revenue 1432 01:11:36,560 --> 01:11:38,040 that will be generated from this project 1433 01:11:38,040 --> 01:11:40,040 actually helps our small businesses all 1434 01:11:40,040 --> 01:11:42,880 across town survive and endure. Uh we 1435 01:11:42,880 --> 01:11:44,920 don't want to see residents priced out 1436 01:11:44,920 --> 01:11:46,200 of Brookline. We don't want to see small 1437 01:11:46,200 --> 01:11:47,440 businesses priced out of Brookline, 1438 01:11:47,440 --> 01:11:49,040 either. This is part of the solution to 1439 01:11:49,040 --> 01:11:51,000 that, and the important part of the 1440 01:11:51,000 --> 01:11:53,320 solution. We urge town meeting members 1441 01:11:53,320 --> 01:11:56,160 to vote yes on articles one and two, and 1442 01:11:56,160 --> 01:11:57,920 move Brookline towards a more stronger 1443 01:11:57,920 --> 01:12:00,360 economy, a healthier tax base, and 1444 01:12:00,360 --> 01:12:02,360 long-term fiscal stability. Thank you 1445 01:12:02,360 --> 01:12:03,704 very much. 1446 01:12:03,704 --> 01:12:06,870 >> [applause] 1447 01:12:06,880 --> 01:12:09,600 » Next up is uh 1448 01:12:09,600 --> 01:12:12,040 Mr. Dempsey, Chris Dempsey. 1449 01:12:12,040 --> 01:12:14,440 And I'll also say that all of the 1450 01:12:14,440 --> 01:12:17,760 remaining speakers on the um 1451 01:12:17,760 --> 01:12:20,000 list are supporting the select board 1452 01:12:20,000 --> 01:12:28,270 motion. 1453 01:12:28,280 --> 01:12:30,240 » Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Uh Chris 1454 01:12:30,240 --> 01:12:31,680 Dempsey, town meeting member, Precinct 1455 01:12:31,680 --> 01:12:32,800 4. 1456 01:12:32,800 --> 01:12:34,120 As I begin my remarks, I want to 1457 01:12:34,120 --> 01:12:36,480 disclose a past business relationship 1458 01:12:36,480 --> 01:12:38,440 with City Realty, which was the subject 1459 01:12:38,440 --> 01:12:39,840 of an email I sent to the town meeting 1460 01:12:39,840 --> 01:12:42,280 listserv. 1461 01:12:42,280 --> 01:12:44,160 The Chestnut Hill Office Park opened in 1462 01:12:44,160 --> 01:12:47,080 the mid-1960s, and this photo behind me 1463 01:12:47,080 --> 01:12:49,720 was taken about 5 years later. 1464 01:12:49,720 --> 01:12:51,720 The property itself is basically 1465 01:12:51,720 --> 01:12:54,560 unchanged since then, frozen in time. 1466 01:12:54,560 --> 01:12:56,000 Next slide. 1467 01:12:56,000 --> 01:12:58,600 Here's our border with Newton. 1468 01:12:58,600 --> 01:12:59,320 And the next slide. 1469 01:12:59,320 --> 01:13:00,000 >> Yep. 1470 01:13:00,000 --> 01:13:01,160 >> And 1471 01:13:01,160 --> 01:13:03,120 um the area has changed a little bit. 1472 01:13:03,120 --> 01:13:04,760 Next slide. Oh, sorry. This Stay on this 1473 01:13:04,760 --> 01:13:06,400 side. Thank Thank you. The area has 1474 01:13:06,400 --> 01:13:08,720 changed a little bit uh 1475 01:13:08,720 --> 01:13:10,840 and there's been commercial development, 1476 01:13:10,840 --> 01:13:14,240 but really mostly on the Newton side. 1477 01:13:14,240 --> 01:13:16,320 Since the 1960s, we've seen the building 1478 01:13:16,320 --> 01:13:18,440 of the Shops at Chestnut Hill. By the 1479 01:13:18,440 --> 01:13:21,600 way, that is zoned purely retail and 1480 01:13:21,600 --> 01:13:24,280 restaurant. The developers somehow snuck 1481 01:13:24,280 --> 01:13:26,440 in a factory where apparently they make 1482 01:13:26,440 --> 01:13:30,710 cheesecake. 1483 01:13:30,720 --> 01:13:33,480 There's the Lifetime Fitness building uh 1484 01:13:33,480 --> 01:13:34,600 that those of us who grew up in 1485 01:13:34,600 --> 01:13:36,560 Brookline in the 1990s will forever call 1486 01:13:36,560 --> 01:13:38,120 the Atrium Mall. 1487 01:13:38,120 --> 01:13:39,640 There's Chestnut Hill Square, home to a 1488 01:13:39,640 --> 01:13:41,480 fancy Wegmans, and of course the 1489 01:13:41,480 --> 01:13:43,160 significant improvements and upgrades to 1490 01:13:43,160 --> 01:13:44,440 the street. 1491 01:13:44,440 --> 01:13:46,440 These properties generate tens of 1492 01:13:46,440 --> 01:13:48,280 millions of dollars of tax revenue for 1493 01:13:48,280 --> 01:13:49,320 Newton. 1494 01:13:49,320 --> 01:13:51,800 And yes, I intentionally chose Newton 1495 01:13:51,800 --> 01:13:54,440 North Tigers orange for these boxes. 1496 01:13:54,440 --> 01:13:56,120 They are meant to inspire a sense of 1497 01:13:56,120 --> 01:13:57,480 competition. 1498 01:13:57,480 --> 01:13:59,360 Next slide. 1499 01:13:59,360 --> 01:14:02,080 In contrast, in Brookline Warrior blue, 1500 01:14:02,080 --> 01:14:03,800 we've seen almost no commercial 1501 01:14:03,800 --> 01:14:07,000 development beyond some low-slung, 1502 01:14:07,000 --> 01:14:09,560 single-story, some two-story retail, and 1503 01:14:09,560 --> 01:14:11,400 a CVS. 1504 01:14:11,400 --> 01:14:13,880 STM articles 1 and 2 enable all of 1505 01:14:13,880 --> 01:14:15,800 Brookline to benefit from this important 1506 01:14:15,800 --> 01:14:18,280 commercial mixed-use node, adding 1507 01:14:18,280 --> 01:14:20,680 walkable retail, and of course a hotel 1508 01:14:20,680 --> 01:14:24,040 and much-needed new housing. Next slide. 1509 01:14:24,040 --> 01:14:27,280 But what about the traffic? 1510 01:14:27,280 --> 01:14:29,680 Well, let's talk about Route 9. 1511 01:14:29,680 --> 01:14:32,080 Next slide. 1512 01:14:32,080 --> 01:14:34,400 Better yet, let's talk about Boylston 1513 01:14:34,400 --> 01:14:37,120 Street, which is our name, Brookline's 1514 01:14:37,120 --> 01:14:39,360 name, for this road. 1515 01:14:39,360 --> 01:14:41,480 While MassDOT thinks of this corridor as 1516 01:14:41,480 --> 01:14:43,520 a high-speed highway meant to move as 1517 01:14:43,520 --> 01:14:45,880 many vehicles as possible, we have a 1518 01:14:45,880 --> 01:14:48,040 responsibility to think about Boylston 1519 01:14:48,040 --> 01:14:50,800 Street differently. Next slide. 1520 01:14:50,800 --> 01:14:53,400 And this corridor has seen a lot in 300 1521 01:14:53,400 --> 01:14:55,760 years. It started as a toll road, a 1522 01:14:55,760 --> 01:14:57,920 turnpike, the Worcester Turnpike. 1523 01:14:57,920 --> 01:15:00,680 Later into the 1920s, you could take an 1524 01:15:00,680 --> 01:15:03,560 electric streetcar down this corridor 1525 01:15:03,560 --> 01:15:06,640 all the way from Boston to Worcester as 1526 01:15:06,640 --> 01:15:08,417 you see people doing in this image. 1527 01:15:08,417 --> 01:15:11,910 >> [applause] 1528 01:15:11,920 --> 01:15:13,960 » Next slide. Here's the photo from the 1529 01:15:13,960 --> 01:15:16,480 exact same location today. Notice the 1530 01:15:16,480 --> 01:15:19,240 narrowed sidewalks, the cut-down trees, 1531 01:15:19,240 --> 01:15:21,400 the wide expanse of asphalt, all in 1532 01:15:21,400 --> 01:15:24,280 service of speeding commutes to points 1533 01:15:24,280 --> 01:15:26,360 west of Brookline. 1534 01:15:26,360 --> 01:15:28,480 The corridor has changed before and it 1535 01:15:28,480 --> 01:15:31,240 can change again. And we need to stand 1536 01:15:31,240 --> 01:15:33,680 up to MassDOT if and when it insists on 1537 01:15:33,680 --> 01:15:36,320 a solution like the ARAP which seems to 1538 01:15:36,320 --> 01:15:38,360 be about moving vehicles and not about 1539 01:15:38,360 --> 01:15:40,920 the betterment of Brookline. Thankfully, 1540 01:15:40,920 --> 01:15:43,280 MassDOT can't force that option upon us 1541 01:15:43,280 --> 01:15:44,960 and I believe this community will be 1542 01:15:44,960 --> 01:15:48,120 united against it. Next slide. 1543 01:15:48,120 --> 01:15:49,520 >> I hope you're going to be concluding 1544 01:15:49,520 --> 01:15:50,800 soon. 1545 01:15:50,800 --> 01:15:53,920 >> In a world of Google Maps and Waze with 1546 01:15:53,920 --> 01:15:55,520 thousands, tens of thousands of 1547 01:15:55,520 --> 01:15:57,880 commuters to our west, plugging in their 1548 01:15:57,880 --> 01:16:00,840 origins and destinations, 1549 01:16:00,840 --> 01:16:02,920 the traffic is going to come no matter 1550 01:16:02,920 --> 01:16:05,400 what we build. 1551 01:16:05,400 --> 01:16:07,800 The traffic is not going to change just 1552 01:16:07,800 --> 01:16:10,680 the origins and destinations. And I want 1553 01:16:10,680 --> 01:16:13,320 more origins and destinations in 1554 01:16:13,320 --> 01:16:15,882 Brookline. Please Next slide. 1555 01:16:15,882 --> 01:16:16,880 >> [applause] 1556 01:16:16,880 --> 01:16:18,680 >> That's why I'm asking you to join me in 1557 01:16:18,680 --> 01:16:21,040 voting yes on STM Articles 1 and 2. 1558 01:16:21,040 --> 01:16:21,360 Thank you. 1559 01:16:21,360 --> 01:16:21,778 >> Thank you. 1560 01:16:21,778 --> 01:16:30,750 >> [applause] 1561 01:16:30,760 --> 01:16:45,950 » Next one up is Laura Not. 1562 01:16:45,960 --> 01:16:48,880 » Hi, I'm Laura Knot and I'm speaking on 1563 01:16:48,880 --> 01:16:50,720 behalf of Brookline Mothers Out Front, 1564 01:16:50,720 --> 01:16:53,000 one of the largest and most active local 1565 01:16:53,000 --> 01:16:55,080 chapters of a national grassroots 1566 01:16:55,080 --> 01:16:56,680 organization. 1567 01:16:56,680 --> 01:16:58,960 We work toward a livable climate for all 1568 01:16:58,960 --> 01:17:00,520 children. 1569 01:17:00,520 --> 01:17:03,000 Toward that end, we urge you tonight to 1570 01:17:03,000 --> 01:17:04,920 vote no on the Advisory Committee 1571 01:17:04,920 --> 01:17:07,800 Substitute Motion on STM 1 1572 01:17:07,800 --> 01:17:10,200 and it we ask you instead to vote in 1573 01:17:10,200 --> 01:17:13,080 favor of the main motion. 1574 01:17:13,080 --> 01:17:16,400 21 years have passed since the study 1575 01:17:16,400 --> 01:17:18,040 encompassing the development of a 1576 01:17:18,040 --> 01:17:20,040 western gateway to Brookline was 1577 01:17:20,040 --> 01:17:22,840 enshrined in the in the 2005 1578 01:17:22,840 --> 01:17:24,960 comprehensive plan. 1579 01:17:24,960 --> 01:17:27,240 In the past 2 years, momentum on the 1580 01:17:27,240 --> 01:17:30,040 project has finally taken hold, for 1581 01:17:30,040 --> 01:17:32,760 which we owe a debt of gratitude to the 1582 01:17:32,760 --> 01:17:35,040 many Brookliners who have contributed 1583 01:17:35,040 --> 01:17:38,160 their guidance and expertise. 1584 01:17:38,160 --> 01:17:40,320 A key result of their work has been to 1585 01:17:40,320 --> 01:17:43,080 imagine a gateway to Brookline that is 1586 01:17:43,080 --> 01:17:46,800 not entirely focused on an outdated, 1587 01:17:46,800 --> 01:17:49,440 backward-looking mode of life dependent 1588 01:17:49,440 --> 01:17:53,760 forever on the private automobile. 1589 01:17:53,760 --> 01:17:56,160 Imagine that you're a young person, 1590 01:17:56,160 --> 01:17:58,400 perhaps someone whose career has begun 1591 01:17:58,400 --> 01:18:01,160 to unfold in the medical area or in 1592 01:18:01,160 --> 01:18:03,040 downtown Boston. 1593 01:18:03,040 --> 01:18:06,480 Imagine, if you can, that you do not own 1594 01:18:06,480 --> 01:18:09,800 and do not want to own a car. 1595 01:18:09,800 --> 01:18:11,600 That you live next door to a grocery 1596 01:18:11,600 --> 01:18:13,680 store, within walking distance of 1597 01:18:13,680 --> 01:18:16,080 restaurants, abutting bus and shuttle 1598 01:18:16,080 --> 01:18:19,240 stops, and crucially, less than 1,000 ft 1599 01:18:19,240 --> 01:18:21,280 from a stop on the Green Line D branch, 1600 01:18:21,280 --> 01:18:23,960 the most rapid of the subway branches 1601 01:18:23,960 --> 01:18:25,960 serving the town. 1602 01:18:25,960 --> 01:18:30,000 Imagine, in addition, that here tonight, 1603 01:18:30,000 --> 01:18:33,280 this body might make it possible for you 1604 01:18:33,280 --> 01:18:36,920 to live car-free in a town that respects 1605 01:18:36,920 --> 01:18:40,720 and supports your choice to do so. 1606 01:18:40,720 --> 01:18:42,840 Two years ago, Brookline Mothers Out 1607 01:18:42,840 --> 01:18:44,920 Front, with the support of our statewide 1608 01:18:44,920 --> 01:18:47,360 organization, adopted a statement on 1609 01:18:47,360 --> 01:18:50,520 housing. That statement reads in part, 1610 01:18:50,520 --> 01:18:53,320 "We support enacting zoning changes that 1611 01:18:53,320 --> 01:18:55,120 advance construction of additional 1612 01:18:55,120 --> 01:18:57,360 housing, especially near Brookline's 1613 01:18:57,360 --> 01:19:00,640 public transit." We recognize 1614 01:19:00,640 --> 01:19:03,080 that the climate crisis is accelerating, 1615 01:19:03,080 --> 01:19:05,560 and that delays in enacting relevant 1616 01:19:05,560 --> 01:19:07,400 zoning changes, however 1617 01:19:07,400 --> 01:19:09,080 well-intentioned, 1618 01:19:09,080 --> 01:19:11,160 are counterproductive to reaching our 1619 01:19:11,160 --> 01:19:14,040 climate goals and to ensuring a livable 1620 01:19:14,040 --> 01:19:16,520 climate for all. 1621 01:19:16,520 --> 01:19:20,120 We are living in new circumstances. 1622 01:19:20,120 --> 01:19:23,720 This is not a time to erect obstacles. 1623 01:19:23,720 --> 01:19:26,680 It is not a time to delay rezoning the 1624 01:19:26,680 --> 01:19:30,000 transit-oriented subdistrict. Let's live 1625 01:19:30,000 --> 01:19:33,440 in our new circumstances. Let's say yes 1626 01:19:33,440 --> 01:19:35,840 to encouraging people to live as close 1627 01:19:35,840 --> 01:19:39,200 as possible to public transit. Let's say 1628 01:19:39,200 --> 01:19:43,000 yes to taking this small step to reduce 1629 01:19:43,000 --> 01:19:45,160 our emissions, and let's welcome 1630 01:19:45,160 --> 01:19:47,440 residents who are willing to help us do 1631 01:19:47,440 --> 01:19:51,080 that. Let's say yes to the main motion. 1632 01:19:51,080 --> 01:19:52,040 Thank you. 1633 01:19:52,040 --> 01:19:52,690 >> Thank you. 1634 01:19:52,690 --> 01:19:53,600 >> [applause] 1635 01:19:53,600 --> 01:19:56,280 >> I have a motion to call the question, 1636 01:19:56,280 --> 01:19:58,600 which I'm going to take. 1637 01:19:58,600 --> 01:20:01,480 Um on the speakers' list, we have uh 1638 01:20:01,480 --> 01:20:04,440 Nick Caramel, representing Ze'ev, Mike 1639 01:20:04,440 --> 01:20:06,280 Sandman, 1640 01:20:06,280 --> 01:20:08,800 Cathy Seidman, Charlie Homer, 1641 01:20:08,800 --> 01:20:13,120 representing the uh advisory uh health 1642 01:20:13,120 --> 01:20:14,240 counc- 1643 01:20:14,240 --> 01:20:16,520 public health council. 1644 01:20:16,520 --> 01:20:19,520 Uh Brian Ladd, Kelly Hardebeck, and Paul 1645 01:20:19,520 --> 01:20:21,200 San are all 1646 01:20:21,200 --> 01:20:23,120 uh speaking on behalf of the select 1647 01:20:23,120 --> 01:20:24,680 board motion. 1648 01:20:24,680 --> 01:20:27,320 So, with that said, 1649 01:20:27,320 --> 01:20:29,480 you have the speakers, you've heard the 1650 01:20:29,480 --> 01:20:32,160 arguments. Have you heard enough? If 1651 01:20:32,160 --> 01:20:33,920 you've If you think you've heard enough, 1652 01:20:33,920 --> 01:20:35,960 you vote yes to 1653 01:20:35,960 --> 01:20:37,440 terminate debate. If you want to 1654 01:20:37,440 --> 01:20:39,560 continue, vote no. 1655 01:20:39,560 --> 01:20:44,590 Drop the vote, please. 1656 01:20:44,600 --> 01:20:48,600 And this is for Article 1. This 1657 01:20:48,600 --> 01:20:51,640 >> Stop. Oh, yeah, okay. 1658 01:20:51,640 --> 01:20:53,640 This is terminating the debate. I was 1659 01:20:53,640 --> 01:20:54,480 I got confused. 1660 01:20:54,480 --> 01:20:55,320 >> Sorry. 1661 01:20:55,320 --> 01:20:59,750 >> Terminating debate. 1662 01:20:59,760 --> 01:21:25,350 » I was about to say something else. 1663 01:21:25,360 --> 01:21:27,000 » 179 to 1664 01:21:27,000 --> 01:21:28,320 42 1665 01:21:28,320 --> 01:21:30,040 to 6. 1666 01:21:30,040 --> 01:21:33,800 >> Motion carries 179 42 to 6. 1667 01:21:33,800 --> 01:21:36,000 Okay, we're now ready 1668 01:21:36,000 --> 01:21:38,440 to vote on the motions. The first motion 1669 01:21:38,440 --> 01:21:41,720 we're going to be voting on is the 1670 01:21:41,720 --> 01:21:44,320 Advisory Committee motion. 1671 01:21:44,320 --> 01:21:48,360 Uh this is a substitute to the Select 1672 01:21:48,360 --> 01:21:51,680 Board motion and removes the Transit 1673 01:21:51,680 --> 01:21:55,680 Oriented District TOM District which you 1674 01:21:55,680 --> 01:21:59,520 heard about. It needs a majority 1675 01:21:59,520 --> 01:22:02,040 to substitute for the Select Board 1676 01:22:02,040 --> 01:22:03,280 motion. 1677 01:22:03,280 --> 01:22:04,800 Okay, everyone understand what we're 1678 01:22:04,800 --> 01:22:05,600 voting on? 1679 01:22:05,600 --> 01:22:06,360 >> Yes. 1680 01:22:06,360 --> 01:22:11,030 >> Okay, so let's drop the vote. 1681 01:22:11,040 --> 01:22:53,670 The Advisory Committee motion. 1682 01:22:53,680 --> 01:22:55,280 » 63 1683 01:22:55,280 --> 01:22:58,057 175 1684 01:22:58,057 --> 01:22:59,440 >> [applause] 1685 01:22:59,440 --> 01:23:01,640 >> The motion fails. [cheering] 1686 01:23:01,640 --> 01:23:06,680 63 to 175 to 4. 1687 01:23:06,680 --> 01:23:09,400 Okay, we're now to the main motion. 1688 01:23:09,400 --> 01:23:12,960 This one needs a 2/3 vote to become part 1689 01:23:12,960 --> 01:23:15,520 of our zoning bylaw. This is the select 1690 01:23:15,520 --> 01:23:19,320 board motion which includes the entire 1691 01:23:19,320 --> 01:23:21,040 all all the parcels we've been talking 1692 01:23:21,040 --> 01:23:22,040 about. 1693 01:23:22,040 --> 01:23:25,600 So, a yes is to accept it and no is to 1694 01:23:25,600 --> 01:23:28,840 reject it. Everyone ready to vote? 1695 01:23:28,840 --> 01:23:30,160 >> Is this only article one? 1696 01:23:30,160 --> 01:23:32,000 >> Only article one. We're going to have a 1697 01:23:32,000 --> 01:23:35,040 separate vote on article two. 1698 01:23:35,040 --> 01:23:36,680 Okay, we're ready. 1699 01:23:36,680 --> 01:24:21,470 Drop it. 1700 01:24:21,480 --> 01:24:23,320 » 217 1701 01:24:23,320 --> 01:24:24,400 20 1702 01:24:24,400 --> 01:24:27,128 6 1703 01:24:27,138 --> 01:24:33,430 » [cheering and applause] 1704 01:24:33,440 --> 01:24:35,400 » THE MOTION CARRIES 1705 01:24:35,400 --> 01:24:37,160 217 [applause] 1706 01:24:37,160 --> 01:24:45,190 26 1707 01:24:45,200 --> 01:24:46,133 » We're not done. 1708 01:24:46,133 --> 01:24:47,640 >> [applause] 1709 01:24:47,640 --> 01:24:51,640 >> Now we need to vote on Article 2 1710 01:24:51,640 --> 01:24:54,200 which is the memorandum of understanding 1711 01:24:54,200 --> 01:24:56,600 authorizing the select board to sign it 1712 01:24:56,600 --> 01:24:59,040 and that's where all the goodies are. 1713 01:24:59,040 --> 01:25:01,400 So um 1714 01:25:01,400 --> 01:25:02,000 Uh 1715 01:25:02,000 --> 01:25:05,400 a yes, this we need a majority vote. 1716 01:25:05,400 --> 01:25:08,600 Uh a yes approves it, authorizes them to 1717 01:25:08,600 --> 01:25:12,400 sign and a no vote does not. 1718 01:25:12,400 --> 01:25:13,840 Everyone understand what we're voting 1719 01:25:13,840 --> 01:25:14,680 on? 1720 01:25:14,680 --> 01:25:53,750 Okay, let's do it. 1721 01:25:53,760 --> 01:25:55,280 And by the way, we're not done after 1722 01:25:55,280 --> 01:25:57,600 this. There's one more vote. 1723 01:25:57,600 --> 01:26:01,110 So don't leave the room. 1724 01:26:01,120 --> 01:26:02,800 » 230 1725 01:26:02,800 --> 01:26:05,480 6 1726 01:26:05,480 --> 01:26:07,920 >> Motion carries [applause] 230 1727 01:26:07,920 --> 01:26:09,640 66 1728 01:26:09,640 --> 01:26:13,280 and I now move to dissolve special town 1729 01:26:13,280 --> 01:26:18,190 meeting one. We need to vote on that. 1730 01:26:18,200 --> 01:26:19,680 Ready to 1731 01:26:19,680 --> 01:26:21,880 >> The yes vote dissolves it and no vote 1732 01:26:21,880 --> 01:26:31,390 means we sit here forever. 1733 01:26:31,400 --> 01:26:33,440 This is effective 1734 01:26:33,440 --> 01:26:35,440 uh 1735 01:26:35,440 --> 01:26:38,360 5:00 p.m. tomorrow. 1736 01:26:38,360 --> 01:26:40,520 That allows you time to correct votes if 1737 01:26:40,520 --> 01:26:55,470 you need to. 1738 01:26:55,480 --> 01:26:57,120 I put my finger on the scale on this 1739 01:26:57,120 --> 01:27:02,670 vote. Yes. 1740 01:27:02,680 --> 01:27:04,440 » 225 1741 01:27:04,440 --> 01:27:05,520 2 1742 01:27:05,520 --> 01:27:07,640 5 1743 01:27:07,640 --> 01:27:11,800 >> Motion carries 225 25. We're now going 1744 01:27:11,800 --> 01:27:14,000 back to the annual town meeting and I'm 1745 01:27:14,000 --> 01:27:17,080 going to turn over the proceedings to Sandy 1746 01:27:17,080 --> 01:27:19,040 uh assistant moderator 1747 01:27:19,040 --> 01:27:43,830 Sandy Gatsby for article 11. 1748 01:27:43,840 --> 01:27:46,200 » Thank you, Mr. Moderator. 1749 01:27:46,200 --> 01:27:49,720 Article 11, the motion under article 11 1750 01:27:49,720 --> 01:27:52,680 is on supplement two 1751 01:27:52,680 --> 01:27:55,630 by default. 1752 01:27:55,640 --> 01:27:58,470 Hello. 1753 01:27:58,480 --> 01:28:00,671 Okay, the motion 1754 01:28:00,671 --> 01:28:00,960 >> [clears throat] 1755 01:28:00,960 --> 01:28:03,840 >> motion under article 11 is on supplement 1756 01:28:03,840 --> 01:28:06,880 two, pages one to two. 1757 01:28:06,880 --> 01:28:10,680 It would amend the bylaw 1758 01:28:10,680 --> 01:28:12,720 covering the Committee on Town 1759 01:28:12,720 --> 01:28:15,080 Organization and Structure 1760 01:28:15,080 --> 01:28:18,760 to require the CTOS to 1761 01:28:18,760 --> 01:28:20,160 do a 1762 01:28:20,160 --> 01:28:21,480 survey 1763 01:28:21,480 --> 01:28:24,960 a study of town organization 1764 01:28:24,960 --> 01:28:26,720 every 10 years starting in a couple of 1765 01:28:26,720 --> 01:28:28,280 years. 1766 01:28:28,280 --> 01:28:31,000 It's moved by Ms. Stone, seconded by Mr. 1767 01:28:31,000 --> 01:28:34,040 Banker. I call on Ms. Stone, you have 5 1768 01:28:34,040 --> 01:28:43,910 minutes. 1769 01:28:43,920 --> 01:28:46,480 » Let's get this right. 1770 01:28:46,480 --> 01:28:47,640 Can everybody hear me? 1771 01:28:47,640 --> 01:28:48,240 >> Yes. 1772 01:28:48,240 --> 01:28:50,880 >> Excellent. Um thank you, Mr. Moderator. 1773 01:28:50,880 --> 01:28:52,560 Rebecca Stone, Town Meeting Member, 1774 01:28:52,560 --> 01:28:54,640 Precinct 3. 1775 01:28:54,640 --> 01:28:56,800 All of the petitioners on this article, 1776 01:28:56,800 --> 01:28:59,240 Kelly Hardebeck, Alec Lebowitz, Kim 1777 01:28:59,240 --> 01:29:00,120 Smith 1778 01:29:00,120 --> 01:29:02,390 >> Mike. 1779 01:29:02,400 --> 01:29:04,640 » All of the petitioners on this article, 1780 01:29:04,640 --> 01:29:07,240 Kelly Hardebeck, Alec Lebowitz, Kim 1781 01:29:07,240 --> 01:29:10,240 Smith, Marissa Vote, and myself have 1782 01:29:10,240 --> 01:29:12,160 served as both elected and appointed 1783 01:29:12,160 --> 01:29:14,120 participants in Brookline government 1784 01:29:14,120 --> 01:29:15,960 over many years. 1785 01:29:15,960 --> 01:29:18,080 Together, we came to the conclusion that 1786 01:29:18,080 --> 01:29:20,080 a regular checkup of our government 1787 01:29:20,080 --> 01:29:22,720 organization and structure 1788 01:29:22,720 --> 01:29:25,160 to look for ways to improve our ability 1789 01:29:25,160 --> 01:29:28,120 to meet needs and get things done would 1790 01:29:28,120 --> 01:29:30,000 be a good idea. 1791 01:29:30,000 --> 01:29:31,680 This kind of periodic, usually 1792 01:29:31,680 --> 01:29:33,640 decennial, government review is a common 1793 01:29:33,640 --> 01:29:36,200 practice in the Commonwealth, but not in 1794 01:29:36,200 --> 01:29:38,760 Brookline. Warrant Article 11 would 1795 01:29:38,760 --> 01:29:40,160 change that. 1796 01:29:40,160 --> 01:29:42,400 This article seeks to take advantage of 1797 01:29:42,400 --> 01:29:44,480 a Brookline asset, the Moderator's 1798 01:29:44,480 --> 01:29:45,960 Committee on Town Organization and 1799 01:29:45,960 --> 01:29:49,000 Structure, which we call CTOS, by adding 1800 01:29:49,000 --> 01:29:50,920 this periodic review to the other 1801 01:29:50,920 --> 01:29:53,600 ongoing duties of the committee. 1802 01:29:53,600 --> 01:29:55,080 And before explaining more, I want to 1803 01:29:55,080 --> 01:29:56,800 first describe what has changed since 1804 01:29:56,800 --> 01:29:58,440 the article was published in the warrant 1805 01:29:58,440 --> 01:30:00,120 cuz the current the motion before you is 1806 01:30:00,120 --> 01:30:02,200 different, and these changes we made to 1807 01:30:02,200 --> 01:30:04,200 address concerns raised in the course of 1808 01:30:04,200 --> 01:30:06,480 the review, and it ultimately led to 1809 01:30:06,480 --> 01:30:08,800 unanimous support for favorable action 1810 01:30:08,800 --> 01:30:10,640 from the advisory committee, the select 1811 01:30:10,640 --> 01:30:13,360 board, and from CTO&S itself. 1812 01:30:13,360 --> 01:30:15,200 So, first and most important, we 1813 01:30:15,200 --> 01:30:17,240 eliminated the originally proposed 1814 01:30:17,240 --> 01:30:19,160 change to the appointment authority for 1815 01:30:19,160 --> 01:30:22,960 CTO&S. CTO&S will remain a moderator's 1816 01:30:22,960 --> 01:30:24,280 committee. 1817 01:30:24,280 --> 01:30:26,200 Second, in keeping with how these 1818 01:30:26,200 --> 01:30:28,800 reviews operate in other municipalities, 1819 01:30:28,800 --> 01:30:30,360 the members of the review committee, 1820 01:30:30,360 --> 01:30:31,920 which in our case would be the members 1821 01:30:31,920 --> 01:30:35,040 of CTO&S, will determine the scope of 1822 01:30:35,040 --> 01:30:37,760 any review they do. And the initial date 1823 01:30:37,760 --> 01:30:40,120 for these studies, as Mr. Gadsby just 1824 01:30:40,120 --> 01:30:43,320 said, is now September of fiscal 2030, 1825 01:30:43,320 --> 01:30:46,680 which would be September of 2029, rather 1826 01:30:46,680 --> 01:30:49,960 than fiscal 2028. 1827 01:30:49,960 --> 01:30:52,520 Third, the language now clarifies that 1828 01:30:52,520 --> 01:30:54,920 the town will provide administrative 1829 01:30:54,920 --> 01:30:57,320 support to CTO&S for these decennial 1830 01:30:57,320 --> 01:30:59,200 government reviews, something the 1831 01:30:59,200 --> 01:31:01,440 committee does not now enjoy for its 1832 01:31:01,440 --> 01:31:03,080 ongoing work. 1833 01:31:03,080 --> 01:31:05,520 I'd also point out that lack of staff 1834 01:31:05,520 --> 01:31:08,040 support is a perennial complaint of 1835 01:31:08,040 --> 01:31:10,200 Brookline's citizen committees, and 1836 01:31:10,200 --> 01:31:11,880 overstretching our administrative 1837 01:31:11,880 --> 01:31:14,560 support staff is a perennial concern of 1838 01:31:14,560 --> 01:31:18,080 the town administrator. As such, it is a 1839 01:31:18,080 --> 01:31:20,400 structural issue that affects the 1840 01:31:20,400 --> 01:31:22,800 productivity of committees and staff, 1841 01:31:22,800 --> 01:31:24,960 and could be usefully included in the 1842 01:31:24,960 --> 01:31:27,120 kind of review envisioned by this 1843 01:31:27,120 --> 01:31:28,360 article. 1844 01:31:28,360 --> 01:31:31,520 So, why else is this kind of periodic 1845 01:31:31,520 --> 01:31:33,840 review a good idea? Well, questions 1846 01:31:33,840 --> 01:31:35,440 about Brookline's government structure 1847 01:31:35,440 --> 01:31:37,360 arise regularly, but often they go 1848 01:31:37,360 --> 01:31:39,320 unaddressed. Residents want to know who 1849 01:31:39,320 --> 01:31:41,160 makes decisions, how their voices can be 1850 01:31:41,160 --> 01:31:43,600 heard. Those who engage with the town 1851 01:31:43,600 --> 01:31:45,520 often see gaps, redundancies, or 1852 01:31:45,520 --> 01:31:47,400 inefficiencies in how departments, 1853 01:31:47,400 --> 01:31:49,680 boards, and committees are organized, 1854 01:31:49,680 --> 01:31:53,480 and how decisions flow, or don't. 1855 01:31:53,480 --> 01:31:55,440 Concerns persist about the work burdens 1856 01:31:55,440 --> 01:31:57,920 on various boards. At this town meeting, 1857 01:31:57,920 --> 01:31:59,920 we've talked about executive authority 1858 01:31:59,920 --> 01:32:02,240 and checks on overreach. And for the 1859 01:32:02,240 --> 01:32:04,200 third time in a decade, discussed 1860 01:32:04,200 --> 01:32:05,920 whether, what, and why we should pay 1861 01:32:05,920 --> 01:32:08,440 some of our elected officials. Those are 1862 01:32:08,440 --> 01:32:10,920 all questions of organization and 1863 01:32:10,920 --> 01:32:12,120 structure. 1864 01:32:12,120 --> 01:32:13,920 Considered in isolation, the importance 1865 01:32:13,920 --> 01:32:15,240 of any of these issues to our 1866 01:32:15,240 --> 01:32:17,400 functioning or the likely impact of a 1867 01:32:17,400 --> 01:32:20,240 proposed solution is hard to gauge. The 1868 01:32:20,240 --> 01:32:22,120 periodic government reviews envisioned 1869 01:32:22,120 --> 01:32:25,080 by this article, excuse me, can provide 1870 01:32:25,080 --> 01:32:28,040 that essential context. And this is not 1871 01:32:28,040 --> 01:32:30,080 a new idea. Some of you in the private 1872 01:32:30,080 --> 01:32:32,200 sector will be familiar with periodic 1873 01:32:32,200 --> 01:32:34,080 organizational reviews. In 1874 01:32:34,080 --> 01:32:37,200 municipalities that have um a home rule 1875 01:32:37,200 --> 01:32:39,960 charter, it's called a charter review. 1876 01:32:39,960 --> 01:32:41,760 It's the governmental equivalent of 1877 01:32:41,760 --> 01:32:44,440 going to your PCP for a checkup. You 1878 01:32:44,440 --> 01:32:46,520 start with a head-to-toe 1879 01:32:46,520 --> 01:32:48,560 assessment of all the vital organs. You 1880 01:32:48,560 --> 01:32:51,480 check size, weight, balance, the basics 1881 01:32:51,480 --> 01:32:53,680 of staying healthy as you age. You're 1882 01:32:53,680 --> 01:32:56,040 asked, "Has anything changed since your 1883 01:32:56,040 --> 01:32:58,720 last checkup? And is there anything in 1884 01:32:58,720 --> 01:33:00,920 particular we should be taking a look 1885 01:33:00,920 --> 01:33:02,160 at?" 1886 01:33:02,160 --> 01:33:03,640 It's not as if we've never done this in 1887 01:33:03,640 --> 01:33:04,880 Brookline, 1888 01:33:04,880 --> 01:33:07,760 but it has been several decades. CTO&S 1889 01:33:07,760 --> 01:33:11,360 did important studies in 1968, 1973, and 1890 01:33:11,360 --> 01:33:14,280 1985. The last of those leading to the 1891 01:33:14,280 --> 01:33:16,440 Town Administrator's Act, which is still 1892 01:33:16,440 --> 01:33:17,920 our most significant change since 1893 01:33:17,920 --> 01:33:20,680 adopting a representative town meeting. 1894 01:33:20,680 --> 01:33:22,840 Unfortunately, since then, although 1895 01:33:22,840 --> 01:33:25,440 conditions have certainly changed, we 1896 01:33:25,440 --> 01:33:27,720 haven't had CTO&S lead a public 1897 01:33:27,720 --> 01:33:29,200 assessment of how our structure or 1898 01:33:29,200 --> 01:33:32,000 organization might usefully adapt. We 1899 01:33:32,000 --> 01:33:33,600 would be healthier with this as a 1900 01:33:33,600 --> 01:33:36,760 regular, predictable practice. 1901 01:33:36,760 --> 01:33:38,480 Finally, to answer a question that came 1902 01:33:38,480 --> 01:33:41,720 up a few times in committee reviews. No, 1903 01:33:41,720 --> 01:33:43,520 this article has nothing to do with 1904 01:33:43,520 --> 01:33:46,520 changing our form of government. These 1905 01:33:46,520 --> 01:33:48,520 reviews are about public engagement and 1906 01:33:48,520 --> 01:33:50,640 discussion of how to improve things in 1907 01:33:50,640 --> 01:33:53,080 our existing representative town meeting 1908 01:33:53,080 --> 01:33:55,760 select board form of government. I hope 1909 01:33:55,760 --> 01:33:57,840 you will join CTO&S, the Advisory 1910 01:33:57,840 --> 01:33:59,400 Committee, the Select Board, and the 1911 01:33:59,400 --> 01:34:01,640 petitioners in voting for best practice 1912 01:34:01,640 --> 01:34:03,680 and responsive government with favorable 1913 01:34:03,680 --> 01:34:05,720 action on Warrant Article 11. 1914 01:34:05,720 --> 01:34:07,475 >> Thank you, Mr. Benko. 1915 01:34:07,475 --> 01:34:22,750 >> [applause] 1916 01:34:22,760 --> 01:34:25,520 » Thank you. Dick Benko, Precinct 14, 1917 01:34:25,520 --> 01:34:27,200 speaking on behalf of the Committee on 1918 01:34:27,200 --> 01:34:29,880 Town Organization and Structure. 1919 01:34:29,880 --> 01:34:31,840 I'm very pleased to report that after 1920 01:34:31,840 --> 01:34:34,680 seven CTOS meetings with petitioners' 1921 01:34:34,680 --> 01:34:36,920 representatives and input from the 1922 01:34:36,920 --> 01:34:38,760 Advisory Committee, we've been able to 1923 01:34:38,760 --> 01:34:40,880 arrive at a consensus. 1924 01:34:40,880 --> 01:34:43,680 Both CTOS and the petitioners recognize 1925 01:34:43,680 --> 01:34:46,280 the potential benefit of periodically 1926 01:34:46,280 --> 01:34:48,240 reviewing municipal organization and 1927 01:34:48,240 --> 01:34:50,600 structure with the goal of ensuring the 1928 01:34:50,600 --> 01:34:53,320 town and school services are provided in 1929 01:34:53,320 --> 01:34:55,800 an efficient manner. 1930 01:34:55,800 --> 01:34:58,320 At the same time, we all recognize that 1931 01:34:58,320 --> 01:35:01,360 the broad decennial review mandated by 1932 01:35:01,360 --> 01:35:04,880 Article 11 could require significant new 1933 01:35:04,880 --> 01:35:06,800 resources. 1934 01:35:06,800 --> 01:35:08,720 CTOS staff 1935 01:35:08,720 --> 01:35:10,880 uh support 1936 01:35:10,880 --> 01:35:12,800 is currently limited to posting our 1937 01:35:12,800 --> 01:35:15,440 documents on the town's website and 1938 01:35:15,440 --> 01:35:17,760 starting our Zoom sessions. 1939 01:35:17,760 --> 01:35:20,240 We, as well as the Town Administrator, 1940 01:35:20,240 --> 01:35:22,120 recognize that the broad scope 1941 01:35:22,120 --> 01:35:25,200 contemplated by Article 11 would require 1942 01:35:25,200 --> 01:35:27,640 additional staff as well as likely 1943 01:35:27,640 --> 01:35:30,560 funding for outside third-party support 1944 01:35:30,560 --> 01:35:33,080 for the decennial reviews. 1945 01:35:33,080 --> 01:35:35,160 In setting the dates for the initial and 1946 01:35:35,160 --> 01:35:37,640 subsequent decennial reviews, we 1947 01:35:37,640 --> 01:35:40,360 therefore considered fiscal restraints 1948 01:35:40,360 --> 01:35:42,040 as well as the schedule of the state 1949 01:35:42,040 --> 01:35:44,960 legislature should a home rule petition 1950 01:35:44,960 --> 01:35:46,400 be needed. 1951 01:35:46,400 --> 01:35:48,360 We've also retained language preserving 1952 01:35:48,360 --> 01:35:51,080 the authority of CTOS to conduct 1953 01:35:51,080 --> 01:35:53,120 similar, though less comprehensive 1954 01:35:53,120 --> 01:35:55,680 reviews in the 9 years between the 1955 01:35:55,680 --> 01:35:57,760 decennial reviews. 1956 01:35:57,760 --> 01:36:00,480 And finally, we all recognize that the 1957 01:36:00,480 --> 01:36:02,480 scope and outcome of these future 1958 01:36:02,480 --> 01:36:05,080 reviews could not be predicted at this 1959 01:36:05,080 --> 01:36:08,080 time, and thus agreed that CTOS would 1960 01:36:08,080 --> 01:36:10,560 have the discretion to be guided by the 1961 01:36:10,560 --> 01:36:13,840 facts at hand at those future times in 1962 01:36:13,840 --> 01:36:17,360 determining scope and recommendations. 1963 01:36:17,360 --> 01:36:19,800 We believe that Article 11 provides a 1964 01:36:19,800 --> 01:36:23,880 workable framework for the future. CTOS 1965 01:36:23,880 --> 01:36:27,040 unanimously recommends favorable action 1966 01:36:27,040 --> 01:36:29,720 on the consensus article. Thank you. 1967 01:36:29,720 --> 01:36:41,950 >> Thank you. Ms. Murphy. 1968 01:36:41,960 --> 01:36:43,480 » Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Good evening. 1969 01:36:43,480 --> 01:36:45,440 Jocelyn Murphy, town meeting member from 1970 01:36:45,440 --> 01:36:47,520 Precinct 16, speaking for the Advisory 1971 01:36:47,520 --> 01:36:50,080 Committee. Briefly, 1972 01:36:50,080 --> 01:36:52,160 Article 11 originally called for two 1973 01:36:52,160 --> 01:36:54,480 main amendments to Article 2.3 of the 1974 01:36:54,480 --> 01:36:56,360 town's general bylaws governing the 1975 01:36:56,360 --> 01:36:57,920 Committee on Town Organization and 1976 01:36:57,920 --> 01:36:59,240 Structure. 1977 01:36:59,240 --> 01:37:00,840 Those amendments would have modified the 1978 01:37:00,840 --> 01:37:03,800 CTOS's appointing authority and required 1979 01:37:03,800 --> 01:37:06,880 the CTOS to conduct and/or contract for 1980 01:37:06,880 --> 01:37:08,800 decennial reviews of the organization 1981 01:37:08,800 --> 01:37:11,480 and structure of the town's government. 1982 01:37:11,480 --> 01:37:13,120 Through an extensive and collaborative 1983 01:37:13,120 --> 01:37:15,520 review process, the article was amended 1984 01:37:15,520 --> 01:37:17,200 to withdraw the proposed change to the 1985 01:37:17,200 --> 01:37:18,680 committee's appointing authority and 1986 01:37:18,680 --> 01:37:20,760 focus on the requirement for periodic 1987 01:37:20,760 --> 01:37:22,880 review under conditions that the 1988 01:37:22,880 --> 01:37:25,480 petitioners and CTOS have agreed to and 1989 01:37:25,480 --> 01:37:27,920 the Advisory Committee supports. 1990 01:37:27,920 --> 01:37:29,680 In summary, the main motion reserves 1991 01:37:29,680 --> 01:37:31,760 CTOS appointing authority to the 1992 01:37:31,760 --> 01:37:33,120 moderator, 1993 01:37:33,120 --> 01:37:35,640 requires the CTOS to conduct review of 1994 01:37:35,640 --> 01:37:37,200 the organization and structure of the 1995 01:37:37,200 --> 01:37:39,360 town's government on a decennial basis 1996 01:37:39,360 --> 01:37:41,720 beginning in fiscal year 2030, 1997 01:37:41,720 --> 01:37:44,200 and authorizes the CTOS to determine the 1998 01:37:44,200 --> 01:37:46,360 scope of those reviews. 1999 01:37:46,360 --> 01:37:48,000 The Advisory Committee appreciates the 2000 01:37:48,000 --> 01:37:49,840 collaborative effort that was engaged in 2001 01:37:49,840 --> 01:37:52,240 by all interested parties and recommends 2002 01:37:52,240 --> 01:37:54,080 favorable action on the main motion by a 2003 01:37:54,080 --> 01:37:57,400 vote of 17 to 0 to 1. 2004 01:37:57,400 --> 01:38:09,590 >> Thank you, Ms. Warren. 2005 01:38:09,600 --> 01:38:11,080 » Good evening. I'm Amanda Zimmerman 2006 01:38:11,080 --> 01:38:12,600 speaking on the behalf of the Select 2007 01:38:12,600 --> 01:38:14,800 Board. I'll be very brief on this. There 2008 01:38:14,800 --> 01:38:16,520 is a consensus among the petitioners, 2009 01:38:16,520 --> 01:38:18,440 the Advisory and the Committee on Town 2010 01:38:18,440 --> 01:38:20,240 Organization and Structure on the final 2011 01:38:20,240 --> 01:38:23,000 language for this now consensus warrant 2012 01:38:23,000 --> 01:38:26,320 article 11. The revised bylaw change has 2013 01:38:26,320 --> 01:38:28,040 only one thing of substance, the 2014 01:38:28,040 --> 01:38:30,320 addition of a regular once every 10-year 2015 01:38:30,320 --> 01:38:32,120 review of town structure. The Select 2016 01:38:32,120 --> 01:38:34,120 Board voted 5 to 0 in support of the 2017 01:38:34,120 --> 01:38:37,960 revised warrant article 11. Thank you. 2018 01:38:37,960 --> 01:38:39,360 >> Thank you. Seeing no one at the 2019 01:38:39,360 --> 01:38:44,990 microphones, we're ready for a vote. 2020 01:38:45,000 --> 01:38:49,990 Article 11 main motion. 2021 01:38:50,000 --> 01:38:51,160 A 2022 01:38:51,160 --> 01:38:53,560 affirmative vote will adopt this bylaw 2023 01:38:53,560 --> 01:38:55,320 amendment. 2024 01:38:55,320 --> 01:38:57,680 A negative vote will uh 2025 01:38:57,680 --> 01:39:43,230 not. 2026 01:39:43,240 --> 01:39:44,880 » 2:30 2027 01:39:44,880 --> 01:39:45,920 1 2028 01:39:45,920 --> 01:39:49,550 5 2029 01:39:49,560 --> 01:39:52,160 » Motion carried by a vote of 230 in 2030 01:39:52,160 --> 01:39:54,440 favor, one opposed, and five 2031 01:39:54,440 --> 01:40:06,910 abstentions. Thank you. 2032 01:40:06,920 --> 01:40:11,230 » It's like he's done this before. 2033 01:40:11,240 --> 01:40:16,750 » Okay, we're now ready for Article 17. 2034 01:40:16,760 --> 01:40:19,590 Um 2035 01:40:19,600 --> 01:40:22,600 So, here we have uh a main motion which 2036 01:40:22,600 --> 01:40:24,880 has been agreed to by the petitioners 2037 01:40:24,880 --> 01:40:27,640 and the select board. Uh that main 2038 01:40:27,640 --> 01:40:32,120 motion is in uh Article 17 supplement 2039 01:40:32,120 --> 01:40:35,680 two, page one. It's a If you got it in 2040 01:40:35,680 --> 01:40:39,120 the room tonight, it's a blue sheet. 2041 01:40:39,120 --> 01:40:42,120 Um and it's seconded It's uh moved by 2042 01:40:42,120 --> 01:40:46,800 Ms. Woo and seconded by Mr. Buono. 2043 01:40:46,800 --> 01:40:49,960 There is a motion to refer 2044 01:40:49,960 --> 01:40:52,920 which is uh proposed by the Advisory 2045 01:40:52,920 --> 01:40:54,800 Committee. 2046 01:40:54,800 --> 01:40:58,240 Uh and it's um moved by Mr. uh Doughty 2047 01:40:58,240 --> 01:41:01,000 and seconded by Mr. Friedman. 2048 01:41:01,000 --> 01:41:04,840 Um so, when we get to uh voting, we will 2049 01:41:04,840 --> 01:41:07,400 vote the referral first. And then, if 2050 01:41:07,400 --> 01:41:09,760 the referral fails, we 2051 01:41:09,760 --> 01:41:11,720 uh will then go to the main motion, 2052 01:41:11,720 --> 01:41:14,280 which would uh change the bylaws. So, 2053 01:41:14,280 --> 01:41:17,200 this uh as you're going to hear, this is a 2054 01:41:17,200 --> 01:41:21,480 proposal to uh add a bylaw section which 2055 01:41:21,480 --> 01:41:25,160 governs how we uh 2056 01:41:25,160 --> 01:41:26,640 wh- whether we prohibit civil 2057 01:41:26,640 --> 01:41:29,120 immigration enforcement activities as 2058 01:41:29,120 --> 01:41:31,600 much as we can on town property, and 2059 01:41:31,600 --> 01:41:34,200 you're going to hear more about that. 2060 01:41:34,200 --> 01:41:59,630 So, I'm going to call Ms. Wu. 2061 01:41:59,640 --> 01:42:01,440 » Chi Chi Wu, Town Meeting Member, 2062 01:42:01,440 --> 01:42:03,640 Precinct 7. 2063 01:42:03,640 --> 01:42:06,000 Hello, Jessica Kiku, Brookline resident, 2064 01:42:06,000 --> 01:42:07,520 chair of the Immigrant Advancement 2065 01:42:07,520 --> 01:42:08,840 Committee of the Commission for 2066 01:42:08,840 --> 01:42:10,160 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and 2067 01:42:10,160 --> 01:42:12,400 Community Relations. I'm here in my 2068 01:42:12,400 --> 01:42:14,680 personal capacity as co-petitioner on 2069 01:42:14,680 --> 01:42:20,190 Warrant Article 17. Next slide, please. 2070 01:42:20,200 --> 01:42:22,360 Brookline is an immigrant town. About a 2071 01:42:22,360 --> 01:42:24,120 third of our residents are immigrants 2072 01:42:24,120 --> 01:42:25,400 according to the Brookline Community 2073 01:42:25,400 --> 01:42:26,720 Foundation. 2074 01:42:26,720 --> 01:42:28,520 That one of the highest percentages of 2075 01:42:28,520 --> 01:42:30,720 immigrant residents in Massachusetts. 2076 01:42:30,720 --> 01:42:33,000 And many more immigrants work and visit 2077 01:42:33,000 --> 01:42:35,360 our town every day. What happens to 2078 01:42:35,360 --> 01:42:37,120 immigrants in our community happens to 2079 01:42:37,120 --> 01:42:40,320 all of us. Next slide, please. 2080 01:42:40,320 --> 01:42:42,400 Over the past year, we've seen cruel, 2081 01:42:42,400 --> 01:42:44,600 violent, lawless actions carried out by 2082 01:42:44,600 --> 01:42:46,920 our federal immigration enforcement. We 2083 01:42:46,920 --> 01:42:49,400 witnessed military occupations in LA and 2084 01:42:49,400 --> 01:42:51,400 Minnesota. We've seen surges in 2085 01:42:51,400 --> 01:42:53,440 immigration enforcement in Chicago and 2086 01:42:53,440 --> 01:42:55,920 Maine among so many other places. 2087 01:42:55,920 --> 01:42:57,720 These violent actions have resulted in 2088 01:42:57,720 --> 01:42:59,400 several deaths. Not only the 2089 01:42:59,400 --> 01:43:01,680 high-profile killings of Rene Good and 2090 01:43:01,680 --> 01:43:04,160 Alex Padilla, but of Ruben Rey Martinez 2091 01:43:04,160 --> 01:43:06,280 and Keith Porter, and more than 40 2092 01:43:06,280 --> 01:43:08,520 immigrants who have died while in ICE 2093 01:43:08,520 --> 01:43:09,920 detention centers during this 2094 01:43:09,920 --> 01:43:13,520 administration. Next slide. 2095 01:43:13,520 --> 01:43:15,320 Here in Massachusetts, we experienced 2096 01:43:15,320 --> 01:43:17,200 the impact of immigration enforcement 2097 01:43:17,200 --> 01:43:19,200 surges in May and September of last 2098 01:43:19,200 --> 01:43:22,360 year. And even outside of these waves of 2099 01:43:22,360 --> 01:43:24,240 enforcement, our neighbors and community 2100 01:43:24,240 --> 01:43:27,440 members are being taken every day. 2101 01:43:27,440 --> 01:43:28,840 More than 7,000 people have been 2102 01:43:28,840 --> 01:43:30,400 detained in Massachusetts since the 2103 01:43:30,400 --> 01:43:32,480 start of last year. That has included a 2104 01:43:32,480 --> 01:43:34,240 Tufts graduate student, a Babson 2105 01:43:34,240 --> 01:43:37,080 student, a high schooler from Milford, 2106 01:43:37,080 --> 01:43:39,080 the raiding of the Austin car wash which 2107 01:43:39,080 --> 01:43:41,160 led to nine people being detained, and 2108 01:43:41,160 --> 01:43:42,640 several detentions right here in 2109 01:43:42,640 --> 01:43:43,760 Brookline. 2110 01:43:43,760 --> 01:43:46,160 Including one less than two weeks ago. 2111 01:43:46,160 --> 01:43:47,920 Because despite existing policy that 2112 01:43:47,920 --> 01:43:49,640 limits cooperation between our police 2113 01:43:49,640 --> 01:43:51,520 and ICE, there are many ways in which we 2114 01:43:51,520 --> 01:43:54,000 continue to facilitate ICE's work. 2115 01:43:54,000 --> 01:43:55,320 Including fingerprinting sharing 2116 01:43:55,320 --> 01:43:57,240 practices that alert ICE, and 2117 01:43:57,240 --> 01:43:58,680 participation in the Boston Regional 2118 01:43:58,680 --> 01:44:00,480 Intelligence Center as well share more 2119 01:44:00,480 --> 01:44:03,200 in Article 25. ICE's actions destroy 2120 01:44:03,200 --> 01:44:05,200 families and they harm our communities. 2121 01:44:05,200 --> 01:44:07,280 This is an unprecedented time and it 2122 01:44:07,280 --> 01:44:09,480 requires urgent and meaningful action by 2123 01:44:09,480 --> 01:44:10,840 our town, which is why we're bringing 2124 01:44:10,840 --> 01:44:14,230 this warrant article tonight. 2125 01:44:14,240 --> 01:44:17,950 Next slide, please. 2126 01:44:17,960 --> 01:44:20,040 Article 17 would limit the ability of 2127 01:44:20,040 --> 01:44:21,760 ICE to engage in certain immigration 2128 01:44:21,760 --> 01:44:23,680 enforcement on town property. It's 2129 01:44:23,680 --> 01:44:25,960 closely modeled on a proclamation that 2130 01:44:25,960 --> 01:44:27,880 the Select Board unanimously issued on 2131 01:44:27,880 --> 01:44:30,920 February 10th, 2026. In fact, I'll even 2132 01:44:30,920 --> 01:44:32,440 show you the differences in the next few 2133 01:44:32,440 --> 01:44:34,280 slides which I emailed to the town 2134 01:44:34,280 --> 01:44:36,240 meeting listserv so you can earlier so 2135 01:44:36,240 --> 01:44:37,880 you can follow along. 2136 01:44:37,880 --> 01:44:39,520 There are similar executive orders by 2137 01:44:39,520 --> 01:44:41,680 the governor as well as cities of 2138 01:44:41,680 --> 01:44:43,920 Boston, Newton, Cambridge, and others. 2139 01:44:43,920 --> 01:44:46,240 Next slide, please. 2140 01:44:46,240 --> 01:44:48,120 This is a comparison of the first 2141 01:44:48,120 --> 01:44:49,640 paragraph of our article versus the 2142 01:44:49,640 --> 01:44:51,480 Select Board's proclamation. There are 2143 01:44:51,480 --> 01:44:53,600 some minor language changes 2144 01:44:53,600 --> 01:44:55,720 and then two substantive ones. One 2145 01:44:55,720 --> 01:44:58,120 change makes clear that town facilities 2146 01:44:58,120 --> 01:44:59,640 do not include streets, roads, and 2147 01:44:59,640 --> 01:45:01,240 public ways because unfortunately we 2148 01:45:01,240 --> 01:45:02,880 can't keep ICE off public roads or 2149 01:45:02,880 --> 01:45:04,880 streets. The second change makes it 2150 01:45:04,880 --> 01:45:07,200 clear that prohibited activities are 2151 01:45:07,200 --> 01:45:09,000 ones that are organizational nature such 2152 01:45:09,000 --> 01:45:11,000 as assembling or mobilizing equipment or 2153 01:45:11,000 --> 01:45:13,840 personnel. Next slide, please. 2154 01:45:13,840 --> 01:45:15,400 For the second paragraph of the article, 2155 01:45:15,400 --> 01:45:17,160 we removed the second sentence from the 2156 01:45:17,160 --> 01:45:19,680 proclamation due to uh concerns from 2157 01:45:19,680 --> 01:45:21,800 town council. We also changed the first 2158 01:45:21,800 --> 01:45:24,200 sentence um due to Select Board feedback 2159 01:45:24,200 --> 01:45:27,000 focusing the prohibition on immigration 2160 01:45:27,000 --> 01:45:29,440 activities as opposed to individual ICE 2161 01:45:29,440 --> 01:45:32,000 officers. Next slide, please. 2162 01:45:32,000 --> 01:45:34,080 The third paragraph was added later on 2163 01:45:34,080 --> 01:45:35,880 in an attempt to address the concerns of 2164 01:45:35,880 --> 01:45:37,680 the police department. It discusses what 2165 01:45:37,680 --> 01:45:39,040 happens when there's a violation of the 2166 01:45:39,040 --> 01:45:41,200 bylaw and makes clear that violations 2167 01:45:41,200 --> 01:45:44,760 are civil in nature. I'll discuss why we did that 2168 01:45:44,760 --> 01:45:47,400 later on. Next slide, please. 2169 01:45:47,400 --> 01:45:49,680 Why do we want a bylaw given that we had 2170 01:45:49,680 --> 01:45:52,200 the select board proclamation? First, a 2171 01:45:52,200 --> 01:45:55,000 bylaw has more weight as a legislative 2172 01:45:55,000 --> 01:45:57,360 statute. You may hear later on that town 2173 01:45:57,360 --> 01:45:58,800 council gave an opinion that a 2174 01:45:58,800 --> 01:46:00,760 proclamation is as enforceable as a 2175 01:46:00,760 --> 01:46:03,720 bylaw. True, but in the same opinion, 2176 01:46:03,720 --> 01:46:05,600 town council also stated that bylaw has 2177 01:46:05,600 --> 01:46:06,880 more weight. 2178 01:46:06,880 --> 01:46:09,240 Second, if a future select board were to 2179 01:46:09,240 --> 01:46:11,280 ever withdraw the proclamation, this 2180 01:46:11,280 --> 01:46:13,040 gives town meeting a say because we 2181 01:46:13,040 --> 01:46:15,480 would need to approve the withdrawal of 2182 01:46:15,480 --> 01:46:18,160 the bylaw. Next slide, please. 2183 01:46:18,160 --> 01:46:19,680 The police department raised a number of 2184 01:46:19,680 --> 01:46:21,640 concerns during the process, uh 2185 01:46:21,640 --> 01:46:23,000 expressing concerns that they would 2186 01:46:23,000 --> 01:46:25,160 bylaw would require them to work put 2187 01:46:25,160 --> 01:46:27,120 pressure on them to interfere with ICE 2188 01:46:27,120 --> 01:46:29,600 or ICE officers. So, we made violation 2189 01:46:29,600 --> 01:46:32,360 of the bylaw a civil offense, a civil in 2190 01:46:32,360 --> 01:46:34,760 nature. Lots of protections and laws are 2191 01:46:34,760 --> 01:46:36,840 civil in nature and they're enforced by 2192 01:46:36,840 --> 01:46:38,680 getting an injunction against future 2193 01:46:38,680 --> 01:46:40,160 violations and not having police 2194 01:46:40,160 --> 01:46:42,280 officers arrest people. 2195 01:46:42,280 --> 01:46:44,600 Um even though we made it civil, this 2196 01:46:44,600 --> 01:46:46,360 police department responded that they're 2197 01:46:46,360 --> 01:46:48,920 required to enforce all the bylaws. 2198 01:46:48,920 --> 01:46:51,000 However, there are many bylaws that I 2199 01:46:51,000 --> 01:46:52,800 don't think I've ever seen a police 2200 01:46:52,800 --> 01:46:55,480 arrest for someone for such as having an 2201 01:46:55,480 --> 01:46:57,440 advertising placard without the police 2202 01:46:57,440 --> 01:46:59,880 chief's permission or damaging grass 2203 01:46:59,880 --> 01:47:02,360 borders on public property or climbing 2204 01:47:02,360 --> 01:47:04,200 trees. 2205 01:47:04,200 --> 01:47:05,960 Um the police have discretion whether to 2206 01:47:05,960 --> 01:47:08,120 make an arrest. Next slide, please. 2207 01:47:08,120 --> 01:47:09,680 The other objection we heard is the 2208 01:47:09,680 --> 01:47:12,200 possibility of legal challenges. Our 2209 01:47:12,200 --> 01:47:13,760 bylaws are reviewed by the attorney 2210 01:47:13,760 --> 01:47:15,560 general, so the objection was raised 2211 01:47:15,560 --> 01:47:16,640 that the attorney general could 2212 01:47:16,640 --> 01:47:18,240 invalidate our bylaws, which would 2213 01:47:18,240 --> 01:47:20,320 jeopardize the governor's executive 2214 01:47:20,320 --> 01:47:23,320 order um and those of various cities. 2215 01:47:23,320 --> 01:47:25,680 First of all, if these executive orders 2216 01:47:25,680 --> 01:47:28,080 are not legally enforceable, we need to 2217 01:47:28,080 --> 01:47:29,800 know that. 2218 01:47:29,800 --> 01:47:31,880 Second, this issue is going to come to a 2219 01:47:31,880 --> 01:47:33,880 head no matter what. 2220 01:47:33,880 --> 01:47:37,160 The Massachusetts Senate just passed the 2221 01:47:37,160 --> 01:47:39,360 Protect Act, which prohibits immigration 2222 01:47:39,360 --> 01:47:41,280 arrests at courthouses, houses of 2223 01:47:41,280 --> 01:47:43,040 worship, schools, and child care 2224 01:47:43,040 --> 01:47:44,240 facilities. 2225 01:47:44,240 --> 01:47:46,280 Now, the house version is narrower, but 2226 01:47:46,280 --> 01:47:47,800 it still prohibits immigration arrests 2227 01:47:47,800 --> 01:47:49,680 in courthouses. 2228 01:47:49,680 --> 01:47:51,200 The Protect Act would be subject to the 2229 01:47:51,200 --> 01:47:53,280 same legal challenges, and it looks like 2230 01:47:53,280 --> 01:47:55,400 it's going to pass. 2231 01:47:55,400 --> 01:47:57,520 By the way, who would defend the Protect 2232 01:47:57,520 --> 01:48:00,800 Act if there's a lawsuit against it? 2233 01:48:00,800 --> 01:48:03,520 The Attorney General. 2234 01:48:03,520 --> 01:48:05,200 So, is the Attorney General really going 2235 01:48:05,200 --> 01:48:07,320 to say that our bylaw is illegal when 2236 01:48:07,320 --> 01:48:09,880 she may need to defend the Protect Act? 2237 01:48:09,880 --> 01:48:11,600 Next slide, please. 2238 01:48:11,600 --> 01:48:12,960 And we're not alone. Other 2239 01:48:12,960 --> 01:48:15,000 municipalities are doing this. For 2240 01:48:15,000 --> 01:48:17,160 example, just recently the town of 2241 01:48:17,160 --> 01:48:19,120 Shutesbury adopted a bylaw that's 2242 01:48:19,120 --> 01:48:20,800 similar to the second paragraph of our 2243 01:48:20,800 --> 01:48:22,160 article. 2244 01:48:22,160 --> 01:48:25,440 So, in short, please vote no on the 2245 01:48:25,440 --> 01:48:27,840 Advisory Committee referral, 2246 01:48:27,840 --> 01:48:30,080 and join the Select Board, 2247 01:48:30,080 --> 01:48:32,080 the School Committee, the Advisory 2248 01:48:32,080 --> 01:48:33,680 Commission Public Health, and the 2249 01:48:33,680 --> 01:48:35,080 Commission on Diversity, Equity, 2250 01:48:35,080 --> 01:48:37,040 Inclusion, and Community Relations in 2251 01:48:37,040 --> 01:48:39,760 voting yes on the main motion on Article 2252 01:48:39,760 --> 01:48:41,800 17. Thank you. 2253 01:48:41,800 --> 01:48:42,565 >> Thank you. 2254 01:48:42,565 --> 01:48:45,790 >> [applause] 2255 01:48:45,800 --> 01:48:47,760 » Before we go to the next speaker, I 2256 01:48:47,760 --> 01:48:50,680 neglected to tell you where the referral 2257 01:48:50,680 --> 01:48:55,600 is, so in case you want to uh take a look at it while the next 2258 01:48:55,600 --> 01:48:57,520 speaker is speaking. 2259 01:48:57,520 --> 01:49:03,270 Uh it's on page 17 uh 17-13 2260 01:49:03,280 --> 01:49:05,680 of the combined report, the original 2261 01:49:05,680 --> 01:49:07,880 combined report. 2262 01:49:07,880 --> 01:49:11,640 And with that said, uh Susan Granoff on 2263 01:49:11,640 --> 01:49:32,110 behalf of the Advisory Committee. 2264 01:49:32,120 --> 01:49:34,280 » Hello, can you hear me? 2265 01:49:34,280 --> 01:49:36,320 Great, thank you. Thank you, Mr. 2266 01:49:36,320 --> 01:49:37,800 Moderator. 2267 01:49:37,800 --> 01:49:39,760 I'm Susan Granoff, speaking for the 2268 01:49:39,760 --> 01:49:41,840 Advisory Committee with your gracious 2269 01:49:41,840 --> 01:49:44,240 favorable action on the motion to refer 2270 01:49:44,240 --> 01:49:47,720 the subject matter of Warrant Article 17 2271 01:49:47,720 --> 01:49:50,320 to a Select Board Study Committee by a 2272 01:49:50,320 --> 01:49:55,000 vote of 19 to 4 to 0. And if that fails, 2273 01:49:55,000 --> 01:49:57,880 no action on the petitioner's article by 2274 01:49:57,880 --> 01:50:01,560 a vote of 15 to 7 to 1. 2275 01:50:01,560 --> 01:50:03,880 The Advisory Committee shares the 2276 01:50:03,880 --> 01:50:06,400 petitioner's desire to protect 2277 01:50:06,400 --> 01:50:09,320 Brookline's immigrant population against 2278 01:50:09,320 --> 01:50:12,280 the abhorrent actions of ICE to the 2279 01:50:12,280 --> 01:50:16,400 maximum extent possible. But we believe 2280 01:50:16,400 --> 01:50:19,320 that the town can best achieve that goal 2281 01:50:19,320 --> 01:50:21,800 by asking the Study Committee created by 2282 01:50:21,800 --> 01:50:24,520 the Select Board to take just another 2283 01:50:24,520 --> 01:50:27,480 couple of months, until September 1st at 2284 01:50:27,480 --> 01:50:31,240 the latest, to study the complex legal 2285 01:50:31,240 --> 01:50:34,440 and enforcement issues involved, so as 2286 01:50:34,440 --> 01:50:36,000 to one, 2287 01:50:36,000 --> 01:50:38,440 craft a better bylaw in time for 2288 01:50:38,440 --> 01:50:41,560 November's Town Meeting, one much more 2289 01:50:41,560 --> 01:50:44,760 likely to withstand the legal scrutiny 2290 01:50:44,760 --> 01:50:47,280 of the Attorney General's Office, and 2291 01:50:47,280 --> 01:50:50,240 equally important, of any court where 2292 01:50:50,240 --> 01:50:53,040 the town would be seeking an injunction 2293 01:50:53,040 --> 01:50:56,960 against violations of this bylaw by ICE. 2294 01:50:56,960 --> 01:51:00,840 And two, at the same time, to consider 2295 01:51:00,840 --> 01:51:03,560 and recommend other additional legal 2296 01:51:03,560 --> 01:51:06,640 strategies that the town could take to 2297 01:51:06,640 --> 01:51:09,480 protect our immigration population even 2298 01:51:09,480 --> 01:51:13,160 more, such as, for example, by requiring 2299 01:51:13,160 --> 01:51:15,800 any person detained in immigration 2300 01:51:15,800 --> 01:51:18,440 enforcement actions to be allowed to 2301 01:51:18,440 --> 01:51:21,200 make a phone call, and many others as 2302 01:51:21,200 --> 01:51:22,640 well. 2303 01:51:22,640 --> 01:51:25,720 Simply put, the current proposed bylaw 2304 01:51:25,720 --> 01:51:29,080 needs more work and a bit more time to 2305 01:51:29,080 --> 01:51:30,760 get it right. 2306 01:51:30,760 --> 01:51:33,080 First, there are complex state and 2307 01:51:33,080 --> 01:51:35,520 federal legal issues here that haven't 2308 01:51:35,520 --> 01:51:38,240 been fully addressed by the petitioners. 2309 01:51:38,240 --> 01:51:41,080 For example, does the bylaw adequately 2310 01:51:41,080 --> 01:51:43,640 take into account the Constitution's 2311 01:51:43,640 --> 01:51:47,200 Supremacy Clause? Under this clause, a 2312 01:51:47,200 --> 01:51:50,360 state or municipality can't directly 2313 01:51:50,360 --> 01:51:53,920 regulate or discriminate against federal 2314 01:51:53,920 --> 01:51:57,160 authorities. Yet, Section 1 of the 2315 01:51:57,160 --> 01:52:00,440 proposed bylaw currently specifically 2316 01:52:00,440 --> 01:52:03,880 states that it applies to, quote, 2317 01:52:03,880 --> 01:52:06,320 federal civil immigration enforcement 2318 01:52:06,320 --> 01:52:09,840 activities, which might well invalidate 2319 01:52:09,840 --> 01:52:12,880 that entire core section of the proposed 2320 01:52:12,880 --> 01:52:14,200 bylaw. 2321 01:52:14,200 --> 01:52:16,640 There are other legal questions that 2322 01:52:16,640 --> 01:52:19,600 similarly need further consideration and 2323 01:52:19,600 --> 01:52:23,000 study as well. All in the interest of 2324 01:52:23,000 --> 01:52:25,200 getting the wording right. 2325 01:52:25,200 --> 01:52:28,440 Second, none of the key terms used in 2326 01:52:28,440 --> 01:52:31,200 this proposed bylaw, such as the core 2327 01:52:31,200 --> 01:52:34,640 term town facilities, are defined by the 2328 01:52:34,640 --> 01:52:38,320 bylaw. This risks a court refusing to 2329 01:52:38,320 --> 01:52:40,760 grant the town injunctive relief, the 2330 01:52:40,760 --> 01:52:43,040 primary purpose of this bylaw, according 2331 01:52:43,040 --> 01:52:47,440 to petitioners, because of vagueness or 2332 01:52:47,440 --> 01:52:49,120 ambiguity. 2333 01:52:49,120 --> 01:52:51,800 Why not take a bit of extra time, add 2334 01:52:51,800 --> 01:52:53,840 these definitions, and avoid this 2335 01:52:53,840 --> 01:52:55,640 needless risk? 2336 01:52:55,640 --> 01:52:59,280 Third, this lack of legal clarity also 2337 01:52:59,280 --> 01:53:02,240 will make it problematic and confusing 2338 01:53:02,240 --> 01:53:04,320 for the bylaw to be enforced by the 2339 01:53:04,320 --> 01:53:07,480 police department, as they are required 2340 01:53:07,480 --> 01:53:10,840 to do by section 10.2 of the town's 2341 01:53:10,840 --> 01:53:13,960 general bylaws, as stated by Police 2342 01:53:13,960 --> 01:53:17,200 Chief Pastor, officers could be placed 2343 01:53:17,200 --> 01:53:20,400 in the position of enforcing provisions 2344 01:53:20,400 --> 01:53:22,480 that are legally ambiguous or 2345 01:53:22,480 --> 01:53:25,520 potentially preempted by federal law, 2346 01:53:25,520 --> 01:53:28,240 possibly leading to our officers being 2347 01:53:28,240 --> 01:53:30,640 charged federally with obstruction of 2348 01:53:30,640 --> 01:53:32,240 justice. 2349 01:53:32,240 --> 01:53:34,080 Petitioners have said that they do not 2350 01:53:34,080 --> 01:53:37,360 expect Brookline officers to directly 2351 01:53:37,360 --> 01:53:40,640 interfere with ICE activities. 2352 01:53:40,640 --> 01:53:44,520 But, the new bylaw, as currently worded, 2353 01:53:44,520 --> 01:53:46,800 will lead to confusion about what the 2354 01:53:46,800 --> 01:53:49,760 police are expected to do. We can do 2355 01:53:49,760 --> 01:53:51,840 better than that. 2356 01:53:51,840 --> 01:53:55,040 Finally, the Advisory Committee 2357 01:53:55,040 --> 01:53:57,400 additionally supports the motion to 2358 01:53:57,400 --> 01:54:00,840 refer because it expressly contains a 2359 01:54:00,840 --> 01:54:04,040 statement in it that town meeting 2360 01:54:04,040 --> 01:54:06,880 reaffirms the Select Board's February 2361 01:54:06,880 --> 01:54:09,040 10th proclamation, 2362 01:54:09,040 --> 01:54:12,160 which, as you heard, contains similar 2363 01:54:12,160 --> 01:54:16,200 prohibitions as the proposed bylaw. 2364 01:54:16,200 --> 01:54:19,480 This means that we will be 2365 01:54:19,480 --> 01:54:22,800 by voting yes on the motion to refer, 2366 01:54:22,800 --> 01:54:25,840 town meeting will be throwing its weight 2367 01:54:25,840 --> 01:54:30,040 behind this so that it will not merely 2368 01:54:30,040 --> 01:54:33,440 be the opinion of the executive branch 2369 01:54:33,440 --> 01:54:35,600 of Brookline's government 2370 01:54:35,600 --> 01:54:38,800 that simply has a proclamation 2371 01:54:38,800 --> 01:54:42,920 going to court, but it will be the the 2372 01:54:42,920 --> 01:54:45,360 voice of town meeting, 2373 01:54:45,360 --> 01:54:48,760 the legislative branch, also affirming 2374 01:54:48,760 --> 01:54:51,280 that there is support of the entire 2375 01:54:51,280 --> 01:54:54,240 community behind the proclamation. This 2376 01:54:54,240 --> 01:54:56,200 will buy the Study Committee additional 2377 01:54:56,200 --> 01:54:58,200 time. In conclusion, 2378 01:54:58,200 --> 01:54:59,194 >> Thank you. 2379 01:54:59,194 --> 01:55:00,160 >> [laughter] 2380 01:55:00,160 --> 01:55:01,680 >> I thought you'd be happy about those 2381 01:55:01,680 --> 01:55:05,000 words. This is too important an issue 2382 01:55:05,000 --> 01:55:08,360 for our town not to take the time needed 2383 01:55:08,360 --> 01:55:11,480 to get the bylaw right and to come up 2384 01:55:11,480 --> 01:55:14,920 with additional strategies as well. We 2385 01:55:14,920 --> 01:55:17,240 owe it to Brookline's immigrant 2386 01:55:17,240 --> 01:55:18,720 community. 2387 01:55:18,720 --> 01:55:20,120 Please [clears throat] join the AC in 2388 01:55:20,120 --> 01:55:22,400 voting favorable action on the motion to 2389 01:55:22,400 --> 01:55:24,880 refer and no action on the petitioners 2390 01:55:24,880 --> 01:55:29,630 motion. Thank you very much. 2391 01:55:29,640 --> 01:55:49,620 » Mr. Bono? 2392 01:55:49,630 --> 01:55:53,790 » [snorts and clears throat] 2393 01:55:53,800 --> 01:55:55,800 » Anthony Bono, member of the select board 2394 01:55:55,800 --> 01:55:57,880 speaking on behalf of the select board. 2395 01:55:57,880 --> 01:55:59,560 I want to begin by listing some numbers 2396 01:55:59,560 --> 01:56:01,840 that we should reflect on. 50, the 2397 01:56:01,840 --> 01:56:03,680 number of deaths in ice detention camps 2398 01:56:03,680 --> 01:56:07,280 since 2025. 240 billion, the amount of 2399 01:56:07,280 --> 01:56:09,240 money to be spent on border control 2400 01:56:09,240 --> 01:56:12,200 since 2025. 5 million, those who have 2401 01:56:12,200 --> 01:56:13,400 lost their health insurance on the 2402 01:56:13,400 --> 01:56:14,840 Affordable Care Act marketplace since 2403 01:56:14,840 --> 01:56:16,960 2025. The federal government's 2404 01:56:16,960 --> 01:56:19,080 priorities are clear. They are more 2405 01:56:19,080 --> 01:56:20,680 interested in spending money on 2406 01:56:20,680 --> 01:56:22,920 excluding people from what exists as 2407 01:56:22,920 --> 01:56:25,160 opposed to building anything new. They 2408 01:56:25,160 --> 01:56:27,640 view the world as a zero-sum game, a 2409 01:56:27,640 --> 01:56:29,640 belief that if someone gains someone 2410 01:56:29,640 --> 01:56:32,080 else has to lose. In their view, if a 2411 01:56:32,080 --> 01:56:34,160 mother fleeing persecution in Venezuela 2412 01:56:34,160 --> 01:56:36,640 makes its makes her way to America, she 2413 01:56:36,640 --> 01:56:38,200 takes away resources from an American 2414 01:56:38,200 --> 01:56:40,560 mother here. If an immigrant finds work, 2415 01:56:40,560 --> 01:56:41,960 that is a job that should have gone to 2416 01:56:41,960 --> 01:56:44,280 an American. Well, here we are. Real 2417 01:56:44,280 --> 01:56:46,240 personal income is flat, unemployment is 2418 01:56:46,240 --> 01:56:48,280 higher, inflation is higher, GDP growth 2419 01:56:48,280 --> 01:56:49,480 is slowed, 2420 01:56:49,480 --> 01:56:51,480 and we have zero net migration, the 2421 01:56:51,480 --> 01:56:53,920 country is still worse off. Again, the 2422 01:56:53,920 --> 01:56:55,520 federal government's priorities are a 2423 01:56:55,520 --> 01:56:57,480 but their priorities are not Brookline's 2424 01:56:57,480 --> 01:56:59,720 priorities. This is not the first time 2425 01:56:59,720 --> 01:57:01,880 national cynicism has dominated our 2426 01:57:01,880 --> 01:57:03,480 history. Our history is full of these 2427 01:57:03,480 --> 01:57:05,920 moments. One moment I find similar is 2428 01:57:05,920 --> 01:57:07,600 the 19th century fight over fugitive 2429 01:57:07,600 --> 01:57:10,200 slaves. When enslaved people fled north, 2430 01:57:10,200 --> 01:57:12,480 Massachusetts towns 2431 01:57:12,480 --> 01:57:14,360 refused to be complicit in returning 2432 01:57:14,360 --> 01:57:16,040 them. When the Fugitive Slave Act of 2433 01:57:16,040 --> 01:57:18,680 1850 passed, our neighbors stood up. The 2434 01:57:18,680 --> 01:57:20,400 town of Mansfield passed a resolution 2435 01:57:20,400 --> 01:57:22,360 stating, "Until we are prepared to 2436 01:57:22,360 --> 01:57:24,640 repudiate the principles of independence 2437 01:57:24,640 --> 01:57:27,160 and abjure all our ideals of justice and 2438 01:57:27,160 --> 01:57:29,600 humanity, of truth and duty, we can be 2439 01:57:29,600 --> 01:57:31,960 under no voluntary obedience to this 2440 01:57:31,960 --> 01:57:34,040 act." That brings us to the bylaw before 2441 01:57:34,040 --> 01:57:36,160 you tonight, which operates on two clear 2442 01:57:36,160 --> 01:57:38,360 fronts. One, it establishes that 2443 01:57:38,360 --> 01:57:40,080 non-public spaces of public buildings 2444 01:57:40,080 --> 01:57:42,320 shall be off-limits to civil immigration 2445 01:57:42,320 --> 01:57:44,200 enforcement in the absence of a valid 2446 01:57:44,200 --> 01:57:46,320 judicial warrant. Two, it ensures that 2447 01:57:46,320 --> 01:57:48,320 our local public spaces cannot be 2448 01:57:48,320 --> 01:57:50,760 commandeered for organizational activity 2449 01:57:50,760 --> 01:57:52,600 for the purposes of carrying out federal 2450 01:57:52,600 --> 01:57:54,400 immigration enforcement. This language 2451 01:57:54,400 --> 01:57:55,760 is built on 2452 01:57:55,760 --> 01:57:57,880 foundation that has stood for nearly two 2453 01:57:57,880 --> 01:57:59,720 centuries, the anti-commandeering 2454 01:57:59,720 --> 01:58:01,600 doctrine. As Supreme Court Justice 2455 01:58:01,600 --> 01:58:04,120 Joseph Story wrote in the landmark 1842 2456 01:58:04,120 --> 01:58:06,440 case Prigg versus Pennsylvania, "It 2457 01:58:06,440 --> 01:58:08,680 might well be deemed an unconstitutional 2458 01:58:08,680 --> 01:58:11,400 exercise of the power of interpretation 2459 01:58:11,400 --> 01:58:13,800 to insist that the states or localities 2460 01:58:13,800 --> 01:58:16,400 are bound to provide means to carry into 2461 01:58:16,400 --> 01:58:18,000 effect the duties of the national 2462 01:58:18,000 --> 01:58:19,920 government nowhere delegated or 2463 01:58:19,920 --> 01:58:22,000 entrusted to them by the Constitution." 2464 01:58:22,000 --> 01:58:25,880 This principle has been tested over and over again in the Supreme 2465 01:58:25,880 --> 01:58:27,720 Court, and it has been consistently 2466 01:58:27,720 --> 01:58:30,160 upheld. Our Town Council agrees, noting 2467 01:58:30,160 --> 01:58:31,520 that this language mirrors the state's 2468 01:58:31,520 --> 01:58:33,280 executive order prohibiting federal 2469 01:58:33,280 --> 01:58:35,200 staging on state facilities. Placing 2470 01:58:35,200 --> 01:58:36,600 this kind of narrow limitation on 2471 01:58:36,600 --> 01:58:38,600 federal activity is entirely legal 2472 01:58:38,600 --> 01:58:39,800 because federal authorities are 2473 01:58:39,800 --> 01:58:41,560 constitutionally prohibited from 2474 01:58:41,560 --> 01:58:43,240 commandeering local resources. 2475 01:58:43,240 --> 01:58:45,560 Furthermore, our fantastic police chief 2476 01:58:45,560 --> 01:58:47,240 is comfortable with this language. She 2477 01:58:47,240 --> 01:58:48,360 worked directly with our town 2478 01:58:48,360 --> 01:58:49,880 administrator to draft the executive 2479 01:58:49,880 --> 01:58:52,160 order upon which this bylaw is based. I 2480 01:58:52,160 --> 01:58:53,880 want to briefly remind all of us that 2481 01:58:53,880 --> 01:58:55,480 Brookline's Police Department is here to 2482 01:58:55,480 --> 01:58:57,800 protect us. They do an amazing job and 2483 01:58:57,800 --> 01:59:00,840 they are vital ally to our community. 2484 01:59:00,840 --> 01:59:01,547 Thank you. 2485 01:59:01,547 --> 01:59:05,150 >> [applause] 2486 01:59:05,160 --> 01:59:06,840 » Now, I want to set ex- I want to be 2487 01:59:06,840 --> 01:59:08,960 honest about expectations. We cannot 2488 01:59:08,960 --> 01:59:11,600 stop ICE from coming from coming here. 2489 01:59:11,600 --> 01:59:13,560 We cannot stop them from making arrests 2490 01:59:13,560 --> 01:59:15,480 in Brookline or on public property. We 2491 01:59:15,480 --> 01:59:17,640 can't do that. Uh we can't stop them 2492 01:59:17,640 --> 01:59:19,280 from attempting to do the tactics we 2493 01:59:19,280 --> 01:59:21,320 have seen in Minneapolis, Chicago, and 2494 01:59:21,320 --> 01:59:23,520 Los Angeles. But, we can say that we 2495 01:59:23,520 --> 01:59:26,640 will not help them. In 2017, Yale 2496 01:59:26,640 --> 01:59:28,440 historian Timothy Snyder wrote on 2497 01:59:28,440 --> 01:59:30,320 tyranny, 20 lessons for the 20th 2498 01:59:30,320 --> 01:59:32,200 century. One of those lessons was rule 2499 01:59:32,200 --> 01:59:35,520 number 19, be a patriot. Be an example 2500 01:59:35,520 --> 01:59:36,840 for what America means for the 2501 01:59:36,840 --> 01:59:39,480 generations to come. They will need it. 2502 01:59:39,480 --> 01:59:41,720 Brookline, let us be that example. Let 2503 01:59:41,720 --> 01:59:43,840 us assert through our bylaws that parks 2504 01:59:43,840 --> 01:59:45,680 are for children to play and for adults 2505 01:59:45,680 --> 01:59:48,040 to stroll, schools are for learning, 2506 01:59:48,040 --> 01:59:50,120 libraries are places to read, converse, 2507 01:59:50,120 --> 01:59:52,160 and share. Parking lots exist to support 2508 01:59:52,160 --> 01:59:54,080 our business districts, and we do not 2509 01:59:54,080 --> 01:59:56,200 want these local resources used for 2510 01:59:56,200 --> 01:59:58,080 federal immigration enforcement. We 2511 01:59:58,080 --> 01:59:59,680 don't want them to mobilize, assemble, 2512 01:59:59,680 --> 02:00:02,000 or deploy there. We have the legal and 2513 02:00:02,000 --> 02:00:03,880 moral right to say so, and the Select 2514 02:00:03,880 --> 02:00:05,800 Board strongly recommends we do five to 2515 02:00:05,800 --> 02:00:08,000 zero. Please vote no on the referral and 2516 02:00:08,000 --> 02:00:10,323 vote yes on the main motion. Thank you. 2517 02:00:10,323 --> 02:00:15,270 >> [applause and cheering] 2518 02:00:15,280 --> 02:00:16,280 » Um 2519 02:00:16,280 --> 02:00:18,040 okay. Uh 2520 02:00:18,040 --> 02:00:22,110 the next speaker 2521 02:00:22,120 --> 02:00:24,800 » A question, Mr. Moderator. 2522 02:00:24,800 --> 02:00:27,680 >> Okay. 2523 02:00:27,680 --> 02:00:29,920 Give me the question and I'll 2524 02:00:29,920 --> 02:00:31,800 >> The question is whether adopting this 2525 02:00:31,800 --> 02:00:33,600 bylaw 2526 02:00:33,600 --> 02:00:35,680 Oh, pardon me. Jocelyn Murphy, Precinct 2527 02:00:35,680 --> 02:00:38,080 16 Town Meeting member. The question is 2528 02:00:38,080 --> 02:00:40,480 whether adopting this bylaw 2529 02:00:40,480 --> 02:00:42,400 would endanger our the town's 2530 02:00:42,400 --> 02:00:50,790 eligibility for federal funds. 2531 02:00:50,800 --> 02:00:54,863 » Who would like to take a shot at that? 2532 02:00:54,863 --> 02:00:59,710 >> [laughter] 2533 02:00:59,720 --> 02:01:02,040 » Jess Carey, town administrator. 2534 02:01:02,040 --> 02:01:03,400 I can't give you a one-word answer to 2535 02:01:03,400 --> 02:01:06,000 this question, sorry. I tried. Um 2536 02:01:06,000 --> 02:01:07,840 the answer is it is complicated. I think 2537 02:01:07,840 --> 02:01:14,360 it is likely that we would see negative feedback from the 2538 02:01:14,360 --> 02:01:17,240 federal government on this. However, we 2539 02:01:17,240 --> 02:01:18,920 are already in this position, right? We 2540 02:01:18,920 --> 02:01:21,240 have already passed an executive order 2541 02:01:21,240 --> 02:01:23,800 or proclamation from the select board 2542 02:01:23,800 --> 02:01:26,920 saying substantively the same thing. Um 2543 02:01:26,920 --> 02:01:28,360 one of the things that the select board 2544 02:01:28,360 --> 02:01:30,560 has directed me to do, and which I am 2545 02:01:30,560 --> 02:01:33,280 happy to do, is to say that if there is 2546 02:01:33,280 --> 02:01:35,480 a condition of a grant or federal 2547 02:01:35,480 --> 02:01:38,680 funding that requires that we cooperate 2548 02:01:38,680 --> 02:01:40,520 with ICE in a substantive way or 2549 02:01:40,520 --> 02:01:43,640 otherwise behave uh as an abettor to 2550 02:01:43,640 --> 02:01:44,720 ICE, 2551 02:01:44,720 --> 02:01:46,680 um including an attempt that they made 2552 02:01:46,680 --> 02:01:49,520 on the um urban area um 2553 02:01:49,520 --> 02:01:52,400 uh grants that we'll be talking about 2554 02:01:52,400 --> 02:01:53,880 shortly, uh which was thankfully 2555 02:01:53,880 --> 02:01:55,720 enjoined and is not required of us 2556 02:01:55,720 --> 02:01:58,240 anymore or not was was never required of 2557 02:01:58,240 --> 02:01:59,800 us, thankfully. 2558 02:01:59,800 --> 02:02:00,880 Um 2559 02:02:00,880 --> 02:02:02,720 that we don't take that money. 2560 02:02:02,720 --> 02:02:03,520 Um 2561 02:02:03,520 --> 02:02:05,640 we were ready for this administration to 2562 02:02:05,640 --> 02:02:07,480 come in. I think we were better prepared 2563 02:02:07,480 --> 02:02:09,080 than most municipalities were. We 2564 02:02:09,080 --> 02:02:10,760 started preparing for this in July of 2565 02:02:10,760 --> 02:02:13,240 2024, the possibility that this 2566 02:02:13,240 --> 02:02:15,400 administration come to power, and that 2567 02:02:15,400 --> 02:02:17,000 we would lose federal money. We have a 2568 02:02:17,000 --> 02:02:18,560 full accounting of what we get from the 2569 02:02:18,560 --> 02:02:20,720 federal government, and we are prepared, 2570 02:02:20,720 --> 02:02:22,440 although we don't want to, to lose all 2571 02:02:22,440 --> 02:02:25,400 of it if we have to. So, to the extent 2572 02:02:25,400 --> 02:02:27,320 that we are in jeopardy of potentially 2573 02:02:27,320 --> 02:02:29,200 losing federal funds, yes, I do think 2574 02:02:29,200 --> 02:02:31,280 so, but I also think we're ready for it. 2575 02:02:31,280 --> 02:02:33,114 So, thank you. 2576 02:02:33,114 --> 02:02:33,520 >> [applause] 2577 02:02:33,520 --> 02:02:37,110 >> Thank you. 2578 02:02:37,120 --> 02:02:38,440 Um 2579 02:02:38,440 --> 02:02:41,680 next speaker is uh Marty Rosenthal, who, 2580 02:02:41,680 --> 02:02:44,360 while he's not a town meeting member, 2581 02:02:44,360 --> 02:02:46,320 uh while he was a town meeting member 2582 02:02:46,320 --> 02:02:48,480 was involved in 2583 02:02:48,480 --> 02:02:51,640 uh drafting the resolution. He's going 2584 02:02:51,640 --> 02:02:54,600 to be speaking to us remotely. 2585 02:02:54,600 --> 02:02:56,960 But given the issues we were having the 2586 02:02:56,960 --> 02:02:59,920 last two nights with uh Zoom, if it 2587 02:02:59,920 --> 02:03:02,400 doesn't work, we do in fact have a plan 2588 02:03:02,400 --> 02:03:03,440 B. 2589 02:03:03,440 --> 02:03:08,830 So, let's let's give it a try. 2590 02:03:08,840 --> 02:03:18,950 And I've granted him 7 minutes. 2591 02:03:18,960 --> 02:03:22,670 » Is it working? 2592 02:03:22,680 --> 02:03:28,560 No. 2593 02:03:28,560 --> 02:03:30,040 >> Please start. 2594 02:03:30,040 --> 02:03:31,840 >> I'm trying. 2595 02:03:31,840 --> 02:03:33,760 >> All you have to do is talk. 2596 02:03:33,760 --> 02:03:37,270 >> I'm talking. 2597 02:03:37,280 --> 02:03:38,480 » Keep going. 2598 02:03:38,480 --> 02:03:42,230 >> I'm talking, but it 2599 02:03:42,240 --> 02:03:43,920 I'm not hearing anything. 2600 02:03:43,920 --> 02:03:45,560 >> We hear you. 2601 02:03:45,560 --> 02:03:46,400 >> Oh, you do? 2602 02:03:46,400 --> 02:03:48,680 >> You're The clock is ticking. 2603 02:03:48,680 --> 02:03:50,400 >> All right, good. I'm sorry. I didn't 2604 02:03:50,400 --> 02:03:51,800 know I was being heard. 2605 02:03:51,800 --> 02:03:54,040 >> is ticking, please. 2606 02:03:54,040 --> 02:03:55,160 >> Thank you. Well, 2607 02:03:55,160 --> 02:03:56,800 I didn't know I was being heard it 2608 02:03:56,800 --> 02:03:58,280 because of the problems you told me 2609 02:03:58,280 --> 02:04:00,160 about earlier. All right, so Marty 2610 02:04:00,160 --> 02:04:03,400 Rosenthal, Columbia Street, emerging 2611 02:04:03,400 --> 02:04:05,600 vote for the advisory committee motion, 2612 02:04:05,600 --> 02:04:07,240 the referral motion. 2613 02:04:07,240 --> 02:04:11,400 Um I yield to nobody on uh I disdain for 2614 02:04:11,400 --> 02:04:14,120 and shame about ICE agents, whom I've 2615 02:04:14,120 --> 02:04:17,040 called storm troopers. Referral motions 2616 02:04:17,040 --> 02:04:19,080 can sometimes be motions to broom 2617 02:04:19,080 --> 02:04:21,920 something. This is exactly the opposite. 2618 02:04:21,920 --> 02:04:23,840 In fact, Pax has sponsored three 2619 02:04:23,840 --> 02:04:27,840 sanctuary resolutions, 1985, 2006, and 2620 02:04:27,840 --> 02:04:29,560 2017. 2621 02:04:29,560 --> 02:04:32,520 As a five-decade criminal lawyer with 2622 02:04:32,520 --> 02:04:34,720 over four decades helping to improve 2623 02:04:34,720 --> 02:04:37,120 Brookline's excellent police department, 2624 02:04:37,120 --> 02:04:39,520 I spent many horrified hours watching 2625 02:04:39,520 --> 02:04:42,480 videos of the Renee Good and Alex Pretty 2626 02:04:42,480 --> 02:04:44,640 murders. And then I delved into the 2627 02:04:44,640 --> 02:04:46,160 legal issues 2628 02:04:46,160 --> 02:04:48,000 examining whether the state could 2629 02:04:48,000 --> 02:04:49,640 prosecute ICE. 2630 02:04:49,640 --> 02:04:52,120 So, when by chance I saw the board's 2631 02:04:52,120 --> 02:04:53,840 February 10th discussion of the 2632 02:04:53,840 --> 02:04:57,160 proclamation which was sent to everybody 2633 02:04:57,160 --> 02:04:59,640 by Neil Gordon to the TMMA listserv 2634 02:04:59,640 --> 02:05:01,080 yesterday, 2635 02:05:01,080 --> 02:05:02,720 I felt that their 2636 02:05:02,720 --> 02:05:05,160 proclamation was great, but mostly 2637 02:05:05,160 --> 02:05:08,000 auditory. And that should have been 2638 02:05:08,000 --> 02:05:10,760 instead reforming some general orders to 2639 02:05:10,760 --> 02:05:12,040 the police. 2640 02:05:12,040 --> 02:05:14,120 So, then I got immersed and eventually 2641 02:05:14,120 --> 02:05:16,720 sent a typically verbose diatribe to 2642 02:05:16,720 --> 02:05:20,400 TMMA list March 9th. And then I saw 2643 02:05:20,400 --> 02:05:25,120 these articles. 2644 02:05:25,120 --> 02:05:25,960 Yeah. 2645 02:05:25,960 --> 02:05:29,760 Uh 2646 02:05:29,760 --> 02:05:33,950 trying to mute my TV. 2647 02:05:33,960 --> 02:05:36,000 » Clock is ticking, Marty. 2648 02:05:36,000 --> 02:05:37,280 >> Um 2649 02:05:37,280 --> 02:05:39,680 All right. So, the 800-lb 2650 02:05:39,680 --> 02:05:42,960 gorilla right now is that neither any 2651 02:05:42,960 --> 02:05:46,280 mass city or town can prevent ICE from 2652 02:05:46,280 --> 02:05:48,280 doing whatever travesties they want to 2653 02:05:48,280 --> 02:05:50,840 do. ICE has no regard for either human 2654 02:05:50,840 --> 02:05:53,640 decency or any laws. The most we can do 2655 02:05:53,640 --> 02:05:57,920 is twofold. If ICE uses 2656 02:05:57,920 --> 02:06:01,030 town property 2657 02:06:01,040 --> 02:06:04,040 uh or or civil for civil enforcement 2658 02:06:04,040 --> 02:06:06,760 orders, I hope the Brookline police may 2659 02:06:06,760 --> 02:06:09,520 try to dissuade them, but surely can't 2660 02:06:09,520 --> 02:06:14,920 forcibly intervene. Secondly, the proclamation sends a good message 2661 02:06:14,920 --> 02:06:17,240 and it has to be maintained. So, why not 2662 02:06:17,240 --> 02:06:19,800 pass Article 17? 2663 02:06:19,800 --> 02:06:21,960 Because it's it's got a lot of risk, 2664 02:06:21,960 --> 02:06:25,160 especially um the risk of being 2665 02:06:25,160 --> 02:06:28,320 scrutinized by the AG's office and and 2666 02:06:28,320 --> 02:06:31,560 nicked by them, which might nick all the 2667 02:06:31,560 --> 02:06:35,000 executive orders that are I think six of 2668 02:06:35,000 --> 02:06:37,400 them and maybe the governors as well. 2669 02:06:37,400 --> 02:06:40,280 The referral is much faster, it's 2670 02:06:40,280 --> 02:06:43,480 clearer, and it's better. Let me 2671 02:06:43,480 --> 02:06:45,280 briefly try to get through some of the 2672 02:06:45,280 --> 02:06:47,120 legal issues. And by the way, Mr. 2673 02:06:47,120 --> 02:06:48,920 Moderator, I'm I'm not going to speak on 2674 02:06:48,920 --> 02:06:51,120 25, so if I could get an additional 2675 02:06:51,120 --> 02:06:54,720 minute or two, I'd appreciate it. Um the 2676 02:06:54,720 --> 02:06:55,640 >> time. 2677 02:06:55,640 --> 02:06:56,520 >> I'm sorry? 2678 02:06:56,520 --> 02:06:57,880 >> No. 2679 02:06:57,880 --> 02:07:00,800 >> Okay. Well, anyway, so so so quick legal 2680 02:07:00,800 --> 02:07:04,000 issues. There are federal issues. We uh 2681 02:07:04,000 --> 02:07:06,200 circulated Neil circulated yesterday the 2682 02:07:06,200 --> 02:07:09,160 Vera Institute report. Compare that, 2683 02:07:09,160 --> 02:07:10,600 please, to 2684 02:07:10,600 --> 02:07:11,640 the 2685 02:07:11,640 --> 02:07:14,760 uh analysis by Anthony, which is very 2686 02:07:14,760 --> 02:07:17,840 superficially smart, but I think full of 2687 02:07:17,840 --> 02:07:21,000 holes, and the town council two-page 2688 02:07:21,000 --> 02:07:24,400 memo from March 31st that was sent also 2689 02:07:24,400 --> 02:07:27,720 today by Neil Gordon to the TMMA list. 2690 02:07:27,720 --> 02:07:30,800 Uh there are issues of the commandeering 2691 02:07:30,800 --> 02:07:35,320 question. Anthony says today that um 2692 02:07:35,320 --> 02:07:36,440 the 2693 02:07:36,440 --> 02:07:37,000 uh 2694 02:07:37,000 --> 02:07:39,200 he he stretches the term commandeering 2695 02:07:39,200 --> 02:07:42,840 and and says ICE cannot commandeer our 2696 02:07:42,840 --> 02:07:46,480 land. Commandeering is not 2697 02:07:46,480 --> 02:07:49,760 applied to land. It's applied to 2698 02:07:49,760 --> 02:07:52,400 uh use of resources. But then he says, 2699 02:07:52,400 --> 02:07:55,560 "ICE does not say that ICE agents" I'm 2700 02:07:55,560 --> 02:07:57,880 sorry, "17 does not say that ICE agents 2701 02:07:57,880 --> 02:08:00,200 cannot arrest someone in Griggs Park." 2702 02:08:00,200 --> 02:08:02,440 That's true. And and that that 2703 02:08:02,440 --> 02:08:05,000 contradicts what he said about the 2704 02:08:05,000 --> 02:08:07,360 commandeering issue. So, which seems 2705 02:08:07,360 --> 02:08:10,160 more credible, the Vera report or 2706 02:08:10,160 --> 02:08:12,640 Anthony and town council? I 2707 02:08:12,640 --> 02:08:15,000 You you folks are legislators. You have 2708 02:08:15,000 --> 02:08:19,440 to decide. You can't just abdicate to 2709 02:08:19,440 --> 02:08:22,160 town council and say that town council 2710 02:08:22,160 --> 02:08:28,400 says this is fine. I think that that two two-sentence approval by town 2711 02:08:28,400 --> 02:08:31,920 council's office on March 31st is at 2712 02:08:31,920 --> 02:08:35,400 best very superficial. 2713 02:08:35,400 --> 02:08:38,000 The other thing that the petitioners say 2714 02:08:38,000 --> 02:08:42,600 that they made this a civil enforcement. 2715 02:08:42,600 --> 02:08:44,280 They've tried to do that and they say 2716 02:08:44,280 --> 02:08:46,280 that and that would be fine for 2717 02:08:46,280 --> 02:08:48,440 enforcement purposes, but it's still a 2718 02:08:48,440 --> 02:08:51,080 misdemeanor, which means that police are 2719 02:08:51,080 --> 02:08:53,600 supposed to enforce it and it has to be 2720 02:08:53,600 --> 02:08:56,760 for them and for due process purposes 2721 02:08:56,760 --> 02:08:58,360 clear. 2722 02:08:58,360 --> 02:09:00,680 The The other One more thing about 2723 02:09:00,680 --> 02:09:03,280 Anthony's memorandum, he offers a very 2724 02:09:03,280 --> 02:09:06,400 narrow reading and says it's 2725 02:09:06,400 --> 02:09:09,480 non-controversial of the terms assemble, 2726 02:09:09,480 --> 02:09:12,360 mobilize, and deploy. The word deploy 2727 02:09:12,360 --> 02:09:15,520 just means if ICE goes anyplace, they're 2728 02:09:15,520 --> 02:09:18,880 deploying. There's nothing 2729 02:09:18,880 --> 02:09:23,440 um that that takes that out of the um 2730 02:09:23,440 --> 02:09:26,240 the constitutional issue. I've done two 2731 02:09:26,240 --> 02:09:30,360 SJC challenges on vagueness statutes and 2732 02:09:30,360 --> 02:09:32,520 I believe that the 2733 02:09:32,520 --> 02:09:33,200 >> One minute. 2734 02:09:33,200 --> 02:09:35,520 >> the EO trespass law will get extra 2735 02:09:35,520 --> 02:09:37,960 scrutiny if not by the Attorney General, 2736 02:09:37,960 --> 02:09:40,960 at least by federal courts. So, for for 2737 02:09:40,960 --> 02:09:45,360 both parts one and two of this Article 2738 02:09:45,360 --> 02:09:49,480 17, my favorite example was if our chief 2739 02:09:49,480 --> 02:09:52,560 met with ICE in her office, is it two 2740 02:09:52,560 --> 02:09:55,920 misdemeanors? Part one and part two. 2741 02:09:55,920 --> 02:09:58,800 by the way, has no exception 2742 02:09:58,800 --> 02:10:02,000 for somebody who is invited by consent 2743 02:10:02,000 --> 02:10:05,840 of the chief. Uh so, in fact, was she a 2744 02:10:05,840 --> 02:10:08,960 joint venturer in in a misdemeanor on 2745 02:10:08,960 --> 02:10:10,400 that occasion? 2746 02:10:10,400 --> 02:10:12,480 And finally, uh 2747 02:10:12,480 --> 02:10:14,240 there's the preemption issue. There's a 2748 02:10:14,240 --> 02:10:15,360 current 2749 02:10:15,360 --> 02:10:17,720 statute that forbids public property 2750 02:10:17,720 --> 02:10:21,400 trespassing. It It's pretty narrow, but 2751 02:10:21,400 --> 02:10:24,280 arguably, it would preempt municipal 2752 02:10:24,280 --> 02:10:27,080 statutes that also were creating 2753 02:10:27,080 --> 02:10:29,280 essentially a trespass law. 2754 02:10:29,280 --> 02:10:32,320 >> And that's going to get much worse 2755 02:10:32,320 --> 02:10:34,840 soon because the Protect Act, which 2756 02:10:34,840 --> 02:10:39,040 Chichi referred to, also forbids 2757 02:10:39,040 --> 02:10:40,240 >> ICE and 2758 02:10:40,240 --> 02:10:41,960 ICE enforcement in certain public 2759 02:10:41,960 --> 02:10:44,280 properties, but they're very limited, 2760 02:10:44,280 --> 02:10:46,400 specially courthouses. And I think that 2761 02:10:46,400 --> 02:10:49,080 would pass muster, but it would preempt 2762 02:10:49,080 --> 02:10:53,000 this by law. So, I'm asking, please, 2763 02:10:53,000 --> 02:10:56,000 to enact the advisory motion for a very 2764 02:10:56,000 --> 02:11:00,080 fast summertime action to do something 2765 02:11:00,080 --> 02:11:03,080 similar, but better and faster. Thank 2766 02:11:03,080 --> 02:11:03,520 you. 2767 02:11:03,520 --> 02:11:05,840 >> Call the question. 2768 02:11:05,840 --> 02:11:07,600 >> I have 2769 02:11:07,600 --> 02:11:08,600 a 2770 02:11:08,600 --> 02:11:13,720 I have two speakers, uh 3 minutes each. 2771 02:11:13,720 --> 02:11:16,280 Uh Susan Park, Neil Gordon, I'll take 2772 02:11:16,280 --> 02:11:19,080 the calling the question. 2773 02:11:19,080 --> 02:11:30,790 Um 2774 02:11:30,800 --> 02:11:33,200 » Drop the vote, please. 2775 02:11:33,200 --> 02:11:38,070 Yes to terminate debate, no to continue. 2776 02:11:38,080 --> 02:12:14,790 Two speakers left. 2777 02:12:14,800 --> 02:12:16,360 » Okay. 2778 02:12:16,360 --> 02:12:18,200 148 2779 02:12:18,200 --> 02:12:20,640 65 6 2780 02:12:20,640 --> 02:12:24,640 >> Motion carries 148 65 6. 2781 02:12:24,640 --> 02:12:27,960 We're now ready for votes. 2782 02:12:27,960 --> 02:12:30,800 So, the first motion 2783 02:12:30,800 --> 02:12:33,320 that we're voting on is the advisory 2784 02:12:33,320 --> 02:12:35,840 committee motion to refer. 2785 02:12:35,840 --> 02:12:37,880 It's on 2786 02:12:37,880 --> 02:12:41,830 page 1713. 2787 02:12:41,840 --> 02:12:44,800 And if this passes, we're done. 2788 02:12:44,800 --> 02:12:46,880 If this doesn't pass, we would then vote 2789 02:12:46,880 --> 02:12:50,000 on the main motion to enact the bylaw. 2790 02:12:50,000 --> 02:12:51,840 Everyone understands what we're voting 2791 02:12:51,840 --> 02:12:53,560 on? 2792 02:12:53,560 --> 02:13:39,630 Then let's do it. Drop the vote. 2793 02:13:39,640 --> 02:13:40,360 » Okay. 2794 02:13:40,360 --> 02:13:41,720 80 2795 02:13:41,720 --> 02:13:43,520 156 2796 02:13:43,520 --> 02:13:45,000 4 2797 02:13:45,000 --> 02:13:46,800 >> Motion fails. 2798 02:13:46,800 --> 02:13:50,480 80 156 4 We're now ready to vote the 2799 02:13:50,480 --> 02:13:52,120 main motion. 2800 02:13:52,120 --> 02:13:54,880 A yes vote will enact this bylaw. A no 2801 02:13:54,880 --> 02:13:57,120 vote will not. 2802 02:13:57,120 --> 02:13:59,240 Everyone understand what we're voting 2803 02:13:59,240 --> 02:14:00,840 on? 2804 02:14:00,840 --> 02:14:47,270 Okay. Drop the vote, please. 2805 02:14:47,280 --> 02:14:49,400 » 192 2806 02:14:49,400 --> 02:14:51,360 34 2807 02:14:51,360 --> 02:14:53,273 14 2808 02:14:53,273 --> 02:14:53,920 >> [applause] 2809 02:14:53,920 --> 02:14:56,680 >> Motion carries. 2810 02:14:56,680 --> 02:15:00,600 192 34 to 14. So, we now [applause] have 2811 02:15:00,600 --> 02:15:03,240 a new bylaw. 2812 02:15:03,240 --> 02:15:05,000 Actually, we don't have the new bylaw 2813 02:15:05,000 --> 02:15:07,080 right now. We have the new bylaw after 2814 02:15:07,080 --> 02:15:08,840 the Attorney General approves it, which 2815 02:15:08,840 --> 02:15:10,640 will be in a few months. 2816 02:15:10,640 --> 02:15:12,280 Assuming the Attorney General approves 2817 02:15:12,280 --> 02:15:13,560 it. 2818 02:15:13,560 --> 02:15:20,190 So, now we move on to Article 25. 2819 02:15:20,200 --> 02:15:24,840 Which has gotten a whole lot simpler. 2820 02:15:24,840 --> 02:15:29,240 Because instead of all those motions and 2821 02:15:29,240 --> 02:15:30,880 I was thinking, "Gosh, it's too late to 2822 02:15:30,880 --> 02:15:33,680 create a flowchart." We just have one 2823 02:15:33,680 --> 02:15:35,600 motion before us. 2824 02:15:35,600 --> 02:15:38,120 And it's it's the motion on the blue 2825 02:15:38,120 --> 02:15:41,560 sheets that was that were distributed 2826 02:15:41,560 --> 02:15:44,720 uh at the back and it's uh let me get my 2827 02:15:44,720 --> 02:15:46,160 cheat sheet here. 2828 02:15:46,160 --> 02:15:49,790 If I can find it. 2829 02:15:49,800 --> 02:15:53,280 It's uh supplement two pages one through 2830 02:15:53,280 --> 02:15:57,000 five. And the Advisory Committee 2831 02:15:57,000 --> 02:15:58,160 um 2832 02:15:58,160 --> 02:16:00,720 the Select Board and the petitioners 2833 02:16:00,720 --> 02:16:04,750 have uh all agreed. 2834 02:16:04,760 --> 02:16:07,320 So, it'll be a simple vote. Once once we 2835 02:16:07,320 --> 02:16:09,440 get to the vote, it'll be simple. You 2836 02:16:09,440 --> 02:16:12,240 either accept it or you don't. Now, 2837 02:16:12,240 --> 02:16:15,120 what's interesting to me 2838 02:16:15,120 --> 02:16:16,200 uh 2839 02:16:16,200 --> 02:16:20,240 for a non-binding resolution, 2840 02:16:20,240 --> 02:16:22,520 I have a whole bunch of speakers lined 2841 02:16:22,520 --> 02:16:23,680 up 2842 02:16:23,680 --> 02:16:26,800 that I didn't have for a bylaw, 2843 02:16:26,800 --> 02:16:28,960 which 2844 02:16:28,960 --> 02:16:32,000 I just find that very interesting as a 2845 02:16:32,000 --> 02:16:40,950 student of government. 2846 02:16:40,960 --> 02:16:44,800 The timer. So, uh first representing the 2847 02:16:44,800 --> 02:16:48,400 petitioners are Alec Lebowitz and Fatima 2848 02:16:48,400 --> 02:16:49,719 Ahmed. 2849 02:16:49,719 --> 02:16:54,360 Uh Fatima Ahmed is not a town resident 2850 02:16:54,360 --> 02:16:57,400 and uh is the executive director at the 2851 02:16:57,400 --> 02:16:59,880 Muslim Justice League, where she leads 2852 02:16:59,880 --> 02:17:01,840 the MLJ's 2853 02:17:01,840 --> 02:17:04,880 MJL's efforts to dismantle 2854 02:17:04,880 --> 02:17:07,440 systemic Islamophobia by addressing the 2855 02:17:07,440 --> 02:17:09,880 criminalization, policing, surveillance 2856 02:17:09,880 --> 02:17:12,080 of marginalized communities. She joined 2857 02:17:12,080 --> 02:17:15,519 the organization in 2017 and established 2858 02:17:15,519 --> 02:17:18,559 MJL's community organizing strategy, and 2859 02:17:18,559 --> 02:17:22,000 she's been involved in creating this 2860 02:17:22,000 --> 02:17:23,320 motion. 2861 02:17:23,320 --> 02:17:25,120 Uh are there any objections to her 2862 02:17:25,120 --> 02:17:28,790 speaking? 2863 02:17:28,800 --> 02:17:32,320 Any on the if you if you're on the Zoom and you 2864 02:17:32,320 --> 02:17:34,960 object, raise your hand. I'll count to 2865 02:17:34,960 --> 02:17:38,030 10. 2866 02:17:38,040 --> 02:17:40,000 3 4 2867 02:17:40,000 --> 02:17:42,960 5 6 7 8 2868 02:17:42,960 --> 02:17:45,639 9 10 2869 02:17:45,639 --> 02:17:52,549 Do we have any? 2870 02:17:52,559 --> 02:17:58,910 None? Okay, let's go. 2871 02:17:58,920 --> 02:18:00,360 Good evening. Alec Lebowitz, Town 2872 02:18:00,360 --> 02:18:02,559 Meeting Member Precinct 8. Warrant 2873 02:18:02,559 --> 02:18:05,000 article 25 is a resolution that calls 2874 02:18:05,000 --> 02:18:06,559 for the state and the town to take 2875 02:18:06,559 --> 02:18:09,080 several discrete actions to protect 2876 02:18:09,080 --> 02:18:10,639 Brookline residents and our immigrant 2877 02:18:10,639 --> 02:18:13,160 neighbors from the abuses of ICE, which 2878 02:18:13,160 --> 02:18:14,679 under this federal administration has 2879 02:18:14,679 --> 02:18:17,200 devolved into a rogue agency that has 2880 02:18:17,200 --> 02:18:19,320 shown a total disregard for the rule of 2881 02:18:19,320 --> 02:18:21,519 law, the safety, civil rights, and due 2882 02:18:21,519 --> 02:18:23,280 process rights of our fellow citizens 2883 02:18:23,280 --> 02:18:25,400 and neighbors, and has wantonly killed 2884 02:18:25,400 --> 02:18:27,480 Americans in our streets. 2885 02:18:27,480 --> 02:18:28,840 I'm pleased to announce that this 2886 02:18:28,840 --> 02:18:30,280 evening the advisory committee, the 2887 02:18:30,280 --> 02:18:32,240 select board, and the petitioners of 2888 02:18:32,240 --> 02:18:34,440 warrant article 25 have come together to 2889 02:18:34,440 --> 02:18:36,240 present the consensus motion before you 2890 02:18:36,240 --> 02:18:38,240 this evening. I want to particularly 2891 02:18:38,240 --> 02:18:40,599 recognize select board members Anthony 2892 02:18:40,599 --> 02:18:42,880 Buono and Bernard Green, and my AC 2893 02:18:42,880 --> 02:18:44,480 colleague Jocelyn Murphy for their 2894 02:18:44,480 --> 02:18:46,360 heroic efforts in brokering this 2895 02:18:46,360 --> 02:18:48,000 compromise, and I hope you will 2896 02:18:48,000 --> 02:18:49,400 ultimately join all of us in 2897 02:18:49,400 --> 02:18:51,080 overwhelmingly supporting favorable 2898 02:18:51,080 --> 02:18:53,559 action on this article as amended. Next 2899 02:18:53,559 --> 02:18:55,719 slide, please. 2900 02:18:55,719 --> 02:18:58,000 Article 25 includes several state-facing 2901 02:18:58,000 --> 02:18:59,639 provisions, including expressing 2902 02:18:59,639 --> 02:19:01,400 Brookline's condemnation of ICE's 2903 02:19:01,400 --> 02:19:03,160 illegal actions and targeting of 2904 02:19:03,160 --> 02:19:05,200 communities based on race, ethnicity, 2905 02:19:05,200 --> 02:19:07,320 language, or political preferences to 2906 02:19:07,320 --> 02:19:09,000 our elected representatives. 2907 02:19:09,000 --> 02:19:10,719 Additionally, this resolution calls on 2908 02:19:10,719 --> 02:19:12,800 Governor Healey to exit the final 2909 02:19:12,800 --> 02:19:15,800 cooperation or 287G agreement held by 2910 02:19:15,800 --> 02:19:17,639 the state's Department of Corrections 2911 02:19:17,639 --> 02:19:19,440 with ICE. This is the last such 2912 02:19:19,440 --> 02:19:21,040 agreement active in New England, 2913 02:19:21,040 --> 02:19:22,920 reflecting the widespread rejection of 2914 02:19:22,920 --> 02:19:25,120 cooperation with ICE as the agency 2915 02:19:25,120 --> 02:19:26,960 persists in its ongoing abuses and 2916 02:19:26,960 --> 02:19:28,160 violence. 2917 02:19:28,160 --> 02:19:29,719 Finally, this article calls for the 2918 02:19:29,719 --> 02:19:32,080 state legislature to expeditiously pass 2919 02:19:32,080 --> 02:19:33,679 a law similar to Brookline's General 2920 02:19:33,679 --> 02:19:36,000 Order 43, which would prevent any direct 2921 02:19:36,000 --> 02:19:37,760 cooperation between state and local law 2922 02:19:37,760 --> 02:19:39,480 enforcement and federal immigration 2923 02:19:39,480 --> 02:19:41,080 enforcement. I'll now turn it over to my 2924 02:19:41,080 --> 02:19:43,679 co-petitioner, Fatima Ahmad, to describe 2925 02:19:43,679 --> 02:19:47,190 the locally directed provisions. 2926 02:19:47,200 --> 02:19:50,070 » Next slide. 2927 02:19:50,080 --> 02:19:52,000 This article also calls for a review of 2928 02:19:52,000 --> 02:19:53,680 whether Brookline should pull out of 2929 02:19:53,680 --> 02:19:55,960 BRIC and a review of booking practices. 2930 02:19:55,960 --> 02:19:57,960 I'm not only a national expert on 2931 02:19:57,960 --> 02:19:59,800 surveillance, but my organization is 2932 02:19:59,800 --> 02:20:01,760 surveilled by BRIC. We also lead a 2933 02:20:01,760 --> 02:20:04,280 coalition of organizations fighting BRIC 2934 02:20:04,280 --> 02:20:06,040 because it impacts so many communities, 2935 02:20:06,040 --> 02:20:08,320 including immigrants. 2936 02:20:08,320 --> 02:20:10,280 The Boston Regional Intelligence Center, 2937 02:20:10,280 --> 02:20:12,440 BRIC, was established as a fusion center 2938 02:20:12,440 --> 02:20:14,680 by the Department of Homeland Security 2939 02:20:14,680 --> 02:20:16,920 and receives annual funding from DHS in 2940 02:20:16,920 --> 02:20:19,040 the form of the UASI grant. 2941 02:20:19,040 --> 02:20:21,200 Its entire purpose is to collect and 2942 02:20:21,200 --> 02:20:23,400 share information across law enforcement 2943 02:20:23,400 --> 02:20:26,320 agencies, especially with DHS and the 2944 02:20:26,320 --> 02:20:30,160 FBI, which have agents sitting in BRIC. 2945 02:20:30,160 --> 02:20:31,840 During Trump's first administration, we 2946 02:20:31,840 --> 02:20:34,160 witnessed a spike in gang allegations 2947 02:20:34,160 --> 02:20:36,960 from BRIC being used by ICE to detain 2948 02:20:36,960 --> 02:20:40,760 and deport people. And even 135 student 2949 02:20:40,760 --> 02:20:42,680 incident reports from Boston public 2950 02:20:42,680 --> 02:20:46,280 schools shared with ICE through BRIC. 2951 02:20:46,280 --> 02:20:48,680 Despite changes to the gang database, 2952 02:20:48,680 --> 02:20:50,120 we've heard from our coalition of 2953 02:20:50,120 --> 02:20:52,520 organizations and immigration attorneys 2954 02:20:52,520 --> 02:20:54,400 that BRIC's information is still getting 2955 02:20:54,400 --> 02:20:56,880 to ICE and impacting immigrants today. 2956 02:20:56,880 --> 02:20:59,400 It's only become harder to trace. 2957 02:20:59,400 --> 02:21:01,960 Next slide. 2958 02:21:01,960 --> 02:21:03,800 The gang database is only the most 2959 02:21:03,800 --> 02:21:06,360 obvious example we have, but BRIC is so 2960 02:21:06,360 --> 02:21:08,000 much more than that. BRIC's 2961 02:21:08,000 --> 02:21:09,720 counterterrorism department monitors 2962 02:21:09,720 --> 02:21:11,760 social justice organizations like my own 2963 02:21:11,760 --> 02:21:13,880 and reports on our activities. 2964 02:21:13,880 --> 02:21:16,120 BRIC includes a real-time crime center 2965 02:21:16,120 --> 02:21:17,920 and numerous surveillance technologies 2966 02:21:17,920 --> 02:21:20,280 and networks to track people down like 2967 02:21:20,280 --> 02:21:22,400 flock license plate readers, cameras, 2968 02:21:22,400 --> 02:21:23,840 and ShotSpotter. 2969 02:21:23,840 --> 02:21:25,400 BRIC analysts also work with many other 2970 02:21:25,400 --> 02:21:27,440 databases that are shared with federal 2971 02:21:27,440 --> 02:21:29,480 law enforcement. Just last week, 2972 02:21:29,480 --> 02:21:31,560 Cambridge voted to end its ShotSpotter 2973 02:21:31,560 --> 02:21:33,480 contract, which was through BRIC and 2974 02:21:33,480 --> 02:21:35,000 UASI. 2975 02:21:35,000 --> 02:21:36,880 BRIC is not just the backdoor to ICE, 2976 02:21:36,880 --> 02:21:38,680 but it's how Trump can push his agenda 2977 02:21:38,680 --> 02:21:41,240 locally. The UASI grant requires funding 2978 02:21:41,240 --> 02:21:42,920 of BRIC and alignment with national 2979 02:21:42,920 --> 02:21:44,920 security priorities. 2980 02:21:44,920 --> 02:21:46,880 Last year, that agenda became over with 2981 02:21:46,880 --> 02:21:49,000 requirements to collaborate on border 2982 02:21:49,000 --> 02:21:52,640 enforcement and election security. 2983 02:21:52,640 --> 02:21:54,400 But to be clear, this has always been 2984 02:21:54,400 --> 02:21:56,760 used to push DHS's agenda. While there's 2985 02:21:56,760 --> 02:21:58,240 a court battle over the border 2986 02:21:58,240 --> 02:21:59,920 enforcement requirement, the election 2987 02:21:59,920 --> 02:22:01,760 security requirement stands and should 2988 02:22:01,760 --> 02:22:03,760 also concern the town of Brookline. 2989 02:22:03,760 --> 02:22:05,520 Unfortunately, this grant intentionally 2990 02:22:05,520 --> 02:22:07,360 makes us dependent on brick to fund 2991 02:22:07,360 --> 02:22:09,720 emergency services, and I know it's 2992 02:22:09,720 --> 02:22:11,800 difficult to say no to that funding, but 2993 02:22:11,800 --> 02:22:13,120 we believe that it's the only way to 2994 02:22:13,120 --> 02:22:15,080 protect our local communities. Next 2995 02:22:15,080 --> 02:22:16,560 slide. 2996 02:22:16,560 --> 02:22:18,520 Our organization and coalition is eager 2997 02:22:18,520 --> 02:22:20,480 to help Brookline with the proposed 2998 02:22:20,480 --> 02:22:23,040 review of brick's practices, and we hope 2999 02:22:23,040 --> 02:22:24,600 that Brookline will become the first to 3000 02:22:24,600 --> 02:22:27,480 leave brick. Next slide. 3001 02:22:27,480 --> 02:22:28,880 Additionally, one of the most common 3002 02:22:28,880 --> 02:22:30,840 ways ICE receives our local information 3003 02:22:30,840 --> 02:22:32,520 is through fingerprinting when people 3004 02:22:32,520 --> 02:22:34,080 are arrested, which we just witnessed 3005 02:22:34,080 --> 02:22:36,200 happen this month in Brookline in a very 3006 02:22:36,200 --> 02:22:38,280 disturbing video. According to our 3007 02:22:38,280 --> 02:22:39,840 partners at Citizens for Juvenile 3008 02:22:39,840 --> 02:22:41,880 Justice, local 3009 02:22:41,880 --> 02:22:43,440 police departments are taking and 3010 02:22:43,440 --> 02:22:45,520 transmitting more fingerprints than is 3011 02:22:45,520 --> 02:22:48,400 required by law. We agree with their 3012 02:22:48,400 --> 02:22:50,040 recommendation to limit sending 3013 02:22:50,040 --> 02:22:52,600 fingerprints to ICE, and again, we are 3014 02:22:52,600 --> 02:22:55,320 happy to help with that review process. 3015 02:22:55,320 --> 02:22:57,360 I myself was arrested at a protest and 3016 02:22:57,360 --> 02:22:59,040 never charged, but ICE received my 3017 02:22:59,040 --> 02:23:01,160 fingerprints. This happens to everyone 3018 02:23:01,160 --> 02:23:03,200 from student protesters who may never be 3019 02:23:03,200 --> 02:23:05,760 charged to to immigrants who are 3020 02:23:05,760 --> 02:23:07,720 arrested for misdemeanors. It's a 3021 02:23:07,720 --> 02:23:09,720 significant pipeline of information for 3022 02:23:09,720 --> 02:23:11,320 ICE, and it would make a tangible 3023 02:23:11,320 --> 02:23:13,120 difference for immigrants in Brookline 3024 02:23:13,120 --> 02:23:16,040 and beyond to limit that pipeline. Thank 3025 02:23:16,040 --> 02:23:16,920 you. 3026 02:23:16,920 --> 02:23:18,284 >> Thank you. 3027 02:23:18,284 --> 02:23:18,680 >> [applause] 3028 02:23:18,680 --> 02:23:20,000 >> Please join us in voting favorable 3029 02:23:20,000 --> 02:23:21,800 action on warrant article 25. Thank you 3030 02:23:21,800 --> 02:23:23,523 all very much. 3031 02:23:23,523 --> 02:23:24,400 >> [applause] 3032 02:23:24,400 --> 02:23:32,670 >> Ms. Murphy. 3033 02:23:32,680 --> 02:23:34,600 » Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Good evening. 3034 02:23:34,600 --> 02:23:36,240 Jocelyn Murphy, town meeting member, 3035 02:23:36,240 --> 02:23:38,320 precinct 16, speaking for the Advisory 3036 02:23:38,320 --> 02:23:39,760 Committee. 3037 02:23:39,760 --> 02:23:42,120 Resolution article 25 highlights the 3038 02:23:42,120 --> 02:23:44,120 valuable contributions that immigrants 3039 02:23:44,120 --> 02:23:46,040 provide to the Brookline community and 3040 02:23:46,040 --> 02:23:47,960 our community's desire to ensure that 3041 02:23:47,960 --> 02:23:49,080 immigrants 3042 02:23:49,080 --> 02:23:51,280 are treated with dignity and respect, 3043 02:23:51,280 --> 02:23:53,280 while also confronting and taking steps 3044 02:23:53,280 --> 02:23:55,040 to prevent the egregious conduct that 3045 02:23:55,040 --> 02:23:56,600 federal immigration and customs 3046 02:23:56,600 --> 02:23:59,200 enforcement agencies have engaged in 3047 02:23:59,200 --> 02:24:01,600 toward immigrant residents. 3048 02:24:01,600 --> 02:24:03,640 As originally presented, Article 25 3049 02:24:03,640 --> 02:24:05,480 called for several steps to be taken by 3050 02:24:05,480 --> 02:24:07,600 the town, including endorsement of a 3051 02:24:07,600 --> 02:24:09,320 political statement condemning the civil 3052 02:24:09,320 --> 02:24:11,040 immigration-related activities of the 3053 02:24:11,040 --> 02:24:13,920 president, his agents and appointees, 3054 02:24:13,920 --> 02:24:15,560 requesting the governor and lieutenant 3055 02:24:15,560 --> 02:24:17,080 governor to cease all remaining 3056 02:24:17,080 --> 02:24:19,040 cooperation agreements with ICE and to 3057 02:24:19,040 --> 02:24:21,360 refrain from entering into any new 3058 02:24:21,360 --> 02:24:22,800 agreements, and seeking state 3059 02:24:22,800 --> 02:24:24,440 legislation that would prevent any 3060 02:24:24,440 --> 02:24:26,320 cooperation between state and local law 3061 02:24:26,320 --> 02:24:29,320 enforcement agencies and ICE. 3062 02:24:29,320 --> 02:24:31,320 Those provisions remain. 3063 02:24:31,320 --> 02:24:33,000 The article also called for the select 3064 02:24:33,000 --> 02:24:34,640 board to require the Brookline Police 3065 02:24:34,640 --> 02:24:37,080 Department to sever its ties its ties 3066 02:24:37,080 --> 02:24:38,840 with the Brookline Regional Intelligence 3067 02:24:38,840 --> 02:24:41,200 Center, also known as BRIC, 3068 02:24:41,200 --> 02:24:43,240 to stop sharing fingerprints of juvenile 3069 02:24:43,240 --> 02:24:46,480 and misdemeanor arrestees with the FBI, 3070 02:24:46,480 --> 02:24:48,080 to comply with the Department's General 3071 02:24:48,080 --> 02:24:51,240 Order 51, which calls for preserving the 3072 02:24:51,240 --> 02:24:53,480 peace during peaceful demonstrations and 3073 02:24:53,480 --> 02:24:55,080 investigation of allegations of 3074 02:24:55,080 --> 02:24:57,680 excessive force by federal agents, 3075 02:24:57,680 --> 02:24:59,360 and finally for the town to no longer 3076 02:24:59,360 --> 02:25:01,400 apply for urban areas security 3077 02:25:01,400 --> 02:25:03,800 initiative program grants. 3078 02:25:03,800 --> 02:25:05,720 During the discussion of Article 25, 3079 02:25:05,720 --> 02:25:07,480 there was very strong support among 3080 02:25:07,480 --> 02:25:08,840 advisory committee members for the 3081 02:25:08,840 --> 02:25:11,120 sentiment behind the article. 3082 02:25:11,120 --> 02:25:13,720 However, our very highly regarded public 3083 02:25:13,720 --> 02:25:16,080 safety representatives, including Police 3084 02:25:16,080 --> 02:25:19,040 Chief Pastor and Fire Chief Sullivan, 3085 02:25:19,040 --> 02:25:21,200 expressed several significant concerns 3086 02:25:21,200 --> 02:25:23,280 about the proposals in the article 3087 02:25:23,280 --> 02:25:25,120 calling for Brookline's withdrawal from 3088 02:25:25,120 --> 02:25:26,200 the BRIC, 3089 02:25:26,200 --> 02:25:27,480 for prohibiting the fingerprinting of 3090 02:25:27,480 --> 02:25:29,520 certain classes of arrestees, and no 3091 02:25:29,520 --> 02:25:31,520 longer applying for urban area security 3092 02:25:31,520 --> 02:25:34,120 initiative program grants. 3093 02:25:34,120 --> 02:25:35,960 Although these officials readily align 3094 02:25:35,960 --> 02:25:37,680 themselves with the policy behind the 3095 02:25:37,680 --> 02:25:39,960 proposed resolution, they explained that 3096 02:25:39,960 --> 02:25:42,000 these tools are indispensable public 3097 02:25:42,000 --> 02:25:43,920 safety resources. 3098 02:25:43,920 --> 02:25:45,680 Chief Pastor explained that the BRIC is 3099 02:25:45,680 --> 02:25:47,480 a particularly important tool that 3100 02:25:47,480 --> 02:25:49,080 provides her department with criminal 3101 02:25:49,080 --> 02:25:51,280 intelligence information and other 3102 02:25:51,280 --> 02:25:54,000 shared resources on a daily basis, which 3103 02:25:54,000 --> 02:25:55,720 in turn enable the department to stay 3104 02:25:55,720 --> 02:25:57,800 abreast of local and regional criminal 3105 02:25:57,800 --> 02:25:59,360 activity. 3106 02:25:59,360 --> 02:26:01,040 Fingerprinting individuals who are 3107 02:26:01,040 --> 02:26:03,080 arrested is the only way to ensure 3108 02:26:03,080 --> 02:26:05,440 positive identification, including 3109 02:26:05,440 --> 02:26:07,080 whether they are juveniles. And 3110 02:26:07,080 --> 02:26:08,720 fingerprinting individuals charged with 3111 02:26:08,720 --> 02:26:10,720 misdemeanor crimes frequently lead to 3112 02:26:10,720 --> 02:26:12,640 the identification of an individuals who 3113 02:26:12,640 --> 02:26:15,520 are wanted for far more serious crimes, 3114 02:26:15,520 --> 02:26:17,640 including homicide. 3115 02:26:17,640 --> 02:26:19,200 In the opinion of our police chief, 3116 02:26:19,200 --> 02:26:20,520 prohibiting these tools would 3117 02:26:20,520 --> 02:26:22,760 significantly compromise law enforcement 3118 02:26:22,760 --> 02:26:25,280 and public safety in Brookline. 3119 02:26:25,280 --> 02:26:27,040 Fire Chief Sullivan, also the director 3120 02:26:27,040 --> 02:26:29,440 of emergency management, stated that 3121 02:26:29,440 --> 02:26:30,680 withdrawal from the program would 3122 02:26:30,680 --> 02:26:32,360 severely compromise Brookline's 3123 02:26:32,360 --> 02:26:34,320 emergency readiness. 3124 02:26:34,320 --> 02:26:36,080 The Advisory Committee's earlier vote 3125 02:26:36,080 --> 02:26:37,880 for referral of the article reflected 3126 02:26:37,880 --> 02:26:40,040 the sincere desire of community members 3127 02:26:40,040 --> 02:26:41,920 to support the strong sentiment behind 3128 02:26:41,920 --> 02:26:44,120 the article, while also supporting the 3129 02:26:44,120 --> 02:26:46,440 professional judgment of Brookline's 3130 02:26:46,440 --> 02:26:48,640 public safety officials. 3131 02:26:48,640 --> 02:26:50,360 Referral to a diverse Select Board 3132 02:26:50,360 --> 02:26:52,160 Committee was sought to achieve two main 3133 02:26:52,160 --> 02:26:54,640 objectives. It would allow thorough more 3134 02:26:54,640 --> 02:26:56,320 thorough consideration of the potential 3135 02:26:56,320 --> 02:26:58,480 consequences of implementation by key 3136 02:26:58,480 --> 02:26:59,880 stakeholders 3137 02:26:59,880 --> 02:27:01,920 on a shortened time frame, and it would 3138 02:27:01,920 --> 02:27:03,160 allow the addition of several 3139 02:27:03,160 --> 02:27:05,080 improvements to the town's current civil 3140 02:27:05,080 --> 02:27:07,800 immigration-related policies identified 3141 02:27:07,800 --> 02:27:09,960 by long-time civil rights advocate and 3142 02:27:09,960 --> 02:27:11,680 attorney Marty Rosenthal during the 3143 02:27:11,680 --> 02:27:14,320 review process. 3144 02:27:14,320 --> 02:27:16,440 Since that vote, Select Board member 3145 02:27:16,440 --> 02:27:18,000 Anthony Bono, 3146 02:27:18,000 --> 02:27:19,520 along with the petitioners and Select 3147 02:27:19,520 --> 02:27:21,560 Board member Bernard Green, constructed 3148 02:27:21,560 --> 02:27:24,000 the current main motion, 3149 02:27:24,000 --> 02:27:25,560 which is supported by both the Select 3150 02:27:25,560 --> 02:27:27,600 Board and the petitioners. The motion 3151 02:27:27,600 --> 02:27:29,440 calls for the Select Board to assign the 3152 02:27:29,440 --> 02:27:31,520 task of investigating 3153 02:27:31,520 --> 02:27:33,400 whether Brookline should remain a member 3154 02:27:33,400 --> 02:27:35,480 of BRIC, along with other tasks related 3155 02:27:35,480 --> 02:27:37,520 to the grant program and booking 3156 02:27:37,520 --> 02:27:38,840 procedures 3157 02:27:38,840 --> 02:27:40,920 to the police commissioner's advisory 3158 02:27:40,920 --> 02:27:42,440 committee rather than to a hybrid 3159 02:27:42,440 --> 02:27:43,800 committee. 3160 02:27:43,800 --> 02:27:45,000 The advisory committee had the 3161 02:27:45,000 --> 02:27:46,840 opportunity to review the substance of 3162 02:27:46,840 --> 02:27:49,520 the bone bono main motion this evening 3163 02:27:49,520 --> 02:27:51,200 at 6:00. 3164 02:27:51,200 --> 02:27:53,760 Two primary concerns were raised. First, 3165 02:27:53,760 --> 02:27:55,640 whether the PCAC 3166 02:27:55,640 --> 02:27:57,400 had been consulted to determine whether 3167 02:27:57,400 --> 02:27:58,800 the committee and its members have the 3168 02:27:58,800 --> 02:28:01,040 capacity and resources to carry out this 3169 02:28:01,040 --> 02:28:03,360 prescriptive assignment. And I believe 3170 02:28:03,360 --> 02:28:05,640 you'll be hearing from Mr. Bono 3171 02:28:05,640 --> 02:28:07,640 or Mr. Green on that. 3172 02:28:07,640 --> 02:28:09,280 And second, whether the assigned task 3173 02:28:09,280 --> 02:28:11,080 should properly include consideration of 3174 02:28:11,080 --> 02:28:13,240 the benefits of Brookline's membership 3175 02:28:13,240 --> 02:28:15,000 in the brick as described by Chief 3176 02:28:15,000 --> 02:28:16,800 Pastor. 3177 02:28:16,800 --> 02:28:18,880 Taking into account the the assurances 3178 02:28:18,880 --> 02:28:23,000 we expect to be provided by select board Green that the reference 3179 02:28:23,000 --> 02:28:25,520 criteria pertaining to the brick will be 3180 02:28:25,520 --> 02:28:27,320 included in the tasks assigned to the 3181 02:28:27,320 --> 02:28:28,920 PCAC, 3182 02:28:28,920 --> 02:28:30,400 the fact that this is a resolution 3183 02:28:30,400 --> 02:28:32,000 article, and the fact that the deadline 3184 02:28:32,000 --> 02:28:34,600 for amendments has come and gone, the 3185 02:28:34,600 --> 02:28:36,360 advisory committee voted to recommend 3186 02:28:36,360 --> 02:28:39,120 favorable action on the main motion 3187 02:28:39,120 --> 02:28:41,920 by a vote of 17 to 3 to 0. 3188 02:28:41,920 --> 02:28:44,910 >> Thank you. 3189 02:28:44,920 --> 02:29:03,230 Mr. Green. 3190 02:29:03,240 --> 02:29:04,960 » Thank you, Mr. Moderator. 3191 02:29:04,960 --> 02:29:07,120 Uh and good evening uh town meeting 3192 02:29:07,120 --> 02:29:09,360 members. I'm Bernard Green, speaking for 3193 02:29:09,360 --> 02:29:12,480 the select board on warrant article 25. 3194 02:29:12,480 --> 02:29:14,760 Uh first, let me um 3195 02:29:14,760 --> 02:29:21,120 thank Marty Rosenthal uh for his many, decades of service to Brookline in 3196 02:29:21,120 --> 02:29:22,468 so many ways. 3197 02:29:22,468 --> 02:29:29,430 >> [applause] 3198 02:29:29,440 --> 02:29:31,920 » I I've I with Marty on many, many 3199 02:29:31,920 --> 02:29:34,920 issues. Uh the only uh complaint I have 3200 02:29:34,920 --> 02:29:37,800 is that sometimes his screeds are as 3201 02:29:37,800 --> 02:29:40,360 long as his service to Brookline, or at 3202 02:29:40,360 --> 02:29:43,200 least it seems that way. 3203 02:29:43,200 --> 02:29:47,120 Uh ne- First, I want to say that um 3204 02:29:47,120 --> 02:29:51,510 Sorry. 3205 02:29:51,520 --> 02:29:52,960 Let me start off by saying that the 3206 02:29:52,960 --> 02:29:55,480 presentation by the petitioners 3207 02:29:55,480 --> 02:29:57,200 was not on the warrant article that 3208 02:29:57,200 --> 02:29:58,520 we're voting on. 3209 02:29:58,520 --> 02:30:01,160 So, sorry. But uh 3210 02:30:01,160 --> 02:30:02,880 you know, Warrant Article 25 is a 3211 02:30:02,880 --> 02:30:05,560 response to the alarming disregard by 3212 02:30:05,560 --> 02:30:08,480 our federal by our federal government 3213 02:30:08,480 --> 02:30:10,120 under the current administration for the 3214 02:30:10,120 --> 02:30:12,080 rights and dignity of immigrant 3215 02:30:12,080 --> 02:30:14,280 individuals and families, and by 3216 02:30:14,280 --> 02:30:17,080 extension, disregard for the rights and 3217 02:30:17,080 --> 02:30:20,160 dignity of all of us. 3218 02:30:20,160 --> 02:30:22,480 The recitals in Warrant Article 25 lay 3219 02:30:22,480 --> 02:30:24,320 out the current situation we face in 3220 02:30:24,320 --> 02:30:26,000 America regarding the treatment of 3221 02:30:26,000 --> 02:30:28,080 immigrants by especially the federal 3222 02:30:28,080 --> 02:30:30,320 immigration and customs enforcement ICE 3223 02:30:30,320 --> 02:30:32,400 agency and the customs and border 3224 02:30:32,400 --> 02:30:34,920 protection. 3225 02:30:34,920 --> 02:30:38,280 Basically, ICE has gone wilding 3226 02:30:38,280 --> 02:30:40,520 in our communities, and maybe some of 3227 02:30:40,520 --> 02:30:43,320 you know what that word refers to. 3228 02:30:43,320 --> 02:30:45,440 Minnesota is a prime example, but ICE 3229 02:30:45,440 --> 02:30:48,280 abuses and threatened blitzes, right? 3230 02:30:48,280 --> 02:30:51,480 Blitzes, an historical reference, 3231 02:30:51,480 --> 02:30:53,240 um are being committed in many 3232 02:30:53,240 --> 02:30:56,040 communities by untrained ICE agencies 3233 02:30:56,040 --> 02:30:58,840 agents hiding their faces for purposes 3234 02:30:58,840 --> 02:31:00,920 of intimidation, attacking, and 3235 02:31:00,920 --> 02:31:02,240 kidnapping. 3236 02:31:02,240 --> 02:31:05,040 Warrant Article 25 originally 3237 02:31:05,040 --> 02:31:07,760 called on Brookline to one, create or 3238 02:31:07,760 --> 02:31:09,920 cease accepting grants from the Urban 3239 02:31:09,920 --> 02:31:13,200 Area Security Initiative or UASI, 3240 02:31:13,200 --> 02:31:15,200 two, stop sending fingerprints for the 3241 02:31:15,200 --> 02:31:17,480 FBI in misdemeanor cases or cases 3242 02:31:17,480 --> 02:31:19,060 involving minors, 3243 02:31:19,060 --> 02:31:19,120 >> [snorts] 3244 02:31:19,120 --> 02:31:22,080 >> and three, dropping out of the Boston 3245 02:31:22,080 --> 02:31:24,080 Regional Intelligence Center. 3246 02:31:24,080 --> 02:31:26,360 The current article takes a different 3247 02:31:26,360 --> 02:31:27,680 approach. 3248 02:31:27,680 --> 02:31:29,920 Takes out the language concerning USC, 3249 02:31:29,920 --> 02:31:31,840 which in Brookline funds important 3250 02:31:31,840 --> 02:31:33,560 safety and other equipment for our 3251 02:31:33,560 --> 02:31:35,520 police and fire departments, 3252 02:31:35,520 --> 02:31:37,880 such as the thermal imaging cameras that 3253 02:31:37,880 --> 02:31:39,720 the Select Board approved for the fire 3254 02:31:39,720 --> 02:31:42,800 department uh at Monday's Select Board 3255 02:31:42,800 --> 02:31:46,120 or Tuesday's Select Board meeting. 3256 02:31:46,120 --> 02:31:48,200 And as the town administrator has has 3257 02:31:48,200 --> 02:31:50,560 mentioned, uh he has assured the Select 3258 02:31:50,560 --> 02:31:53,000 Board that if the grant agreements for 3259 02:31:53,000 --> 02:31:56,200 USC grants begin to include conditions 3260 02:31:56,200 --> 02:31:59,320 that require us to discriminate against 3261 02:31:59,320 --> 02:32:02,760 uh ex- uh discriminate against or 3262 02:32:02,760 --> 02:32:06,120 undermine the dignity of immigrants, 3263 02:32:06,120 --> 02:32:08,840 transgender people, or other groups, we 3264 02:32:08,840 --> 02:32:11,600 will refrain or refuse to sign such 3265 02:32:11,600 --> 02:32:13,640 agreements, which may mean that we will 3266 02:32:13,640 --> 02:32:14,840 not get 3267 02:32:14,840 --> 02:32:16,840 the grant. And of course, the Select 3268 02:32:16,840 --> 02:32:18,880 Board will hold the town administrator 3269 02:32:18,880 --> 02:32:20,680 to that promise. 3270 02:32:20,680 --> 02:32:22,480 As will you. 3271 02:32:22,480 --> 02:32:24,480 The current article also changes the 3272 02:32:24,480 --> 02:32:26,480 fingerprinting language to direct the 3273 02:32:26,480 --> 02:32:28,240 Police Commissioner's Advisory Committee 3274 02:32:28,240 --> 02:32:33,480 or PCAC to review the police booking practices, including their 3275 02:32:33,480 --> 02:32:35,440 fingerprinting procedures, with an eye 3276 02:32:35,440 --> 02:32:37,640 to determining whether we can avoid ICE 3277 02:32:37,640 --> 02:32:40,200 taking advantage of those procedures. 3278 02:32:40,200 --> 02:32:41,640 That's not going to happen immediately, 3279 02:32:41,640 --> 02:32:43,640 but that is the process. 3280 02:32:43,640 --> 02:32:46,000 The current article, most importantly, 3281 02:32:46,000 --> 02:32:49,120 also asks the Select Board to direct the 3282 02:32:49,120 --> 02:32:52,200 PCAC to examine the operations of the 3283 02:32:52,200 --> 02:32:54,840 BRIC and make a determination based on 3284 02:32:54,840 --> 02:32:57,040 that examination 3285 02:32:57,040 --> 02:32:59,000 as to whether we should remain a member 3286 02:32:59,000 --> 02:33:01,240 of BRIC by next year's annual town 3287 02:33:01,240 --> 02:33:02,200 meeting. 3288 02:33:02,200 --> 02:33:04,480 The warrant article describes how the 3289 02:33:04,480 --> 02:33:09,080 rot of ICE can drip down into our local 3290 02:33:09,080 --> 02:33:11,440 communities' law enforcement agencies, 3291 02:33:11,440 --> 02:33:13,800 such as BRIC and others. 3292 02:33:13,800 --> 02:33:17,120 So, to determine whether it 3293 02:33:17,120 --> 02:33:19,880 would be appropriate to remain in in in 3294 02:33:19,880 --> 02:33:21,600 the BRIC, the The 3295 02:33:21,600 --> 02:33:23,680 is being directed to obtain information 3296 02:33:23,680 --> 02:33:25,240 that will help us understand brick's 3297 02:33:25,240 --> 02:33:28,120 role in the context of the actions of 3298 02:33:28,120 --> 02:33:29,440 ICE and the federal government 3299 02:33:29,440 --> 02:33:31,920 generally, such as whether the brick is 3300 02:33:31,920 --> 02:33:35,120 willing and able to fully and honestly 3301 02:33:35,120 --> 02:33:38,000 and transparently um 3302 02:33:38,000 --> 02:33:40,400 disclose its operations, whether it's 3303 02:33:40,400 --> 02:33:42,720 willing and able to comply with our 3304 02:33:42,720 --> 02:33:44,840 expectations of non-discrimination and 3305 02:33:44,840 --> 02:33:47,240 due process, whether the intelligence it 3306 02:33:47,240 --> 02:33:49,000 compiles on individuals and groups are 3307 02:33:49,000 --> 02:33:51,120 based on valid determinations of such 3308 02:33:51,120 --> 02:33:53,200 individuals or groups' involvement in 3309 02:33:53,200 --> 02:33:55,640 illegal or violent activities, and 3310 02:33:55,640 --> 02:33:58,480 whether it is equally concerned with the 3311 02:33:58,480 --> 02:34:01,480 violent actions and illegal activities 3312 02:34:01,480 --> 02:34:03,840 of right-wing, white supremacist, and 3313 02:34:03,840 --> 02:34:07,080 neo-Nazi groups. You know, many times 3314 02:34:07,080 --> 02:34:08,706 the federal government, especially 3315 02:34:08,706 --> 02:34:09,560 [applause] 3316 02:34:09,560 --> 02:34:12,040 under this administration, thinks that 3317 02:34:12,040 --> 02:34:16,760 the only violent uh groups are 3318 02:34:16,760 --> 02:34:20,520 sort on the left side of the spectrum. 3319 02:34:20,520 --> 02:34:26,400 Implicit in this direction to the PCAC is also their obtaining 3320 02:34:26,400 --> 02:34:29,000 information on the benefits that accrue 3321 02:34:29,000 --> 02:34:31,080 to the town from continued membership in 3322 02:34:31,080 --> 02:34:32,920 brick. That's critically important 3323 02:34:32,920 --> 02:34:34,640 because we have to balance, you know, 3324 02:34:34,640 --> 02:34:37,360 the cost as well as the benefits of of 3325 02:34:37,360 --> 02:34:39,840 uh the brick. It's not unreasonable for 3326 02:34:39,840 --> 02:34:42,120 us to undertake this examination because 3327 02:34:42,120 --> 02:34:43,880 of the actions of the federal government 3328 02:34:43,880 --> 02:34:46,520 today and the history of similar 3329 02:34:46,520 --> 02:34:48,280 behavior of the federal government in 3330 02:34:48,280 --> 02:34:52,240 the past, including the 1960s and 1970s 3331 02:34:52,240 --> 02:34:54,880 that many of us, not all of you, but 3332 02:34:54,880 --> 02:34:59,240 many of us are old enough to remember. 3333 02:34:59,240 --> 02:35:02,680 And we know how bad it can get. 3334 02:35:02,680 --> 02:35:04,280 As Michael Dukakis said in his 3335 02:35:04,280 --> 02:35:06,600 presidential run in 1988, and I'm old 3336 02:35:06,600 --> 02:35:08,560 enough to know that, 3337 02:35:08,560 --> 02:35:11,920 a fish rots from the head. The ICE rot 3338 02:35:11,920 --> 02:35:14,160 eventually reaches down to the tail, or 3339 02:35:14,160 --> 02:35:15,840 in this case, it could reach down to 3340 02:35:15,840 --> 02:35:18,240 local law enforcement agencies. We are 3341 02:35:18,240 --> 02:35:20,520 justified therefore in inquiring whether 3342 02:35:20,520 --> 02:35:22,440 local law enforcement agencies such as 3343 02:35:22,440 --> 02:35:25,040 the BRIC are infected with that federal 3344 02:35:25,040 --> 02:35:29,000 rot that outweighs the benefits of BRIC 3345 02:35:29,000 --> 02:35:31,800 operations or it doesn't. 3346 02:35:31,800 --> 02:35:34,280 That is why we are asking the PCAC to 3347 02:35:34,280 --> 02:35:36,880 investigate and determine by the 20 by 3348 02:35:36,880 --> 02:35:39,720 the 2027 annual town meeting whether 3349 02:35:39,720 --> 02:35:42,120 Brookline should remain in BRIC. 3350 02:35:42,120 --> 02:35:44,480 PCAC has indicated to me that they are 3351 02:35:44,480 --> 02:35:47,600 able and willing to undertake this task. 3352 02:35:47,600 --> 02:35:49,320 So, by a vote of five to zero, the 3353 02:35:49,320 --> 02:35:50,640 select board 3354 02:35:50,640 --> 02:35:52,520 voted favorable action on the 3355 02:35:52,520 --> 02:35:55,680 petitioners article as amended by the 3356 02:35:55,680 --> 02:35:58,640 select board on May 27th, yesterday. 3357 02:35:58,640 --> 02:35:59,320 Thank you. 3358 02:35:59,320 --> 02:36:00,058 >> Thank you. 3359 02:36:00,058 --> 02:36:02,430 >> [applause] 3360 02:36:02,440 --> 02:36:11,750 » Ms. Woolf. 3361 02:36:11,760 --> 02:36:16,070 Okay, uh 3362 02:36:16,080 --> 02:36:19,120 Sarah's Sherman Stokes, who's a town 3363 02:36:19,120 --> 02:36:20,600 resident. 3364 02:36:20,600 --> 02:36:26,950 Okay. 3365 02:36:26,960 --> 02:36:28,200 » Thank you. 3366 02:36:28,200 --> 02:36:30,000 >> Three minutes. 3367 02:36:30,000 --> 02:36:31,320 >> Thank you. 3368 02:36:31,320 --> 02:36:33,120 Um I'm here to speak in support of 3369 02:36:33,120 --> 02:36:35,680 warrant article 25. My name is Sarah 3370 02:36:35,680 --> 02:36:37,120 Sherman Stokes. I'm a Brookline 3371 02:36:37,120 --> 02:36:38,880 resident, a Brookline public school 3372 02:36:38,880 --> 02:36:41,200 parent, and a clinical professor of law 3373 02:36:41,200 --> 02:36:43,280 at Boston University School of Law, 3374 02:36:43,280 --> 02:36:44,920 where I teach immigration law and run 3375 02:36:44,920 --> 02:36:47,000 the immigration clinic. I'm here to tell 3376 02:36:47,000 --> 02:36:49,480 you the story of my client, Orlando. 3377 02:36:49,480 --> 02:36:50,920 was a high school student, 3378 02:36:50,920 --> 02:36:52,880 part-time restaurant worker, son, and 3379 02:36:52,880 --> 02:36:55,280 brother when a mundane disagreement in 3380 02:36:55,280 --> 02:36:56,960 the Boston high in a Boston high school 3381 02:36:56,960 --> 02:36:59,640 cafeteria led to his detention and his 3382 02:36:59,640 --> 02:37:01,120 deportation. 3383 02:37:01,120 --> 02:37:03,160 The unsubstantiated rumor of another 3384 02:37:03,160 --> 02:37:05,400 teenager alleging that Orlando was 3385 02:37:05,400 --> 02:37:07,000 affiliated with a gang, which he was 3386 02:37:07,000 --> 02:37:09,880 not, was entered into the BRIC gang 3387 02:37:09,880 --> 02:37:12,560 database. Shortly thereafter, ICE 3388 02:37:12,560 --> 02:37:15,000 arrived at Orlando's family's home, 3389 02:37:15,000 --> 02:37:17,040 arrested him, held him in immigration 3390 02:37:17,040 --> 02:37:19,280 detention for 2 years, during which time 3391 02:37:19,280 --> 02:37:21,200 he became suicidal, and then they 3392 02:37:21,200 --> 02:37:23,400 deported him to El Salvador, where he 3393 02:37:23,400 --> 02:37:26,000 now lives in fear and poverty. 3394 02:37:26,000 --> 02:37:28,760 The BRIC is essentially a spy center. It 3395 02:37:28,760 --> 02:37:30,480 is a centralized site of massive 3396 02:37:30,480 --> 02:37:32,200 information sharing between law 3397 02:37:32,200 --> 02:37:34,560 enforcement agencies and an increasingly 3398 02:37:34,560 --> 02:37:36,640 popular surveillance tool. 3399 02:37:36,640 --> 02:37:39,720 The BRIC is largely funded by the 3400 02:37:39,720 --> 02:37:41,640 Department of Homeland Security. 3401 02:37:41,640 --> 02:37:44,320 In the wake of 9/11, racist, anti-Muslim 3402 02:37:44,320 --> 02:37:46,000 rhetoric fueled the creation of fusion 3403 02:37:46,000 --> 02:37:48,280 spy centers like the BRIC. In the early 3404 02:37:48,280 --> 02:37:50,120 aughts, these spy centers primarily 3405 02:37:50,120 --> 02:37:52,160 targeted Muslim and Arab communities for 3406 02:37:52,160 --> 02:37:54,320 surveillance and enforcement. 3407 02:37:54,320 --> 02:37:56,080 That discriminatory enforcement 3408 02:37:56,080 --> 02:37:59,000 continues, but today these spy centers 3409 02:37:59,000 --> 02:38:01,480 have also expanded to frequently collect 3410 02:38:01,480 --> 02:38:04,280 data about protesters, activists, and 3411 02:38:04,280 --> 02:38:06,480 immigrants as well. 3412 02:38:06,480 --> 02:38:08,480 In greater Boston, the BRIC has 3413 02:38:08,480 --> 02:38:11,520 surveilled lawful political activity. It 3414 02:38:11,520 --> 02:38:13,120 has been the basis of intelligence 3415 02:38:13,120 --> 02:38:15,800 reports on anti-war groups and local 3416 02:38:15,800 --> 02:38:18,600 activists like Howard Zinn, the National 3417 02:38:18,600 --> 02:38:21,280 Lawyers Guild, and the ACLU. 3418 02:38:21,280 --> 02:38:23,160 The BRIC has also surveilled the social 3419 02:38:23,160 --> 02:38:25,200 media of our Muslim neighbors, as well 3420 02:38:25,200 --> 02:38:27,120 as anyone using the Black Lives Matter 3421 02:38:27,120 --> 02:38:28,760 hashtag. 3422 02:38:28,760 --> 02:38:31,080 The BRIC also houses the gang database. 3423 02:38:31,080 --> 02:38:32,240 >> One minute. 3424 02:38:32,240 --> 02:38:34,120 >> 98% of people in the BRIC's gang 3425 02:38:34,120 --> 02:38:36,000 database are people of color, and more 3426 02:38:36,000 --> 02:38:38,320 than 75% of the people in the database 3427 02:38:38,320 --> 02:38:40,640 are black men or teenagers. 3428 02:38:40,640 --> 02:38:42,680 In 2022, the First Circuit Court of 3429 02:38:42,680 --> 02:38:45,320 Appeals here in Boston expressed serious 3430 02:38:45,320 --> 02:38:47,840 concern about the BRIC's gang database 3431 02:38:47,840 --> 02:38:49,440 and the flawed system for determining 3432 02:38:49,440 --> 02:38:52,320 who is included, including teenage kids 3433 02:38:52,320 --> 02:38:53,840 like Orlando. 3434 02:38:53,840 --> 02:38:56,440 The BRIC does not keep us safe. The BRIC 3435 02:38:56,440 --> 02:38:58,000 terrorizes local communities, 3436 02:38:58,000 --> 02:39:00,040 particularly individuals and families of 3437 02:39:00,040 --> 02:39:02,120 color, and in doing so, the BRIC is 3438 02:39:02,120 --> 02:39:04,520 integral to the deportation machine. 3439 02:39:04,520 --> 02:39:06,120 Brookline can take a critical step 3440 02:39:06,120 --> 02:39:08,000 towards protecting our neighbors and our 3441 02:39:08,000 --> 02:39:09,840 community members by withdrawing from 3442 02:39:09,840 --> 02:39:11,760 the BRIC, and I hope that we will. Thank 3443 02:39:11,760 --> 02:39:12,400 you. 3444 02:39:12,400 --> 02:39:13,880 >> Thank you. 3445 02:39:13,880 --> 02:39:14,800 Mr. [applause] 3446 02:39:14,800 --> 02:39:16,840 Mr. Richmond, do you have a question? 3447 02:39:16,840 --> 02:39:19,040 Comment. 3448 02:39:19,040 --> 02:39:21,000 Then we're going to continue. Ms. Ms. 3449 02:39:21,000 --> 02:39:23,910 Wu. 3450 02:39:23,920 --> 02:39:28,120 I'll say I I will say that um 3451 02:39:28,120 --> 02:39:30,400 all the other speakers are in favor of 3452 02:39:30,400 --> 02:39:32,680 the motion. 3453 02:39:32,680 --> 02:39:34,280 >> I have a question, or do you want me to 3454 02:39:34,280 --> 02:39:36,950 wait? 3455 02:39:36,960 --> 02:39:39,280 Chichi Wu, Town Meeting member, Precinct 3456 02:39:39,280 --> 02:39:40,720 7. 3457 02:39:40,720 --> 02:39:44,240 Um so, tonight what we're voting on is a 3458 02:39:44,240 --> 02:39:46,360 resolution that calls for a study, and 3459 02:39:46,360 --> 02:39:48,200 there's going to be a study. And of 3460 02:39:48,200 --> 02:39:51,000 course, I urge you to all vote for it. 3461 02:39:51,000 --> 02:39:52,040 And you're going to vote A lot of you 3462 02:39:52,040 --> 02:39:52,840 are going to vote for it, and you're 3463 02:39:52,840 --> 02:39:54,120 going to feel good about yourselves, and 3464 02:39:54,120 --> 02:39:56,040 you should. You should. 3465 02:39:56,040 --> 02:39:57,400 But that's only the beginning of the 3466 02:39:57,400 --> 02:39:59,160 process. You've heard a fat 3467 02:39:59,160 --> 02:40:01,640 foreshadowing of what the debate is 3468 02:40:01,640 --> 02:40:04,280 going to be on the study. 3469 02:40:04,280 --> 02:40:07,080 Um and I didn't know anything about BRIC 3470 02:40:07,080 --> 02:40:09,040 when I started this process. 3471 02:40:09,040 --> 02:40:12,200 And now I know a lot, and I'm horrified. 3472 02:40:12,200 --> 02:40:14,280 Um I didn't know about UASI and 3473 02:40:14,280 --> 02:40:16,480 fingerprinting, and now I do. 3474 02:40:16,480 --> 02:40:19,160 And I hope you all learn that as well. 3475 02:40:19,160 --> 02:40:21,320 Uh but this doesn't stop here. We got a 3476 02:40:21,320 --> 02:40:24,280 lot of pushback. A lot of pushback from 3477 02:40:24,280 --> 02:40:25,880 the police department and the fire 3478 02:40:25,880 --> 02:40:27,520 department. 3479 02:40:27,520 --> 02:40:29,560 And that's going to happen in this 3480 02:40:29,560 --> 02:40:31,320 study. 3481 02:40:31,320 --> 02:40:33,920 And it may be enough. It was enough for 3482 02:40:33,920 --> 02:40:36,040 us to change this from a resolution to a 3483 02:40:36,040 --> 02:40:37,360 study. 3484 02:40:37,360 --> 02:40:38,960 It may be enough to influence what 3485 02:40:38,960 --> 02:40:42,280 happens coming out of this study. 3486 02:40:42,280 --> 02:40:44,920 So, if if this horrifies you today, 3487 02:40:44,920 --> 02:40:47,360 please stay involved. 3488 02:40:47,360 --> 02:40:49,320 Because it is too easy, as we saw in the 3489 02:40:49,320 --> 02:40:52,560 process, to hear the loud voices 3490 02:40:52,560 --> 02:40:55,520 supporting our participation in BRIC and 3491 02:40:55,520 --> 02:40:57,920 UASI, especially UASI. There's money at 3492 02:40:57,920 --> 02:40:59,120 stake. 3493 02:40:59,120 --> 02:41:01,240 $500,000 at stake. That is a lot of 3494 02:41:01,240 --> 02:41:03,160 money. We just passed an override. I get 3495 02:41:03,160 --> 02:41:04,320 it. 3496 02:41:04,320 --> 02:41:08,040 Okay. Every dollar is precious, but 3497 02:41:08,040 --> 02:41:09,520 I'd rather see my taxes go up than 3498 02:41:09,520 --> 02:41:11,600 accept blood money. And I hope you 3499 02:41:11,600 --> 02:41:14,461 believe that, too. Thank you. 3500 02:41:14,461 --> 02:41:14,520 >> [applause] 3501 02:41:14,520 --> 02:41:17,320 >> I'm going to allow the question because 3502 02:41:17,320 --> 02:41:19,960 uh Ms. Roseman had uh 3503 02:41:19,960 --> 02:41:22,200 told me before that she was going to ask 3504 02:41:22,200 --> 02:41:24,080 it. So, um 3505 02:41:24,080 --> 02:41:25,160 I'm going to allow it, and then I'll 3506 02:41:25,160 --> 02:41:26,240 take the motion 3507 02:41:26,240 --> 02:41:27,520 >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. 3508 02:41:27,520 --> 02:41:30,040 Moderator. Linda Roseman, Precinct 14. 3509 02:41:30,040 --> 02:41:31,880 I'm I guess this is a question for the 3510 02:41:31,880 --> 02:41:34,240 chief. I'm just wondering what the 3511 02:41:34,240 --> 02:41:36,600 consequences would be if we did withdraw 3512 02:41:36,600 --> 02:41:40,990 from the BRIC. Thanks. 3513 02:41:41,000 --> 02:41:45,800 » Now, of course, this resolution doesn't this resolution 3514 02:41:45,800 --> 02:41:58,870 is studying that, of course. 3515 02:41:58,880 --> 02:42:00,320 » Good evening, everyone. Jen Chester, 3516 02:42:00,320 --> 02:42:02,000 Chief of Police. And uh I appreciate the 3517 02:42:02,000 --> 02:42:03,440 question. I understand I think I know 3518 02:42:03,440 --> 02:42:05,240 the way that this is going to go, but I 3519 02:42:05,240 --> 02:42:07,360 think Uh 3520 02:42:07,360 --> 02:42:08,040 >> Speak. 3521 02:42:08,040 --> 02:42:11,000 >> Slower or uh 3522 02:42:11,000 --> 02:42:13,040 I rarely have to raise the mic, so this 3523 02:42:13,040 --> 02:42:15,840 is nice. Uh I I appreciate the question 3524 02:42:15,840 --> 02:42:17,400 because I think there have been some 3525 02:42:17,400 --> 02:42:19,120 mischaracterizations 3526 02:42:19,120 --> 02:42:20,800 um and misrepresentations of what the 3527 02:42:20,800 --> 02:42:22,120 BRIC is and what it offers our 3528 02:42:22,120 --> 02:42:24,280 community. Operationally, we would be 3529 02:42:24,280 --> 02:42:26,320 decimated if we were to pull out of the 3530 02:42:26,320 --> 02:42:29,640 BRIC. We rely on the BRIC every day for 3531 02:42:29,640 --> 02:42:31,720 identification the sharing of criminal 3532 02:42:31,720 --> 02:42:34,120 intelligence information, identification 3533 02:42:34,120 --> 02:42:37,080 wanted bulletins, BOLOs. As recently as 3534 02:42:37,080 --> 02:42:41,360 what we saw on Memorial Drive, we had a photo of the suspected shooter 3535 02:42:41,360 --> 02:42:42,800 uh who we were looking for, the threats 3536 02:42:42,800 --> 02:42:44,000 that he made, the type of gun that he 3537 02:42:44,000 --> 02:42:45,440 was holding 3538 02:42:45,440 --> 02:42:47,120 at the same time that the shooting was 3539 02:42:47,120 --> 02:42:48,280 unfolding. 3540 02:42:48,280 --> 02:42:51,640 Every day, we share our um 3541 02:42:51,640 --> 02:42:53,680 you know, the warrants 3542 02:42:53,680 --> 02:42:55,760 of people that we're looking for. 3543 02:42:55,760 --> 02:42:58,440 Um again, as recently as last week, uh 3544 02:42:58,440 --> 02:42:59,920 there was a shooting in Boston. We knew 3545 02:42:59,920 --> 02:43:01,800 the suspects were in Brookline. If you 3546 02:43:01,800 --> 02:43:03,720 follow Brookline town wide discussion, 3547 02:43:03,720 --> 02:43:05,640 somebody reported that that was ice. 3548 02:43:05,640 --> 02:43:06,880 That was our officers out there 3549 02:43:06,880 --> 02:43:08,400 executing gun 3550 02:43:08,400 --> 02:43:09,080 uh 3551 02:43:09,080 --> 02:43:11,640 warrants for gun charges for one of our 3552 02:43:11,640 --> 02:43:13,000 residents and somebody else that was 3553 02:43:13,000 --> 02:43:14,480 hiding out with them. 3554 02:43:14,480 --> 02:43:16,600 Um we need them to keep you safe we need 3555 02:43:16,600 --> 02:43:18,440 the brick to keep all of you safe and to 3556 02:43:18,440 --> 02:43:20,840 keep our officers safe. 3557 02:43:20,840 --> 02:43:22,240 I I don't I hope that answered your 3558 02:43:22,240 --> 02:43:22,720 question. 3559 02:43:22,720 --> 02:43:24,200 >> Thank you. 3560 02:43:24,200 --> 02:43:26,000 Okay, I'll take the motion to call the 3561 02:43:26,000 --> 02:43:29,790 question. [applause] 3562 02:43:29,800 --> 02:43:32,560 The speakers I have on the list 3563 02:43:32,560 --> 02:43:33,920 are 3564 02:43:33,920 --> 02:43:36,480 um David Kletter 3565 02:43:36,480 --> 02:43:39,360 uh Suzette Abbott, Marissa Vote 3566 02:43:39,360 --> 02:43:41,760 uh I saw Clint Richmond coming to the 3567 02:43:41,760 --> 02:43:43,560 mic. I don't see anyone else coming to 3568 02:43:43,560 --> 02:43:45,400 the mic. I don't have anyone in the 3569 02:43:45,400 --> 02:43:47,360 remote speakers list. 3570 02:43:47,360 --> 02:43:51,830 So 3571 02:43:51,840 --> 02:43:53,200 um 3572 02:43:53,200 --> 02:43:56,120 so uh yes vote will 3573 02:43:56,120 --> 02:43:58,040 stop the debate and a no vote will 3574 02:43:58,040 --> 02:43:58,840 continue. 3575 02:43:58,840 --> 02:44:43,670 >> Please drop the vote. 3576 02:44:43,680 --> 02:44:45,600 199 3577 02:44:45,600 --> 02:44:47,200 36 3578 02:44:47,200 --> 02:44:48,320 9 3579 02:44:48,320 --> 02:44:51,840 >> Motion to terminate uh is successful 199 3580 02:44:51,840 --> 02:44:54,440 36 to 9. 3581 02:44:54,440 --> 02:44:56,440 The ups 3582 02:44:56,440 --> 02:44:57,680 So, 3583 02:44:57,680 --> 02:44:59,920 the only motion, the main motion before 3584 02:44:59,920 --> 02:45:01,640 you is the 3585 02:45:01,640 --> 02:45:05,760 what is labeled in the supplement as the 3586 02:45:05,760 --> 02:45:08,040 Bueno motion, but it's a motion that has 3587 02:45:08,040 --> 02:45:11,560 been accepted by all of the parties, 3588 02:45:11,560 --> 02:45:13,360 the advisory committee, select board, 3589 02:45:13,360 --> 02:45:15,160 and the petitioners. 3590 02:45:15,160 --> 02:45:18,560 A yes vote accepts it, a a no vote does 3591 02:45:18,560 --> 02:45:20,080 not. 3592 02:45:20,080 --> 02:45:22,280 It's a non-binding resolution that's 3593 02:45:22,280 --> 02:45:25,920 very prescriptive on 3594 02:45:25,920 --> 02:45:27,760 what they're going to be studying and 3595 02:45:27,760 --> 02:45:30,600 how they're going to be studying it. 3596 02:45:30,600 --> 02:45:31,760 Okay. 3597 02:45:31,760 --> 02:45:34,120 We ready to vote? 3598 02:45:34,120 --> 02:45:36,320 Main motion. 3599 02:45:36,320 --> 02:46:24,070 Drop the vote. 3600 02:46:24,080 --> 02:46:26,899 Motion passes, 222, 3601 02:46:26,899 --> 02:46:27,040 >> [applause] 3602 02:46:27,040 --> 02:46:32,230 >> 13 no, and seven abstentions. 3603 02:46:32,240 --> 02:46:34,520 222. 3604 02:46:34,520 --> 02:46:37,000 Okay, we're ready to proceed to Article 3605 02:46:37,000 --> 02:46:53,510 13. 3606 02:46:53,520 --> 02:46:57,000 » And if I can find my cheat sheet, 3607 02:46:57,000 --> 02:46:59,520 we have a motion from the petitioner on 3608 02:46:59,520 --> 02:47:02,160 page 13-3. 3609 02:47:02,160 --> 02:47:04,920 Um it's moved by Ms. Frawley. Do I have 3610 02:47:04,920 --> 02:47:07,360 a second? 3611 02:47:07,360 --> 02:47:09,440 I hear a second. 3612 02:47:09,440 --> 02:47:13,080 We have a motion alternate a substitute 3613 02:47:13,080 --> 02:47:16,960 resolution from the advisory committee. 3614 02:47:16,960 --> 02:47:21,400 Um and that is on the the supplement 3615 02:47:21,400 --> 02:47:27,560 one page four and it's a motion by Mr. Borers seconded by Mr. 3616 02:47:27,560 --> 02:47:29,600 Dody. 3617 02:47:29,600 --> 02:47:31,480 Um 3618 02:47:31,480 --> 02:47:35,590 so Ms. Frawley is the petitioner. 3619 02:47:35,600 --> 02:47:49,870 » Am I not? 3620 02:47:49,880 --> 02:47:51,040 Can you hear me? 3621 02:47:51,040 --> 02:47:51,560 >> Yes. 3622 02:47:51,560 --> 02:47:54,910 >> Okay, good. 3623 02:47:54,920 --> 02:47:57,360 I'm Regina Frawley. I'm from South 3624 02:47:57,360 --> 02:47:59,120 Brookline Precinct 16. 3625 02:47:59,120 --> 02:48:01,000 >> Yes, speak into the mic, Regina. 3626 02:48:01,000 --> 02:48:01,680 >> I beg pardon? 3627 02:48:01,680 --> 02:48:03,440 >> Speak into the mic. 3628 02:48:03,440 --> 02:48:09,630 >> I thought it was. Hello. 3629 02:48:09,640 --> 02:48:11,160 Um 3630 02:48:11,160 --> 02:48:12,960 it's regrettable. This is one of those 3631 02:48:12,960 --> 02:48:16,200 articles that people describe as gee, we 3632 02:48:16,200 --> 02:48:18,680 really shouldn't have had to do that. 3633 02:48:18,680 --> 02:48:21,520 What it's asking is that there be 3634 02:48:21,520 --> 02:48:23,720 that Brookline join every single 3635 02:48:23,720 --> 02:48:26,360 community in the greater Boston area 3636 02:48:26,360 --> 02:48:29,360 that has some evening hours. 3637 02:48:29,360 --> 02:48:32,870 We used to have 3638 02:48:32,880 --> 02:48:34,680 three hours. 3639 02:48:34,680 --> 02:48:37,080 For about 35 years we had three hours 3640 02:48:37,080 --> 02:48:40,600 every Thursday night. Uh COVID took care 3641 02:48:40,600 --> 02:48:41,720 of that. 3642 02:48:41,720 --> 02:48:46,440 And my efforts to engage the town clerk 3643 02:48:46,440 --> 02:48:50,360 into adding some hours, um 3644 02:48:50,360 --> 02:48:52,800 I got no response. Literally, was 3645 02:48:52,800 --> 02:48:55,840 stonewalled. So, I felt I had to do this 3646 02:48:55,840 --> 02:48:59,400 because not only is this a service to 3647 02:48:59,400 --> 02:49:00,920 the community, and that's what you're 3648 02:49:00,920 --> 02:49:03,240 here to do, and that's 3649 02:49:03,240 --> 02:49:05,920 Thank you for being public servants. 3650 02:49:05,920 --> 02:49:08,280 Um this is an increase happening. First 3651 02:49:08,280 --> 02:49:10,240 of all, many people don't realize the 3652 02:49:10,240 --> 02:49:13,200 turnover in Brookline for new residents 3653 02:49:13,200 --> 02:49:15,960 can be as high as 25% and as little as 3654 02:49:15,960 --> 02:49:17,120 15. 3655 02:49:17,120 --> 02:49:20,600 But on average, it's closer to 25. These 3656 02:49:20,600 --> 02:49:23,880 people, majority of whom are um 3657 02:49:23,880 --> 02:49:27,040 citizens, would like to avail themselves 3658 02:49:27,040 --> 02:49:29,000 of voting, etc. 3659 02:49:29,000 --> 02:49:31,920 And in since COVID, people have and the 3660 02:49:31,920 --> 02:49:34,280 clerk and the town has said, "Well, you 3661 02:49:34,280 --> 02:49:36,120 can do it online." 3662 02:49:36,120 --> 02:49:38,000 But there's a new trickle trend 3663 02:49:38,000 --> 02:49:41,240 happening. This economy is forcing 3664 02:49:41,240 --> 02:49:43,240 people to choose not to have the 3665 02:49:43,240 --> 02:49:47,720 internet as opposed to food and shelter. 3666 02:49:47,720 --> 02:49:49,920 And it's happening it was very 3667 02:49:49,920 --> 02:49:52,280 predictably going to happen to seniors 3668 02:49:52,280 --> 02:49:53,960 because they're on such low fixed 3669 02:49:53,960 --> 02:49:56,560 incomes in many most cases. 3670 02:49:56,560 --> 02:49:58,560 But it's happening to families now 3671 02:49:58,560 --> 02:50:00,720 because it really in many ways is a 3672 02:50:00,720 --> 02:50:04,640 luxury. So, the service to offer them to 3673 02:50:04,640 --> 02:50:07,720 be able to come to town hall uh in the 3674 02:50:07,720 --> 02:50:10,200 evening, again, will be where the only 3675 02:50:10,200 --> 02:50:12,440 community I could find that has no 3676 02:50:12,440 --> 02:50:15,680 evening hours. And I'm asking to match 3677 02:50:15,680 --> 02:50:17,920 what is everybody else's, not the 3 3678 02:50:17,920 --> 02:50:20,280 hours, but the 2 hours that I have only 3679 02:50:20,280 --> 02:50:22,200 been able to find every other community 3680 02:50:22,200 --> 02:50:24,880 have to allow the 3681 02:50:24,880 --> 02:50:26,720 citizens to be able to do it. There's 3682 02:50:26,720 --> 02:50:29,000 somebody here the other night who 3683 02:50:29,000 --> 02:50:30,760 approached me and said that she had to 3684 02:50:30,760 --> 02:50:33,120 get permission from her job in order to 3685 02:50:33,120 --> 02:50:34,760 come and do business in the clerk's 3686 02:50:34,760 --> 02:50:36,800 office during the day. This would 3687 02:50:36,800 --> 02:50:39,000 obviate that need. I also have a 3688 02:50:39,000 --> 02:50:40,720 personal thing. I was on the League of 3689 02:50:40,720 --> 02:50:43,120 Women Voters for many, many years 3690 02:50:43,120 --> 02:50:45,400 and the 3691 02:50:45,400 --> 02:50:48,080 reality is that the more you do things 3692 02:50:48,080 --> 02:50:50,320 with your children involving civic 3693 02:50:50,320 --> 02:50:52,880 matters, the higher the likelihood that 3694 02:50:52,880 --> 02:50:55,680 they will carry on that legacy. That 3695 02:50:55,680 --> 02:50:57,760 includes bringing them to the polls for 3696 02:50:57,760 --> 02:50:59,680 voting 3697 02:50:59,680 --> 02:51:01,920 and it involves even this registration. 3698 02:51:01,920 --> 02:51:04,560 So, this is an opportunity really for 3699 02:51:04,560 --> 02:51:07,600 even civic engagement for the future 3700 02:51:07,600 --> 02:51:10,560 that we've seen is such a reduction in. 3701 02:51:10,560 --> 02:51:12,400 I spent a lot of time speaking with the 3702 02:51:12,400 --> 02:51:14,760 former town clerk. There's been some 3703 02:51:14,760 --> 02:51:18,520 misinformation that I've heard. Um 3704 02:51:18,520 --> 02:51:22,480 in fact he had the full support of the 3705 02:51:22,480 --> 02:51:25,840 town administrator, Rich Kelleher. 3706 02:51:25,840 --> 02:51:28,080 So, he only had 3707 02:51:28,080 --> 02:51:32,240 requirement of um overtime for 2 months 3708 02:51:32,240 --> 02:51:34,200 of the 35 years. 3709 02:51:34,200 --> 02:51:36,800 Then it was negotiated by Rich Kelleher 3710 02:51:36,800 --> 02:51:38,560 with us, me, that it would be a 3711 02:51:38,560 --> 02:51:40,840 condition of employment. There'd be no 3712 02:51:40,840 --> 02:51:44,280 further stipend for it. So, each of the 3713 02:51:44,280 --> 02:51:46,440 six employees 3714 02:51:46,440 --> 02:51:48,440 not the seven and a half we now have, 3715 02:51:48,440 --> 02:51:51,200 but the six only were able to rotate it 3716 02:51:51,200 --> 02:51:54,200 on Thursday nights. So, each person 3717 02:51:54,200 --> 02:51:55,720 hired new 3718 02:51:55,720 --> 02:51:56,960 once 3719 02:51:56,960 --> 02:51:58,920 even less than once a month I would have 3720 02:51:58,920 --> 02:52:02,120 to be working for those 3 hours. So, 3721 02:52:02,120 --> 02:52:05,240 that's a very manageable kind of thing. 3722 02:52:05,240 --> 02:52:06,640 >> Please conclude. 3723 02:52:06,640 --> 02:52:07,840 >> Sure. 3724 02:52:07,840 --> 02:52:10,150 Um 3725 02:52:10,160 --> 02:52:11,320 I mentioned the 3726 02:52:11,320 --> 02:52:12,400 There we go. 3727 02:52:12,400 --> 02:52:14,000 >> Please conclude. 3728 02:52:14,000 --> 02:52:15,760 >> I think I've hit the high points of it 3729 02:52:15,760 --> 02:52:17,800 and I will I understand everybody really 3730 02:52:17,800 --> 02:52:19,400 wants this to be the last night. So, 3731 02:52:19,400 --> 02:52:20,760 thank you for listening. 3732 02:52:20,760 --> 02:52:21,259 >> Thank you. 3733 02:52:21,259 --> 02:52:24,750 >> [applause] 3734 02:52:24,760 --> 02:52:37,910 » Mr. Bowers. 3735 02:52:37,920 --> 02:52:39,680 » Good evening, Harry Bohr speaking on 3736 02:52:39,680 --> 02:52:41,720 behalf of the advisory committee. 3737 02:52:41,720 --> 02:52:43,960 Through a bylaw, warrant article 13 3738 02:52:43,960 --> 02:52:46,000 would require the town clerk's office to 3739 02:52:46,000 --> 02:52:48,200 be opened at least two consecutive 3740 02:52:48,200 --> 02:52:50,720 evenings per week. That's for one 3741 02:52:50,720 --> 02:52:52,040 evening. This is not necessarily 3742 02:52:52,040 --> 02:52:53,680 additional hours. It may just be a 3743 02:52:53,680 --> 02:52:55,760 schedule change, but regardless, it 3744 02:52:55,760 --> 02:52:58,840 would be a minimum minimum of two hours. 3745 02:52:58,840 --> 02:53:00,720 Now, without presupposing what town 3746 02:53:00,720 --> 02:53:03,000 meeting may decide to do in the future, 3747 02:53:03,000 --> 02:53:05,200 the advisory committee is suggesting a 3748 02:53:05,200 --> 02:53:08,200 referral to the clerk via a resolution 3749 02:53:08,200 --> 02:53:10,440 to allow him the time he said that he 3750 02:53:10,440 --> 02:53:11,960 would need 3751 02:53:11,960 --> 02:53:14,280 to assess the functional requirements 3752 02:53:14,280 --> 02:53:16,040 and the costs associated with any 3753 02:53:16,040 --> 02:53:17,880 approach or approaches. 3754 02:53:17,880 --> 02:53:20,560 And it asks him to report that analysis 3755 02:53:20,560 --> 02:53:23,760 and options to town meeting in the fall. 3756 02:53:23,760 --> 02:53:25,480 Now, this will likely require union 3757 02:53:25,480 --> 02:53:28,080 impact bargaining as it's a change of 3758 02:53:28,080 --> 02:53:30,880 work conditions. Now, it's worth noting 3759 02:53:30,880 --> 02:53:33,280 that as a bylaw, it would be a departure 3760 02:53:33,280 --> 02:53:35,280 of sorts. Our bylaws describe the 3761 02:53:35,280 --> 02:53:36,800 functions and requirements of the 3762 02:53:36,800 --> 02:53:38,720 offices and departments, but not 3763 02:53:38,720 --> 02:53:41,160 generally the granular specifics such as 3764 02:53:41,160 --> 02:53:42,800 working hours. 3765 02:53:42,800 --> 02:53:45,680 Now, many on the advisory committee felt 3766 02:53:45,680 --> 02:53:47,800 very strong sympathies for the goal of 3767 02:53:47,800 --> 02:53:48,960 this article, 3768 02:53:48,960 --> 02:53:50,840 believing it should not really have to 3769 02:53:50,840 --> 02:53:53,040 be that difficult to accomplish and 3770 02:53:53,040 --> 02:53:55,600 probably doesn't even require a bylaw. 3771 02:53:55,600 --> 02:53:57,600 Now, of course, life has changed since 3772 02:53:57,600 --> 02:53:59,960 COVID and the clerk's office offers 3773 02:53:59,960 --> 02:54:02,400 flexibility through online access, the 3774 02:54:02,400 --> 02:54:04,560 telephone, mail. 3775 02:54:04,560 --> 02:54:07,240 There are only two things that require 3776 02:54:07,240 --> 02:54:08,800 being in person. 3777 02:54:08,800 --> 02:54:10,840 That's the swearing in of town 3778 02:54:10,840 --> 02:54:13,680 officials. That's in, not at. 3779 02:54:13,680 --> 02:54:15,600 And the filing of an intention of 3780 02:54:15,600 --> 02:54:17,000 marriage. 3781 02:54:17,000 --> 02:54:20,240 But for variety of reasons or choices, 3782 02:54:20,240 --> 02:54:22,000 many have difficulty relying on the 3783 02:54:22,000 --> 02:54:24,000 internet to transact business and many 3784 02:54:24,000 --> 02:54:26,320 find that direct human interaction to be 3785 02:54:26,320 --> 02:54:28,840 much more effective and fruitful. 3786 02:54:28,840 --> 02:54:31,240 So, we had two advisory committees on 3787 02:54:31,240 --> 02:54:33,440 this, and I will tell you that there was 3788 02:54:33,440 --> 02:54:36,080 a bit of consternation on both sides. 3789 02:54:36,080 --> 02:54:37,880 We asked the town clerk to come back 3790 02:54:37,880 --> 02:54:39,880 with more background and implementation 3791 02:54:39,880 --> 02:54:42,280 information, as well as what other 3792 02:54:42,280 --> 02:54:44,280 communities are doing. 3793 02:54:44,280 --> 02:54:46,120 He brought back examples from the other 3794 02:54:46,120 --> 02:54:47,440 communities, 3795 02:54:47,440 --> 02:54:49,080 but said that the other information 3796 02:54:49,080 --> 02:54:51,040 would take more time and union 3797 02:54:51,040 --> 02:54:53,680 conversation. Fair enough. 3798 02:54:53,680 --> 02:54:55,120 So, while there are certain 3799 02:54:55,120 --> 02:54:58,040 presuppositions on both sides, what we 3800 02:54:58,040 --> 02:55:00,640 lack are Brookline data points or real 3801 02:55:00,640 --> 02:55:02,680 post-COVID experience. 3802 02:55:02,680 --> 02:55:04,880 There remain outstanding questions, and 3803 02:55:04,880 --> 02:55:08,160 this is still an unquantified need. 3804 02:55:08,160 --> 02:55:10,680 So, while open to looking more fully at 3805 02:55:10,680 --> 02:55:13,440 it, the clerk, for his part, has noted 3806 02:55:13,440 --> 02:55:16,120 that he's not convinced of the demand or 3807 02:55:16,120 --> 02:55:17,920 the need in Brookline, 3808 02:55:17,920 --> 02:55:19,480 and he points to selected other 3809 02:55:19,480 --> 02:55:22,160 communities with experience where there 3810 02:55:22,160 --> 02:55:25,000 is very limited demand. 3811 02:55:25,000 --> 02:55:26,920 Others, however, feel there is a desire 3812 02:55:26,920 --> 02:55:28,840 in our community for this, a once 3813 02:55:28,840 --> 02:55:31,200 long-standing customer service, 3814 02:55:31,200 --> 02:55:33,880 and that it's not an onerous ask. 3815 02:55:33,880 --> 02:55:35,160 So, 3816 02:55:35,160 --> 02:55:37,360 perhaps there are people who would love 3817 02:55:37,360 --> 02:55:40,000 to work 2 hours later one 3818 02:55:40,000 --> 02:55:42,520 a week if they got to come in 2 hours 3819 02:55:42,520 --> 02:55:44,160 later in the morning. 3820 02:55:44,160 --> 02:55:45,280 We don't know. 3821 02:55:45,280 --> 02:55:47,080 Or perhaps the office of the town 3822 02:55:47,080 --> 02:55:49,640 clerk's schedule can be easily shifted 3823 02:55:49,640 --> 02:55:51,840 by 2 hours once a week. 3824 02:55:51,840 --> 02:55:53,800 We don't know that, either. 3825 02:55:53,800 --> 02:55:55,320 Or maybe 3826 02:55:55,320 --> 02:55:57,920 a pilot program to get some experience 3827 02:55:57,920 --> 02:56:00,200 and garner some data makes the most 3828 02:56:00,200 --> 02:56:02,560 sense. Pick a number, but long enough to 3829 02:56:02,560 --> 02:56:04,640 get meaningful information, 3830 02:56:04,640 --> 02:56:07,520 but we don't know how that might work. 3831 02:56:07,520 --> 02:56:09,720 And that's the point. There are a number 3832 02:56:09,720 --> 02:56:12,920 of things of which we are uncertain, 3833 02:56:12,920 --> 02:56:15,800 but about which we can become relatively 3834 02:56:15,800 --> 02:56:18,680 certain with not too much effort. 3835 02:56:18,680 --> 02:56:20,640 As I noted, this is something the clerk 3836 02:56:20,640 --> 02:56:23,280 expressed clear reservations about, but 3837 02:56:23,280 --> 02:56:25,560 is certainly willing to explore. 3838 02:56:25,560 --> 02:56:27,600 And we still need a better understanding 3839 02:56:27,600 --> 02:56:29,000 of the demand 3840 02:56:29,000 --> 02:56:31,440 and the costs. This will provide that 3841 02:56:31,440 --> 02:56:33,760 noted time to get the information so 3842 02:56:33,760 --> 02:56:35,680 that we may have an informed 3843 02:56:35,680 --> 02:56:38,480 consideration on the issue later. 3844 02:56:38,480 --> 02:56:41,920 By a vote of 19 to 6 to 0, the advisory 3845 02:56:41,920 --> 02:56:43,760 committee is recommending 3846 02:56:43,760 --> 02:56:45,920 the referral resolution. Thank you. 3847 02:56:45,920 --> 02:56:47,280 >> Thank you. 3848 02:56:47,280 --> 02:57:03,830 Mr. Green. 3849 02:57:03,840 --> 02:57:07,200 » Mr. Green is the last signed up speaker. 3850 02:57:07,200 --> 02:57:09,240 >> Uh good evening again, Mr. Moderator and 3851 02:57:09,240 --> 02:57:11,840 also fellow town meeting members, staff, 3852 02:57:11,840 --> 02:57:13,040 and guests. 3853 02:57:13,040 --> 02:57:15,200 I'm going to try to find something in my 3854 02:57:15,200 --> 02:57:17,680 presentation that Harry Borah didn't 3855 02:57:17,680 --> 02:57:20,760 cover, so bear with me. Um Warrant 3856 02:57:20,760 --> 02:57:22,800 Article 13 would create a bylaw that 3857 02:57:22,800 --> 02:57:25,120 would compel the town clerk to be open 3858 02:57:25,120 --> 02:57:27,560 for at least two consecutive hours 3859 02:57:27,560 --> 02:57:29,080 one evening a week, which was the 3860 02:57:29,080 --> 02:57:31,600 practice of the previous clerk. 3861 02:57:31,600 --> 02:57:34,200 The select board declined to create a 3862 02:57:34,200 --> 02:57:36,680 bylaw that would con- 3863 02:57:36,680 --> 02:57:39,240 Um I'm sorry. The select board declined 3864 02:57:39,240 --> 02:57:42,400 by a vote of two in favor, three opposed 3865 02:57:42,400 --> 02:57:44,600 to adopt the advisory committee's 3866 02:57:44,600 --> 02:57:46,600 recommendation of making Warrant Article 3867 02:57:46,600 --> 02:57:49,520 13 a resolution and asking the clerk to 3868 02:57:49,520 --> 02:57:51,840 return to town meeting in the fall with 3869 02:57:51,840 --> 02:57:53,760 a plan to accomplish the goals of 3870 02:57:53,760 --> 02:57:56,840 Warrant Article 13 along with estimated 3871 02:57:56,840 --> 02:57:58,640 implementation costs. I don't think we 3872 02:57:58,640 --> 02:58:02,160 thought that that was a useful uh step. 3873 02:58:02,160 --> 02:58:04,440 The select board then voted unanimously 3874 02:58:04,440 --> 02:58:06,560 for no action. 3875 02:58:06,560 --> 02:58:08,920 The clerk expressed concerns about the 3876 02:58:08,920 --> 02:58:11,360 impact of adding evening hours, and the 3877 02:58:11,360 --> 02:58:14,280 select board was persuaded by his 3878 02:58:14,280 --> 02:58:15,640 concerns. 3879 02:58:15,640 --> 02:58:17,920 The clerk noted the likelihood of low 3880 02:58:17,920 --> 02:58:19,640 utilization of night hours in the 3881 02:58:19,640 --> 02:58:21,760 current environment when there are few 3882 02:58:21,760 --> 02:58:24,600 committees or other meetings in Town 3883 02:58:24,600 --> 02:58:27,520 Hall in the evenings as uh most 3884 02:58:27,520 --> 02:58:29,440 committees meet virtually. 3885 02:58:29,440 --> 02:58:31,920 He also expressed concern about staffing 3886 02:58:31,920 --> 02:58:33,720 constraints and the need to negotiate 3887 02:58:33,720 --> 02:58:38,640 the changes with his asked me union. 3888 02:58:38,640 --> 02:58:40,960 And he noted that many of the activities 3889 02:58:40,960 --> 02:58:44,000 and services uh of of the town clerk's 3890 02:58:44,000 --> 02:58:46,920 office are currently available online by 3891 02:58:46,920 --> 02:58:50,480 phone or by mail as Harry Bohr's noted. 3892 02:58:50,480 --> 02:58:53,800 Uh as Harry also noted, uh only swearing 3893 02:58:53,800 --> 02:58:55,720 in of town officials and the filing of 3894 02:58:55,720 --> 02:58:57,880 an intention of marriage requires an 3895 02:58:57,880 --> 02:59:00,200 in-person appearance. 3896 02:59:00,200 --> 02:59:02,360 Finally, as mentioned by the the 3897 02:59:02,360 --> 02:59:04,120 advisory committee in the combined 3898 02:59:04,120 --> 02:59:09,240 reports and again as Harry also noted, 3899 02:59:09,240 --> 02:59:11,720 our bylaws describe the functions and 3900 02:59:11,720 --> 02:59:13,840 requirements of offices and departments, 3901 02:59:13,840 --> 02:59:16,080 but not such things as specific office 3902 02:59:16,080 --> 02:59:18,320 hours. It's important to just emphasize 3903 02:59:18,320 --> 02:59:19,800 that again 3904 02:59:19,800 --> 02:59:22,440 uh because that would be 3905 02:59:22,440 --> 02:59:24,920 inappropriately sort of micromanaging 3906 02:59:24,920 --> 02:59:27,840 the operations of a town department. 3907 02:59:27,840 --> 02:59:30,000 The petitioner asserted that there was a 3908 02:59:30,000 --> 02:59:32,480 strong community need and desire for 3909 02:59:32,480 --> 02:59:34,120 evening hours, but there's no hard 3910 02:59:34,120 --> 02:59:36,520 evidence supporting that assertion. 3911 02:59:36,520 --> 02:59:39,080 So, by a vote of five to zero, the 3912 02:59:39,080 --> 02:59:41,880 select board voted no action on Warrant 3913 02:59:41,880 --> 02:59:45,400 Article 13 at its May 12th meeting. 3914 02:59:45,400 --> 02:59:46,000 Thank you. 3915 02:59:46,000 --> 02:59:48,480 >> Thank you, Ms. Bennett. 3916 02:59:48,480 --> 02:59:49,800 >> Question. 3917 02:59:49,800 --> 02:59:50,560 Uh 3918 02:59:50,560 --> 02:59:52,200 Kaylee Bennett, Town Meeting Member, 3919 02:59:52,200 --> 02:59:53,800 Precinct 8. 3920 02:59:53,800 --> 02:59:57,000 Isn't another use of in-person hours for 3921 02:59:57,000 --> 03:00:00,200 the town town clerk's office also 3922 03:00:00,200 --> 03:00:03,080 pulling non-nomination papers for 3923 03:00:03,080 --> 03:00:05,000 non-incumbent or first-time town meeting 3924 03:00:05,000 --> 03:00:08,630 members? 3925 03:00:08,640 --> 03:00:09,520 » Is it 3926 03:00:09,520 --> 03:00:10,160 Can 3927 03:00:10,160 --> 03:00:13,240 It's just a yes, right? 3928 03:00:13,240 --> 03:00:24,030 >> Yes. 3929 03:00:24,040 --> 03:00:25,240 » Uh thank you for your question. Ben 3930 03:00:25,240 --> 03:00:27,680 Hoffman, town clerk. Uh it is a strongly 3931 03:00:27,680 --> 03:00:29,320 encouraged, it's not a requirement. 3932 03:00:29,320 --> 03:00:30,320 Somebody's not able to come to the 3933 03:00:30,320 --> 03:00:32,080 clerk's office, we can coordinate either 3934 03:00:32,080 --> 03:00:33,520 having somebody else pick it up or 3935 03:00:33,520 --> 03:00:35,040 mailing nomination people papers to 3936 03:00:35,040 --> 03:00:36,960 people's homes. 3937 03:00:36,960 --> 03:00:39,160 >> Follow-up question, thank you. 3938 03:00:39,160 --> 03:00:40,720 Uh haven't we also established that the 3939 03:00:40,720 --> 03:00:43,649 post office doesn't work? So 3940 03:00:43,649 --> 03:00:45,670 >> [laughter] 3941 03:00:45,680 --> 03:00:46,925 » Thank you. 3942 03:00:46,925 --> 03:00:50,790 >> [applause] 3943 03:00:50,800 --> 03:00:52,960 » Okay, we have another question. 3944 03:00:52,960 --> 03:00:55,560 >> Uh Dave Porter, Precinct 6. My question 3945 03:00:55,560 --> 03:00:57,000 is for 3946 03:00:57,000 --> 03:01:00,160 the town clerk. Um I am sympathetic to 3947 03:01:00,160 --> 03:01:02,880 not wanting to force your hand. If I 3948 03:01:02,880 --> 03:01:06,480 vote against this, will you take that as 3949 03:01:06,480 --> 03:01:08,640 an indication that town meeting doesn't 3950 03:01:08,640 --> 03:01:11,160 care about evening hours? Or will you 3951 03:01:11,160 --> 03:01:13,280 hopefully continue to look into being 3952 03:01:13,280 --> 03:01:15,720 able to provide this sort of service uh 3953 03:01:15,720 --> 03:01:17,400 at the at the 3954 03:01:17,400 --> 03:01:18,960 cadence that you're 3955 03:01:18,960 --> 03:01:20,400 uh talking about looking 3956 03:01:20,400 --> 03:01:24,510 >> Good question. 3957 03:01:24,520 --> 03:01:25,560 I want to make sure I understand the 3958 03:01:25,560 --> 03:01:27,520 question. You're saying if you were to 3959 03:01:27,520 --> 03:01:29,600 vote no on the resolution, would I take 3960 03:01:29,600 --> 03:01:31,160 that as I don't need to look at 3961 03:01:31,160 --> 03:01:31,840 >> Yes. 3962 03:01:31,840 --> 03:01:33,280 >> at all? I think with it being a 3963 03:01:33,280 --> 03:01:34,600 discussion that's been brought up and 3964 03:01:34,600 --> 03:01:35,960 something that I would expect the 3965 03:01:35,960 --> 03:01:37,280 petitioner would bring forward again at 3966 03:01:37,280 --> 03:01:38,560 a future town meeting, it's something 3967 03:01:38,560 --> 03:01:40,520 that we'd continue to take a look at. Uh 3968 03:01:40,520 --> 03:01:41,520 and I'd certainly want to make sure that 3969 03:01:41,520 --> 03:01:43,040 we had information for when it did 3970 03:01:43,040 --> 03:01:46,040 inevitably come up again. Um but uh I 3971 03:01:46,040 --> 03:01:48,760 try to try to not read too much into 3972 03:01:48,760 --> 03:01:50,680 votes of town meeting beyond the content 3973 03:01:50,680 --> 03:01:52,320 that is being voted on by town meeting 3974 03:01:52,320 --> 03:01:54,040 and try not to read individual intent 3975 03:01:54,040 --> 03:01:55,640 from town meeting numbers as much as I 3976 03:01:55,640 --> 03:01:56,240 can. 3977 03:01:56,240 --> 03:01:57,440 >> And uh 3978 03:01:57,440 --> 03:02:00,280 I got a I got a note from uh remote 3979 03:02:00,280 --> 03:02:03,240 folks. Uh please speak into the mic. 3980 03:02:03,240 --> 03:02:05,040 Make an extra effort to speak into the 3981 03:02:05,040 --> 03:02:07,360 mic. Mr. McKenzie. 3982 03:02:07,360 --> 03:02:08,880 >> Kevin McKenzie, town meeting member 3983 03:02:08,880 --> 03:02:10,800 precinct 13. I know that you had 3984 03:02:10,800 --> 03:02:12,560 mentioned that there were some concerns 3985 03:02:12,560 --> 03:02:13,680 potentially involving union 3986 03:02:13,680 --> 03:02:15,560 negotiations. Has your office or 3987 03:02:15,560 --> 03:02:17,160 yourself had any conversations with 3988 03:02:17,160 --> 03:02:18,800 union representatives yet? Or is that 3989 03:02:18,800 --> 03:02:20,080 just a thought that there might be 3990 03:02:20,080 --> 03:02:22,160 concerns about? Or have they have union 3991 03:02:22,160 --> 03:02:23,480 aligned staff or the representatives 3992 03:02:23,480 --> 03:02:25,640 already voiced those concerns to you? 3993 03:02:25,640 --> 03:02:27,560 >> Uh thank you. Well, still bank office 3994 03:02:27,560 --> 03:02:29,760 still the town clerk. Uh yes, both staff 3995 03:02:29,760 --> 03:02:31,760 expressed concerns about it. There's 3996 03:02:31,760 --> 03:02:34,120 been a general shift in staff desires I 3997 03:02:34,120 --> 03:02:36,720 think across the town about working 3998 03:02:36,720 --> 03:02:38,040 evening hours. 3999 03:02:38,040 --> 03:02:40,640 I will note my staff in particular have 4000 03:02:40,640 --> 03:02:42,720 multiple single parents and ones with 4001 03:02:42,720 --> 03:02:44,320 young children who do a particular 4002 03:02:44,320 --> 03:02:47,120 interest in being home in the evenings 4003 03:02:47,120 --> 03:02:48,480 even though they're already forced not 4004 03:02:48,480 --> 03:02:50,160 to be and please make sure you say hello 4005 03:02:50,160 --> 03:02:51,120 to all of the ones who are out in the 4006 03:02:51,120 --> 03:02:53,720 hallway right now. 4007 03:02:53,720 --> 03:02:55,560 It was something that was brought up as 4008 03:02:55,560 --> 03:02:57,800 a question and 4009 03:02:57,800 --> 03:02:59,280 council in 4010 03:02:59,280 --> 03:03:00,760 staff and town council's office who deal 4011 03:03:00,760 --> 03:03:03,640 with labor issues were under the belief 4012 03:03:03,640 --> 03:03:04,520 that it would be something that we'd 4013 03:03:04,520 --> 03:03:05,880 need to be in the bargain with the 4014 03:03:05,880 --> 03:03:07,400 union. We've got to have those 4015 03:03:07,400 --> 03:03:09,640 conversations with the union directly 4016 03:03:09,640 --> 03:03:11,200 but it was based on that understanding 4017 03:03:11,200 --> 03:03:12,960 that we we had those conversations. 4018 03:03:12,960 --> 03:03:13,680 >> Thank you. 4019 03:03:13,680 --> 03:03:16,040 So 4020 03:03:16,040 --> 03:03:17,320 this is actually an interesting 4021 03:03:17,320 --> 03:03:19,520 situation. We've had three speakers 4022 03:03:19,520 --> 03:03:21,800 who've been advocating different 4023 03:03:21,800 --> 03:03:24,960 positions. So we have the petitioner 4024 03:03:24,960 --> 03:03:27,440 with a with the bylaw, the advisory 4025 03:03:27,440 --> 03:03:29,880 committee with a with a resolution to 4026 03:03:29,880 --> 03:03:33,440 study and bring back plan or no action. 4027 03:03:33,440 --> 03:03:36,600 So if you agree with the petitioner 4028 03:03:36,600 --> 03:03:39,400 you will vote for the main motion. So 4029 03:03:39,400 --> 03:03:41,600 you'll vote no for the advisory 4030 03:03:41,600 --> 03:03:43,360 committee and vote yes for the main 4031 03:03:43,360 --> 03:03:45,880 motion. If you agree with the advisory 4032 03:03:45,880 --> 03:03:49,240 committee, you would vote yes 4033 03:03:49,240 --> 03:03:51,280 for the advisory committee motion which 4034 03:03:51,280 --> 03:03:53,240 is going to be first. 4035 03:03:53,240 --> 03:03:55,960 And if you agree with the select board, 4036 03:03:55,960 --> 03:03:58,000 you would vote no 4037 03:03:58,000 --> 03:03:59,360 twice. 4038 03:03:59,360 --> 03:04:03,030 Clear? 4039 03:04:03,040 --> 03:04:09,320 Okay, so the first motion is to is the advisory 4040 03:04:09,320 --> 03:04:16,480 committee motion to study and bring back a plan to town meeting. 4041 03:04:16,480 --> 03:04:18,920 Okay, we clear on that? 4042 03:04:18,920 --> 03:04:20,760 Okay, let's drop the vote on the 4043 03:04:20,760 --> 03:04:23,920 advisory committee motion. 4044 03:04:23,920 --> 03:04:26,150 Oh. 4045 03:04:26,160 --> 03:04:29,120 And that ends the discussion. 4046 03:04:29,120 --> 03:04:38,470 Yes. That's a 4047 03:04:38,480 --> 03:04:40,080 No, I'm told you'd have to vote on it 4048 03:04:40,080 --> 03:04:46,190 again as a main motion, so. 4049 03:04:46,200 --> 03:04:55,150 It's a substitute motion. 4050 03:04:55,160 --> 03:04:57,080 So, yes if you agree with the advisory 4051 03:04:57,080 --> 03:05:11,430 committee motion. 4052 03:05:11,440 --> 03:05:14,040 passes 150 4053 03:05:14,040 --> 03:05:18,160 to 73-8. We now have to vote on it again 4054 03:05:18,160 --> 03:05:20,560 because it was a substitute motion. It 4055 03:05:20,560 --> 03:05:23,160 is now the main motion, so I was a 4056 03:05:23,160 --> 03:05:26,280 little incorrect. So, we now have the 4057 03:05:26,280 --> 03:05:28,120 main motion which is the advisory 4058 03:05:28,120 --> 03:05:30,120 committee motion. 4059 03:05:30,120 --> 03:05:34,350 Drop the vote. 4060 03:05:34,360 --> 03:05:37,480 To study and bring back bring back a 4061 03:05:37,480 --> 03:05:40,590 plan. 4062 03:05:40,600 --> 03:05:42,520 And you do have the option of voting no 4063 03:05:42,520 --> 03:05:45,950 action. 4064 03:05:45,960 --> 03:05:48,520 If you vote no action, 4065 03:05:48,520 --> 03:05:49,880 you've supported the select board 4066 03:05:49,880 --> 03:06:16,150 position. 4067 03:06:16,160 --> 03:06:18,200 » 175 4068 03:06:18,200 --> 03:06:20,840 52 to 6. 4069 03:06:20,840 --> 03:06:23,000 >> The Advisory Committee motion passes as 4070 03:06:23,000 --> 03:06:29,710 the main motion. It's 175 52 to 6. 4071 03:06:29,720 --> 03:06:31,459 » Okay. 4072 03:06:31,459 --> 03:06:32,360 >> [applause] 4073 03:06:32,360 --> 03:06:39,430 >> Now we're on to Article 14. 4074 03:06:39,440 --> 03:06:44,160 And this is regarding accessory dwelling 4075 03:06:44,160 --> 03:06:45,360 units. 4076 03:06:45,360 --> 03:06:50,960 The motion is on pages 120 1422 through 4077 03:06:50,960 --> 03:06:52,960 1454. 4078 03:06:52,960 --> 03:06:55,720 It's moved by Mr. Klein and seconded by 4079 03:06:55,720 --> 03:06:57,320 Ms. Hardebeck. 4080 03:06:57,320 --> 03:07:02,270 And Mr. Klein. 4081 03:07:02,280 --> 03:07:04,120 » Thank you, Mr. Moderator. 4082 03:07:04,120 --> 03:07:06,040 Um 4083 03:07:06,040 --> 03:07:07,720 I am Jonathan Klein, a town meeting 4084 03:07:07,720 --> 03:07:10,960 member from Precinct 17, also a member 4085 03:07:10,960 --> 03:07:12,920 of the Housing Advisory Board, and 4086 03:07:12,920 --> 03:07:15,040 speaking on behalf of both myself as 4087 03:07:15,040 --> 03:07:16,600 petitioner and the Housing Advisory 4088 03:07:16,600 --> 03:07:17,560 Board. 4089 03:07:17,560 --> 03:07:20,080 I'm also, thanks to you, recently 4090 03:07:20,080 --> 03:07:21,600 elected a commissioner of the Brookline 4091 03:07:21,600 --> 03:07:23,204 Housing Authority. 4092 03:07:23,204 --> 03:07:26,510 >> [applause] 4093 03:07:26,520 --> 03:07:28,000 » Thank you. 4094 03:07:28,000 --> 03:07:29,440 I am not speaking for the Brookline 4095 03:07:29,440 --> 03:07:30,880 Housing Authority. 4096 03:07:30,880 --> 03:07:31,680 Um 4097 03:07:31,680 --> 03:07:34,040 This was work done by a collective, and 4098 03:07:34,040 --> 03:07:35,640 I want to thank the people involved in 4099 03:07:35,640 --> 03:07:37,200 getting this done. 4100 03:07:37,200 --> 03:07:39,480 Um the subcommittee was myself, Alex 4101 03:07:39,480 --> 03:07:41,520 Krieger also from the HAB, Tommy Rankin 4102 03:07:41,520 --> 03:07:42,920 from the Planning Board, and Kelly 4103 03:07:42,920 --> 03:07:45,200 Hardebeck from the Advisory Committee. 4104 03:07:45,200 --> 03:07:47,840 The staff, Emily DeHoog, Miriam Morelli 4105 03:07:47,840 --> 03:07:48,920 from 4106 03:07:48,920 --> 03:07:50,640 the Planning Department, and Jonathan 4107 03:07:50,640 --> 03:07:52,920 Simpson from Town Council were also very 4108 03:07:52,920 --> 03:07:55,800 involved. And um Dick Benka also 4109 03:07:55,800 --> 03:07:57,120 participated actively in our 4110 03:07:57,120 --> 03:07:59,480 deliberations. I also want to thank 4111 03:07:59,480 --> 03:08:02,400 Roger Blood who took the laboring oar on 4112 03:08:02,400 --> 03:08:04,480 bringing ADUs to this body I think first 4113 03:08:04,480 --> 03:08:08,520 in 2019 and also in 2024 as the chair of 4114 03:08:08,520 --> 03:08:09,760 the HAB. 4115 03:08:09,760 --> 03:08:12,680 So, why do we care about ADUs? ADUs are 4116 03:08:12,680 --> 03:08:14,800 accessory dwelling units. They are a 4117 03:08:14,800 --> 03:08:18,400 form of housing that is uh 4118 03:08:18,400 --> 03:08:20,160 often called an in-law apartment, 4119 03:08:20,160 --> 03:08:22,600 caretaker apartment. It can be a small 4120 03:08:22,600 --> 03:08:24,680 rental apartment. It can be an apartment 4121 03:08:24,680 --> 03:08:26,480 where a principal owner can move to the 4122 03:08:26,480 --> 03:08:28,280 apartment and then rent out their house. 4123 03:08:28,280 --> 03:08:30,320 It creates a smaller more affordable 4124 03:08:30,320 --> 03:08:34,840 type of home ownership of I'm sorry of housing 4125 03:08:34,840 --> 03:08:36,640 that we think is good for the town and 4126 03:08:36,640 --> 03:08:38,280 the state thinks it's good because the 4127 03:08:38,280 --> 03:08:41,120 state proposed a state law that requires 4128 03:08:41,120 --> 03:08:43,120 us to allow accessory dwelling units by 4129 03:08:43,120 --> 03:08:44,960 right. And our attempt here is to comply 4130 03:08:44,960 --> 03:08:47,360 with that state law. 4131 03:08:47,360 --> 03:08:50,550 So, uh 4132 03:08:50,560 --> 03:08:52,760 the timeline. You may be confused about 4133 03:08:52,760 --> 03:08:55,640 this a little bit. I was, but we adopted 4134 03:08:55,640 --> 03:08:58,360 a resolution I'm sorry a bylaw on a 4135 03:08:58,360 --> 03:09:00,080 accessory dwelling units in fall of 4136 03:09:00,080 --> 03:09:01,840 2024. 4137 03:09:01,840 --> 03:09:04,400 Um the state had regulations under the 4138 03:09:04,400 --> 03:09:05,680 Affordable Homes Act that became 4139 03:09:05,680 --> 03:09:07,440 effective a few months after that in 4140 03:09:07,440 --> 03:09:10,040 February of 2025. A few months after 4141 03:09:10,040 --> 03:09:11,520 that we got a letter from the attorney 4142 03:09:11,520 --> 03:09:13,720 general disallowing large parts of our 4143 03:09:13,720 --> 03:09:16,400 bylaw. And so we appointed the 4144 03:09:16,400 --> 03:09:18,240 subcommittee of the HAB that worked for 4145 03:09:18,240 --> 03:09:20,920 about 6 months reviewing that. And we 4146 03:09:20,920 --> 03:09:23,280 are here in May of 2026 with a new bylaw 4147 03:09:23,280 --> 03:09:25,000 that we hope will comply with the state 4148 03:09:25,000 --> 03:09:27,680 law and create more opportunities to 4149 03:09:27,680 --> 03:09:30,400 create ADUs in the town. 4150 03:09:30,400 --> 03:09:33,550 >> Next slide. 4151 03:09:33,560 --> 03:09:36,000 » What is a protected use ADU? It is an 4152 03:09:36,000 --> 03:09:39,520 attached or a detached ADU that is 4153 03:09:39,520 --> 03:09:41,560 proposed to be located on a lot in a 4154 03:09:41,560 --> 03:09:43,680 single-family residential zoning 4155 03:09:43,680 --> 03:09:46,480 district. Okay? Now, one difference 4156 03:09:46,480 --> 03:09:48,880 between what we are providing now and 4157 03:09:48,880 --> 03:09:50,840 was required under the state law and 4158 03:09:50,840 --> 03:09:52,720 what was 4159 03:09:52,720 --> 03:09:54,240 our our prior bylaw is that a 4160 03:09:54,240 --> 03:09:55,920 single-family residential district is 4161 03:09:55,920 --> 03:09:58,120 not just our single-family zones, but 4162 03:09:58,120 --> 03:10:00,480 it's any zone where a single-family home 4163 03:10:00,480 --> 03:10:02,440 can be located, which includes a 4164 03:10:02,440 --> 03:10:04,280 single-family zone, a two-family zone, a 4165 03:10:04,280 --> 03:10:05,960 three-family zone, and a multi-family 4166 03:10:05,960 --> 03:10:07,120 zone. 4167 03:10:07,120 --> 03:10:09,840 So, the key guidance from the state on 4168 03:10:09,840 --> 03:10:12,120 ADUs, next slide, 4169 03:10:12,120 --> 03:10:13,960 is that they must be by right and they 4170 03:10:13,960 --> 03:10:15,560 must not have more restrictive 4171 03:10:15,560 --> 03:10:17,080 regulations 4172 03:10:17,080 --> 03:10:19,120 than for principal dwelling units or 4173 03:10:19,120 --> 03:10:21,160 other accessory dwelling units. They 4174 03:10:21,160 --> 03:10:22,600 must not have more restrictive 4175 03:10:22,600 --> 03:10:24,800 dimensional standards than we have for 4176 03:10:24,800 --> 03:10:27,080 principal dwellings or other accessory 4177 03:10:27,080 --> 03:10:29,400 structures. 4178 03:10:29,400 --> 03:10:32,630 Next slide. 4179 03:10:32,640 --> 03:10:33,680 Let's 4180 03:10:33,680 --> 03:10:36,000 This This is a You can't read this and 4181 03:10:36,000 --> 03:10:37,320 I'm not going to take the time to read 4182 03:10:37,320 --> 03:10:39,040 it to you. It shows the ways in which 4183 03:10:39,040 --> 03:10:41,160 our bylaw did and did not comply with 4184 03:10:41,160 --> 03:10:42,480 the state law and the things we had to 4185 03:10:42,480 --> 03:10:46,550 correct. Next slide. 4186 03:10:46,560 --> 03:10:49,160 So, the purpose of warrant article 14 is 4187 03:10:49,160 --> 03:10:50,960 to bring ourselves into compliance with 4188 03:10:50,960 --> 03:10:54,000 the state law. Really quite simple. 4189 03:10:54,000 --> 03:10:55,480 Next slide. 4190 03:10:55,480 --> 03:10:56,640 So, what are the highlights of the 4191 03:10:56,640 --> 03:10:58,360 warrant article? 4192 03:10:58,360 --> 03:11:00,960 First of all, we make a protected use 4193 03:11:00,960 --> 03:11:04,000 ADUs by right allowable with a maximum 4194 03:11:04,000 --> 03:11:06,480 size of 900 square feet. I'll notice 4195 03:11:06,480 --> 03:11:08,080 that's a slight reduction from our prior 4196 03:11:08,080 --> 03:11:10,520 bylaw, which was 950 square feet, but 4197 03:11:10,520 --> 03:11:12,520 that's what the state law provides and 4198 03:11:12,520 --> 03:11:14,400 requires. 4199 03:11:14,400 --> 03:11:17,480 We removed parking requirements for any 4200 03:11:17,480 --> 03:11:19,360 ADU, so there's no additional parking 4201 03:11:19,360 --> 03:11:21,640 required if you create an ADU. 4202 03:11:21,640 --> 03:11:24,240 We changed the height and set setback 4203 03:11:24,240 --> 03:11:26,840 requirements to be the least restrictive 4204 03:11:26,840 --> 03:11:29,680 consistent with other single-family uses 4205 03:11:29,680 --> 03:11:31,440 or principal structures or accessory 4206 03:11:31,440 --> 03:11:33,040 structures. 4207 03:11:33,040 --> 03:11:35,080 And we added language to ensure that to 4208 03:11:35,080 --> 03:11:37,520 the maximum extent possible 4209 03:11:37,520 --> 03:11:40,360 protected use ADU is used as an ADU and 4210 03:11:40,360 --> 03:11:42,720 not as a way to expand or use it 4211 03:11:42,720 --> 03:11:43,880 otherwise as part of the principal 4212 03:11:43,880 --> 03:11:45,520 dwelling. 4213 03:11:45,520 --> 03:11:48,880 Uh so, I think I am going to 4214 03:11:48,880 --> 03:11:51,120 uh just mention one issue regarding 4215 03:11:51,120 --> 03:11:53,040 height. The most controversial issue 4216 03:11:53,040 --> 03:11:55,240 that we addressed was the height. If you 4217 03:11:55,240 --> 03:11:57,640 allow ADUs to be 4218 03:11:57,640 --> 03:11:59,400 um 4219 03:11:59,400 --> 03:12:01,080 no more restrictive than a principal 4220 03:12:01,080 --> 03:12:02,320 dwelling, if you have a principal 4221 03:12:02,320 --> 03:12:05,280 dwelling that could be 35 ft or so, that 4222 03:12:05,280 --> 03:12:08,120 would allow an ADU to be up to 35 ft. We 4223 03:12:08,120 --> 03:12:10,160 tried very hard to find ways around that 4224 03:12:10,160 --> 03:12:11,680 because people felt that that was 4225 03:12:11,680 --> 03:12:13,920 inappropriate, could cause structures 4226 03:12:13,920 --> 03:12:15,760 that might be too tall and too close to 4227 03:12:15,760 --> 03:12:16,840 the 4228 03:12:16,840 --> 03:12:18,600 uh to to the sideline and to adjacent 4229 03:12:18,600 --> 03:12:23,280 lots. Um uh we found we had uh based on 4230 03:12:23,280 --> 03:12:24,920 advice of Town Council and also 4231 03:12:24,920 --> 03:12:27,080 consultation with the state 4232 03:12:27,080 --> 03:12:28,920 really severe limitations about what we 4233 03:12:28,920 --> 03:12:30,880 could do there. So, the provision that 4234 03:12:30,880 --> 03:12:33,240 we agreed on and we think will stand up 4235 03:12:33,240 --> 03:12:36,960 to scrutiny is that any ADU over 22 ft, 4236 03:12:36,960 --> 03:12:39,720 which is roughly a story and a half, um 4237 03:12:39,720 --> 03:12:41,880 needs to articulate a reason why they 4238 03:12:41,880 --> 03:12:44,000 need to go higher than 22 ft, but that 4239 03:12:44,000 --> 03:12:46,400 articulation is not subject to review. 4240 03:12:46,400 --> 03:12:47,680 >> Please conclude. 4241 03:12:47,680 --> 03:12:48,360 >> Uh 4242 03:12:48,360 --> 03:12:50,880 I see I'm now out of time um and I know 4243 03:12:50,880 --> 03:12:52,520 we all want to go home, so I will thank 4244 03:12:52,520 --> 03:12:54,000 you very much for your time and I urge 4245 03:12:54,000 --> 03:12:56,400 you to vote favorable action on Warrant 4246 03:12:56,400 --> 03:12:57,360 Article 14. 4247 03:12:57,360 --> 03:12:58,568 >> Thank you. 4248 03:12:58,568 --> 03:12:59,600 >> [applause] 4249 03:12:59,600 --> 03:13:09,150 >> And it's hard to go. 4250 03:13:09,160 --> 03:13:10,240 » Oh, perfect. Thank you. 4251 03:13:10,240 --> 03:13:12,160 >> Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Um Kelly 4252 03:13:12,160 --> 03:13:13,720 Hartebeck, Town Meeting member from 4253 03:13:13,720 --> 03:13:15,240 Precinct 7. 4254 03:13:15,240 --> 03:13:17,840 Sorry. Here we go. How's that better? 4255 03:13:17,840 --> 03:13:19,360 All right. Kelly Hartebeck, Town Meeting 4256 03:13:19,360 --> 03:13:21,800 member from Precinct 7, speaking for the 4257 03:13:21,800 --> 03:13:23,960 Advisory Committee tonight. 4258 03:13:23,960 --> 03:13:26,840 Um I will keep my remarks very short. Um 4259 03:13:26,840 --> 03:13:28,440 the Advisory Committee recommends 4260 03:13:28,440 --> 03:13:31,640 favorable action on Warrant Article 14 4261 03:13:31,640 --> 03:13:35,400 by unanimous vote of 21 to zero to zero. 4262 03:13:35,400 --> 03:13:37,360 Um Brookline has a proud history of 4263 03:13:37,360 --> 03:13:39,920 leading on housing flexibility. 4264 03:13:39,920 --> 03:13:42,360 We were an early adopter, excuse me, of 4265 03:13:42,360 --> 03:13:44,720 inclusionary zoning. And we first 4266 03:13:44,720 --> 03:13:47,240 authorized accessory dwelling units back 4267 03:13:47,240 --> 03:13:51,200 in 2019 and expanded those rules in 2024 4268 03:13:51,200 --> 03:13:53,840 to incentivize their creation. 4269 03:13:53,840 --> 03:13:55,800 As you've already heard, the Attorney 4270 03:13:55,800 --> 03:13:58,160 General's office rejected key provisions 4271 03:13:58,160 --> 03:14:00,440 of the zoning we passed back then. 4272 03:14:00,440 --> 03:14:02,680 And Warrant Article 14 was drafted to 4273 03:14:02,680 --> 03:14:05,200 bring Brookline into compliance with 4274 03:14:05,200 --> 03:14:08,800 state law and the regulations. 4275 03:14:08,800 --> 03:14:10,520 One of the questions that came up at 4276 03:14:10,520 --> 03:14:12,280 advisory when we were discussing this 4277 03:14:12,280 --> 03:14:15,560 Warrant Article is is Warrant Article 14 4278 03:14:15,560 --> 03:14:17,400 really necessary? 4279 03:14:17,400 --> 03:14:19,680 And yes, voting yes tonight is 4280 03:14:19,680 --> 03:14:21,000 essential. 4281 03:14:21,000 --> 03:14:23,920 If we vote no, we do not stop ADUs from 4282 03:14:23,920 --> 03:14:27,360 being built because state law supersedes 4283 03:14:27,360 --> 03:14:29,800 local zoning. Property owners can 4284 03:14:29,800 --> 03:14:32,880 already build ADUs by right under the 4285 03:14:32,880 --> 03:14:35,400 state's Affordable Homes Act. 4286 03:14:35,400 --> 03:14:37,640 If we reject this article, Brookline 4287 03:14:37,640 --> 03:14:39,680 will be left with an unenforceable, 4288 03:14:39,680 --> 03:14:42,080 non-compliant bylaw. 4289 03:14:42,080 --> 03:14:43,760 The building commissioner would have no 4290 03:14:43,760 --> 03:14:46,480 legal framework to apply forcing the 4291 03:14:46,480 --> 03:14:49,440 town to yield yield entirely to the 4292 03:14:49,440 --> 03:14:51,760 state default regulations and 4293 03:14:51,760 --> 03:14:53,960 potentially exposing Brookline to costly 4294 03:14:53,960 --> 03:14:55,760 litigation. 4295 03:14:55,760 --> 03:14:58,200 By voting yes tonight, we provide 4296 03:14:58,200 --> 03:15:01,000 regulatory clarity for our residents and 4297 03:15:01,000 --> 03:15:03,480 ensure our local departments can enforce 4298 03:15:03,480 --> 03:15:05,120 safety, setbacks, and height 4299 03:15:05,120 --> 03:15:06,640 restrictions. 4300 03:15:06,640 --> 03:15:08,200 Furthermore, this article supports 4301 03:15:08,200 --> 03:15:10,720 Brookline's evolving house housing 4302 03:15:10,720 --> 03:15:12,480 needs, offering flexibility for 4303 03:15:12,480 --> 03:15:15,040 multi-generational families, and options 4304 03:15:15,040 --> 03:15:17,160 for older adults who want to downsize 4305 03:15:17,160 --> 03:15:18,840 and age in place. 4306 03:15:18,840 --> 03:15:20,760 I urge you to vote favorable action on 4307 03:15:20,760 --> 03:15:22,800 Warrant Article 14. Thank you. 4308 03:15:22,800 --> 03:15:25,280 >> Thank you. 4309 03:15:25,280 --> 03:15:27,680 We have two more uh speakers, including 4310 03:15:27,680 --> 03:15:30,000 the Planning Board, and then we can 4311 03:15:30,000 --> 03:15:30,880 That's it. 4312 03:15:30,880 --> 03:15:31,960 >> I have a question. 4313 03:15:31,960 --> 03:15:33,520 >> Uh 4314 03:15:33,520 --> 03:15:34,760 Let me 4315 03:15:34,760 --> 03:15:35,880 Okay. Question. 4316 03:15:35,880 --> 03:15:36,600 >> wait, 4317 03:15:36,600 --> 03:15:36,760 but 4318 03:15:36,760 --> 03:15:37,680 >> Okay. 4319 03:15:37,680 --> 03:15:46,550 Warrant 4320 03:15:46,560 --> 03:15:48,040 Sorry, everybody. We still got to do the 4321 03:15:48,040 --> 03:15:49,560 select board recommendation, but I'll be 4322 03:15:49,560 --> 03:15:51,760 quick. No high-minded politics for me 4323 03:15:51,760 --> 03:15:54,680 today. Uh so, ADU speech. Um Anthony 4324 03:15:54,680 --> 03:15:55,960 Bono, member of the select board, 4325 03:15:55,960 --> 03:15:57,560 speaking on behalf of the select board. 4326 03:15:57,560 --> 03:15:59,240 Warrant Article 14 is technically 4327 03:15:59,240 --> 03:16:01,160 complicated, but politically simple from 4328 03:16:01,160 --> 03:16:02,560 the select board's point of view. 4329 03:16:02,560 --> 03:16:04,640 Changes to our ADU policy is to reflect 4330 03:16:04,640 --> 03:16:06,160 the recent rulings by the Massachusetts 4331 03:16:06,160 --> 03:16:08,880 Attorney General uh that our ADU bylaw 4332 03:16:08,880 --> 03:16:10,600 that we passed last year does not comply 4333 03:16:10,600 --> 03:16:13,360 with the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. Um 4334 03:16:13,360 --> 03:16:14,840 there are multiple proposed changes. 4335 03:16:14,840 --> 03:16:16,840 Some highlights have already been uh 4336 03:16:16,840 --> 03:16:21,400 examined by uh Mr. Klein, the 900-ft um 4337 03:16:21,400 --> 03:16:23,240 lowering maximum, uh save some 4338 03:16:23,240 --> 03:16:24,720 conditions, changing the height and 4339 03:16:24,720 --> 03:16:27,160 setback requirements, um and language uh 4340 03:16:27,160 --> 03:16:30,080 to assure uh the protected the protected 4341 03:16:30,080 --> 03:16:32,920 use ADU uh will be used as such. Um the 4342 03:16:32,920 --> 03:16:34,080 select board recommended favorable 4343 03:16:34,080 --> 03:16:36,200 action with a vote of 4-0-1. 4344 03:16:36,200 --> 03:16:37,200 >> Thank you. I'm going to hear from the 4345 03:16:37,200 --> 03:16:44,910 planning board first and then question. 4346 03:16:44,920 --> 03:16:46,280 » Matt Hyatt, Precinct 4 Town Meeting 4347 03:16:46,280 --> 03:16:47,680 member, chair of the planning board. The 4348 03:16:47,680 --> 03:16:49,520 planning board unanimously uh supports 4349 03:16:49,520 --> 03:16:51,400 this warrant article by a vote of 7 to 4350 03:16:51,400 --> 03:16:53,716 0. 4351 03:16:53,716 --> 03:16:54,371 >> [applause] 4352 03:16:54,371 --> 03:16:55,680 [cheering] 4353 03:16:55,680 --> 03:16:57,840 >> Ms. Thall, 4354 03:16:57,840 --> 03:17:00,921 read the room, too. 4355 03:17:00,921 --> 03:17:02,240 » [laughter] 4356 03:17:02,240 --> 03:17:03,720 >> I think this is why we're here, though, 4357 03:17:03,720 --> 03:17:04,880 right? To ask questions. 4358 03:17:04,880 --> 03:17:05,920 >> we're here. 4359 03:17:05,920 --> 03:17:07,440 >> Thank you. 4360 03:17:07,440 --> 03:17:09,720 Carolyn Thall, Precinct 16. Jonathan 4361 03:17:09,720 --> 03:17:11,800 Klein, I just wanted to get a little 4362 03:17:11,800 --> 03:17:14,280 more clarity on the what you said about 4363 03:17:14,280 --> 03:17:17,600 the 22-ft height. Um 4364 03:17:17,600 --> 03:17:19,000 just so I understand what we're going to 4365 03:17:19,000 --> 03:17:20,840 be dealing with. 4366 03:17:20,840 --> 03:17:22,960 Um I think you said 4367 03:17:22,960 --> 03:17:25,080 if you want to go above 22 ft, you have 4368 03:17:25,080 --> 03:17:28,760 to articulate a reason, and I think you 4369 03:17:28,760 --> 03:17:32,520 said it's not subject to review. 4370 03:17:32,520 --> 03:17:36,000 So, who are who would one be 4371 03:17:36,000 --> 03:17:37,520 articulating 4372 03:17:37,520 --> 03:17:40,400 the reason to? 4373 03:17:40,400 --> 03:17:42,640 Or in what context if it's not subject 4374 03:17:42,640 --> 03:17:44,680 to review and what might be some 4375 03:17:44,680 --> 03:17:48,120 examples of an acceptable reason 4376 03:17:48,120 --> 03:17:51,480 to whoever is or isn't reviewing it. 4377 03:17:51,480 --> 03:17:53,880 >> Thank you. Maria Morelli, senior planner 4378 03:17:53,880 --> 03:17:55,680 the regulatory division. 4379 03:17:55,680 --> 03:17:58,560 So, what this means is keep in mind that 4380 03:17:58,560 --> 03:18:01,680 the most permissive height is allowed. 4381 03:18:01,680 --> 03:18:03,560 So, the most permissive height would be 4382 03:18:03,560 --> 03:18:05,080 for the tallest structure and that would 4383 03:18:05,080 --> 03:18:07,160 be the principal structure. So, let's 4384 03:18:07,160 --> 03:18:08,760 say it's a single-family district the 4385 03:18:08,760 --> 03:18:12,880 max height is 35 ft. Why are we using 22 4386 03:18:12,880 --> 03:18:16,480 ft as a threshold for further 4387 03:18:16,480 --> 03:18:18,800 examination? That's because we want to 4388 03:18:18,800 --> 03:18:21,400 give people an idea of what would be in 4389 03:18:21,400 --> 03:18:22,880 proportion to a 4390 03:18:22,880 --> 03:18:25,800 principal structure, but but because we 4391 03:18:25,800 --> 03:18:30,040 can't cap it at 22 ft, we just want the 4392 03:18:30,040 --> 03:18:31,800 applicant to show the building 4393 03:18:31,800 --> 03:18:33,840 commissioner the building department 4394 03:18:33,840 --> 03:18:35,560 that they're using that additional 4395 03:18:35,560 --> 03:18:39,360 height for solely the use of the ADU and 4396 03:18:39,360 --> 03:18:41,160 not to make the principal structure 4397 03:18:41,160 --> 03:18:43,840 larger. So, some of those that evidence 4398 03:18:43,840 --> 03:18:46,640 could be that you want the pitch of the 4399 03:18:46,640 --> 03:18:49,320 roof to be compatible with the pitch of 4400 03:18:49,320 --> 03:18:51,600 the principal structure, that you need 4401 03:18:51,600 --> 03:18:54,600 to align floors with the the principal 4402 03:18:54,600 --> 03:18:57,320 structure. Those are all reasons why you 4403 03:18:57,320 --> 03:18:59,640 might need a taller structure. 4404 03:18:59,640 --> 03:19:01,800 It does get reviewed by the building 4405 03:19:01,800 --> 03:19:03,960 department. What they're doing is making 4406 03:19:03,960 --> 03:19:06,240 sure that the math adds up, but there is 4407 03:19:06,240 --> 03:19:08,880 no discretionary review, meaning you 4408 03:19:08,880 --> 03:19:10,400 can't deny it. 4409 03:19:10,400 --> 03:19:12,160 You just need to show evidence that 4410 03:19:12,160 --> 03:19:14,400 you're using it for the ADU. 4411 03:19:14,400 --> 03:19:17,600 >> And obviously with a 900 sq ft 4412 03:19:17,600 --> 03:19:19,080 limit 4413 03:19:19,080 --> 03:19:22,000 to go much higher would be like a tower. 4414 03:19:22,000 --> 03:19:22,880 >> Exactly. 4415 03:19:22,880 --> 03:19:27,200 >> But technically a tower would have to be 4416 03:19:27,200 --> 03:19:30,360 accepted. Like can we not say no? 4417 03:19:30,360 --> 03:19:31,920 >> You can't you cannot say no. 4418 03:19:31,920 --> 03:19:32,360 >> Okay. 4419 03:19:32,360 --> 03:19:34,320 >> Right. But in practice it would be very 4420 03:19:34,320 --> 03:19:36,040 difficult if you were if you were to 4421 03:19:36,040 --> 03:19:38,960 have an addition, it conceivably you 4422 03:19:38,960 --> 03:19:41,000 might have the addition be aligned with 4423 03:19:41,000 --> 03:19:42,920 the ridge line of the principal 4424 03:19:42,920 --> 03:19:44,840 structure if it were an addition. 4425 03:19:44,840 --> 03:19:46,080 >> Yep. Thank you. 4426 03:19:46,080 --> 03:19:47,000 >> You're welcome. 4427 03:19:47,000 --> 03:19:50,240 >> Okay. Uh we have a remote question from 4428 03:19:50,240 --> 03:19:54,870 Aris Aboy. 4429 03:19:54,880 --> 03:19:58,760 » Thank you. Um Aris Aboy, um precinct 15 4430 03:19:58,760 --> 03:20:00,360 and I'm also a preservation 4431 03:20:00,360 --> 03:20:04,080 commissioner. My question is how this 4432 03:20:04,080 --> 03:20:06,640 would relate to LHDs 4433 03:20:06,640 --> 03:20:10,480 and uh which have different 4434 03:20:10,480 --> 03:20:13,040 restrictions. Of course we review 4435 03:20:13,040 --> 03:20:15,000 demolition and I understand the building 4436 03:20:15,000 --> 03:20:16,440 commissioner 4437 03:20:16,440 --> 03:20:20,200 uh and the remarks just there, but 4438 03:20:20,200 --> 03:20:24,720 would uh properties within LHDs also be 4439 03:20:24,720 --> 03:20:27,360 able to 4440 03:20:27,360 --> 03:20:29,840 do this because that kind of goes 4441 03:20:29,840 --> 03:20:32,480 completely counteractive to what the 4442 03:20:32,480 --> 03:20:34,760 town has 4443 03:20:34,760 --> 03:20:36,320 done there already. So if you could help 4444 03:20:36,320 --> 03:20:39,800 me clarify um what that's going to mean 4445 03:20:39,800 --> 03:20:42,760 impact-wise for our local historic 4446 03:20:42,760 --> 03:20:44,360 districts for those who don't know what 4447 03:20:44,360 --> 03:20:46,880 an LHD is. Thank you. 4448 03:20:46,880 --> 03:20:48,600 >> Thank you. Marie Morelli, senior planner 4449 03:20:48,600 --> 03:20:52,760 in regulatory. Uh regulatory has its own 4450 03:20:52,760 --> 03:20:54,680 guidelines and standards and that 4451 03:20:54,680 --> 03:20:56,600 doesn't interfere with that that 4452 03:20:56,600 --> 03:21:01,560 process. Um I would just say that LHDs 4453 03:21:01,560 --> 03:21:05,040 are also allowed to have uh written 4454 03:21:05,040 --> 03:21:08,080 standards that are more restrictive, um 4455 03:21:08,080 --> 03:21:10,680 but those do need to be objective. So 4456 03:21:10,680 --> 03:21:13,360 you could go further, but you do need to 4457 03:21:13,360 --> 03:21:15,800 maintain um the parameters that the 4458 03:21:15,800 --> 03:21:20,520 statute and the regulations set forth. 4459 03:21:20,520 --> 03:21:22,800 >> Mr. Englander. 4460 03:21:22,800 --> 03:21:26,000 >> Thank you. Scott Englander, Precinct 6. 4461 03:21:26,000 --> 03:21:28,240 This is quick, I think. 4462 03:21:28,240 --> 03:21:31,200 Um do we have any rough numbers on how 4463 03:21:31,200 --> 03:21:35,040 many ADUs have been created or permitted 4464 03:21:35,040 --> 03:21:45,070 since the first bylaw 2019? 4465 03:21:45,080 --> 03:21:45,760 » Good [clears throat] evening. Dan 4466 03:21:45,760 --> 03:21:47,640 Bennett, uh building commissioner. We're 4467 03:21:47,640 --> 03:21:50,080 roughly doing two to three a year. 4468 03:21:50,080 --> 03:21:51,720 Other communities are 10 or 15, but 4469 03:21:51,720 --> 03:21:53,120 we're two to three. 4470 03:21:53,120 --> 03:21:53,720 >> Thank you. 4471 03:21:53,720 --> 03:21:54,760 >> Yep. 4472 03:21:54,760 --> 03:21:55,680 >> Thank you. 4473 03:21:55,680 --> 03:21:57,640 >> Call the question. 4474 03:21:57,640 --> 03:21:59,680 >> I don't have any other speakers, and 4475 03:21:59,680 --> 03:22:01,240 there's no one at the mic, so we don't 4476 03:22:01,240 --> 03:22:03,120 have to call the question. I think we're 4477 03:22:03,120 --> 03:22:05,000 ready for a vote. 4478 03:22:05,000 --> 03:22:08,840 A yes vote will approve the ADU bylaw, 4479 03:22:08,840 --> 03:22:12,040 and a no vote will not. The motion is on 4480 03:22:12,040 --> 03:22:15,960 pages 14-22 to 14- 4481 03:22:15,960 --> 03:22:17,800 34, 4482 03:22:17,800 --> 03:22:20,160 and it needs a 2/3 vote since it's 4483 03:22:20,160 --> 03:22:22,870 zoning. 4484 03:22:22,880 --> 03:23:13,190 » Drop it. 4485 03:23:13,200 --> 03:23:17,790 » Motion passes 231-1-2. 4486 03:23:17,800 --> 03:23:24,030 Now we're on to Article 15. 4487 03:23:24,040 --> 03:23:27,240 Which again is zoning to restore the 4488 03:23:27,240 --> 03:23:30,240 more permissive threshold allowing cash 4489 03:23:30,240 --> 03:23:32,600 in lieu of payment to the Affordable 4490 03:23:32,600 --> 03:23:34,880 Housing Trust Fund. The motion is on 4491 03:23:34,880 --> 03:23:37,520 page 15-8. 4492 03:23:37,520 --> 03:23:40,000 It's moved by Mr. Lebovitz and seconded 4493 03:23:40,000 --> 03:23:43,240 by Mr. Buono. Mr. Lebovitz. 4494 03:23:43,240 --> 03:23:45,000 >> Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Alec Lebovitz, 4495 03:23:45,000 --> 03:23:47,400 Town Meeting Member Precinct 8. Article 4496 03:23:47,400 --> 03:23:49,960 15 amends the Town's Inclusionary Zoning 4497 03:23:49,960 --> 03:23:52,080 Bylaw, by which the Town seeks to 4498 03:23:52,080 --> 03:23:53,920 generate new affordable housing through 4499 03:23:53,920 --> 03:23:56,160 the creation of on-site affordable units 4500 03:23:56,160 --> 03:23:57,440 and by attracting revenue to the 4501 03:23:57,440 --> 03:23:59,840 Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Under our 4502 03:23:59,840 --> 03:24:02,040 Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw, developers 4503 03:24:02,040 --> 03:24:04,520 must either provide 15% of units as 4504 03:24:04,520 --> 03:24:06,720 on-site affordable units or make a cash 4505 03:24:06,720 --> 03:24:08,400 contribution to the Trust when 4506 03:24:08,400 --> 03:24:09,880 constructing new developments of more 4507 03:24:09,880 --> 03:24:11,880 than four units. Currently, new 4508 03:24:11,880 --> 03:24:13,760 developments with less than 10 units 4509 03:24:13,760 --> 03:24:15,520 only have the option to provide on-site 4510 03:24:15,520 --> 03:24:18,000 units. Article 15 proposes that this 4511 03:24:18,000 --> 03:24:19,840 threshold be increased to allow 4512 03:24:19,840 --> 03:24:21,720 developments with up to 19 units the 4513 03:24:21,720 --> 03:24:23,440 option to make instead make a cash 4514 03:24:23,440 --> 03:24:25,240 contribution to the Trust. 4515 03:24:25,240 --> 03:24:27,040 This would reverse a change made by Town 4516 03:24:27,040 --> 03:24:28,880 Meeting in 2023 that lowered the 4517 03:24:28,880 --> 03:24:31,000 threshold for the cash option from 19 to 4518 03:24:31,000 --> 03:24:33,160 10 units. There are three primary 4519 03:24:33,160 --> 03:24:34,800 reasons the petitioners support this 4520 03:24:34,800 --> 03:24:37,800 change. First, the previous reduction in 4521 03:24:37,800 --> 03:24:40,440 the threshold made in 2023 was largely 4522 03:24:40,440 --> 03:24:41,960 predicated on the notion that once the 4523 03:24:41,960 --> 03:24:44,480 Community Preservation Act came online, 4524 03:24:44,480 --> 03:24:46,080 any lost revenue from reducing the 4525 03:24:46,080 --> 03:24:48,040 availability of the cash option to the 4526 03:24:48,040 --> 03:24:49,880 Trust could be backfilled using CPA 4527 03:24:49,880 --> 03:24:52,600 funds. While the CPA is making a welcome 4528 03:24:52,600 --> 03:24:54,720 400,000 contribution to the Trust this 4529 03:24:54,720 --> 03:24:56,560 year, it has become clear that the many 4530 03:24:56,560 --> 03:24:59,000 competing priorities requesting CPA 4531 03:24:59,000 --> 03:25:01,400 support necessitate that we look to all 4532 03:25:01,400 --> 03:25:03,360 available sources of revenue support for 4533 03:25:03,360 --> 03:25:06,480 the Trust, including our IZ policy. 4534 03:25:06,480 --> 03:25:08,600 Secondly, the petitioners argue that the 4535 03:25:08,600 --> 03:25:10,520 Affordable Housing Trust remains the 4536 03:25:10,520 --> 03:25:12,480 town's most effective tool for driving 4537 03:25:12,480 --> 03:25:14,640 the creation of new affordable units. 4538 03:25:14,640 --> 03:25:16,440 Based on historical data provided by the 4539 03:25:16,440 --> 03:25:18,920 Planning Department, going back to 2008, 4540 03:25:18,920 --> 03:25:20,560 the trust has financed the creation of 4541 03:25:20,560 --> 03:25:23,320 nearly 600 permanently affordable units 4542 03:25:23,320 --> 03:25:24,960 with a return on investment of up to 4543 03:25:24,960 --> 03:25:27,240 15:1 for each dollar invested from the 4544 03:25:27,240 --> 03:25:29,720 trust. Maximizing revenue to the trust 4545 03:25:29,720 --> 03:25:31,640 will drive more total unit creation than 4546 03:25:31,640 --> 03:25:33,880 maintaining a stringently low threshold 4547 03:25:33,880 --> 03:25:35,720 for allowing cash contributions in lieu 4548 03:25:35,720 --> 03:25:37,480 of onsite units. 4549 03:25:37,480 --> 03:25:39,440 Third, increasing the cash option 4550 03:25:39,440 --> 03:25:41,560 threshold will also remove a costly 4551 03:25:41,560 --> 03:25:43,280 logistical barrier to the creation of 4552 03:25:43,280 --> 03:25:45,120 the missing mid-size developments in 4553 03:25:45,120 --> 03:25:47,120 Brookline. Since the tightening of the 4554 03:25:47,120 --> 03:25:49,800 requirement in 2023, no developments 4555 03:25:49,800 --> 03:25:51,640 between 10 and 19 units have applied for 4556 03:25:51,640 --> 03:25:53,800 permitting in Brookline. Increasing the 4557 03:25:53,800 --> 03:25:55,880 cash option unit threshold will provide 4558 03:25:55,880 --> 03:25:58,120 greater flexibility for builders to make 4559 03:25:58,120 --> 03:25:59,960 these mid-size developments economically 4560 03:25:59,960 --> 03:26:01,240 feasible. 4561 03:26:01,240 --> 03:26:03,160 Finally, I'd also like to highlight what 4562 03:26:03,160 --> 03:26:05,600 this article does not do. This proposal 4563 03:26:05,600 --> 03:26:07,360 would not relax the onsite unit 4564 03:26:07,360 --> 03:26:09,120 requirements for larger developments, 4565 03:26:09,120 --> 03:26:11,160 such as the Maimonides project, Waldo 4566 03:26:11,160 --> 03:26:12,840 Durgin, or the Chestnut Hill West 4567 03:26:12,840 --> 03:26:13,920 Overlay. 4568 03:26:13,920 --> 03:26:15,720 These projects, all of which well exceed 4569 03:26:15,720 --> 03:26:18,240 20 units, uh will continue to create new 4570 03:26:18,240 --> 03:26:20,200 affordable units onsite under the 4571 03:26:20,200 --> 03:26:22,520 Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw, ensuring an 4572 03:26:22,520 --> 03:26:24,160 additional stream of unit creation 4573 03:26:24,160 --> 03:26:26,440 remains viable, and also encouraging 4574 03:26:26,440 --> 03:26:28,280 economically integrated multi-family 4575 03:26:28,280 --> 03:26:30,360 developments in Brookline. 4576 03:26:30,360 --> 03:26:31,800 I encourage you to join the Housing 4577 03:26:31,800 --> 03:26:33,520 Advisory Board, the Planning Board, the 4578 03:26:33,520 --> 03:26:35,000 Select Board, and the Advisory 4579 03:26:35,000 --> 03:26:36,760 Committee, and voting favorable action 4580 03:26:36,760 --> 03:26:39,200 on Warrant Article 15. Thank you. 4581 03:26:39,200 --> 03:26:41,258 >> Thank you, Mr. Buono. 4582 03:26:41,258 --> 03:26:53,750 >> [applause] 4583 03:26:53,760 --> 03:26:55,160 » Seeing a lot of you tonight. Anthony 4584 03:26:55,160 --> 03:26:56,560 Buono, member of the Select Board, 4585 03:26:56,560 --> 03:26:58,520 speaking on behalf of the Select Board. 4586 03:26:58,520 --> 03:26:59,960 Brookline has a distinct goal of 4587 03:26:59,960 --> 03:27:01,720 increasing our affordable housing stock 4588 03:27:01,720 --> 03:27:03,480 while also increasing the supply of 4589 03:27:03,480 --> 03:27:05,760 market rate housing. One way we seek to 4590 03:27:05,760 --> 03:27:06,800 achieve this goal is through 4591 03:27:06,800 --> 03:27:08,680 inclusionary zoning. For those who are 4592 03:27:08,680 --> 03:27:10,400 not aware, inclusionary zoning is where 4593 03:27:10,400 --> 03:27:12,160 a community establishes requirements for 4594 03:27:12,160 --> 03:27:14,360 developers to include affordable units 4595 03:27:14,360 --> 03:27:16,600 as part of market rate developments. Our 4596 03:27:16,600 --> 03:27:19,240 inclusionary zoning bylaw uh currently 4597 03:27:19,240 --> 03:27:21,400 says that developers can forego our 4598 03:27:21,400 --> 03:27:23,520 affordable housing requirement, which is 4599 03:27:23,520 --> 03:27:26,120 15% of on-site units, for developments 4600 03:27:26,120 --> 03:27:27,960 over 11 units, if they make 4601 03:27:27,960 --> 03:27:29,400 contributions to the affordable housing 4602 03:27:29,400 --> 03:27:31,520 trust fund. The number of units required 4603 03:27:31,520 --> 03:27:35,080 to meet this option was 19 until 2023, 4604 03:27:35,080 --> 03:27:37,280 where we lowered the threshold to 11. 4605 03:27:37,280 --> 03:27:38,800 While the policy was well-intentioned, 4606 03:27:38,800 --> 03:27:40,600 it had some negative consequences. The 4607 03:27:40,600 --> 03:27:41,960 affordable housing trust fund is an 4608 03:27:41,960 --> 03:27:44,080 incredible asset to the town, and they 4609 03:27:44,080 --> 03:27:45,680 leverage their funds with other grants, 4610 03:27:45,680 --> 03:27:47,520 programs, and private actors. Since 4611 03:27:47,520 --> 03:27:50,560 2026, they have built 543 affordable 4612 03:27:50,560 --> 03:27:54,040 units. Uh since 2006, they have built 4613 03:27:54,040 --> 03:27:55,240 That would have been a really good year. 4614 03:27:55,240 --> 03:27:58,080 They have built 543 affordable units and 4615 03:27:58,080 --> 03:28:00,920 leveraged their money at a 15:1 ratio. 4616 03:28:00,920 --> 03:28:03,120 By combining low By combining lowering 4617 03:28:03,120 --> 03:28:04,600 the barrier to development and getting 4618 03:28:04,600 --> 03:28:06,520 more resources in the hands of a fund 4619 03:28:06,520 --> 03:28:07,960 that is so successful at building 4620 03:28:07,960 --> 03:28:09,720 affordable units, we believe this will 4621 03:28:09,720 --> 03:28:11,080 increase the amount of affordable units 4622 03:28:11,080 --> 03:28:12,840 in the decades to come. This change, 4623 03:28:12,840 --> 03:28:14,360 supported by the Housing Advisory Board, 4624 03:28:14,360 --> 03:28:15,840 the Planning Board, and the Advisory 4625 03:28:15,840 --> 03:28:17,520 Committee, and finally, while I'm up 4626 03:28:17,520 --> 03:28:19,640 here, the Select Board 5-0. So, we 4627 03:28:19,640 --> 03:28:21,680 recommend favorable action. 4628 03:28:21,680 --> 03:28:23,000 >> Thank you. 4629 03:28:23,000 --> 03:28:39,990 Ms. Mortimer. 4630 03:28:40,000 --> 03:28:41,000 » Good evening. 4631 03:28:41,000 --> 03:28:41,720 >> Hi. 4632 03:28:41,720 --> 03:28:43,600 >> Oops. 4633 03:28:43,600 --> 03:28:45,560 Uh Rebecca Ploat Mortimer, town meeting 4634 03:28:45,560 --> 03:28:48,160 member, precinct 11, speaking as someone 4635 03:28:48,160 --> 03:28:49,720 who has developed and overseen 4636 03:28:49,720 --> 03:28:51,480 operations of affordable housing for the 4637 03:28:51,480 --> 03:28:53,600 past 30-plus years. 4638 03:28:53,600 --> 03:28:55,880 First, I want to disclose a potential 4639 03:28:55,880 --> 03:28:58,200 conflict, although my remarks may be 4640 03:28:58,200 --> 03:29:00,720 adverse to my financial interest. 4641 03:29:00,720 --> 03:29:02,480 My paid work includes providing 4642 03:29:02,480 --> 03:29:04,200 trainings in the affordable housing 4643 03:29:04,200 --> 03:29:05,400 field 4644 03:29:05,400 --> 03:29:09,440 statewide, and sometimes Brookline Housing Authority staff 4645 03:29:09,440 --> 03:29:11,520 participate in the trainings I offer, 4646 03:29:11,520 --> 03:29:13,400 although I am not compensated on a per 4647 03:29:13,400 --> 03:29:15,240 head basis. 4648 03:29:15,240 --> 03:29:16,560 I'm speaking 4649 03:29:16,560 --> 03:29:19,360 to uh because I wanted to clarify a few 4650 03:29:19,360 --> 03:29:21,720 issues related to affordable housing 4651 03:29:21,720 --> 03:29:23,320 that have been raised in discussion of 4652 03:29:23,320 --> 03:29:25,200 this warrant article. 4653 03:29:25,200 --> 03:29:26,840 Although not critical with respect to 4654 03:29:26,840 --> 03:29:29,600 warrant article 15, these are analyses 4655 03:29:29,600 --> 03:29:31,560 that may impact further deliberation of 4656 03:29:31,560 --> 03:29:33,880 development projects and how we finance 4657 03:29:33,880 --> 03:29:35,920 and view affordable housing finance in 4658 03:29:35,920 --> 03:29:37,720 the future. 4659 03:29:37,720 --> 03:29:39,520 First, sometimes people say that 4660 03:29:39,520 --> 03:29:41,400 inclusionary zoning can be cited as 4661 03:29:41,400 --> 03:29:42,960 having a chilling effect on new 4662 03:29:42,960 --> 03:29:45,320 development. I've heard that argument in 4663 03:29:45,320 --> 03:29:47,400 the context of the city of Denver's 4664 03:29:47,400 --> 03:29:49,120 inclusionary zoning policy, it was 4665 03:29:49,120 --> 03:29:51,240 quoted in New York Times op-ed piece 4666 03:29:51,240 --> 03:29:53,080 about 10 days ago, 4667 03:29:53,080 --> 03:29:55,440 which was adopted in 2022, 4668 03:29:55,440 --> 03:29:57,240 and Brookline's inclusionary zoning 4669 03:29:57,240 --> 03:30:00,920 policy last amended in 2023. 4670 03:30:00,920 --> 03:30:03,880 Proponents of this view frequently, and 4671 03:30:03,880 --> 03:30:06,120 I think understandably, cite the decline 4672 03:30:06,120 --> 03:30:08,000 in new building permits 4673 03:30:08,000 --> 03:30:10,640 over the past 3 years as evidence of 4674 03:30:10,640 --> 03:30:12,560 this chilling effect. I want to point 4675 03:30:12,560 --> 03:30:14,120 out there are other factors that 4676 03:30:14,120 --> 03:30:15,720 contributed to the decline in new 4677 03:30:15,720 --> 03:30:18,160 building permits, most notably dramatic 4678 03:30:18,160 --> 03:30:20,640 spikes in interest rates over that same 4679 03:30:20,640 --> 03:30:22,360 time period. 4680 03:30:22,360 --> 03:30:24,480 For that for the same project developed 4681 03:30:24,480 --> 03:30:28,720 in 2022 versus 2025, the cost of 4682 03:30:28,720 --> 03:30:31,040 construction loan interest has increased 4683 03:30:31,040 --> 03:30:33,360 tenfold. I'm happy to provide the data 4684 03:30:33,360 --> 03:30:35,120 to anyone who wants. 4685 03:30:35,120 --> 03:30:37,160 The 1-year Treasury yield increased from 4686 03:30:37,160 --> 03:30:42,240 0.4% in January of '22 to 4.19% 4687 03:30:42,240 --> 03:30:44,320 in January of '25. 4688 03:30:44,320 --> 03:30:47,080 Stated in dollar terms, for an 11-unit 4689 03:30:47,080 --> 03:30:49,080 project, the cost of construction loan 4690 03:30:49,080 --> 03:30:50,800 interest would would increased from 4691 03:30:50,800 --> 03:30:52,560 $450,000 4692 03:30:52,560 --> 03:30:56,360 to 4.5 million. For a 19-unit project, 4693 03:30:56,360 --> 03:30:59,200 the cost would have increased from 1.03 4694 03:30:59,200 --> 03:31:02,240 million to 10.5 million. 4695 03:31:02,240 --> 03:31:04,280 Uh time is running short, but I just 4696 03:31:04,280 --> 03:31:07,120 want to echo Mr. Lebowitz's emphasis on 4697 03:31:07,120 --> 03:31:09,280 the importance of providing on-site 4698 03:31:09,280 --> 03:31:11,760 affordable housing at all developments 4699 03:31:11,760 --> 03:31:13,760 over 20 units. 4700 03:31:13,760 --> 03:31:16,280 Although there is not time, I will say I 4701 03:31:16,280 --> 03:31:17,880 have a different view on the leverage 4702 03:31:17,880 --> 03:31:20,520 impact. There are that math certainly 4703 03:31:20,520 --> 03:31:22,520 can be supported if anyone is interested 4704 03:31:22,520 --> 03:31:24,240 in detail why I think that might be a 4705 03:31:24,240 --> 03:31:26,040 little bit misleading. 4706 03:31:26,040 --> 03:31:27,800 Although cash contributions are 4707 03:31:27,800 --> 03:31:29,240 important, I'm happy to have that 4708 03:31:29,240 --> 03:31:33,030 conversation another time. 4709 03:31:33,040 --> 03:31:35,200 Um despite my concerns about some of the 4710 03:31:35,200 --> 03:31:37,000 discussion on this that some of the 4711 03:31:37,000 --> 03:31:38,880 discussion on this warrant article could 4712 03:31:38,880 --> 03:31:41,360 adversely affect future conversations 4713 03:31:41,360 --> 03:31:43,520 about inclusionary zoning, I applaud the 4714 03:31:43,520 --> 03:31:45,160 petitioners' efforts to improve 4715 03:31:45,160 --> 03:31:47,400 coordination and collaboration between 4716 03:31:47,400 --> 03:31:50,000 CPA and HAB and undertake efforts to 4717 03:31:50,000 --> 03:31:51,640 spur the creation of more housing in the 4718 03:31:51,640 --> 03:31:54,400 11 to 19-unit range. Thank you. 4719 03:31:54,400 --> 03:32:02,750 >> Thank you, Mr. Hyatt. 4720 03:32:02,760 --> 03:32:04,560 » The Bruce got Matt Hyatt, Precinct 4, 4721 03:32:04,560 --> 03:32:06,520 Town Meeting member, Planning Board. 4722 03:32:06,520 --> 03:32:08,240 Again, unanimous vote of favorable 4723 03:32:08,240 --> 03:32:09,760 action by the Planning Board on this 4724 03:32:09,760 --> 03:32:10,880 warrant article. 4725 03:32:10,880 --> 03:32:20,110 >> Thank you. Mr. Ladd. [applause] 4726 03:32:20,120 --> 03:32:22,280 » Brian Ladd, Precinct 13 for the Advisory 4727 03:32:22,280 --> 03:32:23,520 Committee. 4728 03:32:23,520 --> 03:32:25,520 Um just to keep things simple, Warrant 4729 03:32:25,520 --> 03:32:28,520 Article 15 changes only a single number 4730 03:32:28,520 --> 03:32:30,240 in the zoning bylaw, 4731 03:32:30,240 --> 03:32:32,680 which, as we've as you've heard, affects 4732 03:32:32,680 --> 03:32:34,280 the ability of builders to choose 4733 03:32:34,280 --> 03:32:36,080 between the two methods by which the 4734 03:32:36,080 --> 03:32:37,880 town supports 4735 03:32:37,880 --> 03:32:39,640 um affordable housing through new 4736 03:32:39,640 --> 03:32:41,000 construction. 4737 03:32:41,000 --> 03:32:44,040 Um as an alternative to the 15% 4738 03:32:44,040 --> 03:32:46,280 inclusionary zoning, we offer 4739 03:32:46,280 --> 03:32:48,200 the choice of making a payment to the 4740 03:32:48,200 --> 03:32:50,240 affordable housing trust for small 4741 03:32:50,240 --> 03:32:51,800 buildings only. 4742 03:32:51,800 --> 03:32:56,160 That number was 20 until 2023. It was 4743 03:32:56,160 --> 03:32:58,080 lowered to 11, in part as you've heard 4744 03:32:58,080 --> 03:33:00,200 because of hope with the community 4745 03:33:00,200 --> 03:33:03,440 preservation trust funds. 4746 03:33:03,440 --> 03:33:05,400 The proposal before us tonight would 4747 03:33:05,400 --> 03:33:07,520 raise that number again to 20 as the 4748 03:33:07,520 --> 03:33:10,880 threshold. This would not apply to the 4749 03:33:10,880 --> 03:33:13,800 area subject to the 2023 Harvard Street 4750 03:33:13,800 --> 03:33:15,840 rezoning, which requires all affordable 4751 03:33:15,840 --> 03:33:18,160 units on site. 4752 03:33:18,160 --> 03:33:19,600 The effect of the 4753 03:33:19,600 --> 03:33:22,160 change will not be great, 4754 03:33:22,160 --> 03:33:24,080 but the committee recognized that the 4755 03:33:24,080 --> 03:33:26,360 multiplier effect of a housing trust 4756 03:33:26,360 --> 03:33:28,960 payment will be more effective than 4757 03:33:28,960 --> 03:33:31,560 providing the one or two or three 4758 03:33:31,560 --> 03:33:34,240 on-site units required in these smaller 4759 03:33:34,240 --> 03:33:36,440 projects, which have the additional 4760 03:33:36,440 --> 03:33:37,680 disadvantage of putting an 4761 03:33:37,680 --> 03:33:39,880 administrative burden on town staff to 4762 03:33:39,880 --> 03:33:43,360 monitor these few and scattered units. 4763 03:33:43,360 --> 03:33:44,280 Um 4764 03:33:44,280 --> 03:33:46,160 if you want to learn more about the 4765 03:33:46,160 --> 03:33:48,440 multiplier effect, I believe Roger Blood 4766 03:33:48,440 --> 03:33:51,080 is standing on deck to explain if if 4767 03:33:51,080 --> 03:33:53,440 needed, so I'll pass over that. Um the 4768 03:33:53,440 --> 03:33:55,240 advisory committee discussed whether the 4769 03:33:55,240 --> 03:33:57,720 town would be able to identify sites and 4770 03:33:57,720 --> 03:33:59,920 projects and to take full advantage of 4771 03:33:59,920 --> 03:34:02,120 these housing trust funds to arrange the 4772 03:34:02,120 --> 03:34:04,320 leverage financing necessary to for 4773 03:34:04,320 --> 03:34:06,480 affordable projects and was assured that 4774 03:34:06,480 --> 03:34:08,240 the answer was yes. 4775 03:34:08,240 --> 03:34:10,200 Commi- committee members expressed a 4776 03:34:10,200 --> 03:34:11,920 preference for small-scale and 4777 03:34:11,920 --> 03:34:14,160 mixed-income projects, but a majority 4778 03:34:14,160 --> 03:34:16,120 recognized the advantages of permitting 4779 03:34:16,120 --> 03:34:17,880 a cash payment that could more 4780 03:34:17,880 --> 03:34:19,960 effectively be leveraged. By a vote of 4781 03:34:19,960 --> 03:34:22,120 19 to 1 with one abstention, the 4782 03:34:22,120 --> 03:34:23,840 advisory committee recommends favorable 4783 03:34:23,840 --> 03:34:25,920 action on warrant article 15. 4784 03:34:25,920 --> 03:34:30,630 >> Thank you. Last speaker, Mr. Blood. 4785 03:34:30,640 --> 03:34:44,150 Last signed up speaker, that is. 4786 03:34:44,160 --> 03:34:47,870 » I think that's right. 4787 03:34:47,880 --> 03:34:49,360 » Thank you. 4788 03:34:49,360 --> 03:34:50,720 Um 4789 03:34:50,720 --> 03:34:52,560 I'm Roger Blood uh speaking for the 4790 03:34:52,560 --> 03:34:54,960 unanimous Housing Advisory 4791 03:34:54,960 --> 03:34:56,520 Roger Blood speaking for unanimous 4792 03:34:56,520 --> 03:34:58,640 Housing Advisory Board. First of all, 4793 03:34:58,640 --> 03:35:01,000 I'd like to thank the petitioners for 4794 03:35:01,000 --> 03:35:02,880 having the interest and the 4795 03:35:02,880 --> 03:35:04,400 uh the commitment to dig into this 4796 03:35:04,400 --> 03:35:06,400 subject and come back with this uh with 4797 03:35:06,400 --> 03:35:08,320 this article which the the have 4798 03:35:08,320 --> 03:35:11,240 unanimously supports. Um 4799 03:35:11,240 --> 03:35:13,880 And uh the prior speakers have really 4800 03:35:13,880 --> 03:35:15,800 covered pretty well the advantages and 4801 03:35:15,800 --> 03:35:18,840 the uh reasons for for having this uh 4802 03:35:18,840 --> 03:35:21,840 number returned to uh 19. 4803 03:35:21,840 --> 03:35:24,560 Um Brian mentioned this article is just 4804 03:35:24,560 --> 03:35:26,440 changing a number, so this is the second 4805 03:35:26,440 --> 03:35:28,440 time in the last 4 years 4806 03:35:28,440 --> 03:35:30,600 uh in the history of all of town meeting 4807 03:35:30,600 --> 03:35:32,240 where the word count of an article has 4808 03:35:32,240 --> 03:35:34,600 been zero. 4809 03:35:34,600 --> 03:35:35,760 Um 4810 03:35:35,760 --> 03:35:38,000 Article 15 um 4811 03:35:38,000 --> 03:35:39,800 uh 4812 03:35:39,800 --> 03:35:42,480 gives the uh opportunity to receive some 4813 03:35:42,480 --> 03:35:47,120 incremental funding to the Affordable Housing Trust and uh 4814 03:35:47,120 --> 03:35:49,200 we believe that there's a an extended 4815 03:35:49,200 --> 03:35:52,080 track record now uh which demonstrates 4816 03:35:52,080 --> 03:35:54,120 uh and we like to use the word leverage 4817 03:35:54,120 --> 03:35:56,120 that the trust is able to multiply 4818 03:35:56,120 --> 03:35:58,920 considerably. Uh you've heard 15 to one. 4819 03:35:58,920 --> 03:36:01,880 Uh that's probably uh within a range. Uh 4820 03:36:01,880 --> 03:36:04,520 certainly it's uh at least 10 to one. 4821 03:36:04,520 --> 03:36:07,160 Our most recent use of the uh commitment 4822 03:36:07,160 --> 03:36:09,520 of trust funds um 4823 03:36:09,520 --> 03:36:14,520 in a series of successes has been the uh Walnut High Phase 1 project which 4824 03:36:14,520 --> 03:36:16,880 you've heard about on the the rezoning. 4825 03:36:16,880 --> 03:36:20,080 That was that's a a $75 million project 4826 03:36:20,080 --> 03:36:22,720 and the uh the town's local contribution 4827 03:36:22,720 --> 03:36:24,520 of 7 and 1/2 million uh would 4828 03:36:24,520 --> 03:36:27,320 effectively be a 10 to one. We've also 4829 03:36:27,320 --> 03:36:31,000 um had similar uh use 4830 03:36:31,000 --> 03:36:33,080 of leveraging the trust on Saint Aidens, 4831 03:36:33,080 --> 03:36:34,640 Homestead Hill, 4832 03:36:34,640 --> 03:36:37,280 uh the Brown Family House for Two Life 4833 03:36:37,280 --> 03:36:40,400 um and uh 32 Marion, a beautiful project 4834 03:36:40,400 --> 03:36:42,000 that hopefully you all get to see at 4835 03:36:42,000 --> 03:36:44,040 some point if you haven't already, 4836 03:36:44,040 --> 03:36:47,000 opening now by the Housing Authority, 4837 03:36:47,000 --> 03:36:49,600 and also 32 Dumer Street. 4838 03:36:49,600 --> 03:36:51,040 Looking at all of the statistics on 4839 03:36:51,040 --> 03:36:52,800 these projects, while they the leverage 4840 03:36:52,800 --> 03:36:56,040 varies, it's it's it's in the the ranges 4841 03:36:56,040 --> 03:36:58,920 that you've that you've heard about. And 4842 03:36:58,920 --> 03:37:00,280 I think what's also important to point 4843 03:37:00,280 --> 03:37:01,400 out 4844 03:37:01,400 --> 03:37:04,200 is and perhaps the most important thing, 4845 03:37:04,200 --> 03:37:06,920 all the projects which I mentioned, if 4846 03:37:06,920 --> 03:37:10,160 you were to ask the sponsors, forget the 4847 03:37:10,160 --> 03:37:11,440 arithmetic and the numbers and the 4848 03:37:11,440 --> 03:37:12,920 leverage, they simply wouldn't have been 4849 03:37:12,920 --> 03:37:14,920 possible. They wouldn't have been built 4850 03:37:14,920 --> 03:37:16,440 with the town's 4851 03:37:16,440 --> 03:37:18,440 not having been able to step up in such 4852 03:37:18,440 --> 03:37:19,840 a costly 4853 03:37:19,840 --> 03:37:22,320 environment and the high value of land 4854 03:37:22,320 --> 03:37:23,960 unless the town were 4855 03:37:23,960 --> 03:37:26,680 had been able to put in the last dollar 4856 03:37:26,680 --> 03:37:28,400 or dollars to make those all of those 4857 03:37:28,400 --> 03:37:30,280 projects possible. 4858 03:37:30,280 --> 03:37:31,520 Um 4859 03:37:31,520 --> 03:37:33,840 we are going to have something called an 4860 03:37:33,840 --> 03:37:36,520 expiring use, 4861 03:37:36,520 --> 03:37:38,800 a a huge need on the preservation side 4862 03:37:38,800 --> 03:37:41,480 where two very large projects, the 4863 03:37:41,480 --> 03:37:44,000 Village Way, 99 Kent Street, family 4864 03:37:44,000 --> 03:37:46,520 housing and senior housing, are going to 4865 03:37:46,520 --> 03:37:50,120 be calling upon the trust to enable 4866 03:37:50,120 --> 03:37:52,800 those those large number of existing 4867 03:37:52,800 --> 03:37:54,760 units and low and moderate income 4868 03:37:54,760 --> 03:37:57,680 tenants to continue having affordable 4869 03:37:57,680 --> 03:38:00,960 housing that does not revert to market rate. 4870 03:38:00,960 --> 03:38:01,840 >> Please conclude. 4871 03:38:01,840 --> 03:38:04,000 >> there's a lot of good reasons to vote 4872 03:38:04,000 --> 03:38:07,480 for this for this particular article. 4873 03:38:07,480 --> 03:38:08,800 As the last speaker of the night, I 4874 03:38:08,800 --> 03:38:11,280 won't speak any longer and thank you so 4875 03:38:11,280 --> 03:38:13,600 much. The Housing Advisory Board is 4876 03:38:13,600 --> 03:38:15,400 thrilled to be supporting this. Thank 4877 03:38:15,400 --> 03:38:16,870 you. 4878 03:38:16,876 --> 03:38:16,880 » [applause] 4879 03:38:16,880 --> 03:38:19,200 >> Mr. Warren. 4880 03:38:19,200 --> 03:38:21,000 >> Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Paul Warren, 4881 03:38:21,000 --> 03:38:23,200 Town Meeting member, Precinct 1. 4882 03:38:23,200 --> 03:38:26,400 I I want to provide a comment and maybe 4883 03:38:26,400 --> 03:38:29,000 a little bit of a different perspective. 4884 03:38:29,000 --> 03:38:31,800 As I've shared my story in the past, um 4885 03:38:31,800 --> 03:38:33,760 wouldn't be standing here and living in 4886 03:38:33,760 --> 03:38:35,800 Brookline if it wasn't for 4887 03:38:35,800 --> 03:38:37,520 uh subsidized housing. 4888 03:38:37,520 --> 03:38:39,800 Um I've lived in it. Uh it it it created 4889 03:38:39,800 --> 03:38:41,400 an opportunity for me to have a path to 4890 03:38:41,400 --> 03:38:44,080 home ownership and education and so 4891 03:38:44,080 --> 03:38:46,720 forth. Um there's 4892 03:38:46,720 --> 03:38:49,120 I One, I appreciate all that Roger does 4893 03:38:49,120 --> 03:38:51,480 and and the the the housing trust and 4894 03:38:51,480 --> 03:38:53,440 the multiplier and the units that we're 4895 03:38:53,440 --> 03:38:56,480 creating. But, there is a a a subtlety 4896 03:38:56,480 --> 03:38:58,800 that I I I would like people to not lose 4897 03:38:58,800 --> 03:39:01,360 sight of. Um we're often defined by our 4898 03:39:01,360 --> 03:39:02,520 address. 4899 03:39:02,520 --> 03:39:04,920 And when you live in subsidized 4900 03:39:04,920 --> 03:39:07,320 affordable housing, um it's very 4901 03:39:07,320 --> 03:39:10,160 apparent when it's 100% affordable 4902 03:39:10,160 --> 03:39:12,520 housing. You're defined by your address. 4903 03:39:12,520 --> 03:39:14,960 And one of the things about um 4904 03:39:14,960 --> 03:39:16,440 living in affordable housing or 4905 03:39:16,440 --> 03:39:19,160 subsidized housing is when the units are 4906 03:39:19,160 --> 03:39:21,320 actually integrated into the buildings, 4907 03:39:21,320 --> 03:39:22,760 um you're just another resident. You're 4908 03:39:22,760 --> 03:39:24,280 not defined by your address. You're just 4909 03:39:24,280 --> 03:39:26,520 part of the community. And the reason 4910 03:39:26,520 --> 03:39:28,120 why I'm concerned about this and I'll be 4911 03:39:28,120 --> 03:39:34,920 voting against it, um is because it it limits the opportunity for those who 4912 03:39:34,920 --> 03:39:36,640 are disadvantaged 4913 03:39:36,640 --> 03:39:38,520 to live in our community, to be able to 4914 03:39:38,520 --> 03:39:40,840 just integrate without being defined by 4915 03:39:40,840 --> 03:39:43,560 their address. And I I was happily 4916 03:39:43,560 --> 03:39:46,760 supported when we went from 20 to 11. Um 4917 03:39:46,760 --> 03:39:48,640 and I think going back up to 20 is going 4918 03:39:48,640 --> 03:39:54,080 to create more 100% luxury buildings. I think of that building that's across 4919 03:39:54,080 --> 03:39:57,240 from NETA in Washington um in Brookline 4920 03:39:57,240 --> 03:39:58,920 Village. And when they were selling 4921 03:39:58,920 --> 03:40:03,400 those units, luxury condos, right? Um 4922 03:40:03,400 --> 03:40:06,880 not a single affordable unit. Um we have 4923 03:40:06,880 --> 03:40:08,960 too much luxury development in 4924 03:40:08,960 --> 03:40:11,040 Brookline. Um if we really want to 4925 03:40:11,040 --> 03:40:14,000 integrate people and families and others 4926 03:40:14,000 --> 03:40:16,040 at different life stages that need a 4927 03:40:16,040 --> 03:40:19,480 helping hand with uh subsidy, um I think 4928 03:40:19,480 --> 03:40:22,320 we should say no to this article and let 4929 03:40:22,320 --> 03:40:24,600 people live amongst us and not be 4930 03:40:24,600 --> 03:40:26,400 defined by their address. Thank you. 4931 03:40:26,400 --> 03:40:28,800 >> Thank you. 4932 03:40:28,800 --> 03:40:31,840 I see no I have no other speakers and no 4933 03:40:31,840 --> 03:40:34,160 one at the mics, so I think we're ready 4934 03:40:34,160 --> 03:40:35,600 for a vote. 4935 03:40:35,600 --> 03:40:40,830 The motion is 4936 03:40:40,840 --> 03:40:45,320 page 15-8 and as you heard it changes 4937 03:40:45,320 --> 03:40:47,400 one number in the 4938 03:40:47,400 --> 03:40:49,720 zoning bylaw. 4939 03:40:49,720 --> 03:40:54,120 A yes vote accepts the motion, a no vote 4940 03:40:54,120 --> 03:40:55,920 keeps it the way it is. 4941 03:40:55,920 --> 03:40:58,000 We need a 2/3 vote. 4942 03:40:58,000 --> 03:41:01,000 Drop the uh 4943 03:41:01,000 --> 03:41:43,670 the vote. 4944 03:41:43,680 --> 03:41:46,000 » 195 4945 03:41:46,000 --> 03:41:48,440 32 4946 03:41:48,440 --> 03:41:49,320 7 4947 03:41:49,320 --> 03:41:51,760 >> Motion passes 195 4948 03:41:51,760 --> 03:41:54,360 32 7. 4949 03:41:54,360 --> 03:41:58,320 So, we're at a crossroads. 4950 03:41:58,320 --> 03:42:02,200 It's now 10:32. 4951 03:42:02,200 --> 03:42:07,120 And we have three warrant articles left. 4952 03:42:07,120 --> 03:42:10,720 All three are non-binding 4953 03:42:10,720 --> 03:42:14,480 resolutions that do not have any 4954 03:42:14,480 --> 03:42:17,200 uh signed up opposition. 4955 03:42:17,200 --> 03:42:20,800 So, we can choose to adjourn and come 4956 03:42:20,800 --> 03:42:23,880 back on Tuesday, 4957 03:42:23,880 --> 03:42:29,054 or we can power through and get done. 4958 03:42:29,054 --> 03:42:32,710 >> [applause] 4959 03:42:32,720 --> 03:42:34,240 » So, 4960 03:42:34,240 --> 03:42:36,160 um 4961 03:42:36,160 --> 03:42:40,200 I I I I get the sentiment that uh 4962 03:42:40,200 --> 03:42:42,360 we're willing to power through 4963 03:42:42,360 --> 03:42:43,560 and 4964 03:42:43,560 --> 03:42:45,360 um 4965 03:42:45,360 --> 03:42:47,360 if anyone wants to make a motion to 4966 03:42:47,360 --> 03:42:48,880 adjourn, I'll accept it. We'll do a 4967 03:42:48,880 --> 03:42:51,040 vote, but if no one wants to make that 4968 03:42:51,040 --> 03:42:55,120 motion to adjourn, that's okay, too. 4969 03:42:55,120 --> 03:43:07,150 Okay, so let's move on to Article 20. 4970 03:43:07,160 --> 03:43:08,480 And this is a resolution that 4971 03:43:08,480 --> 03:43:13,470 establishes 4972 03:43:13,480 --> 03:43:15,480 Oh, we have a motion to adjourn. So, 4973 03:43:15,480 --> 03:43:19,350 we're going to have a vote. 4974 03:43:19,360 --> 03:43:21,320 There are two motions to adjourn. There 4975 03:43:21,320 --> 03:43:23,200 are two people who've made the motion. 4976 03:43:23,200 --> 03:43:25,880 Okay, so we will vote on the motion to 4977 03:43:25,880 --> 03:43:28,590 adjourn. 4978 03:43:28,600 --> 03:43:31,550 Excuse me? 4979 03:43:31,560 --> 03:43:32,840 Motion to adjourn the annual 4980 03:43:32,840 --> 03:43:34,160 >> the threshold? Is it 50? 4981 03:43:34,160 --> 03:43:37,760 >> Threshold, majority vote. 4982 03:43:37,760 --> 03:43:40,560 So, if a majority wants to stay and 4983 03:43:40,560 --> 03:43:43,160 power through, then we stay and power 4984 03:43:43,160 --> 03:43:44,280 through. 4985 03:43:44,280 --> 03:43:46,720 Drop the vote, please. 4986 03:43:46,720 --> 03:43:49,280 So, yes if you're willing to stay, no if 4987 03:43:49,280 --> 03:43:55,110 you want to 4988 03:43:55,120 --> 03:43:56,360 Yes, if Okay, 4989 03:43:56,360 --> 03:43:58,789 >> Stop the vote. 4990 03:43:58,789 --> 03:44:01,270 >> [laughter] 4991 03:44:01,280 --> 03:44:04,310 » Stop the vote. 4992 03:44:04,320 --> 03:44:06,240 Do-over. 4993 03:44:06,240 --> 03:44:09,040 Yes if you want to go home, no if you 4994 03:44:09,040 --> 03:44:12,030 want to stay. 4995 03:44:12,040 --> 03:44:17,030 Okay, drop the vote. 4996 03:44:17,040 --> 03:44:18,680 Getting late. 4997 03:44:18,680 --> 03:44:28,270 >> No, it's not. 4998 03:44:28,280 --> 03:44:30,680 And I um 4999 03:44:30,680 --> 03:44:33,160 I encourage the petitioners and those 5000 03:44:33,160 --> 03:44:35,640 who are speaking to read the room. 5001 03:44:35,640 --> 03:45:02,590 There's no opposition. 5002 03:45:02,600 --> 03:45:07,040 Motion fails 40 183-6. 5003 03:45:07,040 --> 03:45:17,630 Okay, so we're going on to uh 5004 03:45:17,640 --> 03:45:23,070 We have an interesting motion. 5005 03:45:23,080 --> 03:45:27,520 And it's a motion to approve 5006 03:45:27,520 --> 03:45:29,760 the three resolutions 5007 03:45:29,760 --> 03:45:33,756 using a consent agenda. 5008 03:45:33,766 --> 03:45:42,750 » [applause] 5009 03:45:42,760 --> 03:45:45,120 » MOTION MOTION 5010 03:45:45,120 --> 03:45:49,670 articles 5011 03:45:49,680 --> 03:45:50,840 » Neil, can I make Can I make a 5012 03:45:50,840 --> 03:45:53,120 >> Actually, what I think I'm 5013 03:45:53,120 --> 03:45:55,200 >> Can I make a comment? I I would like to 5014 03:45:55,200 --> 03:45:58,000 exclude the 9/11 memorial one from that 5015 03:45:58,000 --> 03:45:59,440 consent agenda. I would like to do that 5016 03:45:59,440 --> 03:46:00,760 one individually and then do the other 5017 03:46:00,760 --> 03:46:03,280 two consent. 5018 03:46:03,280 --> 03:46:10,600 >> Okay, so I'll take a motion to approve 5019 03:46:10,600 --> 03:46:15,000 We'll do the uh the 5020 03:46:15,000 --> 03:46:17,120 >> the not the 9/11 and then I'll take the 5021 03:46:17,120 --> 03:46:19,920 motion for consent agenda on the other 5022 03:46:19,920 --> 03:46:24,870 two. 5023 03:46:24,880 --> 03:46:26,480 Okay, uh, 5024 03:46:26,480 --> 03:46:29,600 and that is a debatable 5025 03:46:29,600 --> 03:46:40,710 motion, so Mr. Burstyn. 5026 03:46:40,720 --> 03:46:43,520 Uh, actually, the now's not the time. 5027 03:46:43,520 --> 03:46:44,560 >> Okay. 5028 03:46:44,560 --> 03:46:46,840 >> Uh, the time would be after we hear 5029 03:46:46,840 --> 03:46:50,480 Article 20 and then we would debate 5030 03:46:50,480 --> 03:46:51,680 the consent agenda. 5031 03:46:51,680 --> 03:46:52,640 >> 21, 22? 5032 03:46:52,640 --> 03:46:56,960 >> Yeah. So, let's let's go ahead with 20. 5033 03:46:56,960 --> 03:47:06,350 >> Okay. 5034 03:47:06,360 --> 03:47:09,160 » Oh, yeah. 20, the, uh, motion is on page 5035 03:47:09,160 --> 03:47:12,400 20-8 through 10 moved by Ms. Child, 5036 03:47:12,400 --> 03:47:16,390 seconded by Mr. Burstyn. 5037 03:47:16,400 --> 03:47:17,440 » Oh. 5038 03:47:17,440 --> 03:47:17,960 You're right. 5039 03:47:17,960 --> 03:47:20,480 >> Thank you, Mr. Moderator. I am Elizabeth 5040 03:47:20,480 --> 03:47:23,760 Childs, Town Meeting member, Precinct 4. 5041 03:47:23,760 --> 03:47:26,520 When you close your eyes to tragedy, you 5042 03:47:26,520 --> 03:47:29,440 close your eyes to greatness. Stephen 5043 03:47:29,440 --> 03:47:32,040 Bysiewicz. 5044 03:47:32,040 --> 03:47:34,080 Along with my fellow petitioners, I urge 5045 03:47:34,080 --> 03:47:36,840 you to support Article 20, a resolution 5046 03:47:36,840 --> 03:47:38,640 to establish an official annual 5047 03:47:38,640 --> 03:47:41,880 town-wide commemoration of 9/11 and a 5048 03:47:41,880 --> 03:47:44,080 memorial to all those from Brookline who 5049 03:47:44,080 --> 03:47:47,360 died on September 11th, 2001 in the 5050 03:47:47,360 --> 03:47:49,320 al-Qaeda terrorist attack on our 5051 03:47:49,320 --> 03:47:51,000 country. 5052 03:47:51,000 --> 03:47:53,320 Brookline lost at least eight members of 5053 03:47:53,320 --> 03:47:54,640 our community 5054 03:47:54,640 --> 03:47:56,680 including New York City firefighters 5055 03:47:56,680 --> 03:47:59,640 Manny Del Valle and Jerry 5056 03:47:59,640 --> 03:48:02,080 and Brookline citizen Daniel Lewin, the 5057 03:48:02,080 --> 03:48:05,920 first person killed on 9/11. 5058 03:48:05,920 --> 03:48:08,640 This is the 25th anniversary of that 5059 03:48:08,640 --> 03:48:11,200 bright sunny morning when ordinary 5060 03:48:11,200 --> 03:48:13,440 citizens on their way to work and first 5061 03:48:13,440 --> 03:48:16,400 responders acted valiantly in the face 5062 03:48:16,400 --> 03:48:18,640 of the deadliest terrorist attack in 5063 03:48:18,640 --> 03:48:21,320 world history and the largest loss of 5064 03:48:21,320 --> 03:48:23,720 life on American soil by a foreign 5065 03:48:23,720 --> 03:48:27,320 adversary with 2,977 5066 03:48:27,320 --> 03:48:29,520 lives lost. 5067 03:48:29,520 --> 03:48:31,800 On that day, the terrorists hijacked and 5068 03:48:31,800 --> 03:48:34,600 crashed American flight 11 and United 5069 03:48:34,600 --> 03:48:37,280 flight 175 into New York City's twin 5070 03:48:37,280 --> 03:48:38,480 towers 5071 03:48:38,480 --> 03:48:40,600 and American flight 77 into the 5072 03:48:40,600 --> 03:48:42,240 Pentagon. 5073 03:48:42,240 --> 03:48:44,920 On American flight 93, the passengers 5074 03:48:44,920 --> 03:48:47,320 and crew with no hope for their own 5075 03:48:47,320 --> 03:48:49,560 survival successfully fought the 5076 03:48:49,560 --> 03:48:52,000 terrorists crashing into a Pennsylvania 5077 03:48:52,000 --> 03:48:54,560 field and averting a hit on the US 5078 03:48:54,560 --> 03:48:57,480 Capitol or White House saving hundreds 5079 03:48:57,480 --> 03:49:00,000 of lives that day. 5080 03:49:00,000 --> 03:49:02,040 Article 20 asks the select board to 5081 03:49:02,040 --> 03:49:04,440 appoint a citizen committee charged with 5082 03:49:04,440 --> 03:49:05,880 two tasks. 5083 03:49:05,880 --> 03:49:08,400 The first to to build on and formalize 5084 03:49:08,400 --> 03:49:11,360 the prior efforts to remember 9/11 by 5085 03:49:11,360 --> 03:49:13,520 firefighters and their families and 5086 03:49:13,520 --> 03:49:16,000 interested residents so that the annual 5087 03:49:16,000 --> 03:49:18,880 remembrance is sustainable over time. 5088 03:49:18,880 --> 03:49:20,680 This is modeled after the Martin Luther 5089 03:49:20,680 --> 03:49:23,360 King Celebration Committee as it evolved 5090 03:49:23,360 --> 03:49:25,160 from disparate citizen groups to a 5091 03:49:25,160 --> 03:49:27,720 formalized town committee. 5092 03:49:27,720 --> 03:49:30,160 Remembrance of 9/11 is of particular 5093 03:49:30,160 --> 03:49:32,240 importance to first responders and 5094 03:49:32,240 --> 03:49:34,360 reminds us of the courage firefighters 5095 03:49:34,360 --> 03:49:36,640 and police officers bring each day to 5096 03:49:36,640 --> 03:49:39,640 protect our town and its residents. 5097 03:49:39,640 --> 03:49:41,720 The second task of the committee is time 5098 03:49:41,720 --> 03:49:43,880 limited to research and recommend a 5099 03:49:43,880 --> 03:49:46,280 physical memorial honoring all those 5100 03:49:46,280 --> 03:49:48,240 from Brookline who died so that we 5101 03:49:48,240 --> 03:49:51,080 remember as President Bush said a day 5102 03:49:51,080 --> 03:49:53,280 when all Americans from every walk of 5103 03:49:53,280 --> 03:49:56,200 life unite in our resolve for justice 5104 03:49:56,200 --> 03:49:58,000 and peace. 5105 03:49:58,000 --> 03:49:59,840 Many young people who were not alive in 5106 03:49:59,840 --> 03:50:03,600 2001 have no memory of why this day is 5107 03:50:03,600 --> 03:50:05,360 one of the most important days in 5108 03:50:05,360 --> 03:50:07,200 American history. 5109 03:50:07,200 --> 03:50:09,320 A physical memorial is a starting point 5110 03:50:09,320 --> 03:50:12,120 for learning, a place of solace for all 5111 03:50:12,120 --> 03:50:14,680 who grieve for the loss of life because 5112 03:50:14,680 --> 03:50:17,560 of this day, and a marker to ensure that 5113 03:50:17,560 --> 03:50:19,200 future generations understand the 5114 03:50:19,200 --> 03:50:22,000 sacrifices made and the lasting impact 5115 03:50:22,000 --> 03:50:25,440 of September 11, 2001 on our town and 5116 03:50:25,440 --> 03:50:28,240 nation. Please vote yes for articles 20. 5117 03:50:28,240 --> 03:50:30,484 Thank you very much. 5118 03:50:30,484 --> 03:50:30,720 >> [applause] 5119 03:50:30,720 --> 03:50:37,310 >> Thank you, Ms. Pearl. 5120 03:50:37,320 --> 03:50:38,640 » Can I say a few words about this 5121 03:50:38,640 --> 03:50:40,720 article? 5122 03:50:40,720 --> 03:50:41,280 >> In a moment. 5123 03:50:41,280 --> 03:50:43,000 >> Okay. 5124 03:50:43,000 --> 03:50:43,320 >> Yes. 5125 03:50:43,320 --> 03:50:45,320 >> Yeah. Sorry, I got confused with the 5126 03:50:45,320 --> 03:50:47,560 name. 5127 03:50:47,560 --> 03:50:49,920 >> Ms. Pearl. 5128 03:50:49,920 --> 03:50:53,040 Do you want to say a few words? 5129 03:50:53,040 --> 03:50:56,230 Okay. 5130 03:50:56,240 --> 03:50:59,480 » Loe Frame Pearl, Advisory Committee. 5131 03:50:59,480 --> 03:51:02,880 Um given the time, we support everything 5132 03:51:02,880 --> 03:51:05,600 that Elizabeth and Ariel wanted to do 5133 03:51:05,600 --> 03:51:08,680 with this warrant article. We discussed 5134 03:51:08,680 --> 03:51:11,680 it, we appreciate it, and the Advisory 5135 03:51:11,680 --> 03:51:18,290 Committee voted favorable action 17 to 0. 5136 03:51:18,300 --> 03:51:26,430 » [applause] 5137 03:51:26,440 --> 03:51:37,070 » Mr. Green. 5138 03:51:37,080 --> 03:51:42,600 » Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Bernard Green, That's my name, right? 5139 03:51:42,600 --> 03:51:46,360 Again, for the Select Board. 5140 03:51:46,360 --> 03:51:47,760 So, this warrant article, warrant 5141 03:51:47,760 --> 03:51:50,160 article 20, proposes to do three things. 5142 03:51:50,160 --> 03:51:52,680 First, have the town commit to erecting 5143 03:51:52,680 --> 03:51:55,080 a physical memorial to honor people with 5144 03:51:55,080 --> 03:51:58,000 ties to Brookline who lost their lives 5145 03:51:58,000 --> 03:52:01,080 on September 11th, 2001. 5146 03:52:01,080 --> 03:52:03,360 Second, to establish an official annual 5147 03:52:03,360 --> 03:52:07,960 town-wide 9/11 remembrance ceremony. 5148 03:52:07,960 --> 03:52:11,520 And third, to form a select board 9/11 5149 03:52:11,520 --> 03:52:13,480 memorial advisory committee that would 5150 03:52:13,480 --> 03:52:15,480 advise the select board on various 5151 03:52:15,480 --> 03:52:18,080 aspects of the memorial and plan the 5152 03:52:18,080 --> 03:52:21,120 annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony. 5153 03:52:21,120 --> 03:52:23,400 The select board supported the purposes 5154 03:52:23,400 --> 03:52:26,080 of the article, but agreed with the 5155 03:52:26,080 --> 03:52:28,880 amendments made by the advisory council. 5156 03:52:28,880 --> 03:52:31,320 Advisory committee. 5157 03:52:31,320 --> 03:52:34,320 Well, the article focus focus how excuse 5158 03:52:34,320 --> 03:52:35,200 me 5159 03:52:35,200 --> 03:52:36,720 and mouth. 5160 03:52:36,720 --> 03:52:38,880 Well, the article focuses on the eight 5161 03:52:38,880 --> 03:52:40,920 people with ties to Brookline who lost 5162 03:52:40,920 --> 03:52:44,120 their lives on September 11th, 2001. 5163 03:52:44,120 --> 03:52:46,880 It is important to recognize that like 5164 03:52:46,880 --> 03:52:49,120 all terrorist events targeting one 5165 03:52:49,120 --> 03:52:51,720 country, people from many countries were 5166 03:52:51,720 --> 03:52:54,800 killed or otherwise affected. 5167 03:52:54,800 --> 03:52:57,040 The The advisory committee added an 5168 03:52:57,040 --> 03:52:59,240 important fact, which was that among the 5169 03:52:59,240 --> 03:53:01,400 2,977 5170 03:53:01,400 --> 03:53:03,920 people killed in New York, 5171 03:53:03,920 --> 03:53:05,680 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and 5172 03:53:05,680 --> 03:53:09,600 Arlington, Virginia, were at least 372 5173 03:53:09,600 --> 03:53:13,080 people from from 102 other countries of 5174 03:53:13,080 --> 03:53:14,440 the world. 5175 03:53:14,440 --> 03:53:17,880 After 9/11, there was an there was an an 5176 03:53:17,880 --> 03:53:21,520 unfortunate movement of hatred against 5177 03:53:21,520 --> 03:53:24,520 Muslims or anyone who looked like they 5178 03:53:24,520 --> 03:53:27,080 could be a Muslim. 5179 03:53:27,080 --> 03:53:29,240 President President George Bush 5180 03:53:29,240 --> 03:53:32,480 courageously, yes, as a Democrat, I'm 5181 03:53:32,480 --> 03:53:34,640 saying this about George Bush, 5182 03:53:34,640 --> 03:53:35,320 um 5183 03:53:35,320 --> 03:53:38,400 courageously pushed back in many ways, 5184 03:53:38,400 --> 03:53:41,600 including with his Islam is peace speech 5185 03:53:41,600 --> 03:53:43,680 at the Islamic Center of Washington on 5186 03:53:43,680 --> 03:53:46,331 September 17th, 2001. 5187 03:53:46,331 --> 03:53:46,520 >> [snorts] 5188 03:53:46,520 --> 03:53:49,960 >> Today, also in the upswell of hate 5189 03:53:49,960 --> 03:53:53,280 sweeping this country, including hate 5190 03:53:53,280 --> 03:53:55,600 emanating from the highest offices and 5191 03:53:55,600 --> 03:53:58,440 politicians of this country. 5192 03:53:58,440 --> 03:54:00,880 There are cowardly attacks on Muslims or 5193 03:54:00,880 --> 03:54:02,600 anyone who looks like they may be a 5194 03:54:02,600 --> 03:54:03,920 Muslim. 5195 03:54:03,920 --> 03:54:06,440 And we have to push back. Our 9/11 5196 03:54:06,440 --> 03:54:09,120 ceremonies, when I MC'd them, 5197 03:54:09,120 --> 03:54:10,240 um 5198 03:54:10,240 --> 03:54:12,240 beginning a few years ago, sought to 5199 03:54:12,240 --> 03:54:14,680 push back. And that should be an 5200 03:54:14,680 --> 03:54:17,640 underlying theme of these ceremonies so 5201 03:54:17,640 --> 03:54:20,280 long as we are struggling with hatred in 5202 03:54:20,280 --> 03:54:23,400 America against Muslims, against Jews, 5203 03:54:23,400 --> 03:54:26,400 against blacks, against gays, against 5204 03:54:26,400 --> 03:54:28,440 anyone. 5205 03:54:28,440 --> 03:54:30,120 So, although the terrorists came from a 5206 03:54:30,120 --> 03:54:33,520 Muslim country, Saudi Arabia, we do not 5207 03:54:33,520 --> 03:54:36,000 paint all Muslims or even Saudi Muslims 5208 03:54:36,000 --> 03:54:37,920 with a broad terrorist brush. And that 5209 03:54:37,920 --> 03:54:41,000 should be an underlying theme of our uh 5210 03:54:41,000 --> 03:54:42,400 ceremonies. 5211 03:54:42,400 --> 03:54:45,640 So, the the uh Select Board voted five 5212 03:54:45,640 --> 03:54:48,000 to zero for favorable action on Warrant 5213 03:54:48,000 --> 03:54:51,440 Article 20 on March 31st of this year. 5214 03:54:51,440 --> 03:54:53,142 Thank you. 5215 03:54:53,142 --> 03:54:53,960 >> [applause] 5216 03:54:53,960 --> 03:54:57,470 >> Mr. Cruzman. 5217 03:54:57,480 --> 03:55:07,270 » One of the petitioners. 5218 03:55:07,280 --> 03:55:09,600 Um I'm Ariel Cruzman, town meeting 5219 03:55:09,600 --> 03:55:11,480 member from Precinct 5, and I'm one of 5220 03:55:11,480 --> 03:55:14,400 the co-petitioners on Article 20. 5221 03:55:14,400 --> 03:55:16,280 Over 100 cities and towns across 5222 03:55:16,280 --> 03:55:18,320 Massachusetts have built some forms of a 5223 03:55:18,320 --> 03:55:21,040 permanent physical 9/11 memorial. 5224 03:55:21,040 --> 03:55:22,480 I want to briefly give you a few 5225 03:55:22,480 --> 03:55:24,560 examples of what some towns and cities 5226 03:55:24,560 --> 03:55:27,520 have done. Next slide, please. 5227 03:55:27,520 --> 03:55:29,520 Newton is the closest model for what 5228 03:55:29,520 --> 03:55:32,400 Article 20 proposes. Citizens Committee, 5229 03:55:32,400 --> 03:55:34,600 formed in 2011, 5230 03:55:34,600 --> 03:55:37,280 to plan, design, and fundraise. The 5231 03:55:37,280 --> 03:55:39,280 memorial was dedicated a year later in 5232 03:55:39,280 --> 03:55:41,320 front of a fire headquarters on Center 5233 03:55:41,320 --> 03:55:42,720 Street. 5234 03:55:42,720 --> 03:55:44,520 Three carved steps lead up to the 5235 03:55:44,520 --> 03:55:46,800 memorial, and each one is engraved with 5236 03:55:46,800 --> 03:55:48,800 a moment from that morning. 5237 03:55:48,800 --> 03:55:50,680 The very first step reads September 5238 03:55:50,680 --> 03:55:53,480 11th, 2001, 7:00 a.m. 5239 03:55:53,480 --> 03:55:55,360 Three terrorists leave the parking in 5240 03:55:55,360 --> 03:55:57,400 Newton to board American Airlines Flight 5241 03:55:57,400 --> 03:55:59,200 11 in Boston. 5242 03:55:59,200 --> 03:56:01,200 The next steps marks the North Tower 5243 03:56:01,200 --> 03:56:03,360 struck at 8:46. 5244 03:56:03,360 --> 03:56:06,680 The next, the South Tower at 9:03. 5245 03:56:06,680 --> 03:56:08,800 As one Newton committee member put it, 5246 03:56:08,800 --> 03:56:10,680 the steps lead the visitors into the 5247 03:56:10,680 --> 03:56:12,840 history of that day. The first step 5248 03:56:12,840 --> 03:56:14,560 reminds us of the evil that was among 5249 03:56:14,560 --> 03:56:16,280 us. 5250 03:56:16,280 --> 03:56:18,080 The step lead to two pillars, Roman 5251 03:56:18,080 --> 03:56:20,680 numerals 9 and 11. Around them a 5252 03:56:20,680 --> 03:56:23,400 five-sided patio of of for the Pentagon, 5253 03:56:23,400 --> 03:56:27,200 a darker path traced tracing Flight 93, 5254 03:56:27,200 --> 03:56:29,080 and the eight Newton victims engraved on 5255 03:56:29,080 --> 03:56:32,160 a scroll, largely privately funded. Next 5256 03:56:32,160 --> 03:56:34,440 slide, please. 5257 03:56:34,440 --> 03:56:36,480 Needham didn't wait. A stone and a tree, 5258 03:56:36,480 --> 03:56:38,600 both donated by a local businesses, were 5259 03:56:38,600 --> 03:56:41,600 dedicated just 5 days after the attack. 5260 03:56:41,600 --> 03:56:43,000 The town has since built on that 5261 03:56:43,000 --> 03:56:45,160 foundation. Today, the memorial is a 5262 03:56:45,160 --> 03:56:47,360 polished stone monument with two upright 5263 03:56:47,360 --> 03:56:49,760 pillars rising from a tiered base. 5264 03:56:49,760 --> 03:56:51,800 Between them, mounted vertically, sits a 5265 03:56:51,800 --> 03:56:54,320 twisted fragment of steel recovered from 5266 03:56:54,320 --> 03:56:56,800 the World Trade Center itself. 5267 03:56:56,800 --> 03:56:58,600 The front carries bronze plaques with 5268 03:56:58,600 --> 03:57:00,520 the names of Needham victims. Carved 5269 03:57:00,520 --> 03:57:02,680 into the base in a large letter, always 5270 03:57:02,680 --> 03:57:03,960 remember. 5271 03:57:03,960 --> 03:57:06,400 Next slide, please. 5272 03:57:06,400 --> 03:57:08,280 Wellesley honors the day in two places. 5273 03:57:08,280 --> 03:57:10,280 At Simmons Park, a memorial tree stands 5274 03:57:10,280 --> 03:57:12,520 with a small bronze plaque for the four 5275 03:57:12,520 --> 03:57:15,040 Wellesley residents lost on 9/11. 5276 03:57:15,040 --> 03:57:16,360 The plaque reads, 5277 03:57:16,360 --> 03:57:17,840 "To plant a tree is to trust in the 5278 03:57:17,840 --> 03:57:19,000 future." 5279 03:57:19,000 --> 03:57:20,560 And near the public safety building, a 5280 03:57:20,560 --> 03:57:23,000 stone police and fire monument with the 5281 03:57:23,000 --> 03:57:24,720 flag anchors the town's annual 5282 03:57:24,720 --> 03:57:26,160 remembrance. 5283 03:57:26,160 --> 03:57:29,110 Next slide, please. 5284 03:57:29,120 --> 03:57:31,080 Natick has a permanent memorial outside 5285 03:57:31,080 --> 03:57:33,840 its police and fire complex, a bronze 5286 03:57:33,840 --> 03:57:36,720 sundial whose gnomon marks the exact 5287 03:57:36,720 --> 03:57:39,600 moments each tower was struck. It's tied 5288 03:57:39,600 --> 03:57:41,200 to a recovered piece of World Trade 5289 03:57:41,200 --> 03:57:43,800 Center steel, a contemplation bench, and 5290 03:57:43,800 --> 03:57:45,880 a small reflection garden. 5291 03:57:45,880 --> 03:57:48,120 Next slide. 5292 03:57:48,120 --> 03:57:50,120 Sudbury's September 11th Memorial Garden 5293 03:57:50,120 --> 03:57:52,400 sits in Heritage Park. A boulder with a 5294 03:57:52,400 --> 03:57:54,120 bronze plaque honors three Sudbury 5295 03:57:54,120 --> 03:57:55,960 residents lost that day. 5296 03:57:55,960 --> 03:57:58,160 It's maintained by a permanent town 5297 03:57:58,160 --> 03:58:00,640 appointed oversight committee. 5298 03:58:00,640 --> 03:58:03,080 Next slide. 5299 03:58:03,080 --> 03:58:04,880 Quincy uses the steel itself as the 5300 03:58:04,880 --> 03:58:07,120 monument being recovered from the World 5301 03:58:07,120 --> 03:58:09,800 Trade Center raised back up as twin 5302 03:58:09,800 --> 03:58:10,960 pillars. 5303 03:58:10,960 --> 03:58:12,880 So, six communities, six different 5304 03:58:12,880 --> 03:58:14,920 memorials, none 5305 03:58:14,920 --> 03:58:17,160 uh not one looks like another. Some 5306 03:58:17,160 --> 03:58:19,440 massive, some barely visible, some 5307 03:58:19,440 --> 03:58:21,680 abstract, some literal, the actual 5308 03:58:21,680 --> 03:58:22,960 steels from the towers. 5309 03:58:22,960 --> 03:58:24,320 >> Please conclude. 5310 03:58:24,320 --> 03:58:26,760 >> One one took a year to fundraising, one 5311 03:58:26,760 --> 03:58:29,320 up one was up in 5 days. There is no 5312 03:58:29,320 --> 03:58:31,440 template, only a choice each town made, 5313 03:58:31,440 --> 03:58:34,360 and Brookline in 25 years has never made 5314 03:58:34,360 --> 03:58:35,920 that choice. Thank you. 5315 03:58:35,920 --> 03:58:42,030 >> Thank you. 5316 03:58:42,040 --> 03:58:47,510 I'm going to accept the call 5317 03:58:47,520 --> 03:58:49,480 Okay, I have 5318 03:58:49,480 --> 03:58:50,840 uh Jay 5319 03:58:50,840 --> 03:58:53,640 Xandroph, who's a petitioner, Lior 5320 03:58:53,640 --> 03:58:57,080 Nestor, who's a 5321 03:58:57,080 --> 03:58:59,400 uh a friend 5322 03:58:59,400 --> 03:59:02,880 a non uh town resident who uh was a 5323 03:59:02,880 --> 03:59:11,000 friend of one of the uh people who uh perished in one of the flights. We 5324 03:59:11,000 --> 03:59:14,160 have Betsy Pearlman and Carol Caro at 5325 03:59:14,160 --> 03:59:16,200 the microphones. 5326 03:59:16,200 --> 03:59:17,880 Um 5327 03:59:17,880 --> 03:59:18,880 So, 5328 03:59:18,880 --> 03:59:20,280 what we have a motion to call the 5329 03:59:20,280 --> 03:59:25,830 question. 5330 03:59:25,840 --> 03:59:39,110 A motion to terminate debate. 5331 03:59:39,120 --> 04:00:13,030 » Thank you. 5332 04:00:13,040 --> 04:00:17,160 » Motion passes 156 49 6. We're now ready 5333 04:00:17,160 --> 04:00:19,600 for a vote on the main motion 5334 04:00:19,600 --> 04:00:23,880 which is on pages 20-8 through 10. 5335 04:00:23,880 --> 04:00:25,240 Uh 5336 04:00:25,240 --> 04:00:28,560 yes is to approve the resolution, no is 5337 04:00:28,560 --> 04:00:30,680 to not approve it. 5338 04:00:30,680 --> 04:00:32,960 Ready for a vote? 5339 04:00:32,960 --> 04:01:18,230 Do it. 5340 04:01:18,240 --> 04:01:21,600 It's unanimous, 220 0 with six 5341 04:01:21,600 --> 04:01:24,910 abstentions. 5342 04:01:24,920 --> 04:01:26,720 Okay, so now 5343 04:01:26,720 --> 04:01:29,560 we have an unusual motion. 5344 04:01:29,560 --> 04:01:31,360 >> I would like to motion to adopt a 5345 04:01:31,360 --> 04:01:33,200 consent agenda for the last two 5346 04:01:33,200 --> 04:01:35,000 remaining warrant articles. 5347 04:01:35,000 --> 04:01:38,240 >> Okay, so that is the motion before us. 5348 04:01:38,240 --> 04:01:41,080 The two remaining articles are a first a 5349 04:01:41,080 --> 04:01:43,720 resolution expressing support for the 5350 04:01:43,720 --> 04:01:47,800 Massachusetts Medicare for All Act. 5351 04:01:47,800 --> 04:01:49,720 And it's expressing support for a 5352 04:01:49,720 --> 04:01:53,240 specific piece of legislation. 5353 04:01:53,240 --> 04:01:57,920 And the other the other motion 5354 04:01:57,920 --> 04:02:00,080 the other article is a resolution 5355 04:02:00,080 --> 04:02:02,120 supporting the modernization of 5356 04:02:02,120 --> 04:02:06,280 Proposition 2 and 1/2. And it's tasking 5357 04:02:06,280 --> 04:02:08,040 uh 5358 04:02:08,040 --> 04:02:12,120 The motion is tasking uh town staff to 5359 04:02:12,120 --> 04:02:15,520 study the issue and create some indexes. 5360 04:02:15,520 --> 04:02:18,000 And this is a debatable motion. If it 5361 04:02:18,000 --> 04:02:23,640 fails we would then debate it 5362 04:02:23,640 --> 04:02:25,720 we would then debate the articles 5363 04:02:25,720 --> 04:02:28,560 themselves. If it passes, we pass the 5364 04:02:28,560 --> 04:02:31,430 articles. 5365 04:02:31,440 --> 04:02:32,040 Yes. 5366 04:02:32,040 --> 04:02:33,200 >> Charles Homer, town meeting member, 5367 04:02:33,200 --> 04:02:35,520 Precinct 8. Uh on the first article, 5368 04:02:35,520 --> 04:02:38,480 while it references uh a specific bill, 5369 04:02:38,480 --> 04:02:41,920 the actual resolution simply calls for 5370 04:02:41,920 --> 04:02:44,160 our telling the legislature that we're 5371 04:02:44,160 --> 04:02:47,000 in support of health care for that's 5372 04:02:47,000 --> 04:02:49,000 affordable for many people. So what the 5373 04:02:49,000 --> 04:02:50,000 actual resolution 5374 04:02:50,000 --> 04:02:52,240 >> I was looking at the original. Yes, so 5375 04:02:52,240 --> 04:02:57,310 thank you. You are correct. 5376 04:02:57,320 --> 04:02:59,520 Right. Okay. 5377 04:02:59,520 --> 04:03:01,800 I've been asked to cite the locations of 5378 04:03:01,800 --> 04:03:03,800 the motions. So 5379 04:03:03,800 --> 04:03:07,270 21 5380 04:03:07,280 --> 04:03:11,040 is on page 21-9 5381 04:03:11,040 --> 04:03:13,600 through 10. 5382 04:03:13,600 --> 04:03:15,840 22 5383 04:03:15,840 --> 04:03:17,240 is 5384 04:03:17,240 --> 04:03:20,480 supplement one, pages one and two. 5385 04:03:20,480 --> 04:03:23,240 This is a debatable motion. 5386 04:03:23,240 --> 04:03:24,400 Mr. Ananian. 5387 04:03:24,400 --> 04:03:25,880 >> C. Scott Ananian, town meeting member, 5388 04:03:25,880 --> 04:03:29,040 Precinct 10. Uh and not to make to put 5389 04:03:29,040 --> 04:03:31,160 too much on you right now. Um normally 5390 04:03:31,160 --> 04:03:33,320 consent agendas have a relatively low 5391 04:03:33,320 --> 04:03:35,200 threshold for um 5392 04:03:35,200 --> 04:03:39,680 uh extracting a motion uh article from the consent agenda. So, 5393 04:03:39,680 --> 04:03:41,720 I was asking what you think an 5394 04:03:41,720 --> 04:03:44,240 appropriate threshold is for 5395 04:03:44,240 --> 04:03:45,000 this motion. 5396 04:03:45,000 --> 04:03:46,640 >> An appro- I think an appropriate 5397 04:03:46,640 --> 04:03:49,560 threshold is a majority, which is the uh 5398 04:03:49,560 --> 04:03:51,400 threshold for the underlying 5399 04:03:51,400 --> 04:03:53,280 resolutions. 5400 04:03:53,280 --> 04:03:55,920 So, if we're we're treating this as 5401 04:03:55,920 --> 04:03:58,040 passing the underlying resolutions. 5402 04:03:58,040 --> 04:04:00,280 >> So, are we only having this one vote on 5403 04:04:00,280 --> 04:04:01,880 the This is one vote for the two 5404 04:04:01,880 --> 04:04:02,480 motions. 5405 04:04:02,480 --> 04:04:04,600 >> Correct. And if it fails, we would then 5406 04:04:04,600 --> 04:04:06,600 debate the motions separately. 5407 04:04:06,600 --> 04:04:07,880 >> Okay. Thank you. 5408 04:04:07,880 --> 04:04:11,920 >> And Mr. Burstein has requested to speak 5409 04:04:11,920 --> 04:04:13,400 remotely. 5410 04:04:13,400 --> 04:04:16,560 Then we'll go to Mr. Freeman. 5411 04:04:16,560 --> 04:04:18,520 >> Uh thank you, Mr. Moderator. Uh Michael 5412 04:04:18,520 --> 04:04:20,320 Lee Burstein, town meeting member 5413 04:04:20,320 --> 04:04:23,240 precinct 12. Um I want to speak because 5414 04:04:23,240 --> 04:04:26,160 I actually was the person who um 5415 04:04:26,160 --> 04:04:28,920 suggested the motion just before we took 5416 04:04:28,920 --> 04:04:31,040 Article 20 when the moderator uh 5417 04:04:31,040 --> 04:04:33,720 mentioned this. Um the consent agenda 5418 04:04:33,720 --> 04:04:36,160 motion appears in Town Meeting Time, 4th 5419 04:04:36,160 --> 04:04:40,080 Edition, uh chapter 5, section 11. Uh 5420 04:04:40,080 --> 04:04:42,640 and it's pretty much has already been 5421 04:04:42,640 --> 04:04:45,160 discussed what this entail. I want to 5422 04:04:45,160 --> 04:04:48,120 make it clear that the reason I wanted 5423 04:04:48,120 --> 04:04:49,880 to make this motion proposed or the only 5424 04:04:49,880 --> 04:04:52,600 reason I was pushed to it was that you, 5425 04:04:52,600 --> 04:04:55,000 Mr. Moderator, did indicate that the 5426 04:04:55,000 --> 04:04:57,880 ward articles that were left had no one 5427 04:04:57,880 --> 04:04:59,720 speaking in opposition. 5428 04:04:59,720 --> 04:05:01,800 Um I've been a town meeting member now 5429 04:05:01,800 --> 04:05:05,320 since the year 2001, 25 years, and I 5430 04:05:05,320 --> 04:05:08,680 have witnessed many times in the last um 5431 04:05:08,680 --> 04:05:11,360 hour or so when we have a bunch of ward 5432 04:05:11,360 --> 04:05:13,600 articles that are for Brookline at least 5433 04:05:13,600 --> 04:05:15,200 non-controversial 5434 04:05:15,200 --> 04:05:18,120 and that everybody would agree with. Um 5435 04:05:18,120 --> 04:05:20,640 and I feel that I I and And I appreciate 5436 04:05:20,640 --> 04:05:22,080 the fact that you're willing to take the 5437 04:05:22,080 --> 04:05:23,680 consent agenda motion even though 5438 04:05:23,680 --> 04:05:24,920 apparently you took it from other 5439 04:05:24,920 --> 04:05:26,040 people. 5440 04:05:26,040 --> 04:05:26,600 Um 5441 04:05:26,600 --> 04:05:28,640 and I hope that town meeting will agree 5442 04:05:28,640 --> 04:05:30,880 with me that this is a fine idea for 5443 04:05:30,880 --> 04:05:32,400 right now and will vote in favor of the 5444 04:05:32,400 --> 04:05:34,360 consent agenda. 5445 04:05:34,360 --> 04:05:35,480 >> Mr. Friedman. 5446 04:05:35,480 --> 04:05:38,640 >> Um Harry Friedman, precinct 12. I I just 5447 04:05:38,640 --> 04:05:41,680 like a little bit clearer explanation. 5448 04:05:41,680 --> 04:05:44,600 What does a no vote indicate? Does it 5449 04:05:44,600 --> 04:05:46,560 indicate you don't want to do a consent 5450 04:05:46,560 --> 04:05:49,720 agenda? Or if for instance one opposed 5451 04:05:49,720 --> 04:05:52,600 both these articles, does a no vote 5452 04:05:52,600 --> 04:05:53,720 indicate that? 5453 04:05:53,720 --> 04:05:56,800 >> No, a no vote indicates when 5454 04:05:56,800 --> 04:05:59,320 you we go you want to consider each of 5455 04:05:59,320 --> 04:06:01,480 the articles separately. 5456 04:06:01,480 --> 04:06:03,680 A yes vote indicates you're willing to 5457 04:06:03,680 --> 04:06:07,040 approve it without further debate and 5458 04:06:07,040 --> 04:06:09,560 the the resolutions are approved. 5459 04:06:09,560 --> 04:06:09,720 Thank you. 5460 04:06:09,720 --> 04:06:11,800 >> So a no vote 5461 04:06:11,800 --> 04:06:12,800 >> Yes, 5462 04:06:12,800 --> 04:06:15,240 a a no vote does not turn down the 5463 04:06:15,240 --> 04:06:17,480 resolutions. 5464 04:06:17,480 --> 04:06:18,920 >> Uh point of order, please. 5465 04:06:18,920 --> 04:06:20,000 Mr. Moderator, thank you. 5466 04:06:20,000 --> 04:06:21,280 >> He's got 90 in town meeting member 5467 04:06:21,280 --> 04:06:23,880 precinct uh 10. Just in the order of 5468 04:06:23,880 --> 04:06:25,520 helping this, I would suggest that if 5469 04:06:25,520 --> 04:06:27,840 you would vote no on either of these 5470 04:06:27,840 --> 04:06:29,840 articles, you should vote no on this. If 5471 04:06:29,840 --> 04:06:31,640 the sum of the people who vote no on 5472 04:06:31,640 --> 04:06:33,800 this article does not exceed a majority, 5473 04:06:33,800 --> 04:06:35,320 then either of these articles could 5474 04:06:35,320 --> 04:06:36,680 possibly fail. 5475 04:06:36,680 --> 04:06:37,920 >> Yes? 5476 04:06:37,920 --> 04:06:38,400 Thank you. 5477 04:06:38,400 --> 04:06:39,240 >> Right. [clears throat] 5478 04:06:39,240 --> 04:06:40,800 >> Ms. Cara. 5479 04:06:40,800 --> 04:06:43,200 >> Carol Carroll, precinct 11. 5480 04:06:43,200 --> 04:06:45,760 I would recommend that we vote uh 5481 04:06:45,760 --> 04:06:47,840 we we don't go through with this voting 5482 04:06:47,840 --> 04:06:49,600 on two of these articles at the same 5483 04:06:49,600 --> 04:06:51,760 time. People have worked on these 5484 04:06:51,760 --> 04:06:53,920 resolutions and both of them should be 5485 04:06:53,920 --> 04:06:56,600 discussed. They're important resolutions 5486 04:06:56,600 --> 04:06:58,880 and so I would encourage people not to 5487 04:06:58,880 --> 04:07:01,200 support voting on them together. 5488 04:07:01,200 --> 04:07:03,440 >> Okay. 5489 04:07:03,440 --> 04:07:05,680 so let's uh 5490 04:07:05,680 --> 04:07:07,320 let's do the vote. I don't see anyone 5491 04:07:07,320 --> 04:07:56,030 else coming to the microphone. 5492 04:07:56,040 --> 04:07:58,280 » 167 5493 04:07:58,280 --> 04:07:59,760 48 5494 04:07:59,760 --> 04:08:01,560 5 5495 04:08:01,560 --> 04:08:06,040 >> Okay, the motion passes 167-48-5. 5496 04:08:06,040 --> 04:08:10,120 In so doing, you passed you approved two 5497 04:08:10,120 --> 04:08:12,440 warrant articles. So, 5498 04:08:12,440 --> 04:08:16,280 we have one final piece of business. 5499 04:08:16,280 --> 04:08:18,400 And before I call for a vote to 5500 04:08:18,400 --> 04:08:20,320 dissolve, which will be effective 5501 04:08:20,320 --> 04:08:22,160 tomorrow at 5:00, 5502 04:08:22,160 --> 04:08:27,670 Mr. Kaufman would like to say a word. 5503 04:08:27,680 --> 04:08:29,320 » Thank you, Mr. Moderator. And I I want 5504 04:08:29,320 --> 04:08:30,600 to thank all the town meeting members 5505 04:08:30,600 --> 04:08:32,360 for allowing me, uh what's become a bit 5506 04:08:32,360 --> 04:08:33,920 of a tradition, to take a moment at the 5507 04:08:33,920 --> 04:08:35,800 end of our town meeting to acknowledge 5508 04:08:35,800 --> 04:08:37,640 the incredible dedicated staff who 5509 04:08:37,640 --> 04:08:39,762 actually make town meeting happen. 5510 04:08:39,762 --> 04:08:40,417 >> [applause] 5511 04:08:40,417 --> 04:08:48,922 [cheering] 5512 04:08:48,932 --> 04:08:55,830 [applause] 5513 04:08:55,840 --> 04:08:57,760 » It is It is a huge effort that truly 5514 04:08:57,760 --> 04:08:59,520 could not be done 5515 04:08:59,520 --> 04:09:02,280 without such a spectacular team. And 5516 04:09:02,280 --> 04:09:04,440 that's everybody from staff in the town 5517 04:09:04,440 --> 04:09:06,600 administrator's office who are up late 5518 04:09:06,600 --> 04:09:08,400 putting together the combined reports to 5519 04:09:08,400 --> 04:09:10,920 the mail room who was here yesterday 5520 04:09:10,920 --> 04:09:12,640 well after business hours printing out 5521 04:09:12,640 --> 04:09:14,640 final supplements to staff in the 5522 04:09:14,640 --> 04:09:16,920 hallway who cover not only my office but 5523 04:09:16,920 --> 04:09:18,640 a number of departments. Of course, our 5524 04:09:18,640 --> 04:09:20,960 IT team here in the back of the room and 5525 04:09:20,960 --> 04:09:23,080 our partners at BIG who you guys might 5526 04:09:23,080 --> 04:09:25,080 not see but they're in the balcony doing 5527 04:09:25,080 --> 04:09:26,280 all this work and they're back in the 5528 04:09:26,280 --> 04:09:27,600 studio doing [applause] it. 5529 04:09:27,600 --> 04:09:29,440 It's incredible work that's done 5530 04:09:29,440 --> 04:09:31,080 and we could not be happier 5531 04:09:31,080 --> 04:09:34,190 so thank you very much. 5532 04:09:34,200 --> 04:09:36,200 » Okay. 5533 04:09:36,200 --> 04:09:37,880 >> I would like to motion to dissolve town 5534 04:09:37,880 --> 04:09:40,920 meeting effective at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow. 5535 04:09:40,920 --> 04:09:44,200 >> Okay, we have that motion. 5536 04:09:44,200 --> 04:09:46,520 >> Drop the vote. 5537 04:09:46,520 --> 04:09:48,280 If you want to stay here forever, you 5538 04:09:48,280 --> 04:10:41,710 vote no. 5539 04:10:41,720 --> 04:10:44,960 » Motion to dissolve passes. 5540 04:10:44,960 --> 04:11:15,630 >> 204-13 5541 04:11:15,640 --> 04:11:18,920 » When I came in, open arms. Open arms. I 5542 04:11:18,920 --> 04:11:20,880 felt the love. 5543 04:11:20,880 --> 04:11:24,160 I felt the communication. 5544 04:11:24,160 --> 04:11:27,520 I just felt the the passion. 5545 04:11:27,520 --> 04:11:29,880 And I I loved it here. They they 5546 04:11:29,880 --> 04:11:31,400 welcomed me. 5547 04:11:31,400 --> 04:11:34,280 >> This is a a heartbeat, you know? You got 5548 04:11:34,280 --> 04:11:37,200 real people here. They're empowered. 5549 04:11:37,200 --> 04:11:39,280 People take agency. 5550 04:11:39,280 --> 04:11:41,360 They do something creative and it gets 5551 04:11:41,360 --> 04:11:43,320 rewarded. And it just grows and it's 5552 04:11:43,320 --> 04:11:45,760 infectious. So, I love that part about 5553 04:11:45,760 --> 04:11:47,240 here. Like, I come in here and I get 5554 04:11:47,240 --> 04:11:48,760 energized, [music] you know? 5555 04:11:48,760 --> 04:11:50,720 >> I feel comfortable when I'm here. I feel 5556 04:11:50,720 --> 04:11:52,480 like I want to say like a second home 5557 04:11:52,480 --> 04:11:56,760 situation, but like I feel like I can do everything 5558 04:11:56,760 --> 04:11:58,520 that I want to do here. 5559 04:11:58,520 --> 04:12:00,120 And feel confident in every single 5560 04:12:00,120 --> 04:12:01,520 thing. And if I have any questions, I'm 5561 04:12:01,520 --> 04:12:04,680 not scared to ask them at all. And I 5562 04:12:04,680 --> 04:12:06,744 haven't exactly had a place like that. 5563 04:12:06,744 --> 04:12:06,760 >> [music] 5564 04:12:06,760 --> 04:12:08,360 >> Besides, you know, my own house. A part 5565 04:12:08,360 --> 04:12:11,040 of me had to be locked away to be able 5566 04:12:11,040 --> 04:12:12,680 to survive high school. And then Big was 5567 04:12:12,680 --> 04:12:14,240 letting me 5568 04:12:14,240 --> 04:12:16,080 open up those doors that I haven't been 5569 04:12:16,080 --> 04:12:17,800 able to open up in a while. 5570 04:12:17,800 --> 04:12:19,320 >> My favorite [music] thing about Big is 5571 04:12:19,320 --> 04:12:20,680 probably the staff. Without them, I 5572 04:12:20,680 --> 04:12:22,760 would not be where I am today. When I 5573 04:12:22,760 --> 04:12:24,280 really started out, I was a very shy 5574 04:12:24,280 --> 04:12:26,720 kid. Um back in my freshman year, I 5575 04:12:26,720 --> 04:12:28,960 wouldn't I would hate talking to people. 5576 04:12:28,960 --> 04:12:30,080 I'd [music] hate confrontation. I would 5577 04:12:30,080 --> 04:12:32,320 hate talking to teachers. With this job, 5578 04:12:32,320 --> 04:12:34,254 I had to be loud. I had to be confident 5579 04:12:34,254 --> 04:12:35,120 [music] 5580 04:12:35,120 --> 04:12:36,360 in just my own skin. 5581 04:12:36,360 --> 04:12:38,840 >> There's always this uh this uh synergy 5582 04:12:38,840 --> 04:12:41,760 and collaboration that uh this great 5583 04:12:41,760 --> 04:12:43,160 environment creates. 5584 04:12:43,160 --> 04:12:44,520 >> Big, at least for me, [music] has been 5585 04:12:44,520 --> 04:12:45,520 like 5586 04:12:45,520 --> 04:12:47,400 you have a place to be creative. Be 5587 04:12:47,400 --> 04:12:50,200 creative. Just do it, basically. 5588 04:12:50,200 --> 04:12:52,960 And um now, that's also like part of the 5589 04:12:52,960 --> 04:12:54,120 reason why I [music] keep coming back 5590 04:12:54,120 --> 04:12:55,480 because that creative flow just keeps 5591 04:12:55,480 --> 04:12:57,240 coming back whenever I'm here. I've been 5592 04:12:57,240 --> 04:12:59,040 able to push my own boundaries and talk 5593 04:12:59,040 --> 04:13:00,800 to people a lot more. I've been able to 5594 04:13:00,800 --> 04:13:03,000 apply that [music] with my job that I 5595 04:13:03,000 --> 04:13:05,040 have at my college with the new friends 5596 04:13:05,040 --> 04:13:07,005 I've had to make on a daily basis 5597 04:13:07,005 --> 04:13:08,680 [music] at my new school. 5598 04:13:08,680 --> 04:13:10,480 And it has honestly like helped me a 5599 04:13:10,480 --> 04:13:11,480 lot, especially with talking to 5600 04:13:11,480 --> 04:13:13,720 professors cuz I can talk to adults a 5601 04:13:13,720 --> 04:13:16,360 lot easier now, too. 5602 04:13:16,360 --> 04:13:18,120 >> I have grown [music] 5603 04:13:18,120 --> 04:13:22,040 to motivate myself even more. 5604 04:13:22,040 --> 04:13:24,720 This is what I want to do. 5605 04:13:24,720 --> 04:13:27,640 And Big Help Me [music] 5606 04:13:27,640 --> 04:13:30,640 to find what I really wanted to do. 5607 04:13:30,640 --> 04:13:34,080 >> I think I've grown in the way of how I 5608 04:13:34,080 --> 04:13:36,400 talk to others about film. 5609 04:13:36,400 --> 04:13:39,160 Um in [music] how I see film. And I've 5610 04:13:39,160 --> 04:13:40,840 learned how to bring people together. 5611 04:13:40,840 --> 04:13:43,760 >> I feel like 2026 is going to be good and 5612 04:13:43,760 --> 04:13:45,240 we're all going to just increase our 5613 04:13:45,240 --> 04:13:46,960 collaboration and friendships. 5614 04:13:46,960 --> 04:13:48,979 >> [music]