Robert Guptill

The Select Board held meetings to address various town affairs. Major discussions involved the appointment of probationary police officers, a public hearing regarding a Recreational Marijuana Retailer License for New England Treatment Access, and the determination of operational conditions for such facilities. The Board approved transfers within the Fire Department, accepted state grants, and authorized the filling of various personnel vacancies. Additionally, the Board reviewed and approved contracts for infrastructure repairs, accepted rebates for energy conservation efforts related to school projects, and discussed municipal building energy sources.

The Board discussed and took action on several items, including the adoption of a fraudulent activities policy and the approval of a PILOT agreement with the Coolidge Corner Theatre. They established the Hancock Village Neighborhood Conservation District Commission and conducted interviews for various board and commission appointments. The Board also reviewed and authorized multiple contracts and agreements related to the launch of the Hubway regional bicycle sharing system, approved numerous annual license renewals, and authorized several extra work orders for public works projects, including water main improvements and guardrail repairs. Additionally, they authorized an application for the Local Energy Action Program.

The meeting calendar outlines several agenda items, including proposed executive sessions to discuss real property and to approve prior executive session minutes. Other business items include announcements regarding community events, public comment sessions, and various miscellaneous approvals such as contracts for road repair and engineering services, and the authorization of environmental review and funding release documents for the Brookline Housing Authority's O'Shea House project. The board also planned to address personnel appointments within the Police, Fire, and Recreation Departments, and conduct interviews for the Brookline Fiscal Advisory Committee. A public hearing was scheduled regarding a recreational marijuana retailer license, and the board reviewed warrant articles for a special town meeting.

The Select Board discussed various town updates, including public health measures, traffic safety initiatives, and community recognitions. The Board approved personnel authorization requests for the Finance and Public Health departments and alternate manager applications for local businesses. A presentation was provided regarding redistricting precinct maps following the census. Interviews were conducted for vacancies on the Parking Benefit District Advisory Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Furthermore, the Board held a joint convention with the Board of Library Trustees to interview and appoint new members to the Library Board of Trustees. Several licensing applications for a local hotel were postponed.

The Select Board conducted an executive session regarding collective bargaining negotiations with the Fire Union. During open session, the Board discussed community announcements, including the I90 project, recreational marijuana regulations, and the status of the Devotion School project. Public comments addressed local race-related challenges. Key actions included authorizing the hiring of an Assistant Treasurer and approving a contract change order for the Edward Devotion School renovation. The Board adopted a new convenience fee policy for credit and debit card transactions. Additionally, the Board reviewed the 2017 Audit Report, which provided an unmodified opinion, and discussed the Long-Range Financial Forecast, covering budget pressures, revenue projections, and future pension and OPEB funding obligations.