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Brookline Selectmen

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

License Plate Reader Gets Public Hearing

Board of Selectmen to hold public hearing on July 12 about the use of Automated License Plate Reader.

Police Chief Daniel O'Leary began a discussion last week about the use of an Automated License Plate Reader, or ALPR system. The State has offered Brookline a $20,460 grant to install an ALPR system in a Brookline police cruiser and begin using the technology. During this week's Selectmen's meeting, the Board announced that a public hearing on the technology will be held on July 12. ALPR (sometimes called ANPR, for "number plate") is a system composed of a camera and a computer unit. The camera is installed in a police vehicle, and takes a photograph of license plates on parked and moving cars, then translates the numbers on the plate into a text format it can read and compares it to a "hot list." The list may have vehicles on the tow list…

In this Article:

Selectmen Wrestle with License Plate Reader

David Matson

3:13 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2011

It is satisfying to see the city taking the privacy concerns seriously. More typically, they are glossed over or completely ignored, so kudos to the town meeting members. http://www.mymassachusettsdefenselawyer.com/police-surveillance-brookline-license-plate-scanners/   more ›

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Selectmen Take Re-Precincting, Pass on Exemption

Selectmen's Meeting approves the reprecincting plans, denies a noise exemption, and prepares for flag day.

During the Selectmen's meeting, the Board approved the re-precincting plan, despite some negative comments. They also concluded their discussion of the noise bylaw exemption from last week, promoted two police officers, and previewed Flag Day.  [Correction 9:24 a.m. Thursday] The Board of Selectmen approved an amended version of the reprecincting plan which moved the Heath School back into Precinct 14. In the previous version, the school had been in Precinct 13. The map originally posted is the previous version, which does not include that change. --- Selectman Richard Benka began the discussion by quoting an e-mail from a former selectman. Michael Merrill said, in an e-mail "The proposed redistricting plan does some serious injustice to …

In this Article:

Brookline to Redraw Town Precincts, Selectmen Look at New Precincts, Noise Exemption, Flag Road Race 5K Race, and 1 more ›

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Selectmen Look at New Precincts, Noise Exemption

Selectmen's meeting explores trial run for local gas stations late-night deliveries.

Tuesday night's Brookline Board of Selectmen meeting heard a handful of presentations, including a request for a noise bylaw exemption and looking over the results of the reprecincting committee's work. Neither of these were voted on that night, but a few other administrative efforts were handled. The Selectmen also resolved to declare June 12 Race Amity day in Brookline. There will be a corresponding celebration on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.  Chestnut Motors, a local gas station located near Hammond Street, is conveniently located off of Route 9, but this can create some traffic issues when the time comes for fuel deliveries at around 7 a.m. President of Chestnut Motors, Paul Stein presented his case for allowing late-night …

In this Article:

Chestnut Motors and Soule Recreation Center

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

PILOT Agreement, Announcements and Sensible Development at Selectmen's Meeting

Board of Selectmen hear updates and announcements in several areas.

On the Board of Selectmen's agenda for last night, several items were announcements. It also listed an in-progress agreement with Boston Developent Group about the Circle Cinema site in Cleveland Circle, as well as an item entitled "Sensible Development." The sensible development agenda item featured four speakers from the Brookline Neighborhood Alliance. Some offered constructive criticism, while others expressed frustration and confusion at the process. Check back later today for more about sensible development. Boston Development Group (BDG) has volunteered to enter into a Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT agreement with the town for the old circle cinema site, the zoning for which is among the warrant articles. The site straddles …

In this Article:

Town Meeting Roundup

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Five Things You Need to Know: May 5

It's Cinco de Mayo today! Also a great day for yoga and parenting.

Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of the Battle of Puebla, in which Mexican forces seemed outnumbered, but still defeated the French in combat. The holiday is not an official Mexican holiday, but the excuse to eat Mexican food and wash it down with a Mexican drink is hard to pass up. A special series on tough parenting topics begins today at Magic Beans. At 10:30 a.m., Terri Chebot, Coordinator of The Parent Consultation Team at Jewish Family & Career Services will give her monthly Ask the Experts talk. Newbury College is hosts a special Cinco de Mayo cooking class at their Roger A Saunders School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. The class starts at 6 p.m. and runs $45 per person. Go to learn some Mexican cooking basics, and then enjoy …

In this Article:

Patch Picks: Celebrating Cinco de Mayo, Magic Beans, Ask the Expert with JF&CS, and 5 more ›

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Town Election: The Ballot

Breakdown of the Town Election ballot, and more information on how voting works. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today for voting on the 2011 Town Election. Mouse over the map for more information on the polling locations indicated by pins. [Update 9:32 a.m.] If you're not sure which precinct you are in, check "Where do I vote, MA" and input your address. To cast your votes, go to the check-in table at your polling place and tell the poll worker your street, house number and then name (in that order). They will hand you a ballot and provide you with your instructions. If you are not listed but should be, you need to fill in a "Provisional Ballot." Poll workers will have more information. Scroll down to find each candidate listed on the ballot. Selectmen first, then Trustees of the Public Library, School …

In this Article:

Town Election: Incumbent Selectman Dick Benka, Town Election: Incumbent Selectman Nancy Daly, and Town Election: Selectman Candidate Andrew Ghobrial

Five Things You Need to Know: May 3

Essential daily information

Town elections are today. Don't forget to cast a vote for the numerous Town Meeting Members, or the Library Trustees, School Committee members, a Housing Authority position, and the Three Selectman Candidates Check back later today for more information.  The green-minded may want to check into the Weston Library, 87 School Street in Weston, Mass. There, Land's Sake, will talk about the benefits of Ecological Lawn Care. For example, using nematodes to control grubs, letting beneficial bacteria and insects roam free, and seeding versus sodding to give your lawn a gorgeous and chemical-free look. The class begins at 7 p.m. and–while donations are welcome–is free. The New Moms Support Group meets every Tuesday, at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Ohabei …

In this Article:

Brookline Booksmith, The John Payne Quartet and the John Payne Music Center Saxophone Choir Perform to Celebrate Jazz Week, Town Election: Incumbent Selectman Nancy Daly, and 5 more ›

Friday, April 29, 2011

Town Election: Incumbent Selectman Dick Benka

Get to know the three Selectman candidates before voting May 3.

Town Elections are on May 3. Patch sat down with the three candidates for the two Selectman seats for a quick video interview. All three were asked the same six questions, which brought out a little of their policies and their personalities.  The three interviews will be posted in alphabetical order: Dick Benka, Nancy Daly and Andrew Ghobrial. Check back later for more interviews.

MoonBeamWatcher

1:13 am on Saturday, April 30, 2011

What is your position on shifting taxes from Commercial property to Single family homes?   more ›

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Board of Selectmen Meeting: Regular Business with a Side of Green

Selectmen tackle business topics, as well as some green policies and events in town.

In the wake of Earth Day, a few green items slid across the desks of the Board of Selectmen in last night's meeting. First among them, the annual Arbor Day celebrations.  “I'm here to confirm a rumor: Spring has actually arrived,” joked Tree Warden Tom Brady.  Brady went on to submit the Arbor Day Proclamation, which declares April 29 as Arbor Day. The Proclamation helps spread the word about Arbor Day, and is a requirement for the Tree City USA program. The Lincoln School will host the Arbor Day event this year, at 1:30 p.m. Friday. Two new heirloom apple trees will be planted to the Lincoln School Orchard started last year. The procalamtion was unanimously accepted. In a similar vein, the Board also looked at two plans which address the …

In this Article:

Lincoln School, Town Meeting Roundup, Brookline Town Hall, and 2 more ›

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Selectmen Honor Retiring Fire Chief Skerry and Talk Warrants

Selectmen vote to honor the outgoing fire chief.

Starting with a good-bye, the Selectmen unanimously approved a resolution to honor Fire Chief Peter Skerry for his years of service to the town. Skerry is retiring after nearly 30 years working in the town of Brookline in numerous capacities within the Fire Department.  “I've said it before, and want to say again about this resolution, that it’s fully justified. He has done, I think, a superb job. He’s been a pleasure to work with for those of us on the board.” Selectman Nancy Daly commented, “I am deeply sorry he’s chosen to retire, and it’s not too late for him to rethink that.” The rest of the Selectmen had similarly positive comments, but Skerry didn't hear them as he was on official business in North Carolina at the time. At 10 a.m. …

In this Article:

Larz Anderson Auto Musuem, Pierce School, Brookline Fire Chief to Retire Next Month, and 5 more ›

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