Special Town Meeting on January 10, 2023

[Marissa Vogt]

Dear neighbors,

I am writing to let you know that there will be a brief Special Town Meeting on January 10, 2023 with just two items of business:

1) Asking Brookline to opt into the new state specialized "super-stretch" building code, which places tighter requirements on new construction and building renovations with respect to energy use (specifically fossil fuels), with the aim of helping the state meet its target of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050. The tighter requirements would go into effect on July 1, 2023. 

2) Asking Brookline to adopt an optional provision in state law that would allow the Town to provide residents with non-partisan information about local ballot questions, such as the anticipated operating override and Pierce school debt exclusion for the May 2023 Town election.

You can find more information about both of these items here. 

If you're interested in learning more about upcoming Town Meetings, you can always find relevant Town Meeting files (proposed legislation, called "warrant articles", and detailed explanations) at https://www.brooklinema.gov/1020/Town-Meeting-Files

Check the Town Calendar for upcoming public hearings from the town's finance committee (called the Advisory Committee) and other Town boards -- there is at least one public hearing being held tomorrow and another on Dec. 29.

While I have your attention I'll mention that the Town is in the midst of its budget planning for next year, and they recently released their long term capital plan: https://www.brooklinema.gov/DocumentCenter/View/37986/FY24-FY28-Long-Range-Financial-Plan which you may find interesting. If you have feedback on the FY24 town budget, the January 2023 special Town Meeting items, or anything else, I encourage you to contact your Town Meeting Members (contact info here).

And while I still have your attention I'll just put in one more plug for the informational "Fall Town Meeting summary" put together by Bonnie Bastien's (P5 TMM) that you can find here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17tn0xzM4yZRj64ivGcF6WLONpxSxM2xJ/view which nicely summarizes the results of all 8 nights of the fall Town Meeting in a clear and informative manner.

Happy holidays to all and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2023,

Marissa

Marissa Vogt (she/her/hers)

Town Meeting Member, Precinct 6