Greetings everyone, we hope your August has been good, and has included opportunities for relaxation and for enjoying the final days of summer as we head into Labor Day and the beginning of the “school year” (which still seems so relevant even for those of us far removed from actual schools!).
The news in Brookline politics last week was the deadline of August 31 for filing Warrant Articles (which are proposed new Town by-laws and resolutions) for consideration at the Fall 2023 Town Meeting when it meets starting on November 14. It appears that only 19 Articles were filed (you can see the draft index here), but the list won’t be final until approved by the Select Board, which is scheduled at their September 12 meeting. The list includes both the Select Board’s Consensus Proposal” (Harvard Corridor + M Districts + BHA Walnut/Juniper property) and the “fallback proposal” (which does not include the Harvard Corridor) for MBTA-CA Compliance.
Brookline for Everyone continues to strongly support Harvard Street as a key component of Brookline’s MBTA-CA compliance and appreciates all the hard work from the Planning Department, Select Board, and many volunteers that has led to the consensus Article that creates a real pathway to more housing. If you haven’t yet signed on to support the Yes! in Brookline campaign, now’s a great time to do so! And stay tuned for how you can help ensure Brookline meaningfully complies with the MBTA-CA.
Now, on to the week:
Learning AND Action Opportunity! This Thursday, September 7, starting at 6:30 pm, we are excited to be co-sponsoring (along with Abundant Housing Massachusetts (AHMA) and many others) a panel discussion with Richard Rothstein, co-author of the just-released Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted under the Color of Law, and Karilyn Crockett, author of People Before Highways, to discuss how to challenge housing segregation and build people centered communities. (Register here!) Both books show how community groups can fight back against policies that imposed segregation to finally take responsibility for reversing that harm, creating victories which can begin to undo residential segregation and help remedy America’s profoundly unconstitutional past. The panel will be moderated by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Abdallah Fayyad from the Boston Globe.
Date: Thursday, September 7th, 2023
Time: 6:30 pm for reception/light hors d’oeuvres, 7:30 pm sharp for speakers
Location: Temple Beth Zion (TBZ), 1566 Beacon Street, Brookline
You can find more information and register here for this in-person event. While we strongly encourage in-person attendance, you can also attend via Zoom by pre-registering here. This Zoom option will be an opportunity to view the event, but will not allow interaction with speakers.
Join B4E at our table for Brookline Day, next Sunday, September 10 from 11:00-3:00 pm. There will be a large cast of local businesses, town departments, restaurants, and organizations, including our friends at Yes! In Brookline. We’ll have a table to connect with folks about the importance of building more homes, how the high cost of housing in Brookline is impacting people’s day-to-day lives, and the important opportunity that the Town has in front of us to add new housing along Harvard Street as part of our MBTA Communities Act compliance proposal. Stop by to say hi, and if you’ve got an hour or two to spare and would like to volunteer to help us chat with neighbors about housing, email us at brooklineforeveryone@gmail.com. Thanks!
The Housing Advisory Board (HAB) has its regular monthly meeting Wednesday, Sept. 6, from 5:30-7:30 pm via Zoom (register here). You can see the full agenda here, which includes discussion and potential vote on proposed amendment to Section 4.08 of the Zoning By-Laws regarding Inclusionary Zoning that eliminates the option of making payments to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in projects with 10 or few units (in lieu of providing on-site affordable units) for projects in the Harvard Street Corridor; this is part of the Select Board’s Consensus Proposal MBTA-CA Compliance.
Finally, we encourage you to attend Abundant Housing Massachusetts/AHMA’s “Advocacy Training for Town Meeting Communities” on Saturday, September 9, from 3:00-6:00 PM at the Donut Villa Diner, 319 Broadway, Arlington (hybrid Zoom option also available). You can register here for this free program, which also includes free food and beverages. The training will equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and strategies required to effectively advocate around the MBTA Communities Act, particularly in a representative town meeting style of representation (such as Brookline and Arlington). The program will help participants learn how to engage with their town meeting members, community stakeholders, and other relevant parties to ensure engagement and adoption of MBTA-CA zoning. This training will be led by Kristen Halbert of Black Lion Strategies, who has over a decade of experience in civic engagement, leadership development, and messaging. You can find more information on AHMA’s website here.
Thanks and have a great week!
Jonathan Klein, on behalf of Brookline for Everyone