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Select Board Regular Meeting - Media
Published: Jun 30, 2026
Select Board Approves Solar Projects to Meet Federal Tax Credit Deadline
The Select Board approved the execution of bill of sale and solar panel storage agreements with Select Energy for five solar projects: Brookline High School (additional phase), Brookline Village Library, Fire Station One, Hayes School, and Pierce School. This action is necessary to comply with the federal investment tax credit (ITC), requiring construction to commence by July 4th, 2026. The total preliminary cost is $1.9 million, with an anticipated $871,000 federal credit, making the net cost approximately $1.1 million. This initiative is part of the town's strategic solar plan, with a $3.2 million CIP allocation covering these projects and future 'track two' solar installations. Payback periods for the projects range from less than a year (Pierce School) to over seven years (Brookline Village Library), with Fire Station One's projections needing adjustment due to upcoming electrification. The board also authorized the use of the $3.2 million CIP funds for track two projects, including assessments and construction.
Annual Appointments and Non-Union Employee Compensation Reviewed, Including 1.5% COLA
The Select Board is reviewing the annual appointments of department heads, administrators, and other officials, along with setting salaries and wages for non-union employees, effective July 1st, 2026. The proposed cost of living adjustment (COLA) is 1.5%, acknowledged as below the rate of inflation. The board also reviewed adjustments to department head pay plans, stemming from a prior override that funded a decade-old study on non-union employee compensation. This resulted in raises for social workers and others. A final correction is noted for the Director of Water and Sewer's pay. The discussion included clarification on the status of contractual employees (Town Administrator, Police Chief, Fire Chief) versus those on the pay plan and those with statutory reappointment requirements like Town Council. A comprehensive review of all non-union positions was conducted, with a target of parity or within 5% of comparable communities, using averages as a guideline, but with separate studies for some roles targeting the 70th percentile. The board also discussed historical positions like 'keeper of wooden bark' and 'measurer of coal', noting their functions are now integrated into existing departments.
Sayaka Negishi Seeks Arts Commission Role, Focusing on Accessibility and Collaboration
Sayaka Negishi, a Brookline resident, is applying for the Brookline Commission for the Arts. She emphasizes making art more accessible to all backgrounds, encouraging collaborative projects, and fostering a sense of community ownership over public spaces. Negishi has experience organizing art activities, such as origami sessions, and aims to bring a culture of acceptance and inclusivity to Brookline's arts scene. She also noted her upcoming exhibition at the Potterham branch library.
Veteran Conservationist Ernest Cook Applies for Conservation Commission
Ernest Cook, a 30-year resident and active in town politics, applied for the Conservation Commission. Cook has extensive experience in parks and land conservation, having worked for the Trust for Public Land for 37 years, where he became senior vice president and director of national programs. He also runs a consulting business, Landwater Associates, focused on parks and land conservation. His notable projects include authoring the land protection plan for the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to protect endangered whooping cranes and leading partnerships in Georgia to protect endangered species. Cook has experience in wetland planning and public finance, writing conservation easements, and working with landowners. He is also involved with the Brookline Green Space Alliance and the Charles River Watershed Association. He expressed interest in sustainability and promoting green infrastructure, including managing sustainability for his boat club.
High School Junior Arav Patel Seeks Role on Arts Commission, Championing Public Art
Arav Patel, a junior at Brookline High School, is seeking a position on the Brookline Commission for the Arts. Patel is motivated by the community-building power of public art and has initiated the 'Impact Walls' project to map local murals. He also leads a club focused on graffiti cleanup. Patel has attended commission meetings and aims to increase art accessibility and community engagement. He has been involved in two local mural projects.
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