The non-reappointment of Chi-Chi Woo to the Commission on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations sparked a wave of public comment and criticism. Multiple community members, including Lisa Gisbond and Amy Newell, expressed their dismay and concern over the decision, which they described as influenced by a smear campaign. Gisbond highlighted Woo’s longstanding contributions to civic leadership, while Newell emphasized the perceived bullying Woo faced over the past year. Alicia Shu from the Brookline Asian-American Family Network also condemned the decision, emphasizing Woo’s extensive work in fostering inclusivity within the community.

Woo herself addressed the board, critiquing the process as defective and asserting that her free speech rights had been violated. She announced her intention to file a civil rights complaint with the attorney general’s office. Woo’s statements underscored broader issues concerning the representation of Asian-Americans and other people of color on town boards, with Woo arguing that her public criticism of Israel’s actions, which she insisted was not anti-Semitic, had been unfairly used against her.

Amidst these discussions, Katherine Henchin, a town meeting member, voiced her opposition to the consideration of Carrie Beth Goldberg for the same commission, citing Goldberg’s divisive actions and statements. Henchin criticized Goldberg’s past efforts against community initiatives and her comments regarding proposed housing for single mothers, which Henchin deemed exclusionary and stigmatizing.

The meeting also highlighted the promotion of Police Lieutenant Casey Hatchet to Deputy Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent Paul Campbell to Superintendent. The promotions followed the retirement of Superintendent Kevin Mey, and members of the board expressed strong support for both officers. The Chief of Police praised their lengthy service and contributions to the department, emphasizing Campbell’s legal expertise and Hatchet’s role in community engagement and crime analysis programs.

Additional topics included a presentation on the digital community display system, SUFFA kiosks, which faced scrutiny over their effectiveness and financial benefits to the town. Concerns about their utility, data collection practices, and minimal revenue generation were discussed, with members contemplating the initiation of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to explore alternative options. The board expressed a desire for more definitive data and analysis to guide future decisions about the program.

The board also touched on the municipal decarbonization roadmap and vehicle electrification policy, key components of the town’s climate initiatives. The roadmap aims to eliminate fossil fuel use by 2050, focusing on decarbonizing municipal buildings and transitioning the vehicle fleet to electric options. While the board unanimously approved these initiatives, questions arose about the inclusion of emergency vehicles in the electrification goals and the overall financial implications.

Finally, the board addressed numerous license renewals, including those for secondhand stores, lodging houses, and cannabis retailers. Conditional approvals were granted for businesses with incomplete applications, allowing additional time for compliance. The board also discussed potential policy adjustments for social equity applicants in the cannabis sector, deferring any immediate actions to future meetings.