37:04The tree preservation bylaw, initially passed during the town meeting in November 2024 and approved by the attorney general’s office in March, was a focal point of the board’s discussions. The bylaw applies to any tree with a diameter of six inches or more on residential and commercial properties, categorizing them as protected. The updated regulations require property owners to notify direct abutters of any planned tree removal and mandate mitigation through replanting or financial compensation. This provision has drawn attention due to its standalone nature, not linked to other permits like those for building or stormwater management.

37:30Key differences from the prior bylaw include a detailed permit application process accessible online and the hiring of a part-time staff member to assist in enforcement. The board discussed the sliding scale for permit application fees, relating these to the number of trees involved in removal, with larger projects requiring more complex reviews. Importantly, the bylaw specifies that construction activity within 30 feet of a protected tree necessitates a tree protection and mitigation plan.

01:00:10The board’s discussions also touched on the intricacies of compliance, particularly in neighbor-to-neighbor disputes over tree root zone protection. While the town does not intervene directly in such disputes, enforcement measures are in place for violations of the bylaw. The board underscored the importance of public hearings in refining the regulations and addressing community concerns, with plans for ongoing education and outreach to aid stakeholders in understanding and adhering to the bylaw.

02:17:21In another substantial agenda item, the board addressed a noise bylaw exemption request related to a roofing project at Brookline High School. The request sought permission to begin work at 5:00 a.m., two and a half hours earlier than typical start times, to complete the project within the tight timeline of June 20 to August 15. This sparked debate among board members and the public, with concerns about potential disruption balanced against the necessity of timely completion given weather uncertainties. The board ultimately approved the exemption, allowing work to commence early, but emphasized the need for ongoing communication with the community to minimize inconvenience.

02:31:08The meeting also included a discussion on water and sewer rate adjustments for the fiscal year 2026, with a proposed 3.5% rate increase. The board focused on the financial sustainability of the water and sewer enterprise, highlighting proactive capital improvements that have helped maintain lower rates than historically projected.

04:36:32Public engagement was a recurring theme throughout the meeting. In the discussion of the Vision Zero action plan, aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2035, board members stressed the need for inclusive feedback from all road users, including motorists whose perspectives were perceived as underrepresented. The plan, which features a risk and crash-based analysis to identify priority streets for safety improvements, was praised for its ambitious goals but also critiqued for potential biases. The board agreed to postpone voting on the related resolution to allow for more comprehensive review and community input.

03:41:43Additionally, the board reviewed a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement with Boston University.

04:02:09The meeting concluded with a decision to extend Mission Massachusetts, Inc.’s cannabis retailer license following a judge’s recommendations. The license’s status had been under scrutiny due to procedural misunderstandings, and the board opted to allow further time for deliberation and public hearing before finalizing any actions.