BROOKLINE — Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and the Town of Brookline invite residents to a virtual information session this month to learn more about the town’s budgeting process.
WHEN
Thursday, Jan. 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
WHERE
On Zoom. To register and access the event, click here. The meeting will also be broadcast by Brookline Interactive Group online here and on BIG’s Civic Channel — Comcast channel 23 and RCN channels 15/613.
WHAT
The Brookline Budget Forum will serve as an opportunity for residents to hear directly from Kleckner as he provides insight on municipal finance and the town’s annual budget process.
The event will include an early outlook on the town’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget as its development gets underway, and residents will have an opportunity to provide general input on town budget priorities.
Over the course of the next several months, the budget will be outlined in greater detail prior to its eventual presentation before Town Meeting for approval.
“I encourage residents to join us later this month to learn more about the town’s budget and how it comes to fruition,” Kleckner said. “This meeting serves as an easy and convenient way to keep up with the town’s budgeting process, as well as an opportunity for residents to provide input that will inform the budgeting process for the coming year.”
Kleckner also will speak about ways the town may use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Brookline received about $43 million allocated through ARPA, which was signed into law on March 11, 2021. The program is intended to support the U.S. effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in myriad ways, including offsetting the economic impact of the pandemic and supporting public health efforts meant to curb the spread of the virus. The federal government has given local jurisdictions discretion over how to spend the money to ensure funding responds to the wide range of community needs.
Over the past several months, the Town of Brookline and the Brookline Community Foundation have engaged with the community to determine ways to use the funding, including through virtual listening sessions, an online survey and a community charette.
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