Brookline Seeking Input On How To Use $43M In ARPA Funding

BROOKLINE, MA — The Town of Brookline and the Brookline Community Foundation have launched a community engagement process to gather input on how to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

According to Town Administrator Mel Kleckner, Brookline will receive about $43 million in ARPA funds, which are intended to support efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts can include supporting public health response efforts, addressing negative economic impacts, replacing public sector revenue loss, establishing premium pay for essential workers, and investing in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.

“This represents an opportunity to make transformational investments in the Brookline community,” said Kleckner in a statement. “It is our goal to have significant community involvement so that we may identify where this funding will make the greatest impact.”

To gather input from residents on ways to use the funding, BCF will host virtual active listening sessions, work with various community partners to facilitate focus groups, partner with the town to co-host a community charrette, and release an online survey in the coming weeks.

Virtual listening sessions will take place on:

• Thursday, Oct. 21 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 24 from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

The community charette will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. To register for an event, click here.

“Ensuring everyone in the Brookline community — especially underrepresented groups and those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 — has the opportunity to participate, share their perspectives, and contribute insights is fundamental to making spending decisions more equitable, effective, and aligned with community members’ priorities,” said BCF Executive Director Giselle Ferro Puigbo in a statement.

At the end of the community engagement process, BCF will issue a report detailing key themes, learnings, and recommendations. This report will be presented to the Select Board and made public on BCF’s website.

For more information, resources, and updates, visit BCF’s website.