On Brookline

Good news for those on the Brookline public payroll who live in Boston (and they are legion) - their property tax burden is being reduced, according to the Globe.

It seems that commercial development, declining residential property values and legislative maneuvering by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino will result in a $142 reduction in the average residential tax bill. Hey, that’s the amount the Brookline Selectmen will raise the average residential tax bill this evening.

How does that happen?

Well, in a well run municipality commercial development (which relieves pressure on the residential tax burden) operates under a system that is predictable and professionally administered. In Brookline, we have the EDAB and the Brookline Selectmen managing development - an institutionalized crony system that keeps responsible developers away.

In fairness, Boston has ten times the geographic footprint to work with, but the Town of Brookline has put eminently developable land (the Emerald Precints of 15 and 16) off limits. Think biotech office campus at the former Newton St. Landfill.

In a well run community, budgeters find a way to make their expenses work within the declining fortunes of taxpayers. It’s what happens when the budgeters actually live in the community they serve. It’s then that people in government hear things like this, as quoted in the Globe:

“We’ve got a lot of people who are just getting killed by taxes,” said Dr. Francisco Trilla, medical director at Atreva Health Care in Jamaica Plain, which serves many elderly city residents and young families. “You’ve really got to look at the most vulnerable populations and those are the people who are really going to benefit from this.”

People all over Brookline are saying the same thing, but the selectmen will raise taxes anyway. What choice do they have? Town government comes first, don’t you know.

And then there’s the political clout of the mayor. Sure, he’s got a lot of votes backing him when he goes to Beacon Hill. But he’s also motivated to deliver moments like these - a story that puts him out front for the people he serves. It’s a variation on this crazy idea called accountability.

Tonight, the Brookline Selectmen will likely raise the average property tax bill, though property values are in decline, though the national economy is lurching toward recession, and though Brookline town government is a case study in inefficient management.

And with that, we’ll add to the rolls of those residents “just being killed by taxes.” But at least they’ll have died in the glory of service to Brookline town government.

Semper fi.