Voting Record
John Hilliard, Precinct 11 · 2023-2025
This is every Town Meeting vote I've cast during my first term, pulled from the official vote spreadsheets published by the Town of Brookline. Each meeting heading links to the original source file. If you see a discrepancy between what's here and what the town published, the town's version is authoritative.
Summary across all six meetings:
- Recorded votes cast: 190 (Yes: 151, No: 39, Abstain: 0)
- No vote recorded: 2 — my tablet had no entry while others in the chamber voted electronically
- Paper / voice votes: 2 — decided by paper ballot or voice vote, so no individual member's vote is recorded in the spreadsheet (only aggregate totals appear)
- Total motions on the warrant: 194
A blank cell in the source spreadsheet can mean three different things: (1) the member wasn't in the room when the vote was called, (2) the member was present but their tablet didn't register, or (3) the vote itself wasn't electronic (voice or paper ballot), in which case every member's cell is blank. After filtering out paper/voice votes, my two unrecorded entries are on Article 10 Motion to Terminate Debate (May 2023, Night 2) and Article 9 Main Motion (FY26 Budget Appropriations, May 2025, Night 2).
May 2023 Annual Town Meeting
Night 1 — May 23, 2023
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 6 Main Motion | Acceptance of legislation to increase certain property tax exemptions | Yes |
| Article 7 Bond Item 64 | Yes | |
| Article 7 Bond Item 65 | Yes | |
| Article 7 Bond Item 66 | Yes | |
| Article 7 Bond Item 67 | Yes | |
| Article 7 Bond Item 68 | Yes | |
| Article 7 Bond Item 69 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 7 Bond Item 69 Fisher Amendment | No | |
| Article 7 Bond Item 69 Select Board Substitute Motion | Yes | |
| Article 7 Bond Item 69 | Yes |
Night 2 — May 24, 2023
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 8 Main Motion | Annual (FY24) Community Preservation Program Budget | Yes |
| Article 9 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 9 Amendment | Yes | |
| Article 9 Main Motion | Amend Article 2.1.13 of the Town's General By-Laws to increase the number of registered voters required for petitioned warrant articles from 10 to 50 | No |
| Article 10 Motion to Terminate Debate | No vote recorded | |
| Article 10 Main Motion | Amend Article 2.1.13 of the Town's General By-Laws to define and require lead petitioners for warrant articles | No |
| Article 11 Main Motion | Amend Articles 2.5.2 and 3.22 of the Town's General By-Laws to revise the process for Select Board and Advisory recommendations and hearings on warrant articles | No |
| Article 12 Main Motion | Amend Article 4.1 of the Town's General By-Laws to require the Town to change auditors at least every five years and seek competitive bids for auditor at least every 10 years | Yes |
| Article 14 Main Motion | Amend Article 4.08 of the Town's Zoning By-Laws (Inclusionary Zoning) to lower the unit threshold for developments that must include onsite affordable housing units | Yes |
Night 3 — May 31, 2023
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 2 Motion to Divide the Question | No | |
| Article 2 Main Motion | Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements | Yes |
| Article 15 Main Motion | Amend Article 5.9 of the Town's General By-Laws to clarify and update votes previously taken regarding the Stretch Code and Specialized Energy Code, and add fossil fuel free restrictions in accordance with the MA DOER Demonstration Project | Yes |
| Article 16 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 16 Main Motion | Amend the Zoning Map and Articles 3 and 5 of the Town's Zoning By-Laws to create a new zoning district to set forth building massing requirements in two existing T-5 (two-family) zoning districts north of Beacon Street to encourage reuse and deter demolition | No |
| Article 19 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 19 Motion to Refer | Create a Brookline Black N Brown Commission | Yes |
Night 4 — June 1, 2023
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 7 Main Motion | MOTION RESCINDED ON NIGHT 5 | Yes |
| Article 17 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 17 Substitute Motion to Refer | No | |
| Article 17 Motion to Refer | Amend Article 8.37.2 of the Town's General By-Laws to change "marijuana" to "cannabis" and to permit two additional Storefront Cannabis Retailers licenses for Equity Applicants | No |
Night 5 — June 6, 2023
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 7 Motion to Rescind | Yes | |
| Article 7 Main Motion | Annual (FY24) Budget Appropriations Article | Yes |
| Article 13 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 13 Main Motion | Create a new Article 3.12A of the Town's General By-Laws to establish an Office of Housing Stability | Yes |
| Article 20 Main Motion | Amend the Menstrual Hygiene Product Access By-Law of the Town's General By-Laws, currently Article 8.39, to change the Article's duplicative numbering and add provisions relative to reproductive and gender health care | Yes |
| Article 18 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 18 Main Motion | Amend Article 10.3 of the Town's General By-Laws to establish penalties for repeat violations of Article 8.8's requirements for refuse storage and removal | Yes |
| Article 21 Main Motion | Create a new Article 8.XX.1 of the Town's General By-Laws to establish training, notice and reporting requirements for Innholders to prevent human trafficking | Yes |
Night 6 — June 7, 2023
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| STM Article 1 Main Motion | Gun Control | Yes |
| Article 22 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 22 Substitute Motion | Yes | |
| Article 22 Main Motion | Home Rule petition to establish ranked choice voting in Town elections | Yes |
| Article 23 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 23 Main Motion | Resolution requesting the Select Board, Town Administrator and Human Resources Director to work with the Police Department to adopt and implement an in-car and body worn camera policy for the Police Department | Yes |
November 2023 Special Town Meeting
Night 1 — November 14, 2023
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| STM2 Article 1 Main Motion | FY2024 Budget Amendment | Yes |
| STM4 Article 1 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| STM4 Article 1 Motion to Refer | No | |
| STM4 Article 1 Main Motion | MBTA Communities Act – Consensus Article | Yes |
Night 2 — November 15, 2023
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 14 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 14 Main Motion | Amend the General By-Laws to ban the sale of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in pet shops within the Town | Yes |
| Article 15 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 15 Motion to Amend | Yes | |
| Article 15 Main Motion | Amend the General By-Laws to prohibit the use of certain wild animals including elephants, monkeys, and zebras in traveling animal acts such as circuses and carnivals | Yes |
| Article 6 Main Motion | Amend Zoning By-Law to change three lots on Mason Terrace from the SC-7 District to the M-1.5 District | Yes |
| Article 9 Main Motion | Amend Article 3.11A of the General By-Laws in order to create a Payroll Division in the Finance Department | Yes |
| Article 10 Main Motion | Transfer of unexpended bond proceeds and rescissions | Yes |
| Article 11 Main Motion | Amend Article 3.25 of the General By-Laws to change "Community Preservation Committee" to "Community Preservation Act Committee" | Yes |
Night 3 — November 16, 2023
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 13 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 13 Main Motion | Rename the Heath School the "Roland Hayes School" | Yes |
| Article 7 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 7 Motion to Refer | Legislation authorizing the Select Board to offer a senior discount program for water and sewer rates | No |
| Article 16 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 16 Second Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 16 Main Motion | Home Rule Petition to implement rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections | Yes |
| Article 17 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 17 Main Motion | Resolution regarding fluorinated hydrocarbons otherwise known as "PFAS" | Yes |
| Article 18 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 18 Main Motion | Resolution on creating a Moderator's Committee on Forms of Municipal Government | No |
May 2024 Annual Town Meeting
Night 1 — May 28, 2024
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 1 Main Motion | Appointment of Measurers of Wood and Bark | Yes |
| STM1 Article 1 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| STM1 Article 1 Main Motion | Home Rule Petition – Pierce Geothermal | Yes |
| STM2 Article 1 Main Motion | Remove the Police Department from Civil Service | Yes |
| Article 2 Main Motion | Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements | Yes |
| Article 3 Main Motion | Annual authorization of Compensating Balance Agreements | Yes |
| Article 5 Main Motion | FY24 Budget Amendment | Yes |
| Article 6 Main Motion | Approval of unpaid bills of a prior fiscal year | Yes |
| Article 7 Main Motion | Acceptance of legislation to increase certain property tax exemptions | Yes |
| Article 8 Main Motion | Establish a Departmental Revolving Fund for vaccines | Yes |
| Article 9 Main Motion | Accept Chapter 40, Section 13D of the General Laws, establishing an accrued liabilities reserve fund for compensated absences | Yes |
| Article 12 Main Motion | Accept Chapter 59, Section 5K of the General Laws, allowing an expansion of the Senior Tax work off program | Yes |
| Article 13 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 13 Main Motion | Amend the Town's Zoning By-law to reduce the restrictions for Accessory Dwelling Units | Yes |
Night 2 — May 29, 2024
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 10 SB Amendment Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 10 SB Amendment Item 69A | Yes | |
| Article 10 SB Amendment Item 69B and 48 | Yes | |
| Article 10 Bond Item 71 | Yes | |
| Article 10 Bond Item 72 | Yes | |
| Article 10 Bond Item 73 | Yes | |
| Article 10 Bond Item 74 | Yes | |
| Article 10 Bond Item 75 | Yes |
Night 3 — May 30, 2024
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 10 Miller Amendment Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 10 Miller Amendment | Yes | |
| Article 10 Main Motion | Annual (FY25) Budget Appropriations Article | Yes |
| Article 11 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 11 Motion to Divide the Question | No | |
| Article 11 Main Motion | Annual (FY25) Community Preservation Act Fund Appropriations | Yes |
| Article 14 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 14 Main Motion | Amend the Town's Zoning By-law to reduce the setbacks needed for energy saving devices | Yes |
| Article 15 Main Motion | Create a new General By-Law establishing staggered terms of office for Constables | No |
| Article 16 Main Motion | Amend 3.14.1 of the General By-Laws to change the number of Commission for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Relations members from 15 to 9 | Yes |
| Article 17 Main Motion | Home Rule Petition – Police Details | No |
| Article 19 Motion to Lay on the Table | Yes |
November 2024 Special Town Meeting
Night 1 — November 19, 2024
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 3 Main Motion | Appropriation of Transportation Network Company (TNC) funds | Yes |
| Article 4 Main Motion | Accept Chapter 59, Section 5N of the General Laws, allowing for the creation of a Veteran's Tax Work-Off Reduction program | Yes |
| Article 5 Main Motion | Amend the General By-Laws to create a Brookline Youth Council | Yes |
| Article 6 Main Motion | Authorize the acceptance of a restrictive covenant prohibiting future development from the developer of Puddingstone at Chestnut Hill in Hancock Village | Yes |
| Article 7 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 7 Motion to Refer | No | |
| Article 8 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 8 Motion to Refer | No | |
| Article 8 Main Motion | Amend Section 5.05 of the Town's Zoning By-Laws to allow the Zoning Board of Appeals to waive the minimum lot size requirement when granting a special permit for the conversion of single family buildings into two-family units in SC or T Districts | Yes |
| Article 10 Main Motion | Amend Article XI (Harvard Street Form-Based Zones) of the Town's Zoning By-Laws to increase the list of allowed exterior materials, provide greater flexibility in certain exterior elements, and make modifications to comply with state law | Yes |
Night 2 — November 20, 2024
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 9 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 9 Second Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 9 Motion to Refer | No | |
| Article 11 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 11 Main Motion | Amend Article XI (Harvard Street Form-Based Zones) of the Town's Zoning By-Laws to allow the Planning Board to permit substitutions or modifications to massing, façade and architecture standards | Yes |
| Article 13 Main Motion | Amend Article VII (Signs, Illumination, & Regulated Façade Alternations) of the Town's Zoning By-Laws to address sign design and commercial signage | Yes |
| Article 14 Motion to Refer | No |
Night 3 — November 21, 2024
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 12 Motion to Refer | Yes | |
| Article 17 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 17 Main Motion | Petition for a special act allowing the Town to disqualify bidders that engage in the design, manufacturing or maintenance of nuclear weapons | Yes |
| Article 18 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 18 Main Motion | Petition for a special act to allow the restriction of rodenticides | Yes |
| Article 16 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 16 Main Motion | Amend Article 8.41 of the Town's General By-Laws to expand the requirements of the Tree Preservation By-law | No |
| Article 15 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 15 Main Motion | Amend Use 51B and Section 4.05.3 of the Town's Zoning By-Law to comply with the state requirements in the Affordable Homes Act | Yes |
| Article 19 Main Motion | Resolution pertaining to the establishment of a Jewish American Heritage Month | Yes |
| Article 20 Motion to Lay on the Table | Yes |
May 2025 Annual Town Meeting
Night 1 — May 27, 2025
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 1 Main Motion | Appointment of Measurers of Wood and Bark | Yes |
| Article 2 Main Motion | Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements | Yes |
| Article 3 Main Motion | Annual authorization of Compensating Balance Agreements | Yes |
| Article 6 Main Motion | Approval of unpaid bills of a prior fiscal year | Yes |
| Article 7 Main Motion | Acceptance of legislation to increase certain property tax exemptions | Yes |
| Article 8 Main Motion | Establish a Departmental Revolving Fund for electric vehicle charging | Yes |
| Article 9 Bond Item 69 | Yes | |
| Article 9 Bond Item 70 | Yes | |
| Article 9 Bond Item 71 | Yes | |
| Article 9 Bond Item 72 | Yes | |
| Article 9 Leibovitz Amendment Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 9 Leibovitz Amendment | Yes |
Night 2 — May 28, 2025
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 9 Main Motion | Annual (FY26) Budget Appropriations Article | No vote recorded |
| Article 10 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 10 Main Motion | Annual (FY26) Community Preservation Act Fund Appropriations | Yes |
| Articles 14 and 15 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 14 Substitute Motion | No | |
| Article 14 Main Motion | Amend the Town's Zoning By-Law to create an administrative review process for requests for reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities | Yes |
| Article 15 Substitute Motion | No | |
| Article 15 Main Motion | Amend Article 5.3 of the Town's General By-Laws to allow the Building Commissioner to exempt from the Demolition Delay those permits necessary for reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities | Yes |
| Article 20 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 20 Main Motion | Create a new General By-Law banning the sale of foie gras | Yes |
Night 3 — June 4, 2025
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 29 Main Motion | Resolution providing support for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse people | Yes |
| Article 12 Main Motion | Amend the Town's General By-Laws and Zoning By-Law to establish a Floodplain Administrator and update the regulations related to the Floodplain Overlay District | Yes |
| Article 13 Main Motion | Amend Articles 3.48 of the Town's General By-Laws relating to the election of Constables | Yes |
| Article 16 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 16 Main Motion | Amend Section 6.05.3 of the Town's Zoning By-law to expand requirements to provide 2 long-term bicycle parking spaces and the percentage of bicycle parking that is to be dedicated to larger bicycles | Yes |
| Article 17 Main Motion | Amend Article 6.6 of the Town's General By-Laws to restrict the possession of firearms in medical/healthcare settings and places that serve alcohol for consumption on-site and other medical/healthcare settings | Yes |
| Articles 18 and 19 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 18 Main Motion | Amend Article 8.32 of the Town's General By-Laws to reduce demand for single-use plastic food packaging | Yes |
| Article 19 Main Motion | Amend Article 8.33 of the Town's General By-Laws to expand and adjust the regulation of plastic bags | Yes |
| Article 21 Main Motion | Create a new General By-Law establishing a Commission on Thriving Children and Youth | Yes |
| Article 23 Main Motion | Amend Article 3.4 of the Town's General By-Laws to require the Town Clerk to timely update the General By-Laws following amendment | Yes |
| Article 24 First Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 24 Second Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 24 Substitute Motion | No | |
| Article 24 Main Motion | Home Rule Petition – Real Estate Transfer Fee | Yes |
Night 4 — June 5, 2025
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 25 Main Motion | Resolution regarding support of legislation to establish a Climate Change Superfund | Yes |
| Article 26 Main Motion | Resolution regarding support of legislation to prevent the forced payment of broker's fees by tenants during rental lease negotiations | Yes |
| Article 27 Main Motion | Resolution expressing support for Back from the Brink of Nuclear War resolutions and other associated efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons | Yes |
| Article 28 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 28 Main Motion | Resolution affirming the Town's commitment to democracy | Yes |
| Article 30 Motion to Terminate Debate | Yes | |
| Article 30 Motion to Refer | Yes | |
| Article 30 Main Motion | Resolution regarding the work of the Moderator's Committee on Forms of Government | No |
November 2025 Special Town Meeting
Night 1 — November 18, 2025
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 2 Main Motion | Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreements | Yes |
| Article 3 Main Motion | FY26 Budget Amendment | Yes |
| Article 4 Main Motion | Amend the General By-Laws to update and correct inconsistencies in order to provide an accessible version of the General By-Laws | Yes |
| Article 6 Main Motion | Amend Article IV of the Zoning By-Law to comply with the M.G.L. Chapter 40(a), Section 3 exemption for Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes | Yes |
| Article 7 Main Motion | Amend Section 5.06.4 of the Zoning By-Law to create a Clark Road Multi-Family Overlay District | Yes |
| Article 8 Motion to Terminate Debate | No | |
| Article 8 Motion to Refer | Yes | |
| Article 9 Main Motion | Create a new Article 3.12B of the General By-Laws establishing a renter's handbook | Yes |
Night 2 — November 19, 2025
| Article / Motion | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Article 10 Main Motion | Name the baseball diamond located at the northwest corner of Brookline's Warren Field, to "Campagna Diamond," after Joseph Campagna | Yes |
| Article 13 Main Motion | Resolution to consider the older population when determining use of the Fisher Hill property | Yes |
| Article 17 Main Motion | Resolution regarding tree preservation practices | Yes |
| Articles 11 and 12 AC Amendment | Yes | |
| Article 11 and 12 Motion to Refer | Yes | |
| Article 14 Main Motion | Resolution regarding contact information for public officials | Yes |
| Article 15 Main Motion | Resolution regarding the celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month | Yes |
| Article 16 Main Motion | Resolution to encourage bringing a professional women's basketball franchise to Boston | Yes |
| Article 18 Main Motion | Resolution regarding the recordings of public meetings | Yes |
| Article 19 Motion to Table | Paper/voice vote | |
| Article 19 Main Motion | Resolution regarding the use of the twenty-fifth amendment to remove Donald Trump from office | Paper/voice vote |