Sample Letter to support Opening Streets to People During the COVID19 Pandemic

On Wednesday, April 8, the Brookline Transportation Board will be holding a hearing to consider allocating more street space to people who are walking, rolling, cycling, or using other micro-mobility devices so they may better social distance while car traffic is way down.

(If you want to watch the meeting, more information is available here: https://www.brooklinema.gov/list.aspx?MID=6597. I know this is the night of the first seder, but the meeting starts at 5:00 so hopefully done long before it's time to pour the first cup of wine.)

Regardless of your thinking about how we allocate street space normally, this is a simple thing the Town can do to support the health and well-being of Brookline residents.

Please write the Select Board and Transportation Board with a letter like the one below BEFORE THE MEETING on Wednesday night.

-----------------
Dear Transportation Board and Select Board,
Thank you for scheduling this meeting on this very important public health and safety topic.

I would like to express my support for the idea of narrowing and closing some streets in Town so that we may allow Brookline residents more space to safely exercise, be outdoors, and access essential services while following the recommended social distancing guidelines.

In this time of reduced automobile traffic and increased demand for public space for those on foot, in wheelchairs, running, cycling, or using other personal mobility devices, we could and should maximize the space available to people so they can stay healthy throughout this crisis.

I support this measure and suggest it be implemented in the maximal number of viable spaces in Town, particularly in Commercial districts, key roads accessing these districts, and quiet streets away from these districts to allow for exercise without overly burdening these essential portions of our Town. <Optional: I specifically suggest that ____ and ____ or ____ would be ideal places for this intervention>.

Thank you for your time, attention, and consideration of this essential policy in this time of crisis.
<Name>
<Street>
-------------------------

Emails should go to 
christopher.dempsey at gmail.com and
tkirrane at brooklinema.gov
from the Transportation Board and Public Works, respectively.

Please also consider copying the Select Board:
kmacgillivray at brooklinema.gov,
bgreene at brooklinema.gov,
nheller at brooklinema.gov,
hhamilton at brooklinema.gov,
rfernandez at brooklinema.gov,
bfranco at brooklinema.gov

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