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1. I’m a new owner. Why did I receive my tax bill in the former owner’s name?
2. How do market conditions affect my assessment?
3. What does full and fair cash value mean?
4. What is a Residential Exemption?
5. How do you determine market value?
6. I purchased my property in calendar year 2015. When do I qualify for a residential exemption?
7. What is a Statutory Exemption?
8. When are real property tax bills mailed and payments due?
9. I live in Chestnut Hill, why haven't I received my motor vehicle excise bill?
10. What is a Tax Classification Hearing?
11. How do I change my address for my Motor Vehicle Excise Tax?
12. What is the difference between Real and Personal Property?
13. What is a Revaluation and why is it necessary?

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1. When is a building permit necessary?
2. What are the fees for building, wiring, plumbing, gas permits, and other building department functions?
3. What is the process for applying for a building permit?
4. How long does it take to process a permit application?
5. How do I appeal a building permit or a decision made by a Building Inspector?
6. Who can apply for a permit?
7. Who can be issued a building permit?
8. Can a homeowner apply for and be issued a building permit?
9. Can a homeowner apply for any Wiring, Plumbing, or Gas permit?
10. Does a building permit expire?
11. Do I need a permit to install a shed?
12. Do I need a permit for a fence and what are the requirements?
13. Do I need a building permit for a driveway?
14. What are the hours a contractor can work?
15. How do I receive permission for a curb cut?
16. How do you apply for a sign or Facade Design Review?
17. When do I need a certified plot plan?
18. Can I receive a temporary Certificate of Occupancy?
19. Who do I contact about hooking up to town water, sewer, or drainage?
20. Who do I contact with questions regarding zoning (setbacks, frontage of area, pre-existing nonconforming structure, etc.)?
21. Do the inspectors for the Building Department carry official identification?

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1. What cable service providers operate in the Town of Brookline?
2. How do I contact them for service?
3. Who do I contact to complain about a problem?
4. If the problem continues unresolved, what is my next step?
5. How do I obtain service if I live in a multiple dwelling unit?
6. Can the town negotiate a better rate?
7. Does the town have any control over programming?
8. Are there any discounts for senior citizens?
9. How can I get cable information from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?

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1. What is an operating override?
2. How does an override differ from a debt exclusion?
3. How much additional funding does the Town want in the override?
4. How much additional funding does the Public Schools of Brookline (PSB) want in the override?
5. Are there other override proposals on the ballot?
6. What about debt exclusions?
7. How much will the override and/or debt exclusion increase my property taxes?
8. Why is an override needed?
9. What is Brookline doing to assist senior citizens or residents on a fixed income?
10. How does Brookline compare with other communities’ tax bills?

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1. What is the Human Relations / Youth Resources Commission (HR / YRC)?
2. How may I reach the Human Relations / Youth Resources Commission?
3. How often and where does the commission meet?

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1. I’ve heard Brookline is a “yes” community- what is a “yes” community, and how does living in a “yes” community impact me?
2. What are the rules for marijuana establishments?
3. How were the town by-laws drafted?
4. Where can marijuana establishments locate in Brookline?
5. What does a licensing scheme do?
6. What is the maximum number of marijuana retailers in town?
7. Why set a cap of 20% for marijuana retailers?
8. Why can’t we ban all marijuana establishments?
9. Can people consume marijuana in public?
10. Will this ban my use of marijuana in my home?
11. Can people consume marijuana in restaurants?
12. Can an existing store also sell marijuana?
13. Can i just walk in and buy recreational marijuana?
14. Are marijuana establishments secure?
15. How do I apply for license to open a marijuana establishment in Brookline?
16. How do I stay informed through the public process in respect to future marijuana licenses?

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1. How do I find affordable housing?

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1. What buildings in Brookline are subject to review for demolition delay?
2. What qualifies a project as demolition?
3. Who reviews a building for its historical and architectural significance?
4. What happens when a building is assigned an initial determination of significance?
5. How do I know if a National or State Register-listed building requires demolition review?
6. What is the process for making changes to my home in a Local Historic District?
7. What is a demolition delay? Why do I have to wait to demolish my house?
8. Where can I find historic images, maps, plans, etc. of my house or any building in Brookline?

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1. What is zoning and why does my project require zoning relief?
2. What is a pre-existing non-conforming use?
3. What is an “as-of-right” project?
4. Why do I need zoning relief if my structure is non-conforming?
5. What are special permits and variances and what is the process?
6. What is the difference between the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals?
7. How long does a special permit or variance process take?
8. How can I find out what zoning district my home or property is located in?
9. What is Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and how do I calculate it?
10. Do my plans need to be drawn by a registered architect?
11. Do I need an attorney to file an application with a Board or Commission?
12. I would like to put a shed/detached garage/AC condenser/generator on my property. Is this allowed?
13. I would like to add an in-law suite or accessory apartment to my home. Can I do this?
14. What are the regulations pertaining to signage for my business?
15. My neighbor is proposing a project that I am concerned about. What can I do?
16. How do I learn about Major Impact projects and Design Advisory Teams?
17. What is a 40B project?
18. Where can I review past meeting minutes?
19. Where can I read zoning decisions on recent zoning cases?
20. The ZBA voted to approve my application. Now what?
21. There is construction taking place near me that is disruptive/causing a nuisance/does not seem to be following the plans/does not seem to have a work permit/etc. What can I do?
22. Can I subdivide my lot? What is an ANR plan?
23. How can I propose a zoning amendment?
24. How do I learn about Town Meeting zoning amendments?

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1. What buildings in Brookline are subject to review for demolition delay?
2. What qualifies a project as demolition?
3. Who reviews a building for its historical and architectural significance?
4. What happens when a building is assigned an initial determination of significance?
5. How do I know if a National or State Register-listed building requires demolition review?
6. What if my building is located in a Local Historic District?

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1. HOW DO I USE PASSPORT/HOW DO I PAY WITH MY PHONE?
2. WHAT IS THE ZONE/PARKING SPOT NUMBER AND HOW DO I FIND IT?
3. HOW DO I FUND A WALLET?
4. WHY DOESN’T THE METER CHANGE/HOW DOES ENFORCEMENT KNOW I PAID?
5. HOW DO I KNOW MY PARKING SESSION HAS STARTED?
6. IS THERE A FEE FOR PAY BY PHONE?

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1. HOW DO I EXTEND MY TIME?
2. HOW DO I VIEW MY PARKING HISTORY/GET RECEIPTS?
3. HOW DO I MANAGE ALERTS/REMINDERS?
4. CAN I PARK MULTIPLE CARS?

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1. WHERE IS THE MENU LOCATED?
2. HOW DO I ADD/DELETE A PAYMENT CARD?
3. HOW DO I ADD ANOTHER VEHICLE TO MY ACCOUNT?
4. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VERIFICATION CODE AND MY PIN NUMBER?
5. HOW DO I RESET MY PIN?
6. HOW DO I CHANGE THE EMAIL ADDRESS ON MY ACCOUNT?

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1. What is the Hybrid Pay-As-You-Throw (HPAYT) Automated Curbside Collection Program?
2. When and how will my bill change?
3. I am a Town Refuse Collection subscriber, but I did not choose a cart before the deadline. What happens now?
4. I am unable to roll a cart to my curb. What are my options?
5. My cart is usually spacious enough, but I have more trash than usual this week. What are my options?
6. How do I schedule an appointment for Bulky Item Collection?

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1. How do I sign up for Town refuse collection?
2. How do I choose a recycling and/or trash cart?
3. When will I receive my first bill?
4. How do I know which trash cart is the best choice?
5. How do I dispose of my old trash bin or barrel?

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1. May I exchange my current cart for another size, or add an additional cart to my account?

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1. I am worried someone will steal my recycling or trash cart. How is the DPW addressing my concern?
2. What can I do, as a subscriber, to prevent cart theft?
3. What should I do if I discover my cart is missing?

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1. I live in, or maintain, a multi-unit dwelling. What is my responsibility?

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1. What is single stream recycling?
2. What can I put in my blue recycling cart ?
3. I am elderly or disabled and can not transport a large cart. Can I get a smaller cart?
4. What are the advantages to single stream?
5. How do I know what plastic is recyclable?
6. Are plastic bags recyclable at the MRF?
7. Should I wash my recycling before placing it in the bin?
8. Can I recycle Styrofoam?
9. Why can’t prescription or vitamin bottles be recycled?
10. Can I recycle a motor oil bottle with a No. 2 on the bottom?
11. Do I need to step on my plastic containers before recycling?
12. Are black, No. 1 microwaveable containers recyclable?
13. Why can't I recycle plant pots?

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1. When is my trash and recycling picked up?
2. Where does my trash and recycling go?
3. How do I get a blue recycling cart?
4. What happens if my collection day falls on a holiday?
5. What do I do with my hazardous waste?
6. What do I do with my hazardous waste in the winter?
7. Are there any restrictions on what I can put in my trash?
8. What are special pickups?
9. Who do I call if I see illegal dumping?
10. What should I do with yard waste?

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1. What was the public community process?
2. When will construction begin at the park, and what is happening on site now?

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1. Can I have a “Front Yard” tree planted anywhere on my property?
2. What does the application process look like?
3. What kind of trees are available? Can I choose what species of tree is planted?
4. What is the cost to the homeowner?
5. How many “Front Yard” trees can I request?
6. What are the deciding factors for site suitability?
7. I just had a “Front Yard” tree planted on my property! How can I care for my tree?

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1. How do I register and sign up for the Green Dog Program?
2. Where can I take my dog off-leash and how were the off-leash hours and parks determined?
3. I visited a park during off-leash hours, but the park was closed. Why is this?
4. Why are there no evening off-leash hours?
5. Why doesn’t Brookline have a dog park, so dogs can always be off-leash?
6. Why do I need to license my dog?
7. Why do I need to pay a fee to participate?
8. I visited a park during off-leash hours, but was told my dog had to be on-leash. Why is this?
9. How do I report a violation of off-leash hours or other dog issues?
10. Could off-leash hours or parks change in the future?
11. My usual park is closed for renovations, or due to field conditions. Where can I go with my dog?
12. I’m a dog walker. Can I bring my clients to play and exercise off-leash?
13. Can my friends and visitors bring their dogs to play off-leash in Brookline?
14. Why do I have to pick up after my dog?
15. I saw an aggressive dog in a park. What should I do?
16. What are Green Dog Liaisons?
17. How do I find out more information or make suggestions about the program?

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1. Where is Brookline planting a mini-forest?
2. Where are other mini-forests located?
3. What is involved in planting a mini-forest?
4. Why is a mini-forest cost-effective?
5. How can I get involved?
6. Where can I get more information about mini-forests?

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1. What is a storm drainage system?
2. What is the Problem?
3. What can I do about stormwater?
4. What's Being Done?
5. What is the proper method for draining my swimming pool?

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1. Who should I call if I have sewage backup into my home?
2. Who is responsible for my sewer service line?
3. Who do I contact when I have a question about my bill?
4. Who do I contact if there is a strong sewer odor in my area?
5. Who do I call to repair my sewer service? How do I know if a sewer pipe needs to be repaired?

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1. I am selling my house and need to obtain a "final read" on my water meter, what do I do?
2. Where is my water meter?
3. Who is responsible for my water service line?
4. Who do I contact when I have a question about my bill?
5. How do I check for leaks in my home?
6. Who do I contact in the case of a water emergency?
7. Does the Town test the water?
8. How do I get an irrigation meter (second meter)?

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1. Is there mail-in voting or in-person early voting for the September 6 State Primary Election?
2. What Town-Wide Offices are on the ballot on May 3?
3. What Town Meeting seats are on the ballot on May 3?
4. How do I become a Poll Worker?
5. How do I get a list of registered voters?

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1. Can I park my car on the street?
2. How can I get a resident permit?
3. My car is not registered in Brookline. How do I change it?
4. I live near the high school and cars on my streets have permits. Can I get one, too?
5. My house is in Brookline, but my street address is Brighton. Who do I call?
6. Where can I park if I work in Brookline?
7. How much does the town charge for overnight parking spaces?
8. When can I leave my car in the overnight lots?
9. How can I obtain a monthly overnight parking permit from the Town of Brookline?
10. How can I obtain a monthly overnight parking permit in the Courtyard Marriott garage?
11. Where can visitors of Brookline residents park?
12. I just got a parking ticket. Where do I pay it?
13. I want to rent out parking spaces on my property. Is there anything I need to do?
14. Where do I get "No Parking / Tow Zone" signs for moving trucks?
15. I am having my driveway repaved and have no place to put my car. What should I do?
16. Where do I report broken parking meters?
17. Who should I contact to get a street light fixed in my neighborhood?

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1. How do I know if the meter is in effect until 8 p.m.?
2. Are the parking rates and hours of operation changing?
3. Can I use credit cards to pay for parking?
4. Do these meters offer refunds or change?
5. How does the multi-space meter work?

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1. Are visitor permits included In the new resident permit program?
2. How do residents apply for resident parking permits?
3. How long is a resident parking permit valid?
4. How much does a resident parking permit cost?
5. If I live in the area surrounding Brookline High School, where should I go to get my resident permit sticker?
6. What are the streets that do not qualify for a resident permit sticker?
7. When is a resident parking permit required?

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1. What are the standard cab rates in Brookline?
2. Are there other fees? Do I have to pay for tolls?
3. What if the cab company doesn't respond to my call in a timely manner?
4. What if I think the driver has taken "the long way" to charge me more?
5. If I lose something in a cab, what can I do?
6. Are there any special options for senior citizens?

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1. What is Excise tax?
2. What if I sold my car but received an Excise Tax Bill?
3. I transferred my license plate to another car and received another Excise bill.
4. I received an Excise tax bill but no longer live in Brookline.
5. What if I do not receive a bill?
6. Where do I mail my Excise Tax Bill?
7. Can I pay my Excise Bill online?
8. Can I pay my Excise Bill over the phone?
9. What happens if I don’t pay the bill?
10. What if my check is returned?
11. What if my payment was not credited to my account?

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1. What is Invoice Cloud?
2. Is there one account number for all of my bills?
3. If I pay different bills (i.e. property tax and sewer bill) do I need to register twice?
4. Can I put my sewer bill on auto-pay, but keep my real estate taxes as a scheduled payment?
5. How does the system work?
6. Do I have to enter an email address to make a payment?
7. When I try to pay my bill, it asks for credit card information and I want to pay by electronic check.
8. Will I receive a confirmation email that my bill has been paid?
9. Do I need to register to pay a bill?
10. Why should I register to pay a bill?
11. How do I register?
12. How do I find my account number to login?
13. I forgot my password, how do I find it?
14. Can more than one person pay bills online for the same account?
15. What forms of payment can I use?
16. What is a service or convenience fee?
17. If I don’t have email can I still process an electronic payment?
18. Which bills can I pay online?
19. What are the costs for paying online?
20. May I pay my tax bill by credit card at the Treasurer/Collector’s Office?
21. How should I enter my credit card information?
22. How will I know that my payment has been accepted?
23. How long does it take for a credit card transaction to process?
24. How long does it take for an EFT (electronic funds transfer) transaction to process?
25. Do I need to notify my bank or change bank accounts?
26. What information do I need to make a payment?
27. When can I pay?
28. Can I tell if my payment has been posted?
29. Will I have online access to my account?
30. How long will my payment history be maintained?
31. Will I be able to print a copy of my bill?
32. What is auto-pay?
33. Can I cancel auto-pay?
34. I signed up for auto-pay but do not see any information under “My Scheduled Payments.”
35. What are scheduled payments?
36. Can I schedule payments?
37. Can I change a scheduled payment?
38. What is the difference between auto-pay and a scheduled payment?
39. What if I already have auto-pay or a scheduled payment set up with my bank?
40. When I sign up to “Go Paperless,” will I still receive a paper bill in the mail?
41. Can I start receiving paper bills again?
42. What is Account Linking?
43. Who do I contact with questions about a bill?
44. I accidentally deleted my current email notification, what should I do?
45. If I have additional questions or I am having trouble registering, who should I call?
46. Is my information secure?
47. Are my credit card and checking account information safe when I pay online?
48. What is PCI Compliance and why is it so important?
49. Who has access to my account?

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1. What is the real estate tax rate and how is it calculated?
2. When are real estate taxes due?
3. What are the monthly periods covered by the real estate tax bill?
4. What is the preliminary real estate tax bill?
5. What is the actual real estate tax bill?
6. When are tax bills mailed?
7. Do you accept postmarks for payment date receipt?
8. What will happen if I do not pay my bill by the due date?
9. How do I change or update my billing address?
10. Is there a duplicate bill fee?
11. Where is the Treasurer/Collector’s Office located?
12. Where can I park when I visit Town Hall?
13. Where should I mail correspondence?
14. Does the Treasurer/Collector have an email address?
15. To whom do I make my checks payable?
16. Where do I mail my real estate tax bill?
17. Can I pay my taxes online?
18. Can I pay my taxes over the phone?
19. What if I did not receive a tax bill?
20. How do I obtain a duplicate tax bill?
21. My mortgage company pays my taxes, why did you send me a bill?
22. Does the Town send a tax bill to my mortgage company?
23. I paid my taxes and should not have because my mortgage company pays my taxes, what should I do?
24. I am a new owner, will the tax bill be sent to me?
25. I sold my property and still received a real estate tax bill. What should I do?
26. I just bought a newly developed condominium, what do I need to know?
27. What if my check is returned?
28. What if my payment was not credited to my account?
29. How do I obtain my tax payments for the last calendar year for income tax purposes?
30. Am I eligible for a Residential Exemption?
31. I live on a limited income, what options are available to reduce my taxes?
32. What is an Abatement?
33. What is an Elderly Exemption?
34. What is the Elderly Deferral Program?
35. What is a Municipal Lien Certificate?
36. I received a Real Estate Demand Notice, why?
37. I received a letter in the mail stating my taxes are overdue. What happens if I don’t pay it?
38. What is Tax Title?
39. How do I get a Certificate of Redemption or a Release?
40. I received a Personal Property tax bill but no longer own a business in Brookline.

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1. Refuse Questions?
2. Where do I mail my Refuse Bill?
3. Can I pay my Refuse Bill online?
4. Can I pay my Refuse Bill over the phone?

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1. How can I check if I have unclaimed property with the town?

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1. Water Questions?
2. Where do I mail my Water Bill?
3. Can I pay my Water Bill online?
4. Can I pay my Water Bill over the phone?