Brookline staff say targeted ARPA utility-debt forgiveness is proceeding; town introduces new assistant administrator

Town staff updated the Select Board on an ARPA-funded utility-debt forgiveness initiative and introduced Tiffany Oliva as the townnew assistant town administrator for operations.

Staff said the Select Boardapproved an ARPA-funded program to eliminate pandemic-era utility debt for customers who had enrolled in utility hardship programs. The program was paused while staff ensured compliance with Massachusetts public-benefit law and ARPA rules. The town will eliminate debt incurred up to the end of the pandemic/emergency declaration in 2023 for customers who qualified for hardship programs at National Grid or Eversource; National Grid has already implemented the change in some accounts, staff said, and Brookline will finalize an agreement with Eversource and announce total forgiveness amounts once the arrangements are complete.

The board emphasized that the funds are municipal ARPA allocations and that town funds are being used in concert to provide relief; staff apologized for timing that allowed some residents to see adjustments on their bills ahead of an official public announcement. "It is the town of Brookline's money that is causing this," staff said, adding the town will publicize the program and the total amount forgiven. The staff update noted legal constraints limited broad, universal forgiveness and that the town is targeting assistance to households already qualified for utility hardship programs to satisfy state public-benefit tests.

In a separate item, the board formally introduced Tiffany Oliva, who joined from the City of Winston-Salem and will oversee operations. Staff described Olivaas having ARPA-administration and departmental oversight experience in a larger city context and welcomed her to Brookline.

The board said staff will publish guidance on eligibility and timing once agreements are finalized with Eversource and will continue outreach to residents who may qualify.