State earmark would fund two Bluebikes stations in Brookline, Rep. Vitolo tells Select Board

State Rep. Tommy Vitolo told the Brookline Select Board on Dec. 2 that a $100,000 legislative earmark would be available to the town to fund two Bluebikes docking stations, concrete site work and some e‑bikes.

Vitolo said the money comes from fair‑share amendment revenue, not general funds — a tax on incomes above $1 million earmarked for transportation and education — and is intended to be spent within the next year if the town accepts it. "The $100,000 is enough to purchase 2 blue bike stations, do the site work, the concrete work, and include some ebikes in that purchase," Vitolo said.

Board members asked whether the earmark was Brookline‑specific and about statewide funding. Vitolo confirmed the $100,000 in question was explicitly for Brookline and reiterated that Bluebikes functions as a lightly priced public‑transportation network: stations are most useful when they are near other stations to allow short, 45–60 minute trips without surcharges. He also described the e‑bikes used in the Bluebike system as class 1 pedal‑assist models that assist riders up hills but have no throttle.

The Select Board did not take a separate formal vote on accepting the earmark during the meeting beyond including related agenda items in the omnibus block; staff and the representative encouraged the board to consider sensible station placement to maximize use.