I moved to Brookline following grad school & made it my home. I've both rented & owned apartments. Now I live car-free in a walkup that cannot legally be built in Brookline anymore.
I am a parent of two children at the Ridley School & am a long-time election worker. My professional life focuses on transportation policy. My policy interests are the overlap of transportation, land use, & social justice.
I am a cofounder & former Board Member of Brookline for Everyone.
Brookline is an amazing place to live, but that does not allow us to rest on our laurels. We have hard work to do to maintain what is great about Brookline & to ensure it can be amazing for everyone.
Endorsed by: Brookline for Everyone & Progressive Brookline
Our largest issue remains our housing crisis. It poisons all other local policy, including our budget, where a lack of development is a driver of our current problem. We need more housing & it must be easier to build: subsidized, workforce, family, & market-rate.
Less immediate, but more existential is our climate. We must redouble our efforts, including land use & public transit as key pillars, and contribute to the Commonwealth’s 2050 goals.
Finally, while the petition to consider City status failed, we remain vulnerable to weaknesses in our current structure. We cannot remain reliant on an unrepresentative caste of volunteers, dictated by who can engage in hundreds of hours of unpaid work and Town Meeting procedures need a revamp.
I have been a resident of Brookline for 38 years, and my daughter is a graduate of its public schools. As a retired social worker with a background in mental health policy and planning, parental involvement, and interdepartmental collaboration, I continue to be engaged in advocacy related to human services at the national, state and local level. My focus is on the disadvantaged, primarily on those facing physical or mental health challenges, immigrants and refugees, those with limited incomes and those who are LGBTQI.
The issues above are all important to my constituents, plus schools, taxes, and the dearth of parking. I was the representative for Seniors on the Affordable Housing Overlay District Study Subcommittee, and Centre St Lots Study Committee and ensured that the parking needs of the mobility limited and visitors were considered. In my minority report on the Lots Study I questioned the use of public lots for market rate housing or commercial-rate parking, and the siting of the garage. I intend to stay involved in development issues.
I provide feedback to constituents by responding to email. I report back to the Council on Aging about meetings related to housing and parking development. I spoke at 100 Centre St on key precinct issues.
TMI: KI/'Devo',’60, BHS’64; Harv ’68; Stanf Law(& Poli.Sci MA); Dad [SaraAnn, 'Devo',’11, BHS’15]. Litigation (criminal/bar-discipline), public dfnder‘73-90; Managing Atty CJI Harv-Law-Sch ‘90-92; Chair MA Citizens Agnst DeathPenalty‘94-02; MA Sentenc’g Comm’n ‘14-18; ACLU Bd ‘85-99; AWARDS: MBA ’22 Access to Justice,ProBono, CPCS ’09 & BBA ’00 =Thurgood MarshallS; Selectmn ‘85-88; Tmm9 ’79-now (100% attendance); CTOS‘89-‘22; Advisory‘83-5; Co-chair,BrooklinePax.org; Police/Community Relatns Rpt ‘87; Police Reform Comm’ee ‘19-21; WA’s: immigrant sanctuary ’85,’06,’17; Bylaws: Diversity Comm’n ’13,’22; Police Commiss’rs; sidewalk-snow; restaurant bathrooms; campaign-signs; 2-hr parking; Transport’n Bd. reform; BrookOnline emls; etc-etc
1.ELSE: you miss May 5’s BIGGIE, 1 more crucial OVERRIDE. USA’s taxes travesties since Reagan’s ‘Starve the Beast’ (eg MA’s Prop 2½ & flat Y-tax) make cities/towns rely on regressive property taxes. I/Pax’ve pushed (smart) Development, Tax reform, Pols like Bernie & EWarren. But our well-run govnt (AAA bond rating) & community NEED Yes for Brookline!
WORD LIMIT tough. I/Pax’ve PUSHED:
2. HOUSING,esp’y affordability/diverse, another chronic US, esp’y Brookline migraine!
3. ICE/Brookline: Luckily only once (yet!) Since Mnpls’ RGood/APretti murders I’ve worked on S-Bd’s 2/10/26 Proclamation & TMtg WA’s 17/25, all good but weak.
4-7: Improve our excellent Police; Reducing ’16-‘22 incivility; Protect our neighborhoods; Sat.’s No Kings rallies
Brookline resident since 1983; sent two sons through (then) Devotion and BHS. Library Trustee and former Friends president. A practical progressive, active in community efforts to keep developers accountable and our community equitable. B.A., Smith College; M.A. in English, University of Wisconsin, MBA, Simmons College (as it was). Served as Executive Director for several technology trade associations; currently work as communications consultant to same.
School quality is highly important, and I support the override to keep the schools excellent. However, there are concerns about a top-heavy administration, and I would press the School Committee to ensure that emphasis is on teaching staff. My constituents also worry about our escalating real estate taxes, and I would work to keep our budgets reasonable -- education palaces do not necessarily mean quality education. My neighbors are concerned about the inroads of developers in our community, and I would continue to hold their feet to the fire to be responsive to our needs.
Attendance
Not Incumbent Town Meeting Candidate
Out
5-Feb
I moved to Brookline for everything that makes our Town among the best places to raise a family: our parks, schools, safety, walkability, and diversity. I have two children in our public schools, and my youngest will graduate from Brookline High in 2040, which makes me motivated to keep our Town thriving until then and beyond.
I have degrees from the University of Illinois and Harvard Business School, and have worked as a business strategy consultant, robotics startup employee, director in a large public company, and now as an independent advisor. In each of these experiences I have seen the transformative power of broad constituent input, detailed analysis, and simple storytelling to drive change. This is what I hope to bring to Brookline.
Many neighbors I’ve spoken with, both new and long-time residents, share a concern that Brookline will soon be in decline. We worry that the things we love - our parks, schools, safety, walkability, and diversity - are at risk because we lack a plan to pay for them sustainably. Tragically some of my neighbors are considering moving away as a result.
For me our long-term fiscal sustainability is the most important issue. If elected I will focus on 3 activities: supporting the findings of the recent E&RSC study, finding ways to expand our property tax base through renovation and development, especially of commercial properties, and examining our town bylaws to streamline their implementation without compromising their results.
Attendance
Not Incumbent Town Meeting Candidate
Out
4-Feb
Longtime journalist including Boston bureau chief of NYTimes and Bloomberg; health/science reporter at WBUR and Boston Globe. Brookline resident for 21 years, parent of public school alums. Co-founder of Learning First Brookline, board member of Calculus Project, co-author of seminal book on generative AI in medicine.
I would listen extensively to concerns and keep constituents up to date on town issues using skills from my journalism career. Important to them: A safe, welcoming community. Our excellent schools. (I support the override and more work toward a sustainable budget.) Robust discussion about what sorts of development are needed, based on the town’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan, with an eye to greater diversity and affordability while preserving greenspace. Protection for pedestrians and bikers (but I am not anti-car; many people need cars, and our much-appreciated local businesses need parking spaces). Robust senior services and age-in-place aid. Yes, minimizing town cooperation with ICE and especially, helping immigrants.
Attendance
Not Incumbent Town Meeting Candidate
Out
25-Feb
Jess Levasseur has been a Brookline resident for nearly 11 years, first as a renter, and now as a homeowner in a multifamily house. Like many others, she and her family chose Brookline for its walkability, schools, and community.
Jess is a teacher and parent to three children who are current and former PSB students. She has 2 children currently at FRR and 1 who graduated from BHS in May, 2025.
She is a middle school French teacher, previously in the Public Schools of Brookline from the Fall of 2015 until the spring of 2021, and now in Newton. Her experience as both a teacher and parent in PSB makes her a good advocate for the education Brookline students need and deserve.
Jess is endorsed by both B4E and Progressive Brookline.
In addition to her experience with schools and education, Jess will advocate for policies to create more affordable homes in addition to commercial development, particularly near transit and mobility hubs, in order to increase Brookline's tax base, while also relieving the tax burden for our residents.
She currently supports the proposed Chestnut Hill development project.
She is supportive of working to continue to improve accessibility for all residents while also moving Brookline towards its Climate Goals for 2040 by prioritizing environmental sustainability in town and green space preservation.
Jess is also supportive of local policies that protect the rights of our immigration communities and ensure their safety.
Attendance
Not Incumbent Town Meeting Candidate
Out
9-Feb
I was born and raised in Brookline, growing up on Columbia St and going to FRR and Maimonides. BS in Public Health from UMass Amherst, MS in Information Science from NCCU. Member of the board of trustees at Congregation Kehillath Israel, head coach of Maimonides baseball team. Currently work for a community solar and storage developer as a senior analyst.
I love Brookline and want to ensure that we continue to thrive. We need to hit our climate goals, ensure continued excellence in our schools, and offer high-quality town services all without breaking the bank.
Based on my conversations, precinct 9 voters care about schools, safety, and development issues (among many other issues of course!). On schools, we need to fund the override to avoid a crisis, while creating sustainable revenue streams going forward to avoid a repeat. Safety means effective law enforcement as well as road safety for all users. On development, all areas of Brookline need to do their fair share. If precinct 9 continues to do more than other parts of town, our property taxes should be lower to reflect that we are contributing more to town revenues.
I plan on continuing the conversations long past Election Day, whether online, in person, or while walking our dog through the neighborhood.
Attendance
Not Incumbent Town Meeting Candidate
Out
2-Mar
I’m a father of two at FRR. My wife and I chose Brookline for its strong schools and vibrant community, and we’re deeply invested in its future. I graduated from Boston College and Duke Law, and today lead a biotech company where I focus on strategy, operations, and financial discipline. My work is grounded in data-driven decision-making and bringing different perspectives together to reach thoughtful, practical outcomes. I will bring that same approach to Town Meeting, making well-informed, balanced decisions focused on what’s best for Brookline. I’m running to help ensure Brookline remains a place where everyone can thrive, with strong schools, a growing and inclusive community, and responsible financial stewardship.
The issues I hear most often are school funding, housing, affordability, and the strength of our local economy. Residents want strong schools without constant financial strain, and smart housing growth that supports our community. I support long-term, sustainable school funding, thoughtful housing near transit and commercial areas, and strengthening our commercial base to grow revenue and reduce pressure on residents. Just as important is how we engage: I will be accessible, listen actively, and communicate clearly through regular updates and conversations, ensuring constituents understand decisions and have a voice in shaping them.
