Town Meeting is Brookline s Legislative arm of government. It consists of 255 elected Town Meeting Members plus the members of the Select Board, and any state representative or state senator who resides in Brookline. In addition, the Town Moderator, who presides over Town Meeting, and the elected Town Clerk, who acts as secretary, are voting members. The 255 membersare elected by precinct, with 15 members elected from each of the Town s seventeen precincts. The members are elected for staggered, 3-year terms so that 5 members are elected from each precinct each year in the May annual town election. Depending on vacancies some precincts will have more members to be elected.Town Meeting is responsible for passing a balanced annual town budget and enacts all town by-laws. An Annual Town Meeting is held in the spring to enact the following year s budget, plus whatever other matters are placed on the Town Meeting Warrant, either by the Select Board or by citizen petition. The Annual Town Meeting is usually held the last week in May or the first week in June. A Special Town Meeting is held each fall, usually in November, to deal with any budget changes, zoning by-law amendments or other matters placed on the warrant. (No salary; no health insurance.)‘*’ following a candidate name indicates an Incumbent.For Incumbent Town Meeting Candidates, Attendance Record for the last three years is shown.(NPE) is the party for all candidates. The Brookline Municipal Election is a Non-Partisan Election.
Precinct 7 TMM since 2022; homeowner since 1976. With wife Barbara, raised two sons who prospered at Pierce and BHS 1985-2000; one is a Brookline resident with three young children. Founded in 1992 and managed Brookline-based Hebert Communications for more than 20 years. PR Society of America member (1985-2016), Boston Chapter officer (2010-2016) and treasurer (2010-2013). Treasurer of Brookline-based non-profit Dorer Community Service Foundation (2022-present). B.A. Boston University. I began my 45-year communications career as a journalist, and strive to know the facts and to consider both sides of an issue. With your vote, I will continue my dedication to representing Precinct 7 constituents in the many issues that matter to us all.
Comments from P7 neighbors revolve around disruption from development; concerns about traffic, 2-cycle scooters, parking, and excessive litter; and gratitude that I and others are involved in Town government -- because they have the interest, but not the time. I see my role as a good listener and questioner; an advocate for smart, informed decision-making; and an important information channel within and between P7 and Town government. Being a TMM is demanding. Doing the job well requires an extraordinary investment to understand the many issues and to assess their impact on P7, the Coolidge Corner area and the rest of our Town. I am committed to investing the time and effort required to achieve results that are fair, just and sustainable.
I’ve lived in Coolidge Corner since 1998, where my husband and I raised our 2 children, who went to Pierce and graduated BHS. I have over 25 yrs experience as a software engineer and engineering leader. I am also an avid backpacker.
I am passionate about the transformational power of local community. I volunteer at the Brookline Food Pantry, and am a member of Brookline For Everyone, Brookline for Racial Justice and Equity, and Progressive Brookline. I have been a TMM since 2023 and have cosponsored legislation supporting our LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities. I started the Alton Neighbors chat group and recently made a zine to encourage voter turnout in local elections.
I am endorsed by Progressive Brookline and Brookline for Everyone.
1. The high cost of housing and the need to build more of it in order to slow cost increases and help our many renters and elderly stay in town.
2. Maintaining the quality of our schools to ensure an amazing education for all our students whatever their background, abilities or needs, and that they protect all our students' civil rights.
3. Supporting our entire community in a time of ongoing attacks and defunding of federal programs that have left our immigrant, low-income, elderly, LGBTQ+, and residents of color more vulnerable than ever.
4. Quality of Life issues: rats, sidewalks, etc.
It's important to me not only to listen to & share what I know with my constituents, but also help them directly participate in solving these issues.
A life-long Brookline resident, I am a graduate of the Lincoln School, Brookline High, and Harvard, plus a proud parent to two Pierce School and BHS students. I spend my days working as a corporate strategist for Ernst & Young, and I spend my nights and weekends volunteering for a number of civic causes: mentoring first-gen college students, supporting immigrants, fundraising and promoting various Democrats running for office, and serving on the Vestry (Leadership Committee) for All Saints Parish Brookline. With any (illusive) time left over, you are likely to find me running around the Brookline Reservoir or tending to my garden.
Given its location in between Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village, Pct 7 is highly desirable for development, and properties in our neighborhood are often a subject of the Historical Preservation Board, the Planning Board or the Zoning Board. I frequently participate in these meetings, trying to maintain a balanced view between the rights of the property owners, the Zoning laws, the need for more housing, the need for more commercial tax revenues, and environmental sustainability concerns (tree preservation, challenging the need for multi-car parking spots, etc.).
On any matters, I research my positions, respond to emails from constituents, and am always happy to meet or speak in person on any issues important to those I represent.
Attendance
Not Incumbent Town Meeting Candidate
As a renter and a working parent of two young children, the oldest of whom is a kindergartener at Pierce, I hope to bring a valuable and underrepresented perspective to Town Meeting. I’m a mission-driven business lawyer attorney focused on supporting for-profit and non-profit ventures with a positive social or environmental impact. Brookline is a special place, and I consider myself lucky to be raising my children here. As a first-time candidate, I am excited to have the opportunity to participate in town governance and make sure my neighbors have a voice. I’m proud to be endorsed by Brookline for Everyone, Progressive Brookline and Brookline PAX.
Budget: Brookline faces painful budget decisions as costs outpace revenues under the limits of Prop 2 ½. Without an override (which I support), our schools and public services face devastating cuts. We need a state-level solution, but unless that happens, Town Meeting will need to make tough choices. I would vote to make sure budget cuts are undertaken with care in line with core values. We must also increase revenue and expand our commercial tax base to shift the burden off of residential taxpayers, so I support rezoning the Chestnut Hill Commercial Area.
Housing: The Town and state are gripped by a severe housing shortage. I support strong measures to increase the housing supply, including zoning changes that remove barriers to housing.
Attendance
Not Incumbent Town Meeting Candidate
Out
30-Jan
I’ve lived in Brookline as a renter for four years. I have a PhD in Operations Research (Cornell) and currently work as an applied scientist managing supply chain. I have been living without a car for about a decade and a half and I chose to move to Coolidge Corner because of the great walkable neighborhoods and access to public transit. I am running because I want Town Meeting to support more housing development, push to make streets safe for all modes of transportation, and support commercial development that will increase our tax base to relieve some of the tax pressure that falls on residents. I am endorsed by Brookline for Everyone and Progressive Brookline.
Housing supply and affordability are some of the biggest issues facing Brookline. Anyone should be able to rent or buy a house here. And no one should have to leave due to financial reasons. Town Meeting needs to address this by enacting plans to allow for more housing construction. In particular, we must think of ways to build denser housing that takes advantage of our town’s strengths, such as by locating it near our valuable transit stations. In addition to helping affordability, this will help us promote climate-friendly housing, reduce our infrastructure costs, and support our iconic local business districts.
