Brookline Town Meeting - Pct 01 - Three Years Choose 5
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.
Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
617-651-8305
Attendance
27 of 30
Biographical Data:
I was born in Lisbon Portugal, and I am the first in my family to finish high school and college. I am an accounting associate professor at Boston University. I have lived in Brookline since 2005, and my two kids attended the Brookline Public schools. I have been a town meeting member for the past 6 years. I was appointed to the Moderator’s Short-Term Rental Committee, the Moderator’s Committee on Cannabis Policy, and the Auditing Committee. I sponsor the education of economic underprivileged kids in Portugal.
I am endorsed by PAX and Brookline by Design.
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
The most pressing issues for Brookline are affordable housing,
zoning and development regulations, and the quality of public education. I support policies that promote affordable housing while avoiding additional tax burdens on Brookline families. Brookline has been considering zoning changes. I believe it is essential to have a thoughtful, well-developed plan for evaluating proposed changes—one that balances the need for additional housing with preserving the town’s character, addressing environmental concerns, and incorporating community feedback. Finally, maintaining high-quality public education is a top priority, which includes supporting teachers and ensuring school budgets are transparent and well managed.
Biographical Information
Biographical Data:
Brookline resident since 1969; served in Town Meeting off & on for 35+ years. With my late husband Stanley, raised two sons here & remain on Monmouth Court. Harvard University, B.U. Law School graduate & MAT, Wesleyan U. Lifelong commitment to public service. Government lawyer since 1977, 12 years as Brookline Associate Town Counsel. 36-year advocacy for restoration of Carlton Street Footbridge. Political activist & organizer. Support schools, parks, libraries, affordable & middle-income housing, expansion of our commercial tax base, safe streets, strong neighborhoods. I am a good listener.
Endorsed by: PAX, Brookline for Everyone, Brookline for Responsible Gov’t
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
As a TMM, I will continue to advocate for these important values:
Preservation of democratic values, constitutional rights & the rule of law: principles Americans believed were inviolate and secure are now threatened by the actions of our federal government. Local leaders & officials must deal with these challenges with courage & determination to protect the vulnerable and preserve what we love about our nation and our town.
Quality of Life: i.e. safe streets; excellent schools, parks, utilities & libraries; reliable trash pickups, recycling & rodent control; parking enforcement; responsive town government & a thriving, welcoming neighborhood.
High cost of living in Brookline: I support spending town funds efficiently and prudently.
Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
617-277-7848
Attendance
29 of 30
Biographical Data:
Susan is a 25-year resident of Brookline and, with her husband, has raised two children here who attended Brookline Schools. She has been an active volunteer during this time as a Town Meeting Member, tutor, docent, board member (Emerald Necklace Conservancy and Brookline Greenspace Alliance), climate activist and more. Susan has worked extensively in the environmental field as a policy analyst, a climate researcher, an evaluator of the environmental damages and an operations manager at a wildlife sanctuary. She holds a Masters of Environmental Management from Yale and an MBA from Simmons.
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
Three issues of concern to Precinct 1 residents are housing affordability, climate change and the increasing rodent population. On housing, I support well-planned new housing that preserves greenspace. I'm happy to see proposals like building above existing single story retail in St Mary's. On climate change, we need to continue our push towards electrifying everything and greening the grid. We have been moving in this direction in our own home so I know first-hand some of the challenges. Brookline has ambitious climate goals and a wonderful Town staff in place. I look forward to working with them and fellow elected officials to prioritize this agenda. On the rodent situation, we need to be vigilant on monitoring/fining dumpster abuse.
Biographical Information
Biographical Data:
I have been thrilled to serve my neighbors as a Town Meeting Member for the past year and am excited to run for re-election! I have lived in Precinct 1 for 100% of my life — I care tremendously about this neighborhood and want to continue giving back to the community that has given me so much. Over the last four years, I have been heavily involved in our community. I was campaign manager for the successful “No on 1” campaign in 2021. I also was an intern in the State House for two years and worked in the office of Rep. Jake Auchincloss. I am a freshman studying English at Harvard. Last year, I attended 98% of Town Meeting votes and hope to continue serving as your representative.
Endorsed by: Brookline Pax | Brookline for Everyone
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
My first responsibility on Town Meeting is to represent my precinct. But representing is an active task— it means starting conversations, listening, and thinking deeply — all things that I have done on Town Meeting.
My number one issue is sustainability: fiscal sustainability, environmental sustainability, and housing sustainability. As a student, I am thinking about the long-term future of Brookline. Not just ten years from now, but fifty, when Brookline will be grappling with the decisions that we make today. It is our responsibility to think about the future as we tackle these important issues. I always do my research and work hard. I have been lucky to grow up in Precinct 1, and I will focus on shaping our town in a sustainable way.
Biographical Information
Biographical Data:
Precinct 1 resident since 1995. Town Meeting member since 2011. Retired editor of Harvard academic journal on international relations. Leader in successful effort to improve rodent control. In Precinct 1, I worked to improve pedestrian safety, restore the Carlton Street footbridge with grant funds, and renovate Monmouth Park. Active in Friends of Hall’s Pond. President, Brookline GreenSpace Alliance. Board member, Brookline Neighborhood Alliance. Elected member, Brookline Democratic Town Committee. Former chair, Advisory Committee (Brookline’s Finance Committee). Life member, Brookline Historical Society. Coached for Brookline Soccer Club. Former Lawrence School parent and LEDP board member. Endorsements: Brookline PAX; Brookline by Design.
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
My constituents say they want a more affordable Brookline. The cost of housing, including rent and property taxes, is rising too fast. They want a greener Brookline that protects trees and parks, and fights climate change. They want a Brookline that efficiently and effectively delivers key services, including schools, police, and public works. I will address these issues by, above all, supporting a Comprehensive Plan that includes commercial and residential development that will expand the tax base, generate more revenue, and keep Brookline a vibrant place to live. I will strongly support bylaws and funding to preserve our trees and green spaces, and to fight climate change. I will strive to represent and listen to everyone in Precinct 1.
Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
202-487-7497
Campaign Website
http://davidfortownmeeting.com
Campaign Twitter Handle
@davidsipos2006
Campaign Instagram URL
http://instagram.com/sipos5533
Campaign Facebook URL
http://https://www.facebook.com/DavidSiposforTownMeeting/
Attendance
Not Incumbent Town Meeting Member
Biographical Data:
I am a 19-year-old student at Boston University. For the next three years, I will live in a college dorm on Carlton Street. In that time, I plan to get more involved in Brookline, joining organizations, serving on Town boards and commissions, and meeting more of my neighbors. After I graduate, I hope to be able to stay in Brookline, but that depends on our ability to address the cost of living here. I enjoy biking through Brookline, to get to my classes and to my favorite spots in town. Before college, I volunteered on presidential campaigns starting at age 10, worked on two left-wing Congressional campaigns, and worked for a climate-focused nonprofit. | Endorsed by Brookline for Everyone and Brookline Equity Coalition.
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
Housing: The cost of living in Brookline is too high. I know many who question whether they will be able to stay in Brookline due to housing prices. We need to create more affordable housing through the Trust Fund, build more housing around transit, and eliminate broker fees.
Good government: Brookline’s young residents, many in Precinct 1, often look at me in confusion when I reference Town Meeting. I hope to increase awareness of town government among youth, with my candidacy and through post-election outreach.
Climate/environment: Brookline’s green spaces and walkability are very important. To preserve our green spaces and meet our climate targets, I support a strong Climate Action Plan, improved public parks, and better MBTA service.
