Brookline Town Meeting - Pct 10 - Three Years Choose 5
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
646-425-4983
Attendance
29 of 30
Biographical Data:
Rachel Barenbaum is a writer and podcaster. ATOMIC ANNA is her latest novel. Check This Out is her podcast. She has three children at Brookline High School, has been an escort into Planned Parenthood clinics, graduated from Harvard and HBS, and always chooses her bike over a car.
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
Critical issues in Brookline that are Rachel’s priorities include : (1) More and better bike lanes. We have failed to keep pace with national trends in creating bicycle-friendly routes because we haven’t made it a priority. It is time to do so as we re-plan, re-pave and re-design our bigger streets. (2) EV infrastructure that brings in more electric cars and cuts down on the combustion engine (3) Building codes that require greener energy (4) Affordable housing. Brookline is growing and we must make sure we grow responsibly and with an eye towards a greener future and higher density.
Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
617-312-9588
Campaign Website
http://docs.google.com/document/d/1HNVXlvA2Q6HswfpzpvR_wG5KwNRzC7z1d4tNRf0Q3Ac/edit?tab=t.0
Attendance
30 of 30
Biographical Data:
I arrived in 1992 with partner and children (Ridley/BHS graduates) to study urban transportation at MIT. Why? I believed in the value of bicycling and walking. Why Brookline? Here we could live car-free near great neighborhood schools.
On Town committees I’ve championed a more safe, just and sustainable transportation system (Complete Streets Policy, Sustainable Transportation Warrant Article, protected bike lanes). I’ve spoken publicly for racial and immigration justice.
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
The following aims will guide my actions on all issues: (1) Address climate change (e.g. fossil fuel free housing and transportation); (2) Enhance livable streets and neighborhoods (e.g. protected bike lanes, safe routes to school); (3) Realize racial and economic justice (e.g. close school achievement gap, high-quality affordable housing); (4) Assure fiscal responsibility (e.g. avoid unfunded mandates, support important overrides); (5) Inform, listen and respond to concerns of Precinct 10 residents (e.g. Washington Street rebuild, Pierce School renovation).
Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
617-797-8329
Attendance
30 of 30
Biographical Data:
Thank you for the opportunity to represent Precinct 10. Brookline resident since 2005. Town Meeting Member since 2013. Member Griggs Park Neighborhood Association. Past member of Pierce School Site Council, Pierce School FLARE (Families Leading to Advance Racial Equity) & the Kent Street Senior Affordable Housing Committee. Girl Scout troop volunteer. Professionally, I work nationally with VA, HUD, state governments and nonprofits to end homelessness through housing and services. Precinct 10 has several big projects that I will be tracking–Washington Street Complete Streets project and Griggs Park renovation. I enjoy hearing from neighbors–please reach out.
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
We need to address racial and economic disparities through efforts like increasing affordable housing and addressing the opportunity gap in our schools. We’ve taken steps on climate and sustainability, and must do more including bolstering public transportation, biking and walking options, installing green infrastructure and caring for our tree canopy. Brookline needs more affordable housing so that a wide range of households, including seniors, families and singles can live and thrive here. We need to actively support our local businesses so we can maintain our vibrant commercial areas and assure the commercial tax revenue needed to support our town services, schools and libraries.
Biographical Information
Biographical Data:
Thank you for the opportunity to represent Precinct 10! I am a 20-year Brookline resident, with three kids who attended Brookline public schools. I serve on the Tree Planting Committee (Chair), the Urban Forestry Design Committee, the Open Space Plan (2011, 2018, 2025) and formerly Pierce School Council. Professionally, I work as an epidemiologist for MA department of public health focusing on equity and population health. I commute by bike whenever I can.
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
My focus has been on increasing green infrastructure, resources to maintain and grow our tree canopy and greenspaces including parks and recreational spaces. I am also interested in lowering carbon footprints and air pollution supporting electric conversions, solar conversions and green design. We urgently need to build affordable housing so people can settle and stay in Brookline through all stages of life. Our excellent schools drew my family to Brookline. We need to support our business district to grow commercial tax revenue to help fund our schools and community services.
Biographical Information
Biographical Data:
Brookline renter since 2021. Member of the Brookline Commission for Women since 2024. Harvard data scientist. Dual master's degrees in Sociology and Government. Public transit commuter. Endorsed by Brookline for Everyone.
I am passionate about using data-driven solutions to address local policy challenges. I am running to bring the voices of millennials, renters, and residents from racial minority communities to the table and to help make Brookline a more vibrant, inclusive, and forward-thinking town for everyone.
What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?
1. Housing Affordability. Increase low income housing, support tenant protections, and encourage responsible development.
2. Inclusive and Equitable Representation. Support initiatives that ensure more outreach and engagement from racial minority communities, renters, and younger generations.
3. Sustainable and Accessible Transportation. Expand public transit access and improve bike infrastructure.