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Brookline Town Meeting - Pct 16 - Three Years {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

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.

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    Laura Kathryn Baines-Walsh*
    (NPE)

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    Adrienne S. Bowman*
    (NPE)

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    Stephen Chiumenti*
    (NPE)

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    Joslin Murphy*
    (NPE)

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    Carolyn R. Thall*
    (NPE)

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    Carlos M. Tamayo
    (NPE)

Biographical Information

Biographical Data:

What three issues are most important to your constituents, and how would you address and/or resolve them?

Campaign Phone 617-817-5674
Attendance 29 of 30
I have lived in Brookline with my husband and two children since 2014. Both of my kids attend public school and are active in Brookline sports. I hold a Ph.D. in history from Boston College and currently teach high school history and AP U.S. Government. As an educator, I am passionate about civic engagement and fostering informed, active participation in our democracy. I believe in a responsible, transparent, and efficient local government that thoughtfully balances community needs. I am committed to advocating for strong public schools, responsible development, and a vibrant, inclusive Brookline.
Housing affordability is a major concern. We must develop a comprehensive plan to ensure new housing meets the needs of our community—not just luxury units but diverse, accessible options. Fully funding our schools is also critical. Expanding our commercial tax base can provide additional revenue to support education without overburdening residents. Lastly, we must protect and enhance our open and recreational spaces, ensuring all residents have access to parks and outdoor activities. Thoughtful planning and community engagement will help us balance these priorities and sustain Brookline’s quality of life.
Campaign Phone 857-272-8503
Attendance 29 of 30
I was born and raised in Brookline (Baker and BHS alum), and got my bachelor's from Columbia University. After college, I began teaching in the Bronx for 4 years before moving back to the Boston area. I am an 8th grade math teacher in the Boston Public Schools (Ohrenberger). I have lived in precinct 16 for 15 years now, and have two kids in the Brookline Public Schools (rising 6th grade and rising 9th). I am proud to have been a Town Meeting Member since 2016.
1. Quality public schools: The current state (specifically regarding the deficit) is concerning. I will stay involved, and in communication with the School Committee, advocate when/where necessary, and support those who have our public school children's best interests at heart. 2. Keeping large development owners accountable: In Pct 16, we have seen first hand how certain developers are allowed liberties that far surpass what is appropriate. Bringing constituents' concerns to the relevant bodies is an important facet to being a Pct 16 TMM, especially since renters are often afraid to be the public face against their landlords. 3. Hyper-local concerns: It can be daunting to try to navigate town politics, but I can be an easy/friendly go-to.
Campaign Phone 617-721-5258
Attendance 27 of 30
Attorney, retired. Brookline resident since 1985. Two children who graduated from Brookline schools - Baker and High School. Grandchildren currently in Brookline schools.
Meeting essential Town services with respect for limitations of real estate taxes - which is part of making/keeping Brookline affordable. Retaining testing in schools as measure of the performance of the schools. Keeping Town Meeting focused on essential Town issues rather than matters beyond the reach of Town government.
Campaign Phone 617-869-7260
Attendance 30 of 30
Former Town Counsel, Interim Police Chief, Assistant Attorney General, Assistant District Attorney, Police Officer. BA Government; JD.
Quality of Life, Taxes, Traffic, Access to Town Programs and Amenities.
Campaign Phone 617-669-8050
Attendance 29 of 30
I've lived in South Brookline for 15 years with my husband and two children, both of whom have been in Brookline public schools since Kindergarten (now in 10th grade and college). In terms of public service, I've been a Town Meeting member, an Advisory Committee member, and am on the School Committee.
Zoning - always attempting to balance the needs for accommodating owner needs, regional/local housing needs, and preservation of the neighborhood character and environment.

Climate - we need to protect our tree canopy through better enforcement of tree preservation bylaw (also related to neighborhood protection, above).

Roadway safety – with more cars on the road than ever in South Brookline, we need to work with the Transportation Board and staff on traffic calming and enforcement.
At 27, I'm proud to run for Town Meeting in Precinct 16. I am an educator, housing rights activist and former Town Meeting Member. I represented Precinct 2 with pride from 2022 until 2024, when I moved out of the Brookline Housing Authority after spending nearly half of my life there. As a first-generation American and Boston College graduate, I've had to work hard to get to where I am--but I couldn't have done it without the support of my community. My passion for justice comes not just from lived experience, but from the moral compass I gained thanks to my Jesuit education and the kindness extended to me by the Brookline community. In the past, I also served on the CDICR and have been involved with GBIO. I hope to count on your support!
My constituents are concerned about how Brookline will approach the housing crisis moving forward and how renters and homeowners can collaborate as we seek comprehensive and tangible solutions that make sense for the physical characteristics and demographics of Precinct 16. They're also concerned about the Town's response to equity and human rights issues on a local and global scale, especially with the recent elimination of the Office of Educational Equity here in Brookline and what this means for vulnerable students in light of the latest dismantling of protections by the Trump administration. When speaking to residents, many said that more transparency is needed overall, which is why I am running for Town Meeting in Precinct 16.