Author: Letter Writer

It’s crucial to address the proposed rate increase for electric vehicle (EV) charging in Brookline. Firstly, it’s important to recognize that many EV owners are not driving luxury $100,000 EVs but more affordable models in the $30-50k range, especially with rebates. These prices are increasingly in line with traditional cars, making EV adoption accessible to… Continue reading RE: New public electric vehicle chargers coming to Brookline this fall amid town’s infrastructure push

I’m writing about the Postal Service. It’s extremely unfair that I go and I pay for something to be delivered in three days for extra fees, yet it takes the Post Office three weeks to get a birthday card to another state. This problem is across-the-board in the United States, not just local problems. Locally,… Continue reading RE: Erratic mail service frustrates residents as USPS struggles to hire

I write to you with regards to the article about the Brookline home invasion story and the pictures of the suspects. I was disappointed to see that your lead story would start with 2 photos (“mugshots”) of people of color. I’m not sure that the pictures were needed or added to the story, but they… Continue reading RE: Judge orders two men accused of Brookline home invasion held on bail

Provide all children, starting at three years old, with the opportunity to attend free public school containing a curriculum of pre-reading skills, beginning math, science / nature exploration, listening to and using children’s books / literature, field trips around the town, art, music, physical education, plus special ed and language help if needed, rather than… Continue reading RE: MCAS scores show vast racial achievement gap remains in Brookline schools

I just want to underscore the point a letter writer made about potholes and bikes. I have been communicating with the town and the Bicycle Advisory Committee for three years about the condition of Brookline’s roads. The response has been minuscule along with praise for the DPW workers. Our concerns are not about staff but… Continue reading RE: RE: Town planning new protected bike lanes on 16 streets

I think members of the Select Board and others who criticize the deal the town administrator and building commissioner cut with The Country Club for lease of the Anderson estate houses are being short-sighted. To get TCC to lease, restore and maintain those drafty properties (that most of us would not care to live in… Continue reading RE: Town’s decision to rent properties to The Country Club raises eyebrows among Select Board, Town Meeting members

What a shame that the handsome Kent Street home featured was demolished and turned into a parking lot. Another wonderful old home at 40 Kent St., also occupied most recently by an Elks Lodge, will be demolished and replaced by a much larger building if the developer has their way. Is this the Curse of… Continue reading RE: Brookline Then and Now: Kent Street and Webster Place

The use of flex posts instead of hard barriers is thoughtful, it allows cars to crash without scratching the paint. The gaps in the bike lanes around dangerous high-traffic intersections, in order to incentivize collisions, are especially lovely. Too little, too late. As usual, this plan is built around convenience for cars. I myself cycle,… Continue reading RE: Town planning new protected bike lanes on 16 streets

I appreciate and value the idea of expanding the bike network in Brookline. I did not see any mention in the article about paving the roads where the bike lanes will go. The roads here in Brookline are in horrible shape and just slapping a bike lane in which I am hemmed in and I… Continue reading RE: Town planning new protected bike lanes on 16 streets

I am grateful that the town has chosen to improve the field at Skyline Park and no longer uses rubberized pellets from old tires, but the term “eco-friendly” is a stretch. Artificial turf fields, even those of the highest quality like the one just installed at Skyline, are detrimental to our ecosystem. They are made… Continue reading RE: News in Brief: Flu clinics, fall recreation programs, new eco-friendly turf and a public art initiative

As far as the proposed upgraded bike lanes, I saw no mention as far as the pedestrians who use and are entitled to use the sidewalks/crosswalks. On the street where I live, on Centre Street, there are bike lanes, but oftentimes, especially at night, they (riders) don’t even bother to use the designated bike lanes,… Continue reading RE: Town planning new protected bike lanes on 16 streets

As a retired K-8 school librarian, I got chills reading the article about ChatGPT. It reminded me of the year 2001, when Wikipedia came into existence. Many teachers and librarians (including me) dealt with the new on-line encyclopedia, with articles crafted by unknown authors, by simply barring its use in student research: “You are to… Continue reading RE: ‘It’s the Wild West’: Brookline High administrators and teachers scramble to adapt to ChatGPT

Brookline has a big opportunity to use the state’s Community Preservation Act to create more housing and help Massachusetts dig out of its ongoing housing crisis. The CPA has been around for more than two decades, yet it’s not being used to its full potential. In fact, more than a third of communities participating in… Continue reading RE: Town committee gears up to give out millions for housing, open space, preservation

I’ve seen articles on this since 2018, why is it taking so long to get this project moving?? Kevin J. Devaney, Brookline Read the original article, Beacon Street Bridle Path moving forward as town enters design phase

In response to an article regarding the abrupt closing of the Washington Square veterinary clinic, as a resident on Winthrop Road, I’m not surprised. It used to be an ice cream shop. Bring back what the people want. Philip Read, Brookline Read the original article, Washington Square veterinary clinic closes abruptly

Brookline’s decision to potentially halt K-5 world language instruction due to teacher shortages is alarming. While addressing shortages is essential, the importance of early language exposure cannot be understated. It boosts cognitive abilities, academic performance, and cultural appreciation. Brookline’s K-8 language program, established in 2008, is a testament to the district’s commitment to holistic education.… Continue reading RE: Schools announce plan to cut K-5 language classes this year amid teacher shortage

The school department can’t blame the elimination of World Language in the lower grades on a national teacher shortage when our current teachers are leaving over poor working conditions. Language teaching is not easy (nor is language learning), but being young helps. A language class is very definitely a “core course” both in the skills… Continue reading RE: Schools announce plan to cut K-5 language classes this year amid teacher shortage

The only way to have year-round skating at a reasonable cost is to explore the new eco-friendly technology now being used in Europe called Glice. This technology has been brought to the attention of town officials and the Brookline Recreation folks and they need to give it serious consideration. We would be able to maintain… Continue reading RE: Town still weighing options for deteriorating ice rink

As a parent of two graduates of the Brookline public school’s vaunted World Language Program, the news that the program is being put on hold neither surprises nor disappoints me. After nine years of Spanish instruction, my kids could barely count to 10 en Español — forget about holding a conversation! Perhaps kids studying French… Continue reading RE: K-8 World Language Program at “crisis point,” teachers say

I fully support all efforts to maintain the Jack Kirrane Ice Skating Rink in a manner as close as possible to its current outdoor design. It is a Brookline treasure. Expanding it and making it an indoor facility would undermine its special qualities. Granted, my views are based in part on a rich storehouse of… Continue reading RE: Town still weighing options for deteriorating ice rink