The town has hired Emily Williams as the new director of its Council on Aging and Senior Center. Williams, who currently leads the Department of Elder Affairs in the town of Bridgewater, will start in the position on March 24. She is coming in to replace Ruthann Dobek, who retired this year after 22 years… Continue reading News in brief: Town hires new Senior Center director, calls for students to design next voting sticker
Author: Sam Mintz
Brookline residential real estate sales from Feb. 1 to Feb. 14
Just eight residential properties were sold in the first half of February in Brookline. Check out the prices, size and more in the chart below, with data from Banker and Tradesman.
Former schools administrator tapped for interim deputy superintendent role amid budget, special ed controversies
The School Committee has hired Karen Shmukler, a former long-time administrator in the district, to temporarily fill the role left by Liza O’Connell, the deputy superintendent in charge of special education who is resigning after alleging financial mismanagement in Brookline schools. The committee voted unanimously on Wednesday night to name Shmukler interim deputy superintendent of… Continue reading Former schools administrator tapped for interim deputy superintendent role amid budget, special ed controversies
Q&A: Congressman Jake Auchincloss on Democrats’ constitutional fight, the Massachusetts housing crisis, and trans rights
As Democrats in Congress look to assert themselves during a chaotic, dramatic presidential transition, Brookline.News sat down with Congressman Jake Auchincloss in his Newton office to discuss the issues facing his constituents and the nation. Auchincloss, who represents Brookline and 34 other cities and towns in the Massachusetts Fourth District, answered questions from our team… Continue reading Q&A: Congressman Jake Auchincloss on Democrats’ constitutional fight, the Massachusetts housing crisis, and trans rights
Town budget proposal avoids service cuts, as school funding decisions await
Brookline’s municipal departments, other than its schools, look set to avoid major cuts for the moment under a budget proposal put forward by the town staff this week. The financial plan navigates a $560,000 gap between projected revenues and expenditures in fiscal year 2026 by suggesting what Town Administrator Charles Carey called “modest” reductions. “There… Continue reading Town budget proposal avoids service cuts, as school funding decisions await
With schools in financial crisis, questions mount about superintendent’s performance
Public Schools of Brookline Superintendent Linus Guillory is under intense pressure as the school district faces a deep budget crisis and proposed sweeping cuts in services ranging from the performing arts to classroom instructional aides. As the district and School Committee wrestle with alleged financial mismanagement leading to gaps in special education services, and a… Continue reading With schools in financial crisis, questions mount about superintendent’s performance
Police officer injured after being struck by car outside Dexter Southfield School
Brookline police officer Michael Miczek was struck by a car and injured while directing traffic on Newton Street Monday morning, according to the Brookline Police Department. The collision took place around 7:30 a.m. on Monday as Miczek was on a traffic post outside the Dexter Southfield School at 20 Newton Street. Miczek, who has been… Continue reading Police officer injured after being struck by car outside Dexter Southfield School
Weather likely caused Vernon Street building collapse, official says
Sunday’s collapse of a vacant, three-story apartment building at 50 Vernon Street, which was being renovated to add a fourth floor, was likely caused by accumulating rain, snow and ice, according to the town’s top building official. Building Commissioner Dan Bennett said in an interview that it will be difficult to determine the exact cause… Continue reading Weather likely caused Vernon Street building collapse, official says
Brookline residential real estate sales from Jan. 18 to Jan. 31
The second half of January saw 13 homes and condos sold in Brookline, ranging from a $631,000 condo on Beacon Street to a $2.4 million old-style single-family on Dana Street. Data from Banker and Tradesman.
Under-construction Vernon Street apartment building collapses, no injuries
The top two floors of a vacant Vernon Street apartment building collapsed on Sunday morning, according to the Brookline Fire Department. The building at 50 Vernon Street, just south of Coolidge Corner, was under construction and vacant when it partially collapsed around 10 a.m. Sunday, the department said in a Facebook post. There were no… Continue reading Under-construction Vernon Street apartment building collapses, no injuries
Select Board advances major Washington Street redesign despite local business opposition
Brookline’s Select Board on Tuesday evening voted to advance plans for a major reconstruction of Washington Street on Tuesday night, signing off on a consultant’s latest design and sending it to the state for consideration. While the start of construction is several years away, the project would completely reimagine Washington Street from Beacon Street to… Continue reading Select Board advances major Washington Street redesign despite local business opposition
Maimonides School finalizing deal to sell one of its buildings to real estate developer
The Maimonides School is finalizing a sale of one of its buildings to a developer who plans to turn it into a residential building. In an email sent to parents on Feb. 5 which was shared with Brookline.News, the Jewish private school’s leaders said that they have entered into an agreement to sell their former… Continue reading Maimonides School finalizing deal to sell one of its buildings to real estate developer
News in brief: New committee to consider next override, town hires new parks director, Woman of the Year nominations open
Select Board creates new committee to study finances, possible next override The Select Board voted on Tuesday to create a new committee, called the Expenditures & Revenue Study Committee, which will examine among other things whether to recommend that a new tax override be placed on the May 2026 town ballot. The committee is intended… Continue reading News in brief: New committee to consider next override, town hires new parks director, Woman of the Year nominations open
Former Brookline schools employee arrested on child exploitation charges
A 34-year-old Brookline man and former Public Schools of Brookline paraprofessional was arrested on Friday and charged with possessing child pornography and enticing a child under 16. John Gavin, who is currently a teacher at the Josiah Quincy Upper School in Boston, allegedly used the messaging app Discord to engage in “sexual communications” with girls… Continue reading Former Brookline schools employee arrested on child exploitation charges
Brookline residential real estate sales from Jan. 10 to Jan. 17
Here are the latest real estate sales in Brookline. A note from the editor: During busy times in real estate where there is plenty of data, we’ll plan to publish an update every week. That was certainly the case for this period from Jan. 10 to Jan. 17, which saw 17 homes or condominiums sold,… Continue reading Brookline residential real estate sales from Jan. 10 to Jan. 17
News in brief: Town takes next step on Bridle Path, Administrator Carey gets new contract
The Select Board on Tuesday agreed to sign a $3 million contract with an engineering firm to work on the design of the Beacon Street Bridle Path. The contract with Toole Design Group will advance the project’s design so it can be presented to the state department of transportation, according to Commissioner of Public Works… Continue reading News in brief: Town takes next step on Bridle Path, Administrator Carey gets new contract
Boston police detective charged with OUI after Brookline crash
A Boston police detective was arrested and charged with drunk driving after allegedly crashing into another driver on the VFW Parkway in Brookline Saturday evening. State and Brookline police responded to reports of a two-car collision near 425 VFW Parkway on Saturday around 6:50 p.m., according to a State Police report filed in Brookline District… Continue reading Boston police detective charged with OUI after Brookline crash
Brookline Community Foundation director resigns to join Boston nonprofit
Aba Taylor is resigning as executive director of the Brookline Community Foundation to take a position as president and CEO of YW Boston, a nonprofit organization focused on racial and gender equity. Taylor joined the community foundation in Sept. 2022. During her tenure, the organization’s assets grew from $9.3 million to$16.2 million, according to Gioia… Continue reading Brookline Community Foundation director resigns to join Boston nonprofit
Brookline renters welcome Healey’s move to do away with tenant-paid broker fees
A new proposal from Gov. Maura Healey that would require landlords to pay the fees of real estate brokers they hire is welcome news to many Brookline renters. As it stands now, renters’ upfront costs for moving into an apartment often include first and last month’s rent, plus a security deposit and a broker’s fee,… Continue reading Brookline renters welcome Healey’s move to do away with tenant-paid broker fees
Brookline residential real estate sales from Dec. 30 to Jan. 10
The new year is a slow time for real estate, but six properties, all condos, were sold in Brookline in the end of December and first half of January. See information about them below. Data provided by Banker and Tradesman.