A plan for a massive reconstruction of Washington Street between Beacon Street and Route 9 is slowly moving forward, amid tensions between prioritizing bicycle safety or parking. One of the largest and most controversial changes as the plan now stands would put a curb between bicycles and cars by adding sidewalk-level separated bike lanes to… Continue reading Major Washington Street redesign stirs debate over bike lanes, parking
Author: Sam Mintz
Audit of Brookline post office finds thousands of delayed pieces of mail, two dozen missing master keys
An audit of the Brookline branch of the United States Postal Service found significant problems with its performance, including thousands of delayed pieces of mail, packages scanned as delivered while still at the office, and dozens of missing mail keys which can be used for thefts. The audit of the Coolidge Corner post office, issued… Continue reading Audit of Brookline post office finds thousands of delayed pieces of mail, two dozen missing master keys
High-ranking school official to resign, alleging financial mismanagement
A top Brookline school official is resigning, alleging financial mismanagement that she said has led to a “hostile work environment.” Liza O’Connell, deputy superintendent of student services for the Public Schools of Brookline, wrote in a Dec. 6 letter to the School Committee that she is planning to depart her position on March 15, 2025.… Continue reading High-ranking school official to resign, alleging financial mismanagement
Select Board member Michael Sandman will not run for reelection
Select Board member Michael Sandman will not run for reelection at the end of his first term next May, opening up a seat held by one of the town’s highest elected officials. Sandman announced his decision to leave the Select Board last week in an email to Town Meeting members . “Being on the Select… Continue reading Select Board member Michael Sandman will not run for reelection
Cleanup and wildlife rescue efforts continue after Muddy River oil spill
Several state and local environmental and wildlife agencies and nonprofits are continuing their efforts to remediate an oil spill which began on Sunday in the Muddy River and treat affected birds in the area. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection activated its emergency response team on Sunday, and its contractor Clean Harbors put in place… Continue reading Cleanup and wildlife rescue efforts continue after Muddy River oil spill
Restaurant openings and closings: Caviar joint coming to Coolidge Corner, PLNT Burger opens this week, Bess’s Cafe shuttered
Here’s the latest Brookline restaurant news, which features a coming attraction, a grand opening, and the closure of a local favorite. Marky’s Caviar The caviar retail and restaurant chain Marky’s Caviar is preparing to open a store on Harvard Street near Coolidge Corner. The storefront will be at 420 Harvard Street, next to the existing… Continue reading Restaurant openings and closings: Caviar joint coming to Coolidge Corner, PLNT Burger opens this week, Bess’s Cafe shuttered
Property tax hike hits apartment buildings hardest, may impact renters
Property taxes on apartment buildings in Brookline are set to increase more than taxes on other forms of housing following the town’s latest assessments, potentially leading to higher rents for local tenants. The average assessed value of an apartment building (four units or larger) in Brookline grew 10% between fiscal years 2024 and 2025, outpacing… Continue reading Property tax hike hits apartment buildings hardest, may impact renters
News in brief: Tree warden Tom Brady departs after 23 years working for town
Tom Brady, Brookline’s tree warden, arborist and urban forestry manager, has departed after 23 years working for the town. Brady was hired as director of public works in Watertown, according to a news release from the city. Last year, Brookline.News reported on Brady’s role examining and maintaining the town’s 60,000 public trees. Taking a job… Continue reading News in brief: Tree warden Tom Brady departs after 23 years working for town
The Country Club fined by AG for violating child labor laws
The Country Club, an exclusive South Brookline golf club, was cited and fined in August for violating child labor laws, according to state records obtained by Brookline.News. The office of state Attorney General Andrea Campbell levied $6,000 in fines against the private club for violations of two laws. One law dictates how early or late… Continue reading The Country Club fined by AG for violating child labor laws
News in brief: Arts nonprofit Gateway plans expansion with Station Street lease
Gateway Arts, a Brookline organization which supports artists with disabilities is planning to expand, moving into a new building on Station Street. Gateway, which is a program of the health and human services nonprofit Vinfen, has signed a 10-year lease for more than 9,000 square feet of space at 9-21 Station Street, the organization announced… Continue reading News in brief: Arts nonprofit Gateway plans expansion with Station Street lease
Town Meeting votes to put biggest zoning changes on ice
How should Brookline make zoning changes to meet the shifting housing needs of the town? That question dominated the first two nights of Town Meeting this week. The answer that came out on top: Deliberately, slowly and as part of a broader plan. On one side of the debate was a group of residents and… Continue reading Town Meeting votes to put biggest zoning changes on ice
Town inspection finds 200 water pipes with unknown materials, officials say risk is low
Residents at about 200 properties in Brookline got notices last week that may be alarming. They state that pipes on their properties may contain lead, and that the residents should take certain precautions. The notices were sent out after an inventory that the town has been working on for several years. It was required by… Continue reading Town inspection finds 200 water pipes with unknown materials, officials say risk is low
BHS boys cross country team wins third straight state title
The Brookline High School boys cross country team won its third straight Division 1 title on Saturday, with two star senior runners leading the way. Altamo Aschkenasy finished in third place in the individual standings and Lysander Duffield in ninth, to lead the team to victory ahead of second-place Boston College High School at Willard… Continue reading BHS boys cross country team wins third straight state title
Town Meeting will consider ceasefire resolution for second time
Brookline’s Town Meeting is again being asked to consider a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza, although whether it proceeds to any debate or a vote is up in the air. The sponsors of a ceasefire resolution that was tabled by the town’s legislative body in May have filed a new, slimmed-down… Continue reading Town Meeting will consider ceasefire resolution for second time
By the numbers: How Brookline voted in Tuesday’s election
Brookline residents favored Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Elizabeth Warren in Tuesday’s election, and were closely divided on some of the statewide ballot questions. Amid a victory by former president Donald Trump in the national presidential election, here are the Brookline numbers, according to unofficial results published by the town on Tuesday. Harris and… Continue reading By the numbers: How Brookline voted in Tuesday’s election
Largest after-school program in Brookline schools suspends operations over rent dispute
The largest after-school program in Brookline, a nonprofit enrichment program that served 362 students at the Ridley School last year, has temporarily closed as its leaders negotiate about a rent increase put in place by the Public Schools of Brookline. The decision caught school officials by surprise and sent parents scrambling for alternate arrangements. The… Continue reading Largest after-school program in Brookline schools suspends operations over rent dispute
News in brief: Developer scales back proposal for Route 9 office park project
The developer planning a major project in an office park on Route 9 in Chestnut Hill has put forward a scaled back proposal after hearing feedback from neighbors. The new plans would reduce the density and height of the three-building development at 1280-1330 Boylston Street, according to Cliff Kensington of City Realty, who presented the… Continue reading News in brief: Developer scales back proposal for Route 9 office park project
Brookline Democrats fan out across Pennsylvania for final swing state push
Scranton. Reading. Philadelphia. Harrisburg. With a few weeks to go until the presidential election, Brookline activists are fanning out across Pennsylvania to try to swing the purple state towards vice president Kamala Harris and Democratic congressional candidates. With New Hampshire trending blue, Pennsylvania has become the closest target for anxious, motivated Democrats in Brookline looking… Continue reading Brookline Democrats fan out across Pennsylvania for final swing state push
Brookline Interactive Group, a hub for community and creativity, faces an uncertain future
After his father died in 2023, Jonathan Mande borrowed some equipment from Brookline Interactive Group, the town’s nonprofit community media hub, to film and photograph the funeral. That experience provided a creative outlet that changed Mande’s life. “It became a source of healing for me. I would go on long photo walks,” said Mande, who… Continue reading Brookline Interactive Group, a hub for community and creativity, faces an uncertain future
7,000 Brookline residents have already voted. Here’s how to join them
Between votes by mail and in-person early voting, which started this past weekend, as of Monday more than 7,000 Brookline residents have voted in the state and presidential election set for Nov. 5. According to Town Clerk Ben Kaufman, that’s more than 16% of the town’s 40,661 currently registered voters, outpacing the 12% state average.… Continue reading 7,000 Brookline residents have already voted. Here’s how to join them