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 Board has been very engaging and enjoyable, but this is a good time to pass the baton to someone new,” he wrote.
Sandman first joined the board in 2022, and his three-year term will end in May.
The 81-year-old said in an interview that he did not want to take on the time commitment that being on the board for another term would demand.
“There were some things that I would like to do that I cannot while still on the Select Board,” he said.
Sandman highlighted his accomplishments including his work on a major ongoing commercial redevelopment in Chestnut Hill, his role shepherding federal ARPA funds, and efforts to move the Select Board to think more strategically about funding residents’ priorities.
“I’ve enjoyed this work and learned an enormous amount from it,” he said.
Sandman has had a long career in town government. All told, he has served more than 20 years in various elected and appointed positions in Brookline.
Two new candidates, both Town Meeting members who are deeply involved in town government, have already announced their plans to run for the vacant seat: Liz Linder, a local business owner, and Carlos Ridruejo, an architect who serves on the Advisory Committee.
Sandman has not endorsed either, but said that both are “strong candidates” with different experience and outlooks.
Stay tuned in the coming months for in-depth coverage of the May town election, including interviews with all candidates for town-wide office.