In a two-minute video, editor Sam Mintz walks through the ongoing debate about the future of Brookline’s governance.
Category: Elections
Two months late, Town Meeting member admits to $5,000 in previously unreported local election spending
In a form filed with the town in June, a Town Meeting member acknowledged being behind a mysterious election mailer that had raised questions about campaign finance laws this spring. On June 13, Richard Nangle filed a form with the Town Clerk’s office reporting that he was responsible for more than $5,000 in spending aimed… Continue reading Two months late, Town Meeting member admits to $5,000 in previously unreported local election spending
As Brookline considers becoming a city, what can it learn from Framingham?
With close to 63,000 residents, Brookline is the second largest town in Massachusetts behind only Plymouth, a status some residents would like to eschew: the City Charter Campaign continues to roll along, even as they’ve pushed their goal to the 2026 ballot. But the runner-up distinction is also a relatively new one: it was only… Continue reading As Brookline considers becoming a city, what can it learn from Framingham?
Five state legislators outline strategy to counter Trump administration at Brookline forum
Five Democratic state lawmakers advised Brookline residents Monday how to navigate the Trump administration and push back against its policies. About 70 people attended the forum, which featured state Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem and state Reps. Kevin Honan, William MacGregor, Greg Schwartz and Tommy Vitolo. It was hosted by the Brookline Democratic Town Committee and… Continue reading Five state legislators outline strategy to counter Trump administration at Brookline forum
Election results: Rubenstein wins Select Board seat; Weintraub, Frias, Perry elected to School committee
In Tuesday’s town election, voters sent Michael Rubenstein to the Select Board and elected two new faces, Bob Weintraub and Danna Perry, as well as one incumbent, Valerie Frias, to the School Committee, according to unofficial results published by the Town Clerk. In the race for Select Board, the town’s highest office, Rubenstein, a 62-year-old… Continue reading Election results: Rubenstein wins Select Board seat; Weintraub, Frias, Perry elected to School committee
Select Board candidates answer questions from public ahead of election
Dozens of residents gathered at town hall last Wednesday for a forum with Select Board candidates ahead of next month’s election. The forum, hosted by Brookline Neighborhood Alliance, was one of several featuring the three candidates vying for the open seat on the town’s five-member Select Board: architect Carlos Ridruejo, photographer Liz Linder and entrepreneur… Continue reading Select Board candidates answer questions from public ahead of election
Mysterious election mailings likely violated campaign finance laws. Who is behind them?
For the last several years, a mysterious postcard has appeared in the mailboxes of some Brookline residents shortly before the May town election. Endorsing local candidates and carrying an anti-tax message, the letters have purported to come from the Horace James Civic Association, a South Brookline neighborhood group which newspaper records show was active in… Continue reading Mysterious election mailings likely violated campaign finance laws. Who is behind them?
Following the money: See how much candidates for Select Board, School Committee raised and spent ahead of town election
Candidates for town office in Brookline have raised more than $114,000 in political fundraising ahead of the May 6 election, when voters will choose new members of the Select Board, School Committee and other local government bodies. The campaigns for townwide positions reported their financial activity to the town in late April, as required by… Continue reading Following the money: See how much candidates for Select Board, School Committee raised and spent ahead of town election
120 candidates, 17 precincts: The Brookline.News guide to the 2025 Town Meeting election
In the local election on May 6, many of the names on your ballot will be running for Town Meeting. With 120 candidates across 17 precincts, it can be hard to keep track of who is who in the race for Brookline’s legislative branch. Our new guide aims to help. We sent a candidate questionnaire… Continue reading 120 candidates, 17 precincts: The Brookline.News guide to the 2025 Town Meeting election
Meet the candidates for Select Board, in a race dominated by debate over development
Three Town Meeting members are running for an open seat on the Select Board, the five-member executive branch of Brookline’s town government. Architect Carlos Ridruejo, photographer Liz Linder and entrepreneur Michael Rubenstein are vying to replace Michael Sandman, who decided not to seek reelection after serving one three-year term. Election Day is May 6, but… Continue reading Meet the candidates for Select Board, in a race dominated by debate over development
Ways to vote in the May 6 town election
Local election day is May 6 in Brookline. Winners will be declared in contested races for the School Committee, Select Board and Board of Library Trustees, and Town Meeting members will be chosen in each precinct across town. Brookline.News has published in-depth candidate profiles for the School Committee, Select Board and Board of Library Trustees… Continue reading Ways to vote in the May 6 town election
Five candidates face off for Board of Library Trustees, aiming to address library system upheaval
This year’s election for the Board of Library Trustees is contested for the first time since 2017, as turmoil in Brookline’s public libraries pushes new candidates and incumbents to step up. In Brookline, the Board of Library Trustees is a 12-person elected body with four seats up for election each year. Trustees are responsible for… Continue reading Five candidates face off for Board of Library Trustees, aiming to address library system upheaval
Meet the candidates in a crowded race for School Committee
This year’s race for Brookline’s School Committee is the most competitive since 2018, with six candidates, including two incumbents, running for three open seats in the May 6 election. Most new candidates cited the district’s cyclical fiscal problems as a top reason for running — particularly the $8-million budget gap for fiscal year 2026, which the… Continue reading Meet the candidates in a crowded race for School Committee
New School Committee candidates cite budget problems as reason for running
A slew of new candidates are running for School Committee this year, prompted by widespread concern about fiscal problems in Brookline schools. In early February, eight Brookline residents had indicated they were considering running for three seats. As of March 10, five candidates are still in the race: incumbents Helen Charlupski and Valerie Frias, former… Continue reading New School Committee candidates cite budget problems as reason for running
News in brief: Town hires new Senior Center director, calls for students to design next voting sticker
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
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
Election update: Ehrenberg bows out of School Committee reelection as eight candidates line up to run for three seats
The town election on May 6 could see a crowded race for School Committee, as eight candidates so far have notified the town clerk that they intend to run for three seats. Of the three current members who are up for reelection, two are running and one is not. Helen Charlupski, who has served on… Continue reading Election update: Ehrenberg bows out of School Committee reelection as eight candidates line up to run for three seats
Campaign to rethink Brookline’s form of government falls short of getting on 2025 ballot
A ballot question asking voters to approve a charter commission to study Brookline’s form of government won’t come before voters in May’s town election. In a message to supporters on Friday, Rebeca Stone, chair of the City Charter Campaign, wrote that the effort has fallen short of the number of signatures needed to assure a… Continue reading Campaign to rethink Brookline’s form of government falls short of getting on 2025 ballot
Election update: Rubenstein joins Linder, Ridruejo in running for Select Board
Michael Rubenstein, a Town Meeting member, entrepreneur and housing advocate, is running for Select Board. In a letter announcing his run, Rubenstein said he aims to prioritize dealing with the town’s fiscal constraints, addressing rising property taxes and unaffordable housing costs and responding to climate change and environmental degradation. Rubenstein joins two other Town Meeting… Continue reading Election update: Rubenstein joins Linder, Ridruejo in running for Select Board
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