Sam Mintz of Brookline.News and Jessica Smyser of Brookline Interactive Group discuss the latest news, including why trash is piling up, the latest on controversial bus lanes in Brookline Village, school leadership turnover and the story behind two popular Buy Nothing Facebook groups. Click play below, or find us on your favorite podcast platform.
Category: Transportation
The town wants to hear from you about parking in Brookline Village and Washington Square
The town has launched two surveys to hear from community members about one of the most perennially controversial topics in Brookline: parking. The surveys are for two neighborhoods, Brookline Village and Washington Square, and they are part of separate studies aimed at “improving parking conditions and overall mobility in each neighborhood,” according to a town… Continue reading The town wants to hear from you about parking in Brookline Village and Washington Square
Are the bus lanes near Brookline Village working? Town, MBTA say they need six more months to find out
A key town board on Wednesday recommended extending a controversial bus-only lane pilot near Brookline Village for at least another six months to allow the town and MBTA to keep testing out the concept. The “Gateway East” project laid down a bus-only lane last July that runs in both directions of Washington Street between Station… Continue reading Are the bus lanes near Brookline Village working? Town, MBTA say they need six more months to find out
The town just got $100,000 for two new Bluebikes stations. Where should they go?
Tucked into a budget bill recently passed by the state legislature and signed by Governor Maura Healey was a $100,000 earmark for the town of Brookline to install two new Bluebikes stations. There are already 13 of the bikeshare stations in Brookline, but the two new stations will bring more opportunities for commuters or recreational… Continue reading The town just got $100,000 for two new Bluebikes stations. Where should they go?
MBTA Green Line C Branch construction to begin this fall, bringing ADA upgrades and major disruptions to Beacon Street
The MBTA is slated to start construction on the Green Line C Branch as early as September. The Green Line accessibility project will elevate and widen platforms to ensure that street-level stations comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Town officials are warning of disruption to traffic, limited sidewalk access along a large stretch… Continue reading MBTA Green Line C Branch construction to begin this fall, bringing ADA upgrades and major disruptions to Beacon Street
Town will install on-street EV charging stations thanks to new grant
Brookline has received a state grant of up to $500,000 to install on-street electric vehicle charging stations. The town is among 15 municipalities getting funds from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for on-street charging stations. The grant will cover design, procurement, equipment and installation, with no cost to Brookline. The Brookline Department of Public Works… Continue reading Town will install on-street EV charging stations thanks to new grant
News in brief: How to apply for CPA funding, and learn about a new ‘near-miss’ portal
The town is preparing to launch its next cycle of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding applications, with mandatory information sessions scheduled to begin in mid-June. Organizations and town departments interested in applying for CPA funds must attend one of three mandatory information sessions based on their project category: Historic Preservation: June 16 at 3:30 PM… Continue reading News in brief: How to apply for CPA funding, and learn about a new ‘near-miss’ portal
Town Meeting preview: A trash fight, broker fees, democracy and foie gras
Brookline’s Annual Town Meeting starts on Tuesday, with the town’s fiscal challenges front and center. As with every spring session of Town Meeting, the budget is the biggest item on the agenda. This year, Town Meeting members will vote on whether to approve a $456.6 million budget that maintains town services, but includes millions of… Continue reading Town Meeting preview: A trash fight, broker fees, democracy and foie gras
Red Sox fans turn to Brookline streets for cheaper game day parking
Just before 7 p.m. on a Wednesday night, the Boston Red Sox are getting ready to take the field at Fenway Park. A short walk away, a Brookline police officer stops his patrol car on Ivy Street near Carlton Street. He doesn’t leave his cruiser but he looks toward the license plate of Adam Pachter’s… Continue reading Red Sox fans turn to Brookline streets for cheaper game day parking
After heated neighborhood meeting, community remains divided over Chestnut Hill Avenue redesign
The town and community members are still wrestling with how to best redesign Chestnut Hill Avenue, with a heated neighborhood meeting on May 8 demonstrating a deep divide. The central tension remains the same: Should some of the curb space on the street be used for wider, protected bike lanes to give bicyclists some safety… Continue reading After heated neighborhood meeting, community remains divided over Chestnut Hill Avenue redesign
News in brief: Next steps on Chestnut Hill Ave bike lanes, Advisory Committee trash drama, and the town’s rebrand
Town wants feedback on next steps for Chestnut Hill Ave redesign The Department of Public Works will hold a public meeting on Thursday to discuss next steps for redesigning Chestnut Hill Avenue. After public criticism of an initial plan that would have created new bike lanes on the street, separated from traffic by flex posts,… Continue reading News in brief: Next steps on Chestnut Hill Ave bike lanes, Advisory Committee trash drama, and the town’s rebrand
A tribute to William Dawes, Revere’s lesser-known compatriot, rides through Brookline again
Crowds at Coolidge Corner waited Monday morning for the first batch of marathon runners to pass through. Two blocks away, a smaller group waited instead for the arrival of a man on horseback. They were waiting in the lawn of the colonial-era Edward Devotion House for the annual Patriots’ Day reenactment of the ride of… Continue reading A tribute to William Dawes, Revere’s lesser-known compatriot, rides through Brookline again
On board the MBTA’s 51 bus, riders find community and convenience, with room to grow
On a 39 degree evening, Gang Zheng waits for the MBTA’s 51 bus at the Reservoir terminal. She is on her way home to Brookline from her job as a researcher at a pharmaceutical company in Cambridge. It is the final leg of her journey home, after first taking the Red Line and Green Line… Continue reading On board the MBTA’s 51 bus, riders find community and convenience, with room to grow
Margie Mendez died after being struck by a State Police cruiser in Brookline. Her family is seeking answers
Margie Mendez, an 86-year-old Brookline resident with deep ties in the community, died on April 5. The passing of Mendez, who relatives say was a loving matriarch and caregiver with a strong sense of civic duty, came nearly three months after she was struck and seriously injured by a Massachusetts State Police cruiser in a… Continue reading Margie Mendez died after being struck by a State Police cruiser in Brookline. Her family is seeking answers
What to know about the town’s plan for bike lanes on Chestnut Hill Avenue
After the recent controversy over a proposed plan to add protected bicycle lanes to a redesigned Washington Street, the town is continuing its mission to improve bike safety on highly-traveled roads. Next up for improvement – and debate? Chestnut Hill Avenue. A plan in the works would remake a roughly mile-long stretch from Cleveland Circle… Continue reading What to know about the town’s plan for bike lanes on Chestnut Hill Avenue
Brookline Fire Department gets a $1.5 million upgrade to its fleet with two new engines
The Brookline Fire Department is preparing to put its two new fire engines into action. All deputies, captains, lieutenants and firefighters in the department are required to undergo training on the new engines, which cost a total of $1.5 million.. Matt Wiers trains fire departments across Massachusetts for the manufacturer Pierce, which made Brookline’s new… Continue reading Brookline Fire Department gets a $1.5 million upgrade to its fleet with two new engines
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
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
MBTA officials respond to concerns over Green Line C branch station changes
MBTA officials presented their plans to revamp the Green Line’s C branch along Beacon Street at a public meeting on Wednesday, fielding questions and concerns from Brookline community members which centered on plans to eliminate one station and combine two others. The meeting was ostensibly intended to receive public feedback on the project’s environmental impact.… Continue reading MBTA officials respond to concerns over Green Line C branch station changes
MBTA’s Green Line accessibility project will consolidate stops in Brookline
This story originally appeared on StreetsblogMASS, an independent, nonprofit journalism organization that covers transportation news across the Commonwealth. By the end of 2026, Brookline will have two fewer Green Line stops, but riders will get faster transit trips and upgraded stations as part of the T’s efforts to make the C branch fully accessible between… Continue reading MBTA’s Green Line accessibility project will consolidate stops in Brookline