Creating a Future for Brookline to be Proud of

Financial Stability

One of Brooklines greatest assets is our strong AAA bond rating. But we have work to do. In Moody’s 2025 credit report they describe our cash reserves as “satisfactory” and note that we are behind our peer AAA rated communities.

Our Town also faces risks by having an above average debt load. One of our saving graces is our imperative progress on fully funding our pension and other post employment benefit funds “to keep leverage and fixed costs manageable over the long-term”.

I promise to keep Brookline top notch, credit worthy. Our good credit is what keeps us able to build top of the line schools, services, and libraries. Without these low borrowing costs, our capital improvement plan will suffer substantially. I will not allow that to happen if I am on the Select Board.

Expand the Tax Base

Brookline is facing a structural deficit. This reality is not new, but is becoming more urgent. Under Proposition 2 1/2, our ability to raise property taxes is capped at 2.5%, even when inflation far exceeds that limit. For example, this past year, healthcare costs rose by 12%.

This creates a recurring, unsustainable choice: either raise taxes substantially through overrides or consistently cut core town services to close the gap. I find neither option acceptable.

There is a third way. We must grow the pie. By strategically identifying key areas for commercial and residential development, in alignment with our Housing Production Plan and the forthcoming Comprehensive Plan, we can expand our tax base without placing the entire burden on current residents. As a Select Board member, I will prioritize these growth-oriented tools to ensure Brookline’s long-term fiscal health.

Roadway Safety

As a daily pedestrian and T rider, I see our infrastructure’s flaws firsthand. Brookline needs a roadway system that protects everyone, whether you’re behind a wheel, on a bike, or on foot. Our streets weren’t designed for modern coexistence, forcing drivers and cyclists into “impossible circumstances.” As your Select Board member, I will bridge that gap by focusing on:

Balancing Stakeholders: Infrastructure changes must include small businesses that rely on accessible parking and loading zones. Safety and economic vitality are not mutually exclusive.

Data-Driven Design: I am encouraged by studies showing that protected infrastructure can actually increase foot traffic and attract more customers to local businesses. I will champion designs that prove this “win-win” scenario.

Economic Impact Oversight: I promise that at every stage of infrastructure planning, the economic impact on our commercial districts will be a primary consideration.

Caring for Seniors

What may be just an inconvenience for many in Brookline can be extra challenging for our older residents who moved here for our age-friendly community or who have lived here for decades and want to age in place.

For example, uneven sidewalks are a huge issue for anyone with mobility challenges. Brookline’s seniors shouldn’t be afraid to be out in the community because of these types of infrastructure failures, but many have told me that they are. 

I am happy to report that in FY2025, the DPW increased sidewalk maintenance and replacement, extra effort that we need to continue. We have also deployed a new tool to shave uneven lips in the sidewalk, saving the Town money while giving seniors greater peace of mind. Also, as someone who cares deeply about mental health, I will prioritize working with the Senior Center and Council on Aging for outreach programs to combat isolation and loneliness, two of the biggest problems for our older neighbors. We know that social connections can boost mood and reduce the risk of depression and cognitive decline. Brookline needs to do more to support those programs.