41.8 F
Brookline
Monday, December 22, 2025
Home Blog Page 11

Why More People Are Betting On Sport At 96Ace Malaysia

Sports betting is a fun hobby that has been around for centuries but has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity. Gambling or sports betting has an undeserved reputation for being immoral, but this is because it was illegal in most of the United States for many years. Learn why betting on sports at Sportbooks Malaysia is a fun activity and how to get started placing bets and becoming a part of the action.

Understanding Sports Betting

Sports betting is similar to other forms of gambling in that you place a bet on a specific outcome. In a card game, you bet that you will win the hand or game, whereas in roulette, you try to guess the number and color where the ball will land. The most fundamental form of sports betting is betting on a specific team to win a game.

You may be able to bet on other aspects of the game, such as point spreads and over/under totals, depending on the sportsbook, the organization that accepts and coordinates bets. Some sportsbooks accept parley or combo bets, which are multiple bets linked together, and each bet must win to pay out a larger amount.

Betting Ease

Placing a sports bet used to entail going to a sportsbook and waiting in line. Most people now choose online sportsbooks to place bets, but in this day and age, you can also use some innovative sports betting apps seen on Basketball Insiders. The use of betting apps would allow you to place bets wherever you are, rather than being restricted to your laptop or desktop computer.

Entertainment

While watching live sports is enjoyable, wagering on the game can increase the entertainment value. When they place a bet, many people become more engaged and interested in the action. They are now more invested in the game and feel more involved, and they are sharing more of the experience.

When people place bets on sports on a regular basis, they become more engrossed and involved. They research various teams and players in order to place informed bets that are likely to pay off. This additional research gets the person placing the bet more involved in the sports betting hobby and more interested in the sport. They gain a better appreciation and understanding of the game, allowing them to gain even more enjoyment and entertainment from the experience.

Extend Your Horizon

Betting on a game that does not feature your favorite team is a great way to get excited and interested in a game that you might not otherwise care about much, if at all. You may be exposed to players you would not normally see and develop a better understanding and appreciation for the game, other teams, and other players.

Betting on sports that you are unfamiliar with is a great way to learn more about that sport. Learning a new sport and memorizing all of the rules and strategies can be difficult and even boring, but a wager will keep you engaged and give you more reason to stick with the game.

Profitable

The ability to make money while watching a game adds to the fun. You may walk away relieved that your prediction was correct, but you may also have some extra money in your pocket.

When betting on sports, it is critical to only place bets that you are comfortable with. If you can afford to bet $10 or $20, you should do so. Large bets may pay out more if you win, but if the stress of the bet detracts from the experience and enjoyment of the game, stick to smaller bets.

A Low-Cost Hobby

When you place a bet, there is always the possibility of losing both the bet and your money. That’s part of the fun, and sometimes losing makes winning even more enjoyable. Sports betting can be a low-cost hobby because it only costs the amount you choose to bet. You can easily keep the expenses within your budget, and there are no additional costs. For example, if you go to the movies, you must purchase a ticket, and if you join a sports league, you must purchase gear or equipment. When it comes to sports betting, you only spend the amount you wager, and you can control that amount to ensure you do not pay more than you want or can afford.

Place Your Bets

Sports betting is becoming increasingly popular for good reason. Wagering makes sporting events more exciting and enjoyable, it is a great way to learn more about a game or other types of sports, and you could win money.

Brookline Department Of Public Works Provides Trash & Recycling Collection Update

Commissioner Erin Chute Gallentine and the Department of Public Works announces it has repeated its Monday pickup routes today, and will repeat its Tuesday routes tomorrow, following confusion about scheduling due to the Juneteenth holiday.

When a legal holiday falls on a weekend, as was the case with Juneteenth, the Brookline DPW conducts trash and recycling pickup on its normal Monday-Friday schedule. Approximately one-third of residents did not put trash and recycling out for collection on Monday, so Brookline DPW repeated its Monday route today.

DPW crews will repeat its Tuesday routes tomorrow, June 22, 2022, to ensure that no residents miss their trash and recycling collection this week.

Residents whose trash and recycling is normally picked up on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday should put their trash and recycling out as they normally would.

“We sincerely apologize for any confusion this week, and will work to be better about communicating the ways holidays will — or will not — impact trash and recycling pickup,” Commissioner Gallentine said.

Anyone with further questions about trash and recycling collection should call 617-730-2156.

Town Of Brookline Highlights Collaboration Behind Successful 122nd U.S. Open Championship

The Town of Brookline wishes to thank the community, volunteers, Town staff, public safety partners and the United States Golf Association for their dedication and cooperation toward making the 122nd U.S. Open Championship a success.

The U.S. Open, golf’s national championship, was contested at The Country Club from June 13-19, 2022. The U.S. Open attracted tens of thousands of patrons, and shined a worldwide television spotlight on the Town.

“This year’s championship was a great success, as the world saw the best of what the U.S. Open, Brookline, and New England have to offer,” Town Administrator Mel Kleckner said. “Brookline is grateful to once again have hosted the U.S. Open. An event of this magnitude does not happen without talented people behind the scenes working countless hours toward one goal, and for that we say thank you.”

The championship continues a long and storied partnership among the Town, The Country Club, and USGA. The Country Club was one of USGA’s founders. It has hosted the U.S. Open in 1913, 1963, and 1988, along with five U.S. Amateur championships and three U.S. Women’s Amateur championships.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with how this week went,” said Championship Director Eric Steimer. “This community is inextricably linked to the history of golf in the United States, and we are thrilled that we have been able to add another chapter. We owe a huge thank you to The Country Club, Town of Brookline and all the fans, volunteers and supporters for making this an incredible championship.”

The Town of Brookline wishes to highlight the following:

  • Partnership with the USGA on a resiliency plan that included the planting of 122 new trees, restoration of the Lost Pond Trail, and ecological enhancements at the public Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course.
  • Collaboration with the USGA on a number of local initiatives, which created opportunities for area businesses, supported non-profits and charities, and local youth.
  • Coordination among a variety of public and private agencies to develop traffic, health, and safety protocols during the championship. These included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, United States Postal Service, Federal Aviation Administration, Massachusetts State Police, and Massachusetts National Guard; Boston Police Department; the USGA and its traffic consultant Howard Stein Hudson; The Country Club; Massachusetts Department of Transportation; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation; Boston College Police; and the Brookline Police Department, Brookline Fire Department, Brookline Department of Public Works, Brookline Building Department, Transformative Healthcare and Brookline Office of Emergency Management.
  • The Country Club’s strong support for numerous charitable and non-profit organizations such as the Brookline Youth Fund and the Community Safety Net Fund. The Country Club also has made sizable donations to support and grow the game of golf at the Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course, a commitment that increases each year.
  • Investment by community stakeholders, who provided vital feedback throughout the planning process.

The Town and Town Administrator Kleckner wish to recognize the following, who were integral to the success of the U.S. Open Championship: Recreation Director Leigh Jackson, Public Works Commissioner Erin Gallentine, Acting Police Chief Richard Allen, Deputy Police Superintendent Paul Cullinane, Fire Chief John F. Sullivan, Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss, Transportation Administrator Todd Kirrane, Building Commissioner Dan Bennett, Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kevin Johnson, Robert T. Lynch Golf Course General Manager Justin Lawson, and the Community Partnership Committee.

The Town and Town Administrator Kleckner offer a special thank you to members of the Community Partnership Committee: Co-Chair Ken Goldstein, representing the Town; Co-Chair Kate Leness, representing The Country Club; Malcolm Cawthorne, representing the Commission on Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations; William Curry, William Goldthwait, Glenn Johnson, Kristen LaCount, and Brendan Lee, representing The Country Club; David Gladstone, representing the Brookline Chamber of Commerce; Ken Lewis, representing the Economic Development Advisory Committee; Natalia Linos, Climate Action Committee designee; Wendy Sheridan Ames, representing the Park and Recreation Commission; and Heather Hamilton, Select Board liaison.

The Town and Town Administrator Kleckner also wish to thank The Country Club, USGA, and Eric Steimer, Director, U.S. Open Championships, for their guidance and support.

Take Steps To Help Prevent Rodents In Town

Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss and the Brookline Department of Public Health urge the community to do their part to help prevent rodents in town as summer approaches.

Outdoor summer activities, including festivals, picnics and outdoor dining, have been found to contribute to the prevalence of rodents in public places.

The department shares the following tips for residents and business owners to help minimize the presence of rodents:

  • Store rubbish/garbage in covered containers with tight-fitting lids;
  • Inspect the exterior of your property to check if rodents are gaining access to or around the building. Any openings around doors, windows, drains, or cracks in foundations should be sealed;
  • Should it appear that rodents are gaining access to or around your property, you should obtain the services of a licensed extermination company to carry out integrated pest management techniques. Residents are reminded that loose poison is prohibited in Brookline;
  • Remove weeds and debris near buildings and yards;
  • Stack lumber and boxes on a rack with a clean open area underneath. Get rid of unused materials;
  • Do not place bird food on the ground, and clean any spillage daily;
  • clean animal waste from property frequently. When dining in town parks and open spaces, carry out any waste that does not fit in a waste bin;
  • Do not leave oversized items (i.e. pizza boxes) on the ground or stacked on top of trash cans.

“Our department works hard to minimize the presence of rats in town as much as possible, especially through the summer months,” Commissioner Reiss said. “But, all those in Brookline have a responsibility to help keep the town clean as well, and we urge those who live and work here to aid in our efforts to prevent rodents. These measures will be most effective through a community-wide effort. “

The department works regularly to minimize the presence of rats and other rodents in the community alongside other departments, including the Department of Public Works and the Building Department. Some of these steps include treating public properties, enforcing the state sanitary codes to ensure best practices, enforcing town by-laws to improve trash management and pest control, and education.

Residents are reminded that individual homeowners are responsible for baiting on their respective properties.

If the department identifies businesses or residences with conditions that contribute to rodent activity, the department will issue an abatement notice to the business, property, manager or owner. The department will complete a compliance inspection seven business days after notification. Non-compliance may result in enforceable actions, which may include fines, closure of the business, or a court order.

To file a rodent concern or complaint, please email RatReports@brooklinema.gov. For those who prefer to verbally file a complaint, please call 617-730-2308 and leave a message with the specific location, including address, if possible.

To view the full public health notice, please visit here.

Town Of Brookline Invites Community To Final Housing Production Plan Forum

The Brookline Department of Planning and Community Development is in the process of creating a Housing Production Plan. The plan will help guide policy decisions over the next five (5) years by identifying housing needs and recommending ways to address them.

The third forum will cover the following:

  • articulate a vision and goals for the Housing Production Plan;
  • highlight key findings of the Housing Needs Assessment;
  • review challenges of accommodating a variety of affordable and mixed-income housing options in Brookline;
  • discuss regulatory approaches to creating additional affordable and mixed-use and mixed-income housing;
  • explore prototypes using specific sites in Brookline as examples.

The event will take place on Monday, June 27, 2022, between the hours of 07:00 p.m. and 09:00 p.m. on Zoom. To register, please visit here.

Previous forums were held on January 26 and February 23, 2022.

Town Of Brookline Lifts Mask Mandate For Indoor Town-Owned Spaces Where Public Gathers

Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss and the Brookline Department of Public Health announce that the Town of Brookline is lifting the face covering requirements in town-owned buildings where the public gathers effective immediately.

The decision to lift the mask requirement was based on a review of CoViD-19 data including declining local case counts, hospital admissions and hospital capacity, wastewater data, Public Schools of Brookline case counts, and vaccine and testing resources. As of Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has transitioned Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties as a low-risk area for CoViD-19 transmission.

“We are seeing a consistent week over week drop in our weekly community case counts, as well as significant drops in our school case numbers. The Department will continue to watch the data with our community partners to respond to the changing CoViD-19 trends,” Director Reiss said.

Residents should be aware that individual organizations can still require masks. The Department encourages everyone in Brookline to maintain a mask-friendly environment.

Residents are reminded that masking is still mandatory for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, while in healthcare facilities, including congregate care settings.

Residents also should continue to wear a mask if they are experiencing symptoms of CoViD-19, tested positive, or were exposed to someone with CoViD-19. Anyone with symptoms consistent with CoViD-19 should consider taking an at-home CoViD-19 test. To report an at-home CoViD-19 test result, please visit here.

Additionally, anyone at high risk for severe illness should consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.

Residents are reminded that a CoViD-19 vaccine and booster remain the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from CoViD-19, which continues to pose a serious risk of severe illness to those who are unvaccinated.

For more information, please visit the CDC’s CoViD-19 vaccine website here. To find a vaccination site near you, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Vaccine Finder.

Parking & Traffic Changes For U.S. Open Championship

The Town of Brookline wishes to remind the community and patrons of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship about traffic and parking changes during the event.

The Town asks motorists seek alternate routes whenever possible, and allow for extra time. Some areas in South Brookline will be difficult to access.

Traffic and road closures

  • Thirty-five to 40 traffic detail locations will be staffed by state and local law enforcement agencies throughout South Brookline and Chestnut Hill, to provide for public safety and help keep traffic moving.
  • Variable message boards on state highways will be used to encourage use of public transportation.
  • The MBTA Route 51 Bus will be rerouted around the area via Hammond Pond Parkway and Route 9.
  • School buses will be rerouted through Button Village and continue to have access to and from South Brookline, through agreement with Brookline Public Schools.
  • The following streets will be closed through Sunday, June 19, 2022: Lee Street, from Warren Street to Clyde Street; Clyde Street; Newton Street, from Grove Street to Goddard Avenue. Abutting residents, shuttle buses, and public-safety vehicles have been given permits to identify them as being allowed on these streets. Brookline Police and Brookline Fire personnel will have unimpeded access while on calls.
  • Newton Street will be one-way from Grove Street to West Roxbury Parkway, though access will not be restricted.
  • Access to Button Village will be available via Meadowbrook Road and Sears Road, via Dudley.
  • Fifty-three streets will be marked as Resident-Only parking. Police will ticket or tow vehicles based on resident reports or officer observation. A full list of streets is available here.
  • Fire lanes will be posted on one side of Lyman Road and Yarmouth Road, to ensure emergency vehicle access on the private ways.

A map of traffic modifications may be found here.

Spectator access

  • Most spectators will be transported to The Country Club via shuttle buses that will operate from dedicated drop-off locations on Clyde Street, Newton Street, at Allandale Farm, and at Pine Manor College.
  • Shuttle service will be available from satellite parking lots from as close as Dexter Southfield School, which is for pre-assigned parking only, and as far away as Needham / Wellesley.
  • The MBTA will provide shuttle service from hubs at the Forest Hills and Cleveland Circle stations, from 6 a.m. into the late evening.
  • The driveway of Larz Anderson Park will be available for personal drop-off, taxis, and rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. Traffic will flow one way from Avon Street to Newton Street.
  • Allandale Farm will be used for pre-assigned parking and shuttle bus drop-off.
  • Larz Anderson Park will be used for bike parking, rideshare, shuttle drop off and credentialed vehicular parking.
  • Robert T. Lynch Golf Course will be used for pre-assigned parking.

Those who have questions or concerns during U.S. Open week are asked to e-mail the Town at usopen@brooklinema.gov or contact the Call Center at 617-879-5636.

.

About the 2022 U.S. Open

The U.S. Open is the annual open national championship of golf in the United States. It is one of four major championships and is organized by the United States Golf Association.

This year’s championship will be played at The Country Club from June 13-19, 2022. For more information about the U.S. Open, please visit here and here.

For more information about the USGA, please visit here.

Traffic, Parking, Security Plans For U.S. Open Championship

The Town of Brookline, in collaboration with its numerous partners, shares the following information about safety, traffic, and parking plans for the upcoming U.S. Open Championship.

The 122nd U.S. Open Championship will be held at The Country Club from June 13-19, attracting golf patrons from around the world. The Town is proud to host this high-profile event.

However, even with a sophisticated traffic and parking management plan, traffic, parking, and regular services will be significantly affected during Championship Week. The Town wishes to alert businesses and residents about these impacts. The Town suggests suggest remote work if possible, and recommends that motorists seek alternate routes and allow for extra time for daily commutes. Some areas in South Brookline will be difficult to access.

A working groupcoordinated by Recreation Director Leigh Jackson has spent more than a year developing a public safety and traffic management plan that will protect those attending the U.S. Open while respecting the surrounding neighborhood and limiting traffic and congestion.

The working group included representatives of the Brookline Police Department, Brookline Fire Department, Brookline Department of Public Works, Brookline Building Department, The Country Club, the United States Golf Association, USGA traffic consultant Howard Stein Hudson, Massachusetts State Police, the Boston Police Department, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Boston College Police, the Massachusetts National Guard, and other state and federal law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, United States Postal Service, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Highlights of the plan include:

Traffic and road closures

  • Thirty-five to 40 traffic detail locations will be staffed by state and local law enforcement agencies throughout South Brookline and Chestnut Hill, to provide for public safety and help keep traffic moving.
  • Variable message boards on state highways will be used to encourage use of public transportation.
  • The MBTA Route 51 Bus will be rerouted around the area via Hammond Pond Parkway and Route 9.School buses will be rerouted through Button Village and continue to have access to and from South Brookline, through agreement with Brookline Public Schools.
  • The following streets will be closed from Saturday, June 11 through Sunday, June 19: Lee Street, from Warren Street to Clyde Street; Clyde Street; Newton Street, from Grove Street to Goddard Avenue. Abutting residents, shuttle buses, and public-safety vehicles have been given permits to identify them as being allowed on these streets. Brookline Police and Brookline Fire personnel will have unimpeded access while on calls.
  • Newton Street will be one-way from Grove Street to West Roxbury Parkway, though access will not be restricted.
  • Access to Button Village will be available via Meadowbrook Road and Sears Road, via Dudley.
  • Fifty-three streets will be marked as Resident-Only parking. Police will ticket or tow vehicles based on resident reports or officer observation. A full list of streets is available here.
  • Fire lanes will be posted on one side of Lyman Road and Yarmouth Road, to ensure emergency vehicle access on the private ways.

A map of traffic modifications may be found here.

Security

  • The Town of Brookline Transfer Station will be used for security review of goods and services.
  • Robert T. Lynch Golf Course will be used as a base for the Incident Command Center, and for mail and package screening.

Other impacts

  • The Town trash collection schedule will be changed on Friday, June 17, 2022, to allow the Department of Public Works to work ahead of road closures and expected traffic delays. The Department of Public works requests that on June 17, 2022, all trash and recycling be placed for collection no later than 04:30 a.m.
  • There will be several disruptions to regular off-leash hours, end-of-school field days, organized sports, and other events. These will primarily affect Larz Anderson Park, Amory Playground, Brookline Avenue Playground and Downes Field.
  • Larz Anderson Park will be used for rideshare drop-off, shuttle drop-off and credentialed parking. Use of the picnic pavilion, grills, and athletic field are not permitted during the event. Green Dog off-leash hours are suspended through June 19, 2022, for the safety of all pups and park visitors. The public may visit the park as pedestrians or through parking spaces reserved along Goddard Avenue parallel to the perimeter wall. The full calendar is here, and reflects all the permitted activities taking place during the next few weeks.

Spectator access

  • Most spectators will be transported to The Country Club via shuttle buses that will operate from dedicated drop-off locations on Clyde Street, Newton Street, at Allandale Farm, and at Pine Manor College.
  • Shuttle service will be available from satellite parking lotsfrom as close as Dexter Southfield School, which is for pre-assigned parking only, and as far away as Needham/Wellesley.
  • The MBTA will provide shuttle service from hubs at the Forest Hills and Cleveland Circle stations, from 06:00 a.m. into the late evening.
  • The driveway of Larz Anderson Park will be available for personal drop-off, taxis, and rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. Traffic will flow one way from Avon Street to Newton Street.Allandale Farm will be used for pre-assigned parking and shuttle bus drop-off.
  • Larz Anderson Park will be used for bike parking, rideshare, shuttle drop off and credentialed vehicular parking.
  • Robert T. Lynch Golf Course will be used for pre-assigned parking.

Those who have questions or concerns during U.S. Open week are asked to email the Town at usopen@brooklinema.gov or contact the Call Center at 617-879-5636. Information about the U.S. Open Championship and the Town of Brookline’s efforts may be found here.

.

About the 2022 U.S. Open

The U.S. Open is the annual open national championship of golf in the United States. It is one of four major championships and is organized by the United States Golf Association.

This year’s championship will be played at The Country Club from June 13-19, 2022.For more information about the U.S. Open, please visit here and here.

For more information about the USGA, please visit here.

Town Of Brookline Invites Community To Juneteenth Celebration

The Town of Brookline is pleased to invite the community to a Freedom March and Juneteenth Celebration at the Brookline Avenue Playground for a celebration of Juneteenth — a federal holiday, commemorating the emancipation of African-American slaves on June 19, 1865.

The event will takeplace on Sunday, June 19, 2022. Freedom March begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Florida Ruffin Ridley School, 345 Harvard Street, and proceed to the Brookline Avenue Playground at 575 Brookline Avenue, where a celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m.

The celebration will feature free food, entertainment, games, crafts, raffles, and music by DJ Money Greene.

Community Yoga Class Invitation In Celebration Of International Day Of Yoga

Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss and Recreation Director Leigh Jackson invite residents to attend the community yoga class hosted by the Brookline Department of Public Health and Brookline Recreation in celebration of the International Day of Yoga.

After a two-year hiatus due to the CoViD-19 pandemic, Brookline is excited to once again gather as a community to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2022.

The event will take plqce between the hours of 07:00 p.m. to 08:30 p.m. at Emerson Park, 82 Davis Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445.

In the event of rain, the class will be canceled.

Experienced instructors from local yoga studios, including Coolidge Yoga Brookline, Down Under School of Yoga, and Healthworks, will teach the community yoga class.

The departments welcome community members of all levels of yoga experience, including those new to this type of exercise. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring a towel or yoga mat, as well as water.

Residents should note that the event has been moved to Emerson Park from its usual location at Cypress Field due to ongoing renovations.

For questions, please contact Lynne Karsten at lkarsten@brooklinema.gov.

Town Of Brookline Updates Community On U.S. Open Golf Championship Plans At Final Public Forum

The Town of Brookline is pleased to share that it recently held its third forum to update residents and stakeholders about plans for the 2022 U.S. Open Championship.

During a virtual forum on Monday, May 06, 2022, town officials presented logistics that will be in place during the Championship, which will be contested at The Country Club from June 13-19, 2022.

The full May 06, 2022 forum can be viewed here.

The forum was led by Town Administrator Mel Kleckner. Speakers included Acting Police Chief Richard Allen, Deputy Police Superintendent Paul Cullinane, Public Works Commissioner Erin Gallentine, Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss, Co-Chair of the Community Partnership Committee Kate Leness, Transportation Administrator Todd Kirrane, and Eric Steimer, Director, U.S. Open Championships for the United States Golf Association.

Also attending were Building Commissioner Dan Bennett and Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kevin Johnson, Recreation Director Leigh Jackson, and Robert T. Lynch Golf Course General Manager Justin Lawson.

Co-Chair Leness provided an overview of the activities of the Committee, which consisted of 13 representatives of the Town and The Country Club. These activities included promotion of small Brookline businesses, developing event opportunities for Brookline business in the food, trades, and services industries, a banner competition, local programs and education sessions leading up to and during the week of the U.S. Open, and opening volunteer opportunities for young people.

The committee also championed initiatives around diversity, equity and inclusion. It also worked toward sustainability initiatives, including the planting of 122 new trees, restoration of the Lost Pond Trail, and ecological advancement of the Robert T. Lynch Golf Course.

“We are really proud of where we’ve gotten to and it’s been a lot of fun working together and trying to make it as community-oriented a championship as possible,” Co-Chair Leness said.

Acting Chief Allen, Deputy Superintendent Paul Cullinane, and Commissioner Gallentine spoke generally about the event’s traffic, security, and trash removal plans. These plans were developed during the past 11 months in partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement and the USGA, and addressed concerns by abutters and surrounding neighborhoods.

Steimer expanded on those plans, and reviewed policies and procedures for patrons, including security checkpoints and screenings, concessions and merchandising, accessibility services, first aid and hydration, and items that are prohibited on site.

“We cannot thank the Town of Brookline enough, its residents, and The Country Club for hosting our national championship,” Steimer said. “I want to stress how excited we are about bringing the U.S. Open back to Brookline, and writing another historic chapter at this iconic venue.”

The Town has created several online resources for residents who wish to stay informed about the Championship. The revamped Town webpage devoted to the U.S. Open may be found here.

About the 2022 U.S. Open The U.S. Open is the annual open national championship of golf in the United States. It is one of four major championships and is organized by the United States Golf Association.

This year’s championship will be played at The Country Club from June 13-19, 2022. For more information about the U.S. Open, please visit here and here.

For more information about the USGA, please visit here.

Town Of Brookline To Provide Amnesty Trash Collection For Town Trash Service Customers

The Brookline Department of Public Works will provide a Trash Amnesty pick up next week as part of Brookline’s Hybrid Pay-As-You-Throw Trash (HPAYT) Program.

During the week of May 31 – June 04, residents taking part in the Town’s trash service are permitted to dispose of extra bags of household trash along with their regular trash toter.

Pickups will occur on the residents’ regular scheduled pickup day. Residents on town service are allowed to put out excess bags of trash that are unable to fit in the HPAYT trash carts. All excess trash bags should be placed next to the trash and recycling carts.

Because Amnesty Week falls during a scheduled holiday week (Memorial Day), trash pick-up is delayed by one day.

Bulky items such as sofas, mattresses, TVs and appliances still need to be called in and scheduled for pickup at 617-730-2156. Please do not place any items out for pick up before 3:30 pm the day before your trash pickup day.

Household hazardous waste items and flammable materials will not be permitted and should be brought to the Town’s Hazardous Recycling Drop Off Center at 815 Newton Street on Tuesdays between the hours of 07:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Yard waste pickups will occur as normal on your pick up day.

Additional information on what items are accepted at the Hazardous Waste Drop Off Center can be found online here.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Department of Public Works at 617-730-2156.

Open Call For BIPOC Youth: Public Mural In Brookline

The Brookline Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations invites BIPOC youth to participate in a mural installation as part of the new “Community BUILDs” social action initiative.

ODICR, in collaboration with the Brookline Arts Center, the Brookline Center, and the Brookline Teen Center and Steps to Success, are launching “Community BUILDs,” a pilot social action initiative that tackles the impact of racism on youth mental health.

As part of the mural project, BIPOC youth, a BIPOC artist, and a clinician will participate in a series of workshops to brainstorm ideas for a public mural that they will then paint at the Brookline Teen Center.

The mural is expected to be completed in July. Once completed, participants, their families, and community partners will commemorate the achievement at a celebration event.

All BIPOC youth with a connection to Brookline with artistic talent and/or interest in binary racism and mental health are invited to participate.

Those who wish to participate should email Carolina San Miguel at csanmiguel@brooklinema.gov by May 31, 2022. The email should include a written statement of interest and reason, samples of their artwork, information about their affiliation to Brookline, and their contact information.

Youth participants will receive a stipend.

The “Community BUILDs” initiative is supported by the Town of Brookline and Brookline Community Foundation through the Racial Equity Fund.

For questions, please contact Carolina San Miguel at csanmiguel@brooklinema.gov or 617- 730-2640. For reasonable accommodations and language access, please contact Sarah Kaplan at skaplan@brooklinema.gov.

For more information and to learn more about the initiative, please visit here.

Town Of Brookline Invites Community Members To Memorial Day Program

Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and Brookline Veterans’ Services Director William T. McGroarty wish to invite community members to the Town of Brookline’s Memorial Day Program, which consists of four ceremonies.

Community members are invited to attend the Town of Brookline’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony, and join town officials, veterans, veterans groups, and the public in remembering those who died while serving in the United State Armed Forces.

Representatives from American Legion Post 11, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 864, Brookline Veterans’ Services, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Brookline Police and Fire Departments will be in attendance.

On Monday, May 30, 2022, beginning at 08:00 a.m., the public is welcome to meet for coffee at the Veterans Post on Washington Street, 386 Washington Street. A trolley will depart from the Veterans Post for the first ceremony at 08:30 a.m. and then continue on to the respective ceremonies. The trolley will return to the Veterans Post before the final ceremony so that attendees can process to the main ceremony at the World War Monument at Town Hall. Community members may use the trolley or their own transportation.

See below for the program itinerary:

Coffee at Veterans Post, 386 Washington Street (08:00 a.m.) Ceremony at Grand Army of the Republic Monument, 96 Grove Street (08:45 a.m.) Director McGroarty will deliver an invocation and tribute to the Grand Army of the Republic. This ceremony also will include a laying of the wreath.

Ceremony at Walnut Hills Cemetery Veterans’ Lot, 96 Grove Street (09:00 a.m.) The ceremony will be conducted by Director McGroarty. A Firing Squad/Honor Guard composed of Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars-Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864, Brookline Police Department, and Brookline Fire Department will be present. Taps will be performed.

Ceremony at Brookline Revolutionary Cemetery, Walnut Street (09:30 a.m.) Daughters of the American Revolution Representative Dianne Laffee will deliver a welcome address and speech. Director McGroarty will deliver an invocation and benediction.

An honor guard composed of Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars-Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864, Brookline Police Department, and Brookline Fire Department will be present. Taps will be performed.

Procession (10:45 a.m.) Ceremony at World War Monument, 333 Washington Street (11:00 a.m.) John Tynan, former U.S. Army Commander and Vietnam War Veteran, will offer a greeting to those in attendance. The Rev. Jonathan Gaspar of St. Mary’s Church will deliver an invocation.

Director McGroarty will preside over the ceremony. The event will feature a speech from Jerry Wolosenko, a U.S. Vietnam War Veteran, Bronze Star recipient and Ukrainian American.

Additionally, the ceremony will include a placing of a wreath of thanks and salute, a moment of silence, and a presentation of the Veterans Service Award.

Collation at Veterans Post, 386 Washington Street (12:00 p.m.) A collation, which includes a light lunch, will take place at the Veterans Post upon completion of the Ceremonies around noon.

To view the full Memorial Day Program, please visit here.

Town Of Brookline Invites Community To Annual Brookline Youth Awards

The Town of Brookline and BrooklineHUB wish to invite residents to the 12th annual Brookline Youth Awards event tomorrow.

The event will take place on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, starting at 07:00 p.m. at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA 02446.

This free event is an opportunity for Brookline residents to hear about the character, challenges, and dreams of its young people through a series of video interviews.

Community members nominated students to be featured whom they believe are worthy of emulation. Featured recipients must be ages 13-19 and either reside in or go to school in Brookline.

Past recipients have been recognized for their outstanding in-school and out-of-school achievements, courage in overcoming adversity or helping others do the same, and displaying exceptional kindness, character, and generosity of spirit.

Town Of Brookline To Reinstate Mask Mandate In Indoor Town-Owned Spaces, Where Public Gathers

Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss announces that the Town of Brookline is reinstating face-covering requirements in town-owned indoor spaces where the public gathers due to the recent increase in CoViD-19 cases.

Beginning Monday, May 23, 2022, every individual will be required to wear a face-covering over their mouth and nose while indoors, including at the Library, Senior Center, all Public Schools, and any other town-owned indoor space where the public gathers.

The Brookline Advisory Council on Public Health reviewed CoViD-19 case data among Brookline Public School students and staff, and compared those rates to other school districts in Massachusetts that did not lift mask requirements. The ACPH agreed that a temporary reinstatement would be an important mitigation measure to limit disease spread and reduce disruptions due to student and staff absenteeism.

Additionally, for the past several weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designated Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties as a high-risk area for CoViD-19 transmission.

The Town will reassess the need for masking weekly by reviewing county- and town-wide CoViD-19 case numbers, community transmission risk and other data.

“We consistently look at CoViD-19 data trends and hope this is a short-term requirement following CDC guidance for counties designated as high risk. The Department will lift the mask requirement once Norfolk County drops to the CDC moderate or low CoViD-19 risk levels, or Brookline-specific data suggests that we are no longer in a surge,” said Reiss.

Residents are reminded that the best way to protect themselves and their loved ones is to get vaccinated and boosted against CoViD-19. For more information visit the CDC’s CoViD-19 vaccine page here. To find a vaccination site near you, visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Vaccine Finder.

To view the full order, please visit here.

Brookline Emergency Management Team Shares Hot Weather Safety Tips Ahead Of High Weekend Temperatures

With temperatures this weekend forecast to be the highest yet this season, the Brookline Emergency Management Team would like to remind residents to take safety precautions during activities during hot weather, especially those that take place outdoors.

The region is expected to experience unseasonably hot weather Saturday and Sunday with temperatures reaching into the 90s. A heat advisory will be in effect regionally from Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 08:00 a.m. until Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 08:00 p.m.

The town has decided to open several water play areas in parks early this year due to the expected high temperatures. Water play areas will be open in the following locations:

  • Waldstein Playground (Dean Road and Strathmore Road / Clinton Path);
  • Soule Early Childhood Center (Hammond Street);
  • Harry Downes Playground (Pond Avenue and Jamaica Road);
  • Emerson Garden(Davis Avenue and Waverly Street);
  • Winthrop Square (St. Paul and Freeman Streets);
  • Billy Ward Playground (Aspinwall Avenue and Brook Street);
  • Clark Playground (Cypress and Edwin Streets);
  • Robinson Playground (Cypress and Franklin Streets);
  • Coolidge Playground (Columbia and Kenwood Streets);
  • Lawton Playground (Lawton Street);
  • Corey Hill Playground (Summit Avenue);
  • Juniper Playground (Juniper Streets);
  • Warren / Eliot Playground (Eliot Street and Ackers Avenue).

To prevent illness and injuries, Brookline Emergency Management recommends the following safety tips from the American Red Cross and National Safety Council:

Heat Safety Tips:

  • Drink plenty of fluids, like water, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages, drinks with caffeine and large amounts of sugar — these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.
  • If you are outside, find shade and minimize direct exposure to the sun. Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is typically around 03:00 p.m.
  • Avoid extreme temperature changes.
  • Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
  • Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
  • If someone does not have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like libraries, theaters, malls, etc.
  • Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach over 100 degrees, even on a 70 degree day.
  • Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.
  • Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Additional Tips for Parents:

  • Limit playtime at peak sun exposure time and familiarize yourself with the signs of heat illnesses.
  • Avoid burns. If playground equipment is hot to the touch, it is too hot for your child’s bare skin.

Recognizing Heat Illnesses:

Heat Cramps

Look for:

  • heavy sweating during intense exercise;
  • muscle pain or spasms.

If you have heat cramps:

  • Stop physical activity and move to a cool place.
  • Drink water or a sports drink.
  • Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity.
  • Get medical help if cramps last longer than 1 hour, you are on a low-sodium diet or if you have heart problems

Heat Exhaustion

Look for:

  • heavy sweating; cold, pale, and clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; dizziness; headache; fainting

If you expect heat exhaustion:

  • Move to a cool place Loosen your clothes.
  • Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath.
  • Sip water.
  • Get medical help if you are throwing up, your symptoms get worse or symptoms last longer than one hour.

Heat Stroke

Look for:

  • high body temperature (103°F or higher); hot, red, dry, or damp skin; fast, strong pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; passing out

If you expect a heat stroke:

  • Call 911 right away – heat stroke is a medical emergency.
  • Move the person to a cooler place.
  • Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath.
  • Do not give the person anything to drink.

Learn more about heat illnesses here.

Town Of Brookline Seeks Candidates For Board Of Library Trustees

The Brookline Board of Library Trustees and the Select Board wish to announce that they are seeking candidates to fill a vacancy on the Board of Library Trustees following the resignation of Regina Healy.

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter, 41, section 11, the Library Trustees and the Select Board will work jointly to find a person to fill the vacancy until the annual town election in May 2023.

Those interested should submit a cover letter and resume by June 10, 2022 to the Board of Library Trustees at librarytrustees@brooklinema.gov, or by regular mail at 361 Washington Street, Brookline, MA 02445. Candidates must be registered voters of the Town of Brookline.

The Library Trustees will interview the candidates during the weeks of June 13, 2022 and June 20, 2022. All interviews will be held remotely.

The Select Board and Library Trustees will conduct final interviews at a Joint Convention on June 28 and will fill the vacancy at that time. The Joint Convention will be held via Zoom and the link will be posted on the Town Calendar here.

The Board of Trustees consists of 12 local residents who are elected to three-year terms. Trustees work closely with the Director of the Library, and provide oversight of the library budget, services, and policies.

For more information on the responsibilities of a Library Trustee, please visit the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ website here.

“We thank Regie for her time on the Board of Library Trustees, and wish her well in her future endeavors,” Library Trustees Chair Michael Burstein said. “We look forward to working with the Select Board to identify the best person to fill the vacant seat. We strongly encourage all interested parties to apply for the position, especially those passionate about shaping the library’s future.”

Brookline Department Of Public Health Encourages Residents To Donate Blood At Upcoming Blood Drive

Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss and Public Health Nurse EJ Bennett are pleased to announce that the Brookline Department of Public Health is hosting a blood drive later this month in collaboration with the American Red Cross.

The drive will take placeon Tuesday, May 31, 2022, from 01:00 p.m. to 06:00 p.m.

Location: Hunneman Hall at Brookline Public Library, 361 Washington Street, Brookline, MA 02445.

The Brookline Department of Public Health encourages residents to donate blood at its upcoming blood drive.

To make an appointment for the drive, visit here, hover over the “Donate Blood” tab at the top of the page and then select “Schedule an Appointment.” Enter the sponsor code BrooklineMA to register.

The May 31, 2022 blood drive is the first in a series of blood drives to be hosted by the Department of Public Health. Additional blood drives will take place on July 13, 2022, August 02, 2022, September 13, 2022, October 04, 2022 November 01, 2022 and December 06, 2022, all between the hours of 01:00 and 06:00 p.m.

Anyone at least 17 years old can donate blood, so long as they are in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. In Massachusetts, a 16-year-old may donate blood as well but is required to have a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to donating. There is no upper age limit for donating, so long as the individual is feeling healthy and well and meets the other criteria.

Brookline Department Of Public Health Unveils Refreshed CoViD-19 Data Portal And Information Hub

Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss is pleased to announce that the Brookline Department of Public Health and Human Services has launched a new CoViD-19 data portal and information hub.

The new interactive online dashboard enables residents to access cumulative and weekly CoViD-19 data, including cases, testing and vaccination rates. Each of these key indicators is also broken down along demographic lines, giving residents a better understanding of how the pandemic is impacting people of different age groups and races.

“Local CoViD-19 data has been the cornerstone to the department’s CoViD-19 response,” Reiss said. “We are excited to launch our dynamic dashboard that allows residents to see Brookline’s CoViD-19 data and trends over the course of the whole pandemic, and with an emphasis on recent data and metrics.”

Data is updated each Friday, and is accessible via the department’s newly reimagined CoViD-19 hub. The Town of Brookline’s CoViD-19 Hub is accessible here.

The interactive data features empower users to sort by demographic factors, as well as expand or narrow their view of the town’s case data from the beginning of the pandemic to just recently, and examine the impact the coronavirus has had on specific cohorts over time.

Town Of Brookline Honors Employees During National Public Service Recognition Week

Town Administrator Mel Kleckner is pleased to share that the Town of Brookline acknowledged employees last week as part of National Public Service Recognition Week.

Celebrated during the first week of May since 1985, PSRW is a nationwide public education campaign designed to honor those who serve as federal, state, county and local employees.

“So many people put in remarkable effort to make town government run smoothly and effectively, and many of them do so behind the scenes,” Kleckner said. “Public Service Recognition Week is an opportunity for us to pause and show our gratitude for their efforts, which directly benefit the community.”

To mark PSRW, the Town of Brookline invited staff members to nominate their colleagues and peers for recognition. The following town employees were nominated for recognition for outstanding contributions to Brookline’s efforts to serve its residents and visitors:

  • Zeray Assefa, of the Information Technology Department, for 20 years of service to the town and Public Schools of Brookline.
  • Javier Rodriguez, of the Department of Public Works, for his contributions to numerous DPW and highway projects. Rodriguez has been a town employee for 16 years, and in that time has worked to become the head carpenter and play an integral role in snow and ice removal operations during the winter.
  • Ryan Kasala, of the Human Resources Department, who joined the town amid the CoViD-19 pandemic and took on an active role in supporting contact tracing among employees. He is also made numerous contributions to the town’s work related to worker’s compensation and on-duty injuries, and uses care and compassion to support the employees he works with who are facing health challenges.
  • Darlene Johnson, of the Health Department, for her myriad efforts to support the town’s response to CoViD-19, including vaccination clinics, disseminating information and answering residents’ questions through the height of the pandemic. She has also played an instrumental role in making the farmer’s market voucher program and website redesigns a success.
  • David Guzman, of Planning and Community Development, for his sense of calm and his compassionate approach to helping residents experiencing housing crises, his advocacy for public housing, and his strength as a listener, which helps move projects along.
  • Dai Q. Nguyen, of the Health Department, for his thorough approach to supporting public health in town, including going above and beyond during a period of transition for the department to ensure its success in responding to the pandemic. He also serves as a vocal advocate for his colleagues’ wellness by encouraging meditation and mindful breathing which contribute to reduced stress.
  • Todd Kirrane, of the Department of Public Works, for his tireless work on numerous transportation initiatives and programs in Brookline, including the Transportation Board, Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Shared Mobility Advisory Committee. His colleagues admire his leadership in shaping Brookline’s transportation policy and approach, making the town a safe place to walk, bike, scoot and drive. Kirrane has also been instrumental in securing essential grants.
  • Lloyd Lovering, of the Recreation Department, for his hard work and sense of pride in maintaining Recreation’s facilities, and his willingness to step in wherever he is needed.
  • Maria Morelli, of the Planning Department, for her strong work ethic, attention to detail and willingness to help her colleagues to accomplish their shared goals.
  • Ren Avellani, of the Information Technology Department, for his sense of caring for others and his tireless work to provide invaluable technical support townwide.
  • Lt. Walter Francis, of the Fire Department, for his compassion and empathy in dealing with patients on medical calls, his sympathetic demeanor and his professionalism that make him a role model for his fellow members.
  • Justin Casanova-Davis, of the Finance Department, for his strong performance in his new role as the department’s director, including fostering an inclusive atmosphere.
  • Josh Cooke, of the Recreation Department, for his work organizing significant events and programs like summer camp and Brookline Day. He also contributed to the town’s emergency operations center during the pandemic, bolstering efforts to conduct drive-through flu vaccine clinics in the fall of 2020 and later organizing CoVoD-19 vaccine clinics for employees and residents.
  • Julie Washburn, of the Council on Aging, for making the Senior Center a welcoming atmosphere, as well as working tirelessly to ensure Brookline’s older population is protected and receives the services they need while maintaining their independence.
  • Katie MacGillivray and Tiffany Sousa, of the Select Board’s Office, who together serve as the backbone of the Select Board’s day-to-day work. MacGillivray is a longtime employee and resident who fields numerous calls from people in the community and is responsible for maintaining numerous town records and the minutes of the board. Sousa was recognized for her knack for putting business owners at ease with her extensive knowledge of the town and state licensing procedures. Additionally, other departments in town rely on Sousa to assist with workflow challenges that come with local licensing.
  • Shuang Huang, of the IT Department, for his team-driven attitude and motivation to make IT a good place to work. John Buchheit, of the Legal Department, for his longstanding service to the town and his accomplishments in recent years.
  • Richard Allen, of the Police Department. Stephanie Aucoin, of the Department of Public Works’ Transportation Division, for her commitment to service when working with residents.
  • Alex Cassie and Kiara Huntress, of the Parks and Open Space Division, for their strong work in a number of key areas, including the Green Dog program, permit verification, education, event management, wildlife assistance, goose management, park safety and visitor assistance. Both Huntress and Cassie fulfill these diverse responsibilities with professionalism and pride, and are always willing to help educate park users with a goal in mind of protecting the town’s public parks and open spaces for today and the future.
  • Kaitlin Conneely, of the Police Department, for her work building longtime relationships with students and community members as the department’s community service officer.
  • Christine Hurley, of the Department of Public Works, for going above and beyond to make sure she’s fostering strong communication with residents and her fellow employees. The Police Department’s Special Response Team, for their dedicated efforts to protect public safety.

Nominated staff members were recognized throughout the week on social media for their various contributions to the town and its residents.

Town Of Brookline Begins Search For Next Library Director

Michael Burstein, Chair of the Brookline Library Trustees, is pleased to announce that work to identify the next director of the Brookline Public Library has begun.

The Trustees are currently seeking resumes from qualified candidates to fill the director role, which is being filled on an interim basis by Dinah O’Brien, who has served as the library director for both the Mansfield and Norton Public Libraries. Current Library Director Sara Slymon is departing her role on May 12, 2022 after eight (8) years in Brookline.

Resumes are being accepted until Wednesday, June 15, 2022, after which a Library Director Screening Committee will be assembled to review and evaluate the candidates and recommend finalists to the Trustees. The board anticipates the next director will begin in the role starting in September.

“We are all grateful for Sara’s tremendous work throughout her tenure as our library’s director, especially for her efforts to guide the library through the challenges of the CoViD-19 pandemic,” Burstein said. “We wish her all the best, and are committed to identifying the best person to build on the library’s success and guide it into the future.”

The Trustees are seeking candidates with extensive library experience, including at least five years of significant supervisory and managerial experience. The ideal candidate will also possess a deep knowledge of the principles and practices of library operations and is skilled in using data and technology to innovate and best serve the Brookline Public Library’s patrons.

To view the full job posting and apply, please visit here.

Town Of Brookline Invites Community To Virtual Reading Of Asian American Student Essays

The Brookline Asian American Family Network (BAAFN) wishes to invite the community to the virtual Asian American Student Essay Contest Award Ceremony next week.

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, from 06:09 p.m. to – 07:00 p.m. o n Zoom.

To RSVP, please visit here.

Registrants will be sent the Zoom link.

Each year in recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, BAAFN holds an essay contest to allow students to freely express “what it means to be an Asian American.”

This year BAAFN received a record 28 submissions, which were reviewed by a panel of judges.

Many essays explored students’ experience with anti-Asian rhetoric and violence in the U.S., which have been exacerbated by the CoViD-19 pandemic being linked inconclusively to China.

At the ceremony, awards will be presented to the following contestants:

  • BAAFN Award: Eun-Jae M. Norris and Emerson Lin;
  • Content Award: Ellie Hyde;
  • Creativity Award: Kayla Chen;
  • Honorable Mentions: Linsey Brookfield, Tina Cheng and Stephanie Wong.

Attendees will have the chance to hear the essays read by the students themselves.

The event also will feature the premiere of “Being Asian American at BHS,” a video documentary created by Brookline High School seniors Sam Lee and Jean Hur.

“I commend every contestant for speaking up, putting their experiences to paper, and shining light on this difficult subject. Together, their voices created a symphony against the erasure, invisibility, and racism that the Asian community has historically experienced,” BAAFN Steering Committee Member Hsiu-Lan Chang said.

BAAFN thanks the Committee of Judges — Christian Angelos, Giselle Ferro Puigbo, John Hodgman, Caitlin Starr, and Charu Swamy — who read the submissions. The judges of Asian descent expressed that they experienced similar hardships growing up.

“These 28 essays were often difficult to read. Difficult, only because of the pain and honesty that was so well conveyed on the page. I was able to find hope and promise for the future when looking at the 28 entries as a whole,” Judge Angelos said. “It brings me so much joy to know that 28 students have that knowledge and the awareness to tell their stories with so much honesty and insight. I walk away from this experience feeling encouraged that this courageous generation of Asian Americans feels emboldened to tell their stories, and that they will not be silenced.”

BAAFN also wishes to thank the following community sponsors for their generosity and support of this initiative: Jay Lebed and Boston Portfolio Advisers, The Brookline Booksmith, The Brookline Community Foundation, Brookline Frames, Sheri Flagler from Coldwell Banker Real Estate, John Hodgman, Jin’s Fine Asian Cuisine, Pho Viet’s, Karyn Wang, and The Town of Brookline Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations.

Brookline Department Of Public Works Invites Community To Spring Fest Celebration Of Trees

The Brookline Department of Public Works wishes to invite the community to attend Brookline’s inaugural Spring Fest next week.

The event will take place on Saturday, May 07, 2022, from 11:09 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. Rain date Saturday, May 14, 2022.

The location is Allerton Overlook at Olmsted Park, 203 Pond Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445.

There is limited street parking near Olmsted Park, so attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, or use public transit to get to Spring Fest. The nearest T stop is the Brookline Village station on the Green Line.

Spring Fest is a celebration of trees and will serve as the kickoff event for the Town’s recently completed Urban Forest Climate Resiliency Master Plan, and will include an Arbor Day planting and proclamation.

The event also will feature family-friendly activities, including yard games, crafting stations, a tree-themed scavenger hunt, food and music. Town forestry staff will conduct a live pruning demonstration and share tree care resources, including information on how residents can apply for a free tree.

The event will include the following scheduled activities:

  • 11:00 a.m. – Tree ID Walk with Brookline GreenSpace Alliance;
  • 12:00 p.m. – Arbor Day Ceremony;
  • 01:00 p.m. – Pruning Demonstration & Allerton Overlook Spring Planting.

“The value of our urban forest and public green spaces cannot be overstated. As we have seen throughout the CoViD-19 pandemic, these natural resources are critical to public and ecological health and serve as important nature-based climate solutions with multiple benefits for our communities,” Brookline Parks and Open Space Director Alexandra Vecchio said. “We are thrilled to offer this opportunity for Brookline residents to come together and learn more about how to value and care for our essential green infrastructure.”

Spring Fest will take place in Olmsted Park in collaboration with the National Association for Olmsted Parks’ “Olmsted 200” initiative, which celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted.

Olmsted, a renowned landscape architect and conservationist, who helped design Central Park in New York City, was known for his commitment to creating thoughtfully designed, community-oriented open spaces and sustainable landscapes. Olmsted Park is a perfect example of his exemplary work, and is considered one of Brookline’s most valuable open space resources. The park serves as a critical habitat corridor and boasts the second-largest historic forest in the Emerald Necklace with 17 acres of forest cover.

“We have a lot to celebrate — our wonderful open spaces, our renewed dedication to our urban tree canopy as outlined in the new Urban Forest Climate Resiliency Master Plan, and of course, Frederick Law Olmsted on the 200th anniversary of his birth. Brookline GreenSpace Alliance is also celebrating 35 years of advocacy for our green spaces at a table at Spring Fest in Olmsted Park,” said Brookline GreenSpace Alliance President Arlene Mattison.

Spring Fest is kindly sponsored by Brookline GreenSpace Alliance, Brookline Mothers Out Front, Olmsted 200 and the Brookline Arts Center.

“This event is a great way to learn what trees can do for you and what you can do for them,” said Olivia Fischer Fox of Brookline Mothers Out Front’s Tree Team.

For more information, please visit here or scan the QR code below.

Town Of Brookline To Hold Final Public Forum On U.S. Open Golf Championship

The Town of Brookline invites community members to participate in its final public forum about the U.S. Open, and to share feedback about plans and protocols for golf’s national championship.

The virtual forum will be held on Monday, May 09, 2022, at 06:00 p.m. Those interested in attending are asked to register here.

Participants will offer updates in advance of the championship, which will be contested from June 13-19, 2022 at The Country Club:

  • The Community Partnership Committee, a collaboration among the Town, community leaders, and The Country Club, will report on the progress made toward the group’s initiatives.
  • Representatives of Town departments will provide updates about plans and protocols in several areas, such as trash removal, parking, and health and safety.
  • Representatives of The United States Golf Association and The Country Club will share useful information for attendees and the public.

The full meeting agenda may be found here.

“The first two public forums about U.S. Open planning were extremely valuable, and helped the Town to create a roadmap toward hosting a successful national championship event for all,” Town Administrator Mel Kleckner said. “We ask anyone with an interest in the championship or a concern they would like addressed to attend.”

About the 2022 U.S. Open: The U.S. Open is the annual open national championship of golf in the United States. It is one of four major championships and is organized by the United States Golf Association.

This year’s championship will be played at The Country Club from June 13-19, 2022.

For more information about the U.S. Open, visit here and here.

For more information about the USGA visit here.

Brookline Town Administrator Promotes Three Brookline Police Officers

Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and Acting Police Chief Richard Allen are pleased to share that three members of the Brookline Police Department have been promoted.

Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mealy was promoted from lieutenant, Lt. Robert Teahan was promoted from sergeant, and Sgt. Cheryl Molloy was promoted from officer.

“Deputy Superintendent Mealy, Lt. Teahan and Sgt. Molloy are experienced public servants who have dedicated themselves to the Brookline Police Department, and I congratulate them on their promotions,” said Town Administrator Kleckner. “I wish them well in their new positions.”

Lt. Teahan and Sgt. Molloy were selected for promotion based on their Civil Service promotional exam scores and performance in interviews of top candidates for each rank. Three candidates for each position were interviewed by a committee made up of Acting Chief Allen, Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Paster, Deputy Superintendent Paul Cullinane, and Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Lanita Cullinane.

Deputy Superintendent Mealy was selected for promotion from among seven candidates who submitted letters of interest and resumes. Each candidate was interviewed by a committee that included Acting Chief Allen, Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Paster, Deputy Superintendent Paul Cullinane, and Dr. Gerald Cox, an organizational development consultant and executive coach with over 30 years of experience.

Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mealy

Deputy Superintendent Mealy joined the Brookline Police Department in 1991. He has a Bachelor of Business degree in Business Management from Northeastern University, and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College.

In 2000, while serving as a patrolman, Deputy Superintendent Mealy was awarded the George R. Hanna Award, which recognizes members of the law enforcement community for exemplary acts of bravery. Mealy and two colleagues came under gunfire on September 02, 1999 while investigating a suspicious vehicle. Mealy returned fire, striking and then arresting a suspect who was wanted for the fatal shooting of two women and the wounding of another woman in Georgia. Another suspect fled the scene, carjacked a woman at gunpoint, and later took his own life as Boston Police closed in on him.

Mealy was promoted to sergeant in 2004, and to lieutenant in 2015.

Deputy Superintendent Mealy has earned numerous citations for excellent police work, received extensive training in Crisis Intervention, and completed the Senior Management Institute for Police training with the Police Executive Research Forum.

Lt. Robert Teahan

Lt. Robert Teahan joined the Brookline Police Department in 2003. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University, and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Curry College.

Lt. Teahan was selected by his colleagues as the Brookline Police Officer of The Year for 2015. He was promoted to sergeant in 2017. Lt. Teahan has numerous commendations for excellent police work, and has received training in Crisis Intervention and Supervisor Leadership.

Sgt. Cheryl Molloy

Sgt. Cheryl Molloy joined the Brookline Police Department in 1996. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from Bridgewater State University, and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England University.

Sgt. Molloy has received numerous commendations for excellent police work, and training in Crisis Investigation and Sexual Assault Investigations.

Sale Of U.S. Open Merchandise Will Support Brookline Non-Profits & Community Groups

The Town of Brookline wishes to share that U.S. Open Championship merchandise is now on sale at Brookline Golf Course, with a share of proceeds supporting local Brookline charities.

The Town and The Country Club are hosting the 2022 U.S. Open, golf’s national championship, which will be contested from June 13-19, 2022. Branded merchandise, including commemorative embroidered pin flags, shirts and t-shirts, wine glasses, mugs, sweaters, headwear, and outerwear, are on sale in the Brookline Golf Course pro shop through early June.

The pro shop is open seven days a week, 09:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.

The sale of merchandise is one of many local fundraising efforts developed under a policy adopted by the Community Partnership Committee (CPC), which includes representatives of the Town, community, and The Country Club.

“We have something for every member of the family,” said Justin Lawson, General Manager of Brookline Golf Course. “We are grateful for all those in the local community who have already visited the golf shop and supported the local charities who will be benefiting from these merchandise offerings.”

About the 2022 U.S. Open: The U.S. Open is the annual open national championship of golf in the United States. It is one of four major championships and is organized by the United States Golf Association.

This year’s championship will be contested at The Country Club from June 13-19, 2022. It will be the fourth U.S. Open in the club’s history and its 17th USGA championship, second-most all-time. The championship was last played in Brookline during summer 1988. The first U.S. Open at The Country Club remains one of the most significant events in golf, when Brookline amateur golfer Francis Ouimet upset two of the game’s contemporary stars, Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, to win the 1913 edition.

For more information about the U.S. Open, please visit here and here.

For more information about the USGA visit here.

Town Of Brookline Promotes Meredith Mooney To Economic Development Director

Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and Planning & Community Development Director Kara Brewton are pleased to announce that Meredith Mooney has been selected to serve as the Town of Brookline’s new Economic Development Director.

Mooney began in her new role on April 18, 2022. As Economic Development Director, Mooney is responsible for improving the functional and aesthetic qualities of public space in Brookline’s commercial areas, promoting commercial development that enhances tax growth and offsets the fiscal burden on residents, and supporting the growth and prosperity of Brookline’s business community.

In her new role, Mooney plans to pursue innovative initiatives, including the implementation of several CoViD-19 economic recovery programs, pursuing grant funding opportunities to advance priority projects for the Planning & Community Development Division, the development and implementation recommendations to streamline the Town’s business licensing and permitting processes, expedite the creation of new zoning uses and more.

She has served the town for the past four years as the Economic Development & Long Term Planner.

“Congratulations to Meredith on her new role,” Brewton said. “Meredith has proven to be an asset to the community and a dedicated public servant over the last four years. I am confident that those qualities, along with her entrepreneurial spirit, will make her successful in defining the next chapter of Economic Development and Long-Term Planning for the Town.”

Prior to joining the town, Mooney worked as the Director of Government Policy at Boston University, where she earned a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in public and nonprofit management. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from New York University.

Brookline Police Department To Undergo Voluntary Assessment For Re-Accreditation

Acting Chief Richard Allen is pleased to announce that a team of assessors from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC) is scheduled to arrive in the first week of May to begin examining various aspects of the Brookline Police Department’s policies and procedures, operations and facilities.

On May 03, 2022, Brookline Police will undergo verification by the Assessment Team that the department meets MPACs standards. The assessment is part of a voluntary process to earm reaccreditation — a self-initiated evaluation through which police departments strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the profession, by the profession.

MPAC awards accreditation to agencies that meet its 257 mandatory standards, as well as 125 optional standards. In order to achieve accreditation status, the Department must meet all applicable mandatory standards as well as a percentage of the optional standards.

The Brookline Police Department received its initial certification — typically the first step toward accreditation — in 2010 and has been fully accredited by MPAC since 2013, and takes part in the re-accreditation process every three years.

“We are very excited to renew our accreditation. Our mission is to uphold the best policing practices to ensure that we are providing the highest and most professional level of service to our community,” said “Earning and maintaining accreditation is a tangible indicator of our work toward achieving that goal.”

Town Of Brookline Awards More Than $22 Million In CoViD-19 Relief Funds To Community Organizations & Projects

Chair Heather Hamilton and the Select Board are pleased to announce that the Select Board has authorized more than $22 million in federal coronavirus relief funding to support key community projects and organizations.

The allocation represents slightly less than half of the approximately $43 million in federal funds provided to the Town of Brookline following the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021.

On Tuesday, the Select Board adopted the recommendations of Brookline’s ARPA Submission Review Subcommittee, which evaluated submitted proposals and requests for funding and determined how to best allocate the funding to maximize its impact and benefit for the community-at-large.

The subcommittee was chaired by Select Board members John VanScoyoc and Miriam Aschkenasy.

The Select Board authorized allocating just over $22.4 million in funding to several organizations and projects, including:

  • $198,000 for a pedestrian safety study;
  • $1 million for the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health to establish urgent care stabilization and recovery services;
  • $1 million to support the Brookline Community Foundation’s Safety Net Fund and grantmaking to local nonprofits and organizations;
  • $6 million to support maintenance and capital needs at the Brookline Housing Authority’s Egmont Street Veterans and Trustman Apartments;
  • $3.5 million to address a Public Schools of Brookline operating budget shortfall due to lack of additional federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Program;
  • $1.4 million toward the Davis Footbridge’s design and construction $300,000 for the Brookline Food Pantry to expand and maintain its operations;
  • More than $257,000 for Women Thriving, Inc., which will provide three, eight-month training programs in work skills, personal finance, health and wellbeing, and more for immigrant women;
  • $500,000 for the Brookline Teen Center for its equitable recovery and program expansion.

In addition to these programs, the Select Board authorized funding for multiple arts programs, transportation programming, education, services and supports for vulnerable populations, as well as support for critical infrastructure work and other economic recovery efforts.

“Each of these organizations and projects is worthy of funding, which will help meet the needs of a diverse community that has been and continues to be broadly impacted by the CoViD-19 pandemic,” Hamilton said. “I am grateful to all of the members of the ARPA Submission Review Subcommittee for their thoughtful and engaged efforts to evaluate proposals and award funding in a way that is equitable and impactful.”

In some cases, funding awards were made with the expectation that organizations would reapply and potentially have their full funding requests met over the course of both rounds of funding.

For a full list of projects that were funded during the first round of awards, please visit here. For a broader look at the town’s work related to ARPA, please visit here.

Town Of Brookline Announces Street Closures For Boston Marathon

Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and Acting Police Chief Richard Allen announce that several roads will be closed on Monday, April 18, 2022 to accommodate the Boston Marathon.

Beacon Street will be closed to inbound traffic.

Additionally, the following areas will be closed to traffic:
Chestnut Hill Ave at Clinton Road and Dean Road Washington Street at Park Street Harvard Street at Longwood Ave, Webster Place and Sewall Ave Saint Paul Street at Longwood Ave and Sewall Ave Sewall Ave at Marshall Street Roads will close starting at 09:00 a.m. on the day of the race and are expected to reopen around 05:30 p.m. The Beacon Street area will be a tow zone beginning on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at 04:00 p.m.

Residents are advised to plan ahead and seek alternative routes.

During the event, pedestrian crossing is only permitted on Beacon Street at Tappan, Webster and Hawes Street. Crossing is permitted only if it is not a danger or obstruction to runners. Crossing is not permitted between 01:00 p.m. – 03:00 p.m.

Additionally, no traffic hearings will be held on Saturday or Monday.

Statement Of Brookline School Superintendent Linus Guillory

Superintendent of Schools Linus Guillory wishes to provide the following statement on behalf of the Public Schools of Brookline:

“The Public Schools of Brookline have learned that a former teacher at Heath and Driscoll Schools, Larry Chen, who left the District in November 2018, is facing charges of alleged sexual assault of a child, which occurred during his tenure in Brookline. Chen also worked as a seasonal employee with the town’s Recreation Department last summer.

“While the judicial process plays out, we are nonetheless deeply concerned by these allegations and are committed to providing our full cooperation with the investigation into these charges.

“We were made aware of these allegations today after the Brookline Police Department began investigating a report made by an individual.

“Our paramount concern is always the safety and well-being of our students, and school counselors are available to students as needed to provide support. We have shared additional resources with PSB families.

“We encourage anyone who believes they have information about this matter to reach out to Brookline Police at 617-730-2222.”