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Brookline Searches For New Police Chief

By
Brookline.com
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Do you have what it takes to be the chief of police for the town of Brookline? The town is actively searching for a new police chief. The search comes after Chief Daniel O’Leary retired last week, following 23 years as chief and more than 40 years of service in the department.

In a memo to the Select Board, Town Administrator Mel Kleckner said he plans to consider candidates both inside and outside of the department.

To help with the search, Kleckner told the select board he was in the process of finding a consultant familiar with “the challenges of a modern police department operating in a progressive and active community and who is familiar with the current issues and trends in policing.”

The process is expected to take up to six months, he said in the memo.

Neil Wishinsky, head of the Select Board said the town would put together a search committee and then the engage a search firm to help in a nationwide search for a new Police Chief.

“Which is similar to what we did 23 years ago. In the end last time we chose an internal candidate even after doing an external search. That could happen again. But I think we need to cast the net wide and try to come up with as diverse a pool of candidates as possible and select the best person for the job,” he told Patch in a phone interview.

First up, refining a job advertisement. As such, nothing has been posted to the town website about the vacancy, even though the chief announced his retirement in December.

O’Leary’s retirement party earlier this month was well attended, according to those who went.

“It was a really touching event. Boy his successor is going to have really big shoes to fill. Chief O’Leary has really left the deptartment in good shape. That makes it easier to find somebody hopefully and then the new person will have a good foundation. It’s a really strong department,” said Wishinksy.

In the meantime, Kleckner recommended (and the Select Board approved) that second in command at the police station, Superintendent Mark Morgan, will now be Acting Chief of Police for Brookline. Morgan has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice and is an FBI National Academy graduate.

According to PoliceOne.com, an online resource magazine for law enforcement officers, municipalities look for police chiefs to have a high level of education, and experience.

Most successful candidates are higher ranked. “It’s rare that a candidate for a Chief’s position is selected that doesn’t have a Masters Degree. It would be preferable if your Masters was in Public Administration or a related field, but the threshold is that you have a degree higher than a Bachelor of Science or Arts. Your resume should demonstrate a wide range of progressive police experience with emphasis on command level assignments (division commander, etc) along with increasingly high level work experience in the planning, budgeting, community oriented policing, and staffing areas. Top candidates will have attended the F.B.I. Leadership Academy and remained active in that organization,” according to PoliceOne.org.

It is normal, according to PoliceOne for top applicants to have assessments that might include hashing through scenarios verbally, including how they work with media, employee conflict, and how they might communicate to their teams, via an oral board with panel members consisting of nearby Chiefs of Police.

It’s not clear what Brookline’s requirements will be.

“Superintendent Morgan is the second in command in the department and has been intimately involved in all aspects of its management and operations,” Kleckner said in the memo, noting that the department already has a number of good candidates who have expressed interest in the position.

On Jan. 16 the Select Board appointed Morgan to the interim position.

Morgan has been working for the department for 35 years. Though he has been a superintendent for the past 8.5 years, Morgan spent much of his time working for the department as a detective.

The new police department head will inherit a police department much like departments across the country that has been working to transition from authoritarian military style policing to more community based (“Warrior-style policing to Guardian-style Policing”), and one that has promised to make more of an effort to be inclusive and phase out an old-boy network mentality.

Currently on the town website there are no jobs listed to apply, although the fire department has indicated it was looking for 10 new firefighters and the police department also is hiring.

Please see the job description below:

 

Brookline Firefighters Rescue Woman Trapped In Car After Crash On Black Ice

By
Brookline.com
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Brookline firefighters rescued a woman who became trapped in her car after sliding on black ice and crashing into a large boulder Wednesday morning, officials said.

The car rolled over onto the driver’s side on Woodland Road, pinning the woman’s legs under the dashboard for about 20 minutes, said Brookline Deputy Fire Chief Kyle McEachern. Firefighters and police arrived at 7:15 a.m. and removed the roof of the vehicle to free the woman, who is in her 40s.

She was conscious and alert throughout the process, McEachern said, but suffered a broken arm and leg injuries.

The woman was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for injuries that were not life-threatening.

“Just this time of year take a little extra time and caution while traveling,” McEachern said.

 

Gun Goes Off In Brookline, Bullet Into Home

By
Brookline.com
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Someone accidentally shot a gun in Brookline and the bullet went into someone’s home, according to police. No one was reportedly injured.

At 4:03 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a report of a gun shot on Naples Road. Someone got out of their car, adjusted the revolver that he was carrying and it went off accidentally, according to police.

Police said the bullet went off into a home, and the gun’s owner then alerted the people who were home at the time the gun went off. Then someone called the police, who said the owner of the firearm was cooperative and is properly licensed.

The firearm owner surrendered his firearm license and the revolver he had discharged. Detectives are following up with the licensing authority on the issue.

 

Cambridge, Brookline Priciest Places In Boston Area To Rent As 2018 Starts

By
Brookline.com
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Cambridge and Brookline were the most expensive municipalities in the Boston area to rent either a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom apartment as the calendar flipped from 2017 to 2018.

Zumper’s report analyzed vacant and available apartments in 16 municipalities in December, so the report is a pretty solid snapshot of where the regional rental market stood as 2018 started.

How expensive are Cambridge and Brookline compared with other cities/towns in the region? Cambridge’s one-bedroom median of $2,400 a month in December was nearly $500 higher than neighboring Somerville’s and $130 more than in Boston proper.

And Brookline’s two-bedroom median of $2,820 a month was well more than $500 above neighboring Newton’s and $700-plus ahead of the median two-bedroom in nearby Medford.

See the chart below for a comprehensive breakdown, including month-over-month changes (that is November to December) and year-over-year ones, too.

 

Babcock Street Project: Here’s How The Transportation Board Voted

By
Brookline.com
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The Transportation Board had a packed room Monday night as they decided on which of the routes to take with the future of Babcock Street. The Transportation Board voted 4-2 in favor of Option 5.

For more than a year, the Transportation Board has been working on making the street, which stretches from Harvard Street to Commonwealth Avenue, safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Most people in the neighborhood have agreed that something should be done to the corridor, but not everyone agrees on just what that should look like.

Transportation Administrator Todd Kirrane gave a presentation outlining all the steps and work and public meetings on the plans, including meetings with the fire department officials and the Select Board.

“We’re really left trying to make a complete street from this narrow [street],” said Kirrane, “realizing we’re not going to satisfy everyone.”

He explained to those in the room what the Babcock Street options now looked like, including their pros and cons. Following the presentation several members of the public shared concerns and then it happened: the Transportation Board voted 4-2 in favor of Option 5.

The Transportation board got a letter from the Chamber of Commerce to include as much parking as possible to keep the business district vital, he said.

 

Johnson & Johnson Talc Trial To Begin In New Brunswick

By
Brookline.com
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Nearly a year and a half ago, Stephen Lanzo III, 46, of Verona, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the lung linings, according to court papers.

Now, he and his wife Kendra are plaintiffs in the first asbestos-related talcum powder trial to be heard before Judge Ana Viscomi in Middlesex County Superior Court. Opening statements in Stephen Lanzo III and Kendra Lanzo v. Cyprus Amax Minerals Co., et al., are scheduled for Monday, Jan. 22.

As part of a multicounty litigation process similar to multidistrict litigation, the trial represents the first in the state involving Johnson & Johnson’s talc products, and the second talc/mesothelioma trial in which the New Brunswick-based company and its talc suppliers are named as defendants.

Since his birth, Lanzo was “frequently exposed to asbestos-containing talc powder products,” marketed and sold by J&J, according to a civil action complaint.

J&J’s products “generated dust and exposed him to respirable asbestos fibers,” read the complaint, noting that the products, which are made, “sold and supplied by the defendants and their predecessors in interest, proximately caused (Lanzo’s) mesothelioma.”

Moreover, Lanzo “continues to suffer from other various injuries and attendant complications,” continued the complaint, while imminent “exposures” to the company’s products were also blamed.

Lanzo, who “last claimed asbestos exposure” around 2003, has a history of “occasionally” smoking cigars “up to approximately 2002,” according to court papers. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in July 2016.

Though Kendra Lanzo does not have cancer, as “the wife of (the) Plaintiff,” she “was wrongfully deprived of her husband’s society, services and consortium,” reads the complaint’s sixth count, citing “actions of the defendants” as cause.

The plaintiffs “wantonly and intentionally conspired, and acted in concert, to withhold information from Stephen Lanzo, and the general public concerning the known hazards associated with the use of and exposure to talc, including asbestos-containing talc,” continued the complaint.

The defendants also failed to provide information “relating to the fact that asbestos fiber inhalation could be fatal,” according to the complaint. And, ”conspired … to disseminate false product safety information,” and info on the “hazards and dangers.”

The company prevailed in the “first mesothelioma trial, when a Los Angeles Superior Court jury in November found that J&J and co-defendant Imerys Talc America were not responsible for the mesothelioma of Tina Herford, 61,” who used J&J’s talc products for three and a half decades, writes Myron Levin, in a FairWarning report. (The nonprofit news organization reviewed thousands of pages of documents.)

J&J “settled a second case and faces at least several dozen more lawsuits,” continues the report, adding that, “similar lawsuits are targeting other companies, including Colgate-Palmolive,” which made Cashmere Bouquet powder.

“They knew it had asbestos in it. … They were reckless with peoples’ lives,” Herford’s lawyer, Chris Panatier, reportedly told the jury.

J&J’s lawyers and witnesses argued against all findings of asbestos contamination, according to the report, which cited “lab contamination and misclassification of asbestos fibers” presented by J&J’s attorneys, as blemishing the positive test results.

The report added: “Defense lawyers made a plausible case for a different cause of Herford’s mesothelioma: the aggressive radiation treatments she received for breast cancer in 1998.”

Following its win in the Herford case, the company said Johnson’s Baby Powder has been around since 1894 and does not contain asbestos or cause mesothelioma or ovarian cancer, according to a statement.

“Since the 1970s, talc used in consumer products has been required to be asbestos-free, so JOHNSON’S talc products do not contain asbestos, a substance classified as cancer-causing,” J&J said in a statement underscoring “the safety profile of cosmetic talc.”

“JOHNSON’S Baby Powder products contain only U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) grade talc,” noted the company, citing rigorous “compliance standards.”

“The company’s sources for talc are routinely evaluated using a sophisticated battery of tests … to ensure compliance,” added J&J.

Overall, J&J has stated several facts, for instance it said: “The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which identifies potential risk factors for many diseases, has not identified talc as a risk factor for ovarian cancer.”

Courtroom View Network (CVN) will webcast the entire trial. The trial is expected to run through the end of February.

“(CVN) has webcast and archived almost every state court trial involving J&J’s talc products since the first trial in St. Louis, Missouri in 2016,” said David Siegel, a CVN editor.

“Many attorneys and other members of the public who couldn’t otherwise watch a lengthy trial like this in person will have the option of keeping up remotely via CVN,” added Siegel.

 

Layoffs At Fallon Ambulance Should Not Impact Brookline

By
Brookline.com
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The recent layoffs and contract losses at Fallon Ambulance Service should not affect Brookline, according to Town Administrator Mel Kleckner.

Earlier this month the company laid off 23 staff members – the company said were all administrative — after the company lost a contract with Weymouth. The company is also in talks with Transformative Healthcare.

“Fallon reached out the Fire Department after the layoffs this week were reported,” said Kleckner. And Kleckner then reached out to Fallon’s Vice President Peter Racicot after an inquiry. “Peter has assured me that the layoffs do not impact their direct operations to Brookline and they are confident that there will be no change in level of service.”

Kleckner said Fallon also shared with him a statement that the company made about potential business partnerships or changes.

“Fallon Ambulance Service has been in talks for several months with Transformative Healthcare about Transformative investing in Fallon, but we have no transaction to announce. Transformative is regularly speaking with ambulance service providers throughout our region. We will let you know if and when we have anything to announce,” Racicot said to in an e-mailed statement.

“From where I sit, the Town has a contract with Fallon with clear terms and performance standards. We have had a great relationship and service with Fallon in the past and I expect it will continue. If and when any ownership changes emerge, we will evaluate them and what possible impact it may have on Brookline,” said Kleckner in an e-mail.

Fallon Ambulance has been the ambulance service the town has contracted to work with first responders since at least 2014. The current contract is up in 2019.

Problems at Fallon?

A Washington Post reporter wrote about an instance where one man who was was charged more than $2,000, about double what he would have been charged had his insurance company been within the Fallon’s coverage, when he needed a ride to the emergency room from Chestnut Hill. The article highlighted what appeared to be a regular practice to make money.

The Wellesley-Based Transformative Health Care, which owns Stewart and Lifeline Ambulance services, has expressed interest in collaborating with the company. Transformative did not return requests for comment.

Fallon Ambulance Service’s market has been squeezed out in recent years by competing Cataldo Ambulance service and others in the area. Still, Brookline, Dedham and Milton still have contracts.

Owner Timothy Fallon owes more than $561,784 in unpaid taxes from payroll tax and now has liens against his home in Milton and against his home in Rockport, according to obtained documents. Some people took that as a sign of deeper financial troubles at the company.

But Fallon representatives say that is not related to the company or the work it does.

“Fallon Services Inc. receives Federal Medicare funds as payment for services rendered. As a recipient of Medicare payments, the company must routinely receive re-validation by the Federal Government’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) every five years. Fallon Services underwent this regular review in November of 2017 and is in good standing. While the owner has a personal financial issue that he is dealing with, and which will soon be resolved, that personal issue has no effect on or connection with the company,” Racicot said in an e-mailed statement.

In early 2017 Fallon was cited by the state for ambulances that did not have the proper reflective tape on them, which has been required by the state for the past decade, obtained documents show. They were also sited for having holes in the floorboard and equipment issues.

Other notations in state review showed, expired needles, a tear in the beach seat, a missing window, and a stethoscope in a 911 ambulance taped together with tape.

But those who work at Fallon and those who work with Fallon in Brookline say they have only had a good experience there.

“That stuff happens to a lot of services. Whether it’s third service, private or fire based. Expired syringes is on the crews to check equipment. Sometimes it’s just an oversight that happens. When things in the past have been brought to their attention they make the changes needed. I’ve worked in plenty of other places and it’s happened in all of them,” said one person who has worked at Fallon for nearly a decade, but preferred not to be named because he was not authorized to speak on the matter.

Mass Department of Public Heath, Office of Emergency Services oversees the inspections and licensing of ambulance agencies.

“The Department of Public Health conducts inspections to monitor each ambulance service’s compliance with state regulations as part of the licensure process. If a service is found to be non-compliant, DPH works to see that the company corrects the identified deficiencies to ensure the safe care and transport of patients,” a Department of Health Spokesperson said in an e-mailed statement.

There are different degrees of inspection the Department of Public Health conducts: Ambulance services licensed at the Advanced Life Support, or Paramedic, level are inspected annually by the Office of Emergency Medical Services as part of the licensure renewal process. Ambulance services licensed at the Basic Life Support level are inspected every two years as part of the licensure renewal process.

During the inspection of an ambulance service, an inspector may find areas where the service is not in compliance with DPH regulations. These deficiencies range in severity, and some may be corrected onsite during the inspection. If an inspector finds a deficiency or deficiencies that are more serious in nature and pose a threat to the health and safety of patients, Department of Health will issue a Notice of Serious Deficiency to the ambulance service that details these findings. Within 10 days of receiving the notice, the ambulance service must submit a Plan of Correction to the Department of Health to address how it will correct the failed marks, there’s another review and, depending on whether the issues are addressed, the department can then issue approval to the ambulance service and continue the licensure renewal process or give them another 10 days to address the issues.

Following its review last year Fallon responded to and addressed what it needed to to get renewed.

 

The Мaking Оf “Soul Witness,” The Brookline Holocaust Witness Project.

By
Brookline.com
-

Sitting in a cabinet in a Brookline office, untouched for 20 years, was a stack of over 100 tapes containing 90 hours of testimonies from over 30 Holocaust survivors.

The only person who has watched them all is producer Harvey Bravman.

In 2014, Chief Diversity Officer Lloyd Gellineau asked Bravman if he would help create a Brookline movie using old tapes belonging to the Town. At first, Bravman thought the movie would be about Brookline, but when Gellineau showed him the tapes Bravman realized the project would be much different.

“I was afraid to do it,” said Bravman. “Everyone is afraid to listen to something that doesn’t sound like it would be easy to listen to.”

The tapes, which Gellineau discovered while cleaning his office, came from a project led by Brookliners Leon Saperstein and Regina Barshak who gathered the testimonies of Holocaust survivors living in Brookline.

A U.S. Army Intelligence Officer during World War II, Satenstein returned to the United States dedicated to helping survivors.

“When he saw the liberation of Dachau [concentration camp], it changed his whole life,” said Bravman.

In the ’80s Satenstein teamed up with Barshak, a Holocaust survivor from France, to gather the testimonies and create a living memorial. According to Bravman, both Satenstein and Barshak recognized the great need not just to document the Holocaust but to address an even greater need: to listen to the survivors and really hear what they had to say.

“No one wanted to hear the details of what happened even if the person who experienced it had to say it,” said Bravman of the years after World War II.

The pair oversaw the project, which collected testimonies between 1990 and 1996 and involved several people including Holocaust expert Lawrence Langer, who helped conduct the testimony interviews, and Stephen Bressler who was the Brookline human relations director at the time. The project later stalled due to a lack of money and resources, leading to the tapes being stored for years until Gellineau discovered them.

The task set before Bravman in 2014 was daunting.

“It took me a week before I could watch the first one,” said Bravman. “I kept sitting down and couldn’t do it.”

Eventually, Bravman sat down and watched the first one, and the next one, and then the next, until he had seen all 90 hours. Then he had to log them and decide what to use and how to bring Satenstein and Barshak’s vision to life. The result is a 63-minute work-in-progress documentary, “Soul Witness,” The Brookline Holocaust Witness Project.

It is a film free of politics, Bravman said, that contains just enough context to help the audience, but the rest is left to the survivors and their testimonies.

“These testimonies, they’re committed to memory the first time you see them,” Bravman said.

Contained in those tapes, Bravman said, were some of the most “noble and epic thoughts” he had heard in his life.

One survivor – who owned a Brookline bakery – testified for seven hours; another talked about how she dug a hole in a forest and hid there for 18 months with her child, two other mothers and their two children. The stories, haunting and deeply personal and human, carried a common thread.

There is a reason why most people agree to be interviewed, Bravman said, and it is because they have something they would like to say. For many of the survivors who testified, the thing they had come to share was their love for their family members – many of whom, if not all, the speakers had lost.

“They’re living their lives for all the people they lost,” Bravman said. “The Holocaust doesn’t become about survival. It becomes about loss.”

Though he has been through the testimonies countless times, the testimonies still have a powerful effect on Bravman. Choking up, he recalled one testimony where the speaker, when asked how he survived the concentration camp, said he wanted to live because he did not want to cause his mother pain by dying.

For Gellineau, it is another testimony that stands out – from a man who though full of anger and wanting revenge, chose not to take it when he had the opportunity.

“That hit home for me,” said Gellinneau. “You can have all this anger, righteous anger, and you can have the capacity not necessarily to forgive but to move on from it.”

The survivors are heroes to Bravman, not because they survived the Holocaust, but because they shared their stories.

“There was something very heroic about giving the testimony,” said Bravman. “It’s like they had something they knew needed to be shared.”

Recognizing that, Bravman was protective of the speakers and particular in what he chose. He established two criteria in selecting videos for the movie, which were that the selected clip had to contain what the speaker had come to the interview to say, and that they had to be describing something they witnessed first-hand.

“I didn’t want anyone ever to question them,” said Bravman.

For those behind the film, like Bravman and Gellineau, the making of “Soul Witness” was essential not only for historical purposes but to help illustrate that crises of genocide, discrimination and displacement still happen around the world today.

“The purpose of the videos was to capture historically the stories of these individuals,” Gellineau said. “The second goal was things like this happen in our world and we need to be reminded of that.”

“Soul Witness” will screen at the Coolidge Corner Theatre on Jan. 25 for the third time since its creation. Though the 63-minute film is unchanged, there will be an additional seven-minute film included in the screening that previews other ongoing “Soul Witness” projects.

In addition to completing “Soul Witness,” Bravman hopes to create a documentary about the making of it and update the “Soul Witness” website here with videos and interviews with those involved in conducting the initial interviews in the ’90s.

It is clear the testimonies have changed Bravman’s life.

“I think it is really important that we put ourselves in other people’s shoes, even if that person has lived an experience we don’t want to hear,” said Bravman. “I think it’s healing to do it. This is going to be my whole life now.”

The film will screen at the Coolidge Corner Theatre on Jan. 25 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the theatre’s website here.

 

Green Line “Power Issues” Prompt Delays – Again

By
Brookline.com
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The MBTA said a power problem was to blame for causing delays on the Green Line’s C and D lines on Monday afternoon. Sound familiar? That’s because late last week the MBTA said the same thing about delays on the D and C lines. But just why this is happening appears to be anyone’s guess:

“MBTA power crews are actively diagnosing and working to resolve the cause of the issue on the Green Line C and D branches. Service updates will continue to be posted on the MBTA website and @MBTA on Twitter,” wrote Deputy Press Secretary at MassDOT/MBTA Lisa Battiston in an e-mail.

A rare sight in Brookline: Shuttle buses were brought in for much of Friday, running back and forth along Beacon Street.

 

Lindsay Lohan’s Cousin, A BC Hockey Player, Assaulted In Boston

By
Brookline.com
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A Boston College hockey player is “out indefinitely” after being assaulted in Boston on Jan. 19. Kevin Lohan, a graduate student and defenseman on the men’s hockey team, was “victimized by an unprovoked assault,” according to a statement from the athletics department.

The incident happened at a restaurant on Boylston Street and is being investigated by the Boston Police Department, the statement said.

The Cold Spring Harbor, NY native has played 14 games for the Eagles this season. He transferred to Boston College after four years at the University of Michigan, where he was an assistant captain as a senior.

Lohan had one year of eligibility remaining after redshirting his junior year.

Lohan is Lindsay Lohan’s cousin.

 

Brookline Police Investigate Fight That Left One Hospitalized

By
Brookline.com
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A fight between two brothers during a social event at a local veterans’ post Saturday night left one person hospitalized Sunday morning with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Brookline officers responded at 9:36 p.m. Saturday to a report of a disturbance at 386 Washington Street, according to a police statement.

The location is home to both American Legion Brookline Post 11 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864, and is only a few doors away from Brookline police headquarters and Brookline District Court.

“A fight occurred between two brothers attending a social function. Investigation revealed two subjects were assaulted by means of cutting instruments and sustained non-life threatening injuries,” Brookline police said in the statement.

The investigation is ongoing, the statement said.

In a separate Twitter post Sunday morning, police said two people face charges after the fight between family members.

The department declined to release further details on the arrests or the investigation Sunday, said Brookline police Sergeant Russell O’Neill.

From the sidewalk, surveillance cameras are visible above the post’s door, and another was pointed down an alleyway next to the building.

A public calendar on Post 11’s website showed an event was scheduled from 6 to 11 Saturday night.

 

Brookline Select Board Appoints Superintendent Mark Morgan As Acting Chief Of Police

By
Brookline.com
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For the first time in 23 years Brookline will soon have a new police chief. On Jan. 20 Superintendent Mark Morgan stepped into a new role as Acting Chief of Police for Brookline, replacing Daniel O’Leary, who recently retired after more than 40 years of service – with 23 of those years spent as chief.

On Jan. 16 the Select Board appointed Morgan to the position. The appointment did not take effect until Jan. 20.

O’Leary’s decision to retire came thoughtfully, but the timing was right, O’Leary said. He felt the department was in a good position and it was time for him and his wife to try something new.

“The main part about it was I’m not getting any younger,” he told the media in December.

Morgan has been working for the department for 35 years. Though he has been a superintendent for the past 8.5 years, Morgan spent much of his time working for the department as a detective.

“I was basically in investigations,” said Morgan. “That was something I really enjoyed doing.”

According to a memo from Town Administrator Melvin Kleckner to the Select Board, Morgan has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice and is an FBI National Academy graduate.

“Superintendent Morgan is the second in command in the department and has been intimately involved in all aspects of its management and operations,” Kleckner said in the memo noting that the department has a number of good candidates.

“I know in-house that we have the talent to do the job,” said Morgan.

For Morgan, the qualities that make a good chief, Morgan said, are “extreme patience and extreme empathy”.

In the memo, Kleckner said he plans to consider candidates both inside and outside of the department. To help with the search, Kleckner plans to bring in a consultant who is familiar with “the challenges of a modern police department operating in a progressive and active community and who is familiar with the current issues and trends in policing.” The consultant has not yet been selected.

The process is expected to take up to six month, according to the memo.

In the meantime Morgan said he plans to work on completing ongoing projects like technology upgrades and a review of the civilian complaint policy – all projects which started under O’Leary.

“I think the chief has left us in a good position,” said Morgan.

 

Inna Muravnik Students Piano Recital

By
Brookline.com
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Semiannual students piano recital of piano class of Inna Muravnik will take place on

January 21, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location:

Coolidge Corner – Meeting Room
31 Pleasant Street
Brookline, MA 02446

Event link could be found here.

Green Line Shuttles Replace D-Branch: MBTA

By
Brookline.com
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All day Saturday, Jan. 20 and Sunday, Jan. 21 expect bus shuttles replace Green Line D trains between Newton Highlands and Brookline Hills.

To be exact from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. crews will be out in the chilly, windy weather working on the track and cutting down branches over the track.

Also there will be NO shuttle bus service to Beaconsfield. The MBTA is asking folks to use Reservoir or Dean Road on the C Branch.

Check out what the MBTA says:

Due to necessary track work and tree removal, buses will replace Green Line D branch service in both directions between Newton Highlands and Brookline Hills from start of service to approximately 7:00 pm on Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21, 2018.

Regularly scheduled service will resume at the start of service the following Monday.All shuttle bus stops are accessible for persons with disabilities.

Shuttling the following stops:

  • Brookline Hills (inbound – Tappan St @ Cypress St / outbound – Boylston St @ Cypress St)
  • Reservoir (busway)
  • Chestnut Hill (Boylston St @ Hammond St)
  • Newton Centre (Langley Rd @ Union St)
  • Newton Highlands (Walnut St @ Lincoln St)

Please note, there will be NO shuttle bus service to Beaconsfield Station.

Please use Reservoir (9 min walk) or Dean Rd. on the C branch (2 min walk).

 

Recreational Marijuana-Related Public Hearing

By
Brookline.com
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The Town of Brookline’s Licensing Review Committee and Planning Board will hold a joint Public Hearing on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. in the Select Board’s Hearing Room, Sixth Floor, Town Hall, 333 Washington Street, to take public comment on draft marijuana-related General and Zoning By-Law measures for consideration by the May 2018 Annual Town Meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.

Copies of the draft By-laws have been posted and made available on the Town Website here.

Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Select Board’s Hearing Room, 6th Floor, Brookline Town Hall, 333 Washington Street, Brookline, MA 02445.

 

Grassona’s Italian Kitchen Is Open

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Brookline.com
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Fairsted Kitchen? What Fairsted Kitchen? Grassona’s the family friendly Italian Kitchen is now open in Washington Square. Here is a sneak peek.

The owner Steve (who grew up in Brookline and graduated from BHS) says the cozy Italian joint is an evolution for him.

“Fairsted was a restaurant about Brookline drawing on Brookline roots and history and themes, Grassona’s is a restaurant for Brookline,” he said.

The Italian restaurant will be open Tuesday through Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for dinner and til midnight for drinks. Sundays you can expect a brunch option.

Not only does the menu have hearty Italian classics with a twist like the meatballs (Phil’s Slow Braised Meatballs with pickled mustard seed germolata for $12) but there are some carefully thought out options for vegetarians and fish eaters.

The grand opening is not until next week, he says, but on their first official night open Thursday he has served and seen a number of familiar faces from the old Fairsted days.

 

Brookline’s Controversial Babcock Street Calming Project Still On

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Brookline.com
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Babcock Street is back in the public eye next week. On Monday evening there is a transportation board meeting at town hall on current traffic calming measures after a series of (ahem) potholes slowed the process down.

Residents of the Coolidge Corner area say Babcock Street is a mess and are arguing for something – anything – to be done to make the area safer for pedestrians, bikers and everyone else. But they cannot quite agree on what that will look like, how many if any parking spaces to take and whether to include speed humps. To make matters a bit more complex, fire officials are concerned about what any changes could mean for their trucks and timing when they head out to respond to emergencies.

Earlier last year the traffic board together with community members sat down to hammer out a plan to calm the traffic there. Feelings were mixed about whether to get rid of parking and install a protected bike lane or use speed humps or raised crosswalks or a combination. They eventually decided on a plan, but when the project made it to the Select Board in the summer, they sent it back with several points to consider.

The project is funded by Chapter 90 money from the state, so it needs to follow design guidelines from the state. It is those state regulations that prompted the design team to incorporate extreme traffic calming elements like speed humps.

The state requires that any street that receives Chapter 90 projects has to have an average traveling speed of 25 miles per hour. Speed studies of Babcock Street showed that the average traveling speed was 27 to 29 miles per hour, prompting the designers to turn to speed humps and raised crosswalks.

The project was scheduled start construction in June 2017.

 

Is A Parking Space In Brookline Worth $45,000

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Brookline.com
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A piece of real estate about the size of a coffin comes with a drop-dead price in Brookline.

It is nearly $45,000 for a parking spot, but snow removal is extra.

The spot, off Addington Road, hit the market in November for $15,000 more than it costs now.

In Brookline, parking is at a premium. But the spot is not even premium parking. For one thing, you are at risk of getting sideswiped and there is a tree stump that makes getting out of the passenger seat a little difficult.

To be fair, the listing does not promise voluminous, capacious or anything of the sort.

Though it may be in a “sought after location,” the property description also advises it is “suitable for compact car only.”

“It seems like a lot of money, but it’s not unreasonable for a parking space in Brookline,” The Presti Group’s Gina Dirocco said.

Dirocco says there is a good reason why, in Brookline, this humble pad of asphalt could fetch such a seemingly outrageous price.

“Most towns around here will let you park overnight nine months out of the year. All the months except the winter. Brookline, however, does not offer parking anytime of the year. Ever,” she explained.

With a low-enough interest rate, it is even possible slot number 12 could wind up costing less per month than a rented space.

Still, what might make good economic sense in the long run might not feel, to some, like good common sense in the short term.

It has been on the market for a while and still has not sold.

 

Should Brookline Install Artificial Turf At Cypress Field?

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Brookline.com
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YES

Joe Ranft

Brookline resident, father of twins at Brookline High School

I am urging Brookline to install a synthetic turf field at Cypress Field, next to Brookline High School. I have to admit, as a staunch environmentalist, I’m surprised I’ve come to this position. Here’s why I have:

My son is a freshman who plays soccer at Brookline High School and previously for Brookline baseball and soccer town teams. His last week of high school soccer this season was canceled because it rained once, and the soccer field at Cypress Field was closed by the town before the rain, during the rain, and after the rain. This canceled five practices and two games. This is typical for Brookline. Grass fields at parks and schools are often closed if they are too wet.

Calling Cypress Field a “field” is a bit charitable. It’s really just weeds and dirt. My son says it’s embarrassing to play home soccer games there, and that it hurts his knees and ankles to play on it. Years ago it was a lush, new grass field, the type grass proponents support. But it has deteriorated through wear and tear and lack of funding for maintenance.

I believe this will happen again if Brookline invests millions in grass again. Sure, it will open as grass, but it will soon be reduced to dirt and weeds, unavailable at the hint of rain. Investing in grass wastes money. With our town budget looking at a massive override for our schools, we need to ensure our other expenditures are allocated wisely.

Nearly every other community we travel to has an artificial, crumb rubber turf field adjacent to its high school. This type of field, made from recycled tires, gives me pause because their safety is under study. And even though Brookline has installed crumb rubber at three other locations, I’m happy the town has proposed a more modern turf, with organic infill. This seems safer, and it’s why I support this plan.

The town needs an athletic field that’s more reliable and available than a grass field. As we urgently try to get our children outside, away from their iPhones, we should do everything we can to ensure they have the facilities and support they need.

NO

Brian Hochleutner

Brookline Precinct 6 Town Meeting member; former capital projects chief of staff for New York City’s parks department

Brookline residents are lucky: We’ve inherited a great public park system. But with that inheritance comes a duty: to maintain and protect it. Cypress Field, near Brookline High School, needs such protection. Purchased in 1871 as one of America’s first municipal parks, it has been heavily used by nearby residents and others for nearly 150 years. Today, Cypress is the largest Brookline park in its dense urban neighborhood, but with grass worn from heavy use over many years, it needs renovation.

Pointing to current conditions, some claim that a grass field at Cypress is unsustainable, and that it should be replaced with plastic turf. I understand the thinking to a point: I have two kids who play soccer, and artificial turf fields can withstand heavy use over long hours. But keeping grass at Cypress Field is the right choice for many reasons.

Green plastic is not real green space, which Brookline needs more of, not less. Many residents, with little or no private outdoor space, rely heavily on Brookline’s parks. Losing 3.5 acres of green space at Cypress would be devastating.

Plastic turf would make Cypress less inviting and usable to many people (particularly seniors and kids) who don’t play active team sports and instead use the park for various other purposes — to relax, play, eat lunch or dinner, walk a dog, sunbathe, or just listen to the crickets. Plastic turf gets very hot and contributes to global warming and urban heat island effects; grass cools and has other environmental benefits, soaking up storm water and as a habitat for birds, bees, insects and wildlife.

Installing plastic at Cypress Field would be four times more expensive than refurbishing the grass ($2 million vs. $500,000). The $1.5 million saved by maintaining the grass could instead go toward acquiring badly needed land for more playing fields.

Saying we must either install plastic turf or accept currently existing worn-out field conditions is a false choice. Cypress Field is long overdue for reconstruction. Refurbished grass, including better soil mix, grading, and drainage, would be a huge improvement, allowing the field to withstand heavier use and continue serving the diverse mix of residents it has served for so long.

 

“Cryptocurrency Scheme”: Unregulated Digital Token Sales Lead To Charges

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Brookline.com
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The Bay State’s top securities regulator has charged a Brookline man with selling millions of dollars in “Caviar tokens” through unregistered securities through a “cryptocurrency scheme,” the latest in a trend where companies sell digital currency without regulatory oversight.

“This serves as a warning to those who would try to use the recent bitcoin craze to circumvent securities laws in Massachusetts,” Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin said. “My Securities Division will be monitoring these cases closely to ensure Massachusetts investors are not being taken advantage of by so-called ICO (initial coin offering) promoters trying to cash in on the latest get-rich-quick scam.”

Caviar, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands but run out of a Brookline home by Kirill Bensonoff, according to Galvin’s office, is selling Caviar Tokens for 10 cents apiece, with the promise of a return on investment for the buyers. Caviar has said it plans to use the proceeds of the sale to fund real estate flipping transactions and digital currency investments.

“Bensonoff and Caviar seek to use the proceeds of the ICO to finance the creation of a hedge fund and offer freely transferable shares to investors in the form of Caviar tokens,” a complaint filed yesterday says. “Bensonoff and Caviar have offered and continue to offer Caviar tokens without registration or exemption from registration in the Commonwealth.”

In a statement, Bensonoff denied that he was putting investors at risk.

“Caviar has been seeking to be innovative in our use of blockchain technology in connection with real estate lending while also taking an approach that we think doesn’t implicate the securities laws,” Bensonoff said in an email. “We certainly believe we haven’t misled or harmed anyone.”

He said the company and Galvin’s office had been in discussions prior to the complaint.

“I was very disappointed by the Secretary’s sudden filing of this complaint while we are in the midst of what we thought was a constructive dialogue,” Bensonoff said. “We expect to continue that dialogue and believe that we can meet the Secretary’s concerns regarding Massachusetts purchasers.”

Galvin’s office does not make any allegations about the quality of the investment in the complaint, but Galvin said by not registering, investors would be left in the dark if something nefarious does happen.

“He needs to be licensed and registered in Massachusetts,” Galvin said. “Whether the underlying investment has merit or value, I’m not going there at this point.”

Just last year, companies raised nearly $3.5 billion from individual investors through November by selling digital currency, according to cryptocurrency site CoinDesk.

Other ICOs sell cryptocurrencies that are designed to play a crucial role in their product’s design and give users an incentive to contribute to the product. That was not the case for Caviar, Galvin said.

 

MassHousing Finances $38M For Low-Income Brookline Senior Housing

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Brookline.com
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MassHousing has provided $38 million in financing to Hebrew SeniorLife
for the acquisition, renovation and preservation of 98 affordable rental homes for low-income senior citizens and disabled residents at the Julian and Carol Feinberg Cohen Residences in Brookline.

MassHousing is supporting the rehabilitation of the Cohen Residences with a $28.3 million construction and permanent loan and a $9.7 million bridge loan. The MassHousing financing also generated $16.1 million in equity financing for the project, through an allocation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. The transaction also includes a $2 million seller note.

“Brookline has some of the highest housing costs in the country, and this transaction will ensure that the low-income seniors living at the Cohen Residences have an affordable home for decades into the future,” said MassHousing Acting Executive Director Tom Lyons. “Hebrew SeniorLife was not only committed to extending the affordability for the residents, but also to making significant improvements that will substantially upgrade and modernize the property.”

“At Hebrew SeniorLife, one of our greatest priorities is to provide affordable housing with services that allows seniors to live independent, productive, and happy lives,” said Lou Woolf, Hebrew SeniorLife President and CEO. “We know that seniors can only live healthy, fulfilling lives when they have an affordable place to live. We are so appreciative that MassHousing shares that vision and mission. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner – their support has been critical to the success of this project.”

Hebrew SeniorLife plans to make extensive improvements to the Cohen Residences, including upgrading unit interiors, repairing the roof, repairing or replacing siding and windows, upgrading or replacing major building systems, and substantially improving the building’s energy efficiency. The Cohen Residences are one of Hebrew SeniorLife’s three buildings that make up the Center Communities of Brookline senior living community.
The Cohen Residences are comprised of 21 studio apartments and 78 one-bedroom apartments in a high-rise building at 112 Centre Street in Brookline. The financing transaction extends affordability at the property for at least 30 years. The Hebrew SeniorLife affiliate owner will also extend the federal Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment Contract on 98 units for 20 years.

MassHousing has financed or administers the rental subsidy for 5 rental housing communities in Brookline involving 687 housing units and an original total loan amount of $109.1 million. MassHousing has additionally provided $23.6 million in financing to 200 Brookline homebuyers or homeowners who refinanced their property.

About Hebrew SeniorLife, Inc.

Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching and redefining the possibilities of aging. Founded in Boston in 1903, the nonprofit, non-sectarian organization today provides communities and health care for seniors, research into aging, and education for geriatric care providers. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, please visit here, follow them on Twitter @H_SeniorLife, like them on Facebook or read their blog.

About MassHousing MassHousing

The Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency is an independent, quasi-public agency created in 1966 and charged with providing financing for affordable housing in Massachusetts. The Agency raises capital by selling bonds and lends the proceeds to low- and moderate-income home buyers and homeowners, and to developers who build or preserve affordable and/or mixed income rental housing. MassHousing does not use taxpayer dollars to sustain its operations, although it administers some publicly funded programs on behalf of the Commonwealth. Since its inception, MassHousing has provided more than $22 billion for affordable housing. For more information, visit the MassHousing website here, follow us on Twitter @MassHousing, subscribe to our blog and Like us on Facebook.

 

Boston, Brookline, Cambridge & Somerville Launch “SNAP Card to Ride” Bike Share

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Brookline.com
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The Metro-Boston public bike share system, Hubway, is now available at a significant discount to low-income families and individuals. “SNAP Card to Ride” was launched by the Cities of Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, the Town of Brookline, the Department of Transitional Assistance, and bikeshare operator Motivate.

“SNAP Card to Ride” provides $5 monthly memberships and $50 annual memberships to individuals over the age of 16 with their household EBT card. The membership includes unlimited 60-minute trips, rather than the current 30-minute trips, without additional usage fees.

The program is part of an ongoing commitment to improve bike share access among traditionally underserved populations. Residents who do not receive SNAP benefits, but participate in other public assistance programs, will be able to access the discounted membership program in the near future.

Convenient, easy online registration is available for EBT card holders. After completing registration, members will have access to more than 1,800 bikes at 194 stations across the four municipalities. Members with smartphone access can use the Hubway mobile app to locate and unlock bikes.

“During the Go Boston 2030 planning process, Boston residents shared their desire for a more reliable, equitable and accessible transportation system, which includes our increasingly popular bike share system,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “The City of Boston is pleased to be part of the SNAP Card to Ride partnership, and we look forward increasing the number of stations and bikes in Boston over the next 18 months.”

“Hubway has evolved to become an invaluable tool for facilitating active transportation for people that live and work in the greater Boston region,” said Chair of the Brookline Select Board, Neil Wishinsky. “We are excited that the SNAP Card to Ride program will make bike share more accessible so everyone has the opportunity to utilize this great resource.”

“Cambridge residents, commuters, and visitors benefit from the Hubway system, and this program is an essential way to ensure that every member of our community has access to this great transportation resource,” said Louis A. DePasquale, Cambridge City Manager. “We look forward to continuing to work with our municipal partners in promoting cost-effective, sustainable transportation throughout the Metro Boston region.”

“Hubway’s new low-income membership is a key element of Somerville’s affordability strategy,” said Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone. “Riding a bicycle can be one of the most cost effective ways to get around an urban environment like Somerville, and I’m proud that in 2018 we will see nine new Hubway stations and two miles of protected, low-stress bike lanes to give more residents a better opportunity to travel throughout Somerville – and beyond – by bike.”

“Hubway shows that bike share is fulfilling its promise as a vital part of the Boston area’s transportation network — increasing access to the region’s existing transit network as well as communities underserved by public transit,” said Jay H. Walder, CEO & President of Motivate, operators of Hubway. “We are eager to continue to help grow a system that has truly served as an inspiration for a whole generation of bike share programs across the nation.”

The four municipalities that own Hubway aim to provide further access to the discounted membership program. Building on the long-running reduced-cost membership provided by the City of Boston to its low-income residents, the expanded program will be open to residents of any municipality. In addition, the City of Boston will provide a subsidized program to guests and clients of shelters and transitional homes within the city. Further details about eligibility and income requirements will be announced in spring 2018.

Winter riding is available in all four municipalities for the first time this year, following several years of winter operations in the City of Cambridge. Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville announced major expansion of the publicly-owned system. Collectively, they will add over 100 new stations in 2018 and 2019, providing over 300 stations and approximately 3000 bicycles for public use.

About Hubway

The Hubway system is regional public transportation by bike, owned by the municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville and operated by Motivate, a national leader in bike share. With more than 190 stations and 1800 bikes, the system has more than 15,000 members across the region. Since launching in July 2011, the riders have taken more than 6.5 million trips. More information about the system, including station locations, can be found here.

About Go Boston 2030

Go Boston 2030 is the City of Boston’s long term mobility plan. It envisions a city in a region where all residents have better and more equitable travel choices, where efficient transportation networks foster economic opportunity, and where steps have been taken to prepare for climate change. Whether raveling by transit, on foot, on a bike or by car, people will be able to access all parts of Boston safely and reliably. A list of projects and policies have been developed that are being implemented as early action projects in the near term, and a set of long term projects and policies are intended to be implemented over the next 15 years.

 

Emerald Acquisition, Ltd. Has $21.403M Stake In Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL)

By
Brookline.com
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Emerald Acquisition, Ltd. cut its position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL) by 20.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,756,298 shares of the company’s stock after selling 457,395 shares during the period. Emerald Acquisition, Ltd.’s holdings in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. were worth $21,403,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Moody Aldrich Partners, LLC increased its position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. by 172.7% in the second quarter. Moody Aldrich Partners, LLC now owns 232,522 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,565,000 after buying an additional 147,252 shares during the period. Deprince Race & Zollo, Inc. increased its position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. by 18.5% in the second quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo, Inc. now owns 1,668,511 shares of the company’s stock worth $18,404,000 after buying an additional 260,056 shares during the period. Swiss National Bank increased its position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. by 2.3% in the second quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 121,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,335,000 after buying an additional 2,700 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors, LP increased its position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. by 6.2% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors, LP now owns 5,756,502 shares of the company’s stock worth $63,493,000 after buying an additional 337,931 shares during the period. Finally, Nationwide Fund Advisors increased its position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. by 0.6% in the second quarter. Nationwide Fund Advisors now owns 205,862 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,271,000 after buying an additional 1,263 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.16% of the company’s stock.

Shares of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL) remained flat at $16.40 during trading on Monday. 156,914 shares of the company were exchanged. The stock has a market cap of $1.16 billion, a PE ratio of 21.98 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $15.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $12.75. Brookline Bancorp, Inc. has a 1-year low of $9.91 and a 1-year high of $16.72.

Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 19th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.01. Brookline Bancorp, Inc. had a net margin of 20.13% and a return on equity of 7.60%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.18 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Brookline Bancorp, Inc. will post $0.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Separately, Compass Point downgraded Brookline Bancorp, Inc. from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, November 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Brookline Bancorp, Inc. has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $12.63.

In other news, COO James M. Cosman sold 12,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.05, for a total transaction of $188,125.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 40,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $603,474.90. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director David C. Chapin sold 21,402 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.89, for a total transaction of $318,675.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 2.82% of the company’s stock.

Brookline Bancorp, Inc. Company Profile

Brookline Bancorp, Inc. operates as a multi-bank holding company for Brookline Bank and its subsidiaries; Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) and its subsidiaries; First Ipswich Bank (First Ipswich) and its subsidiaries, and Brookline Securities Corp. As a commercially focused financial institution with 50 full-service banking offices throughout greater Boston, the north shore of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the Company, through Brookline Bank, BankRI and First Ipswich (individually and collectively the Banks), offered a range of commercial, business and retail banking services, including cash management products, online banking services, consumer and residential loans and investment services throughout central New England, as of December 31, 2016.

 

Ice Cream On Sundays And Water From The Charles: A look At Brookline’s Oldest Laws

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Brookline.com
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Centuries after Brookline was established, it is easy to take for granted what makes Brookline, Brookline – from the representative Town Meeting to the layout of the roads.

Sitting in the town clerk’s digital files is a database of special acts and petitions the town has accepted over the years, with some of the oldest accepted pieces of legislation dating to the 1850s. Though one of his predecessors started the archive on hard copy, Town Clerk Patrick Ward transferred it into a digital database of nearly 400 pieces of legislation.

Compiled from the work of past town clerks’ and Ward’s efforts, the database contains the names of the legislation and when Brookline passed them, but it does not contain descriptions or documents with further explanation. What information is there was gleaned from old town warrants, reports and other documents in town archives, according to Ward.

For Ward, who loves history, the project has been a source of great enjoyment but as his responsibilities have increased Ward has found less and less time to verify the legislation and further build the database. As such, Ward said he is hesitant to put it online, but thinks the database is still important.

“It’s something I think the town should have as an archive,” Ward said.

Though it is not complete, the database offers an interesting look at Brookline’s evolution, with legislation ranging from the weighing of hay, to the switch from a six- to five-day work week for town employees.

“If you look back at the really historical ones, what you see has been done is infrastructure [and] planning,” said Ward.

Here is a look at what Brookline officials and Town Meeting members were discussing way back when.

An Act to Incorporate the Brookline Railroad Company – 1857
According to Ken Liss, president of the Brookline Historical Society, the act gave the Brookline Railroad Company the right to build horse-drawn railways in parts of the town – with some restrictions.

Horse-drawn railways were common in other areas around Boston, particularly Roxbury and West Roxbury. According to Liss, the goal for the Brookline Railroad Company was to build a railway to the West Roxbury Company’s line which ran near where the Green Line’s E branch runs.

It is unclear if the Brookline Railroad Company ever built a line, but in the 1880s Henry Whitney – of Brookline – who owned the West End Railway, purchased other railroad companies and replaced horses with electric power, according to Liss.

An Act to Amend “An Act to Authorize Cities and Towns to Establish and Maintain Public Libraries” – 1859

This act amended an 1851 act that allowed towns to use tax revenue to establish a library, according to Liss.

In 1857 Brookline established its first library in the 1844 Town Hall building on Prospect Street, according to Liss. Both the building and Prospect Street are long gone.

According to “The Public Library of Brookline: A History”, Brookline High School Headmaster J. Emory Hoar, was appointed as the first library director with a salary of $125 per year.

In 1869 the town purchased the land where the main library now stands for $7,000, according to “The Public Library of Brookline: A History.”

An Act to Authorize the Town of Brookline to Take Water from the Charles River – 1872

According to Liss, Brookline did not have its own water supply until the 1870s. A pumping station built at Cow Bay in West Roxbury in 1875, brought water to a town reservoir on Fisher Hill across from a state-owned reservoir which is now Fisher Hill Reservoir Park.

In the 1880s residential development lead to the construction of a pumping station on Newton Street which sent water to a new tank on Singletree Hill, according to Liss. Another point of interest, according to Liss, is that before meters were introduced in 1905, water rates were based on the number of faucets, bathtubs, water closets, garden hoses and animals kept by a household or business.

An Act Relative to the Sale of Ice Cream, Confectionary, Soda Water and Fruit on the Lord’s Day – 1910

This act loosened the Commonwealth Blue Laws – dating back to Puritan times – which prohibited the sale of ice cream, confectionary, soda water and fruit on Sundays. According to the 1910 Town Warrant, sale of these items on Sundays had become so customary the police did not enforce the law.

In 1909 the state passed an act requiring businesses to obtain licenses from their municipalities in order sell the items on Sundays.

According to Liss, Massachusetts Blue Laws have not been fully eliminated, but the state ban on businesses being open on Sundays was removed in 1983.

Statute Relative to Equal Pay for Men and Women Teachers – 1947

As one of 15 towns and some cities in the state, Brookline was a leader in paying women teachers the same as men, according to Liss who referenced a 1944 Globe article. At the time, Brookline paid women teachers a higher maximum salary – at $3,100 per year – than those of any other town in the state.

 

Isaac Saki Passes At 16

By
Brookline.com
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A Brookline High School Student died suddenly on December 10. And now friends and community members are rallying to help support his family. A GoFundMe set up to help with funeral and burial expenses surpassed its goal of $12,000 for funeral expenses in less than a day. Within 24 hours more than 193 people had donated more than $13,000. By the end of the weekend the goal had been more than doubled.

Isaac Saki, a Junior at Brookline High School, was just 16, when he passed away this week unexpectedly.

“He will be dearly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have known him,” reads the GoFundMe post. Isaac leaves behind his father Isaac, mother Lucy, sister Lily, and brother Owen.

Thursday, families and students were made aware that a student had passed away suddenly in a letter home and through an announcement at the high school. The School Department was working on providing resources to students after the news broke, but because of the family’s request for privacy they did not release the name of the student or any details.

“Though his time with us was too brief, Isaac lived courageously and with passion. He faced challenges bravely. He was a loyal son and sibling. A talented artist and good friend. It is important to the Saki family and all who love them that Isaac be given a dignified and honorable goodbye,” wrote Paul Epstien, the founder of the Brookline Teen Center.

But, unfortunately, according to Epstein, the family did not have resources in place for the expense of a funeral and burial. Enter the online fundraiser.

All funds above that amount will go into a fund supporting the post-secondary education of Isaac’s siblings, according to the post on GoFundMe.

As of 6:00 p.m. Friday evening 86 people had donated more than $7,500, some 22 hours into the campaign. An hour later 158 people had donated $11,438. As of Sunday night at 10:00 p.m. more than 450 people had donated $27,976.

 

Kaitlin Maher To Wed Tyler Martin

By
Brookline.com
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David and Kathryn Maher of Ritch Drive have announced the engagement of their daughter, Kaitlin, to Tyler Martin, son of Drs. Jean Lee and Raymond Martin of Boston, MA.

Ms. Maher is a 2010 graduate of Ridgefield High School and a 2014 graduate of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences at Boston College. She works for the Massachusetts attorney general’s office in Boston.

Mr. Martin is a 2008 graduate of Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, MA, and a 2012 graduate of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences at Boston College. He is an environmental consultant at RPS in Boston.

The couple plan to marry in August at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Brookline, Mass. A reception will follow at the Alden Castle, also in Brookline.

 

The Art Of Remembering Names

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Brookline.com
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What is the cost to you of not remembering names? Embarrassment? Missed opportunities? Missed connections? Fear of meeting new people? Lost business?

This method has been taught for over a hundred years to hundreds of thousands of students. It has led to extraordinary feats of memory. MemorizeBest has made it easier than ever to learn and use this method. You will see every person and their name more vividly, and remember their name surprisingly easily.

Specially designed learning exercises are practiced in class and then at home. Practice and you will amaze yourself and others with your memory for names.

Coolidge Corner – Meeting Room
31 Pleasant Street
Brookline, MA 02446

January 28, 2018
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Come listen to memory trainer Neil Kutzen and sign up by calling 617-730-2380 or visiting here.

 

 

Manhole Explosion In Coolidge Corner Shuts Down Area

By
Brookline.com
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Representatives from the gas company say the manhole explosion in Coolidge Corner Friday was not gas-related. Police closed the street in both directions and diverted traffic for more than an hour Friday evening after a manhole reportedly exploded because of a suspected gas leak build up on Harvard Avenue near the corner of Thorndike in Coolidge Corner. By 4:00 p.m. the road was open again.

No one was reported injured in the manhole explosion, police said and Fire, police were on scene blocking the road very shortly after the incident.

National Grid was called to assess just how dangerous the scene was, Deputy Superintendent Michael Gropman said. Police said National Grid said there were no dangerous readings in the buildings nearby but the road remained closed as of 3:30 p.m. though police were letting buses through the area, until National Grid got the go-ahead from National Grid supervisors.

 

State Money Helps Massachusetts Communities Save The Environment

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Brookline.com
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When more than 200 communities across the state take small steps to become more energy efficient, the cumulative impact can be significant.

In December, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources accepted 25 new cities and towns into the state’s Green Communities program, an initiative that provides grants to municipalities that adopt a series of energy efficiency policies and set a goal of reducing their energy consumption by 20 percent within five years.

“Communities all across the state will use these grant funds for innovative programs to reduce energy usage and invest in renewable energy projects, and the benefits will flow to taxpayers and the environment,” Massachusetts Municipal Association Executive Director Geoff Beckwith said.

The program’s 2015 progress report, the most recent available, found Green Communities had saved enough energy to power and heat 17,100 homes over seven years. The program is projected to result in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 37,000 cars off the road for a year.

 

James P. Fallon Passed

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Brookline.com
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James P. Fallon, of S. Yarmouth, formerly of Brookline, passed away on January 7, 2018. He was Chief of the Brookline Fire Dept. (ret.).

He was the beloved husband of 64 years to Lorraine P. (Merrithew) Fallon; loving father of Gail Fallon McDonald and husband Ron of Pacifica, CA, Lori McGlynn and husband Paul of Dennis, and James G. Fallon of Quincy; dear brother of the late Mary C. Corbett, Rita N. Sokoloski, Kathleen P. Cotter, Louise M. Pearson, Thomas F., John J., Joseph P. and Edward M. Fallon; adored grandfather of Elizabeth, Andrea, Jessica, P.J., Patrick and Lindsey; also survived by his three cherished great-grandchildren and many treasured nieces and nephews.

Funeral from the Bell-O’Dea Funeral Home, 376 Washington Street, Brookline on Saturday morning at 9:10 followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Brookline at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours in the funeral home on Friday from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery.

Late Army Veteran Korean War, former Vice President New England Fire Chiefs Association, Ret. Employee Steamship Authority, Hyannis, late member local 950 Brookline Fire Dept. and Teamster’s Union local 59.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. of Eastern Mass., 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA. 02452 or alz.org

 

Peter P. Harper Sr. Passes At 77

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Brookline.com
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Peter P. Harper Sr.
Peter P. Harper Sr.

Peter P. Harper Sr., 77, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine and former longtime resident of Northborough, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018 at his home. His 10-year courageous battle with cancer came to a peaceful end, surrounded by his devoted wife of 58 years, Lorraine (Leroux) Harper; his son; Peter P. Harper Jr. of Tampa, Fla.; and his daughter, Lynn Ann Harper-Hausner of Encinitas, Calif.

Peter was born and raised in Marlborough, the son of the late Theodore O. and Lorraine (Benway) Harper. He was the owner and manager of R&T Furniture Co. in Northborough, a family business founded by his father that Peter and Lorraine managed for 47 years.

Peter had a deep faith in the Catholic Church. He was a sports enthusiast and a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees. He was a dear friend to many, and for years could be found on Sundays during football season in the parking lot at Gillette Stadium hosting a popular tailgate.

Peter supported many local charities during his time in Northborough, was generous with his time supporting local sports over the years. He was a founder of Northborough Youth Hockey and a longtime member of the board of Northstar Ice Sports. Despite his long illness, he was still a regular volunteer at his local food pantry in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

Most of all, Peter loved his family. His perfect day was spent on the beach, surrounded by family and friends, making round after round of his famous Bahama Mama’s.

Peter is also survived by his four adoring grandchildren, Ryan P. Harper of Providence, RI, Cristina M. Harper of Tampa, FL, Ava N. Hausner of Encinitas, CA, and Gabriela M. Harper of Tampa, FL; and his daughter-in-law, Mari Harper of Tampa, FL. He is also survived by his loving sister, Vicky Killeen of Marlborough, eight nieces, and two nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass to be celebrated Thursday, Jan. 11, at 11:00 a.m., in the North American Martyr’s Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn. Interment will follow in the Worcester County Memorial Park Cemetery in Paxton.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central Street, Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Peter Harper Sr. to support cancer research and patient care: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445.

 

Looking To Hire A Salesforce Implementation Leader

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Brookline.com
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  • Location: Brookline, MA
  • Salary: US$110K – US$130K per annum + unlimited PTO
  • Job type: Permanent
  • Reference: MFI11018RN

We are currently working with a large multinational service-driven maintenance company located in the Brookline area that is looking for a new Salesforce Project Lead. This company works closely with Fortune 500 companies throughout North America and this role is focused on customer service.

This client is looking for a Project Manager with a strong history in Salesforce to come in and lead their Salesforce implementation and integration. You will be responsible for leading the seamless transition of all users and customers onto the platform. You will be tasked with the full cycle of implementations, including requirement gathering and planning, integration, delivery, support and execution. As a valued member of the organization, you will get a seat at the table and get to work directly with C level executives.

Requirements:

  • strong history and ability of leading implementation initiatives, include onboarding clients and training new users;
  • ability to coordinate resources, prepare teams for launch, manage project timelines, control project scope and alleviate as many risks as possible;
  • ability to create and provide solution recommendations based on Salesforce best practices;
  • perform all administrative duties of within Salesforce, including setting up profiles, create customized objects, workflows, rules validations, and page layouts;
  • work with sales representatives to make sure they understand the platform and help teach them ways to best influence their sales pipelines;
  • certified DEV 401, ADM 201 or other Salesforce certifications preferred;
  • ability to develop strong relationships with clients and internal teams;
  • at least 3 years of experience with the Salesforce platform, specifically implementations;
  • 7 years of project management experience;
  • Bachelor’s Degree or higher preferred.

This organization has big time plans for the next several years and are looking for someone to take part in them. Come take the reins of a Salesforce implementation and make the platform your own. If you are looking for an opportunity for great growth potential, strong starting salary, and awesome benefits then this is the role for you.

Resumes could be sent to r.naylor@masonfrank.com and interested parties could call 212-594-1495.

 

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