In observation of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the Brookline Police Department’s lobby is open 24/7, where you can drop off your unwanted prescription drugs in a designated Prescription Drug Dropbox.
Calling all preteen readers for a Tween Author Fest at the Brookline Public Library!
Meet local authors Erin Dionne, Jen Malone, Lee Gjertsen Malone, Luke Reynolds, and Anna Staniszewski.
When:
Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where:
Brookline Public Library
361 Washington Street
Brookline, MA 02445
Admission:
FREE
Categories:
Art, Festivals & Fairs, Food, Kid Friendly, Performing Arts
We will have book signings, crafts, cookies, and a “Writing Tween” author panel at 3:00 p.m.
All are welcome!
Did you know that Brookline has 250 natural gas leaks under our roads, leaking methane gas near our schools, homes and businesses? That is a daunting number of leaks. Half of all the leaked methane gas comes from just 7% of the largest gas leaks. Fixing these gas leaks will dramatically reduce emissions and save ratepayer money in the fastest, most efficient manner.
Please join us to tag us on Saturday to tag the reported #gasleaks. We will give a brief overview of why gas leaks are so toxic to the environment and our public health, then we will split into teams and tag the leaks around #Brookline. You will be provided with instructions, maps and materials. You can give as much or as little time as you have that morning. Bring the whole family – kids welcome!
The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on May 13, 2017.
Brookline Town Hall
333 Washington Street
Brookline, MA, 02445
Our goal is to get National Grid (our gas utility) to know that Brookline wants our biggest leaks fixed fast.
The event is co-sponsored by State Senator Cynthia Creem, Climate Action Brookline, Temple Sinai, Temple Israel, 350 Mass for a Better Future, Brookline TEEN Center, Green UP team of United Parish Church of Brookline, Elders Climate Action, Mass Health Care Providers Against Fracked Gas, Girl Scout Brownie troop 62564, BHS Environmental Action Club, and Rep. Frank Smizik.
Analyst Ratings For Brookline Bancorp (NASDAQ:BRKL)
Today, Brookline Bancorp (NASDAQ:BRKL) stock was downgraded by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from “Outperform” to “Market Perform”.
There are 2 hold ratings, 1 buy rating on the stock.
The current consensus rating on Brookline Bancorp (NASDAQ:BRKL) is Hold (Score: 2.33) with a consensus target price of $13.00 per share, a potential 11.56% downside.
Some recent analyst ratings include
Dividend information for Brookline Bancorp (NASDAQ:BRKL)
Brookline Bancorp (NASDAQ:BRKL) pays an annual dividend of $0.36 with a yield of 2.45%.
Dividend History for Brookline Bancorp (NASDAQ:BRKL)
Recent Insider Trading Activity For Brookline Bancorp (NASDAQ:BRKL)
Brookline Bancorp (NASDAQ:BRKL) has insider ownership of 2.82% and institutional ownership of 77.36%.
About Brookline Bancorp, Inc.
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. operates as a multi-bank holding company for Brookline Bank and its subsidiaries; Bank Rhode Island and its subsidiaries; First Ipswich Bank and its subsidiaries, and Brookline Securities Corp. As a commercially-focused financial institution with approximately 50 banking offices in greater Boston, the north shore of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the Company offers commercial, business and retail banking services, including cash management products, online banking services, consumer and residential loans and investment services in central New England. The Company’s activities include acceptance of commercial; municipal and retail deposits; origination of mortgage loans on commercial and residential real estate located principally in Massachusetts and Rhode Island; origination of commercial loans and leases to small- and mid-sized businesses; investment in debt and equity securities, and the offering of cash management and investment advisory services.
Specialties
Explore 12,000 specimens drawn from Harvard’s vast research collections at the University’s most visited museum – dinosaurs, meteorites, gemstones, and hundreds of animals around the globe.
See the world’s only mounted Kronosaurus, a 42 ft-long marine reptile; one of the first Triceratops ever discovered; a 1,642 lb. amethyst geode; whale skeletons.
Do not miss the world famous exhibit of 3,000 “Glass Flowers”, amazingly realistic models of plants, fruits and flowers created by father-son glass artists Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka from 1886 – 1936. Current exhibitions include New England Forests, Language of Color, & Mollusks.
The museum is on the Harvard University campus, just a short, 7-10 minute walk through historic Harvard Yard from the Harvard Square MBTA Red Line T station, 15 minutes from downtown Boston.
Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 361 days/year. Handicapped accessible.
Explore the museum’s website for parking info, new exhibitions, lectures, classes for all ages, year round
History
Established in 1998.
The Harvard Museum of Natural History was created as the public museum of the University’s three natural history research institutions – the Mineralogical and Geological Museum; the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Harvard University Herbaria (which used to be called the Botanical Museum.)
The University has over 21 million specimens in the research institutions’ collections, and some 12,000 of the most fascinating are displayed in 17 galleries open to the public at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.
Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel.: 617-495-3045
URL: hmnh.harvard.edu
Hours:
| Monday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Specialties
The Metropolitan Waterworks Museum is dedicated to historical interpretation on the themes of engines & engineering, architecture, social history, and public health. The is no admission fee to enter.
We offer science & engineering (STEM) education programs for students and adults.
We host permanent & temporary exhibits celebrating Boston’s legacy of water engineering.
We also provide space for social or corporate private events.
History
Established in 2011.
The Metropolitan Waterworks Museum is a nonprofit preservation & education organization in Boston, MA, dedicated to the interpretation of one of the nation’s first public drinking water systems.
Based in an historically significant building from the 1880’s opposite the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, the Waterworks invites you to step back in time to the Golden Age. View our 3 story tall, coal-fired, steam engines that pumped millions of gallons of water for over a century. Learn more about the technology behind the engines, the science of clean water, and the impact on public health. Walk the reservoir to appreciate the building’s Romanesque architecture, and enjoy the beauty of such a thoughtfully designed structure.
Join us for a walk through the Great Engines Hall (No Admission Fee for regular visitors), plan a special social or corporate gathering, or book an exciting educational program for a modest fee.
The Metropolitan Waterworks Museum welcomes you to engage with the history of Boston.
Metropolitan Waterworks Museum
2450 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02467
Tel.: 617-277-0065
URL: WaterworksMuseum.org
Hours:
| Monday | closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | closed |
| Wednesday | 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
MOBA’s public gallery is in Dorchester Brewing Co. in
the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston.
Of over 800 pieces in the permanent collection, about 40 are exhibited. Each piece is accompanied by a written interpretation, helping the public grasp many of the complexities inherent in the works.
There are usually no MOBA staff on premises, but our friends at Brookline Interactive Group are available try to answer your questions and sell official MOBA merchandise.
MOBA
Dorchester Brewing Co.
1250 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02125
Tel.: 781-444-6757
URL: museumofbadart.org
Hours:
| Monday | 11:30 a.m. – 09:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m |
| Sunday | 11:30 a.m. – 09:00 p.m |
Note: No one under 21 is admitted on Friday or Saturday nights after 06:00 p.m.
We are grateful to Dorchester Brewing Co. for sharing their space with us.
The Museum contains documents, artifacts, artwork, and more pertaining to Mary Baker Eddy and those who assisted her in establishing Christian Science. Mary Baker Eddy (1821 – 1910) was born near Concord, New Hampshire, and did most of her work in establishing Christian Science in Lynn, Boston, and Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and in Concord, New Hampshire.
Longyear Museum was founded by philanthropist Mary Beecher Longyear (1851 – 1931) to provide future generations with documentary evidence and facts about Mrs. Eddy and the early history of the Christian Science religion.
In 1937, the Museum opened in Mrs. Longyear’s former home in Brookline, Massachusetts.
The Museum moved to its present location in nearby Chestnut Hill in 1999; the new exhibit halls were opened to the public in 2001.
The Longyear Story
Longyear Museum was founded by noted philanthropist Mary Beecher Longyear (1851 – 1931), who had been greatly benefited by Christian Science. Personally acquainted with Mary Baker Eddy, Mrs. Longyear began in 1911 to assemble a remarkable collection of documents and artifacts. She founded the Longyear Museum to provide future generations with facts rather than myths and legends about this religious leader.
Before moving to Massachusetts, Mary Longyear, her husband, John, and their children lived in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where John had amassed a fortune in timber and mining. Their home in Marquette, built in 1892, was an imposing stone mansion on the shores of Lake Superior (photograph above shows the house circa 1900).
In 1903, when the Longyears decided to move to Brookline, Massachusetts, Mrs. Longyear was reluctant to leave her beloved home. So her obliging and financially able husband arranged for the house to be disassembled and moved by rail — more than 1,300 miles — from Marquette to its new site in Brookline.
The Longyears were known for their philanthropy and were generous patrons of art, music, and education. They contributed to many institutions organized for benevolent purposes, including the extension of the teaching of the blind by the Braille system and the publication of the Bible in Braille.
Mrs. Longyear generously provided funds to purchase a portion of the land adjoining The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, known as The Mother Church. The land is now part of the Christian Science Church plaza on Huntington Avenue in Boston.
At a time when development threatened landmarks in the name of progress, Mrs. Longyear collected paintings, furniture, documents, photographs, and artifacts on the life and work of Mary Baker Eddy, including four houses in which Mrs. Eddy lived. (Two additional houses were donated to the Museum, and thanks to generous donations the Museum was able in 2006 to purchase two other former homes of Mrs. Eddy.)
After Mrs. Longyear’s death, her home was opened to the public as Longyear Museum. Here the collection was exhibited from 1937 to 1998, when the home was sold to build the new museum at 1125 Boylston Street in nearby Chestnut Hill.
The former Longyear residence and its grounds are now the site of the condominiums known as Longyear at Fisher Hill.
Longyear Museum
1125 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Tel.: 617-278-9000
URL: longyear.org
Hours:
| Monday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | closed |
| Wednesday | closed |
| Thursday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Specialties
The MFA is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world. Experience art from ancient Egyptian to contemporary, special exhibitions, and innovative programs.
The centerpiece of the MFA’s expansion is a spectacular new wing for the Art of the Americas collection, which doubled the number of objects from the collection on view, including several large-scale masterpieces not displayed for decades.
History
Established in 1876.
The original MFA opened its doors to the public on July 4, 1876, the nation’s centennial. Built in Copley Square, the MFA was then home to 5,600 works of art. Over the next several years, the collection and number of visitors grew exponentially, and in 1909 the Museum moved to its current home on Huntington Avenue.
Museum Of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Tel.: 617-267-9300
URL: mfa.org
Hours:
| Monday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Sunday | 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Isabella Stewart Gardner first welcomed visitors to her museum on New Year’s Day, 1903. On that evening guests listened to the music of Bach, Mozart, and Schumann, gazed in wonder at the courtyard full of flowers, and viewed one of the nation’s finest collections of art.
Today, visitors experience much the same thing. The Gardner Museum has remained essentially unchanged since its founder’s death in 1924. Unchanged but certainly not stagnant.
Three floors of galleries surround a garden courtyard blooming with life in all seasons. The galleries are filled with paintings, sculpture, tapestries, furniture, and decorative arts from cultures spanning thirty centuries.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way
Boston, MA 02115
Tel.: 617-566-1401
URL: gardnermuseum.org
Hours:
| Monday | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | closed |
| Wednesday | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
About Isabella Stewart Gardner
The museum which bears her name also stands as a testament to her vision. Isabella Stewart Gardner, known also as “Mrs. Jack” in reference to her husband, John L. (“Jack”) Gardner, was one of the foremost female patrons of the arts. She was a patron and friend of leading artists and writers of her time, including John Singer Sargent, James McNeill Whistler, and Henry James. She was a supporter of community social services and cultural enrichment. She was an ardent fan of the Boston Symphony, the Red Sox, and Harvard College football. Isabella Stewart Gardner was also the visionary creator of what remains one of the most remarkable and intimate collections of art in the world today and a dynamic supporter of artists of her time, encouraging music, literature, dance, and creative thinking across artistic disciplines.
Over three decades, Isabella Stewart Gardner traveled the world and worked with important art patrons and advisors Bernard Berenson and Okakura Kakuzo to amass a remarkable collection of master and decorative arts.
In 1903, she completed the construction of Fenway Court in Boston to house her collection and provide a vital place for Americans to access and enjoy important works of art.
Isabella Gardner installed her collection of works in a way to evoke intimate responses to the art, mixing paintings, furniture, textiles, and objects from different cultures and periods among well-known European paintings and sculpture.
Isabella Stewart
Isabella Stewart Gardner was born in New York City on April 14, 1840. She was the child of David Stewart, of Scottish descent, who made his fortune in the Irish linen trade and later in mining investments. Her mother was Adelia Smith, descendant of Richard Smith, an Englishman who had settled in Boston in 1650. She was named for her beloved paternal grandmother, Isabella Tod Stewart, herself a remarkable woman and successful farmer. (A portrait of her hangs in the museum.) Isabella Stewart Gardner was also a descendant of royal Stuarts (although this genealogy is spurious) and took great pride in this lineage.
Isabella Stewart was educated at private schools in New York and Paris. Her first connection with Boston came through her schooling, between 1856 and 1858 in Paris, where a friendship with schoolmate Julia Gardner led to her eventual marriage to Julia’s older brother John (“Jack”) Lowell Gardner Jr. (1837-1898) on April 10, 1860. The couple was married in New York City and moved to Boston, Jack’s hometown, where they settled into a house, a wedding gift from her father, at 152 Beacon Street in the Back Bay section of the city. In June 1863, Isabella Stewart Gardner gave birth to a son, John L. Gardner III, known as “Jackie.” At just two years of age, Jackie died of pneumonia in March 1865, and during the two years that followed his death, Isabella Stewart Gardner endured depression and illness. At a doctor’s suggestion, John Gardner took his wife to Europe to travel throughout Scandinavia, Russia, Vienna, and Paris and, upon returning home, Isabella Gardner was in good health and spirits. Although the Gardners had no more children, they raised their three nephews following the death of Jack’s widowed brother.
A Lasting Legacy
In 1919, Isabella Stewart Gardner suffered the first of a series of strokes and died five years later, on July 17, 1924. Her will created an endowment of $1 million and outlined stipulations for the support of the museum, including that the permanent collection not be significantly altered.
In keeping with her philanthropic nature, her will also left sizable bequests to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Industrial School for Crippled and Deformed Children, Animal Rescue League and Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Isabella Stewart Gardner is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, between her husband and her son.
When Fortune Magazine unveiled their list of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders,” the top spot didn’t go to an outstanding CEO as it often does.
It was not a strong world leader, nor a particularly philanthropic celebrity. Fortune went outside the box. Heck, the Pope finished third.
The No. 1 spot belonged to the man that has done the unthinkable in baseball, Theo Epstein, born in Brookline, MA.
Epstein was the architect of the teams that slayed the two biggest dragons in his game’s history. He made his name as the whiz kid that broke the Red Sox’ 86-year World Series drought, and cemented it last fall, ending the Chicago Cubs’ 106-year title-less run.
Tonight Epstein returns to Fenway Park with the Cubs, a future Hall of Famer.
But long before he was passing Pope Francis, Epstein was just another junior-varsity baseball player at Brookline High School.
On those dusty fields almost three decades ago, Epstein was already beginning to display the intellect, drive, and people skills that would mold him into the greatest leader in the free world.
####
In the spring of 1989, Epstein was a sophomore on Harvey Soolman’s JV team. As a teenager, Epstein was not blessed with great physical talent. He was a scrawny pitcher, but one determined to make an impact. He played alongside his best friend, Red Sox President Sam Kennedy.
“Even though he was a pretty small and slender kid, he never had any fear,” Kennedy said. “He was never afraid of the other team. He was a grinder, he wanted to play because he just had an incredible passion for the game.”
Epstein stood out to Soolman in one game in particular, a 24-1 thrashing. It was a Brookline Warriors loss.
“We were getting killed by Brockton,” Soolman recalled. “It was only the second inning. There was nobody out and my starter is getting plastered all over the place. So I bring Theo in, and he got killed. But he went six innings getting the stuffing kicked out of him and that really showed me a lot. He really worked hard. He was throwing just as hard in the seventh inning as he was in the second.”
This is not a tall tale Soolman explains, as he opens the score book.
“He went six innings, gave up 12 hits, 13 runs,” Soolman read. “I remember thinking this at the time, he really showed me a lot. The starting pitcher wanted to know if we can all go home already. We didn’t have 10-run mercy rules or anything, but (the starter) is looking at me like, ‘Well I’m out of the game, we’re getting killed, do we have to finish?’ He actually said something like that to me. Theo on the other hand, was very professional about it as much as he got slaughtered out there. That did show me quite a bit.”
Inning after inning, Epstein wanted to go back out. It was an early sign of the drive that would make him a champion.
“I was proud of him. He just went out and did the job,” Soolman said. “I really enjoyed having him on the team. Although, I’m shocked at his baseball success, I never saw that coming, but I’m certainly not surprised that he’s a big success at whatever he tried, because he was really a very sharp kid.”
####
By senior year, Epstein had made it to Brad Cohen’s varsity team. Epstein was playing the infield now, but made some of his most valuable contributions coaching third base. His mind for the game was undeniable.
“It was like having an assistant coach, he was so intelligent,” Cohen said. “We used to talk strategy. I always had him coaching third base because he was so bright and such a good baseball guy, really.”
Like Soolman, there is one game in particular that Cohen goes back to.
The Warriors were playing Norwood, Eastern Massachusetts’ top team in 1991. Brookline was in the midst of a forgettable season, but they were matching the Mustangs stride for stride. Late in a tied game, Epstein approached his coach in the dugout.
“Theo and I were talking about a situation that might come up the following inning. He brought it up, and said ‘it might be a good time to have so-and-so bunt.’ Sure enough, it came up,” Cohen said.
So Cohen went with Epstein’s suggestion and bunted the go-ahead runner along. Kennedy came to the plate.
“Sam got the game-winning hit and Theo thought of it before I did,” Cohen said. “That’s the type of kid Theo was. He wasn’t playing all the time, but he was so helpful. If you had kids like that all the time coaching would be so much easier.”
“He would have made a great coach, a great baseball manager, because he knew the game so well,” Cohen said. “He was so interested.”
Cohen did not know where Epstein would wind up after graduation, but like Soolman he knew one thing: the kid would be successful.
“When he was in high school he just loved baseball to death. It’s hard to know with a guy like that,” Cohen said. “He could have been a great lawyer.”
“Theo would be successful at anything he tried. He was just that intelligent and bright.”
####
But through it all, Epstein has never taken himself too seriously. Whether it’s donning a disguise to see a Pearl Jam concert, or sitting with the fans at Wrigley Field, he’s always come across as relatable. That has not changed.
“He fooled around, he was fun, but he wasn’t a wise guy.” Soolman said. “He was funny, a good teammate. Guys liked him.”
Kennedy has a story he likes to tell to illustrate this.
“The two of us were widely known as the two slowest members of the baseball team,” Kennedy explained.
So when the Warriors would run sprints at the end of practice, the two that finished in last place would have to race each other around the diamond. One would go clockwise and the other counter-clockwise.
Epstein and Kennedy were frequent last-place finishers, and liked to have some fun with it.
“We’d always have to race each other, and he’d try to hit me with a punch below the belt as we rounded second base. We’d try to throw each other off,” Kennedy laughed. “We loved baseball, we were very passionate about it, but we didn’t have much of a (playing) future in front of us.”
And who won most of the races?
“I’m embarrassed to admit, Theo,” Kennedy said. “He had a little more foot-speed given he was a soccer player. But we were definitely the two slowest.”
Cohen believes Epstein’s people skills have helped him to become such a revered executive. A lifelong Red Sox fan, it makes sense to Cohen that Epstein was the general manager to banish The Curse of the Bambino.
“He’s not only bright, but he’s also very perceptive. He’s a very good reader of people,” Cohen said. “So honestly, I wasn’t that shocked. As a Red Sox fan I was over the moon, but if anybody would do it, I would have thought it was him because he’s just that capable and that motivated.”
Almost thirty years have passed, but some things never change.
– A Fairway Road resident called to report someone broke into their home overnight. The resident told police that three Apple laptops were missing from the kitchen and living room area. Detectives came out to fingerprint the scene and the alarm company noted that someone opened the garage door 10:38 p.m. leading to the mud room. It appears the suspect or suspects entered the home through the garage mud room door and stole the items.
– A woman who worked on Holden Street called to report an ex boyfriend showed up at her place of work and started to harass her. The woman told police he was yelling at her through the house window. When the woman called 911 the man walked over to her car, which was parked in the driveway and began to kick it. While kicking the back and driver side of the vehicle, he also kicked the driver’s side mirror causing it to hang down from the car. Police said at one point he also got inside the car. The man was placed under arrest and charged with assault and B&E during the day time with intent to commit a felony and vandalism of property (damage to car).
– A woman reported her daughter missing and gave a description and photo. This information was provided to all Brookline Units who began canvassing the area. The missing girl was found in Griggs Park, and appeared to be in good health and well cared for. She was returned to her mother and advised of the seriousness of what had just happened.
– An employee at a Harvard Street business called to report a elementary school aged girl came into her shop and she saw her place several items into a black bag and walk out the store. The employee described the girl as wearing a black jacket, dress, black tights, and black shoes and between 9 and 11 years old. The shop employee reported that more than $200 worth of “Thinking Putty.” The Officers requested a copy of the security surveillance and will conduct a follow-up with the detective division.
– A man was walking on Pleasant Street in Brookline, when he found a wad of cash tied in a hair band. The money was placed into an evidence locker for safe keeping until it is claimed by the rightful owner.
– Someone on Beacon Street called to report a fight. Two parties were discussing the possible sale of a car. A third party joined the discussion, but the third party apparently felt they were not getting a fair chance to make the purchase. Words were exchanged and each felt as though they had been insulted. One party threw a stapler striking the other party in the neck. The offending party left the area before the officers arrived on scene; several units checked the area for him and his vehicle but were unable to locate him at that time. Charges have been filed, Assault and Battery Dangerous Weapon (Stapler).
– An Euston Street resident reported that UPS had delivered a package at an unknown time and her son discovered the package opened with the contents taken from it. The package was in the vestibule behind the unlocked front building door. The resident mentioned that she has had packages stolen in the past, three or four times within the last four months or so.
On Tuesday, students, teachers and members of the Brookline community came together for a flag-raising ceremony on Cypress Field honoring Adam, Peter and Prince, three slaves from Brookline who fought in the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Lexington.
After an introduction from history teacher Malcolm Cawthorne, who emceed, Town Meeting Member and Vietnam veteran Neil Gordon read the Board of Selectmen’s Proclamation. Gordon said that we must acknowledge the past even if we cannot change it.
“Whereas we do not have the power to heal the wounds these men endured in our town, we can and must recognize the pain of our past,” Gordon said. “And whereas, it is fitting that the town of Brookline honor and memorialize these men.”
Several high school students participated throughout the ceremony, starting with junior Karina Lorenzo’s reading from the Declaration of Independence. Her recitation was skillful and moving.
Next, Barbara B. Brown, Ph.D in African Studies Center at Boston University, spoke. She pointed out that the honored men were only three among 80 slaves in Brookline at the time of the Revolutionary War.
“Today, we come together to honor three Brookline men, Adam, Peter and Prince, for their part in establishing our country,” Brown said. “Sadly, we know exceedingly little about them. But, I can tell you a great deal about the men who believed they owned them because they were among the most prominent members of our town.”
According to Brown, all we know of Prince besides the fact that he fought in the war was that he ran away and was successful. Cawthorne held up a sign showing the ad Prince’s owner, Joshua Boylston, posted in hopes of finding him. The sign was met with cheers and clapping from the crowd.
Brown finished by speaking about unity and acceptance of the men.
“I call on all of you, all of us who are here today, to be Adam’s family, to be Prince’s family, to be Peter’s family. We claim them as ours. We claim them as part of who we are,” Brown said. “And so, let us stand together in sorrow for the cruelty they suffered, and stand together, finally, to give them the honor and respect that has been their due for 242 years.”
Under Brown’s lead, the crowd said the names of Adam, Peter and Prince together aloud.
Cawthorne introduced the flag raising, which was performed by Commander of the Brookline American Legion Post 11 Elmon Hendrickson. Following the flag raising, John Bassett played “TAPS” on the bugle, and the crowd stood together for a meaningful moment of silence.
Following the flag raising, senior Coleman Hayes sang a stirring rendition of the first verse of “America, the Beautiful.”
Cawthorne finished the ceremony with closing remarks. He said that we should feel proud Brookline is attempting to correct the abuses of our history, but that we also need to be aware.
“It is for us, the living, to make sure that future Brookline ancestors are not apologizing for our past and current actions,” Cawthorne said. “As much as it is to correct the wrongs of citizens’ past, we hope today is both a history lesson and a closing reminder to pay attention to what is happening today so that it won’t make us sorry tomorrow.”
Boston-based Fantini & Gorga recently arranged $2,500,000 in first mortgage financing for a 7,700-square foot, retail plaza located on 1427-1431 & 1441 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446, which is in close proximity to Coolidge Corner.
The site is located on a corner lot on Beacon Street which is one of the main retail corridors in Brookline. The borrower was a former Massachusetts resident but has since relocated to California.
The retail property is 100% occupied and is anchored by a new ten year lease to East Boston Savings Bank which commenced in 2016. The plaza has two other long time tenants which service the neighborhood and the surrounding areas as a ballet school and a day care.
The Fantini & Gorga team was led by Derek Coulombe, Managing Director, and Chris Miller, Director, who together arranged the refinancing on behalf of the borrower. The loan was placed with a major Massachusetts-based financial institution. “This assignment generated a great deal of interest from a variety of lenders, all of whom recognized the high quality of this asset as well as the property’s excellent location and occupancy history. The result was an attractive fixed rate option, non-recourse loan,” stated Mr. Coulombe.
When you think of a police officer, “approachable” and “friendly” might not be the first two qualities that come to mind. But the heads of the Brookline, Boston, Newton and Cambridge police are working on finding ways to lock up the perception that police are robotic law enforcers and are instead caring members of the community who are trying to keep folks safe.
That is not the easiest task. Events in the recent past (from the Cambridge Police Arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates as he was trying to get into his own home in 2009, to a couple of fatal shootings in Boston at the hands of police officers, to allegations of racism within the Brookline Police Department) have thrust a spotlight on a side of policing that has at times created a spirit of defensiveness within police departments and those in the community. Add to that shrinking number of people signing up to become police officers and concerns such as terrorism that were simply not as prevalent decades ago and it is a complicated mix.
“We’re looking at how we do business. I think every chief here would agree. We cannot arrest our way out of problems in the community,” said Cambridge Deputy Superintendent Christine Elow.
Police Departments are looking more and more at ways to work with the community rather than parallel or on different tracts, she said, and others echoed this at a panel discussion of four area police chiefs including Cambridge, Newton, Brookline and Boston. The panel was organized by the Brookline Office for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations and hosted at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill.
Speaking mostly to a small audience of residents watching Brookline Police interactions closely, Pine Manor staff and police, top police brass said policing was changing.
“We are all going through a tough time [in policing], but I hope people realized tonight that the people representing the area’s police departments are very caring and compassionate. And that would indicate the direction they’re taking their departments,” said Chief Daniel O’Leary of the Brookline Police Department.
Of course, there are challenges to that.
“In Boston building respect and trust is a big part of what we’re doing. We’re a majority minority city now. Our biggest challenge is have an impact on the violence and at the same time respecting the rights of the community,” said Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans.
Newton Police Chief David McDonald said the low number of police officers on the force made it a challenge to get out in the community in a more visible, personal way. But police were doing it on their own time, he said he was surprised to discover, volunteering and coaching more than he realized when he first became chief about a year and a half ago.
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL)
Q1 2017 Earnings Conference Call
April 27, 2017, 01:30 p.m. ET
Executives
Marissa Frerk – Associate General Counsel
Paul Perrault – President and CEO
Carl Carlson – CFO
Analysts
Mark Fitzgibbon – Sandler O’Neill and Partners
Laurie Hunsicker – Compass Point
Collyn Gilbert – KBW
Operator
Good day and welcome to the Brookline Bancorp Incorporated’s First Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call. All participants will be in listen-only mode. [Operator Instructions] After today’s presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Please note this event is being recorded.
I would now like to turn the conference over to Marissa Frerk, Associate General Counsel. Please go ahead.
Marissa Frerk
Thank you, Ryan. Good afternoon and welcome to Brookline Bancorp Inc.’s first quarter 2017 earnings conference call. This afternoon’s call will be hosted by Brookline Bancorp’s Executive team, Paul Perrault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and Carl Carlson, Chief Financial Officer.
Before we begin, please note that this call may contain forward looking statements with respect to the financial conditions, results of operation and business of Brookline Bancorp.
Actual results may differ from these forward looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ include those identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our earnings press release. Brookline Bancorp cautions you against unduly relying upon any forward-looking statements and disclaims any intent to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise.
And now I am please to introduce Brookline Bancorp Inc.’s Chairman and CEO, Paul Perrault.
Paul Perrault
Thank you, Marissa. Good afternoon and welcome to Brookline Bancorp’s first quarter earnings call. I’m accompanied today by our Chief Financial Officer, Carl Carlson, who will walk you through our quarterly financial results following my comments.
Yesterday, we reported $13.4 million in net income or $0.19 per share for the first quarter of 2017 compared to $12.8 million or $0.18 per share for the first quarter of 2016. Loan balances grew $63 million or 4.7% annualized and our deposits grew $41 million from the end of the year.
We’ve opened a new branch in Danvers, Massachusetts and we are very happy with the reception by the community. We are confident that we have the right team in place to grow our brand in that particular market.
Although we are still operating in a challenging interest rate environment, the recent rate hikes in December and March suggest that the headwinds of margin contraction may have finally ended.
Our net interest margin for the first quarter was 3.53%, an increase of 13 basis points from the fourth quarter. Non-interest income grew by $10.5 million from the fourth quarter due to an $11.4 million gain on sale of securities related to the acquisition of Northeast Retirement Services by Community Bank Systems. We received stock in cash in the transaction and the CBU stock received had been sold by the end of the first quarter.
Excluding this gain, our efficiency ratio increased slightly to 58.6% due to seasonal compensation related expenses and increased occupancy expenses associated with the opening of the branches in Danvers and Middletown, Rhode Island.
We have a great team of employees that come to work every day to serve our customers and our communities making Brooklyn Bancorp one of the region’s leading commercial banks.
I will now turn you over to Carl, who will review the company’s first quarter results in some more detail.
Carl Carlson
Thank you, Paul. In the first quarter, average loans from $71.5 million total interest-earnings assets grew $35.4 million from fourth quarter. Net interest income increased $1.2 million from the fourth quarter as loan growth and higher short-term interest rates drove interest income with only modest increases in interest expense.
About Brookline Bancorp, Inc.
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. operates as a multi-bank holding company for Brookline Bank and its subsidiaries; Bank Rhode Island and its subsidiaries; First Ipswich Bank and its subsidiaries, and Brookline Securities Corp. As a commercially-focused financial institution with approximately 50 banking offices in greater Boston, the north shore of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the Company offers commercial, business and retail banking services, including cash management products, online banking services, consumer and residential loans and investment services in central New England. The Company’s activities include acceptance of commercial; municipal and retail deposits; origination of mortgage loans on commercial and residential real estate located principally in Massachusetts and Rhode Island; origination of commercial loans and leases to small- and mid-sized businesses; investment in debt and equity securities, and the offering of cash management and investment advisory services.
Brookline Police arrested a 15-year-old for attempting to rob a Brookline bank and for making a bomb threat this week. Police said the suspect did not actually have a weapon or bomb. However, robbery at a bank using threats can carry a prison sentence of up to life in prison.
The young man allegedly came up to the teller at Bank on Harvard Street and chatted briefly with one of the teller before sliding over a note that read, “i demand 5,000 dollars No dye pack…will Kills us all i have a bomb No games!!!!!”
One of the other employees at the bank later told police she heard the teller ask the young man whether he had an account at the bank.
About that time, he allegedly started looking into his pockets, and indicated he was looking for a card, at one point trying to take the note back, according to witness reports to the police.
Brookline dispatchers broadcast that a robbery attempt was in progress at Santander Bank and the suspect was still there. Dispatch had received a call from an employee at the corporate security office who was viewing the incident remotely after a panic button was pressed.
Originally the suspect was identified as a black man in his ‘20, wearing a blue hoodie and a red-brimmed hat.
The two first responding officers went in through the front door of the bank and immediately noticed someone who fit the description of the suspect standing near a teller window, according to the police report. Noting there was nobody else in the bank with a similar description the two officers drew their guns at the man who had his hands in his pockets, and told him to raise his hands and get on the ground.
As the suspect turned around he immediately started stating that, “somebody made me do this,” and uttered this over and over in an upset manner, according to police.
As of April 23, 2017, so far this year in Brookline there have been four robberies, according to police data. Last year there was were 12 robberies, at least two of which were bank robberies, according to the 2016 Year-End Report. Last year of the 13 of the 448 people arrested were juveniles.
Brookline Police Chief Daniel O’Leary (far right) and Brookline Police Association President David Hill make a donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Boston (located in Brookline). Dawn Emerman (Assistant Director) and Caitlin White (Day Director) were on hand to accept the check.
The Ronald McDonald House and the BPD, a proud partnership for many years.
Dear All,
Please do not forget to attend Cops for Kids with Cancer‘s fundraiser at Florian Hall this Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $20.
Come join us!
Taking a look at Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL)’s valuation level, we can focus on several ratios. One of the quickest ways to determine the projected value of a stock is the price to earnings growth, or PEG ratio.
This formula was popularized by Peter Lynch and according to his calculations, a stock which is fairly valued will have a price to earnings ratio equal to its rate of growth. Simply put, a stock with a PEG ratio of 1 would be considered fairly valued. A stock with a ratio of under 1.0 would be undervalued and a stock with a PEG over 1.0 would be considered over valued. Brookline Bancorp, Inc. currently has a PEG ratio of 3.58.Most importantly investors want to know where the stock is headed from here. In order to get a sense of Wall Street sentiment, we can look to equity research analyst estimates. On a one to five ratings scale where 1.0 indicates a Strong Buy, 2.0 indicates a Buy, 3.0 a Hold, 4.0 a Sell and 5.0 a Stong Sell. Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL) currently has an average analyst recommendation of 2.20 according to analysts. This is the average number based on the total brokerage firms taken into consideration by Beta Systems Research. The same analysts have a future one-year price target of $16.70 on the shares.
Technical Indicators
In addition to sell-side rational, we can also take a look at some technical indicators. The stock is currently 3.23% away from its 50-day simple moving average and 14.46% away from the 200 day average. Based on a recent trade, the shares are -8.06% away from the 52-week high and 56.62% from the 52-week low. The RSI (Relative Strength Index), which shows price strength by comparing upward and downward close to close movements. An RSI approaching 70 is typically deemed to be nearing overbought status and could be ripe for a pullback. Alternatively an RSI nearing 30 indicates that the stock could be getting oversold and might be considered undervalued. The RSI for Brookline Bancorp, Inc.(NASDAQ:BRKL) currently stands at 60.42.
Performance
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. has posted trailing 12 months earnings of $0.74 per share. The company has seen a change of 4.90% earnings per share this year. Analysts are predicting 19.22% for the company next year. The firm is yielding 0.80% return on assets and 7.60% return on equity.
About Brookline Bancorp, Inc.
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. operates as a multi-bank holding company for Brookline Bank and its subsidiaries; Bank Rhode Island and its subsidiaries; First Ipswich Bank and its subsidiaries, and Brookline Securities Corp. As a commercially-focused financial institution with approximately 50 banking offices in greater Boston, the north shore of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the Company offers commercial, business and retail banking services, including cash management products, online banking services, consumer and residential loans and investment services in central New England. The Company’s activities include acceptance of commercial; municipal and retail deposits; origination of mortgage loans on commercial and residential real estate located principally in Massachusetts and Rhode Island; origination of commercial loans and leases to small- and mid-sized businesses; investment in debt and equity securities, and the offering of cash management and investment advisory services.
Room with large closet with storage space, furnished or unfurnished you decide. Condo with hard wood floors, share furnished living room, guest room and fully equipped kitchen.
Rent includes all utilities, internet and amenities: free laundry in building; access to outdoor space with grill.
Ideal location for medical residents/professionals-one block to trolley at Washington Square station to MGH or downtown Boston. Bus stop practically in front of the building to Longwood Medical Area or get some exercise walk or bike to work.
Walking distance to Washington Square, Coolidge Corner stores, restaurants, cafes, Star Market, Stop and Shop, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s as well as Griggs Park.
The price is $1,050 / 1,100 ft2, 638 Washington Street, Brookline, MA 02446, available May 1, 2017.
Previous roommate Sean said:
“Dara and Tony are friendly, respectful, understanding, and tidy. Living with them meshed perfectly with my life style, for we all led active, fairly busy lives. We respected each other’s space, the common space, as well as enjoyed time and warm meals together when our schedules happened to line up. The apartment is bright, lively, and full of character, which reflects the personalities of them both. I moved to California after my time in Brookline and unfortunately had to leave this gem apartment in Washington Square.”
If you live in Brookline, chances are you have seen the elections signs around town. That’s right. On Tuesday, May 2, 2017, there is a town election. For the first time in a while the seats for Selectmen, School Committee and Trustees of the Public Library as well as the majority of Town Meeting precincts are contested.
It could be because these regular elections come after a number of people in town have taken issue with the handling of hot topics in town, including where to place a ninth school to address increased enrollment and the firing of two black police officers.
But there are some of the basic info you need to know before you go. Here’s a quick run down of the basics. Look for a follow up with info about the candidates, soon.
When are the elections? May 2, 2017.
Can I vote absentee?: Yes. Extended Absentee Voting Hours 12:30 p.m.– 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2017 and 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017.
What seats are up for election and what do they do? Good question. Here’s a breakdown with help from the Brookline Town website.
Members of the Board of Selectmen.
There are two seats open for the Board of Selectmen, and three people are running. Selectmen are considered the executive officers of the town, the Selectmen are vested with all the municipal authority not specifically retained by the town’s legislative body, Town Meeting. The Selectmen appoint a Town Administrator, responsible for the daily management of the town, whose powers are specified in state law. They hold regular meetings every Tuesday on the sixth floor at Town Hall if you want to go check them out. (These meetings are also televised on the local cable access channel Brookline Interactive Group, aka BIG). Some of their duties:
Members of the School Committee
Three seats are opening up and four people are running this year. The School Committee is made up of nine members who are elected town-wide to three year terms of service. They meet every other Thursday night during the school year, at 6 p.m. on the 5th floor of Town Hall.
The main responsibilities of the committee, per state statute, are to evaluate the superintendent, review and approve budgets for public education in the district, and to establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district. In order to do that, members serve on a variety of sub-committees and act as liaisons to many local organizations
Town Meeting Members
Town Meeting is Brookline’s Legislative arm of government. It consists of 240 elected Town Meeting members, plus the members of the Board of Selectmen, and any state representative or state senator who resides in Brookline. In addition, the Town Moderator, who presides over Town Meeting, and the Town Clerk, who acts as secretary, are voting members. The 240 are elected by precinct, with 15 members elected from each of the town’s 16 precincts. The members are elected for staggered 3-year terms so that 5 members are elected from each precinct each year in the May annual town election.
Town Meeting is responsible for passing a balanced annual town budget, and enacts all town bylaws. An Annual Town Meeting is held in the spring to enact the following year’s budget, plus whatever other matters are placed on the Town Meeting warrant, either by the Selectmen or by citizen petition. The Annual Town Meeting is usually held the last week in May. A special Town Meeting is held each fall, usually in November, to deal with any budget changes, zoning by-law amendments, or other matters placed on the warrant. Although only elected Town Meeting members may vote and propose motions, anyone can attend and the sessions are aired live on Brookline Interactive Group’s online channel.
Library of Trustees:
Four seats are open, five people are running. Twelve residents make up the The Board of Trustees – elected to three-year terms of office. Each year, four are elected to the board. They’re tasked with working with the director of the library to help oversee the library’s services, policies and budget. They meet every second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the library on 361 Washington St.
POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 7 A.M. TO 8 P.M. ON ELECTION DAY
Precinct 1 Wheelock College, 43 Hawes Street, (Monmouth Street Entrance)
Precinct 2 Coolidge Corner Branch Library, 31 Pleasant Street
Precinct 3 Theresa Morse Apartments, 90 Longwood Avenue
Precinct 4 Town Hall, Room 103, 333 Washington Street
Precinct 5 (New) Lincoln School, 19 Kennard Road
Precinct 6 BHS Schluntz Gymnasium, 115 Greenough Street
Precinct 7 Arthur A. O’Shea House, 61 Park Street
Precinct 8 Young Israel of Brookline, 62 Green Street (Side Entrance)
Precinct 9 Senior Center, 93 Winchester Street
Precinct 10 John W. Kickham Apartments, 190 Harvard Street
Precinct 11 Driscoll School, New Gymnasium, Washington Street Entrance
Precinct 12 Runkle School Gymnasium, 50 Druce Street (Front Entrance)
Precinct 13 Runkle School Gymnasium, 50 Druce Street (Front Entrance)
Precinct 14 Heath School Gymnasium, 100 Eliot Street
Precinct 15 Fire Station #6, 962 Hammond Street
Precinct 16 Putterham Branch Library, 959 West Roxbury Parkway
For more information, please go here.
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (BRKL) (the “Company”) today announced net income of $13.4 million, or $0.19 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2017, compared to $12.8 million, or $0.18 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2016.
Paul Perrault, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated: “Brookline Bancorp has experienced solid growth in the first quarter of 2017. We have continued to grow our loan and deposit balances in an intense and competitive market. Entering the second quarter, we look forward to building upon the foundation of success we have achieved as we continue to grow our franchise.”
BALANCE SHEET
Total assets at March 31, 2017 increased $59.6 million to $6.50 billion from $6.44 billion at December 31, 2016, and increased $316.7 million from $6.18 billion at March 31, 2016. At March 31, 2017, total loans and leases were $5.46 billion, representing an increase of $62.9 million from December 31, 2016, and an increase of $331.3 million from March 31, 2016. During the first quarter of 2017, total loans and leases grew 4.7 percent on an annualized basis. Solid loan growth continued in the commercial real estate and commercial loan and lease portfolios, which increased $57.6 million during the first quarter of 2017, or 5.2 percent on an annualized basis.
Investment securities at March 31, 2017 increased $18.4 million to $629.1 million, comprising 9.7 percent of total assets, as compared to $610.8 million, or 9.5 percent of total assets, at December 31, 2016, and increased approximately $9.5 million from $619.6 million, or 10.0 percent of total assets, at March 31, 2016.
Total deposits at March 31, 2017 increased $40.8 million to $4.65 billion from $4.61 billion at December 31, 2016 and increased $258.4 million from $4.39 billion at March 31, 2016. Core deposits, which consists of demand checking, NOW, savings, and money market accounts, decreased $8.8 million from December 31, 2016 and increased $276.0 million from March 31, 2016. The average cost of interest bearing deposits increased slightly to 56 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from 55 basis points for the three months ended December 31, 2016.
Total borrowings at March 31, 2017 increased $12.7 million to $1.06 billion from $1.04 billion at December 31, 2016 and increased $28.5 million from $1.03 billion at March 31, 2016.
The ratio of stockholders’ equity to total assets was 10.83 percent at March 31, 2017, as compared to 10.80 percent at December 31, 2016, and 11.01 percent at March 31, 2016, respectively. The ratio of tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets was 8.79 percent at March 31, 2017, as compared to 8.73 percent at December 31, 2016, and 8.83 percent at March 31, 2016.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income increased $1.2 million to $53.1 million during the first quarter of 2017 from the quarter ended December 31, 2016. The net interest margin increased 13 basis points to 353 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2017.
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Non-interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 increased $10.5 million to $15.9 million from $5.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.
The Company completed the sale of Community Bank System, Inc. (Ticker CBU) stock which it acquired pursuant to the terms of the merger between CBU and Northeast Retirement Services, Inc. (“NRS”). The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Brookline Securities Corp., owned 9,721 shares of NRS stock, and received $319.04 in cash and 14.876 shares of CBU common stock for each share of NRS stock it held. The Company realized a gain of $11.4 million on the NRS investment.
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $13.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to $3.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. The increase in the provision for the quarter was driven primarily by $6.3 million in additional reserves on taxi medallion loans and a specific reserve of $4.2 million related to two commercial credits.
About Brookline Bancorp, Inc.
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. operates as a multi-bank holding company for Brookline Bank and its subsidiaries; Bank Rhode Island and its subsidiaries; First Ipswich Bank and its subsidiaries, and Brookline Securities Corp. As a commercially-focused financial institution with approximately 50 banking offices in greater Boston, the north shore of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the Company offers commercial, business and retail banking services, including cash management products, online banking services, consumer and residential loans and investment services in central New England. The Company’s activities include acceptance of commercial; municipal and retail deposits; origination of mortgage loans on commercial and residential real estate located principally in Massachusetts and Rhode Island; origination of commercial loans and leases to small- and mid-sized businesses; investment in debt and equity securities, and the offering of cash management and investment advisory services.
Why is Jarome Iginla, a forward for the Los Angeles Kings and a former Boston Bruin, buying a home in the Boston area?
The 39-year-old future of Hall of Famer has apparently paid $4.5 million for a newly-constructed home in Brookline’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood, according to a Norfolk County deed.
The property on Clyde Street is a six-bedroom, seven-bathroom home with a two-story foyer, a “large breakfast room, paneled study, and enormous family room,” which opens up to “the manicured grounds overlooking The Country Club of Brookline,” according to a listing. The home sits on a little less than an acre of land.
“The sumptuous master suite, another hallmark of the builder, is the definition of luxury,” the listing continues. “Separate Master Sitting area, enormous his and hers master closets, and tremendous master bathroom with custom shower, water closet, and jetted tub are all bathed in natural light.
Iginla had six goals and nine points in 19 games this season with the Kings, which acquired him for a conditional 2018 fourth-round draft pick. He ranks 34th on the all-time NHL scoring list with 1,300 points and is tied for 15th with 625 goals. His contract ended after the just-completed season.
The 39-year-old told reporters earlier this month that he was not 100 percent sure he would play another season, but he still likes playing for the Kings.
A six-time NHL All-Star, Iginla is the Calgary Flames’ all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis. Iginla scored 50 goals in a season on two occasions and is one of seven players in NHL history to score 30 goals in 11 consecutive seasons. He is one of 19 players in NHL history to score over 600 goals and is one of 34 players to record 1,300 points in his career.
Iginla signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Bruins for the 2013-14 season, but salary cap constraints prevented the Bruins from re-signing Iginla.
Iginla’s real estate agent, David Green of Otis & Ahearn, declined to comment. A Bruins spokesperson did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
It is official: even though the heads of both the Brookline Police and Public Schools have already made statements saying they did not and would not ask for an individual’s immigration status as a matter of course, the Board of Selectmen said last night they would not permit town employees asking for immigration status in Brookline.
Since President Donald Trump was elected municipalities across the country have been reexamining immigration enforcement and discussed and implemented “Sanctuary City” policies in an effort to protect the civil rights of immigrants and refugees. It’s important to note that the definition of “sanctuary city” varies from community to community. While Brookline adopted measures twice years ago and considers itself a sanctuary city, the Selectmen set up a committee to review enforcement policies, specifically when it comes to how the Brookline Police Department interacts with Immigration officials. The Brookline Police Department in turn announced it would not detain immigrants for ICE officials.
One of the concerns facing municipalities as they look into what it may mean for them to refuse to cooperate with Immigration Customs Enforcement requests was a threat that Trump made early on to towns who did just that. However, things are looking up for those towns as a federal judge in San Francisco on Tuesday blocked an executive order by Trump that threatened to deny federal funding to sanctuary cities and counties, Patch reported.
Meanwhile, Tuesday, April 25, 2017, the Board of Selectmen continued in its effort to protect immigrants and refugees. Selectmen voted to officially forbid police officers or employees from asking about a person’s immigration status (in most cases), one that blocks town resources (including buildings and staff, ie police officers) from being used in federal immigration enforcement efforts, and also prevents any person from being held in custody solely on an ICE “detainer” request.
Tony Naro, who sits on the committee making recommendations to the Board of Selectmen about the procedures, said the Police Department has been on board with the official changes.
The Board of Selectmen made a point of saying that the town is not implementing policies and procedures that would limit or prohibit town officials from sharing or communicating information with a federal, state or local government department body.
Although some worried that the statement was not forceful enough in coming out against the new administration’s stance on immigration, but the board said it would serve as proof that the town was not encouraging officials to violate federal law.
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (BRKL) (the “Company”) announced today that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of the Company’s common stock. The Company also expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the shares of its common stock sold in the offering.
Piper Jaffray & Co. is serving as the sole book-running manager and Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P. is serving as co-manager for the offering. The shares will be issued pursuant to an automatic shelf registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-197881) and a prospectus supplement to be filed with the SEC.
The Company expects to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, including providing capital to support our growth organically or through strategic acquisitions, financing investments and capital expenditures.
Additional Information Regarding the Offering
This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company, which is made only by means of a prospectus supplement and related base prospectus, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
The Company has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Prospective investors, including current shareholders who are interested in participating in the offering, should read the prospectus contained in the registration statement, the preliminary prospectus supplement, and other documents that the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the offering. Copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge by visiting the SEC’s website at sec.gov, or from Piper Jaffray & Co., Attention: Prospectus Department, 800 Nicollet Mall, J12S03, Minneapolis, MN 55402, by calling toll free 800-747-3924 or by email to: prospectus@pjc.com.
About Brookline Bancorp, Inc.
Brookline Bancorp, Inc. operates as a multi-bank holding company for Brookline Bank and its subsidiaries; Bank Rhode Island and its subsidiaries; First Ipswich Bank and its subsidiaries, and Brookline Securities Corp. As a commercially-focused financial institution with approximately 50 banking offices in greater Boston, the north shore of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the Company offers commercial, business and retail banking services, including cash management products, online banking services, consumer and residential loans and investment services in central New England. The Company’s activities include acceptance of commercial; municipal and retail deposits; origination of mortgage loans on commercial and residential real estate located principally in Massachusetts and Rhode Island; origination of commercial loans and leases to small- and mid-sized businesses; investment in debt and equity securities, and the offering of cash management and investment advisory services.
Special Note Concerning Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company’s management with respect to, among other things, future events and the Company’s financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “goal,” “target,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative variations of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, the Company cautions you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include successfully implementing its growth strategy, including identifying acquisition targets and consummating suitable acquisitions; continuing to sustain internal growth rate; providing competitive products and services that appeal to its customers and target market; continuing to have access to debt and equity capital markets and achieving its performance goals. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.
The Board of Selectmen is making progress in its steps to adopt new immigration enforcement policies.
On Tuesday, April 25, 2017, the board voted to adopt a series of policies related to post-arrest procedures for police.
This is the most recent set of policies the board has implemented related to immigration enforcement. The recent effort to adopt new immigration enforcement policies started in fall 2016, according to Selectman Bernard Greene.
The discussions surrounding new policies came in response to President Trump’s recent push on immigration enforcement. Several municipalities across the country have implemented “sanctuary city” policies to protect the civil and human rights of immigrants and refugees in their communities.
“Our Constitution will be respected by the town of Brookline; the administration in Washington is not respecting that,” Greene said in an interview.
Among the latest set of policies is one that prevents a police officer or employee from asking about a person’s immigration status unless in specific circumstances, one that blocks personnel, resources, facilities and the like from being used in federal immigration enforcement purposes, and also prevents any person from being held in custody solely on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer or other administrative warrant.
The policies also address the procedure for following general and special orders issued by the Brookline police chief in collaboration with the Board of Selectmen.
Included in the new policies is a two-part statement from the Board of Selectmen that states the town is not implementing policies and procedures that would limit or prohibit town officials from sharing or communicating information with a federal, state or local government department body.
The statement was a point of concern for some members of the public who spoke at a public hearing April 18. Those speakers worried that the statement was not forceful enough in coming out against the new administration’s stance on immigration enforcement.
According to the board, the statement would serve as written proof that the town was not encouraging officials to violate federal law while also protecting the town and police department from becoming immigration enforcement officers.
“It serves as a protection for the municipalities, saying that we’re not trying to violate federal law,” Selectman Nancy Daly said.
Greene described the statement as “magic language” that would help Brookline should it come under pressure from the Trump administration as a “sanctuary” town.
“We’re not going to comply with the ICE detainers and we have the right to refuse them because they’re administrative requests,” Green said.
According to Greene this recent batch of policies is not the final step for Brookline in developing an immigration enforcement policy, but is one of several still to come.
A Brookline man is working – step by step – to help former substance abusers run a new course with the Boston Bulldogs Running Club.
Clinical social worker Mike Ferullo used to lead a running group at the Pine Street Inn, a Boston detox facility, for those in recovery every Saturday. He would bring his dog Rocky over to join, and called the group the Bulldogs. He enjoyed watching the patients use running as a tool toward recovery, but he was convinced he could expand from just a small running group for addicts to something more.
Now, every Thursday and Saturday the Boston Bulldogs running club meets him and his 8-year-old bulldog, named Gus, who he pushes around in a baby carriage for the weekly runs at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The club is for anyone touched by addiction – recovering addicts, as well as their families, friends and supporters – or anyone who even feels sympathetic to the cause, he said.
“What I’m trying to do is promote people taking care of themselves and then getting and giving them the support that they need. There’s not enough talk about people helping themselves by putting effort into their recovery. But I’m really trying to promote wellness,” said Ferullo.
In his position as a social worker, he said he’s seeing the effects of the drug epidemic.
“I’m seeing more people dying … I’m seeing younger people getting more involved in opiate use,” he said. “It’s basically devastating people. It is real. It is in Brookline. It is everywhere.”
He acknowledged there are more efforts surrounding awareness, but the next step is wellness work.
Running and setting goals for himself as a runner helped him recover – some four decades ago.
“It’s a new way of life when you get into recovery because you can’t go back to your old friends. Running gives a sense of community and friendship,” he said.
In other words, it is more than a running club.
The nonprofit boasts the CEO of Bournewood Hospital, a local addiction treatment facility, on its board. Bournewood hosts wellness seminars and sponsors, he said.
“But it’s so much more. It’s a therapeutic organization. We’re really trying to help people get back on their feet and move forward in their life,” he said.
This idea of promoting wellness through community is the crux of the Boston Bulldogs’ mission. Ferullo said there is a certain level of anonymity when the runners meet every Thursday and Saturday, but they are bound by their desire to stay healthy.
Ferullo started the club in 2015, and held a 5K Run for Recovery on May 22, 2017 last year in memory of those who have lost their lives to addiction. More than 400 people showed up to run the race, he said.
The second annual Boston Bulldogs Run for Recovery 5K at Franklin Park will be held Sunday, May 7, 2017.
Ferullo calls the run a tribute to those who are battling or have lost their lives to addiction, and the family and friends who love them.
The club meets twice a week, once on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and again on Saturday at 9:00 a.m., at the Cleveland Circle Starbucks before heading out to loop around the reservoir.
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Brookline Police said they have a suspect in custody after they attempted to rob a bank on Harvard Street. Police said just after 1:00 p.m. this afternoon a silent alarm system indicated that there might be a robbery. When officers arrived to check it out, the suspect, a young man – a juvenile – was still there, according to Police.
Between January and April 2, 2017, Brookline Police have seen an overall increase of 8 percent from last year, according to their data.
No murders were reported, but there were three instances of rape, three reports of robbery, 34 reports of assault 17 reports of burglary, 127 reports of larceny and two car thefts reported. Data said the total number of crime reported was 186, up from 172 during the same period of 2016.
The studios of the Brookline Interactive Group, BIG, filled with coders, artists, programmers and storytellers on Earth Day weekend for its first ever “eco hack” – an event that not only taught participants new skills, but that could make its way to the United Nations.
The three-day event offered coders, artists and the like the opportunity to explore virtual reality, VR, augmented reality, AR, and 360 video, in a collaborative environment. Divided into teams, the participants were challenged to create a virtual experience that would educate users about the environment and climate change.
According to BIG Executive Director Kathy Bisbee, VR, AR and 360 video are all the latest iterations of storytelling.
BIG developed the idea for the eco hack after recognizing the need for creators to gain experience creating VR, AR and 360 video programs.
“There’s a need for creators to have a space where they can collaborate with each other where they can learn new skills,” said Bisbee.
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The hackers were given three days to work in teams to develop an idea and create the coding and design to bring it to life. The dedicated group of 32 members worked long hours. According to Bisbee the hackers worked as late as 1:00 a.m. one evening and promptly showed up the next day at 8:00 a.m. to resume work.
Though exhausting, the experience was well worth it, according to hacker Stephanie Houten. A former BIG intern and a junior at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Houten joined the event to learn more about VR.
At the end of the event, Bisbee said that many of the hackers told her they learned not just new coding, design and storytelling skills, but that they also built their project management and communication skills.
At the end of the event judges voted on the best VR and AR projects.
The winner of the best AR program had viewers make decisions including whether or not to ride a bike, walk or drive a car in an effort to help users learn about their carbon footprint. With every good choice made in the program, the environment would become clear and sunny, but with every bad choice it would become smoggier and the sea levels would rise.
The best VR project, which Houten worked on, played out in a similar way, by having users sort items in a room and determine what they could recycle and what they could compost.
Another project allowed viewers to dive into the oceans depths to witness the bleaching of coral reefs.
After learning about BIG’s plans for the eco hack, the United Nations contacted Bisbee to see if the hackers would be interesting in submitting their projects to the UN Environment Conference for use at the conference in Nairobi, Kenya in December.
Bisbee and the hackers jumped at the chance.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity,” she said.
Though the hack is over, all participants have until May 8 to finish their projects before sending them to the UN.
“It was really cool to hear that they were interested,” said Houten.
A major goal of BIG, is to not only educate people about the latest forms of storytelling, but to make sure that all programs are available to everyone.
“Our role as a media center is how do we make it more inclusive, how do we make sure people are trained?” said Bisbee.
The range of ethnic and gender diversity represented in the ecohack participants was an encouraging surprise for Bisbee and the BIG team. According to Bisbee, of the 32 total participants, around half were women – an unusually high number.
Houten said she believes that the level of diversity is not only what helped her team to win, but benefitted everyone involved by creating an inclusive atmosphere.
“It really added something to our group,” Houten said.
With technology still a mostly male-dominated field, VR and AR are attracting more women because they are more empathetic, intuitive and experienced-based, according to Bisbee.
“It’s important to support all women of all ages, of all backgrounds,” said Bisbee.
This is a trend Bisbee hopes to encourage through access not just to BIG’s resources, but also to mentors.
The ability to get hands on learning experience with VR and work alongside mentors is what made the eco hack a valuable experience for Houten.
“They’re really awesome and they’re really generous with their resources and I think that’s why a lot of people were able to come,” Houten said of BIG.
In addition to heading to the UN, Bisbee said that BIG had been invited to take the eco hack on the road across the country. While conversations are still ongoing, Bisbee said that BIG does plan to host the eco hack again next year around Earth Day week.
The nearly one-acre estate at 64 Dudley Street in Brookline has been on and off the sales market since April 2011, when it was originally listed for $5,000,000.
It is back on the block now through Jacob Realty for $4,995,000. (It was also listed for rent for $18,000 a month in December, January, and February; though it’s not clear if there were any takers there, either.)
The estate features a 9,582-square-foot Georgian revival with the potential for six bedrooms. There are five and a half bathrooms; and flourishes such as an indoor pool with a retractable roof and tennis courts.
The estate has some Hollywood cachet, too: It was where Christian Bale meets Amy Adams in the movie American Hustle.
Will all that be enough to move 64 Dudley this go-round? Stay tuned.
Brookline residents had the chance to concoct chemical-free home cleaning products as part of a Brookline 2017 National Public Health Week event: “It’s Easy Being Green at Home,” held at the town’s main library.
Using ingredients such as baking soda, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and essential oils, attendees followed recipes to make chemical-free cleaning items and went home with samples. Participants also learned about chemicals present in cosmetics and were taught how to read makeup labels. The event, held on Tuesday of National Public Health Week, was one of many public health programs offered in Brookline. Other events included:
A movie on April 3, 2017. Brookline and an adjacent community, Newton, held a free showing of the movie, “Contagion.” A Q&A session with a local physician followed.
“TB: A New Look at an Old Problem” on April 4, 2017. Dr. Kelly Holland, a family physician at Lynn Community Health Center; and Patricia Iyer, a registered nurse with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health TB Control and Prevention Program, presented an overview of TB in the world today, including how TB cases are handled in the U.S. and new programs to prevent latent cases of TB converting to active.
“Health Implications of Fracked Gas” on April 6, 2017. A local physician was the speaker at this talk, arranged by the Brookline chapter of Mothers Out Front, a group mobilizing for a livable climate. The group is active in California, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio and Virginia and has plans to expand.
Brookline Rabies and Microchip Clinic for Pets on April 9, 2017. It was raining when more than 50 pets and their owners showed up at town hall for this clinic which offers rabies vaccines and microchip installations for a small fee.
