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Boston Lesbian Health Event

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Brookline.com
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Boston OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing For Change) will be meeting on Sunday April 2, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to talk about age, health & the art of noticing. Guest speakers will include Elizabeth Kass, MD, an internal medicine & women’s health specialist at Fenway Health & one of Boston OLOC’s favorite speakers & Chloe Karl, a Licensed Occupational Therapist who uses alternative modalities in promoting women’s health.

Alice Fisher, Founding Member of OLOC-Boston stated, “No question, aging is accompanied by health issues. One key to good health is prevention & the other noticing signs that can alert you to problems. Bring your questions on April 2nd and join Liz Kass MD of Fenway health & Chloe Karl, Licensed Occupational Therapist for another Boston OLOC Sunday afternoon.”

Liz will be discussing normal aging, signs of heart attack, cognitive changes & how to notice signs that can alert you to what is outside of normal. Chloe takes a more preventative approach to aging using nutrition, herbs, movement, essential oils & cold laser therapy to treat such health concerns as incontinence, joint pain, exhaustion & vision fatigue.

The event takes place at Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester Street in Brookline, MA. Following the event there will be an early dinner at Sichuan Garden, 295 Washington Street in Brookline Village, Brookline.

 

BHS Advances To Quarterfinals

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Brookline.com
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Brookline High School has moved on to the quarterfinal round to compete against Lexington High School on WGBH’s “High School Quiz Show.” Brookline defeated Needham High School in the first round on February 11, 2017 with a final score of 435-415 after a tie-breaker round.

The episode will air at 6:00 p.m. April 1, 2017 on WGBH 2.

“High School Quiz Show” is a seeded, single-elimination tournament is produced and broadcast by WGBH and hosted by Billy Costa. Sixteen teams of Massachusetts high school students advanced from a pool of more than 110 schools to compete in the televised academic tournament. The 16 schools competing on “High School Quiz Show” earned the highest scores on an identical oral quiz at WGBH’s “Super Sunday” qualifying event at WGBH studios in Brighton. The season eight field includes four past champions and two schools making their first appearance in the tournament.

The other matchups include Hingham High School vs. Somerville High School, on April 8; Chelmsford High School vs. Newton North High School, on April 15, 2017; and Advanced Math and Science Academy vs. Thayer Academy, on April 22, 2017.

For information, please visit here.

 

MAB Community Services Receives Grant

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Brookline.com
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Fallon Health, a nationally recognized nonprofit health care services organization, announced that it awarded $100,000 in grants funding to 10 nonprofit, community-based programs across Massachusetts, including MAB Community Services in Brookline.

MAB Community Services received a grant of $7,500 to fund Vision Rehabilitation for Older Adults, medical, training and counseling services that help seniors navigate their health and safety despite vision loss.

Through its Community Benefits Grants program, Fallon supports like-minded organizations which share its mission of making our communities healthy. The company has distributed more than $1.2 million in Community Benefits Grants in the last 10 years. During that same period the number of grant requests annually has increased more than 400 percent.

Fallon determines its funding priorities every three years following a complete Community Health Needs Assessment of its service area. The 2016 funding priorities focus on programs that: promote opportunities for “at-risk”/”proven risk” youth and young adults ages of 12-21; address preventive health and social services for seniors; and provide services to support individuals with behavioral and/or mental health issues with specific emphasis on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable group by their ethnicity, age, demographics and risk-factors.

For information, please visit here.

 

 

MIT Museum

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Brookline.com
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Specialties

World renowned holograms, robots, sculptures, and a variety of interactive programs attract visitors to this dynamic, science and technology museum in the Central Square neighborhood near the Charles River. Unique programs and workshops are offered regularly – check the Museum Calendar online for the schedule. And do not forget to shop in the cool store offering the best science themed t-shirts around!

History

Established in 1971.

The MIT Museum’s original mandate was the collection and preservation of historical artifacts then scattered throughout MIT.

Today, visitors enter a newly renovated gallery, and are engaged with exhibits based on collections as well as current research at MIT.

 

MIT Museum
265 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139

Tel.: 617-253-5927
URL: web.mit.edu/museum


Hours:

Monday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

 

Brookline Police Department’s “Walk And Talk” Unit

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Brookline.com
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A few weeks back, in recognition of Women’s History Month, we introduced you to 1/3 of the Brookline Police Department’s “Walk and Talk” unit. We would now like to take a minute to allow you to get to know another 1/3 of the unit, Officer Lauren O’Connor. (“Officer Tim” does not meet the criteria to be featured this month, but for those of you waiting at home, do not worry, we will get him.)

Officer O’Connor was born and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts and graduated from Brookline High School in 2002. She was a three-season athlete, and was awarded Female Athlete of the Year in 2002 for the contributions she made to her volleyball, ice hockey, and softball teams. Officer O’Connor graduated from University of Massachusetts-Boston with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Criminal Justice with a concentration on juvenile justice. Like many of our officers, Officer O’Connor worked for the Brookline Recreation Department, both seasonally and full-time, before being hired by the Department in 2009.

Officer O’Connor attended the second the State Police Municipal Academy in New Braintree, MA and was the only female recruit in the class of almost 50 student officers. She credits her success in the academy to the fact that she grew up with an older and younger brother, close in age, both of whom are fire fighters with Brookline Fire Department. We would make a joke here about the fact that her brothers chose fire service over a career in law enforcement, and that they probably regret it, but we have learned through this project that firefighters can be VERY sensitive.

Officer O’Connor is very proud of her family, and with good reason. Her father recently retired from Brookline Fire Department after 35 years of service. Her mother, whom she describes as “the rock of the family”, has always given back to the community through her work with youth sports, various PTO positions, and now as the Vice-Chair of the Brookline Parks and Recreation Commission. Public Service is in Officer O’Connor’s DNA, and she strives every day to make her family proud, and to keep the Town of Brookline an amazing place to live, work and raise a family. Lauren’s family, in addition to those mentioned, includes a rescue “puppy” named Bree, who still keeps her on her toes after seven years together.

Officer O’Connor spent seven years in the Patrol Division before being assigned to the “Walk and Talk” unit within the Community Service Division. This unit works specifically with the residents of Brookline Housing Authority properties, a role which O’Connor loves because it allows her to connect with “her” families, particularly the youth, during every shift. Officer O’Connor recently organized the first Youth Police Initiative all-female class hosted by the Department, and facilitates a weekly “Conversation with a Cop” session at Brookline High School every Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. in Room 147. For more information, you can reach her by emailing loconnor@brooklinema.gov.

 

Educators Officially Ratify Contract

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Brookline.com
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The Brookline Educators Union (BEU) voted overwhelmingly to approve a contract proposal on Monday afternoon, March 27, 2017. The vote, completed by handwritten ballots in the Roberts-Dubbs Auditorium, occurred after almost three years of negotiations between the BEU and the Brookline School Committee.

The contract will now officially take effect as it has already been approved by the School Community.

The meeting was attended by over several hundred BEU members, most of whom arrived to cast their votes and leave. Some stayed for a question and answer session about the proposal.

The new contract is backdated and will last until the end of the 2017-18 school year.

 

Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (BRKL) Moves Higher On Volume Spike

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Brookline.com
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Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (BRKL) traded on unusually high volume on March 27, 2017, as the stock gained 0.66% to close at $15.15. On the day, Brookline Bancorp, Inc. saw 422,088 shares trade hands on 3,579 trades. Considering that the stock averages only a daily volume of 253,532 shares a day over the last month, this represents a pretty significant bump in volume over the norm.

Generally speaking, when a stock experiences a sudden spike in trading volume, it may be seen as a bullish signal for investors. An increase in volume means more market awareness for the company, potentially setting up a more meaningful move in stock price. The added volume also provides a level of support and stability for price advances.

The stock has traded between $17.45 and $10.40 over the last 52-weeks, its 50-day SMA is now $15.66, and its 200-day SMA $13.45. Brookline Bancorp, Inc. has a P/B ratio of 1.54. It also has a P/E ratio of 20.6.

Brookline Bancorp, Inc. operates as a multi-bank holding company. Its offers commercial, business and retail banking services, including a full complement of cash management products, on-line banking services, consumer and residential loans.

Headquartered in Boston, MA, Brookline Bancorp, Inc. has 743 employees and is currently under the leadership of CEO Paul A. Perrault.

About Brookline Bancorp

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.

 

Man Who Ran Over State Trooper’s Foot Sunday Morning In Brookline Arrested

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Brookline.com
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State Police arrested a Boston man after he drove over a police officer’s boot early Sunday morning during a traffic stop.

State Police got a call just after 3:00 a.m. about a black Chevy Impala. The caller, someone who was driving by, said the driver and a passenger looked passed out while it was stopped along Route 9.

As police were on the way, they received another call about the same car now located near the corner of Newton and Grove streets, and similarly the two people inside looked like they were passed out.

Trooper Paul Conneely approached the car at that intersection and it took some time to get the attention of the driver, who as the callers reported, appeared to be passed out, according to police.

But when they came to, the driver fled the scene, in the process running over the side of the trooper’s boot, said State Police spokesperson Lt. Tom Ryan.

“There were no injuries sustained but he did run over the side of the trooper’s boot,” he said.

Conneely was able to catch up to the car near the corner of Newton and Goddard streets in Brookline.

And following a subsequent investigation placed the driver, Adrian Rivera, 29, of Boston under arrest for operating under the influence of liquor as well as assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and negligent operation of a car, said Ryan.

Rivera was held on $2,500 bail pending arraignment Monday in Brookline District Court.

It’s not the first time someone has almost injured a police officer attempting to make a getaway.

“I would say it happens more than we would care for it to,” said Ryan. “We have had similar situations in the past where troopers are attempting to engage with motorists and … occasionally do if they don’t want to interact with the police … have sped away from the area and caused injury to the police.”

 

The Passing Of Edmond Murphy

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Brookline.com
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Edmond Gerard Murphy, of Pocasset, passed away peacefully on Friday morning at the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich. He was the loving husband of Constance (Train) Murphy.

Born in Brookline, MA, son of the late Benjamin and Annie (Lally) Murphy. He was raised in Brookline, MA and resided in Wellesley, then Dover. A veteran of the United States Navy, he served during WWII and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. Mr. Murphy was a graduate of the Wentworth Institute of Technology, going on to work as a sales engineer in the machine tool industry. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed gardening, puttering around the house, and spending time with his grandchildren on Cape Cod.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Diane Murphy of Burlingame, CA; Mary Winters and her husband, Mark, of Burlington, MA; Janet Griffis and her husband, Stan, of Okemos, MI; Edmond Murphy, Jr., of St. Petersburg, FL; Susan Harvath and her husband, Brennan, of Farmington Hills, MI; and Barry Murphy of Chelsea, MA; brother, Benjamin Murphy of Duxbury, MA; grandfather of Maureen Winters, Meghan Winters, Michael Winters, Andrew (Samantha) Griffis, Ben Griffis, Will Griffis, Katherine Harvarth, Kelsey Harvath, and Jaycee Harvath; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Maureen (Russell) Murphy, siblings John, Francis “Pete”, Walter, Anne Murphy, and Lucretia “Bebe” Barrett.

His funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Pocasset. Internment at the Massachusetts National Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Boulevard, Bourne, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the McCarthy Care Center, 73 Service Road, Sandwich, MA, 02537.

If you are unable to attend services you can live stream the funeral here.

Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home
Tel.: 508-759-3511

 

Suffolk Freshman Dies In Startling Pike Crash

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Brookline.com
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A 19-year-old Chestnut Hill man died early Sunday morning when his vehicle somehow went airborne and struck the ceiling of a tunnel on the Mass. Pike, State Police said.

The victim was identified as Yao Cao. Police initially indicated he was a 20-year-old Brookline man, but later corrected that information.

Cao, of China, was a freshman at Suffolk University.

Police responded to a single-vehicle crash near Exit 22 on the Pike eastbound around 2:15 a.m.

A preliminary investigation indicates a 2013 Audi 8 somehow left the ground and struck the ceiling of the tunnel, ripping down wires and cables.

Cao was pronounced dead at the scene. A female passenger was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

 

Retailers Weighing Sales Tax Cut Ballot Question

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Brookline.com
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There may be a major tax cut competing with the significant tax increase that’s already being prepared for the 2018 ballot in Massachusetts.

Retailers have conducted polling and are encouraged by results suggesting Massachusetts residents are receptive to reducing the state sales tax, which was raised to 6.25 percent from 5 percent during a 2009 push led by House Speaker Robert DeLeo.

“At this point all options are open,” Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst told the News Service. “The board will be considering options come May at our spring board meeting and we’re looking at what we can do.”

In 2010, the same year Massachusetts voters narrowly agreed to repeal a new sales tax on alcohol, voters rejected a ballot question – 57 percent to 43 percent – that would have pushed the overall sales tax rate down to 3 percent.

But the dynamics are different now.

Amid a prolonged economic recovery, Democrats on Beacon Hill are leading the push for a 2018 ballot vote on a constitutional amendment imposing a 4 percent surtax on household income above $1 million. The retail sector is exploring the possibility of adding a sales tax cut to the mix on next year’s ballot, which also includes elections for governor and U.S. Senate and could feature an initiative petition boosting the state’s minimum wage.

A poll conducted for the retailers association in November by Princeton Research Associates reminded respondents that the so-called millionaire’s tax may be headed for next year’s ballot. Seventy-nine percent of those respondents said they support reducing the sales tax to about 4 percent or 4.5 percent to make the tax system fairer and to support local retailers. In the poll, 66 percent said they believe the “proper sales tax range” for Massachusetts would between 4 percent and 4.5 percent.

Retailers feel public policy is stacked against them as the volume of sales transacted online, and largely tax-free, has soared in recent years, pulling buyers away from stores that have traditionally served as community anchors.

At the same time, brick-and-mortar retailers, after being hit with the 25 percent sales tax hike in 2009, have had to battle annually to secure even a two-day reprieve from the sales tax, a tax holiday that the Legislature decided not to grant last summer. And long-running efforts to enable states to collect sales taxes on out-of-state purchases have failed to date, with no breakthrough on that front in the foreseeable future.
“There’s just a lot of frustration,” Hurst said. “We’ve been talking about this for two decades.”

The income surtax could generate up to $2 billion a year in new revenue. The sales tax, the state’s second largest source of tax revenue behind the income tax, produced just over $6 billion in revenue for the state during fiscal 2016, the last full fiscal year. Fiscal 2016 income tax collections were $14.4 billion. Total tax collections for fiscal 2016 were $25.3 billion.

Karyn Polito, now the lieutenant governor but back then a state rep running for treasurer, said in 2010 that she would vote for the measure reducing the sales tax to 3 percent, while Republican candidate for governor Charlie Baker in 2010 suggested Question 3 went “too far.”

At the time, Polito said, “Beacon Hill, the way it operates, unless the people send a message saying that higher taxes is not acceptable they’ll never lower the tax. So Question 3, if it passes the Legislature can come in and get that sales tax back to 5 percent where it should be.”

Before dropping his call for broad-based tax cuts during his winning 2014 campaign, Baker in his 2010 run supported reducing the income and sales tax rates to 5 percent. During his 2014 campaign, Baker declined to take a no-new-taxes pledge but called his opponent’s’ refusal to rule out tax hikes and the idea of a graduated income tax “unimaginative and bad economic policies that will hurt Massachusetts families at a time when they can least afford it.”

Opponents of the income surtax proposal claim its passage would lead to further tax increases through a graduated income tax structure under which tax rates rise in lockstep with income levels. Republican lawmakers denounced the proposed income surtax last session, but were easily outvoted by Democrats who sent the measure on to the 2017-2018 session where a second favorable vote would ensure a ballot spot in 2018 for the constitutional amendment.

Initiative petitions, such as measures contemplated to reduce the sales tax or raise the minimum wage, require 10 voters to sign and submit language to the attorney general’s office by August 2, 2017. The attorney general would need to determine by September 6 whether proposals are eligible for the ballot. Once it is determined that questions are eligible, campaigns must then embark on long signature-gathering efforts required to ensure ballot access.

A sales tax cut was briefly on Beacon Hill’s radar in 2013 when former Gov. Deval Patrick proposed reducing the sales tax rate to 4.5 percent and repealing the exemption of candy and soda from the sales tax. Patrick included those proposals with a plan to raise the income tax rate to 6.25 percent, eliminate certain tax breaks, and boost the cigarette tax. On net, Patrick’s plan would have increased state revenues by $1.9 billion.

DeLeo and the Legislature opted for a plan that raised the gas tax 3 cents and tied it to inflation, increased tobacco taxes by $1 per pack and applied the sales tax to software services. Lawmakers revisited and repealed the software services tax and voters repealed the law indexing the gas tax to inflation.

 

What makes me sick to the stomack

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Brookline.com
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Looking To Hire Boston Fire Alarm Operators

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Brookline.com
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On Wednesday, March 29th, BFD Human Resources & Mass. Civil Service will be hosting an Information Session for anyone interested in taking the upcoming Fire Alarm Operator Exam. The Information Session is at 6pm at the Tobin Community Center in Roxbury.

Please see the image below for further information, and feel free to contact us with any questions.

 

Got Kids?

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If the answer is “yes” or even “I’m thinking about it,” then you will want to read up about these three female officers who are actively involved with our children in the Brookline Public Schools.

If you are just joining us, we have been celebrating National Women’s History Month by featuring many of the female members of the Brookline Police Department Team.

Officer Katherine (McDermott) McCabe

“Officer Katie,” as she is affectionately known to her students, has been a police officer in Brookline since 2001. She was born and raised in Brookline, attended the Heath School, Mount Alvernia High School and Pine Manor College. While working the overnight shift in the Patrol Division, Officer McCabe went back to school and earned her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England University. Her love of children, friendly disposition and excellent communication skills made her an easy choice for the D.A.R.E. Officer assignment in the Community Service Division in 2006. Officer McCabe has maintained her position in the schools despite the changes in the curriculum, which has grown from enlightening students on the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and narcotics to engaging children in educational discussions on healthy relationships, bullying and internet safety. When she’s not in the classroom, you can find Officer McCabe at Brookline Recreation R.A.F.T. dances, assisting the Department’s semi-annual Firearms training, or waving her arms at the intersection of Dean Road and Clinton Road before and after school.

Detective Julie (McDonnell) Keaveney*

*Forgive us if we are not ready to call her Detective Keaveney just yet- Detective McDonnell was married less than a month ago and we are suspicious of name changes around here.

Detective McDonnell joined the Department in 2005, two years after graduating from Assumption College and 6 years after graduating from Brookline High School. She holds a Masters degree in Criminal Justice from Curry College. She was assigned to the Patrol Division until 2012, when she was appointed to the Detective Division as the Domestic Violence/Juvenile Officer. Detective McDonnell investigates all crimes involving juveniles and makes herself available to members of the Department, as well as members of the public, for consultation on handling juvenile offenders and young persons with problems. She also investigates all incidents of domestic abuse as defined by M.G.L. c 209A abuse law as well as the majority of sexual assault cases handled by the Department. Whereas the majority of Detective McDonnell’s cases involve juveniles or sensitive information, you won’t see a lot of information about her work in the press, however, her personnel folder is packed to the brim with thank you letters from parents, commendations from Chief O’Leary and letters of praise from the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. In 2015 Detective McDonnell received an award from United States Attorney’s Office District of Massachusetts for her work on U.S. v. Miriam Kizzie and Anthony Pledger.

Officer Kaitlin (Kirby) Conneely

Officer Conneely came to us in 2006 and has spent her 10+ years in the Patrol Division. Officer Conneely is currently assigned to the day shift in “Sector 5/6” which means that if a call comes in for Brookline High School, Runkle Elementary School, Heath School or Maimonides School, Officer Conneely will likely be the first one to respond. Officer Conneely is a certified R.A.D. instructor and a valued member of the Department’s Crisis Intervention Team. One of her favorite parts of her current assignment is the fixed post at Brookline High School, where she is able to greet students each morning and make herself available to those who need a little extra help.

 

Statewide Grand Jury Indicted “Supa Mario” For Sex Trafficking In Brookline

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Brookline.com
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A Boston man has been indicted on charges of human trafficking, rape and witness intimidation in connection with supplying multiple women with drugs and trafficking them for commercial sex in communities across the state, including Brookline Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

A Statewide Grand Jury indicted Hendricks Mario Berdet (aka “Capo,” aka “Supa Capo,” aka “Supa Mario”), 31, on charges of Trafficking in Persons for Sexual Servitude, Rape, Deriving Support from Prostitution, and Intimidation of a Witness.

“Ending the sexual exploitation of human beings is one of my office’s highest priorities,” said Healey. “In the midst of a deadly and widespread opioid epidemic, we continue to find individuals preying upon those struggling with addiction.”

Berdet was originally arrested on February 14, 2017 in Medford by Boston Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Human Trafficking Division, with assistance from Medford Police and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

The AG’s Office began an investigation in November 2016 along with the Boston Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit and HSI after the matter was referred by department.

The investigation revealed that Berdet allegedly supplied multiple women with drugs, including heroin and cocaine, in exchange for engaging in commercial sexual activity for his personal profit.

 

State Board Of Administration Of Florida Retirement System Holds Stake In Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (BRKL)

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Brookline.com
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State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System continued to hold its position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 64,340 shares of the company’s stock at the end of the fourth quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System’s holdings in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. were worth $1,055,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of BRKL. Bessemer Group, Inc. increased its position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. by 48.9% in the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group, Inc. now owns 96,500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,583,000 after buying an additional 31,700 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group, Ltd. bought a new position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,849,000. Whalerock Point Partners, LLC bought a new position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. during the third quarter valued at about $4,761,000. Moors & Cabot, Inc. increased its position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. by 0.8% in the third quarter. Moors & Cabot, Inc. now owns 78,872 shares of the company’s stock valued at $956,000 after buying an additional 625 shares during the period. Finally, Hartford Investment Management Co. increased its position in Brookline Bancorp, Inc. by 5.7% in the third quarter. Hartford Investment Management Co. now owns 14,800 shares of the company’s stock valued at $180,000 after buying an additional 800 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.36% of the company’s stock.

Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL) opened at 14.80 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $15.64 and its 200 day moving average is $14.57. Brookline Bancorp, Inc. has a 12-month low of $10.40 and a 12-month high of $17.45. The firm has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.00 and a beta of 0.88.

Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 25th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.19. Brookline Bancorp had a return on equity of 7.53% and a net margin of 19.97%. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.19 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Brookline Bancorp, Inc. will post $0.82 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 10th were given a $0.09 dividend. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.43%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 8th. Brookline Bancorp, Inc.’s dividend payout ratio is currently 48.65%.

Separately, Compass Point upgraded shares of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 26th.

About Brookline Bancorp

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.

 

Ten Thousand Villages To Close Two Local Stores

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Brookline.com
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A singing bowl from Nepal sold at Ten Thousand Villages.

Fair trade retailer Ten Thousand Villages will close two Massachusetts locations, in Cambridge and Brookline, for good in the coming days. The closings come after more than 15 years of selling handcrafted home decor and jewelry.

Ten Thousand Villages is a global network that allows artisans in 31 developing countries the opportunity to sell their work at more than 50 retail stores across the US. The Cambridge store, located in Central Square, is scheduled to close this Saturday; the Brookline store in Coolidge Corner will close the following week.

The closing of the two Massachusetts locations, as well as 10 other Ten Thousand Villages locations in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and South, is due to a difficult retail environment, said Becca Stamp, market communications manager for Ten Thousand Villages.

“As a nonprofit organization, we need to make sure Ten Thousand Villages can be sustainable in the long term,” she said.

Stamp added that closing stores is an extremely difficult decision, especially because of how tight-knit the various store communities are. The Cambridge and Brookline locations were “an extension of our family,” she said.

Three other Ten Thousand Villages retail locations will remain in Massachusetts — in Boston, Northampton, and Lee.

“We encourage people who want to support the mission and love the products, and support fair trade to continue shopping at our other locations in Massachusetts and around the country.”

The announcements of both stores were shared on Facebook in February.

 

Baja Betty’s In Brookline Village Closes At The End Of The Month

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Brookline.com
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Baja Betty’s in Brookline Village shuts its doors for good on March 31, 2017, marking the end of 20 years in business doling out burritos. But the neighborhood will not be short of burritos for long: Boca Grande will take over the space at 3 Harvard Street and could open by June.

Baja Betty’s first opened in 1997, and owner Brett Albert built it into a neighborhood institution full of regular customers. He told the Tab that his customer base began declining when the New England Institute of Art stopped accepting new students in 2015. While Albert does not have a set plan, he is reportedly open to the idea of another restaurant.

Meanwhile, Boca Grande will once again have multiple restaurants: The Brookline Village location will join the existing East Cambridge restaurant. Boca Grande previously operated a handful of locations around Greater Boston, including one in Coolidge Corner.

 

Library Events: March 23-30

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Brookline.com
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Special programs

At Main, design a marble labyrinth and challenge your friends’ problem solving abilities Thursday, March 23, at 3:00 p.m. in the Rabbit Hole. For ages 6-8.

Fandom Tuesdays

Are you unironically enthusiastic about stuff? Do you LOVE stuff, like: jump-up-and-down-in-your-chair-can’t-control-yourself LOVE it? Then join us for our next two Fandom Tuesdays: March 21 in the Teen Room at Main, 4:00 p.m. We embrace all kinds of fandoms, from books to TV to movies to comics — anything YOU are excited about. We’ll chat about all things fandom: fanfiction, fanart, favorite creators and our inspirations. Sharing best episodes, playing games and snacks are all part of the fun.

Friends’ book sale

We have received some wonderful material – books and magazines — from America’s Test Kitchen, so all you chefs, do not miss out on these beautiful items at the Main Library Book Sale! Also, we have begun including more classical LPs in the supply on the first floor there, all in pristine condition — symphonic, concertos, chamber music, and solo instrumentals — great variety. The donation was substantial, so do keep checking to see what’s available. Finally, we have received an abundance of old books of differing quality and significance – some as old as mid-19th century, and authors such as Thomas Mann, John O’Hara, and Sinclair Lewis! Do check out these various groups — $1, $2 and $3 selections can be found on both floors at Main. One request: please return books to the shelves where you found them — our pricing often depends on location! Thanks, and be in touch: friendsofbrooklinelibrary@gmail.com, or BrooklineLibFriends @BrooklineFlib.

English conversation groups

The Friends of the Brookline Public Library sponsors free English conversation groups. These groups are for adults who speak English as a Second Language and are led by native English speakers. We focus on practical, everyday topics. If you are a non-native English speaker who wants to have fun and meet people from all over the world while practicing your spoken English, then this is the place for you. No need to register or sign-up. Just show up. These groups meet at the Main Library, Tuesdays, from 7-8:30 p.m. and at the Coolidge Corner and Putterham Branch Libraries, on Thursdays, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. (Note: no children Tuesdays, please.)

Book displays

Look for these displays at Main: Self-made Women, Crafts-unusual and popular, Irish Diaspora, When in Rome…, Famous Chefs, Pet Love, Pi Day, and favorites of our Custodial staff.

Book discussion groups

MAIN: Monday, April 3, 7:00 p.m., “Don’t Let My Baby Do Rodeo” by Boris Fishman.
MAIN: Taste of Poetry, Thursday, April 6, noon, Common Threads.
Children’s Programs Late Winter 2017
All programs are drop-in unless noted. Come early to ensure a space. Special events and foreign language story times are posted on our website and on individual flyers.
MAIN: Mother Goose on the Loose, 13- to 23-month-olds, Two Sessions: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.* and 11:30 a.m., through April 12. *Tickets available at the Children’s Desk.
MAIN: Terrific Twos (and Threes!), Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., through April 11.
MAIN: Stories and Crafts, 2- to 3-year-olds, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., through April 13.
MAIN: Stories and Crafts, 3- to 5-year-olds, Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m., through April 12.
MAIN: Saturday Six to Eights, 2:30 p.m., through April 15.
MAIN: Friday Flicks, Fridays at 10:30 a.m., 2nd floor, ongoing, for all ages.
CC: Sing-along, music and movement for all ages, Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m., through April 11. Tickets are available in the program room.
CC: Come play with us, for infants up to one year, Mondays, 10:15 a.m., through April 10.
CC: PlaySpace, all ages, Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m., through April 11.
CC: Mother Goose for Ones and Twos, Two Sessions: Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., through April 12. Tickets are available in the program room.
CC: S.A.L.S.A. (Science, Art, Literature, Songs, Action), 3- to 5-year-olds, Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m., through April 12.
CC: Saturday Sing, Dance & Play for all ages, 11:00 a.m., March 25, and April 8.
PUTT: Lapsits for ages 3 and younger and their caregivers, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., through April 11.
PUTT: Step into Story Time for ages 3-5, Thursdays, 4:00 p.m., through April 13.

For hours and more information, please visit here.

 

Residents To Perform At Israel Folkdance Festival

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Brookline will be well represented by 26 participants at this year’s Israel Folkdance Festival of Boston.

Nine of the 23 performing groups have dancers from Brookline. Orlee Bracha, Maya Kushner and Alissa Rogozin are members of Kahol Lavan, a children’s dance group based in Brookline. Alissa will also perform with Ma’adanim, as will Josie Kamens.

Ori Levy will dance with Pninim, of Temple Emeth of South Brookline. Florence Liang will perform with Katzefet, a teen group. Kate Cutler, Hallie Gauch and Elena Rosenzweig will dance with Kesem, a dance group of the Rashi School. Laura Friedman, Isabelle Muncey and Jaclyn Solovey are dancers with Kesheroked, a Newton-based children’s group.

Eliora Ancowitz, Alanna Baker, Yakira Engelhart, Alma Kreiman-Leader, Hadas Leibowitz, Maya Nahmias, Rose Nahmias and Libby Sivan are members of Shemesh, a dance group of JCDS,Boston’s Jewish Community Day School.

Ruty Bakor, Anat Beck-Nachtigal, Lianne Gross, Nomie Turnbull and Amalia Safer will perform with Shiluv dance group, of Newton, which is presenting a “swing-hora,” a genre new to the Festival. Safer will also dance with Besamim dancers.

In addition to performing on stage, Gross, Safer and Turnbull are leaders of children’s groups which will also be performing at the Israel Folkdance Festival of Boston. Brookline residents Susan Gruber and Ira Vishner are members of the Israel Folkdance Festival Coordinating Committee, which meets throughout the year to plan this annual event.
The Israel Folkdance Festival of Boston brings together dancers from throughout the U.S. and Canada. Since its inception in 1977, the festival has sought to promote Israeli folk dancing in Boston and to provide dancers with the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas. This year’s performance marks 41 years of the Israel Folkdance Festival of Boston celebrating Jewish and Israeli dance in all its forms.

This year’s performance of the Israel Folkdance Festival of Boston will take place at 3 p.m. March 26 at MIT’s Kresge Auditorium in Cambridge. The festival will feature a range of Israeli dance styles. Cost: $17; $20 at the door. Group discounts are available in advance. Rush tickets are $5 for college students with an ID on the day of the festival, as available.

For information or tickets, please visit here.

 

Brookline Residents Plan Aspire Gala

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Terry and Tom Hamilton
Terry and Tom Hamilton

The work of Brookline residents Terry and Tom Hamilton will culminate on March 30, 2017, as MassGeneral Hospital for Children celebrates its 17th annual Aspire Spring Gala and aims to raise more than $2 million to support Aspire, the hospital’s therapeutically based program of the Lurie Center for Autism.

Aspire helps children, teens and adults with high cognitive autism spectrum disorder or a related social profile develop the skills necessary to live full, independent lives.

The 2017 Aspire Spring Gala Committee includes Stephanie and David Long, Timothy Sweeney, Terry and Tom Hamilton, Kerridan and Michael Crowe, Ann Marie and Daniel Gross, and Kim and Eric Karofsky. Together, this group has worked toward shining a light on how Aspire helps many who fall on the autism spectrum pursue careers and lead full lives.

About 800 guests are expected to attend the cocktail reception at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston that will feature live music from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy Performance Troupe and a luxury key game offering one-of-a-kind prize packages that include tickets to “Hamilton” on Broadway and a meet-and-greet with the cast, and tickets to U2 and Coldplay at Gillette Stadium later this year.

This year’s theme, “Dear Aspire,” highlights letters written by Aspire participants, parents, staff and internship hosts about the impact the program has had on their lives. Boston-based Rafanelli Events will bring the theme to life with large-scale pencil displays and a coloring wall.

Aspire programs include a college mentorship group and a young adult internship program. The program also supports more than 17 area school districts and conducts educational workshops that train more than 1,000 professionals and parents each year on meeting the complex needs of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder.

For information, please visit here.

 

Brookline Student Addresses Youth In Government Conference

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Boston College High School Youth Senate President Carlos Tamayo, a senior from Brookline, led 21 BCHS students at the annual YMCA Youth in Government Conference this March at the Massachusetts Statehouse on Beacon Hill. Gov. Charlie Baker was the keynote speaker, and many state representatives and senators joined the students at the opening ceremonies.

Youth & Government is one of the YMCA’s oldest programs, established in 1936.

 

It Is Time To Order Your Rain Barrel

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Brookline.com
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The Town of Brookline has partnered with the Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer rain barrels to residents at a discounted rate. The deadline to order is April 19, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. (pickup date is Wednesday, April 26th from 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. at Skyline Park located on Newton Street, Chestnut Hill).

Rain barrels can be ordered online by visiting the Great American Rain Barrel website here.

 

Meet Brookline Police Officer Kerry Keaveney

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In celebration of National Women’s History Month, please take a moment to meet Brookline Police Officer Kerry Keaveney.

Officer Keaveney joined the Brookline Police Department last year, graduating from the most recent Lowell Police Academy Class. In the academy, she earned the Physical Fitness Award along with the award for Outstanding Student in Academic Achievement for her platoon. She is currently assigned to the Patrol Division on the Day Shift.

Officer Keaveney is a lifelong resident of the Town of Brookline and graduated from Brookline High School in 2009. She was elected captain of her varsity lacrosse team, junior varsity lacrosse team as well as her junior varsity soccer team.

Officer Keaveney holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Boston University. She spent many years working part-time for the Town as a Park Intern for the Police Department and as a Soccer Coordinator for the Brookline Recreation. After college, she spent a few years working in sales at Fidelity Investments and WGBH, ultimately deciding to make a career change.

Like her sister who also recently joined the department, Officer Keaveney was inspired by her father to become a police officer. He recently retired from the Brookline Police Department after 37 years.

Officer Keaveney loves spending time with her family, friends and boyfriend, a Firefighter with the Brookline Fire Department (a “friendly” rivalry)!

 

Soul Witness, The Brookline Holocaust Witness Project

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Soul Witness, a work in progress documentary film by R. Harvey Bravman returns to the Coolidge after its well-received sold out Movie House 1 screening earlier this year.

The documentary includes footage from approximately 80 hours of video interviews conducted by the Town of Brookline between 1990-1996 of residents who witnessed the Holocaust. Witnesses describe their lives before the war, growing intolerance, their lives during the war and the affect their experiences still had on them at the time of the interviews. Some of these witnesses survived death camps, some hid, others fought in resistance movements and many saved the lives of others.

The event will also feature:

•    Video tribute to Regime Barshak and Leon Satenstein, founders of the Brookline Holocaust Memorial Project.

•    Q&A sponsored by Facing History and Ourselves with Producer/Director R. Harvey Bravman, Brookline Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Lloyd Gellineau and family members of the witnesses featured in the film.

The documentary is intended for a general audience with an advisory for children under 13.

As with the January screening, the 7 p.m. April 19 special screening event will include a video tribute to Regina Barshak and Leon Satenstein. Following the film, Facing History and Ourselves will moderate a question and answer period with Bravman, Gellineau and family members of those who appear in the film.

The event is hosted by Brookline Hub, Inc. and principal sponsors for the event are The Town of Brookline, Facing History and Ourselves, the Brookline Community Foundation and the Coolidge Corner Theater. Over 40 local businesses, individuals and non-profits have so far stepped forward to help finally unearth these lost interviews.

The event is a not-for-profit venture. All contributions — personal and business sponsorships — are tax deductible.

Tickets are on sale now for the April 19 event.

 

Brookline Symphony – Excelling Conventionally

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Tiffany Chang
Tiffany Chang

Continuing its conductor search, the Brookline Symphony on Saturday presented a solid performance of orchestral favorites under the baton of candidate Tiffany Chang. Chang packs a lot of punch in her diminutive stature and leads the orchestra with a calm, confident demeanor, shaping phrases elegantly while maintaining a clear beat. Her credentials are impressive, including assistant professor of conducting at Berklee, acting director of orchestral activities and a lecturer in orchestral conducting at Boston University, and numerous prizes and honors. Her future looks bright. She appears at home on the podium, but does not exaggerate her gestures. Everything seemed appropriate and effective.

The program consisted of German Romantics: Otto Nicolai’s Overture to the Merry Wives of Windsor, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor with Abigail Karr, and Schuman’s Symphony No. 1, Spring.

Nicolai lived from 1810 to 1849 and wrote in an Italianate style. This Overture has strong hints of Rossini in its broad gestures and cheery sound. The Merry Wives of Windsor, from the last years of his life, is a singspiel based on Shakespeare about the lovelife of Falstaff, the great character in the Henry IV plays. Many composers have been inspired by him, with the most notable work being Verdi’s opera. In spite of its greater popularity, Nicolai’s piece lives on, with frequent performances in German-speaking countries. The Overture is a delightful work, a great opener. Chang allowed the violins to sneak in so subtly that it was almost a surprise to hear their music. Her gestures were similarly minimalist. The brief work passes through several moods, ending in a rollicking finale. The violins sparkled, and the whole orchestra did a fine job.

The Mendelssohn (1844) is so familiar that it is interesting to hear an interpretation that engenders new appreciation. The soloist was Abigail Karr, of New York, who studied with Sergiu Luca and is the founder and director of Gretchen’s Muse, a chamber ensemble dedicated to bringing music of the 18th century to life through exciting historically informed performances. Karr’s immersion in Mendelssohn is thorough, as she has just recorded the complete works for violin and piano on period instruments. While she performs on modern and Baroque instruments alike, her style speaks strongly to a HIP affinity. Her playing of this concerto was far from the often heavyhanded, thoroughly Romantic versions that prevail. The tone was almost silvery, with far less vibrato and a lightness of bow that revealed a different kind of understanding of the work. In all other aspects her performance was equally fine, technique solid, intonation sure, and phrasing elegant.

It was definitely not spring outside, but the Schumann (1841) had a great deal of spring in it. Brisk tempos revealed Mendelssohnian lightness in the Andante un poco maestoso – Allegro molto vivace. In the second movement Larghetto, the cellos sounded particularly rich in their solo passage. Also notable was the horn and flute transition back to the main theme in the Allegro animato e grazioso.

Overall orchestral intonation was not as solid as I have heard it, but balance and phrasing were excellent. The brass especially stood out. In a normal season, this would be a homerun of a concert. It’s debatable whether the program demonstrated the range of styles needed in a music director; while pleasant, each piece informing the others, it could not demonstrate a conductor’s handling of other periods. Ultimately, how a conductor interacts with the musicians and the board goes the longest way in determining who best fits the ensemble.

The Brookline Symphony continues to provide solid and impressive music-making in a town replete with musical riches. It will doubtless only improve after the new music director, whoever that is, takes hold and shapes the ensemble further.

 

Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (BRKL) Plunges 6.07%

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Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (BRKL) had a rough trading day for Tuesday March 21 as shares tumbled 6.07%, or a loss of $-0.95 per share, to close at $14.70. After opening the day at $15.70, shares of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. traded as high as $15.75 and as low as $14.70. Volume was 356,350 shares over 3,516 trades, against an average daily volume of 248,803 shares and a total float of 70.56 million.

As a result of the decline, Brookline Bancorp Inc. now has a market cap of $1.04 billion.

The stock has a P/E Ratio of 21.4.

In the last year, shares of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. have traded between a range of $17.45 and $10.40, and its 50-day SMA is currently $15.78 and 200-day SMA is $13.38.

For a complete fundamental analysis of Brookline Bancorp, Inc., check out Equities.com’s Stock Valuation Analysis report for BRKL.

 

All data provided by QuoteMedia and was accurate as of 4:30 p.m. ET.

About Brookline Bancorp

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.

 

2017 Brookline Bike Parade

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Event details:

21 May 11:30 – 13:00
Amory Playground
Freeman Street & Amory Street
Brookline, MA 02446

Cycle Beacon Street like never before, with no cars in your way. Ride the length of this historic avenue, east & west. The route is a 5-mile loop with Brookline Police leading the way.

For more information, please visit here.

Shors from last year’s event follow.

 

Brookline Bike Parade Volunteering Help Needed

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Help us get the word out on gas leaks and energy efficiency work by staffing Mothers Out Front‘s table in 1 hour chunks at the Brookline Bike Parade.

Please fill out our form online here.

 

MBTA’s Green Line Trolleys Could Be Totally Replaced

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Gov. Charlie Baker has repeatedly emphasized the need to focus on the MBTA’s nuts and bolts infrastructure problems, improving signal systems, track and third rail.

Yet, there are other larger capital questions bearing down on the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board.

On Monday, board member Steven Poftak told his colleagues the vehicle fleet plan under development will likely include “an almost full replacement of the Green Line” trolleys, and he said replacements are needed for 50 commuter rail locomotives and upwards of 200 commuter rail coaches in the coming years.

Work is already underway in Springfield toward a complete replacement of the Red and Orange line fleets, and Poftak forecast a “tremendous funding bulge” for vehicles in the early- to mid-2020s. He told the News Service, “There’s a lot of spending specifically on vehicles that piles up in those years.”

The control board, which assumed leadership of the T in 2015, will also face strategic questions about what type of vehicles to purchase for the commuter rail, how to address inner-city commuter rail capital needs, and whether changes to Green Line facilities might make future trolley purchases easier.

MBTA Control Board Chairman Joseph Aiello asked whether capital investments could be made to address “really tight turns” on the trolley tracks, thereby enabling the T to purchase trolley cars that are “more basic, as opposed to precious.”

“We order a lot of bespoke things in the system because it’s so old. And it would be nice to be able to order an off-the-shelf modern light rail vehicle that six other or seven other light rail systems use around the country because they would tend to be more reliable and cost-effective,” Aiello told the News Service.

Poftak said he anticipates a draft of the fleet plan will be presented to the control board in July, and Aiello said the plan “should be a very strong document in terms of providing guidance to financial, technical and operational people about what our investment needs are.”

Poftak, who has taken a lead role in addressing capital issues at the T, said decisions will need to be made about whether to continue purchasing diesel locomotives for the commuter rail, switch to electric or go hybrid.

“A commuter rail locomotive is a 25- to 30-year purchase. If we buy diesel locomotives, that is effectively making the decision that we will run a diesel system for the next 25 to 30 years,” Poftak said. “However, buying electric locomotives comes with a huge embedded fixed cost to electrify the system. If you want to split the difference and do a hybrid locomotive you’re talking about a 60 percent increase per vehicle in the list price.”

A similar question faces officials considering whether to purchase diesel multiple units or electric multiple units – a kind of cross between commuter rail and subway cars that could run on the Fairmount Line or other future inner-city routes.

“The industry is going to the electric multiple units,” Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said. She said, “I really don’t want the T to be the last purchaser of diesel multiple units by the time we get around to it.”

T officials are also looking to settle on one type of bus to simplify maintenance of the roughly 1,000-vehicle fleet. Poftak said there are now 11 different bus models on the T system.

“Eleven propulsion systems to me just makes no sense,” Pollack said. She said officials need to “tackle this longstanding historic tendency” of making purchases without adequate consideration for T operations.

MBTA Chief Operating Officer Jeff Gonneville in early 2016 suggested the T should completely replace its Green Line fleet at a cost of about $1 billion.

Poftak said he envisions the fleet plan will call for an order just short of that.

“It is our expectation that our vehicle plan will contain an almost full replacement of the Green Line,” Poftak said. He said, “That’s a procurement we need to get underway.”

 

Meet Brookline’s Woman Of The Year: Women & Girls Surviving & Thriving Initiative’s Misti Jaynes

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In celebration of National Women’s History Month, the Brookline Commission for Women is honored to announce that Misti Jaynes of the Women & Girls Surviving & Thriving Initiative has been named the 2017 Brookline Woman of the Year for her work to empower women and girls in Brookline.

Misti has lived in Brookline for 15 years and has been involved in many community activities. Most notably, Misti has been involved with the Women and Girls Thriving Initiative for the last three years. She became involved with this program during their needs assessment and community summits, and from there joined their leadership team. There, she met a great group of women who believe in encouraging leaders within the community of limited income women and girls and working together to build resilience, strength and confidence. Last year, she attended a Collective Impact Leadership Conference with Thriving where she learned how to bring people and organizations together to work towards a common need. Thriving since asked her to become their Community Liaison, and for the past year she has worked on gathering information and resources to share with the Brookline Housing Authority population of women and girls. Misti has also recruited women and girls from BHA for focus groups, workshop series, Community of Women dinners, and various Thriving activities, such as fitness, nutrition, cooking, arts and crafts. She works with women who live in public housing as an ongoing planning group for Thriving activities for women and girls.

As well as being part of Women and Girls Thriving program, Misti have been involved with Steps to Success for about 10 years. Steps to Success is a program that helps to enhance educational outcomes for students from low-income families in order to defeat the cycle of poverty. She is the head of the Parent Council and has been on the Steps Board of Directors for 3 ½ years. She has worked with the Principal and teachers of Lower Devotion and various educators, health providers, and organizations to bring information and resources to the BHA community. Misti has also joined forces with other community organizations such as City on a Hill Church, Brookline Police Department, the Commission for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations and the Outreach and Education Committee of the CDICR. She works to build a better community. Misti has been married for 18 years, has four children and lives in Brookline.

Misti will be honored at the BCW’s 25th Annual Women Who Inspire Us Awards ceremony on Thursday, March 23rd at 6:30 p.m. (refreshments at 6:00 p.m.), in Hunneman Hall at the Main Library, 361 Washington Street. Ten essay contest winners from the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade who wrote essays about women who inspire them will also be recognized at the event. Please join us for this wonderful community event!

Ceremony

The 25th Brookline Woman of the Year will be honored at the BCW’s 25th Annual Women Who Inspire Us Awards ceremony on Thursday, March 23rd at 6:30 p.m. at:

Hunneman Hall
Brookline Main Library
361 Washington Street
Brookline, MA 02445

The “A Women Who Inspires Me” Essay Contest winners from the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade will also be recognized at the event. Please join us for this wonderful community event!

 

Brookline Bancorp Fourth-Quarter Profit Almost Flat At $13.28M Compared With The Year Ago Period

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Brookline Bancorp (BRKL) has reported a marginal fall of 0.36 percent in profit for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. The company has earned $13.28 million, or $0.19 a share, compared with $13.33 million or $0.19 a share, a year ago.

Revenue during the quarter went down marginally by 1.01 percent to $54.07 million from $54.62 million in the previous year period. Net interest income for the quarter rose 3.55 percent over the prior year period to $51.85 million. Non-interest income for the quarter fell 10.44 percent over the last year period to $5.43 million.

Brookline Bancorp has made provision of $3.22 million for loan losses during the quarter, up 111.51 percent from $1.52 million in the same period last year.

Net interest margin contracted 14 basis points to 3.40 percent in the quarter from 3.54 percent in the last year period. Efficiency ratio for the quarter improved to 56.92 percent from 57.59 percent in the previous year period. A decline in efficiency ratio indicates a rise in profitability.

Paul Perrault, president and chief executive officer of the Company, stated: “We are very pleased to finish 2016 with over 5 percent year-to-year growth in earnings. We grew our loan balances by more than 8 percent and our demand deposits grew by 13 percent. Our asset quality remains stable and we continue to be well-capitalized. Looking towards 2017, the Company is solidly positioned to continue to grow and deliver consistent returns to our stockholders. I am grateful to all our employees who have demonstrated dedication and commitment in accomplishing these outstanding results.”

Liabilities outpace assets growth
Total assets stood at $6,438.13 million as on December 31, 2016, up 6.55 percent compared with $6,042.34 million on December 31, 2015. On the other hand, total liabilities stood at $5,735.38 million as on December 31, 2016, up 6.83 percent from $5,368.85 million on December 31, 2015.

Loans outpace deposit growth
Net loans stood at $5,345.20 million as on December 31, 2016, up 8.23 percent compared with $4,938.80 million on December 31, 2015. Deposits stood at $4,611.08 million as on December 31, 2016, up 7.08 percent compared with $4,306.02 million on Dec. 31, 2015.

Noninterest-bearing deposit liabilities were $900.47 million or 19.53 percent of total deposits on December 31, 2016, compared with $799.12 million or 18.56 percent of total deposits on December 31, 2015.

Investments stood at $610.75 million as on December 31, 2016, up 0.63 percent or $3.80 million from year-ago. Shareholders equity stood at $702.75 million as on December 31, 2016, up 4.35 percent or $29.26 million from year-ago.

Return on average assets moved down 6 basis points to 0.83 percent in the quarter from 0.89 percent in the last year period. At the same time, return on average equity decreased 40 basis points to 7.59 percent in the quarter from 7.99 percent in the last year period.

Nonperforming assets moved up 100.60 percent or $20.80 million to $41.48 million on December 31, 2016 from $20.68 million on December 31, 2015. Meanwhile, nonperforming assets to total assets was 0.64 percent in the quarter, up from 0.34 percent in the last year period.

Equity to assets ratio was 10.80 percent for the quarter, down from 11.05 percent for the previous year quarter. Book value per share was $9.88 for the quarter, up 3.89 percent or $0.37 compared to $9.51 for the same period last year.

About Brookline Bancorp

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.

 

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