MassVoter.com← BrooklineMunicipal votes · 2026–2027 Board
Brookline Select Board
How the Brookline Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide. Amanda Zimmerman and Anthony Buono joined the board after the May 2026 town election; John VanScoyoc and Paul Warren left. On May 12, 2026 the board elected David Pearlman as Chair and Michael Rubenstein as Vice Chair (each 5-0). Covers 14 meetings so far, May 12 to September 15, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetYour Brookline ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Vote Transparency Score
Brookline Select Board: 9 out of 10 · Open
How easy Brookline makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the town’s records, not any official. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Minutes postedMinutes are posted for nearly every meeting more than three months old.Full points: 2/2
- Each vote namedEvery vote is a roll call listing how each member voted.Full points: 3/3
- Posted quicklyMinutes go up within about three weeks.Full points: 2/2
- Past years onlineSelect Board minutes going back to 2005 are online.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textThe minutes are text you can search and copy.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe town’s website lists the members by name only, with no photos.No points: 0/1
How the town can raise its score
- Member photos (+1): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the town made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Board years
Coming up
No upcoming meeting is posted yet. Check the official calendar →
Under the state Open Meeting Law, boards post notice at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
Members
ChairDavid PearlmanChair · Elected townwide · at 14 of 14 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Vice-ChairMichael RubensteinVice Chair · Elected townwide · at 14 of 14 meetings
Anthony BuonoMember · Elected townwide · at 13 of 14 meetings
Bernard GreeneMember · Elected townwide · at 13 of 14 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Amanda ZimmermanMember · Elected townwide · at 14 of 14 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
30 full-board meetings so far this year, through September 15. Ties share a rank.
1David Pearlman30 of 30 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael Rubenstein30 of 30 meetings Every meeting100%1John VanScoyoc16 of 16 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%1Amanda Zimmerman14 of 14 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%5Bernard Greene29 of 30 meetings97%6Anthony Buono13 of 14 meetings · served from May93%7Paul Warren14 of 16 meetings · served until Apr88%38 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1David Pearlman38 of 38 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael Rubenstein24 of 24 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Michael Sandman14 of 14 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%4Bernard Greene37 of 38 meetings97%4Paul Warren37 of 38 meetings97%6John VanScoyoc35 of 38 meetings92%32 full-board meetings in 2024. Ties share a rank.
1Bernard Greene32 of 32 meetings Every meeting100%1Paul Warren32 of 32 meetings Every meeting100%1David Pearlman21 of 21 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%4Michael Sandman31 of 32 meetings97%5John VanScoyoc28 of 32 meetings88%6Miriam Aschkenasy8 of 11 meetings · served until Apr73%43 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Bernard Greene43 of 43 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael Sandman43 of 43 meetings Every meeting100%1John VanScoyoc43 of 43 meetings Every meeting100%1Paul Warren27 of 27 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Heather Hamilton4 of 4 meetings · served until Jan100%6Miriam Aschkenasy41 of 43 meetings95%49 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1Bernard Greene49 of 49 meetings Every meeting100%1John VanScoyoc49 of 49 meetings Every meeting100%1Michael Sandman32 of 32 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%4Miriam Aschkenasy48 of 49 meetings98%5Raul Fernandez16 of 17 meetings · served until Apr94%6Heather Hamilton45 of 49 meetings92%53 full-board meetings in 2021. Ties share a rank.
1John VanScoyoc53 of 53 meetings Every meeting100%1Nancy Heller18 of 18 meetings · served until Apr Every meeting100%3Heather Hamilton52 of 53 meetings98%4Miriam Aschkenasy34 of 35 meetings · served from May97%5Raul Fernandez51 of 53 meetings96%6Bernard Greene48 of 53 meetings91%56 full-board meetings in 2020. Ties share a rank.
1Bernard Greene56 of 56 meetings Every meeting100%1Nancy Heller56 of 56 meetings Every meeting100%1John VanScoyoc30 of 30 meetings · served from Jun Every meeting100%4Raul Fernandez55 of 56 meetings98%4Heather Hamilton55 of 56 meetings98%6Benjamin Franco25 of 26 meetings · served until Jun96%54 full-board meetings in 2019. Ties share a rank.
1Raul Fernandez32 of 32 meetings · served from May Every meeting100%1Neil Wishinsky22 of 22 meetings · served until May Every meeting100%3Bernard Greene53 of 54 meetings98%4Benjamin Franco52 of 54 meetings96%5Heather Hamilton51 of 54 meetings94%5Nancy Heller51 of 54 meetings94%51 full-board meetings in 2018. Ties share a rank.
1Nancy Heller51 of 51 meetings Every meeting100%1Neil Wishinsky51 of 51 meetings Every meeting100%3Benjamin Franco50 of 51 meetings98%3Heather Hamilton50 of 51 meetings98%5Bernard Greene49 of 51 meetings96%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Select Board minutes from January 2, 2018 through September 15, 2026, from the town’s CivicClerk meetings portal, which holds Select Board minutes back to 2005 (MassVoter has loaded 2018 on). The minutes are typed files with a text layer. Not here: meetings with an agenda but no minutes online, including December 18, 2018; several May and June 2019 sessions; January, March and September 2020 special sessions; July 26 and 28, 2021; January 23, March 19, April 2, 9, 16 and 17, May 21 and 29, June 11 and December 10, 2024 (for January 23, May 21 and December 10, 2024 the portal holds a copy of another meeting’s minutes instead); November 14 and December 23, 2025; and meetings after September 15, 2026. The Select Board Licensing Hearing Panel (one board member and town staff, whose recommendations go to the full board) is not included. Brookline’s minutes record almost every vote as a roll call naming each member (“Aye: … Against: … Abstained: …”), so we show each member’s vote as recorded. Members listed as absent for a vote are left out of it. Where a roll call names a member the minutes do not show as present, lists a member twice, names someone who is not a board member, or does not match the count written in the minutes, we show the count only (or the result only when no count is written) and add a note. A few votes have no roll call or count written down; we show those as passed or failed with no count. The minutes rarely say who made or seconded a motion, so no mover is shown. Votes taken by other boards at joint meetings (School Committee, Advisory Committee, Library Trustees) are not included. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Aug 11Support the Brookline Recreation Reciprocal Agreement for Facility UseMotion: On motion, it was, Voted 4-0-1 to support the Brookline Recreation…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Pearlman
August 11, 2026: Support the Brookline Recreation Reciprocal Agreement for Facility Use
On motion, it was, Voted 4-0-1 to support the Brookline Recreation Reciprocal Agreement for Facility Use.
Yes: Buono, Greene, Rubenstein, ZimmermanAbstained: Pearlman
From the minutes
“On motion, it was, Voted 4-0-1 to support the Brookline Recreation Reciprocal Agreement for Facility Use. Aye: Michael Rubenstein, Bernard Greene, Amanda Zimmerman, Anthony Buono Abstained: David Pearlman.”
Aug 11Appoint Robert Moran to the Naming Committer as an…Motion: On motion, it was, Voted to appoint Robert Moran to the…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Zimmerman
August 11, 2026: Appoint Robert Moran to the Naming Committer as an Alternate member for a three-year term
On motion, it was, Voted to appoint Robert Moran to the Naming Committer as an Alternate member for a three-year term.
Yes: Buono, Greene, Pearlman, RubensteinAbstained: Zimmerman
From the minutes
“On motion, it was, Voted to appoint Robert Moran to the Naming Committer as an Alternate member for a three-year term. Aye: David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein, Bernard Greene, Anthony Buono Abstained: Amanda Zimmerman.”
Jun 30Question of affirming the Audit Committee's recommendation of a…Motion: Question of affirming the Audit Committee's recommendation of a certified public…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Greene
June 30, 2026: Question of affirming the Audit Committee's recommendation of a certified public accounting firm to audit the Town
Question of affirming the Audit Committee's recommendation of a certified public accounting firm to audit the Town.
Yes: Buono, Pearlman, Rubenstein, ZimmermanAbstained: Greene
From the minutes
“6v. Question of affirming the Audit Committee's recommendation of a certified public accounting firm to audit the Town. Board member Greene, Audit Committee member, reviewed the Audit Committee's process in selecting a new public accounting firm. The two candidates were Clifton, Larson, Allen (CLA) and Rosselli, Clark & Associates. After review and careful consideration, the committee recommended Rosselli, Clark & Associates as the Town's next auditors. Approved Aye: David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein, Amanda Zimmerman, Anthony Buono Abstained: Bernard Greene.”
May 26Favorable action on the Advisory Committee's recommendation on Article…Motion: On motion, it was, Voted 3-0-2 Favorable action on the Advisory…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Greene, Zimmerman
May 26, 2026 (Special meeting): Favorable action on the Advisory Committee's recommendation on Article 8 which removes the Golf Course lighting portion
On motion, it was, Voted 3-0-2 Favorable action on the Advisory Committee's recommendation on Article 8 which removes the Golf Course lighting portion.
Yes: Buono, Pearlman, RubensteinAbstained: Greene, Zimmerman
From the minutes
“On motion, it was, Voted 3-0-2 Favorable action on the Advisory Committee's recommendation on Article 8 which removes the Golf Course lighting portion. Aye: David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein, Anthony Buono Abstained: Bernard Greene, Amanda Zimmerman.”
May 26Reconsider Article 12Motion: On motion, it was, Voted 4--0 to reconsider Article 12.Passed 4–0 · see note
May 26, 2026 (Special meeting): Reconsider Article 12
On motion, it was, Voted 4--0 to reconsider Article 12.
Yes: Greene, Pearlman, Rubenstein, ZimmermanAnthony Buono is listed as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“On motion, it was, Voted 4--0 to reconsider Article 12. Aye: David Pearlman, Bernard Greene, Michael Rubenstein, Amanda Zimmerman Absent: Anthony Buono.”
May 26Favorable Action on the revised Article 12 as incorporated…Motion: On motion, it was, Voted 4-0 Favorable Action on the revised…Passed 4–0 · see note
May 26, 2026 (Special meeting): Favorable Action on the revised Article 12 as incorporated in the supplement warrant materials
On motion, it was, Voted 4-0 Favorable Action on the revised Article 12 as incorporated in the supplement warrant materials.
Yes: Greene, Pearlman, Rubenstein, ZimmermanAnthony Buono is listed as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“On motion, it was, Voted 4-0 Favorable Action on the revised Article 12 as incorporated in the supplement warrant materials. Aye: David Pearlman, Bernard Greene, Michael Rubenstein, Amanda Zimmerman Absent: Anthony Buono.”
May 19Favorable Action on the Warren, Sandman, Kane, Fisher, Vogt…Motion: On motion, it was, Voted 4-0-1 Favorable Action on the Warren,…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Buono
May 19, 2026: Favorable Action on the Warren, Sandman, Kane, Fisher, Vogt amendment, and to adopt the Advisory Committee's vote on transferring $31,000 to the Reserve Fund
On motion, it was, Voted 4-0-1 Favorable Action on the Warren, Sandman, Kane, Fisher, Vogt amendment, and to adopt the Advisory Committee's vote on transferring $31,000 to the Reserve Fund.
Yes: Greene, Pearlman, Rubenstein, ZimmermanAbstained: Buono
From the minutes
“On motion, it was, Voted 4-0-1 Favorable Action on the Warren, Sandman, Kane, Fisher, Vogt amendment, and to adopt the Advisory Committee's vote on transferring $31,000 to the Reserve Fund. Aye: David Pearlman, Bernard Greene, Michael Rubenstein, Amanda Zimmerman Abstained: Anthony Buono.”
May 19Recommend Favorable Action on the revised Article to include…Motion: On motion, it was, Voted 3-0-2 to recommend Favorable Action on…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Buono, Pearlman
May 19, 2026: Recommend Favorable Action on the revised Article to include both the Select Board and the School Committee stipends
On motion, it was, Voted 3-0-2 to recommend Favorable Action on the revised Article to include both the Select Board and the School Committee stipends.
Yes: Greene, Rubenstein, ZimmermanAbstained: Buono, Pearlman
From the minutes
“On motion, it was, Voted 3-0-2 to recommend Favorable Action on the revised Article to include both the Select Board and the School Committee stipends. Aye: Bernard Greene, Michael Rubenstein, Amanda Zimmerman Abstained: David Pearlman, Anthony Buono.”
May 19Ask staff, led by the Town Administrator's discretion, to…Motion: On motion, it was, Voted to ask staff, led by the…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Buono
May 19, 2026: Ask staff, led by the Town Administrator's discretion, to formulate a modified policy to the current policy against fraudulent conduct
On motion, it was, Voted to ask staff, led by the Town Administrator's discretion, to formulate a modified policy to the current policy against fraudulent conduct.
Yes: Greene, Pearlman, Rubenstein, ZimmermanAbstained: Buono
From the minutes
“On motion, it was, Voted to ask staff, led by the Town Administrator's discretion, to formulate a modified policy to the current policy against fraudulent conduct. Aye: David Pearlman, Bernard Greene, Michael Rubenstein, Amanda Zimmerman Abstained: Anthony Buono.”
May 12Recommend Favorable Action on Article 8 amendment to approve…Motion: On motion, it was Voted 3-2 to recommend Favorable Action on…Passed 3–2 · No: Buono, Pearlman
May 12, 2026: Recommend Favorable Action on Article 8 amendment to approve the transfer request with a condition: any contracts related to the lighting project must be approved by both the Select Board…
On motion, it was Voted 3-2 to recommend Favorable Action on Article 8 amendment to approve the transfer request with a condition: any contracts related to the lighting project must be approved by both the Select Board and the Parks & Recreation Commission.
Yes: Greene, Rubenstein, ZimmermanNo: Buono, Pearlman
From the minutes
“On motion, it was Voted 3-2 to recommend Favorable Action on Article 8 amendment to approve the transfer request with a condition: any contracts related to the lighting project must be approved by both the Select Board and the Parks & Recreation Commission. Aye: Bernard Greene, Michael Rubenstein, Amanda Zimmerman, Against: David Pearlman, Anthony Buono.”
From the Brookline Select Board’s official minutes, posted on the town’s CivicClerk meetings portal. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Brookline.News (candidate profiles, 2024 and 2026) and the Michael Rubenstein for Brookline Select Board campaign website.
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