← Brookline Select Board

Brookline Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting

January 27, 2026

21 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.

Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda

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Attendance

Present: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein

Absent: None

Every vote, in order

Enter executive session

Minutes, page 1

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

On motion, it was, Voted to enter executive session.

From the minutes

“On motion, it was, Voted to enter executive session. Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Approve the meeting minutes from January 13, 2026

Minutes, page 3

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving the meeting minutes from January 13, 2026.

From the minutes

“7a. Question of approving the meeting minutes from January 13, 2026. Approved as amended Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Vote on the BWELL Public Health Stations that were presented last week

Minutes, page 3

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Vote on the BWELL Public Health Stations that were presented last week.

From the minutes

“7b. Vote on the BWELL Public Health Stations that were presented last week. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Resolution acknowledging Veteran's Services Director, William "Bill" McGroarty

Minutes, page 3

Adopt resolutionPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Resolution acknowledging Veteran's Services Director, William "Bill" McGroarty. Chair Greene read the Citation. CITATION Brookline Select Board The Brookline Select Board expressing its appreciation to William T. McGroarty for his exemplary service to Veterans and the Town of Brookline For Twenty-One Years as Veterans' Services Director WHEREAS the Brookline Select Board rightfully honors those Brookline employees, residents, and other individuals whose service, civic commitment, and leadership have been shining models of public service that have enriched the lives of residents and enhanced the civic life of our Town; and WHEREAS William T. "Bill" McGroarty has been a paradigm of those qualities for twenty-one years as the Brookline Veterans' Services Director; and WHEREAS Bill McGroarty served his country for twenty-six years prior to joining the Town of Brookline in the Army and the Army National Guard achieving the rank of Major in the Army Reserve; and WHEREAS Bill McGroarty's military service included deployment to Fulda, Germany on the border with East Germany as a border officer in November 1989, the historic period when the Berlin Wall fell and the border between East and West Germany was opened; and WHEREAS upon retiring from the military, Bill McGroarty began his public service as Veterans Outreach Coordinator for the Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training and later as Director of Veteran Services for the City of Gloucester, and beginning in 2005 as Veter

From the minutes

“7c. Resolution acknowledging Veteran's Services Director, William "Bill" McGroarty. Chair Greene read the Citation. CITATION Brookline Select Board The Brookline Select Board expressing its appreciation to William T. McGroarty for his exemplary service to Veterans and the Town of Brookline For Twenty-One Years as Veterans' Services Director WHEREAS the Brookline Select Board rightfully honors those Brookline employees, residents, and other individuals whose service, civic commitment, and leadership have been shining models of public service that have enriched the lives of residents and enhanced the civic life of our Town; and WHEREAS William T. "Bill" McGroarty has been a paradigm of those qualities for twenty-one years as the Brookline Veterans' Services Director; and WHEREAS Bill McGroarty served his country for twenty-six years prior to joining the Town of Brookline in the Army and the Army National Guard achieving the rank of Major in the Army Reserve; and WHEREAS Bill McGroarty's military service included deployment to Fulda, Germany on the border with East Germany as a border officer in November 1989, the historic period when the Berlin Wall fell and the border between East and West Germany was opened; and WHEREAS upon retiring from the military, Bill McGroarty began his public service as Veterans Outreach Coordinator for the Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training and later as Director of Veteran Services for the City of Gloucester, and beginning in 2005 as Veterans' Services Director for the Town of Brookline; and WHEREAS Bill McGroarty, as Veterans; Services Director, ran a comprehensive social services office for veterans and their dependents; and WHEREAS the invaluable services that Bill McGroarty provided to Brookline veterans and their dependents included assistance in filing for state benefits under Massachusetts G.L., Chapter 115 and federal benefits such as Veterans Administration medical care for service-connected or non-service-connected disabilities and compensation, as well as general assistance, to veterans readjusting to civilian life; and WHEREAS Bill McGroarty also provided assistance in obtaining (a) financial resources, such as Social Security benefits, emergency funds, and unemployment compensation, (b) social services such as counseling, educational benefits, job searches, housing, medical care referrals, and other social service needs of veterans or their dependents, and (c) other important support and assistance, such as help obtaining military records and assistance in obtaining burial allowances and widows' pensions; and WHEREAS Bill McGroarty continues to work closely with Brookline American Legion Post 11 and VFW Post 864 to support their outreach to veterans of all generations and multiple armed conflicts and to connect them to the services offered by the Veterans Affairs Office; and WHEREAS Bill McGroarty organized and led the highly appreciated Veterans Day and Memorial Day celebrations of the Town of Brookline; and WHEREAS Bill McGroarty supported the Town of Brookline in multiple ways in addition to serving as Director of Veterans Services, including acting as the Coordinator of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, serving as the Town's Measurer of Wood and Bark, and providing overall support and relevant advice in a supportive manner to Brookline veterans and other residents and to staff and leadership of Town Departments..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Approve the following thirteen (13) Change Orders with TRAC Builders, North Attleboro, MA, in the amount of $77,964.70 related to the Fire Stations 1 and 4 project: CO 1 - Cost to add a 2"...

Minutes, page 4

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving the following thirteen (13) Change Orders with TRAC Builders, North Attleboro, MA, in the amount of $77,964.70 related to the Fire Stations 1 and 4 project: CO 1 - Cost to add a 2" domestic copper water line. $25,616.01 CO 3 - Cost to repair cracks in concrete with carbon fiber reinforcement. $13,323.24 CO 4 - Cost to lower sanitary line to meet plumbing code. $7,245.00 CO 5 - Credit due to the elimination of the proposed floor drains. ($3,750.00) CO 6 - Cost to provide raceway and conductors for EUH-7 from panel PP1. $2,872.65 CO 7 - Cost to infill non-structural hole. $3,501.75 CO 8 - Cost to infill existing holes that were not quantified during the design phase. $6,500.00 CO 9 - Cost to add metal stud partition to bathroom. Includes GWB, finish, & cleaning. $1,733.48 CO 10 - Cost of labor required to remove leftover items from attic. $550.27 CO 11 - Cost to parge walls at 1st floor. $3,270.60 CO 12 - Cost to demo the ceiling at 2nd floor (bunk room). $3,926.10 CO 13 - Cost to repair meeting room ceiling. $920.00 CO 14 - Cost to repair concrete crack w/ epoxy. $5,241.60 CO 15 - Cost to substitute lockers in decontamination room. $4,788.00 CO 16 - Cost to repair existing misaligned pipe. $2,226.00 *Please note, there is no CO-2.

From the minutes

“7d. Question of approving the following thirteen (13) Change Orders with TRAC Builders, North Attleboro, MA, in the amount of $77,964.70 related to the Fire Stations 1 and 4 project: CO 1 - Cost to add a 2" domestic copper water line. $25,616.01 CO 3 - Cost to repair cracks in concrete with carbon fiber reinforcement. $13,323.24 CO 4 - Cost to lower sanitary line to meet plumbing code. $7,245.00 CO 5 - Credit due to the elimination of the proposed floor drains. ($3,750.00) CO 6 - Cost to provide raceway and conductors for EUH-7 from panel PP1. $2,872.65 CO 7 - Cost to infill non-structural hole. $3,501.75 CO 8 - Cost to infill existing holes that were not quantified during the design phase. $6,500.00 CO 9 - Cost to add metal stud partition to bathroom. Includes GWB, finish, & cleaning. $1,733.48 CO 10 - Cost of labor required to remove leftover items from attic. $550.27 CO 11 - Cost to parge walls at 1st floor. $3,270.60 CO 12 - Cost to demo the ceiling at 2nd floor (bunk room). $3,926.10 CO 13 - Cost to repair meeting room ceiling. $920.00 CO 14 - Cost to repair concrete crack w/ epoxy. $5,241.60 CO 15 - Cost to substitute lockers in decontamination room. $4,788.00 CO 16 - Cost to repair existing misaligned pipe. $2,226.00 *Please note, there is no CO-2. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Approve Amendment 4, with Cambridge Seven Associates, in the amount of $58,052.00 for additional services to design replacement windows and garage doors throughout Fire Station 4

Minutes, page 4

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving Amendment 4, with Cambridge Seven Associates, in the amount of $58,052.00 for additional services to design replacement windows and garage doors throughout Fire Station 4.

From the minutes

“7e. Question of approving Amendment 4, with Cambridge Seven Associates, in the amount of $58,052.00 for additional services to design replacement windows and garage doors throughout Fire Station 4. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Accept a $500.00 sponsorship from the Brookline Community Foundation for the Annual MLK Day Event held on January 19, 2026

Minutes, page 5

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Acceptance of a $500.00 sponsorship from the Brookline Community Foundation for the Annual MLK Day Event held on January 19, 2026. The sponsorship from the Brookline Community Foundation will be used for Performance Honorariums offered to our highly sought-after MA Poet Laureate for their time, commitment, and for helping to make the annual event what it is every year.

From the minutes

“7f. Acceptance of a $500.00 sponsorship from the Brookline Community Foundation for the Annual MLK Day Event held on January 19, 2026. The sponsorship from the Brookline Community Foundation will be used for Performance Honorariums offered to our highly sought-after MA Poet Laureate for their time, commitment, and for helping to make the annual event what it is every year. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Approve an Authorization to Hire request from the Interim Town Librarian: Library Assistant III - Putterham

Minutes, page 5

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving an Authorization to Hire request from the Interim Town Librarian: Library Assistant III - Putterham

From the minutes

“7g. Question of approving an Authorization to Hire request from the Interim Town Librarian: Library Assistant III - Putterham Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Approve the following promotions as recommended by the Chief of Police: For promotion from Sergeant to Lieutenant: Megan Keaveney Allen Gustie Joseph Amendola For Promotion from Officer to...

Minutes, page 5

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving the following promotions as recommended by the Chief of Police: For promotion from Sergeant to Lieutenant: Megan Keaveney Allen Gustie Joseph Amendola For Promotion from Officer to Sergeant: Nicholas Goon Daniel Avila Sean Williams

From the minutes

“7h. Question of approving the following promotions as recommended by the Chief of Police: For promotion from Sergeant to Lieutenant: Megan Keaveney Allen Gustie Joseph Amendola For Promotion from Officer to Sergeant: Nicholas Goon Daniel Avila Sean Williams Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Accept a donation from the Korean Church of Boston to the Brookline Fire Department in the amount of $500.00

Minutes, page 5

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of accepting a donation from the Korean Church of Boston to the Brookline Fire Department in the amount of $500.00.

From the minutes

“7i. Question of accepting a donation from the Korean Church of Boston to the Brookline Fire Department in the amount of $500.00. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Accept a donation from the Korean Church of Boston to the Brookline Police Department in the amount of $500.00

Minutes, page 5

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of accepting a donation from the Korean Church of Boston to the Brookline Police Department in the amount of $500.00.

From the minutes

“7j. Question of accepting a donation from the Korean Church of Boston to the Brookline Police Department in the amount of $500.00. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Request that the Select Board vote to accept a Municipal ADA Improvement Grant in the amount of $42,900 from the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) and authorize the Town Administrator to...

Minutes, page 5

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Request that the Select Board vote to accept a Municipal ADA Improvement Grant in the amount of $42,900 from the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) and authorize the Town Administrator to execute the grant agreement and any related documents on behalf of the Town for the improvement of sidewalk curb ramps and detectable warning panels.

From the minutes

“7k. Request that the Select Board vote to accept a Municipal ADA Improvement Grant in the amount of $42,900 from the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) and authorize the Town Administrator to execute the grant agreement and any related documents on behalf of the Town for the improvement of sidewalk curb ramps and detectable warning panels. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Approve an equipment lease with First American for a Vactor Displacement Sewer cleaner in the amount of $660,552.10, to be paid over 5 years

Minutes, page 5

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving an equipment lease with First American for a Vactor Displacement Sewer cleaner in the amount of $660,552.10, to be paid over 5 years.

From the minutes

“7l. Question of approving an equipment lease with First American for a Vactor Displacement Sewer cleaner in the amount of $660,552.10, to be paid over 5 years. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Accept a $150,000 Housing Choice Grant for Fisher Hill West Uses Study, and to authorize Town Administrator Carey to sign the contract

Minutes, page 6

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Acceptance of a $150,000 Housing Choice Grant for Fisher Hill West Uses Study, and to authorize Town Administrator Carey to sign the contract.

From the minutes

“7m. Acceptance of a $150,000 Housing Choice Grant for Fisher Hill West Uses Study, and to authorize Town Administrator Carey to sign the contract. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Approve an update to the Police Detail Policy (General Order 49), to reflect current detail practices, requested by the Chief of Police

Minutes, page 6

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving an update to the Police Detail Policy (General Order 49), to reflect current detail practices, requested by the Chief of Police.

From the minutes

“7o. Question of approving an update to the Police Detail Policy (General Order 49), to reflect current detail practices, requested by the Chief of Police. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Approve the petition of NStar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for permission to construct, and a location for underground conduit Washington Street northeasterly and southeasterly from...

Minutes, page 6

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving the petition of NStar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for permission to construct, and a location for underground conduit Washington Street northeasterly and southeasterly from existing manhole 14891 at the intersection with Walnut Street distance of approximately 60 feet to Walnut Street; in Walnut Street southeasterly and southwesterly from Washington Street a distance of approximately 41 feet to new manhole 32625 and conduit running southwesterly and southeasterly from new manhole 32625 a distance of approximately 52 feet to Juniper Street; and in Juniper Street running southeasterly and southwesterly from Walnut Street a distance of approximately to 69 feet to existing manhole 23033 and conduit running southwesterly and northwesterly from existing manhole 23033 a distance of approximately 108 feet to Brookline Housing Authority property.

From the minutes

“7p. Question of approving the petition of NStar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for permission to construct, and a location for underground conduit Washington Street northeasterly and southeasterly from existing manhole 14891 at the intersection with Walnut Street distance of approximately 60 feet to Walnut Street; in Walnut Street southeasterly and southwesterly from Washington Street a distance of approximately 41 feet to new manhole 32625 and conduit running southwesterly and southeasterly from new manhole 32625 a distance of approximately 52 feet to Juniper Street; and in Juniper Street running southeasterly and southwesterly from Walnut Street a distance of approximately to 69 feet to existing manhole 23033 and conduit running southwesterly and northwesterly from existing manhole 23033 a distance of approximately 108 feet to Brookline Housing Authority property. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Approve the petition of NStar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for permission to construct, and a location for underground conduit Harvard Street southerly from existing manhole 3668 at...

Minutes, page 6

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving the petition of NStar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for permission to construct, and a location for underground conduit Harvard Street southerly from existing manhole 3668 at the intersection with Naples Road a distance of approximately 49 feet to private property at 392-396 Harvard Street.

From the minutes

“7q. Question of approving the petition of NStar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for permission to construct, and a location for underground conduit Harvard Street southerly from existing manhole 3668 at the intersection with Naples Road a distance of approximately 49 feet to private property at 392-396 Harvard Street. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Approve the application of Alternate Manager Carol Sapoznik for Olive Connection LLC d/b/a Olive Connection at 1426 Beacon St. Brookline, MA

Minutes, page 6

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving the application of Alternate Manager Carol Sapoznik for Olive Connection LLC d/b/a Olive Connection at 1426 Beacon St. Brookline, MA.

From the minutes

“7r. Question of approving the application of Alternate Manager Carol Sapoznik for Olive Connection LLC d/b/a Olive Connection at 1426 Beacon St. Brookline, MA. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Approve the application of Alternate Manager Soukthida Vongphachanh for Mungmee Group Inc. d/b/a Akami Omakase at 187 Harvard St

Minutes, page 6

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving the application of Alternate Manager Soukthida Vongphachanh for Mungmee Group Inc. d/b/a Akami Omakase at 187 Harvard St.

From the minutes

“7s. Question of approving the application of Alternate Manager Soukthida Vongphachanh for Mungmee Group Inc. d/b/a Akami Omakase at 187 Harvard St. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Approve the application of Alternate Manager Jonathan Fransisco Araque Espinal for Cantina Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Taco Bell at 276-278 Harvard St

Minutes, page 6

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

Question of approving the application of Alternate Manager Jonathan Fransisco Araque Espinal for Cantina Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Taco Bell at 276-278 Harvard St.

From the minutes

“7t. Question of approving the application of Alternate Manager Jonathan Fransisco Araque Espinal for Cantina Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Taco Bell at 276-278 Harvard St. Approved Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Approve the petition of NStar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for permission to construct, and a location for underground conduit Amory Street southwesterly and northwesterly from...

Minutes, page 8

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

On motion, it was, Voted to approve the petition of NStar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for permission to construct, and a location for underground conduit Amory Street southwesterly and northwesterly from existing manhole 9500 at the intersection with Egmont Street a distance of approximately 15 feet to Egmont Street and in Egmont Street northwesterly and southwesterly from Amory Street a distance of approximately 137 feet to private property at 14 Egmont Street.

From the minutes

“On motion, it was, Voted to approve the petition of NStar Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for permission to construct, and a location for underground conduit Amory Street southwesterly and northwesterly from existing manhole 9500 at the intersection with Egmont Street a distance of approximately 15 feet to Egmont Street and in Egmont Street northwesterly and southwesterly from Amory Street a distance of approximately 137 feet to private property at 14 Egmont Street. Aye: Bernard Greene, John VanScoyoc, Paul Warren, David Pearlman, Michael Rubenstein.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

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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