Shape the Future of Brookline

Join us in exploring local issues that impact the future of our town.

About

My name is Ben Chostner

I moved here with my family 2 years ago after concluding Brookline offered the best combination of great schools, walkability, green spaces, and community. Professionally I advise robotics businesses and outside of work love playing with my 2 kids.

I was elected in 2026 as a Precinct 9 Town Meeting Member because I'm motivated to keep Brookline thriving for my children and our whole community. I'm proudly endorsed by Brookline For Everyone and Progressive Brookline.

Planning for Brookline's Future

I'm writing a series of essays and analyses that dive into our Town's future: how we got here, the state of things today, and how we might chart a sustainable and thriving future.

How does construction impact Brookline’s Town finances?

Construction is great for our Town’s finances and reduces future taxes for existing property owners. Increasing construction-based property tax growth from 1.3% to 2.1% per year would have arguably avoided all overrides for the past 20 years.

Brookline property tax overview

With the property tax override on the May 5th 2026 ballot I became curious about how property taxes work here in Brookline. I've also found that most discussions about property taxes ignore the impact of new property growth from renovation and new development. I wanted to develop a first principles understanding of how it all works, the financial benefits of new growth, and importantly how new growth affects the taxes of an existing property owner (short answer: new growth ca

Shape the Future of Brookline

About

Planning for Brookline's Future

How does construction impact Brookline’s Town finances?

Brookline property tax overview

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