Brookline, Massachusetts
Shape the Future of Brookline
Join us in exploring local issues that impact the future of our town.
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.
New
Brookline's finances to 2040
An independent forecast of the General Fund through FY2040: the levers that decide it, a path to healthy finances, and an explorer for testing every assumption.
Read the forecast
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.
Forecast
New homes and Brookline's budgetWith enrollment falling and police and fire staffing flat, what a new home costs Brookline between now and 2040, and the choice that decides it.
Interactive
Brookline Forecast ExplorerMove the assumptions behind Brookline's General Fund forecast and watch revenue and spending through 2040.
Essay
Will Brookline need a sixth override?Brookline has asked voters for an override five times since 2005. What would actually have to change for that to stop?
Essay
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.
Essay
Brookline property tax overviewWith 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.