Contractor Scam Advisory
Brookline Police Advisory: There have been reports of homeowners being scammed by fake home
improvement companies
who solicit construction work (masonry, decking etc.) and receive thousands of dollars in "deposits"
and never heard from again.
We recommend before making an agreement with a contractor, conduct your own due diligence. This includes
not relying solely on online reviews since these can be fabricated. In addition, be weary of home
improvement companies that solicit by going door to door.
When you do decide on a company or individual, make sure they're licensed to do that type of work in
Massachusetts. Mass.gov has most occupational licenses available to search online.
The Town of Brookline is currently at work developing the Housing Stability Office. In the meantime,
follow this link
to access these services.
- Housing Case Inquiry Portal - Get Help with Housing Issues
- Emergency Funding & Housing Assistance
- Resources for Renters
- Resources for Homebuyers
- Resources for Landlords & Homeowners
Farmer's Market Coupon Distribution
The Brookline Department of Public Health & Human Services announces Brookline Bounty, the Department's free
Food Coupon program for income-eligible families that will operate again this summer at the Brookline
Farmers' Market.
Brookline individuals and families residing in Brookline Housing Authority sites or whose
household income meets federal poverty level guidelines are eligible. In addition, families whose children
attend a Brookline school through programs such as METCO and who meet the financial guidelines may register
for the coupons.
Coupons will be valid at the Farmers' Market starting June 6 and continue until the season
closes in November. Individuals and families of two will receive $50 in coupons while households of three or
more will receive $100 in coupons.
Families will receive the coupons once during the season. In May and
June, staff and volunteers from the Public Health Department will be at locations throughout Brookline for
registration. Coupon books for the Farmers' Market will be distributed at that time. Public registration
sites are: Brookline Farmers' Market, Centre St. Parking Lot, Thursday, June 6 and June 13, from 1:30-6:00
pm - Registration also will take place at BHA housing sites.
Youthscapers
Need a landscaper ... at an affordable price? (In July or August)
Consider contracting a Brookline Teen through the link below or QR code.
100% of the proceeds benefit the teen employment program!
https://btcyouthscapers.as.me/schedule.php
Establishing A New Brand Identity For Brookline
The Town of Brookline is seeking public input in the creation of a new brand identity package that
reflects the Town's distinct character and values to residents, businesses, and visitors. Add your
thoughts here.
Protect Your Skin
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Change in Blood Pressure clinic schedule
Make our senior wishes come true
Our
Amazon Wishlist
Equipment
Loan Fund
Disability Community Health Needs Assessment
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is conducting a statewide survey that
will
help determine needs, funding, and improve and develop programs and services for people with
disabilities.
Cold Weather Safety
Brookline
Department of Public Health and Human Services Shares Cold Weather Safety Tips
These tips were for the weekend of January 20-21 but apply any time.
Curb-Cut Effect
Locate your closest hydrant and keep it clear.
P.A.R.C. - Parking Access for Resident's Caregivers
Parking Access for Resident's
Caregivers (P.A.R.C.) is a
service provided through
the Brookline Council on
Aging, in cooperation with
the Town of Brookline
Transportation Department.
The goal of this program is
to provide assistance in
obtaining temporary parking
permits for caregivers during
both the daytime and
overnight hours.
PARC Brochure
CBD Alzheimer's Study
Library Home Delivery
Ask A Geriatrician
PDF
version.
Free At Home Covid Test Kits Are Available
As of September 25, 2023, residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests
from
USPS.com again via https://www.covid.gov/tests
Given
the
recent uptick in COVID cases, we are strongly encouraging people to take advantage of this
free
offering. If you need assistance with ordering test kits online, please come to the Council on Aging
offices
(2nd floor) or call 617-730-2777. The senior center no longer has test kits.
Brookline MA Charter Change Discussion Group
The League of Women Voters and the Brookline Neighborhood Alliance hosted the first of a
series of forums on Town Government.
Link
to video.
Community Health Equity Survey
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is currently promoting
the Community Health Equity Survey. Data collected from Brookline residents will play a vital role in
our
ongoing Community Health Assessment. Your participation in the survey is of utmost importance, as it
will
help
us better understand the needs of our residents
and enable us to develop programs to address those needs. I ask that you consider taking the survey,
which
you
can access at
www.mass.gov/healthsurvey
and please share the information widely within your network. For more information about
the
Community
Health Assessment process, please visit our
website.
There are also materials
available for you to share with your community.
The Silent Call Procedure
The Silent
Call Procedure is used when a caller is unable to verbally communicate their emergency over
the
phone.
If a resident of Massachusetts calls 9-1-1 and is unable to speak for any reason.
Coolidge Corner Community Chorus
welcomes singers of all ages for our 2023-2034 season! Rehearsals Wednesday evenings starting
September 13,
7:15
pm to 9:15 pm, on the 3rd floor of the Brookline
Senior Center.. No auditions. Major works will be Faure's Requiem and some of Rachmaninov's
All
Night
Vigil. All singers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. For more information go to www.cccchorus.org, email
or leave a message at
617-905-2268.
Brookline.News
brings a new, professionally reported local news outlet to Brookline. They currently offer an email
newsletter
and web site. Visit here to read the articles,
subscribe,
and
donate.
In January 2024, Age-friendly TV featured Brookline.News Founding Editor Sam Mintz. You can view
our
interview here.
Current Events Discussion Group
Meets at the Brookline
Senior Center. every Friday morning from 10:30am till 12:00 Noon.
Come share your thoughts and interact with others about what is going on in today's world, whether it
be
local,
national, or international. It is a fun and informative event for all. Members may also select their
favorite
topic to discuss. We are all rewarded when our group attendance reaches a specified number. That
reward is
in
the form of a pizza party for all attending members, held once a month, on the Friday following our
attendance
goal. Come and join our group!!!
Equipment Loan Fund
Tech Buddies
Medication Disposal Drop
Walking Group?
Scam Calls From "Brookline Police"
Ramp Loan Program
The Commission on Disability has made it possible for residents to temporarily borrow ramps for use in
their
homes or at a community event upon request. There is one three (3) foot ramp and one six (6) foot
ramp. For
more
information or to borrow a ramp, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 617-730-2329 or
.
More information.
Scam Alert
Please be aware that Ross Cleaners has closed. This longtime Brookline laundry and dry cleaning
business is
listed in the Elder Resource Guide (purple book). The phone number associated with Ross Cleaners is
connected to
an entity that is requesting credit card information in exchange for gift cards. We strongly urge you
not to
call this number.
Ruthann Dobek, LICSW
Director
Brookline Council on Aging/Brookline Senior Center
Free Food Coupons
The newest issue of the Journal of Aging & Social Policy (JASP) is dedicated to the memory of Frank
Caro,
PhD,
the long-time editor of the journal, professor emeritus of gerontology at UMass Boston, and former
director
of
the Gerontology Institute.
Now Available!
The Brookline Older Adult Community Health Needs Assessment conducted by Boston
University
School
of Public Health (BUSPH), in collaboration with the Brookline Council on Aging, Brookline Senior
Center, and
BUSPH Professor Harold Cox. Topics of the assessment include transportation and the built environment,
healthcare access, housing, and personal and legal rights.
Read the full report
here.
The Town of Brookline has launched a dedicated town
news portal.
Residents are invited to subscribe for updates via email.
Report to AARP: Brookline Age-Friendly Accomplishments FY20-21 and Goals FY22
Describes age-friendly work from 2021 and plans for 2022 based
on contributions of different Brookline municipal departments and organizations including
BrooklineCAN.
Advice from Emergency Management Director/Fire Chief John F. Sullivan.
Shovel Our Snow
Need some help with snow removal this winter? Sign up for BRec's Shovel our Snow referral program!
Once
registered, we will send you a list of local teens who have signed up to be shovelers with the
program. It
is
then up to you to contact them and coordinate projects (location, hours, payment, etc). Updated
rosters will
be
sent out as they become available. More
Information.
3G Cellular Network Shutdown
Brookline
Office of Emergency Management Provides Information Ahead of 3G Cellular Network Shutdown
for Brookline Property Owners, Businesses, and Residents. Brookline Department of Public Works.
Parkinson's in Motion
Goddard
House is sponsoring two programs for older
adults with Parkinson's.
On Thursdays from 4:00 - 5:00 pm, Living Musically with Parkinson's, will
feature
music therapist and neuroscientist, Joshua Min, who specializes in working with older adults,
and
those
living with Parkinson's, to help improve their quality of life through the power of music. Learn
techniques,
songs, and concepts to strengthen and uplift your body, your brain, and your mood.
Tai Chi for Parkinson's is offered Tuesdays 10:30 am -11:30 pm. Designed
specifically to improve strength, balance, flexibility, mental focus and emotional tranquility,
tai
chi has
been proven to help minimize the symptoms of Parkinson's. Join Instructor, Ruth Schechter, an
experienced
tai chi teacher for older adults and individuals living with Parkinson's. Trained as a musician,
Ruth
has
experience with the Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method, as well as tai chi.
Both programs are free and on Zoom. For more information and to register contact Christine Nagle at
.
Brookline's older adults and ARPA.
Betsy Pollock, president of the Senior Center's Board of Directors says:
Please remember, include, and address the needs of Brookline�s older adult population when
making
decisions
about the allocation of the . . . funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Read Betsy's letter.
Food Pantry needs volunteers!
Thank you for helping us serve so many needy people over the past 18 months. With clients still coming
to us
in
record numbers, we really need additional volunteers and hope you will tell family, friends, and
neighbors
about
the opportunity to help. Potential volunteers can learn more and connect with us here.
We are also seeking a full-time Inventory Manager to play a key operational role and would
appreciate
your
sharing this opportunity with family, friends and neighbors. In addition to managing Pantry
inventory
and
assisting with daily operations, this role includes driving food between locations and lifting
boxes
up to
50 lbs. For more information, or if someone you know might want to apply, please contact Julia
at
The Brookline Food Pantry (BFP) serves over 700 needy households around Brookline, Massachusetts
each
week,
providing fresh produce, meat and dairy as well as household staples. The BFP also serves over
500
students
weekly during the school year with weekend food bags and delivers food to clients who cannot get
to
our
three locations. The BFP has a small paid staff as well as over 200 active volunteers who help
deliver
these
key services.
Trees planted honoring Frank Caro
The Town has planted two trees at Hall's Pond in memory of Frank Caro, the President of the Friends of
Hall's
Pond, long time Town Meeting Member, founder of BrooklineCAN, and all round Town good
citizen.
Link
to Facebook post.
Brookline Green Energy
Did you know that whether you are a renter or a home owner in Brookline (we're split about even,
50:50), you
can
still take part in the Brookline Green Electricity program? You can sign up for 100% renewable
electricity
just
by using your Eversource bill information and the Enrollment Form on the Town of Brookline
website.
Thanks
to the Town, all Brookline residents can take part in a program that is good for consumers and the
environment.
Tommy Vitolo interviews Elenore Parker
Elenore Parker was State Representative Tommy Vitolo's guest on his weekly TV show.
Watch here.
Vaccine companion warning.
On February 11 Massachusetts began allowing people who accompany residents 75 years and older to mass
vaccination sites to get their own shots as well. Now some younger people are offering free rides to
strangers.
Council on Aging Director Ruthann Dobek and Public Health Commissioner Dr. Swannie Jett strongly
advise
seniors
to only accept rides from family members or people they know well. News
release.
Pedestrian Safety
Brookline's DPW & Commission on Disability Share Resources to Help
Ensure
Pedestrian Safety
More
information.
Public
Rights-of-Way Fact Sheet
Eviction Diversion Initiative
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health wants to reach households early and before an eviction
takes
place
and to provide funding and mediation tools to work with landlords. We've launched a new website that
connects
residents to their local Housing Consumer Education Center, answers frequently
asked questions, and more at www.mass.gov/CovidHousingHelp.
$$$ for Senior Homeowners & Renters!
You may qualify for cash or credit from the state if
you pay rent or property taxes.
Click for details.
Assisting People With Vision Loss During The Pandemic.
Town of Brookline Releases
Instructional
Video Guide. The Town of Brookline, Massachusetts has just released a new instructional
video
telling
and showing via demonstration clips how to guide a person with vision loss in a variety of everyday
situations.
This video is free to all and may be used by any agencies, organizations, groups, or individuals who
find it
useful.
Complete
news release.
Link to Video.
Brookline's Age‑Friendly Cities TV team helped produce this video.
BIG and Brookline Community
Brookline Interactive Group continues our service in meeting Brookline's communications needs, helping
our
community to share their stories, and keeping our democracy transparent.
This week's coverage of the Fourth District Congressional race is comprehensive- partnering with
the
League
of Women Voters and Brookline for Racial Justice and Equity (BRJE), our colleagues at seven
other
community
media centers from north to south, to support two candidate's forums for this important race.
Our
ongoing
collaboration with State Representative, Tommy Vitolo, produces a thirty-minute weekly show to
highlight
each candidate in more detail.
Stay tuned and read more about our online classes, new community content, youth media programs,
and to
participate by creating your own scene in our 2020 Crowdsourced Boston production of Cast Away!
Full details here.
Phone-friendly BrooklineCAN website
When we created this web site in 2011, we designed it for wide-screen desktop systems. Now many people
use
smaller phones and tablets. Our site could always use those devices, but the pages didn't really fit.
Now we
automatically rearrange content so it displays comfortably on all devices. As screens get narrower so
do
paragraphs; two columns become one; the menu disappears but can be recalled by pressing a button. You
can
see
these changes on your desktop or laptop computer by narrowing the browser window. We hope this will
make our
site more useable on all screens.
Walkable Brookline Survey
Visitors to
BrooklineCAN's table at Brookline Day 2019 had the opportunity to answer a
survey that asked "What should BrooklineCAN emphasize in advocating to make Brookline
more
walkable?" Fifteen people answered. Here are
the results. We plan to offer the survey at future events.
A report on opinions of older Brookline residents
In 2018 Brookline participated in the National Citizen Survey, an effort to capture
the opinions of residents on a wide range of topics concerning the Town. We are
reporting here a special analysis that compared responses of those 65 and older
with younger respondents. The analysis shows both similarities and differences
between the responses of older and younger residents. . Full
report.
More Beacon Street benches.
In January 2019 Frank Caro asked the Town's Department of Public Works to consider adding five
additional
benches on Beacon Street. Here is Frank's
report. This
is an initiative of BrooklineCAN's Livable Community Advocacy Committee and the
Brookline
Age‑Friendly City Committee.
Update, August 2019: The town has installed five new benches. Pictures here.
TRIPPS report
This
report, issued April 1, 2019 by TRIPPS (Transportation Resources, Information, Planning &
Partnership for Seniors), describes local transportation experiences of Brookline Seniors in the
context of
current research on older adults, transportation and community life.
BrooklineCAN announces its new Age‑Friendly Business campaign.
Details here.
Tax preparation
List of tax preparation services
and
other resources.
Designing Communities For An Aging America
In an aging nation, what makes an age‑friendly community? We look at what U.S. cities can do to
help
seniors live better.
On Point radio show, WBUR 90.9,
Listen
to or
download the podcast
Scams directed toward the elderly
Brookline Police issue warning about scams directed toward seniors. Details.
An article by Frank Caro, chairman of BrooklineCAN and its Livable Community Advocacy
Committee. From the Brookline Greenspace Alliance's fall 2015 newsletter.
Scam alert
Facebook post from Brookline Police:
Today we have received several calls from Brookline residents, who have reported receiving
suspicious
calls from pming to be the IRS. The callers then stated that they were filing a lawsuit against
the
residents before asking for personal information. If you receive such a call, it is NOT the IRS,
it is a
scam.
Non-emergency number is 617-730-2222.
Scam alert
Tweet from Brookline Police:
Extortion SCAM from local 617 telephone #. Be wary if you receive demand for money due to
"Accident" "Kidnapping," etc. Call Police for help.
Non-emergency number is 617-730-2222.
New Windows 10 scam will encrypt your files for ransom
A cautionary tale in being patient, and not skipping the line. Details here.
