For more in-depth Brookline COVID-19 news, go to brooklinecovid19.com.
Brookline Election Postponed, Residents Encouraged to Vote by Absentee Ballot in June
by Jordan Mayblum
The Select Board, Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and Health Director Swannie Jett announce that the town election originally scheduled for May has been postponed.
The Select Board formally voted to postpone the election due to the ongoing declared COVID-19 emergency, moving the election to Tuesday, June 9. Town staff, the Town Moderator and others are continuing to evaluate options for Town Meeting, and further announcements about a potential postponement or modification to Town Meeting will be made at a later date.
Even with the postponement, residents are strongly encouraged to vote via absentee ballot in order to minimize gathering sizes at polling places. Information about the election and absentee voting can be found here.
“The COVID-19 emergency has upended our way of life in a variety of ways, forcing us to make adjustments we might otherwise never anticipate,” Town Administrator Kleckner said. “We’re committed to upholding the integrity of our democracy even in spite of the challenges we’re facing, and want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to take part.”
BCF Receives $175,000 from the Town of Brookline to Kickstart COVID-19 Response
The Brookline Select Board announced a $175,000 emergency contribution to the Brookline Community Foundation Safety Net Fund to address a sudden surge in need caused by COVID-19. This major commitment jumpstarts the Foundation’s effort to rapidly raise funds to help our neighbors through the oncoming crisis.
The Need is Real and Growing
The Brookline Center, which administers the Safety Net, saw a four-fold increase in inquiries for emergency assistance just last week. These included recently laid-off workers, students, and seniors who found themselves suddenly without a place to live. We believe it’s the beginning of a much larger wave to come.
Luckily, the Safety Net Fund was designed for moments like this. Established more than 20 years ago, the Safety Net acts as a nimble resource for neighbors in crisis, providing small, rapid-response grants that keep food on the table, families safely housed, and other urgent needs met.
Right now, we’re getting requests from many Brookline community members who’ve never asked for help before and from vulnerable neighbors faced with urgent new challenges.
You Can Help
We’re deeply grateful for the Town’s partnership at this critical moment. Now, it’s your turn. If you have the means, please help ensure we have the support to help our neighbors through this crisis. Every gift adds up, and your support now could mean a world of difference to your neighbors in the weeks ahead.
