Brookline Election Results 2026: Town Override Passes

BROOKLINE, MA — Voters elected to pass a tax override worth more than $23 million, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s town election.

The vote passed with a total of 8,675 residents voting “yes” against 5,732 voting “no.” The $23,254,439 would be collected from residents through personal and property tax increases throughout the next three fiscal years. $17.94 million would be allocated to the public school district, with the remaining $5.31 million being used for town departments. Superintendent of School Bella Wong said that if the override were to fail, the district would be forced to eliminate the middle school world language program, eliminate the majority of the music programs, let go of approximately half of first grade classroom aides, increase high school teacher responsibilities, and eventually result in overall class size reduction by the time the three year period ended. The total tax levy is now slated to increase by 18 percent over the next three years.

The Select Board headlined multiple contested races, and one major change is coming to the governing board. Incumbent John VanScoyoc was defeated by newcomers Amanda Zimmerman and Anthony Buono, as the three were vying for two open seats. Immerman led the way with 9,029 votes, while Buono claimed the second sport with 7,448. VanScoyoc’s third term bid was ousted as he received only 5,758 votes.

Zimmerman is a bioengineer who has served on Brookline’s Bicycle Advisory Committee. Buono is a 26-year-old data management consultant and Town Meeting member. VanScoyoc, 77, is a retired journalist who was the only Select Board member not vote in favor of the override back in March, in which he abstained.

On the School Committee, newcomers Laura Baines-Walsh and Faiza Khan are set to be its newest members, receiving more than 8,000 votes each. Incumbent Suzanne Feiderspiel will retain her spot for a fourth consecutive term with 7,999 votes This reelection now makes her the longest-tenured member of the committee. Aylit Schultz is left on the outside looking in, and a recent controversy related to her campaign may have contributed to her defeat.

Chris Chanyasulkit, Marissa Vogt, Amy Newell, and Petra Bignami were elected to serve as Public Library Trustees, taking down Shawn O’Neal. The five candidates were competing for five seats. Chanyasulkit and Vogt are returning members while Newell and Bignami are the new faces.

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