Category: Brookline Interactive Group

Age Friendly Cities Ep 52 – Jessica Smyser

Host Matt Weiss interviews Jessica Smyser, Executive Director of Brookline Interactive Group (BIG) about the important role it plays in keeping democracy transparent, telling community members’ stories, and educating the public about how to have a voice.

TV on TV Candidates Series 2025 – Carlos Ridruejo

Representative Tommy Vitolo continues the 2025 election series with Carlos Ridruejo, candidate for Select Board. Carlos, who has experience on Brookline’s Advisory Committee, details how his sense for civic duty grew after immigrating from Spain. He also explains how he would use his expertise in architecture to think abstractly about space and concretely about cost when addressing, for example, the Comprehensive Plan in Brookline.

To learn more about Carlos Ridruejo’s campaign, visit https://www.electcarlos.com/

Brookline residents must register to vote by April 26th 2025, ahead of election day on May 6th. Visit https://www.brooklinema.gov/138/Election-Information for more election information.

Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Demo Sign Ups 2025

In anticipation of AANHPI Month in May, we want to help share the breadth of these cultures with the Brookline Community. Have an art form, craft, or story to tell? Sign up for a spot in March or April and capture it on video! Contact Dom@brooklineinteractive.org for more info.

TV on TV Candidate Series 2025 – Michael Rubenstein

Representative Tommy Vitolo kicks off the 2025 election series with Michael Rubenstein, candidate for the Brookline Select Board. Michael, who founded and grew a global software company before pivoting to public service, explains how he would apply the skills he acquired in the business, healthcare, education, and housing sectors to uncover solutions for Brookline, especially addressing its high housing costs.

To learn more about Michael Rubenstein’s campaign, visit https://www.michaelforbrookline.com/

Brookline residents must register to vote by April 26th 2025, ahead of election day on May 6th. Visit https://www.brooklinema.gov/138/Election-Information for more election information.

SPOA Housing Policy, Episode 13 – The Security Deposit Trap

When property owners accept security deposits from tenants in many cases, they are unaware of the strict requirements for maintaining these deposits. Although security deposits were once intended to protect the owner’s property from damage caused by tenants, the focus shifted to protecting the tenant’s deposit, which eventually took an extreme turn for the worse in Massachusetts.

The conversation centers on Ms. Taneka Davis, who was forced to launch an eviction when her tenant refused to vacate the property after Taneka provided reasonable notice of termination with the intent to sell. Due to the complicated system, Taneka hired Attorney Jordana Greenman two months later to reissue the notice using the proper language. In this particular case, Taneka had to regain possession of the property in order to sell at a reasonable price. But Taneka’s honest misunderstanding of security deposit requirements allowed the tenant to delay the eviction process significantly, as Taneka was forbidden to remedy the situation after the eviction began.

Attorney Greenman, whom Taneka retained thereafter, outlines the complexities of security deposit regulations in Massachusetts to help property owners avoid the security deposit trap, which is weaponized against housing providers.

SPOA Vice President, Amir Shahsavari, moderates the discussion.

For more information about security deposit rules in Massachusetts, you can refer to the following website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-tenants-security-deposits It is best to consult with an attorney before accepting a security deposit.