Buono emphasizes sidewalks, protected bike lanes and senior services as campaign priorities

Anthony Buono, a candidate for the Brookline Select Board, said roadway safety and senior services will be priorities if he is elected, citing sidewalk repairs, protected bike lanes on major corridors, parking-availability technology and greater outreach from the senior center.

Buono, who said he does not drive and uses public transit, described sidewalk ‘lips’ that create tripping hazards and recounted a resident who broke a collarbone: "That's how some of the work I do" he said, describing a program with the Department of Public Works that levels sidewalks. He argued that fixing sidewalks can directly improve mobility and safety for older residents.

On bike lanes and parking, Buono called for a balanced approach: protected bike lanes on major corridors together with measures to preserve commercial parking and investments such as wayfinding signs and real-time parking-availability systems to draw shoppers. "Treating it like a dichotomy is the wrong way of thinking," he said.

For seniors, Buono urged making the senior center a budget priority, expanding mental-health access and ensuring transportation funding so older residents can get to medical appointments. He said some seniors feel isolated and that the select board should ensure they know what services exist.

Buono tied these priorities to his advisory-committee work on capital projects and his experience collaborating with DPW; he framed the proposals as practical, incremental improvements rather than sweeping new programs.

The interview did not include technical reports, cost estimates or alternative proposals from other candidates; Buono presented these as campaign priorities and described current programs and needs in Brookline.