Brookline Select Board chair urges clearer explanations, social-media outreach to boost Town Meeting participation

Bernard Green, chair of the Town of Brookline Select Board, said Saturday at Brookline Day that clearer explanations of Town Meeting and outreach on social platforms could help boost resident participation. He made the remarks in a short on-site interview with an intern identified in the transcript as Gai, an intern at 'big' (organization name provided in the interview; full formal name not specified).

"If people understand what's going on and where it's leading, they can become engaged in the work of the Town Meeting," Green said, describing Town Meeting as the town's primary legislative body. He urged efforts to demystify the process so residents will "be more invested and they would actually take the time to like look at it and stuff like that."

Green, a retired lawyer who has lived in Brookline since 2003, outlined the select board's role as the town's executive body that implements bylaws adopted at Town Meeting. "We carry out the instructions of Town Meeting and make sure the town operates efficiently and effectively," he said, citing responsibilities that range "from controlling rats to planning out housing development" and ensuring projects "incorporate the needs of all residents" across income levels.

On tactics to broaden engagement, Green recommended educational panels or short explainer segments that walk viewers through Town Meeting business. The interviewer, Gai, suggested targeting younger audiences on Instagram or YouTube. "Put it on Instagram or YouTube — it can allow a lot of people who are younger my age to be invested," Gai said.

Green also emphasized the practical value of Town Meeting participation. He said the body, which he described as "made up of 255 or so residents," serves as "the eyes and ears of the town" by surfacing issues the select board might miss and sending proposals through the bylaw process for implementation.

The interview was conversational and brief; no formal proposals or actions were taken during the segment. Green closed by thanking the interviewer and expressing appreciation for community volunteers. The remarks reflect the select board chair's view that better public education and modern outreach could increase civic engagement at Town Meeting.