School Committee Backs Outdoor Lighting Articles, 5-4

School Committee · Meeting of October 14, 2026

Brookline School Committee voted 5-4 to back two Town Meeting warrant articles creating new outdoor lighting restrictions. Members Jesse Hefter and Suzanne Federspiel supported the articles; Sarah Moghtader, Danna Perry and Bob Weintraub opposed. A Putterham Golf Course neighbor, Eric Laureano, said lighting restrictions near the driving range could cost about $160,000 in lost fall and spring revenue.

Brookline High School Athletic Director Kyle Williams testified the 10 p.m. curfew would not change current programs but could limit future capacity, citing growth in golf (33 to 64 students) and Nordic skiing (7 to 21) and a partnership with Northeastern University. "I worry about the downstream effect," Williams said. Separately, teacher Yasmeen Sharif and librarian Amanda Crutchmar urged the committee to revisit a new policy limiting middle schoolers to 15 library visits a year; no vote followed.

The committee also unanimously adopted FY28 budget guidelines and removed outdated 1960s-era policy "philosophy statements."

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,219 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.