Brookline Select Board Approves Gerald Alston Warrant Article

BROOKLINE, MA — The Brookline Select Board voted Tuesday to approve the warrant article addressing the $11M Gerald Alston settlement, which will voted on by Town Meeting members on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

If approved, the settlement would represent the end of an 11-year case with Alston, the Black firefighter the town fired after he reported racism and subsequent retaliation in the workplace.

"Im very proud of what we did as a Select Board," said Select Board Member Miriam Aschkenasy. "I think we have in fact kept both the justice and financial lens, one in each hand, as we measure this and go forward."

Despite the Select Board's approval, the decision was not unanimous, with Aschkenasy, Vice Chair Raul Fernandez, and John VanScoyoc voting yes, Bernard Greene voting no, and Chair Heather Hamilton abstaining.

"This has been by far the hardest issue that has come before the board during my tenure and I really need guidance from Town Meeting," said Hamilton regarding her abstention. "So I believe that we need to make the argument and I will accept whatever the outcome is at town meeting."

“Because I do not believe that this is a prudent decision or that it meets our fiduciary duties as government officials, I vote no," said Greene.

If the Town Meeting authorizes the settlement next month, the town will begin to map out financing options. If it does not authorize the settlement, the case will be returned to court.