Brookline Pauses Lease for Cemetery Caretaker Home
The town is clarifying the role's maintenance requirements before reopening the bid for the 96 Grove St. property.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Apartments
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Brookline officials have canceled the request for proposals to lease a two-bedroom residence located at the 45-acre Walnut Hills Cemetery. The town pulled the offer following confusion among the 63 interested bidders regarding the balance of housing duties and rental expectations.
Why it matters
The property requires a specific caretaker arrangement that prospective tenants frequently mistook for a standard residential rental. Town leadership is pausing the process to better clarify the duties involved in the lease before seeking new applicants.
The home at 96 Grove St. carries a gross monthly rent of $3,000, which is reduced to a net payment of $1,880 in exchange for 14 hours of weekly caretaking labor. This includes managing property appearance, plant beds, and cemetery gate operations.
The players
Brookline
The municipality responsible for overseeing local property bids and municipal grounds maintenance.
Walnut Hills Cemetery
A 45-acre historic site that serves as the location for the town-owned residential property.
The details
The role acts as an on-site caretaker for the grounds, which have been part of the local landscape since the cemetery opened in 1875. In addition to general property maintenance, the occupant is responsible for clearing ice, snow, and debris from the home's walkways and stairs to ensure safe access.
Timeline
1875: Walnut Hills Cemetery opened to the public.
October 23, 2026, 12:00 p.m.: Deadline for submitting lease applications.
October 23, 2026, 1:00 p.m.: Town official confirmed the bid cancellation.
The Home Front
This cancellation reflects the complexities of managing municipal properties through standard Request for Proposals (RFP) procurement processes. It underscores the challenges towns face when balancing public property management with residential housing needs.
If you were among those interested in this residence, monitor the official town notices for the upcoming re-issuance of the proposal. Ensure you are prepared to document your ability to perform the required 14 hours of weekly outdoor maintenance tasks.
The takeaway
The town is pausing the lease process to ensure all future applicants fully grasp the commitment to maintaining grounds and walkways at the site. Keep an eye on municipal updates for the new application window if you are interested in this specific caretaker-housing opportunity.
Further reading
For more on local rental market trends, browse the Apartments section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Boston Globe.
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