SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
______________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 22, 2009

______________________________

BROOKLINE BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

⃞ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02.     Results of Operations and Financial Condition, Declaration of Dividends

On January 22, 2009, Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:BRKL) announced its earnings for the 2008 fourth quarter and year and approval by its Board of Directors of a regular quarterly dividend of $0.085 per share and an extra dividend of $0.20 per share payable February 25, 2009 to stockholders of record on February 5, 2009.

See exhibit no. 99.1 attached hereto for the press release relating to this matter.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are furnished as part of this report: