BCAT News

May Town Meeting met for its third (and final) session the evening of May 19, with four articles remaining on the warrant, all relating to General Bylaws

Article 35, which would see the removal of the Retail Industrial Zoning (IR) district from the Mixed Used Innovation (MIX) was withdrawn. The article was originally requested by the Planning Board, however at their most recent meeting, they voted unanimously to withdraw the article. This motion to withdraw came a few days after the board held a joint meeting with the Select Board, where both boards agreed to compromise and amend the article. 

The Chair, Brenda Rappaport read a statement before asking for a motion.

“Since the MIX district has been in effect, applicants have raised concerns to planning staff regarding bylaw and permitting requirements within the district. The Planning Board and department staff want to ensure that the MIX district bylaw provides clarity and protections needed to attract business and provide a clear and predictable permitting process. We intend to work over the summer to review the MIX district bylaw administrative processes as well as adjust the rules and regulations.”

Article 31 would see an amendment to Article V on Authorities, Commissions, and Committees, and would add two, non-voting members to the Conservation Commission. Conservation Commissioner Eileen Coleman explained that the Commission has had non-voting members in years prior and this amendment would see that they are recognized by the bylaws. Coleman described these positions as “Commissioners in training”. The article passed with minimal discussion.

Article 32 took up the bulk of the evening. The article would see a home rule petition sent to the state, allowing remote access to Town Meeting. The town allows remote access, but the state does not. Multiple amendments were put forward by the body to clean up the language of the article, in an attempt to prevent the need for sending future home rule petitions to the state.

For example, if the town wanted to change the maximum number of remote participants from 15 to 20, another home rule petition would be needed. That maximum number was a major sticking point for the body which led to the amendments. Many wished to keep the number of participants in the article, while others did not. Ultimately the article passed with the inclusion of “maximum of 15”, but the language was amended in regard to members attending remotely “via video conferencing platform using an internet connection and supported device”.

Article 33 would see the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee for the Implication of an Electronic Voting System for Town Meeting. A committee was approved and formed in September to explore the possibility of Electronic Voting, but this new volunteer-committee would be exploring the implication of Electronic Voting. The article passed.

Article 34 was brought forth by Conservation and would see an amendment to the Town’s Floodplain District in the town’s bylaws. Commissioner Eileen Coleman explained these changes were necessary for Burlington to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program. The article passed.

Town Meeting will meet again in September 2025. For a recap on the first two nights of May Town Meeting, click here.