News Stories

Question 5 May Count Most for Burlington Voters

Election Day is fast-approaching and it’s not hard to figure what’s on the minds of Burlington voters.

While the ramifications of the Nov. 8 statewide elections loom large — the state’s first female governor and/or the first black woman to head the Attorney General’s office— large on the minds of Burlington voters is Question 5 — the Community Preservation Act.

While several local residents have come forward with Letters to the Editor to BCAT in support of the Act, others believe the naysayers are lying low in the weeds waiting to pounce.

The CPA, if passed, would add about a $78 per year surcharge on annual taxes to help preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing and develop outdoor recreational facilities. Burlington resident Janice Cohen, a member of Yes CPA Burlington, says this is what Burlington needs to make it a better place to live.

“Surrounding communities that participate in CPA have received millions of dollars from the state to spend on projects,” she wrote in a Letter to the Editor. “Burlington has received nothing. Since CPA began in 2000, no community has ever withdrawn from the program. Town Meeting will have the final decision on what projects will benefit from CPA funds.” Several letters in support have been submitted to BNEWS and can be found Here.

Opponents of the CPA have one common rallying cry, “No new taxes.”

Question 5 opponent John Iler, who joined fellow Town Meeting member Jon Sachs in a debate on BCAT TV, said the biggest problem with the CPA is that it has the potential to “distort” the town’s budgeting process.

“It’s creating an earmark, so this is money that can only be spent on these three areas no matter what,” he said.

But he asked, what if the town’s top priority is building a new police station? 

“So it distorts that budget process by saying these things get funded no matter what, even if they aren’t the top priority,” Iler said. 

For the information page sent out by the town regarding the CPA question for the town, Click this Link.

For all five questions on the ballot, the secretary of state’s website has a thorough recap of the questions along with summaries, what will your vote do, fiscal consequences and arguments for and against by coalition leaders Click Here.

All in-person voting is conducted at the Burlington High School on Cambridge Street. Polling hours are 7 am to 8 pm. For questions, concerns or comments, call the Office at 781-270-1660 or email at vote@burlington.org.