BCAT News

The annual May Town Meeting is expected to conclude on the evening of May 19. Here’s a quick look at some highlights from the first two sessions…

Town Moderator Bill Beyer opened Town Meeting with some remarks on this year being the 250th Anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, and the role Town Meetings had in that. Afterwards he thanked those helping to run Town Meeting, and the newest members of Town Meeting were sworn in by our new Town Clerk, Jennifer Priest.

The meeting kicked off with reports of Town Committees and Offices. Katherine Bond, Vice Chair of the School Committee and Chair of the Burlington High School Building Committee, provided an update on the ongoing BHS Building Project. Town Administrator John Danizo then gave an overview on the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) Operating Budget.

Select Board Member Nick Priest then spoke on the decision to cancel this year’s 4th of July Parade and put out the call for residents to join the committee that runs the parade. The 4th of July Committee is made up of residents, with assistance from the Select Board, and as of this year the committee has dwindled down to four members, one of which Priest noted, is not even a Burlington resident. Priest cited the significant decrease in the committee as one reason they made the difficult decision to cancel the parade, as well as the ongoing renovations to 3A/Cambridge Street.

Article 2, the aforementioned FY2026 Operating Budget, took up the bulk of the body’s discussion for the first night, but was approved unanimously.

After a recess (affectionately referred to as “Myrna Minute” in honor of Town Meeting Member Myrna Saltsman), Beyer acknowledged retiring Youth & Family Services Director Christine Shuran, retiring Town Treasurer Gary Gianino, and introduced the body to Gianino’s replacement, Ana-Maria DeRosa.

Article 4-1 through 4-29 concerned the FY2026 Capital Budget, regarding specific projects across various town departments. Article 4 carried over from May 12 to May 14. Article 4 passed in its entirety.

Article 4-19, regarding the renovations to the gazebo and walkways on the Town Common passed with an amendment. Town Meeting Precinct Three Member Jeff DiBona put forward an amendment to bring the sum from $350,000 down to $303,401, removing the gazebo from the project. DiBona detailed how his uncle Joe Visco originally built the gazebo with the financial support of well-known local developer Bob Murray. Murray, at the behest of DiBona, offered to cover the financial cost of repairing the gazebo. The amended article passed unanimously.

Article 26, Phase 2 of the Marshall Simonds Field Renovations Project passed with ⅔ majority. Article 27, Installation of Outdoor Bathroom Facilities at the field, was withdrawn, after a lengthy discussion at Ways & Means prior to Town Meeting.

Article 30, Amend and Rename Stormwater and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Bylaw, after a presentation from Conservation Commission Member and Town Meeting Member Bill Boivin, prompted a lengthy discussion with many members citing concerns with the  bylaw amendment.

After an initial standing vote, the article failed 42-43. A roll call vote was then taken, however the motion still failed, this time 43-44 against.

You can find the first two nights of May Town Meeting in their entirety here, or skip to a specific article below. Town Meeting will continue May 19 at 7 pm.

May 12 2025:
Town Moderator Remarks on The 250th Anniversary of The American Revolution and the role of Town Meeting
Swearing in of new Town Meeting Members
Update on the Burlington High School Building Project
Town Administrator Overview on FY2026 Operating Budget
Nick Priest on The 4th of July Parade/Committee

Article 2, FY 2026 Operating Budget
Recognition of Retiring Town Treasurer Gary Gianino, Introduction of Ana-Mara DeRosa
Article 29, Renaming a Revolving Fund
Article 3, Authorize Revolving Accounts
Article 4, Fund FY2026 Capital Budget

May 14, 2025:

Continuation of Article 4, Fund FY2026 Capital Budget
Article 4-19, Town Common Gazebo Bandstand & Walkways Renovation
Article 5, Acceptance of Charter 90 Funds
Article 6, MWRA Sewer Inflow/Infiltration Debt Service 
Article 7, Sewer Enterprise Fund
Article 8, Transfer from Water Stabilization Fund
Article 9, Sewer Vactor
Article 10, Town Hall and Annex HVAC Upgrades

Article 11, Water Meter Replacement Program
Article 12, Water Main Upgrade/Replacement
Article 13, Inflow/Infiltration – MWRA Phase 16
Article 14, Transfer from Receipts Reserved Account for Ambulance Services-Purchase Ambulance
Article 15, Transfer from Receipts Reserved for Ambulance Service Fund-Offset FY26 Budget
Article 16, Cable Access Enterprise Fund
Article 17, Fund Administrative & Professional Compensation Plan
Article 18, Fund Burlington Municipal Employees’ Association Contract
Article 19, Fund Department of Public Works Contract
Article 23, Will of Marshall Simonds
Article 25, School Community Facility Usage Support
Article 26, Marshall Simonds Middle School Field Renovation Phase 2
Article 28, Accepting an Easement for the Fire Hydrant at 180 Cambridge Street
Article 30, Amend and Rename Stormwater and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Bylaw