These are interesting times for Burlington. We have some upgrades that need to be done, along with continuing our recovery from COVID-19.
Burlington’s overall recovery from COVID-19 is crucial.
Work with businesses and town departments to ensure they have everything they need to return to pre-pandemic levels. We want to continue to keep our taxes low, while continuing to provide the high level of services we have come to expect.
Also, help to continue the effort of Burlington becoming a major life science “cluster” for the region. Burlington is Platinum rated for life sciences and our location and many amenities make it an attractive alternative to Boston and Cambridge. Position Burlington for continued success in the post-pandemic world.
Burlington is in need of some major capital improvements (in no particular order) including a new police station, a new Fox Hill School, a new Pine Glen School, HVAC and lab upgrades at the high school and eventually, a new fire station. It will be up to the Select Board to oversee and ensure that these projects will be completed within the framework of our budget(s) and in a timely manner.
We also need to take a long and hard look at ways to improve public transportation around town and make it more bike friendly (with hopefully an eventual connection to the Minuteman Bikeway).
Closely monitor the progress of the ongoing town connection to the MWRA and the construction of our new PFAS treatment facility. Ensure that the town stays informed on the progress of both projects. Even though we are currently under budget and ahead of schedule on the MWRA connection, we need to make sure we remain on that path.
Burlington is home to many wonderful places to experience the outdoors. Mary Cummings Park and the Land Locked Forest are two great examples.
It is imperative that we protect and preserve all of our green space so that it can be enjoyed today and for generations to come. Our land is limited and we should always look to encourage re-development over new builds.
Look to find ways to make the town center more distinct and pedestrian friendly.
As an Economic Development committee liaison, I was involved with the “pocket park” beer garden event and it was a fine example of placemaking and reimagining/reinventing public places for more communal uses.
Continue with efforts to improve the “housing cycle” in Burlington. Work to ensure viable housing opportunities exist for everyone from younger people just starting out to empty-nesters and seniors who would like to downsize and stay in town.
Keep Burlington a warm, welcoming place for people of all races, colors, creeds, sexual orientations and religions. The hiring of a DEI Director in our school system was a great first step in achieving this endeavor. We have a wonderful mix of residents and collectively we make up one of the kindest communities around. We have to preserve, protect and enhance this spirit to ensure that Burlington is a place you can always believe in.
Just wanted to make sure you were still paying attention. 🙂
