I'm running for re-election to the Burlington Board of Selectmen. Doing my part to keep Burlington a great place to live is why I am inspired to run again.
In 1959, I moved to Burlington with my parents and siblings. Shortly after getting married, I moved to my current residence on Lisa Street. My wife, Mary, and I raised 3 sons who attended Burlington schools K-12. In a few years, my youngest grandchild will enter Burlington schools. I was involved in Burlington Youth Soccer for 12 years and coached little league. Most recently, I’m a volunteer for People Helping People & the Burlington Food Pantry.
I want to make sure our town remains fiscally and structurally stable, which is why I’m committed to making sure our tax revenue goes into long-term investments, such as the Forced Sewer Main infrastructure project, expansion of the Pine Haven cemetery, and new/remodeled schools. I continue to be an advocate for open space and protection of
the Land Locked Forest. I support smart development that converts low tax-revenue properties into tax-generating properties for our town yet does not cause a toll on our resources and traffic.
As a member of the board over the last three years, I’m proud to have served the residents and made a difference. The Board of Selectmen is a part time job that requires a full time commitment and I see it as one of the ways I can give back to this town I enjoy so much.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Successful People Helping People Fundraiser
On Sunday, Feb 27th, Cafe Escadrille hosted a wine tasting fundraiser to benefit People Helping People and the Burlington Food Pantry. We raised $13,000, thanks to the generosity of Bob Murray, owner of Café Escadrille, who donated the venue, food, and wine, local business owners, who donated items for the auction, and the attendees of the event, who gave generously. There was plenty to good food to eat and a great assortment of wines for tasting. The live auction during the event was fun and raised $8,000, with each item donated being sold for full value. It was an event that exceeded our fundraising expectations and I hope to see even more folks attending next year.
More information on Burlington People Helping People
More information on Burlington People Helping People
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Summer updates
It has been a while since my last blog entry. On a personal front, I now have one more grandchild. Three grandsons and one granddaughter to bring the total to four.
The job, as a member of the board of Selectman, is on-going if you chose to get involved in your sub-committees. I ran for the position because I felt I could make a difference. I choose to do the work and make sure I am up to speed on all important matters. I thank the residents around town for their ongoing support and participation in our great town. I continue to get emails and calls from residents who have concerns and questions that they need straight up answers on.
It has been an unusually hot summer, like the ones I remember growing up. Although we are not quite talking about a water ban, like some communities, it would be nice to see residents conserving water on a volunteer basis. One of the best ways to conserve is to water our lawns less often or only at night or in the early morning. I notice residents do step up to the plate. This has been seen in our very successful recycling program. Not only are we doing great with recycling at home but I also see a lot of plastic bottles in our recycle bins at the parks.
Town meeting is back September 27 with some interesting warrant articles. As I always say, if you have any questions about the warrant or want to discuss any items that are important to you, please email or call and I will get back to you. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
The job, as a member of the board of Selectman, is on-going if you chose to get involved in your sub-committees. I ran for the position because I felt I could make a difference. I choose to do the work and make sure I am up to speed on all important matters. I thank the residents around town for their ongoing support and participation in our great town. I continue to get emails and calls from residents who have concerns and questions that they need straight up answers on.
It has been an unusually hot summer, like the ones I remember growing up. Although we are not quite talking about a water ban, like some communities, it would be nice to see residents conserving water on a volunteer basis. One of the best ways to conserve is to water our lawns less often or only at night or in the early morning. I notice residents do step up to the plate. This has been seen in our very successful recycling program. Not only are we doing great with recycling at home but I also see a lot of plastic bottles in our recycle bins at the parks.
Town meeting is back September 27 with some interesting warrant articles. As I always say, if you have any questions about the warrant or want to discuss any items that are important to you, please email or call and I will get back to you. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Town Meeting
There will be one more night of Town Meeting on Feb 1. Both Town Meeting and Ways & Means need one more week to digest the $391,000 cost for the police contract settlement. This has been on going for two years now and a settlement is close. In other police news, the town administrator has appointed a new Police chief to replace Chief Fran Hart, who is retiring next month. Mike Kent, a Captain in the Amherst police department, has 28 years of experience. He was introduced at Monday’s Town Meeting this week. Hiring from outside civil service is a first for Burlington. I support Mike Kent and believe he will be a great leader for the BPD. The next Selectman meeting is Mon, Feb 8.
Friday, January 15, 2010
January 2010 Town Meeting
Happy New Year! The Jan 25th warrant is out and posted on the towns web site.
Last September, we approved a slight increase of the hotel tax for those hotels in Burlington. Estimates from the hotel tax increase will bring to the town an additional $250,000 per year. A revenue producing article that will be at Town Meeting in January is to increase the meal tax by 0.75%. This extra revenue will go directly to the town. The estimated additional revenue per year for the Town of Burlington is $500,000. These estimates hinge on the local economy. If hotel and restaurant usage remains the same, these estimates will hold true.
As you have probably read, our local state aid is down around $1.6 million. The Department of Revenue (DOR) is giving us the green light on these two revenue producing tax increases to help lessen the financial blow from the decrease in state aid. I supported both of these increases. I will ask as we move forward that this extra revenue be put in our stabilization account. Withdrawing money from this town stabilization account requires a 2/3 majority vote from Town Meeting. We need this money for many of our capital improvements and infrastructure needs.
Town Meeting Article 10 is the cemetery expansion. We will be able to increase our capacity by about 20 years on the two existing sites. This will be a costly construction project but I continue to believe we must provide burial space for our deceased residents. Many of our older population have already purchased cemetery lots years ago when they were available.
The transfer of the Wildwood property to the Recreation Department for ball fields is Article 13. The Recreation Dept was able to secure 56% reimbursement from a state grant for this project. Great job to that team.
The landlocked parcel is back in our local news or maybe it never left. This will be a campaign issue again for the upcoming Selectmen race in April. My position has been the same as it was as a Town Meeting member and now as a member of the Board of Selectmen. I do not wish to sell this property to private development. I felt the same way back when I was a town meeting when there was talk about selling of the Wildwood site by some local officials. I have a strong position on preserving our municipal property. Thank you again for supporting me as a member of the BOS and please don’t hesitate to call or email me about any of your local concerns.
Last September, we approved a slight increase of the hotel tax for those hotels in Burlington. Estimates from the hotel tax increase will bring to the town an additional $250,000 per year. A revenue producing article that will be at Town Meeting in January is to increase the meal tax by 0.75%. This extra revenue will go directly to the town. The estimated additional revenue per year for the Town of Burlington is $500,000. These estimates hinge on the local economy. If hotel and restaurant usage remains the same, these estimates will hold true.
As you have probably read, our local state aid is down around $1.6 million. The Department of Revenue (DOR) is giving us the green light on these two revenue producing tax increases to help lessen the financial blow from the decrease in state aid. I supported both of these increases. I will ask as we move forward that this extra revenue be put in our stabilization account. Withdrawing money from this town stabilization account requires a 2/3 majority vote from Town Meeting. We need this money for many of our capital improvements and infrastructure needs.
Town Meeting Article 10 is the cemetery expansion. We will be able to increase our capacity by about 20 years on the two existing sites. This will be a costly construction project but I continue to believe we must provide burial space for our deceased residents. Many of our older population have already purchased cemetery lots years ago when they were available.
The transfer of the Wildwood property to the Recreation Department for ball fields is Article 13. The Recreation Dept was able to secure 56% reimbursement from a state grant for this project. Great job to that team.
The landlocked parcel is back in our local news or maybe it never left. This will be a campaign issue again for the upcoming Selectmen race in April. My position has been the same as it was as a Town Meeting member and now as a member of the Board of Selectmen. I do not wish to sell this property to private development. I felt the same way back when I was a town meeting when there was talk about selling of the Wildwood site by some local officials. I have a strong position on preserving our municipal property. Thank you again for supporting me as a member of the BOS and please don’t hesitate to call or email me about any of your local concerns.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Step in the right direction
On Monday night at the Selectmen’s meeting, the ballot question was not supported by the board. The BOS voted 3 to 2 not to approve the question to sell and develop the landlocked parcel. The proponents will now have to gather 1615 votes to have the non-binding question placed on the ballot. In my opinion, this is a victory for the town. It is important that we keep our town-owned land for future municipal use only. We have millions of square feet of class A office, retail and biotech space already permitted and waiting for tenants to occupy. I urge you not to sign the petition as this is the last large piece of beautiful forest in our town.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Let it Run Out
Landlocked Forrest will be on the Selectmen agenda on Monday, Nov 9 ay 7pm. This is a last ditch effort by a small group of Town Meeting members and a couple of other people who think selling Burlington’s jewel of real estate is in the community’s best interest. This group clearly represents the interests of Patriot Partners, the developer who has a first right of refusal on this 247 acres of prime land. Burlington took the land in 1985 to prevent over development, protect the water supply and add open space to our municipal portfolio. Right now, we have 5 planned development districts and just over 4.5 million square feet of office, biotech and retail space waiting for tenants. In this economy, who knows how long it will take for the current property owners to get tenants to lease these spaces. We currently have a 20% vacancy rate in town. I anticipate a full court press by Patriot Partners to convince the residents of Burlington that developing this land is in the best interest of the town. Why should our town allow further development when we have planned development districts in process and a high vacancy rate? Keep your eye on this one. Contact your Selectmen and Town Meeting Members and tell them let the Patriot Partner’s first right of refusal option run out .We do not need to sell town-owned land.
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