Good Morning!

If you’re a frequent user of the MVLC mobile app, you might have noticed something amiss in the last month or two. MVLC stands for Merrimac Valley Library Consortium, a group of libraries including Burlington, Billerica, Andover, Lowell, and many more, that share resources. For years, the mobile application has helped library users manage their checkouts and holds and check library inventory, among other things. Last fall, a dispute arose between the consortium and the developer of the app, and the two have parted ways. This means the MVLC app is no longer fully functional, and it won’t be coming back online.

The consortium has hired a new developer to create a new app, but these things take time and we haven’t been able to find an ETA on the new application. In the meantime, the old app might look like it’s working, and you can still use the library card barcode functionality, but your checkout and holds information won’t be updated. To manage your checkouts and holds, visit the library’s website and log in with your library card number and pin/password instead.

Civic Expo Seeks to Increase Resident Involvement in Local Government

Today’s the day, and the Buzz family could not be more excited. The Civic Expo will kick off this afternoon at 5:00 and run until 7:00. You can drop in at any time and stay as long as you want! Refreshments from Wegmans, MOM’s, LaCascia’s, Bagel Bar, and Girl Scout Troop 70240 will fill your tummies, while information from all our town departments, elected Boards/Commissions, and non-profits will fill your minds. And, enter to win a door prize in the form of a Recreation activity credit, a Rosa Mexicano gift card, a rain barrel from the Conservation Department, or a compost bin from the Department of Public Works!

As you go around this evening, we encourage you to think about the best way you can get involved with the amount of time you’re able to commit. That might mean running for Town Meeting, which meets for a few hours a year but does the very important work of approving budgets, capital expenditures, and bylaw changes for the town. It might mean becoming more aware of zoning changes, business developments, or the long-term visions for our various departments and using that information to inform your voting decisions. Or it might mean running for a larger, town-wide office, contributing to the overall running of the town. Whatever your ability to become (or remain) involved, we hope this event helps you see that our elected officials are just concerned residents just like you. You have something to offer, and your contribution could impact the town and the quality of life for your neighbors!

Speaking of elected offices, more folks took out nomination papers last week, and the updated ballot can be found here. There are still four weeks to obtain nomination papers, and this list will just build until the submission date of February 16. Two seats, however, will have to be filled before the election: Precinct 5 is seeking to fill one vacancy for Town Meeting prior to January’s Town Meeting next Monday, January 22. If you’re interested in representing your neighbors in Precinct 5 (that’s the area south of Cambridge Street in the Western half of town), call (781-270-1660) or send an email to Town Clerk, Amy Warfield, letting her know of your intent to run.

And, finally, speaking of Town Meeting, some articles from the Warrant summary have been withdrawn: The body will no longer be discussing a new definition for accessory structures (Article 2), updated parking requirements (Article 3), or updating the use table (Article 7).

Today in Burlington

Municipal Meetings and Community Events

• 12:00-6:00 PM - Cousins Maine Lobster - A winter surprise! Enjoy a yummy lobster roll while dreaming of the summer waves. (Wayside)
• 2:00 PM - Board of Health - Tri-Ton Coalition Advisory Board - Agenda includes public health initiatives as well as tobacco funding and municipality updates, among more. (Virtual) CANCELED
• 3:00 PM - Shawsheen Curriculum Subcommittee will review and vote on the program of studies. (Shawsheen Tech)
• 4:30 PM - Housing Partnership Committee - Discussion with the council on aging outreach worker, the sale of 119 South Bedford St, update on the 2024 affordable housing application, and a discussion with the regional housing services director. (Virtual)
• 5:00-7:00 PM Civic Expo! - Join your neighbors and the town departments and elected boards/commissions that represent you here in Burlington. Free refreshments, childcare for ages 2 through fifth grade, and door prizes—need we say more? Overflow parking is available at Grand View Farm; please move cars by 7:00 and don’t park at the Grandview Commons senior living facility. (61 Center St, Murray Kelly Wing)
• 6:00-8:00 - Shawsheen Tech Open House for prospective students
• 6:00-8:00 PM - Teen Pizza & Movie Night: Five Nights at Freddy’s - Kids in grades 6-12, come watch this fun movie and eat cheesy pizza. A lucky winner will get a DVD of the movie! Sounds like a great place to drop your kiddos while you come to the Expo! (Library; Register)
• 6:30 PM - Zoning Bylaw Review Committee Sign Subcommittee (Virtual) CANCELED
• 7:00-8:00 PM - Kindergarten Information Night - For more information on Kindergarten in our town, click here. (BHS Auditorium)
• 7:00-8:30 PM - Middle School Winter Instrumental Concert - Parents of students who play an instrument are invited to listen as their kids show what they have been learning. (MSMS)
• 7:00 PM - Historical Commission - The 225th anniversary celebration, the annual budget report, the historic booklet and much more are on the agenda. Come learn more about our wonderful community! (Grand View Farm)
• 7:00-8:00 PM - Fables & Fantasy Book Club: The Book That Wouldn’t Burn - Reading a book can take you on amazing adventures. Come chat about them with new friends! (Library, Periodicals Room; Register)

Sports and Activities

The weather yesterday was more intense than anyone seemed to expect, and sports/practices/after-school things were canceled. Yesterday’s boys’ basketball games against Woburn will happen today instead, with JV playing at 4:00 and varsity playing at 6:00 at BHS. Lady Devils hockey will defend their 7-1 record against Malden Catholic at the Ice Palace at 5:00.

That’s it for today! We hope to see you at the Civic Expo this evening!

Nicci

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