Art in Burlington Remains at the Forefront

Economic Development Director, Melisa Tintocalis, asked the Select Board last night for feedback on a proposal for a mobile art installation for the town of Burlington. Funded in part by the placemaking grant that has supported the Beer Gardens, the Pocket Park, and other initiatives in town, this proposal would involve purchasing and renovating a trailer that could make appearances all around town throughout the year and provide a sort of mobile space for art appreciation and engagement.

The details of the plan are not yet finalized, but some options would be to install a large picture window so that, even when the trailer was not attended, passersby could see the art installation inside; to have a local artist decorate the outside and bring the trailer to events to facilitate hands-on art experiences for attendees; and to have the mobile art exhibit present at various town celebrations for attendees to see and interact with.

The goal of this public art project would be to illuminate the intersection of arts, culture, and economic development, infusing visual and economic vitality into the fabric of the town. The proposal was met with many questions, mostly involving logistics, but the Board was enthusiastic about the potential of this project. More to come on this, as we celebrate the completion of the town's new mural, which is now up on the side of the building where Coldwell Banker is located at Moran Ave. This is the second mural in the Community Corner Pocket Park area, set aside as an inviting outdoor gathering space.

The Select Board also heard from Sculpture Board Chair, Barbara L'Heureux, about the upcoming 2024 installation at the Sculpture Park.

With the help of students from the elementary and high schools, the Sculpture Park Committee has selected their proposed sculptures for this year's installation. Pod, Rybee House #3, Composition #1, and Meadow Dancer will be leaving, and five additional sculptures (kept secret until their installation in July) will be added. The dragonfly, Lumen, will be staying for six more months while the Committee attempts to raise money to purchase it.

The town owns several sculptures that it has purchased or have been donated: Seraph, Havoc, Follow Your Heart, Global Warming, Lovebirds, and the sculpted stone benches. The future location of the Sculpture Park will continue to be discussed, as the new police station will likely be taking over a part of the property where the Park currently sits; at the very least, the sculptures will need to be moved while construction is underway.

Also at Select Board:

• Three recently-retired or soon-to-retire Burlington Police Officers were appointed to the position of "Special Police Officer." (00:01)
• The Town Common will be used for several Recreation Department events, including concerts, kids' events, and Truck Day. (00:07)
• A jewelry kiosk in the mall was re-licensed. (00:10)
• Speed tables, and the process for proposing and placing them, was discussed once more, but no decisions were made. (1:04)
• Municipal electrical aggregation will continue to be discussed, and many Board members are excited to see the reinstatement of this once-successful plan. This initiative by the town to by electricity at a lower aggregate rate for the entire town would aim to lower the "supply" portion of everyone's electricity bill. A mailer would go out to everyone in town who is currently on Eversource's basic service, as these residents would be automatically converted to the aggregation plan. Those who have already opted into an alternative service provider would not be included in the program. There is an opt-out option. More to come about the timeline for this, but the consultant who spoke suggested September would be a good month. (1:19)
• At public participation, residents who exercise at the Council on Aging requested that a dedicated space is provided for their exercise classes.
• The fee schedule was updated for various business licenses. (2:12)
• The issue of an electronic sign to replace the two poles at the corner of the Town Common was revisited, and the details are being assembled to bring in front of a future town meeting, possibly this September. (2:14)
• A committee was created to advise Town Meeting on the question of making the Town Clerk an appointed versus an elected position. The plan is for Town Meeting to vote in September whether or not to put this question on the Town Election ballot for April 2025, and the voting public will make the final decision. (2:22)
• Long-time BCAT Board member, Brad Bond, has resigned, and the Select Board will be seeking a new appointee to assume his position. (2:46)
• Community member Will Seagaard and town Meeting Member Alex Rutfield requested feedback on a proposed zoning and general bylaw change to allow recreational marijuana sales along Mall Road and Middlesex Turnpike. (2:49)

The next Select Board meeting will be held on June 24, 2024.