Cheaper Electricity Bills Could Come to Burlington

The Select Board preemptively approved Monday night a proposal to begin a municipal electricity aggregation program meant to bring savings to Burlington electricity bills.

The agreement was recommended for a two-year term beginning in October and is pending a signature from the Town Administrator. Prices for the aggregation program are not at historic lows, but the proposed pricing was estimated to be slightly lower than Eversource's projected standard rate.

For two years, the pricing estimate is 13.33 cents/kWh, compared to the town’s only current option with Eversource projected at the standard rate of 15.7 cents/kWh.

Estimating costs for an average household using 1000 kWh per month, the new option would cost an estimated $133.30 a month versus the current option’s estimates of $157. This would total $284.40 in annual savings. Residents will receive notification letters and be allowed to opt out of the new program if they choose, and a more formal plan to communicate the new option will be formed in July.

However, according to the Colonial Power Group website, while the program is aimed to provide long-term savings compared to basic service rates, prices could change. “Basic service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the Program against Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed,” the site stated.

This program works by allowing Burlington to pool the purchasing power of its residents and businesses to offer an alternative electricity supply, separate from Eversource's basic service rates. This change only affects the supply portion of participants' bills; Eversource would continue delivering electricity and handling billing. Colonial Power Group is set to assist monitoring the electricity market and selecting competitive suppliers through a bid process for this option.

Residents who have already opted into an alternative energy provider will not be opted into this municipal aggregation program.

Other items discussed at the select board:

• Two firefighter paramedics were appointed, including the town’s first-ever female firefighter! (0:00:17)
• A new DPW Business Manager (0:06:21) and an administrative assistant to the Select Board (0:08:33) were also appointed.
• The board discussed a new electronic sign to replace the existing fabric banners on the corner of Middlesex Avenue and Cambridge Street that are erected on 4x4 wooden posts that have seen better days. Potential dimensions, costs and policy guidelines for sign usage were discussed, along with concerns about potential hacking. Further information was expected at the next meeting. (0:13:34)
• A state-mandated social equity policy for marijuana establishments was briefly discussed. The town’s attorney explained the new state requirements for municipalities to adopt a social equity policy and regulations or bylaw promoting social equity businesses in an effort to “right the wrongs of the past” by prioritizing businesses from people of color who were historically disproportionately penalized related to cannabis. Further discussion was punted to a future meeting. (1:03:17)
• The Board heard an update from the Scholarship Committee. Six $2,000 scholarship recipients were selected from 45 applicants. The names of the scholarship recipients were provided, including five from Burlington High School and one from Shawsheen Tech. The committee updated the town scholarship scoring matrix to make it more even across schools for things like AP classes and the essay prompt was updated to be more focused on the student's experiences in Burlington and how they could improve the community. Town Administrator Paul Sagarino said the town is in talks with Northeastern as well about providing a scholarship to a Burlington student. (0:10:03)
• The local Hindu temple requested approval for its Procession of Temple Deities on July 6, which was approved. The request included taking their temporary deities in a small chariot built on a 4x6 trailer from their location at 85 Wilmington Road to LaCascia’s Bakery and then returning, taking about 45-50 minutes total with a police procession. (0:11:12)
• A fourth cellular antenna providing at least $35,000 a year to the town was approved to be placed on the water tower at 7th Center St., pending a final signature. So far, other attendees have brought in $270,000 to the town. (2:27:27)
• AMC Theaters requested an extension of its operating hours around new movie releases from July 25 through August 8 for showings of the new Deadpool film, which was approved. Shows will not start later than 11:30 p.m. Business has improved since the start of the pandemic but has still not reached pre pandemic levels, in part due to the writers’ strike. (0:12:56)
• A committee was formed with six members to further examine the pros and cons of an appointed versus elected Town Clerk position. (0:14:47).
• Verizon requested approval to install a guy wire (a tension wire that adds stability) from a utility pole across Chestnut Street to balance an existing pole that was leaning slightly, which would require a 25-foot tall pole installed in the grass area near the sidewalk. The board expressed concerns  about continually adding poles and wires to roadways rather than strengthening existing poles and the request was moved to the next meeting to allow for further discussion. (1:43:37)
• The Select Board appointments of the audit committee, zoning board of appeals, and scholarship committee were approved. The town administrator's appointments of other committees were also approved. (2:12:47)

• The Friends of the Landlocked Forest secured permission to mow the meadow each summer. This creates a diversity of habitats which promotes pollinators and other species.
• Greek Restaurant, Greco, will be opening in the Burlington Mall. Now that they have their license, they expect to open by Friday.