Good Morning, Burlington!
Many communities of faith are observing holidays this weekend and into next week: The Jewish community will be celebrating Purim (which begins Saturday at sundown) with hamentashen, carnivals, and readings from the Book of Esther, and the Christian community will kick off Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday and culminates on Easter Sunday. Read more about these celebrations in our Community Celebrations section!
Friday Roundup
Here are some quick notes as we close out the week:
Today is Wellness Day at Burlington High School. Academic classes will be foregone in favor of wellness workshops throughout the day.
Early in-person voting for the April 6 election is in full swing, as is is mail-in voting. Be sure you’re informed! Head to the Local Election section of the Buzz and the BNEWS Election Center for all the latest information about your candidates and the offices for which they’re running.
Sadly, Burlington is not continuing to the final four in the Minute Madness competition. However, our town did read an impressie 345,000 minutes in the three weeks we were participating! Way to go, Burlington.
Today is the last day to fill out the Outdoor Facilities Master Plan survey for the Parks & Recreation Department. Let the town know your priorities for outdoor recreation, including sports fields!
SDC Gives Back, sponsored by Suzanne’s Dance Company and the Fine family, will be tomorrow, Saturday, at the Elks Lodge in Billerica. From their event page: Join SDC GIVES BACK for a night of fun, entertainment, food, drinks, raffles, and laughs. Our SDC dancers will be entertaining you with their amazing dances! All funds raised will be going to RUN FOR MGH and Pediatric Cancer. We can’t wait! To purchase your ticket ($25 per adult, $15 per child, $175 for a table of 8), donate here.
Planning Board Split on MBTA Communities Zoning
The Planning Board heard more arguments last night, both in favor of and in opporition to the MBTA Communities Zoning proposal that will go before May Town Meeting. After another long conversation, the Planning Board was split, voting 4-3 to recommend this new multifamily zoning overlay to Town Meeting.
The strategy for rezoning a part of the Grandview Farm property so the new police station can be built upon it was also not unanimously agreed upon. As at the previous meeting, many on the Board were disappointed that more thorough plans hadn’t been presented, and so it wasn’t clear how much of the property the police station would actally require. The Planning Board voted 5-2 in favor of recommending the rezoning to the Select Board, with the agreement that whatever part of the property wasn’t used for the police station would be zoned back to the previous zoning.
Unanimously recommended were the proposals to update parking requirements and the updated use table for the zoning bylaws that Planning staff has been working on for the better part of a year in conjunction with Burlington’s business community.
The petition for a drive through at Northwest Park and the request for rezoning at Fox Hill were both withdrawn.
Today and This Weekend in Burlington
Municipal Meetings and Community Events
Friday March 22
BHS Student Wellness Day
10:00 AM – Ways & Means Town Hall II Subcommittee will review the FY25 budget of the Historical Commission (Grand View Farm)
10:30 AM – Toddler Movie Day – Let’s watch the movie Turbo together! This event is perfect if your little one isn’t quite ready for the movie theater. You can bring a snack/drink for your child if you like. (Burlington Public Library; Drop In)
Saturday, March 23
Jewish holiday of Purim begins this evening. Chag Purim to all who celebrate!!
11:00 AM – Purim: Mask Making and Party Crafts – All are invited to come learn about Purim, make masks and noisemakers (graggers). (Burlington Public Library; Register)
11:30 AM – Brush and Brunch – enjoy a morning of painting and mimosas. A light continental breakfast is provided. (Made in Burlington; Register)
3:00 PM – Teen Volunteering: Spring Cardmaking – let’s make cheery Spring cards to send to local assisted living residents. Open to kids in grades 6-12. (Burlington Public Library; Register)
6:30 PM – SDC Gives Back dance show and fundraiser (Elks Lodge, Billerica; see above for more information)
Sunday, March 24
12:00-3:00 PM – Free Photos with Easter Bunny – Get your picture, listen to live music, enjoy face painting and giveaways. (3rd Ave: Osteria Nino)
2:00 PM – Landing on the Moon and Eclipse Glasses Event – Guest speaker, retired Air Force officer and current Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Solar System Ambassador, David S. Ball, will present and answer your questions. First 100 people will get a free pair of eclipse glasses. The event is geared towards adults and teens, but children are welcome to attend with their grown-up. (Burlington Public Library)
Sports and Activities
Looks like there’s a Lacrosse scrimmage tomorrow in Swampscott; the regular season begins next week for all spring sports.
Friday Funny
LOL.
That’s it for today. Head’s up for Hive members: We might need to skip this week’s planned Hive Roundup.
Have a great weekend, Burlington!
Nicci
