Hello, Neighbor!

Thanks to everyone who has already filled in the Audience Survey! Here’s a convenient reminder and link in case you meant to do it and forgot. There are a bunch of gift cards up for grabs for folks who fill in the survey, and it only takes a few minutes—promise! And because y’all are so great, we’re going to take this moment to tell you that tomorrow evening from 4-9 there will be buck-a-shuck oysters at Surf Seafood in Woburn. Get your reservations now!

We’ve got one more thing for you just for being an awesome Buzz reader—later we’ll share an opportunity to win a gift card of up to $100 just for being in the right place at the right time.

Your Child Can Design Burlington's Next "I Voted" Sticker!

The local election continues to heat up, and (assuming all papers are returned) there is now either a full ballot or a contested election in all but 2 Town Meeting precincts as well as for Housing Authority, Select Board, and School Committee. Two candidates have taken out papers for Shawsheen School Committee, but it’s likely one of them won’t run again.

This is what we’re talking about, people! Contested elections are a sign of engagement, and being challenged forces candidates to articulate their positions on issues they’ll be able to impact as elected leaders.

Seats that do not have sufficient candidates yet for their open seats:

• Board of Health
• Precinct 2 Town Meeting (2 open seats)
• Precinct 7 Town Meeting (1 open seat)

Of course, if you think you could do a good job in any of the roles on the ballot, take out your nomination papers now and start working on getting signatures (50 for town-wide offices or 10 for Town Meeting seats). The deadline to take out papers is next Wednesday, February 14, and the deadline to return them is Friday, February 16, by 1:00 PM.

Full list of candidates who have taken out papers

“I Voted” Sticker Contest!

Speaking of engagement, civic involvement should start early! The town of Burlington does a few things to get kids aware of local elections, including conducting a Student Vote and, this year, hosting a Civic Expo with yours truly where kids and adults alike could learn about the way our town works.

The latest effort to involve our youngest citizens in the civic process begins today. Students around Burlington are invited to design our town’s next “I Voted” sticker. Kids will get a submission form at school sometime soon, where they’ll be able to draw their own interpretation of the badge of honor so many voters wear on Election Day.

Submissions are due by February 16. Five politically-neutral designs will be presented and voted on at the town’s birthday celebration (Burlington turns 225 on 2/28!). Look out for more information from school, and be sure to ask your kiddos about the contest!

Today in Burlington

Municipal Meetings and Community Events

• 9:00 AM-2:30 PM - Pine Glen Kindergarten Registration (BHS)
• 10:15 AM-12:00 PM - Foreign Affairs Discussions Group (Library)
• 1:00 PM - School Policy Subcommittee - Discussions tonight on the social media and digital policies as well as buildings and grounds maintenance. (BHS Business Office Conference Room)
• 1:00-2:00 PM - Fine Motor Fun - Kids ages 2-5 spend an hour strengthening their small muscles, preparing for school and life skills that need their hands to be ready. Inspired by the Boston Children’s Museum’s Tools for Tiny Hands curriculum. (Library; Register)
• 2:30-4:30 PM - Woburn Creative Start Open House  - Check out the space for your young child to learn and grow at Woburn Creative Start. (470 Wildwood Ave, Woburn)
• 4:00-4:45 PM - STEM: Lava Bottles - Kids in grades 2-5 can sign up to make their own groovy lava bottle. Ask your friends if they would like to join you. Share your creation on social and tag us! #BurlingtonBuzz (Library; Register)
• 6:00 PM - Human Services Committee will talk about updating the resource directory, the mission statement, and do a debrief on the Civic Expo, which was sponsored by Burlington Buzz! (Virtual)
• 6:00 PM - Shawsheen School Budget Subcommittee will review and vote on the FY25 Operating Budget. (100 Cook St, Billerica)
• 6:30 PM - Valentine Wine & Sign - Lisa from April’s Way Custom Creations will lead us in making a sign for this upcoming holiday. Supplies included, including wine! Bring a snack if you like. (Made in Burlington; Tickets)
• 7:00 PM - Webinar: recognizing and treating OCD and tic disorders in children and adolescents - Erica Greenberg, MD will help us learn how OCD and tic disorders show up in our kids and how they can be disruptive, how to ask for help and the best ways to treat. (Virtual; Register)
• 7:00 PM - Rules Committee - will issue a charge to the original rules committee, review the Civic Expo, and discuss precinct captains and town meeting vacancies. (Town Hall Annex Basement)
• 7:30 PM - Board of Appeals - attendees will hear about a proposed new “Greco Truly Greek” sign among other matters. The meeting will also be aired on BCAT. You can watch on your TV [Comcast - Ch. 9 | RCN - Ch. 3 | Verizon - Ch. 39].  (Town Hall Main Hearing Room)

Sports and Activities

Boys and girls both took 5th place in the Middlesex League Championship yesterday. Many team members either hit a personal record, qualified for states, or both! Here are a few highlights (full results here):

Boys

• Krish Almeida took 5th in the 1 mile
• Alex Murray took 4th in the 55m hurdles
• The 4X200 relay team of Abbott, Burke, Conte, and Cox took 8th
• The 4X400 relay team of Giles, Murray, Dutta, and Irwin placed 3rd
• Sophomore Ryan Brooks took 8th in high jump and 6th in long jump
• Three of our boys placed in shotput: Julian Sacca took 2nd with 46’ 3.25”, Kevin Conte placed 5th, and Liam Welch placed 6th
• And, in the weight throw, Julian Sacca (45’5”) came in second, while Kevin Conte took 3rd, William Morrison 6th, William Preston 7th, and Arav Thikekar 8th

Girls

• Lucy Clement takes 8th in 300m dash
• Hope Hanafin comes in 2nd in the 600m run
• Char Collins took 5th and Cora Laverty 8th in the 55m hurdles
• The 4X200 team of Cummings, Londino, Collins, and Clement took 6th with 1:52.90
• The 4X400 team of DeMartinis, Lecomte, Laverty, Hanafin came in 5th with a time of 4:19.21
• Cora Laverty takes 4th in high jump
• Char Collins (16’8.5”) takes 2nd in long jump

Also last night, Lady Devils Hockey tied for the second time this year against Arlington.

Today, we’ve got basketball in Wakefield. For the girls, JV plays at 4:00 while the varsity game is at 5:30. JV boys play at 5:30, and varsity plays at 7:00. JV games are at Galvin Middle School, while the varsity games will be played at the Field House.

Freshman boys also have a b-ball game this afternoon, hosting Wakefield at MSMS.

And, finally, there’s a JV boys hockey game at 8:15 tonight, as the Devils host Stoneham at the Ice Palace.

Oh—and remember that one more thing you get to know, just for being an awesome Buzz reader? Here it is: H&M in Burlington Mall will be having their grand opening this Thursday at noon. The first 100 customers in line will be treated to a gift card valued at up to $100. Read more about this long-awaited grand opening below. See you there!

Community Information

H&M to Open New Location in Burlington Mall

Nicci Kadilak • Feb 5, 2024

H&M, one of the world’s largest fashion retailers famous for offering fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way, is happy to announce a new location in Burlington, Massachusetts. Measuring approximately 16,000 square feet, the new location at Burlington Mall will join the eight popular H&M destinations in the state o…

Read full story →

That’s it for today, folks. See you tomorrow!

Nicci

Share this Buzz with someone who doesn’t vote in local elections because the elections are “never contested.”