In-Depth Features

Hive Roundup: Ch-ch-ch-Changes

Looking to the near and far future with building projects and bylaw updates

Nicci Kadilak

— 7 min read
Hive Roundup: Ch-ch-ch-Changes

Hello, Hive!

We hope you’ve had a great two weeks. We’re back with the new-and-improved Hive Roundup, and we wanted to let you know the plan for the future. Every two weeks, I’ll round up some highlights from the last cycle of meetings (most of the Boards we spend a lot of time with meet every two weeks).

Some quick notes before we get started:

  • Looking for something fun to do this winter, like an outdoor activity for the whole family or an indoor place to burn off all that extra energy? Or, maybe you just want to keep yourself aligned for the holiday season. Look no further than the Burlington Buzz Guide to Winter, sponsored by Kadilak Realty Group. Inside, find reader stories, important information & dates, and winter tips and events from some of our favorite local businesses and nonprofits. Let us know your thoughts!

  • We have a location for our first Hive Coffee Hour!

    Grab a guest if you want, and come hang with Nicci & Baby Buzz on Friday morning, December 15 (and every third Friday) at 9:00 AM at the Wegmans Upper Level. We’ll bring the coffee; you bring your reusable mug if you have one! Be sure to grab your free ticket so we know to expect you!

  • The Buzz is partnering with the town of Burlington for the town’s first-ever Civic Expo on January 17 from 5:00-7:00 PM. We’re so excited to begin preparing for the event, and we hope you’ve marked your calendars. RSVP on our Facebook event, and look out for more information as the date approaches. For now, we’d love for you to reply to this email and answer one question: What’s something you didn’t know about the town that you think others need to know? We’ll be sure to highlight your responses at the Expo!

Now, let’s get down to business! In this Hive Roundup:

TownVote Issue of the Week: Should Herb Chambers Kia Be Allowed to Expand?

As I mentioned last week, every two weeks, we’ll be sending a TownVote Issue for you to vote on.

After the Planning Board meeting on Thursday, we were curious to hear from a broader segment of the population about the zoning changes proposed by Herb Chambers Kia. Take a look at our newest TownVote Issue to answer the question: Should Burlington Approve a Zoning Change That Would Allow for Car Dealership Expansion?

Town Finance: Select Board Sets FY24 Tax Classification

The tax classification has been set for the current fiscal year, determining the percentage of their property’s value homeowners will be paying in taxes this year. Following the trend of the last decade, that percentage went down. But, since property values increased, taxes will still be going up.

This process involves some math that seems complicated, but can be boiled down to this:

  • The town’s operating budget increased by about 5.4% this fiscal year.
  • In order to meet that budget, the town needs to collected taxes from businesses and residents.
  • Businesses pay about 2/3 of our tax levy.
  • The remaining 1/3 is paid by homeowners.
  • Since the budget increased, property taxes needed to increase, too. But, since property values increased by a greater percentage than the budget, the effective tax rate went down.

In Burlington, the residential tax rate is $9.40 per $1000 of property value. That’s lower than all neighboring municipalities except for Woburn. Still, the budget increase means an increase of just under $300 this year on property taxes for the median homeowner.

Schools: Community Meeting Updates Residents on Elementary School Project

State Education Commissioner, Jeff Riley, was in town recently to visit Burlington High School. He left with a positive impression of Burlington’s programs, including robotics, computer science, and the flipped internship program.

The High School Building Committee met with their Owner’s Project Manager, Dore & Whittier. This is a firm contracted to bring the district through the feasibility study process, which is the first step to creating a new or improved Burlington High School building. The group is following the Massachusetts School Building Authority process, which is familiar to many, but since they won’t be constrained by the timelines and requirements (since this is not actually an MSBA project), this process will hopefully proceed faster and be more flexible. Next step: Select a designer, hopefully by the end of January.

Speaking of building projects, the Elementary School Building Committee held a Community Meeting on December 5 to update residents on the progress of this project and the decisions that have been made. While few residents attended, the meeting was full of information about the current state of the decision-making process and what’s to come. High level-highlights:

  • The new building will be two stories and located on the northern corner of the lot. (In case you missed it, it will only hold Fox Hill students—Pine Glen will remain as-is.) A few trees will need to be removed, and the lot will be graded.
  • The cost to taxpayers is now looking like it will be closer to $50-60 million after rebates and reimbursements, which will translate to about $200 a year for the median taxpayer.
  • Sustainability is in mind, and the planners intend to use geothermal head and are looking into solar panels and rainwater recapture.

They’ll be sending their preferred design to the state for approval by the end of this year, and after the state approves it in February, they will start working on the schematic for submission and approval around late summer. Construction bidding will then begin, and the school will likely be ready to house kids in 2028 (the year that Baby Buzz will be starting 3th grade at Fox Hill).

Town Planning: Planning Board Cast Advisory Votes

Following Burlington’s ranking as #1 Suburb with an Urban Vibe, the Planning Board met to discuss several proposed bylaw changes that will further modernize our town’s bylaws.

In their second meeting to discuss the proposed zoning-related articles for January Town Meeting. Out of eight articles, two were withdrawn because they weren’t quite ready: for one, regarding wireless equipment, a consultant is desired to help be sure the law is in good shape. The other, which seeks to add a definition for “middle housing,” will be reintroduced along with zoning that shows where that kind of housing will be located.

The most discussed and controversial item in front of the Planning Board was a zoning change that would allow Herb Chambers Kia to expand. Neighbors were opposed because of traffic, privacy, water, and pedestrian concerns. The business was in favor because, they say, an expansion would make the area more attractive, improve traffic flow, and better meet the needs of the business and its customers. This was the only item with a split (2-4-1) vote, and this was after the item was withdrawn from September’s warrant and more community outreach was conducted. If not withdrawn again, the article will go before Town Meeting in January, and these advisory votes will be shared.

The rest of the articles received a unanimous vote in favor:

Recreation: Seeking Your Feedback & A New Program Coordinator

Long time Program Coordinator for our Recreation Department, Jessie Hampson, has moved on, and the Department is seeking a new Program Coordinator

The Program Coordinator will coordinate major events such as the Tree Lighting, brought hundreds of residents together on the Town Common this Tuesday, as well as other major events hosted by the Recreation Department each year. Priority will be given to applications received by yesterday, but if you or someone you know missed that date and think this would be the perfect job for you, get your application in now!

Speaking of the Recreation Department, they’re seeking your feedback regarding a project involving the redevelopment of Overlook Park (the location currently being used by the Burlington Players theatre company) and a new playground at Simonds Park. You’ve only got until December 15 to provide your input, so let the Rec Department know what you think today.

Nonprofits: Give a Helping Hand this Winter

The Wish Tree is up at the second floor of the Burlington Mall until this Wednesday, December 13; come by to choose a wish card, and then purchase the item and drop the unwrapped gift at the same location. Your donation will help a Burlington family who could use help this holiday season.

Fox Hill School is the Burlington donation spot for the Coats for Kids and Families drive this year. Donate new or gently used coats and other winter gear, and they’ll be cleaned by the professionals at Anton’s. Other local places accepting donations are Anton’s Cleaners, Enterprise Bank, and Jordan’s Furniture locations, but only donations received at Fox Hill will earn School Rewards, donated by Jordan’s Furniture.

That’s it for this Roundup. Don’t forget to leave a comment or reply to this email with interesting/important things you’ve learned about Burlington that you think other residents should know!

Until next time,

Nicci

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