Good Morning, Burlington!

Select Board last night approved the installation of pedestrian crossing lights at some crosswalks around town. These lights are responsive to the presence of pedestrians, rather than perpetually flashing like the lights that currently exist in those locations. These lights will bring the town into compliance with current standards and create a safer situation for pedestrians.

The intersection of Francis Wyman and Cedar will be done first, followed by the intersections of Winn & Sears Streets and Winn Street & Harriett Ave. Others will be installed as a part of some planned repaving projects.

Select Board Discusses the Future of Cable in Burlington

If you’ve ever taken a deep dive into your cable bill, you might have noticed a line item called PEG. This charge, currently 66 cents per Verizon customer in Burlington, helps fund our wonderful cable access television channel, BCAT.

At last night’s Select Board meeting, the town’s special counsel for cable presented a new contract between the town and Verizon. Along with the presentation came a number of questions from the Board regarding the future of cable as more residents are choosing to fully or partially “cut the cord.” The conversation was fascinating, and there is some legislation at the state level now (here’s one from the House) that might affect how your cable company (if you still have one) operates in the future.

The highlight of this conversation is that the town has entered into a 5-year contract with Verizon, during which the cable company has a 3-year “unilateral out,” meaning they can pull out at any time after 3 years. BUT in exchange for that provision, the company has agreed to pay a flat rate of $150,000 (paid in 3 annual payments) rather than the 66 cents per month per customer, acknowledging that a flat rate is not susceptible to customer attrition. This is considered 5 years of funding, and so regardless of whether Verizon sticks around or splits after 3 years, that’s the full amount they’ll contribute, aside from 5% of gross revenue.

In addition, the town will be able to add an HD channel to its public television offerings!

Also at Select Board:

• In case you missed it, there is likely a stoplight in store for the intersection of Mountain Road and Winn Street, pending Town Meeting approval in May.
• The gas station going in where Shell and D’Angelo used to be on Middlesex Turnpike will be able to open the road (with some conditions) to connect their gas line, even though the moratorium on street opening started November 15.
• Many business licenses were renewed. The backup isn’t posted online where it usually is, but it will be included in the minutes so interested parties will be able to see once those minutes are approved at a future Select Board meeting.
• The addition of January Town Meeting Articles was approved. The Board didn’t take a position on these articles; they just voted to place them on the warrant.
• The meeting calendar for 2024 was approved.
• Look out for the Civic Expo January 17, and don’t forget to respond to the Facebook event!

December is nearly half-over, and we’ve still got a long way to go toward our 2024 goals, including enhanced sport reporting and a new, more customizable website. Your contribution would go a long way toward supporting these initiatives and more into the next year and beyond!

Today in Burlington

Municipal Meetings and Community Events

• 8:00 AM - Planning Sub Sculpture Park - Patronicity, 2024 Fundraiser update, a call to artists and an electrical box mural idea will be discussed among other topics. (Virtual)
• 5:00-6:00 PM - Gelt Drop hosted by Chabad of Lexington -  Gelt is the chocolate coins used during Hanukkah. Come join us and celebrate! There are still sponsorships available. (Wayside)
• 6:00 PM - Human Services Committee will review their resource directory and mission statement. (Virtual)
• 7:00 PM - Board of Health will set their 2024 meeting schedule and hear a permit application for keeping hens at 15 County Road, reports from several staff, and a variance application from Bliss Confection Company. (Town Hall and Virtual)
• 7:00 PM - School Committee will tackle a stuffed agenda that includes a slide presentation on Simonds and Overlook Parks, a discussion on the BHS part time business and finance pathway development coordinator position, building updates, finance report, a word from the district’s ELPAC liaison, and so much more. (BHS and Virtual)

Sports and Activities

It’s the first tip off of the season today, with our basketball teams going up against Reading. Boys host the Rockets:

• Freshmen at 4:15 at MSMS
• JV play at 4:15 at BHS
• Varsity tips off at 6:00 at BHS

Girls travel to Reading, with games at 4:15 (JV) and 6:00 (Varsity).

The first swim meet of the season will also go down this afternoon with Burlington hosting Shawsheen at Shawsheen. I’ll let you do the math on that one!

That’s all I’ve got for you today. Have a great one!

Nicci

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