Make Meaningful Impact: Join BCAT Board or Field Committee

Do you want to help create Burlington's future? Consider joining one of two bodies that are seeking members to support their efforts.

Following the departure of long-standing Board member, Brad Bond, the Burlington Cable Access Television (BCAT) Board of Directors is seeking a new member. This nine-member Board, with eight seats appointed by BCAT and one appointed by the Select Board, is responsible for setting the direction for Burlington's cable access television and associated products.

According to a press release from the Select Board office, "BCAT is committed to fostering a welcoming environment where residents can obtain hands-on training in video production. Free access to professional television equipment gives volunteer producers and organizations the opportunity to create community programming that is unique and locally relevant. BCAT provides an invaluable opportunity to utilize television production equipment and a medium to share ideas, information, and creative expressions."

If you're knowledgeable about, and interested in, community television and the town of Burlington, chances are you'd be a great fit. You can apply by sending a letter to:

BCAT BOD Search
Town Administrator’s/Select Board Office
29 Center Street
Burlington, MA 01803

Or you can email Lyn Mills at lmills@burlington.org.

In addition to this opportunity to serve in a long-standing Burlington institution, the newly formed Athletic Field Committee is seeking members from across the community to help plan for the future of the Marshall Simonds Middle School athletic fields. Fields in town are an evergreen point of contention for the town, as student athletes, coaches, and parents express dissatisfaction with the condition of the fields. This May, School Committee and Town Meeting discussed at length the timeliness of replacing or rehabbing both fields at Marshall Simonds to the tune of $6.7 million, while the town is also being asked to approve over $100 million this year in funding for the new police station and a new Fox Hill school.

In the end, a sort of compromise was reached whereby the grass field will be replaced at $4.7 million, and the turf field and track will need to wait at least a year.

Athletic Field Committee Chair and School Committee Member Jeremy Brooks, along with Operations Director Bob Cunha, are seeking volunteers skilled in the areas of project management, landscaping, sports administration, and community outreach to serve on this Committee to advise the School Committee on this and likely future projects. Between now and July 2, 2024, interested community members can email Jeremy Brooks at jbrooks@bpsk12.org or Bob Cunha at rcunha@bpsk12.org to express interest. Please include a brief description of your skills and why you want to join the Committee.

Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the BCAT Board is entirely appointed by the Select Board. That error has been corrected inline.