Good Morning, Burlington!

I didn’t get the chance to open my computer yesterday, so please forgive the late Weekly.

Looking at today’s schedule, the Land Use Committee meeting sticks out as a densely-packed look at what Burlington is going to look like in the future - especially the side near Mall Road and Middlesex Turnpike. They’ll be discussing some initiatives that are rolling through the exploratory process right now and that have the potential to make a huge difference in the look and feel of the area in the coming years:

• Mall Road Corridor Rezoning Initiative to create more usable space in what is mostly now unused parking lots
• Blanchard/Wheeler Road Corridor visioning plan
• Complete Streets Grant for Blanchard Road—$500k from the state to install sidewalks along Blanchard Road

They’ll also discuss the Community Electricity Aggregation Plan, which allows municipalities to “aggregate the electrical load of customers within their borders to procure competitive supply of electricity.” With the high cost of electricity (and Eversource just jacked prices even higher), we might want to keep an eye on how to support this initiative!

Other highlights to remember this week:

• Early voting is happening during business hours at the Town Clerk’s office, and local Election Day is Saturday. Go out there and make me proud!
• Food drive to benefit People Helping People is happening Saturday, as well. Drop off your nonperishables at the library. Note that they’re not accepting canned goods. See the wish list here!
• No school in Burlington on Thursday!

The process of buying or selling a home can feel daunting. Let us put your mind at ease at our Real Estate Workshop on Tuesday, April 4, at 7:00 PM.

This workshop is perfect for home Buyers & Sellers looking to navigate the 2023 real estate market. Topics Include:

• How interest rates are currently affecting the real estate market
• The home Buying & Selling process
• Getting your home ready for sale
• How do I buy & sell at the same time?
• The mortgage process
• and more...

Get your free ticket here!

This Week in Burlington

Meetings and Events

TODAY! Monday, March 27

• Mail Vote By Mail Applications Today
• 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Early Voting at Town Hall
• 9:00 AM - Ways and Means Committee - DPW/Rec Subcommittee will review the FY24 DPW Budget (Town Hall)
• 10:00 AM - Town Clerks Election Machine Testing (Town Hall)
• 4:00 PM - Conservation Commission Sub Committee will continue discussing how we can build climate change resilience into our Wetlands and Stormwater Bylaws and Regulations (Town Hall Annex)
• 6:00 PM - Select Board will discuss a few business considerations—alteration of premises for Common Craft, name change from Strega Burlington LLC to Smith & Wollensky LLC for the restaurant going in on Middlesex Turnpike—as well as reviewing budgets and May Warrant Articles and discussing a government review, among many other agenda items. (Town Hall and virtual)
• 7:00 PM - Land Use will hear from subcommittees on bylaw revision, Community Electricity Aggregation Plan status, and the Climate Action Plan. They’ll also discuss the Mall Road and Blanchard/Wheeler Road Corridor visioning plans as well as the Complete Streets Grant for Blanchard Road. (Town Hall Annex and online)
• 7:00 PM - Trivia Night - Hybrid Event through the library (Register)

Tuesday, March 28

• 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Early Voting at Town Hall
• 12:00 PM - Tri-Ton Coalition Advisory Board - Health Dept (Human Services Building at 61 Center Street)
• 4:30 PM - Shawsheen School Committee - Negotiation Subcommittee
• 5:00 PM - Housing Partnership
• 6:00 PM - D&D For Beginners (Grades 4-8) (Register)
• 7:00 PM - Board of Health (Town Hall and virtual)
• 7:00 PM - School Committee (BHS and virtual)

Wednesday, March 29

• 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM - Early Voting at Town Hall
• 8:30 AM - Planning Board Sculpture Park Subcommittee
• 2:45-3:50 - Homework Club at The Reserve (20 Corporate Drive); email Kim Holt for more information.
• 5:30 PM - Community Meal at Presbyterian Church in Burlington. While a donation is appreciated, everyone is welcome at this free meal!
• 7:00 PM - Teen Event: Escape Room: Escape Bowser's Castle at the library (Register)

Thursday, March 30

• NO SCHOOL
• 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Early Voting at Town Hall
• 10:30 AM—12:00 PM Family Movie Showing at the library
• 6:30—7:30 PM - Free Blood Pressure Screening at the library
• 6:00 PM - Recreation Commission (BHS)
• 7:00 PM - Planning Board - CANCELED
• 7:00 PM - College Savings Event for K-8 Parents (BHS)

Friday, March 31

• 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM - Early Voting at Town Hall
• 4:00 PM - Tween Videogame Tournament: Mario Kart (Register)

Saturday, April 1

• 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Annual Town Election at BHS
• 10:00 AM—2:00 PM - Food Drive for People Helping People (drop off at the library)
• 1:00—4:30 PM - Afternoon Off Doll Club at the library

Sports and Activities

We’ve got Lacrosse, Softball, Baseball, Volleyball, and Tennis on the calendar this week as our athletes work hard to get ready for a great season. No matches on the calendar today, though.

That’s all for me. Have a fantastic day!

Nicci