Good Morning, Burlington,

Reminder: There’s no school tomorrow in Burlington. There is a Leprechaun Trap activity at the library for grades K-5, and you can register here (but do so quickly; there are only a few spots left). There’s also the Dave & Buster’s event, if you’re already signed up.

As we are getting in the thick of budget season, I thought it might be useful to give you a quick rundown of how the budgeting process works. Each year, Town Meeting meets three times: January, May, and September. May, though, is considered the Annual Town Meeting, and this is where the operating budgets for each department are approved. Ahead of that process, starting in February, the Ways and Means Committee discusses the proposed budget with each department, eventually coming to an agreement and folding each department’s budget into the comprehensive town budget. Each line item is then voted on in turn at May Town Meeting.

The only exception to this is the school department budget: that one is negotiated by the School Committee before it goes to Town Meeting, and all TM can do is approve it or not.

So, when you see all the meetings about budget, and you see that May Town Meeting takes days and days while January and September are markedly shorter, that’s why.

Note that this process is for operating budgets. For capital items, separate warrant articles are submitted to Town Meeting when needed, and they aren’t restricted to just May.

Read more about Ways & Means below.

Town Meeting Subcommittee | Ways and Means

The Ways & Means Committee, also known as the Finance Committee, is a subcommittee of Town Meeting; it has 15 members, each serving a 3-year term. The main function of the committee is to make recommendations to Town Meeting regarding any financial articles, including department budgets*.

Burlington Buzz

In partnership with Roots Yoga

Did you know yoga is for everyone? Yes, even you! Roots Yoga now offers classes for teens, as well as gentler options for aging adults. Join Roots as we celebrate Spring and get two weeks of unlimited classes for just $35! Offer applies to new students only. Click here to sign up, and check out our March Newsletter to see all the exciting events we have in store!

Today in Burlington

Meetings and Events

• 8:00 AM - Ways and Means Conservation subcommittee will discuss and vote on the Conservation budget for FY2024. (Town Hall Annex)
• 8:30 AM - Planning Board Sculpture Park Subcommittee will be discussing a spring event, a construction update, and more. (virtual)
• 8:45 AM - Ways and Means - Council on Aging (CANCELLED)
• 2:30 PM - Shawsheen School Council Meeting will hear from the superintendent-director, discuss the Council’s role in policy-setting, and vote on the 2023-24 School Improvement Plan. (Shawsheen Tech)
• 2:45-3:50 - Homework Club by at The Reserve (20 Corporate Drive); email Kim Holt for more information.
• 4:00 PM - Council on Aging (CANCELLED)
• 6:00 PM - Adopt-a-Class 2034 Parent Meeting (Made in Burlington Store)
• 7:00 PM - Ways and Means Committee (Town Hall and virtual)
• 7:00 PM - All-Town Chorus Concert at MSMS
• 7:00 PM - Pour Paint for Teens at the library (Register)

Sports and Activities

Unfortunately, the boys’ basketball team fell to Sharon last night 75-59, ending the season 16-6. Congrats to the team on all their hard work this season.

Tonight at 7:00 PM, our Lady Devils hockey team travels to Canton to take on #1 seated Archbishop Williams for an Elite 8 matchup. Get it, girls!

Have a lovely Wednesday, Burlington!

Nicci