The Burlington Brief

The Burlington Brief is going on hiatus for the summer, but we're sending you off with some events to keep an eye on and some stories to track while we're away.

Sydney and Sarah break down the first two nights of May Town Meeting, including a new police station, a FY25 budget at about $14 million in Free Cash expenses. Plus, a live fact-check.

Town Meeting is set to consider a number of articles that could have a major impact on life in town, from a new police station to the MBTA Communities Act compliance plan.

Hear what it was like in the room where Town Clerk Amy Warfield and clerks from other towns counted 116 votes that got missed in the April 6 local election.

In a kind of mammoth local news week, Sydney and Sarah talk about Town Meeting warrant articles from Parks and Rec, the MBTA Communities Act proposal, and news of a partial election recount impacting Precincts 1 and 5.

Sarah Cawley, Meghan Nawoichik and Eileen Sickler have assumed seats on the Select Board, School Committee and Housing Authority, respectively, and there's been significant reorganization of the boards. Plus, eclipse talk.

Sydney Boles and guest host Chris Flaherty dig into the latest developments in the effort to redevelop the Burlington Police Station.

Sydney and guest host Chris Flaherty dig into the latest plans to finance the Fox Hill Elementary School and the new Police Station, both of which would be the largest capital project Burlington has ever done. Plus, a new model for providing mental health care at Burlington High School.

Incumbent Martha Simon and challenger Meghan Nawoichik joined a press panel for a School Committee debate this week, and Sarah and Sydney break down what you missed. ***CORRECTION: In this episode, Sydney says the Council on Aging candidate forum is on Wednesday, March 27... that's wrong! The forum is actually Tuesday, March 26 at 1 p.m. at the Burlington Council on Aging. Sorry! Check out the...

Sydney Boles and Sarah Eshelman break down BCAT's political debates this week.

BPS has listed a job posting for a Lead Instructional Coach for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the high school. Sydney and Sarah dig into why it matters and what led us to this moment. Plus, Super Tuesday was, well, super predictable.

On this episode, Sydney and Sarah talk about rising water and sewer bills, which sounds dry but is in fact a story of office space, PFAS and more.

Sydney Boles and guest host Chris Flaherty dig into the latest major news in Burlington, including the comment period for the Winn View Heights II development, the final local election ballot, and the MBTA Communities Act.

Sydney and Sarah tackle three stories this week, and most of them are mostly about elections: contested races, debt exclusion votes, and the possibility of precinct captains for Town Meeting.

With Massachusetts continuing to reckon with an increase in migrants seeking shelter in the commonwealth, many communities, including Burlington, have welcomed families to stay in hotels while they figure out their next steps. Sydney and Sarah talk about what that looks like here, and how community leaders are responding.

It's a grab bag, or a grab-mug episode as Sydney and Sarah tackle all kinds of local happenings, from charity efforts to a new music venue to a working group meeting on a state law.

At January's Town Meeting, members said no to Herb Chambers Kia of Burlington's plan to expand its dealership, and voices their opposition to a senior housing development. Plus, Sydney shares the story of a local family running the Boston Marathon for a cause close to their hearts. Learn more about The James Gang and support their run: https://www.givengain.com/campaign/teamjamesgang

The first Town Meeting of 2024 is coming up next week, so Sydney and Sarah bring you a rundown of the major warrant articles that will have an impact on life in Burlington.

A school climate report shows majorities of students, families and staff feel positively about Burlington schools, but interesting and important disparities remain. Plus, Sydney and Sarah talk about a Sculpture Park fundraiser that's planning to bring 10-15 pigs to Town Common.

With local elections coming up in April and state and national primaries lined up ahead of November's general election, 2024 is going to be a busy year for voting. Get the rundown of the important dates for those of us here in Burlington.

Sarah and Sydney talk about the search for a new school bus contractor, the latest in Herb Chambers' efforts to expand its Kia dealership, and two updates on police responses.

What was initially reported as an an attack on a dog walker at Mill Pond has been revised as more information has come forward. Plus, we talk about upcoming holiday happenings in Burlington, MA.

The Select Board set the new rates for Fiscal Year 24, lowering the residential tax rate but slightly increasing the average amount paid by each homeowner. Sydney and Sarah talk about what's behind the movement and what it says about the Burlington economy.

Burlington school building committees make incremental progress in their years-long tasks, and the Select Board considers best practices for allocating liquor licenses. Select Board Member Nick Priest joins for the interview.