Select Board — February 25, 2026

No public speakers, no split votes, and no off-agenda controversies; discussions remained administrative despite internal notes on budget pressures.

Date Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Duration 2.5h Speakers 1 Decisions 6 Routine

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At the February 25 Select Board meeting, members set FY27 budget targets of 3.75% for town operating accounts and 7.5% for accommodated accounts. The largest single driver is a 27% increase in the Shasheen Regional School District assessment, caused by a statewide shift to lottery-based admissions that added more than 20 seats for Burlington students.

The board also reviewed the Lift door-to-door transportation program, which now provides roughly 2900 rides per month after 120% ridership growth and is projected to cost $400,000 annually. Staff were directed to prepare options for adjusting hours, eligibility, and subsidies because current trends are not sustainable.

Separate approval was given for a new half-year Assistant Director position at the Council on Aging to support succession planning ahead of Director Marge's August 2027 retirement and to address growing program and mental health demands.

Feb 25, 2026 2.5h long 1 speakers 6 decisions Routine

❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“Request to appoint Deputy Chief Kersner as special officer to retain 37 years of institutional knowledge and mentoring role”

— Chief Brown · Appointment presentation ▶ 00:37

“Kersner always knew residents' names and saw the good in every person; appointment keeps him as ambassador for the department”

— Board member · Tribute during appointment discussion ▶ 02:42

“Support providing directional guidance to artist on electrical box rather than full discretion to maintain oversight”

— Board member · Electrical box discussion ▶ 19:02

“The 27% Shasheen increase results from statewide regulation change to lottery-based admissions; Burlington's allocated seats increased by over 20, with similar increases expected for three more years.”

— Unidentified speaker · Explaining accommodated accounts overrun ▶ 1:01:57

“Health insurance is self-insured; recent increases are catch-up after artificially low years subsidized during COVID, with ongoing bi-weekly consultant calls for market monitoring.”

— Unidentified speaker · Response to question on budget volatility warnings ▶ 1:12:59

“Retiring August 31, 2027 after 25 years; supports assistant director role for succession planning and to handle chaotic department operations, programming, and growing mental health/outreach needs.”

— Marge · COA transition discussion ▶ 1:39:32

“Fully support addition of Assistant Director; shocking it does not already exist given service volume”

— Unidentified speaker · COA discussion ▶ 1:50:15

“COA is such an important piece of the community; must give it as much attention as any other department if not more”

— Unidentified speaker · COA discussion ▶ 1:48:29

“Program growth of 120% this year is insane; must explore levers to pull back as it is ballooning out of control and not sustainable”

— Unidentified speaker · Lift program ▶ 2:03:40

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Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.

What was discussed

3.75% operating target plus 7.5% accommodated accounts; Shasheen Regional 27% spike

What was discussed

Projected $400k annual cost after 120% ridership growth; potential eligibility/hours changes

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.

Speakers: Chief Brown, Board members

What was discussed

Chief Brown requested appointment of retiring Deputy Chief Robert 'Moose' Kersner as Special Police Officer to retain institutional knowledge; board members shared tributes and stories before voting.

Speakers: Barbara Laroo, George Ratchvitz, Board members

What was discussed

Committee proposed painting a second electrical box on the common using designs by local artist Roxa Sony; board discussed options and approved a combination of designs 2 and 3.

Speakers: Barbara Laroo, George Ratchvitz, Board members

What was discussed

Committee presented a community-painted mural project at 61 Center Street based on a student design featuring Grand View Farm; board approved with coordination requirements.

Speakers: Patrick, JD

What was discussed

Patrick presented FY27 budget framework including 7.5% accommodated accounts target, 3.75% operating budget target, excess levy capacity, and revenue/expense assumptions aligned with the long-range financial plan.