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Select Board — April 13, 2026

All substantive actions were unanimous; public comments received no engagement and no off-agenda controversies emerged.

Date Monday, April 13, 2026 Duration 2.6h Speakers 1 Public comments 2 Decisions 20 Routine
▶ Video

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01

New police station construction financing

Bonds authorized at AAA rating via JP Morgan Affected: All taxpayers via bond authorization
other high impact
02

Shasheen Regional Vocational Technical High School feasibility study

$165,737 share of $1.5M study approved Affected: Burlington taxpayers and students
other high impact
03

Fire Department leadership change

Captain promoted to Assistant Chief (5-0) Affected: Fire Department operations and staffing
safety change
04

Police Department FY27 operating budget correction

Corrected total $11,147,087 (2.42% increase) Affected: Police Department funding
other high impact

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Election of Jimmy Tickus as Select Board Chair
Unanimous approval after nomination and second.
5-0
Election of Sarah Collie as Select Board Vice Chair
Unanimous approval after nomination and second.
5-0
Promotion of Captain Mark Adroni to Assistant Fire Chief
Effective May 4, 2026; 15-day waiting period waived.
5-0
Appointment of Daniel Matazzo as DPW pump station operator
Effective April 14, 2026; 15-day waiting period waived.
5-0
Appointment of Jason Silva as DPW special heavy equipment operator
Effective April 21, 2026; 15-day waiting period waived.
5-0
Appointment of Kayla Andred as engineering procurement specialist
Effective April 21, 2026; 15-day waiting period waived.
5-0
Appointment of Roger Scarian to Government Review Committee
Unanimous approval.
5-0
Issuance of Armenian Genocide Commemoration Proclamation
Proclamation read and signed by Select Board.
Approved
Approval of BBSA opening day parade
April 25 (or 26 rain date) at 8 a.m.
5-0
Authorization to submit MSBA Statement of Interest for Burlington High School
Specific scripted motion read; does not commit town to project.
5-0
Motion to support Shasheen feasibility study in amount not to exceed $165,737
Moved and seconded; passed unanimously
5-0
Approval of bonds and bond anticipation notes
JP Morgan Securities winning bidder; police station bonds and multiple project BANs authorized
5-0
Close public hearing on Citrus and Salt license
Hearing closed before license vote
5-0
Approve new all-alcohol license for Citrus and Salt at 193rd Avenue
Approved after subcommittee review
5-0
Approve new general license for Ramen Haven at 75 Middlesex Turnpike
Approved for mall food court location
5-0
Postpone Hotland Road Show item
Deferred to next meeting; concerns noted about mobile operations
Consensus
Motion that Activate Burlington use is consistent with the declaration of restrictions and not prohibited
Motion made and seconded; all in favor, none opposed or abstaining
Approved (5-0)
Approval of May 2026 town meeting warrant article index
Motion made and seconded; all in favor
Approved (5-0)
Approval of warrant articles 3-01, 3-02, 3-03, 3-04, 3-05, 3-06, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, and 13
Articles approved together in single vote
Approved (5-0)
Approval of corrected police department operating budget
Updated total $11,147,087
Approved (5-0)

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 00:12 Public Comment

Bob Young raised concerns about double utility poles and gas-powered leaf blowers. Alex advocated for policies affirming constitutional rights and safety of residents.

Speakers: Bob Young, Alex
▶ 08:47 Board Reorganization

Board elected new chair Jimmy Tickus and vice chair Sarah Collie following annual post-election tradition.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 13:32 Fire Department Appointment

Captain Mark Adroni recommended and approved for promotion to Assistant Fire Chief effective May 4, 2026.

Speakers: Chief, Mr. Denisio
▶ 23:34 DPW Appointments

Three positions filled: Daniel Matazzo (pump station operator, April 14), Jason Silva (heavy equipment operator, April 21), and Kayla Andred (procurement specialist, April 21).

Speakers: Anthony, Mr. Denisio
▶ 31:40 Government Review Committee Appointment

Roger Scarian appointed to fill vacancy on the committee.

Speakers: Mr. Priest
▶ 35:06 Armenian Genocide Proclamation

Proclamation issued recognizing the -8 Armenian Genocide and designating April 24, 2026 as memorial day.

Speakers: Alex Mararyian, Mr. Priest
▶ 42:25 BBSA Parade Approval

Annual opening day parade approved for April 25 (rain date April 26) at 8 a.m.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 45:52 Burlington High School MSBA Statement of Interest

Board approved submission of 14th SOI to MSBA for high school renovations, noting it does not commit to a project.

Speakers: Mr. Denisio, Bob Kuna
▶ 58:01 Shasheen Regional Vocational Technical High School Feasibility Study

Discussion of multi-town debt exclusion vote process and support for Shasheen feasibility study; board expressed positive views on school improvements and relationship with Shasheen. Board approved Burlington's $165,737 share of $1.5M feasibility study.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Superintendent Macintosh, Mr. Denisio
▶ 60:17 Approval of Bonds and Bond Anticipation Notes

Treasurer presented competitive bids won by JP Morgan Securities; board approved bonds for police station and BANs for school and town hall projects at AAA rating.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 64:53 Economic Development Update

Presentation on March 18 economic summit findings, office market pressures, and six proposed action items including retention tracking, quarterly benchmarking, lost deal follow-up, zoning flexibility, and fiscal analysis.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 82:14 MPO and Transportation Projects Update

Update on Metropolitan Planning Organization representation and TIP projects including I-95/Route 3 interchange, Cambridge Street improvements, and potential electric shuttle feasibility studies.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 95:30 Citrus and Salt All-Alcohol License

Public hearing for new all-alcohol license at 193rd Avenue; approved after subcommittee review and public comment period.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 103:41 Ramen Haven General License

Approval of new general on-premises license for ramen restaurant at Burlington Mall food court; third MA location planned for May 1 opening.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 107:55 Hotland Road Show Secondhand License

Item postponed; board raised concerns about mobile secondhand junk dealing practices and lack of applicant attendance.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 110:36 Adventure Burlington Experiential Use

Discussion of escape-room style use at 90 Middlesex Turnpike under prior settlement agreement restrictions; board feedback sought before special permit process. Board concluded use is consistent with restrictions and can proceed to special permit review.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Mr. Sphol, Mr. Priest, Mr. Going
▶ 118:12 May 2026 Town Meeting Warrant Index

Annual housekeeping vote to approve the index of articles for the May 2026 town meeting warrant so they may be heard.

Speakers: Mr. Denisio
▶ 119:28 Warrant Articles Review (Capital and Other)

Review and discussion of 13 warrant articles covering building security upgrades, COA fitness equipment, conservation land programs, fire command vehicle, cardiac monitors, revolving accounts, Chapter 90 funds, sewer and water assessments, and cable access enterprise fund.

Speakers: Patrick, Board members
▶ 147:30 Police Department Budget Correction

Correction of $55k error in police budget; updated FY27 total set at $11,147,087 (2.42% increase).

Speakers: Patrick
▶ 149:39 Subcommittee Reports and Announcements

Thanks for recent election; promotion of July 4th parade and 250th anniversary events; announcement of May 14 mental health awareness night at Grand View Farm.

Speakers: Nick, Michael

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

Double utility poles and gas leaf blower noise

Residents (Bob Young) raised persistent multi-year infrastructure and noise pollution complaints with no board follow-up
Board position: No engagement or commitment
low concern
02

Local policies on constitutional rights and resident safety

Alex advocated formal policies modeled on other towns; board offered no response or discussion
Board position: No position taken
low concern

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Provide quarterly updates to Select Board using standardized office market metrics from JLL and broker data
Assigned: Economic Development Director · Due: Quarterly
Establish commercial retention/rollover tracking and lost deal follow-up program with chamber and brokers
Assigned: Economic Development Director · Due: TBD
Continue quarterly or as-needed updates on TIP projects and MPO policy changes
Assigned: MPO representatives · Due: Ongoing
Proceed through Planning Board special permit process (PDD)
Assigned: Activate Burlington LLC
Use approved land management/acquisition and hazard mitigation funds for appraisals, legal fees, and strategic purchases
Assigned: Conservation Department · Due: FY2027 onward

Notable ⁠statements

Burlington should pass policies affirming safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of residents, similar to Lexington and Providence. — Alex · Public comment ▶ 06:41
This board works together with respect and professionalism even when members have diametrically opposed views. — Jimmy Tickus · After election as chair ▶ 10:31
Caution against rapid shifts like biotech sector boom-bust; advocate data collection, pilot testing, and cautious approach rather than all-in commitments including commercial-to-residential conversions — Board member · Economic development discussion ▶ 71:08
Support for exploring targeted zoning flexibility for office products and fiscal analysis on tax base scenarios — Board member · Economic development action items ▶ 78:18
Emphasized importance of MPO participation for funding $5M-$55M projects that municipalities cannot do alone — Board member · MPO update ▶ 93:13
I like these experimental uses... bring a different variety of things for people to do is always good — Mr. Sphol · Support for Activate Burlington proposal ▶ 115:28
We have an opportunity now to put something like this up in that location... I fully support this — Mr. Priest · Support for Activate Burlington as diversification ▶ 115:43
Burlington's first mental health awareness night on May 14th... non-judgmental, nonpartisan... event just to let people know what in town is available — Michael · Announcement of May 14 event ▶ 155:30

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
2
Total speakers
0
Addressed
0
Partial
2
Not addressed
Bob Young
▶ 00:40
Not addressed
Bob Young, a town meeting member from precinct 3, raised ongoing concerns about double utility poles installed by Eversource in multiple locations (Mueller Road, Valley Circle, Lexington/Shady Hill) that have persisted for years without resolution. He also highlighted excessive leaf-blower noise from landscaping companies operating for hours without using rakes and suggested Burlington consider bans similar to those in Lexington and Arlington. Key concern
Utility double-pole installations and gas-powered leaf blower noise pollution
Board response
Thanked him and invited the next speaker; no discussion or follow-up occurred
Board offered only a brief thank-you with no engagement, questions, or commitments to act
Alex
▶ 03:29
Not addressed
Alex, a Pine Glenn resident who regularly attends meetings, advocated for the Select Board to adopt formal policies affirming residents' safety, dignity, and constitutional rights, citing recent examples from Providence and Lexington. He offered to email draft ideas adapted for Burlington and welcomed board input. Key concern
Adoption of local policies protecting constitutional rights and welcoming residents
Board response
Thanked him and asked if anyone else wished to speak; immediately moved to the next agenda item
Board gave only a courtesy thank-you with no substantive response or discussion
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Report composed by grok-4.3, claude-opus-4-7 · analyzed 2026-05-27.