BURLINGTON WEATHER

How Burlington Works

Burlington's Ways and Means Committee met on Wednesday, April 8, to review a fresh slate of budgets including police, fire, emergency management, and local technical schools. It was a long evening of discussion and debate, with most items passing through the committee with unanimous favorable votes. The Shawsheen Valley Regional Technical School budget proved a notable exception: The committee voted to delay voting until more information was presented.

Departmental Operational Budgets

Police - $11,147,087 (2.42% increase over FY26)

This was postponed from last week because of some version control errors on the spreadsheet, which have since been cleared up. Notably, 911 costs were incurred due to the Department's move to the temporary police station. This charge won't recur when they move into the new station.

Also of note, the Department is authorized for 68 officers but currently staffed at 62 with a new member onboarding now. The department is actively recruiting, but while Chief Thomas Browne said the candidates that apply are very high quality, there are consistently fewer candidates to choose from since 2020.

Ways & Means Vote: 15-0

Fire - $10,497,535 (1.69% increase over FY26)

As with the Police Department, the Fire Department has struggled with a shrinking candidate pool in recent years. In light of the addition of Advanced Life Support (ALS) several years ago, many towns are now competing for the same candidates; individual conditions (earlier start date, for example) can influence where a firefighter eventually goes.

The discussion on whether or not ALS is providing a net benefit to Burlington is ongoing. Chief James Browne said the Department is working to increase its efforts to recruit Burlington kids into the Department.

Ways & Means Vote: 15-0

Emergency Management Budget - $13,600

Funds the town's emergency response planning and management program.

Ways & Means Vote: 15-0

Technical School Budgets

Essex and Minuteman Tech are options for Burlington students who are seeking a high school technical program that is not offered at Shawsheen Tech.

Essex Tech - $125,000

Assumes 5 students (FY26 Actual: 2 students) at approximately $25,000 per student.

Ways & Means Vote: 13-0

Minuteman Tech - $40,000

Assumes 1 student, who was accepted off the waitlist at the end of last summer and whose tuition must be paid through the four years of high school.

Ways & Means Vote: 13-0

Shawsheen Tech - $3,906,349 (Burlington share; 27% increase over FY26)

Key drivers of the increase: Burlington's enrollment is up 20.5% from FY26, the state's required minimum contribution is up 25.78%.

The committee addressed the FY24 budget overrun of approximately $200,000; Interim Business Manager Paul Livingston, appearing alongside Superintendent-Director Tony McIntosh, explained the deficiencies in the practices that had been in place previously and the new financial controls being implemented.

The Committee ultimately voted to postpone their advisory vote until April 15th pending additional financial documentation.

Ways & Means Vote: POSTPONED

Shawsheen Tech Feasibility Study - Not to Exceed $165,737 from Free Cash (Burlington's portion)

This will fund a feasibility study for a new or renovated facility. The total project cost will be just under $1.5 million across all five districts, and the school has until May 28 to secure funding. The school is waiting for the certification of their "excesses and deficiencies" (similar to a town's free cash) and will use that source to fund the request to the extent possible.

A motion to postpone the feasibility study vote until after the main budget was resolved failed 5-8.

Ways & Means Vote: 12-1 (John Iler opposed, preferring a postponement)

Warrant Articles

Fire Department: Command Vehicle - $94,000 from Free Cash

This would use $94,000 from free cash to purchase a new Tahoe, replacing an 11-year-old Ford Explorer with body rot issues.

Ways & Means Vote: 15-0

Fire Department: Cardiac Monitor Equipment - $181,000 from Free Cash

This funding would replace six pieces of equipment (3 cardiac monitors, 3 defibrillators) at end of 7-year warranty.

Ways & Means Vote: 15-0

Fire Department: ALS Transfer - $360,000 transfer from ambulance receipts reserved

This uses ambulance fees to offset the department's FY27 operating budget.

Ways & Means Vote: 15-0

Authorize Revolving Accounts

Annual authorization of spending limits for various revolving accounts - $796,000 combined limits.

Ways & Means Vote: 13-0

PEG Access Enterprise Fund - $550,000 (not to exceed)

This is the annual authorization for cable access funding, collected on cable bills and passed through to BCAT.

Ways & Means Vote: 12-0

Public Building Accessibility and Security - $100,000

This would cover the installation of a keyfob-based security system in municipal buildings (25, 29, 33, and 61 Center Street).

Ways & Means Vote: Approved (unanimous by show of hands)

The committee's advisory votes will be presented at Town Meeting, which begins on May 11 this year, and considered by Town Meeting Members as they debate and deliberate on whether or not to approve each department's budgets. The Ways and Means Committee will continue meeting to review operational budgets and capital requests, with the next meeting scheduled for April 15.

More FY27 budget reporting:

Budget Season in Burlington: How the Town Lays the Groundwork for the Year Ahead
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Burlington Ways and Means Committee Approves First Round of FY27 Department Budgets
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Second Round of Department Budgets Sails Through Burlingtonā€™s Finance Committee
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Burlingtonā€™s Budget Season Marches Toward $200 Million Finish Line
Burlingtonā€™s Ways and Means approved two rounds of FY27 budgets ā€” and issued a stark warning about the townā€™s long-term financial sustainability.
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Burlingtonā€™s Finance Committee Passes DPW Budgets Amid Continued Tension About Financial Future
Burlingtonā€™s Ways & Means approved four DPW budgets 14-0, then debated trash enterprise funds, LED traffic light replacements, and school budget transparency.
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