Who's Who in Burlington, Massachusetts, Town Government (And What Do They Do?)

Navigating the public meeting landscape can be intimidating. Here, we break down all the elected and appointed boards, commissions, and committees in Burlington town government so you can more easily understand the focus of each of our town's municipal bodies.

For a list of current membership in all these bodies, visit the town website's Boards and Commissions page and scroll down to "Elected & Appointed Bodies."

Elected Bodies

The general responsibility of many elected bodies is to supervise the director of a department and set the long-term vision and budget in their area of influence. Most elected bodies have portion of their seats open each year in the annual Town Election. Click the title for the Buzz's in-depth profile of each body, where applicable.

Select Board

Members: 5 | Term: 3 years | Meetings: 2 per month

The executive board of the town, the Select Board approves appointments to many town offices and appointed boards and Commissions. They also approve use of the Town Common, liquor license and business license applications, grants of location for utility work, and the tax levy as proposed by the Town Administration, and they supervise and evaluate the Town Administrator. Topics of conversation at the Select Board are wide-ranging and include updates on businesses, Town Meeting topics, capital projects, taxes, and much more.

School Committee

Members: 5 | Term: 3 years | Meetings: 2 per month

The School Committee is responsible for setting the School Department’s policy and budget and for hiring and supervising the school superintendent. Tune in to School Committee meetings for updates on initiatives such as the ongoing curriculum review, updates to policies, facilities updates, and news about district programs.

Shawsheen Tech School Committee

Members: 2 from each sending district | Term: 3 years | Meetings: 1 per month

The Shawsheen Tech School Committee has the same responsibilities as the Burlington School Committee, but they govern just the Shawsheen Valley Regional Technical High School. This technical school is located in Billerica and serves the communities of Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Tewksbury, and Wilmington. The School Committee sets district policy and budget and supervises the superintendent.

Board of Health

Members: 5 | Term: 3 years | Meetings: 2 per month

The Board of Health meets to discuss issues related to permitting for restaurants, scientific businesses, keeping of animals, and more. This Board is responsible for setting policy for Burlington’s Department of Public Health and for supervision of the Director of Public Health. At each meeting members of the Department report out updates on such initiatives as vaccine clinics, mosquito control, and other issues relating to public health.

Planning Board

Members: 7 | Term: 5 years | Meetings: 2 per month

The Planning Board is responsible for ensuring incoming developments comply with the town's bylaws and setting the vision for development in Burlington by proposing and reviewing bylaw amendments and casting advisory votes on relevant Town Meeting Warrant Articles. They approve special permits and site plans and weigh in on issues related to zoning, and they hire and supervise the Planning Director.

Recreation Commission

Members: 3 elected, 1 School Committee representative, 1 Planning Board representative | Term: 3 years | Meetings: 1 per month

The Recreation Commission sets and upholds the long-term vision for Burlington's Parks & Recreation Department by setting the department's budget, advocating to Town Meeting for the department's capital needs, and supervising the Director of Parks & Recreation.

Housing Authority

Members: 3 elected, 1 governor-appointed, 1 tenant member | Term: 3 years | Meetings: 1 per month

The Housing Authority oversees the provision of affordable, state-subsidized housing by managing the Birchcrest Arms and Tower Hill housing developments for seniors and people with disabilities.

Library Board of Trustees

Members: 6 | Term: 3 years | Meetings: 1 per month

The Library Trustees hire and supervise the Library Director and set policy for the department along with state budgeting and programming guidelines.

Board of Assessors

Members: 3 | Term: 3 years | Meetings: 1 per month

The Assessors' job is to assess real estate values and make recommendations to the Select Board regarding the tax rate for the town. They also approve tax abatements.

Town Clerk

Members: 1 | Term: 5 years

The Town Clerk is the official record-keeper and Chief Elections Officer for the town. This office is entrusted with ensuring free and fair elections are carried out in accordance with state law, and with ensuring recording and filing of, and access to, records such as birth or death records, dog licenses, marriage licenses, and so on. They also assemble and send out Warrant information for Town Meetings.

Town Moderator

Members: 1 | Term: 1 year

The Town Moderator is responsible for ensuring the effective execution of Town Meetings by following Robert's Rules of Order, a commonly used guidebook of parliamentary procedure.

Constable

Members: 2 | Term: 2 years

The constables are an arm of the law enforcement; their job is to serve papers, and they're responsible for postings of official Warrants (such as Town Meeting Warrants).

Town Meeting

Members: 126 | Term: 3 years | Meetings: January, May, & September, sometimes for multiple evenings

Town Meeting is the town's legislative body, tasked with approving the budget for the schools and the town, as well as any amendments to the town's Zoning or General Bylaws.

Appointed Committees

Find a full list of the members of each of these Boards, Committees, and Commissions on the town website.

Audit Committee

Members: 5 + 1 Select Board representative | Appointing authority: Select Board
Oversees the review of financial statements and audits to ensure proper use of municipal resources and accountability.

Board of Appeals (also known as the Zoning Board of Appeals)

Members: 5 + 2 alternates | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Handles zoning variance requests and appeals of building department or Planning Board decisions.

Board of Registrars

Members: 3 + Town Clerk, ex officio | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Maintains the town's voter rolls and ensures fair election processes.

Burlington High School Building Committee

Members: 14 | Appointing authority: School Committee
Manages design, planning, and construction, as well as public outreach, for the high school building project.

Cable Advisory Committee

Members: 4 + 1 Select Board Representative | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Provides recommendations, education, and feedback on local cable television services and contracts.

Capital Budget Committee

Members: 7 | Appointing authority: Town Moderator
Evaluates proposed capital expenditures and prioritizes investments for town infrastructure.

Cemetery Oversight Committee

Members: 2 + 2 Select Board Representatives | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Oversees the care, planning, and policies of the town’s cemeteries.

Civil Rights Coordinator

Members: 1 | Appointing authority: Select Board
Ensures the town meets civil rights compliance and provides advocacy on equity matters.

Conservation Commission

Members: 7 + 1 Select Board Representative | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Protects wetlands, open space, and natural resources through permitting and regulation.

Council on Aging

Members: 7 + 1 Select Board Representative | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Supports the needs of older adults through programs, services, and policy guidance.

Cultural Council

Members: Up to 22 | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Distributes state cultural grants to support local arts and humanities programming.

Disabilities Access Commission

Members: 9 | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Advises on and promotes accessibility in public spaces and municipal services.

Electronic Voting Equipment Committee

Members: 4 | Appointing authority: Town Moderator
Researches, evaluates, and makes recommendations to Town Meeting regarding electronic voting systems for Town Meeting.

General Bylaw Review Committee

Members: 7 | Appointing authority: Town Moderator
Reviews and updates the town’s general bylaws to ensure clarity and legality; advises Town Meeting regarding proposed amendments.

Government Review Committee

Members: 9 | Appointing Authority: Select Board
Collaborate with consultants to evaluate current government practices, and processes and make recommendations to align them with the town's mission and needs.

Historical Commission

Members: 7 + 1 Select Board representative | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Preserves and promotes the town's historic sites, buildings, and local history.

Housing Partnership

Members: 5 | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Promotes affordable housing initiatives and equitable development.

Human Services Committee

Members: 6 | Appointing authority: Town Moderator
Supports equitable access to health and social services for Burlington residents.

Information Systems Security Advisory Committee (ISSAC)

Members: 10 | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Advises on IT security infrastructure and municipal cybersecurity strategy.

Land Use Committee

Members: 9 | Appointing authority: Town Moderator
Reviews and advises on land use policy, planning, and zoning-related matters.

MAPC Representative

Members: 1 | Appointing authority: Select Board
Serves as the town’s liaison to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council for regional collaboration.

Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Members: 2 | Appointing authority: Select Board
Represents Burlington in regional planning matters such as housing, commercial development, and transportation.

Police Station Building Committee

Members: 13 | Appointing authority: Select Board
Oversees the design and construction of new police facilities.

Public Arts Committee

Subcommittee of the Planning Board
Promotes the Sculpture Park and other public arts initiatives in town.

Rink Oversight Committee

Members: 8 | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Provides management guidance and programming support for the Burlington Ice Palace.

Rules Committee

Members: 13 | Appointing authority: Town Moderator
Reviews and proposes updates to Town Meeting rules and procedures.

Scholarship Fund Committee

Members: 6 | Appointing authority: Select Board
Manages and distributes local scholarships to eligible students.

Tri-Ton Advisory Board

Subcommittee of the Board of Health
A collaboration with the towns of Wilmington and Lexington, this Board collaborates to coordinate and implement public health initiatives.

Ways & Means Committee

Members: 15 | Appointing authority: Town Moderator
The town's finance committee; provides detailed review and recommendations on town budgets and appropriations.

Youth & Family Services Advisory

Members: 9 | Appointing authority: Town Administrator
Supports programs for youth and families, including mental health, education, and outreach.

Zoning Bylaw Review Committee

Members: 11 | Appointing authority: Town Moderator
Responsible for reviewing zoning bylaws and proposed amendments and making recommendations to Town Meeting.