Citizen-Led Committee to Examine Burlington's Governance Model
Nine voting members and two alternates will engage in a thorough process with consultant support to assess town operations
Burlington's Select Board has established a Government Review Committee, tasked with evaluating town operations and suggesting potential improvements. This, after years of discussing the need to re-evaluate how the town operates, streamline processes, and improve communication between departments.
Over the next 12 to 18 months, this nine-member group (with two alternates) will examine various aspects of local government. The Collins Center, a consulting firm affiliated with UMass Boston, will guide the committee through its review process, providing a framework and lending the expertise they've gained from working on similar projects in other communities.
The board announced the committee earlier this year and received 14 applications, including some from residents not currently serving on town boards or committees.
Priest highlighted three main criteria used to evaluate applicants: knowledge of the town, professional skills, and fresh perspectives from those new to local government.
Select Board member Nick Priest explained, "We really wanted to create a balanced committee with a broad range of experiences and different levels of involvement and engagement with local government."
The appointed committee members Craig Foster, Russell Miner, Corey Everett, Bill Beyer, Carl Foss, Stephen Mahoney, Jessica Sutherland, Betsey Hughes and Burlington Buzz Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Nicci Kadilak. Jack Kelly and Myrna Saltman will serve as alternates who can keep up with the committee's work and step in if another member needs to step down. These members, said Priest, make up "a good cross-section of the community."
Board members emphasized that the committee's meetings will be open to the public, encouraging community participation and input throughout the process. However, to maintain the committee's independence, Select Board members have decided not to serve on it directly. The board will participate in discussions and joint meetings as needed, as will the town's other boards, commissions, and departments.
As the committee begins its work, it will choose its own chairperson and handle its own administrative tasks, including taking minutes, as no town staff has been assigned to support the group.
