Last updated: 9/29/2026, 6:32 AM

The stage is set for Burlington's September Town Meeting, which will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Burlington High School's Fogelberg Auditorium The meeting will be broadcast on BCAT for those watching from home.

At this meeting, Burlington's 126 Town Meeting representatives will gather to hear updates from government officials and debate and vote on a number of articles that will impact the town's finances and bylaws.

This article contains the Burlington Buzz Warrant Article Summary, drawing on public meetings, interviews with town officials, and the official documentation — the Warrant (the list of items up for a vote) and the Backup (supporting documentation and justifications) — which can be found in the Town Meeting section of the Town Clerk's website.

You can also view the full proposed FY27 town budget and 10-year capital plan, and draft school department budget.

Please reach out to your precinct representatives with questions and input. Not sure what precinct you're in? Click here for a map.

This Warrant Article Summary will be updated continuously to add summaries ahead of Town Meeting and to add votes and other pertinent details as Town Meeting progresses.

If Town Meeting can't get through its business in a single evening, the meeting will continue on Wednesday, September 30.

September 28, 2026, Town Meeting

General Articles

Article 1 - Reports of Town Officers & Committees

This article gives Town Meeting the opportunity to hear reports from town officers and committees. This time around we'll hear from the Burlington Government Review Committee (BGRC) and possibly more.

BGRC Chair Betsey Hughes presented on the progress of the group so far; the proposed charter will go before Town Meeting in January. For more info about the BGRC's work check out the committee website. (Buzz editor Nicci Kadilak is a member of the BGRC.)

Article 2 - Annual Town Elections - PASSED

Town Clerk

To set the annual town election date to April 3, 2027.
Select Board vote: 5-0

Article 3 - Acceptance of M.G.L. c. 200A, §9A – Alternative Procedure for Abandoned Funds - PASSED

Treasurer/Collector

To adopt state law M.G.L. c. 200A Section 9A that will authorize the town to keep abandoned funds held in its custody rather than transferring them to the state. Funds are from town checks not cashed – one example Treasurer-Collector Ana DeRosa gave at the Select Board's September 14 meeting was a payment to vendor that has gone out of business. Funds have to remain available for one year after they're issued, and DeRosa emphasized the town does everything it can to notify the recipient before reverting the funds back to the town.
Select Board vote: 5-0

Article 4 - Authorization to Lease Land for Cell Tower at 27 Blanchard Road - PASSED

Town Administration

This article would authorize the ground lease for the same use that's been in place at this property since 1984. If the cell tower were on a building, the lease would be at the discretion of the Select Board, but since it's not attached to a building, a ground lease is required, and those must be approved by the Select Board. Town analyst Sam Hockenbury told the select board that the State Police plan to add equipment to the tower, too, which will result in some revenue to the town.
Select Board vote: 5-0

Financial Articles

Article 5 - Will of Marshall Simonds - $78,132.71 - PASSED

Recreation Commission

Funds from the Will of Marshall Simonds must be accepted through two readings of the will each year and go towards maintenance, upkeep, and special projects related to Simonds Park.

Article 6 - Fund Burlington International Firefighters’ Association Contract - $681,550 - PASSED

Town Administration

To settle up the firefighter's union contract. These funds are already appropriated into the Negotiated Settlements fund and just need to be transferred, assuming the contract is settled by the time Town meeting happens. There is currently a tentative agreement, but it hadn't yet been ratified by the Fire Department as of the Select Board's September 14 meeting.
Select Board vote: 5-0
Ways & Means vote: 12-0

Article 7 - MWRA Sewer Inflow/Infiltration Interest - $271,861.53 - PASSED

Town Administration

The town receives zero-interest loan each year from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority to support water infrastructure. Those funds are held in an interest bearing account; this article will authorize the town to use that accrued interest to to pay expenses for the maintenance and improvement of the sewer system. In this case, the funds will be used to address "inflow and infiltration," which basically means water getting into the town's sewage system that shouldn't be there (which increases the cost to the town to treat the sewage water).
Select Board vote: 5-0
Ways & Means vote: 12-0

General Bylaw Articles

Article 8 - Amend and Rename Control of Dogs Bylaw - WITHDRAWN

Animal Control Officer, Town Clerk

This and article 12 have been under development for the last year or so and aim to align Burlington's bylaws with the state's "Ollie's Law," which establishes new requirements for animal care and control. Animal control officer Jamie Jeffrey told the Select Board at their September 14 meeting that she is making an effort to be more proactive versus reactive. The changes bring the town's bylaws into alignment with the state law, referring back to the state law when necessary to avoid future conflict.
Select Board vote: 5-0

Article 9 - Amend Article 13 Section 10 to Delete Non-Emergency Lift Assist Fee - WITHDRAWN

Robert Young, Town Meeting Member Precinct 3

This article would repeal a recently-approved bylaw amendment allowing the town to charge a fee when emergency services are called to the town's residential care facilities on a non-emergency basis to help lift residents who have fallen.

Zoning Bylaw Articles

Article 10 - Zoning Bylaw Enforcement Amendment - PASSED

Planning Board

Gives written enforcement authority to the building inspector to enforce violations to the town's zoning bylaws.

Note: This article requires a 2/3 majority vote.
Zoning Bylaw Review Committee vote: 5-0-1
Land Use Committee vote: 8-0-1
Planning Board vote: 6-0-0

Article 11 - Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bylaw Amendment - PASSED

Planning Board

Brings local bylaws in line with the state's rules and regulations regarding accessory dwelling units (in-law apartments).
Land Use Committee vote: 9-0-0
Zoning Bylaw Review Committee vote: 5-0-0
Planning Board vote: 6-0-0

Article 12 - Animal Related Uses Amendment - POSTPONED to January

Planning Board

This is the zoning companion to Article 8, specifically outlining regulations for kennels, animal hospitals, grooming facilities, and shops, and home kennels and training facilities.

Note: This article requires a 2/3 majority vote.

Article 13 - Amend Article 2 Definitions to Define the Term Structure - POSTPONED to January

Jeff DiBona, Town Meeting Member Precinct 3

Adds a clause to the definition of structure clarifying that a "structure" is anything requiring a building permit by state building code. This is an attempt to correct for a definition update that had the unintended consequence of overburdening residents who wanted to build minor structures such as sheds on permanent foundations.

Note: This article requires a 2/3 majority vote.
Zoning Bylaw Review Committee vote: 0-4-2
Land Use Committee vote: 0-7-2
Planning Board vote: 6-1

Article 14 - Amend Article 15 Allow Covered Front Entries in RO District - PASSED as amended (minor wording changes)

Jeff DiBona, Town Meeting Member Precinct 3

This allows a front entry within the 25' front setback (but not more than 20') for a residential property. According to the backup, handicap ramps and steps are allowed to extend into the setback, and this would now allow them when they are covered.

Note: This article requires a 2/3 majority vote.

Land Use Committee vote: 8-0-1
Zoning Bylaw Review Committee vote: 5-0-1
Planning Board vote: 7-0-0

Article 15 - Amend Article 13 by Adding Section for Temporary Special Signs - PASSED

Jeff DiBona, Town Meeting Member Precinct 3

Allows temporary banner-style signs that meet certain requirements for business applicants seeking a special sign permit from the zoning board of appeals.

Note: This article requires a 2/3 majority vote.
Land Use Committee vote: 7-0-2
Zoning Bylaw Review Committee vote: 5-0-1
Planning Board vote: 7-0-0

Article 16 - Rezoning of 49 Middlesex Turnpike from IG to BG Zoning District - PASSED

Daniel Hannoush (DDM Property Group, LLC) Sam T. Malafronte, PE (Solli Engineering, LLC)

Rezoning the parcel containing Ned's Towing on Middlesex Turnpike from General Industrial to General Business. "The intent of which is to modify the zoning to a more compatible and flexible district in keeping with surrounding properties which will allow for retail uses."

Note: This article requires a 2/3 majority vote.
Land Use Committee vote: 9-0-0
Zoning Bylaw Review Committee vote: 5-0-0
Planning Board vote: 6-0-0

Stay tuned to Burlington Buzz for updates to this Warrant Article Summary and for vote updates as Town Meeting goes on.