Election 2025: Town Meeting Member Profiles: Precinct 5

This article is a part of the Burlington Buzz Election 2025 Series, in which we profile each candidate for election. This year's election is on April 5, 2025, and our mission is to make it easy for all registered voters to vote by ensuring the community has access to information about the candidates and issues on the ballot. ELECTION CORNER

William Gaffney

Tell voters a little about your background and why you're deciding to run for Town Meeting (or why you're running for re-election).

My background is 10 years on the Burlington Planning Board (current chairman) and 15 years before that on the Burlington Board of Appeals. I grew up in Burlington, moved back to raise a family.

Why do you want to serve on Town Meeting?

I want to serve on Town Meeting to stay involved in the town as the business evolves since COVID.

What do you see as your charge as a Town Meeting Member in your precinct?

The charge as a town meeting member is to represent constituents in precinct 5.

What do you see as the three biggest priorities for Burlington and how should Town Meeting address them?

The three biggest priorities for Burlington are to plan for Burlington wide projects, traffic, and changing business environments. Town Meeting should address them by smart growth.

How will you impact these important issues in your role as Town Meeting Member?

I will impact these issues by doing my homework on the issues as I have while on the Planning Board and Board of Appeals.

There are a number of building projects on the town's agenda that will impact tax bills for residents for decades to come. What do you think should be Town Meeting's role in the decision making process?

Town Meeting's role in these projects should be deciding if these are critical to Burlington and how to institute without negatively impacting residents.

Low inventory and high prices have resulted in a nationwide housing crisis whose impacts can be felt in Burlington. What do you think Burlington has done right, and what does the town still lack, to address this issue?

As Planning Board chair, I believe Burlington addressed the MBTA communities' law correctly and implemented Burlington's own Middle Housing zone for potential young families and seniors to live in Burlington. There is additional opportunity for Middle housing in the town center which provides a buffer between Cambridge Street and the single-family zoning.

How will you solicit input from your constituents?

As I have done on the Planning Board, I reach out to residents to get their views on issues.

Phyllis Neufeld

Tell voters a little about your background and why you're deciding to run for Town Meeting (or why you're running for re-election).

I have always been an activist, and if I choose to get involved in an organization or issue, I am all in. I was a teacher for forty years, retiring in 2015. I am Vice-chair of Burlington's General Bylaw Review Committee, worked on the Committee to establish the Burlington Dog Park, and believe that my precinct deserves representation from an informed, caring TMM . I am running for re-election to town meeting because I believe that the voice of this body helps shape Burlington, from structure to delivery of services, diversity, and beyond. I do not take this responsibility lightly and wish to continue my advocacy for the town and neighbors I call home.

Why do you want to serve on Town Meeting?

The answer up above says most of the answer. It takes differing voices and perspectives to be heard in order to make informed decisions. Being part of town meeting affords me a chance to hear more sides than my own in order to make informed votes.

What do you see as your charge as a Town Meeting Member in your precinct?

To represent precinct 5 to the best of my ability; be open to hearing facts and arguments on all sides of an issue; respond ASAP to residents who email or call me about upcoming votes; be present at meetings; vote in the manner I believe to be in the best interests of Burlington residents after hearing the facts and counter-arguments

What do you see as the three biggest priorities for Burlington and how should Town Meeting address them?

physical structure/planning of Burlington now and for the sustainable future; affordable housing, especially for new homeowners and our seniors; a school system that provides the best education to our youth, and overall affordability of living in Burlington

How will you impact these important issues in your role as Town Meeting Member?

See answer to next q below, which I believe is essentially the same q.

There are a number of building projects on the town's agenda that will impact tax bills for residents for decades to come. What do you think should be Town Meeting's role in the decision making process?

Attend webinars offered by the town (virtually or in-person); visit the sites in warrant articles; ask questions; demand transparency; ask constituents for input; vote responsibly

Low inventory and high prices have resulted in a nationwide housing crisis whose impacts can be felt in Burlington. What do you think Burlington has done right, and what does the town still lack, to address this issue?

Burlington has kept ahead of the number of affordable housing units we are required to have, and I believe that has been the right move. But we are not attracting families or seniors due to the cost of homes. The smaller homes are being torn down by contractors to build bigger and more expensive homes, and I am not convinced that is all in our best interests.

How will you solicit input from your constituents?

email and polling online if appropriate; responding ASAP to emails or calls from constituents

Craig Callahan

This candidate did not provide a profile to Burlington Buzz.

Erin Ellis

This candidate did not provide a profile to Burlington Buzz.

Frank Ursino

This candidate did not provide a profile to Burlington Buzz.

Zi Wang

This candidate did not provide a profile to Burlington Buzz.