The local election will be April 1, 2023. In order to inform eligible voters and empower them with the information they need to both show up at the polls and make an educated decision once they get there, I’ll be profiling candidates for election. I complete these profiles by interviewing the candidates and then writing up our conversation in a conversational format.
Other ways to learn more about your candidates and the election:
- Burlington Equity Coalition Aggregated Election Links
- BNEWS Election Center
- Town Clerk Website (view your sample ballot here)
This is one of two candidate profiles for the contested Recreation Commission race. Click a name below to read about the other candidates.
Brian Pupa is a 23-year Burlington resident who believes his experience serving on Town Meeting and in various athletic organizations across town makes him the ideal candidate for the single seat on the Recreation Commission.
Brian’s volunteer experience began more than a decade ago with the Recreation Department’s basketball program. Since then, he has coached youth soccer, Pop Warner football, and basketball; he has been president of the Burlington Youth Basketball Association, a travel program for students in grades 4-8, for the last five years. He believes his work interfacing with the Recreation Department, School Committee, Athletic Director, and kids & families would set him up well for this role.
As a long-time resident with four children, Brian and his family have benefited from programs from Parent & Me to youth and community programs, and they’ve used facilities of all kinds around town. And, since he has served on Town Meeting for most years since 2011 and works with municipal budgeting in his job as Deputy Police Chief for Wilmington, he’s familiar with that side of the process, as well.
According to Brian, the Recreation Department is already doing some great things. Specifically, he praises their spirit of innovation, citing the Power Wheels Races at Food Truck Day as one example, as well as their recognized therapeutic recreation program. He also applauds the wide range of offerings in the catalog.
One area where he’d like to support the Commission and the Department if he earns a spot on the Commission is to bring the sports facilities up to par with other towns. He is excited to see the results of the Burlington Sports Field Master plan, and mentioned he’d like to see dugouts installed at the baseball fields. He’d also like to help explore other sports that residents are interested in.
When asked what makes him stand out as a candidate in this contested race, Brian cited his demonstrated experience of volunteerism, including his time on Town Meeting, as president of BYBA, and on the Board of Directors at Burlington Swim & Tennis.
The local election is on April 1, 2023, and early voting is being held during business hours at Town Hall until March 31.
