Burlington Selectmen Release Goals for the Year

The meeting of the Burlington Board of Selectmen on Monday, Oct. 3 was short and too the point, but the members did update the town on the goals set by the board for the 2011-12 Fiscal Year.

Chairman Walter Zenkin explained that the goals were developed over two meetings with board members and Town Administrator and Assistant Town Administrator Thomas Hickey.

"We came up with these five goals for the upcoming goals and after much discussion and debate we are pleased with the results," Zenking said.

The board took no action on Monday on any of the points listed in the goals. Instead, Zenkin presented them to the community, explaining that the particular points will be addressed when appropriate in the upcoming year.

The goals are listed in full in the file attached to this story, but here are some of the highlights.

Goal #1:

• Town should review whether the current elected Treasurer/Collector position should become an appointed position upon the retirement of the incumbent.
• All five position in the Recreation Commission should be elected, rather than have two appointed positions.

Goal #2:

• Board will pursue need for a new Department of Public Works facility that will include space for all Recreation Department vehicles.
• Board will instruct Administration to work on plan to address need to renovate/build a new Fire Department sub-station in the Terrace Hall/West Burlington area.

Goal #3:

• Board will continue to evaluate the desirability/feasibility of adopting Advanced Life Support service through the Fire Department.
• Board will continue to pursue "combined dispatch" for public safety units as a cost-saving initiative.

Goal #4:

• Continue the focus on maintaining the town's pro-business environment, part of which includes appointing two selectmen to participate in economic development and initiatives to support a pro-business stance.
• Continue to support regional goals regarding transportation improvements to benefit business expansion.

Goal #5

• Reviews operational issues between the School Department and the Town, including continuing a dialogue on the newly configured IT Department, possibility of sharing facilities.