Burlington Treasurer Says Position Should Remain Elected

BURLINGTON, MA — A question on the ballot for the Burlington town election on April 6 will ask residents whether the town should switch to an appointed treasurer. The measure follows last year's announcement by Brian Curtin that he would retire after 40 years in the position. Town Meeting approved a warrant article for the change in September, and now it needs o be ratified by voters.

The following letter to the editor was submitted by Curtin, who asks voters to vote "no" on the ballot question and keep the current system in place:

I have held this position for the past 42 years and I am proud to say I have been honored to have served the residents of Burlington since 1976. My position provides independent advice to all boards of government, Town meeting and all residents without interference from the executive branch of government. By changing this position to appointed, places all of the financial oversight of the Town such as auditor, budget analyst, and Town accountant reporting to the selectmen. I am asking the voters to vote no on the ballot question to keep the Treasurer/Collector position elected, as this position has always answered to the taxpayers that pay the salary of this elected office.

Burlington is a highly educated community and there will be several residents who would be qualified to run for this position when I decide to retire. The idea that the voters will somehow elect an uneducated/unqualified person to this position is simply nonsense.

A charter study recommended and was voted by Town Meeting on January 24, 1977 to accept the concept of a Town Administrator form of government. That study also recommended a bylaw change that was voted to combine the positions of Treasurer and Tax Collector into one elected position. This was done to separate the politics of the selectmen from the well being of the town finances. The primary responsibility of this position is to collect, invest and manage the 150 million dollars of Town Funds and report to the residents annually.

The residents of Burlington deserve the right to vote for this elected position and maintain a system of checks and balances concerning the financial oversight and management of their Tax Revenue. VOTE NO!

Brian P. Curtin

Burlington Treasuer