Election 2018: Burlington Town Meeting Candidates

BURLINGTON, MA -- There are contested races for town meeting representative in Precincts 1 and 4 in Saturday's municipal election. Town meeting representatives serve three-year terms. For information on other races, see our Election Guide, as well as profiles of selectmen candidates Michael Runyan and Nicholas Priest.

To see which precinct you live in, consult the town's precinct maps.

Patch reached out to candidates in contested races and asked a wide range of questions on the issues facing Burlington. Here are some of the responses we got from people running for town meeting representative in the two precincts where there are competitive races:

Precinct One

The single most pressing issue facing our Burlington Town Meeting is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Michael Hardy (incumbent)

"Guiding the town through the budget process, including money for town projects and helping the town to make decisions on how we manage our growth."

Adam Sensei (incumbent)

"Development versus livability. This alludes to two subsets on the matter related to traffic and Burlington's water supply."

Ram Voruganti (also running for Library Board of Trustees)

"There are more than 10% of Asian Population in Burlington. Would like to bring their participation in town governance"

If you are elected, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

Michael Hardy (incumbent)

"Taxes, Services and Town Financing - I work to preserve our services and make sure that town operations are run efficiently and budgets are managed responsibly."

Adam Sensei (incumbent)

"I'd like to work with the Board of Selectmen to finalize a workable plan to address the town's water needs."

Ram Voruganti (also running for Library Board of Trustees)

"Increase Indian American and Asian participation in the town government."

Voters in Precinct One will be asked to vote for six of the eight people on the ballot. Incumbents Donna D. Gregorio, Mark S. Saia and David J. Woodilla, as well as challengers William S. Boivin and Michael Espejo did not respond to Patch's survey of candidates in contested races.

Precinct Four

The single most pressing issue facing our Burlington Town Meeting is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Joan Hastings (incumbent)

"Growth of our Town. Hope to provide the input of my constituents."

Frank Monaco (incumbent)

"There is no single issue for town meeting. The focal point of everything town meeting does is to balance the desires of the entire community while maintaining a high level of service, affordability, and quality of life in town. Town Meeting has the final say on all budgets and bylaws and I will continue to serve on relevant committees and to manage and improve our community as best I can. I often hear concerns about tax increases, density of commercial establishments, apartments, and traffic. I think we need to maintain a strong commercial base, make sure we keep our neighborhoods quiet, safe, and family friendly, and manage taxes so we don't drive people and business away."

Eileen Claire Sickler (incumbent)

"Development. I plan to know the issues and be engaged with related Boards."

Sally Willard

"Traffic. The commercial areas need to be walkable."

If you are elected, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

Joan Hastings (incumbent)

"Support of the voters over the years."

Frank Monaco (incumbent)

"I want to complete a new fire sub station, get a new DPW/Recreation Maintenance garage underway, resolve a renovation at the high school, resolve other school space needs, and complete a long term water supply recommendation."

Eileen Claire Sickler (incumbent)

"Seeing that our town and school business offices are run efficiently and are using current technology applications."

Sally Willard

"Maintaining our local legislature (Town Meeting) as the check against the executive branch, which is the board of selectmen."

Voters in Precinct Four will be asked to vote for six of the eight candidates on the ballot. Incumbents Virginia E. Mooney and Laura G. Nichols, as well as challenger Kelley Lax and Schiffan Wong did not respond to Patch's survey of candidates in contested races.

The town's annual, municipal election is on Saturday, April 7. Polls are open from 8 am to 8 pm and voting is conducted at the Burlington High School on Cambridge Street. The deadline to register to vote in the election was March 16. Absentee ballots are now available at the town clerk's office.

To see if you are registered to vote in this year's town election, see the Secretary of State's Website.

Subscribe to Burlington Patch for election results, and for more local news and real-time alerts.

Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).