Election 2019: Understanding Burlington's Ballot Question

BURLINGTON, MA -- When Burlington voters head to the polls on April 6, they will have the usual choices to make for elected officials, including a contested selectmen's race and several contested town meeting member races in the various wards. But this year they will also be presented a ballot question:

Shall the town vote to have its elected Treasurer/Collector Office become an appointed Treasurer/Collector Office of the town?

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 position statements from backers of Yes and No votes were released this week by Burlington Town Clerk Amy Warfield.

A vote YES for this question would change the position to Appointed:

Last year Burlington’s Treasurer/Collector, Brian Curtin, announced his retirement after serving more than 40 years. When he was first elected the towns’ budget was $20 million. The budget has grown to $150 million with increasingly complex rules and regulations.

With the retirement announcement, Burlington has an opportunity to change this position from an elected to an appointed (hired) position. In September 2018, Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved a Warrant article to change this position to be appointed. The Town now needs to affirm that vote.

Burlington, like most Massachusetts municipalities, should make the change to an appointed position. Currently, the number of communities with an appointed Treasurer is 286 of 351 communities.

The only current requirements to be elected Treasurer are to be a resident who is at least 18 years old. The elected requirement limits the job to residents who can run a successful election campaign. As residents, we should require job specific credentials and experience regardless of where the candidate lives.

As an appointed position, there will be relevant job requirements, a rigorous independent search and an interview process. The Board of Selectmen will interview the top candidates in a public session.

With the current Treasurer’s planned retirement, this is the time to make this change to ensure Burlington’s financial future is managed by a highly qualified professional as required for this role. The process begins with your YES vote to appoint the Treasurer/Collector.

A vote NO for this question would leave the position as Elected:

Consolidation of power managed by a few people is not in the best interest of Burlington.

This position should be kept Elected in order to maintain the checks and balance within a democratic form of government. This provides independent financial advice to all boards of Town government, Town meeting and residents without interference from the Board of Selectmen. By making this position appointed all of the financial oversight such as auditor, budget analyst, and Town accountant would report to the Board of Selectmen.

Currently the Treasurer must answer to the voters directly. Burlington is a highly educated community and there are several residents qualified for this position. Keeping this position elected the candidates would be vetted through an 8 week examination by the voters versus a small committee.

This position has always been an elected position in Burlington answering to the residents who pay the salary of this position.

A charter study recommended and was voted on by Town Meeting in 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 change and combine the positions of Treasurer and Tax Collector into one elected position.

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 the Town deserve the right to vote for this Elected Official concerning the financial oversight and management of their Tax Revenue.

Are you running for office in Tewksbury on April 6? Contact Dave Copeland at dave.copeland@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Tewksbury Patch.

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