Letter to the Editor: John (Jack) Kelly for Planning Board

The following is a letter to the editor:

Jack Kelly is an experienced and respected member of Burlington’s Town Meeting. He functions as an internal adviser and consultant on a number of issues that confront our local governing bodies. He serves on the Ways and Means committee and thereby is actively involved in the difficult task of maintaining a balanced program of public services for the community at acceptable levels of taxation. He advises those involved in and concerned with zoning issues to assist in maintaining the character of Burlington as primarily a single family home residential community. For those relatively new to local government service, he is frequently consulted as to the merits of various approaches to resolving issues that present themselves to us as a small community with a large business base. He is ideally suited for the task of Planning Board member, as he has previously demonstrated, to assist in maintaining the essential character and economic well being of Burlington.

By nature and profession Jack evaluates the potential impacts on our Town that could result as a likely consequence of both yes and no votes for each issue brought before Town Meeting for a decision. He does so with particular attention to possible unintended consequences that may allow for actions not in keeping with the goals of smart economic growth, respect for all quality of life issues, and improving the attractiveness of Burlington as a place to live and work.

The zoning bylaw, essentially the only tool we have as a community to guide future development in the manner preferred by residents, is an area of particular interest to Jack.  In this period of significant redevelopment in Burlington, his interest in improving our bylaws and their application is of critical value in guiding the evaluation and decision process for the many special permit and other requests that are expected to be put before the Planning Board in the near future.

I strongly support the candidacy of Jack Kelly for Planning Board and recommend him for one of your two votes.

E.R. Zabolotny

Town Meeting Member Precinct 5