Opinion: Vote Yes On Burlington's Question 1

The following letter to the editor was submitted in support of Question #1 on the ballot in Burlington's town election on April 6.

I believe there are many important and compelling reasons to vote Yes to Appoint the Treasurer/Collector. Right now, the only two qualifications required to serve as Burlington's elected Treasurer/Collector are: you must be 18 years of age and a resident of Burlington.

The Board of Selectmen voted to approve sending the question to change to an Appointed (hired) Treasure/Collector to Town Meeting, and Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved sending the question to the voters at the April 6th Town Election.

The next person to serve as our Treasurer/Collector should be properly vetted to confirm that the person hired is the best and most qualified to deal with an annual budget that has risen from $20 million forty years ago, to an annual budget of $150 million and growing each year.

The MA Department of Revenue Division of Local Services states that the principle in Local Government is that policymakers should be elected and operational positions where specific qualifications and skill sets are required, should be appointed.

Treasurer/Collectors are operational positions and are important finance officers whose duties are not discretionary but are specific and legally directed.

Twenty-four communities have changed to an appointed Treasurer/Collector just in the past five years, bringing the total number of communities that have an appointed Treasurer/Collector to 284 out of 351 so I would ask you to vote Yes to Appoint our Treasurer/Collector on Election Day, Saturday, April 6th (found on the back of the ballot)

Bob Hogan, Board of Selectmen Member

Related Story: Election 2019: Understanding Burlington's Ballot Question

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