Resolutions

The importance of adopting a resolution and achieving its goal cannot be denied. It builds self-control, raises self-esteem, and provides for personal growth. Certainly, achieving an adopted goal provides for self-fulfillment as well, since it creates the feeling of productivity and provides a foundation of positive reinforcement in one's life. In the same way, it can provide for negative reinforcement if we are too aggressive in our resolutions and we end up with a consistent string of failures.

So this year, in order to avoid the embarrassment of failed resolutions, I have adopted the George Costanza Bizarro resolutions.

For the past ten years, I have resolved to lose the same 10 pounds. I usher in 2020 with a firm resolve to gain 10 pounds! So I etch this goal in stone by admitting to a 220-pound starting point and a 38-inch waist! I go forth with great determination and expectations of success so let the games begin!

I will watch more TV.

I will take longer naps.

I will swear in traffic.

I will have an appetizer AND dessert at the Escadrille.

I will take my car everywhere, even next door to Rob's house.

I will throw my recycling in the trash.

I will change lines at the RMV.

I will cut the tags off mattresses.

I will procrastinate.

I fully expect 2020 to be a year of confidence-building while achieving all my resolutions!

The bride just offered me a piece of fudge she had made last night. This is going to be easy! Happy New Year!

 

A Winter Rain.

A winter rain falls soft at night,

A silver hush beneath the light.

Then comes a deep, quick freeze so fast,
The moment turns to crystal glass.

Trees stand still, in armor dressed,
Each branch in shining ice compressed,
Glass-like limbs reach toward the sky,
Frozen echoes of the rain gone by.

When morning sunlight starts to gleam,
The world awakens from a dream—
Each twig and leaf and silent lane
Twinkles bright from frozen rain.

Please Consider Voting NO on the Debt Exclusion Override

I urge you to vote NO on the proposed debt exclusion override.
This project would be funded entirely by Burlington taxpayers and would dramatically increase the town’s debt burden to unsustainable levels.

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The Financial Impact

Burlington’s current bonded debt stands at approximately $83 million.
If we add the costs of the Fox Hill project, the new police station, and $333 million for the proposed high school, our total debt would climb to roughly $540 million — and that’s before including:

• Burlington’s $10–20 million share of the upcoming Shawsheen Technical School project, and

• Over $50 million in pending requests from the DPW, Recreation Department, Fire Department, and Conservation Commission.

The annual principal and interest payments on this debt would exceed $36 million per year for the next 20 years. For perspective, the entire town budget approved this past May was $187 million.

That means nearly one-fifth of our annual budget could soon be consumed by debt repayment alone.

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Economic Headwinds

This level of borrowing is especially risky given current economic conditions.
Burlington’s commercial property vacancy rate is around 20%, driven by two ongoing challenges:

• Amazon’s impact on brick-and-mortar retail, and

• Post-COVID occupancy rates, which have not fully recovered.

Meanwhile, retail sales—both locally and nationally—are under significant pressure.
The rise of online shopping means that nearly 20% of all retail sales now occur online, a number that continues to grow. The trucks you see from Amazon and FedEx may deliver goods, but they don’t pay property taxes.

Even the Burlington Mall, once our retail anchor, reflects this transition: traditional retailers are being replaced by restaurants and service-based businesses.

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Shifting Tax Burden

Another serious concern is the shift in our property tax base.
Residential property values are rising, while commercial valuations are declining.
A striking example occurred just last month: Northeastern University purchased 4 Burlington Woods from MetLife for $33 million — MetLife had bought the same property in 2022 for $103 million.
As a nonprofit, Northeastern will remove this property from the tax rolls entirely.

This is the canary in the coal mine — a warning that Burlington’s tax burden is shifting away from commercial property owners and onto residents. We can also expect an increase in tax abatement requests from struggling property owners.

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Missing State Support

No Massachusetts municipality in recent memory has completed a school project of this magnitude without matching funds from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

We’ve been told that Burlington is not eligible for MSBA funding — but is that true?

• Who made that determination?

• Where are we on the MSBA’s list of applicants?

• What efforts have our state representatives and senators made to advocate for funding?

Let’s remember that former Representative Charley Murphy successfully obtained MSBA funding for both the Marshall Simonds and Memorial school projects. There’s no reason we shouldn’t pursue similar support before committing Burlington taxpayers to hundreds of millions in debt.

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A Responsible Path Forward

This project should be delayed until one or more of the following conditions are met:

1. Existing debt is paid down, reducing financial strain on the town;

2. State matching funds are secured through the MSBA; or

3. The proposal is downsized into a more affordable, incremental renovation or rehabilitation plan.

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In Conclusion

Burlington deserves excellent schools — but also fiscal responsibility and sustainable planning.
Approving this override now would burden residents for decades, at a time when our commercial tax base is shrinking and our debt obligations are already at historic highs.

Let’s take the time to do this right — not just fast.
Please vote NO on the debt exclusion override.

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Fall

The majesty of nature’s final flare
Announces summer’s closing prayer—
A farewell drawn in amber, tangerine,
Burning scarlet calling to be seen,
Blazing gold and crimson light,
A fleeting brilliance, fierce and bright.

Leaves begin their whispered fall,
Stirring secrets as they call
To winds that wander through the trees,
Tickling cheeks with a breathy breeze,
While southbound geese in chevrons glide,
Shadows stretched across evening skies.

And we, New Englanders, remain—
Chasing the hush of northern rain,
While leaf peepers wander forest paths,
Reveling in the ephemeral flash,
And apple pickers laugh among the rows,
Wrapped in the fire of autumn’s glow.

In orchards ripe and woods alive,
Each moment breathes, each memory thrives.
As ever earlier approaches night,
And stories form in falling light,
Laughter mingles with the rustling air,
Held gently in the season’s care.

Above, the harvest moon stands high—
A sentinel in the quiet sky.
The farmers rest; their work is done,
And peace arrives with the setting sun.
Autumn’s grace, serene and deep,
Cradles our world in golden sleep.

 Summer

 Finally, it’s here, the most wonderful time of year,
The sound of leaves wafting in the summer breeze.
Children play in the park, hoping it doesn't get dark,
Going to work with the sun shining bright,
Coming home while it’s still light.

The flowers awaken, their colors unfold,
Stories of summer in petals retold.
Birds sing their chorus, a jubilant cheer,

Echoing joy, for finally it’s here.

Summer’s not just barbecues, boats, and games,

Soon, Mother Nature will make her claims.
The bees are busy, doing their thing,
The wise don’t interrupt or suffer their sting.

But beware and take special care,

You’ll need lotion on that bald spot bare,

Mosquitoes buzz around your head and nose,

Or poison ivy may find its way between your toes.

A brush against skin, a moment's mistake

Turns sweet summer joy to an itchy ache.

So gather ‘round in the radiant glow,
Celebrate life as the warm breezes flow. 

When the sun’s burning hot, and the days are long,

Just keep your spirits high, and you’ll stay strong

With hope in our hearts and dreams drawing near,
Together we cherish, for finally it’s here.

 Thoughts of Spring.

The tips of the crocus are now in focus, As whispers of spring dance in the trees. 

 The robins are confused, they didn’t get the news, Of the frozen ground, where no worms to be found.

 Yet more daylight brings joy, a collective delight, With kids out in shorts, basking in the light. 

 The old folks are still bundled, wrapped snug in their coats, While laughter spills forth, like sweet springtime notes. 

 What was once gloom, a fading memory soon, As nature awakens, beneath the bright moon. 

 Leaves unfurl gently, and flowers break free, In the heart of the season, all life sings with glee. 

 So let’s welcome the warmth, the vibrant anew, With each petal and promise, the world feels brand new. 

 In this dance of renewal, together we’ll bloom, As spring paints our lives, chasing away all the gloom.

 Joe's sharp as a tack

As his grip on the public continued to tense.
His support once steady began to crumble,
As he fumbled and bumbled, his plans would stumble.
“Sharp as a tack!” the media hack cried,
But more of the same is all they implied.
Yet then came the debate, and it was too late—
No competition, for Kamala it was fate
The Party of Diversity, in their haste,
Said only one had the true taste of grace.
But Kamala emerged with promises galore,
With billions in backing and plans to restore.
She took to the stump with passion and flair,
To vanquish Trump—who had no compare.
But doubts began spreading, and even some dread,
As her speeches fell flat, and logic fled.
Questions of substance were met with a cackle
obviously to many and to tough to tackle
On inflation and immigration, the nation did wait,
But Kamala’s words came too little, too late.
So she rolled out the famous,
With promises dubious and shameless.
After millions in hand, they were unanimous in thought—
Her rise was a gamble that no one had bought.
When the results came in, it wasn’t a shock—
Kamala and Joe were both out of the dock
Both heading for the door, no more to be heard,
The world had moved on, their voices a blur.
And so, from the stage, they fade away,
Never again to see the light of day.
The Donald is back, and rats are jumping jump the ship,
The censors grow silent, no word from their lip.
Joe to pardon the lawfare conspirators bold,
Fauci and Cheney, Joe's plan to unfold.
But always in the end truth will be told.