Burlington Family Gets 'Visit' from Family of Penguins

Two boys, Lucas, 5, and Parker, 6, along with their parents, have made penguins out of bottles foam to create a unique winter display.

A Muller Road family has some unusual guests for the winter. Lucas, 5, and Parker, 6, have been working with their parents to create a menagerie of penguins in their front yard. The boys saw the home-made penguins in a magazine and decided to create their own. They now have roughly a dozen penguins of different sizes and in different costumes, including a king and queen and a "teenager" among others. They have also created a sign that states "Penguins Wanted, Apply Within." Check out the video of Lucas and Parker explaining their penguins. Do you have a creative project you'd like to share with the community? Email Richard.Hosford@Patch.com and let us now what you have.

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Planning Board Grants Special Permit for Muller Road Development

The board approved a proposed development featuring 33 residential units.

After years of going back-and-forth with the developer, the Planning Board voted last Thursday to approve a special permit for an "open space residential development" on Muller Road. The plan originally began as 80 proposed condominiums but after resistance from local neighbors the plan was changed during the special permit process. The approved plan now includes 33 separate town houses. In order to keep the town compliant with the affordable housing laws, there will be three affordable units with the project. As of last week's meeting, the developer stated the intent is to have one affordable housing unit on site and two others in other locations in town. The approval of the special permit was contingent on approval of the Conservation …

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Planning Board, Symes Discuss Affordable Housing for Muller Road Project

Members of the Planning Board discuss the need of affordable housing units in connection with the project in order for Burlington to stay in compliance with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Permit Act: 40B.

The Burlington Planning Board met last night to discuss the application for a special permit for a proposed residential development on Muller Road with developer Symes Associates. The main issue up for discussion was the number of total units at the location and the number of affordable housing units the developers are willing to commit to with the project. Currently, the plan put forward by Symes Associations includes 33 total single-family units (see plan at right). Nineteen of the units are allowed "by right," meaning the developer doesn't need a special permit to build them. The other 14 proposed units, however, need special approval by the Planning Board. Board Chairman Paul Roth explained that the board's concern was ensuring there …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today, Feb. 8

Cooler temperatures than the last few days, a variety of public meetings and a craft program at the library today.

Five Things You Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section. Today is Wednesday, Feb. 8. Here are 5 things you need to know:

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Planning Board Discussed Zoning Change for Muller Road Property

The Board discussed changing the zoning of the Symes-owned property from IG (industrial) to RO (residential).

The Planning Board addressed the development of the Symes property along Muller Road once again at their meeting on Thursday, July 21.  Sally Willard, Chairperson of the Land Use Committee appeared before the Board to explain her committee’s position on a warrant for the September Town Meeting to re-zone the property RO (residential) from IG (industrial).  Willard voiced concern that although the property owner has not protested the zoning change, the owner could at some point in the future contest the change and claim that the land was “taken.”  Willard expressed the Land Use Committee’s preference that the property owner co-sponsors the warrant in September. Town Planner Tony Fields thought that any legal action against the zoning by the…

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Selectmen Updates Town on Muller Road Easement Issue

The Burlington Board of Selectmen discussed utility company NStar's proposal on how to remedy a recent clear-cutting of an easement that upset abutters.

During the meeting on Monday, July 18, the Burlington Board of Selectmen presented the town with the most recent updates from utility-company NStar's response to the Muller Road easement situation.  The issue, as reported by Patch, began at the June 13 meeting when residents of Muller Road and the surrounding area brought to the board's attention that NStar had recently completed a clearing project on an easement and buffer zone on Muller Road. The residents were upset because in their opinion NStar had cleared more vegetation than was necessary to protect the power lines over the buffer zone, clear-cutting the entire easement. The land is also a designated conservation area. During the June 27 meeting, Town Administrator Robert Mercier …

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Question of the Day: What Should NStar do On Damaged Conservation Area Land

Let us know your thoughts on today's question

Burlington Patch recently reported on neighbors and town leaders upset over work done by energy company NStar on an easement on Muller Road. Neighbors contended that the work, which included a clearing of all vegetation, was more than was necessary to protect the wires over the easement. The easement is also a designated Conservation Area.  The issue came up at a Board of Selectmen meeting and members stated they were going to meet with NStar to see what could be done. They did meet and the energy company said it would get back to the town with a proposal on how the situation could be remedied. The company's proposal will be discussed during the Monday, July 18 Board of Selectmen meeting.  What we want to know now is your thoughts. What …

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Town Officials Meet with NStar Reps Over Muller Road Easement

Board of Selectmen Chair Walter Zenkin updated the board at the Monday night meeting

The Burlington Board of Selectmen discussed an issue raised at the last meeting concerning the clearing of an easement on Muller Road by utility company NStar that had neighbors upset at the meeting on Monday, June 27. A public relations representative from the company was also present to answer questions. The issue, as reported by Patch, began at the June 13 meeting residents of Muller Road and the surrounding area brought to the board's attention that NStar had recently completed a clearing project on an easement and buffer zone on Muller Road. The residents were upset because in their opinion NStar had cleared more vegetation than was necessary to protect the power lines over the buffer zone, clear-cutting the entire easement. The land …

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Neighbors Upset Over NStar Work in Buffer Zone [VIDEO]

The Burlington Board of Selectmen voted to further discuss the issue at the June 26 meeting and to check with town counsel.

A group of residents expressed anger and frustration over work done on a stretch of conservation land on Muller Road during citizen's time at the June 13 Board of Selectmen meeting. Muller Road resident Howie Strachan told the board that the utility company NStar had recently cleared an easement on Muller road that is also behind the Market Basket on Middlesex Turnpike. Strachan said the company had marked trees to be taken down, and that he understood the need for NStar to keep the power lines cleared, but said the work performed went far beyond what was necessary. Strachan explained that the along with removing trees, the company also cleared all the bushes and underbrush, leaving a pile of debris. He added that in his view the extent of…

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Planning Board Discusses Purchase of Conservation Land

A new day care center, a Kings bowling center and the future of Muller Glen round out the agenda

On June 16 the Planning Board welcomed Conservation Commissioners Larry Cohen and Gretchen Kerry who requested the Board’s support for a land grant proposal. According to Cohen, the Conservation Commission is interested in applying for a state grant to purchase 9.4 acres of land adjacent to the Sawmill Brook Conservation Area. Kerry explained that the Sawmill Brook area spans approximately 30 acres and includes varied terrain, trails and an abundance of wildlife. Kerry also stated that the land has historical significance because the site includes the collapsed mill site, which was one of the last surviving water powered mills.  According to Kerry, the area is eligible for the National Registry of Historical Places. Cohen also described …

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