Burlington Select Board Hires First Communications Officer, Approves 14 Percent Insurance Hike

BURLINGTON — October 6, 2025 — Burlington names its first communications officer and approves a 14 percent health insurance rate hike. The Select Board voted unanimously Monday to appoint Laura Zakruski to the newly created communications officer role, effective October 20, following a search that drew more than 115 applicants. Town Treasurer Anna DeRosa presented the 14 percent increase for the town's self-insured Blue Cross Blue Shield and Harvard Pilgrim plans, effective January 1, 2026, citing rising prescription drug costs and post-COVID utilization rebounds; the Insurance Advisory Committee backed the hike unanimously. Board member Sarah Cawley said the communications hire aims to make the town "proactive about our messaging rather than reactive." The board also granted a business license to Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, opening at 75 Middlesex Turnpike in Burlington Mall around October 16, and approved a change of concept and name for Tuscan Kitchen at 24 District Avenue, which will reopen as Sorella in late January.