← Somerville City Council

Somerville Former City Councilor

Willie Burnley

At-large · 2 terms in this record

Willie Burnley Jr.

A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.

Council terms

2024–2025 Council2022–2023 Council
Election Day · Tuesday, Nov 3

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Record at a glance · 2024–2025 Council

50 of 54meetings attended (93%) · whole council 94%
1,130votes cast by name (yes, no or abstain)
15no votes (1% of votes cast) · whole council 1%
18 of 26split votes where Burnley was in the minority (69%) · whole council 19%
0abstained
2terms in this record

On split votes, Burnley voted the same way as…

How these numbers work
  • Counted from the official minutes, for 2024–2025 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
  • Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Burnley as present or absent at the start.
  • Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
  • Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
  • A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
  • “Whole council” combines every member’s record for the same term.

These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.

Attendance

At the start of 50 of 54 City Council meetings in 2024–2025 Council.

Missed

Every meeting (54)

Votes where councilors disagreed · 2024–2025 Council

Dec 1112 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to…Motion: 12 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the…Passed 10–0 · Burnley: Yes

December 11, 2025: 12 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 363 Highland Avenue from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid-Rise 5 (MR5) and from MR4 to Mid-Rise…

ApprovePassed · 10–0

12 registered voters requesting a Zoning Map Amendment to change the zoning district of 363 Highland Avenue from Mid-Rise 4 (MR4) to Mid-Rise 5 (MR5) and from MR4 to Mid-Rise 6 (MR6), and 110 Willow Avenue MR4 to MR6.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Ewen-Campen, Hardt, Mbah, McLaughlin, Sait, Scott, Strezo, WilsonLance Davis recused and is left out of this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDINANCE ORDAINED AS AMENDED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, and City Councilor At Large Mbah RECUSED: Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

Nov 25In support of democratic divestment action regarding Ballot Question…Passed 9–2 · Burnley: Yes

November 25, 2025: In support of democratic divestment action regarding Ballot Question 3

ApprovePassed · 9–2

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Mbah, McLaughlin, Sait, Scott, WilsonNo: Hardt, Strezo

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis NAY: Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, and City Councilor At Large Strezo.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Nov 13Requesting approval to create the Community Benefits Stabilization fund…Motion: Requesting approval to create the Community Benefits Stabilization fund and accept…Passed 10–0 · Burnley: Yes

November 13, 2025: Requesting approval to create the Community Benefits Stabilization fund and accept a payment to the fund of $3,946,742.98 from the community benefit contributions outlined in project development...

ApprovePassed · 10–0

Requesting approval to create the Community Benefits Stabilization fund and accept a payment to the fund of $3,946,742.98 from the community benefit contributions outlined in project development covenants.

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hardt, Mbah, Sait, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Matthew McLaughlin as absent for this vote; left out of it.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis ABSENT: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Nov 13Requesting approval to create a Housing Assistance Stabilization fund…Passed 10–0 · Burnley: Yes

November 13, 2025: Requesting approval to create a Housing Assistance Stabilization fund under the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 5B

ApprovePassed · 10–0

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hardt, Mbah, Sait, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Matthew McLaughlin as absent for this vote; left out of it.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis ABSENT: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Nov 13Requesting approval to appropriate $875,000 from the Community Benefits…Passed 10–0 · Burnley: Yes

November 13, 2025: Requesting approval to appropriate $875,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund for food security initiatives

ApprovePassed · 10–0

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hardt, Mbah, Sait, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Matthew McLaughlin as absent for this vote; left out of it.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis ABSENT: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)

Nov 13Requesting approval to appropriate $100,000 from the Community Benefits…Passed 10–0 · Burnley: Yes

November 13, 2025: Requesting approval to appropriate $100,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to support the Senior Taxi Program

ApprovePassed · 10–0

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, Hardt, Mbah, Sait, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe minutes list Matthew McLaughlin as absent for this vote; left out of it.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: Ward Seven City Councilor Hardt, City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, City Councilor At Large Mbah, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis ABSENT: Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 13 (PDF)

Oct 9Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install…Passed 9–0 · Burnley: Yes

October 9, 2025: Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install a new Manhole and a total of 46 feet of conduit in Auburn Avenue, from Utility Pole 2 to a point…

ApprovePassed · 9–0

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, McLaughlin, Sait, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe roll call does not list Wilfred Mbah, so that councilor is left out of this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Oct 9Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install…Passed 9–0 · Burnley: Yes

October 9, 2025: Comcast applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 64 feet of conduit in Albion Street, from Utility Pole 3/22 to a point of pickup at 156…

ApprovePassed · 9–0

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, McLaughlin, Sait, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe roll call does not list Wilfred Mbah, so that councilor is left out of this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Oct 9Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install…Passed 9–0 · Burnley: Yes

October 9, 2025: Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 15 feet of conduit in Cross Street East, from Utility Pole 558/3 to a point of pickup at…

ApprovePassed · 9–0

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, McLaughlin, Sait, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe roll call does not list Wilfred Mbah, so that councilor is left out of this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Oct 9Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install…Passed 9–0 · Burnley: Yes

October 9, 2025: Eversource applying for a Grant of Location to install a total of 7 feet of conduit in Kingston Street, from Utility Pole 101/4 to a point of pickup at 37…

ApprovePassed · 9–0

Voted: Yes

Yes: Burnley, Clingan, Davis, Ewen-Campen, McLaughlin, Sait, Scott, Strezo, WilsonThe roll call does not list Wilfred Mbah, so that councilor is left out of this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AYE: City Councilor At Large Wilson, Ward Three City Councilor Ewen-Campen, Ward Two City Councilor Scott, Ward One City Councilor McLaughlin, City Councilor At Large Burnley Jr., Ward Five City Councilor Sait, City Councilor At Large Strezo, Ward Four City Councilor Clingan, and Ward Six City Councilor Davis.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Votes with no disagreement (714)

    From the Somerville City Council’s official minutes, posted on the city’s Legistar meeting calendar (July 2022 on) and its older meeting portal (2010 to mid-2022), both linked from the City Council page on somervillema.gov. We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: City of Somerville (somervillema.gov) official headshots for Ben Ewen-Campen, Jesse Clingan, Lance Davis, Wilfred Mbah, Naima Sait, J.T. Scott and Kristen Strezo; The Somerville Times (thesomervilletimes.com) for Emily Hardt, Jon Link, Matthew McLaughlin and Ben Wheeler. Former councilors show initials.

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