You can read what's happening in Arlington Town Meeting at:
https://insidearlington.org/
Monday, May 4, 2026
How to read what's happening in Arlington Town Meeting
Monday, April 27, 2026
2026 Town Meeting Opens!!!
Town Meeting opened Monday, April 27
Town Meeting opened with John Hurd giving the "State of the Town" speech
You can follow Town Meeting on ACMI video: https://www.youtube.com/c/AcmiTv
You can see the Arlington TM documents here: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/town-meeting
So far, the big Article that you might care about was the posting and raising of existing fees.
I noted in speaker's comments that we should be charging for library overdue fees - we abolished those about 15 years ago, for some poor reason about it shaming some library users. I also started that the Town should ensure it charges high enough fees when developers remove mature trees. Sometimes the Town has not gone after all the tree loss that developers cause.
Here's a nice long list of all the fees we discussed:
https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/77397/639118628201370000#page=30
Monday, April 28, 2025
2025 Town Meeting - Updated through Wednesday, May 28th...
2025 Town Meeting Opens!!!
Town Meeting opened Monday, April 28
Town Meeting opened with Diane Mahon giving the "State of the Town" speech - Article 2.
You can follow Town Meeting on ACMI video: https://www.youtube.com/c/AcmiTv
You can see the Arlington TM documents here: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/town-meeting
Arlington Residents For Responsible Redevelopment (www.arfrr.org) publishes a Guide to the Zoning Articles for Town Meeting Members and the Public at: https://tmguide.arfrr.org I'm part of ARFRR, a grass-roots collection of residents and local business owners who follow and are concerned about zoning and redevelopment changes.
I'm really concerned that Article 40: The End of Single Family Zoning is wrong for Arlington and is being proposed by a small group of people, while most people know nothing about it. This proposal would turn single family zoning into two-family areas - and with an additional 1 ADU per each primary residences, imagine up to 4 total units on lots of your neighborhood around you!
Please take a look at ARFRR's Petition to Stop The End of Single Family Zoning: https://petition.arfrr.org Please share that link with others, too.
Art 2: Mahon said that there will be new trash/recycling service, starting July 1. They will deliver (free, I think) barrels to each residence. I believe this means your old barrels will not be used or needed anymore, except probably as "Yard Waste"
Art 8: Canine Control: We learned a lot about Arlington's bad dog and kenneled dog controls.
Art. 11. Debate continued on whether a process will be created to remove homes from the historic register/inventory. The proponent argued that their home is on by mistake, or due to erroneous inclusion.
APRIL 30 - Wednesday Night 2
Art. 11 - continued
It was sad to see multiple speakers talk about how it should be easier for people to deny their home is deemed worthy of preserving. It passed, probably due to the Arl Historical Commission changing their position to support it.
Art. 12: Allowing non citizens and those under 18 to participate on Town committees and working groups. On this motion, there was generally supportive discussion. Ben Rudick reminded us that about 5 years ago, TM approved non-citizens who are permanent residents to vote in local elections, but the State did not approve this change, so it has not gone through.
Art. 14 Real Estate Transfer Tax: The town already had a TM vote where we approved our desire to tax sales / purchases of property - to raise tax to put into the Arl Housing Trust Fund - which was pushing the Housing Overlay that would have turned all our business and residential districts into large apartment buildings with no parking. It passed on a majority vote. The details will be determined by future year Town Meeting Articles.
Art. 15 Senior Citizen Property Tax Credit There was an issue with a previously passed by TM tax credit, so this Article amends our bylaws (a second time) to approve our effort to provide such a tax credit - the details of which, the assessors' office will supply. It passed.
Art. 16 Select Board request to make a public ballot question to increase the number of package (alcohol sales) stores. There are currently 6 licenses and this would allow for 2 additional licenses. JP Lewicke made a motion to change the number from 2 to 4 new licenses. The amendment failed, but the main article passed.
Art. 17 Banning 2nd Generation Rodenticides - banning 2nd generation Rodenticide (like rat killers) that often end up killing our valued wildlife and sending the poison (anti-coagulant) through the food chain. I asked if we can still control rodents without these "SGARs". The Town Manager responded that we can manage with 1st generation rodentcides.
May 5, Monday, Night 3
We learned in the test vote that TM sometimes has 4/5th required or even 9/10ths votes - for issues where the body is asked to pay debts from past years. The most common votes are majority (50%+1 person) and supermajority (2/3rds+1 person) votes. The supermajority votes were always zoning issues in the past, but a law change, under Governor Baker, lowered the threshold for pro-density changes (going up to 3 or more units per property) to majority while it kept changes that would reduce density at the same 2/3rds+1 threshold that all zoning articles previously were held to.
Art. 7: BYLAW AMENDMENT / ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ELECTRIFICATION REVOLVING FUND To see if the Town will vote to amend Title 1, Article 22 of the Town Bylaws by adding a new section to establish and authorize a revolving fund to utilize monies received through state, federal and utility energy efficiency and electrification rebates, incentives and tax credits to fund future energy efficiency, renewable energy and electrification projects.
We went back to Art. 7, which the Moderator had ruled out of order last week. Today, the Town Manager explained that some of the Article had been approved in 2017 by Town Meeting. It was thus changed to omit the part (Section 5) that was already handled by TM. A member of the Finance Committee rose to postpone the Art. until next Monday so that it's possible to submit Amendments to TM and for the Finance Committee to review the Article.
Art. 18 - To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation to elect Town offices by Ranked Choice Voting. We adopted it 189 to 29 - in all office races.
Art 20. We voted to index a small property tax exemption for veterans to inflation (CPI). The total cost to the town is small for these tax exemptions - and now it will help the veterans as inflation increases. Here's the town-wide amount:
Art. 21: ARTICLE 21 ACCEPTANCE OF LEGISLATION / CHAPTER 399 OF THE
ACTS OF 2024
To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 399 of the Acts of 2024,
or any other applicable laws, to permit the installation, operation, and maintenance of
school bus violation detection monitoring systems on school buses We voted 212 to 4 to pass cameras on school busses to detect cars that violate school bus flashing - lights rules to not pass.
Art. 25: ADUs:
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May 7th, Monday, Night 4
Arlington's 250th history exhibit at the Old Schwamb Mill (oldest Mill in America) ends soon. Here's some of it online: https://oldschwambmill.org/exhibitions/
Donate to Support Arlington Heroes - to plant a flag by the Water Tower - Rotary International runs this, which also collects money for students. https://arlingtonmarotary.com/events/2025-flags-for-heroes
A library trustees report has been published (and accepted by TM) for the redevelopment of Fox Library. I think folks should be aware there is talk of giving the building or air rights above it over to developers. I couldn't find this report on the Arlington website.
Arlington Trash and Recyling Pickup is changing. Some questions were answered during the budgets portion of Wednesday, May 7th, but here is the Town Manager's interview with ACMI about the changes. I generally support this, though it's a big change that's being sprung quickly on us. Happily, there is no cost to residence for the new trash and recycling barrels - though Arlington taxpayers will pay $1.5 million for the free barrels we get. See this ACMI video for more info: https://vimeo.com/1082634586?share=copy&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Tonight May 7th is Budgets Night. We paused debate on the still unconcluded Article 26, with a speakers queue etc - though I tried to get us to resolve that item before beginning the budgets.
Budgets: (The following budgets were 'held' so that TMMs could speak/ask questions about them)
1. Select Board - John Worden reminded us that the Town Hall Cupola/Tower/Spire/clock tower was removed last year. He asks if it is going to be replaced and when? He was not given an answer, because no budget in FY 2026 - he pressed to know if it will be replicated. Town Manager Feeney replied that the tower was scanned and detailed imagery as well as pieces of it were saved, so it will hopefully be replicated soon.
2. Information Technology: Went up 14.29%! Much of this was the hiring of a (Cyber) Security Manager role (recall that the Town lost millions due to a scam over payments to AHS rebuild vendors recently).
3. Treasurer/Collector: After a question, it was noted that the addition of electronics payments for residents actually necessitated more work for the treasurer's office - they added an additional clerk to handle the new additional workload - oddly!
4. Postage: Mr Loretti pointed out that paper copies of the Town Meeting materials were not mailed this year. He asked if there can be a commitment to mailing paper documents to any TMM who wants it.
5. Parking: Mr. Baudoin asked what the duration of the current Arl. Center parking meter contracts is? The treasurer stated that the meters are on a year-to-year contract. Baudoin suggested we change vendor, since they are hard to use. He asked about the collected fines - he sees the amount has fallen. It was noted that the 15 minute free parking meter option is still there - but not a single button click.
6. Public Works: Ms Anderson asked if a forum on waste transition (new trash barrels) could be set up. The manager said it could be done. Mr Moore pointed out the past trash hauler service had been poor. He wanted to know if the Town will get some money back from the old service and what considerations were for switching. The Manager said price and reliability were the main issues. Mr. Tremblay asked if poorly timed traffic lights could be improved, since traffic is severely hindered at many times. DPW Dir. Rademacher invited Tremblay to email him. Ms Farrell asked about the lead water warning from last year - what's the status? Rademacher responded that the Town has 10 years beginning of 2027 to repair all lead lines. Ms Pennarun asked about the cost difference between the new company and the old company (new company $6.5M vs today $5.5M - if we'd stayed with the same company, the Town Manager said, it would have been about $7M) Mr Jamieson asked who is paying for the free to residents Toter barrels. The answer is that the Capital Fund is paying with some help from grants. Jamieson also asked about the tonnage of trash, even though our tipping fee has gone up 10%. He noted the yard waste fee went up by $500,000. It was said that this waste now goes to Woburn - no longer to Lexington - and changed a long time ago. Mr Worden asked about the cost to the town of the new free barrels - it will be about $1.5M We are encouraged to use our current barrels for yard waste. Mr Worden asked about bulky items - The Town Manager stated that all bulky items will now have a fee for removal.
7. Police Services: There are now 49 officers, 9 sergeants, 6 lieutenants, 3 captains and Chief Flaherty.
A question was asked about disproportionate traffic stops of people of color. The chief disagreed that such a thing is happening. (Mr. Fischer alleged 3x higher stops for black people). A question by Ms Dray uncovered that officers still are not wearing body cameras, as one of two unions is still in arbitration with the Town.
8. Education: Ms Melofchik asked about the Foreign Students portion of the Education budget, a revenue source, as listed, how the costs are collected and what they're used for. Superintendent Homan stated that we charge at a rate that is less than the State's per-pupil rate - this year about $17K. Funds received are spent on the services used in the schools.
We passed the budgets in a single vote, after the interesting Q/A session.
I spoke to ask if we would be discussing the huge deficits beginning in FY 2026 ($13M) and doubling in FY 2027. The answer was that we would not discuss them, as they aren't part of the current FY Articles discussion, as I understood the reply I received.
See Appendix D of the 2025 Fin Comm Report here:
https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/73684/638802179946530000
Specifically these circled numbers:
There will have to be enormous overrides - divided by 20,000 property payers... and it looks like $1,000 per family each year - our largest ever override. Let's hope I'm wrong. I believe we have to support our largest Town cost - the education of our children in public schools, which costs between $15,000 to $21,000 per student, depending on how the costs are calculated.
Capital Budget: Some questions were asked about road projects and intersection/crossing redesigns. 11pm came and we adjourned...
To Be Continued next week when we begin many dramatic Zoning Articles...
May 12th, Monday, Night 5
John Worden III, former moderator (6 terms) and longest-standing member of Town Meeting gave notice that, with increasing age and declining sight (he is now legally blind), he will resign his Precinct 8 Town Meeting seat. A staunch supporter of education, environment, good governance and responsible zoning and redevelopment, his wisdom and voice will be missed.
We continued with budget related items: Minuteman Budget (a large portion of education expense), Capital Budgets. Mark Kaepplein proposed removing $280,000 for Broadway redesign, which he said was not warranted. It failed as an amendment. We voted YES on the $5,000,000 Capital Budget, which was within the 5% rule (percent of overall budget generally considered right-sized).
We discussed the Minuteman Budget ($8+ million, about 200 students) and voted it YES.
We went back to Article 7, which proposes a floating fund, some called "slush" for the Town's climate goals. The planning department stated that they need to have a pool of funds to meet grants that occur in between Town Meeting funding votes. An example of a delayed grant approval that caused a cost increase was given. It was said that the Town Manager would approve all uses of the funds.
May 14th, Monday, Night 6
We heard, in an announcement, that the Alewife are against reaching out waterways. They are like herring and appear to be doing well in the improving water quality of the local rivers and streams.
Article 30: Amending Screening and Buffer requirements (stated by ARB Chair that it is essentially an administrative correction).
Article 32: Deleting the B1 zone and rolling it into the B2A zone (larger size, many more uses allowed). This change would cover 22% of our area businesses, a full third of which are historic structures. While adding business uses may be appropriate, the change explicitly allows up to 60 foot 5 story mixed use buildings and would delete Arlington's historic, culural heritage of those nice house-like small office buildings, replacing them with generic enormous structures like we've seen next to and across from Stop and Shop. It's a mistake. Unfortunately, it was ruled a majority vote (even though zoning is often 2/3rds when not pertaining to increased housing density 3 family and higher). On Majority vote it passed about 12x to 9x (I don't have the exact counts). Al Tosti rose to ask why this wasn't a 2/3rds vote and I rose because I understood that if items other than increasing housing density were included then the vote is a 2/3rds requirement.
Article 41 - Housing Overlay. Although the housing overlay will receive a vote of "No Action" this year, an Affordable Housing Overlay Committee was sneaked in to our thread of debate... Greg Dennis, proposed we debate Art 41 (because he would be away next Monday). He introduced his "Motion To Commit" to a (public) Affordable Housing Overlay Committee (made up of people I judge to be nearly all pro-density, as many of them were on the private, secretive working group that proposed this year's Article 41) to implement an affordable housing overlay. Recall that the ARB voted "No Action" this year on the overlay, largely because it didn't notify all people in the affected areas. Also, recall that Article 41 proposed large buildings in nearly ALL residential and commercial areas of Arlington with little parking and no protection for trees and no enhanced setbacks, despite allowing 2 more floors than whatever underlying zone provided for.
Article 38: Allowing Business Uses in Residential Zones. Although originally it received 'no action' by the ARB and they said they have not ruled on the substitute motion, two somewhat bad substitute motions were proposed. The toned-down proposals still interfere with residents (deliveries, customers, noise, signs, trash, late nights/early morning activities, potential for crime and loss of neighborhood cohesiveness). Especially at a time where we just acted to remove the
May 19th, Monday, Night 7
Announcements: Liz Pyle told us about the A-B Rowing Crew organization incident where their truck and trailer were stolen by a man who wreaked mayhem in Arlington, Cambridge and Belmont Saturday night, damaging property and cars, including the rowing boats of the AB Crew team.
It was said that residents can now go to the Town waste website and select a smaller trash/recycling barrel, if they want it - the default size is 64 gallons. Barrels will be delivered to each residence unit in June for start of the new company (Waste Management) service July 1st.
Article 38 (again): We took up Allowing business uses in the residential districts again. The ARB (which voted No Action (against) the original idea, also stated that we shouldn't support either of the amendments (one is still too permissive, one is poorly specified). The ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) chair also spoke against the amendments. The two amendments failed. The main vote was "no action".
Article 39: Allowing an individual property to include itself in the MBTA density overlay. It was questioned whether the property was a non-compliant 3 family or a grand-fathered non conforming use. ARB Member Revilak stated that MA law allows a use to become legal after existence for more than 10 years. Mr Loreti said that the property shouldn't be admitted on a case by case basis, and also the intent of the MBTA density overlay was to taper down from front street heights to smaller MBTA density to existing zoning. The covered property is in the interior 'existing height' area. It was said that petitioner was interested in adding 3 additional units to their property. The Article passed.
Article 40: The ARB chair spoke about their 3-2 split support of Ending Single Family Zoning, but that they do not support the motion to Commit or the Amendment. There was a mass rush to add speakers to the speaking list and many concerned residents didn't get in to the initial wave...
Bethany Friedman introduced her article which would allow 2 family by special permit (as opposed to buy right, in the main motion).
Gary Goldsmith presented his Motion (with Matt Miller) to Commit - to form a committee to research not an implementation, but to ask if this makes sense given the many unknowns.
Joanne Cullinane presented her Amendment to the Commit Motion to add better representation of the public's stakeholders than in the original motion - to ensure that public input and the public's interest is supported by the work of the committee formed by the motion to commit.
Debate began ...
Xavid Pretzger asked if Planning would bring this Article again next year. Director Ricker appeared to say that YES the town would consider things like that.
Wednesday, May 21st, Night 8
We continued debate on Article 40.
There were no women allowed to speak tonight. There were no speakers against the Article allowed to speak tonight. It was just about the worst carrying of debate order that I have ever seen in Town Meeting.
The vote failed on 40 (all amendments failed) YAY! This means that we will not have the end of single family zoning. I'd prepared this presentation, but I wasn't allowed to give it. It explains why the Article was a bad idea - bad for affordability, bad for diversity and bad for our green efforts/climate resiliency.
We moved on to the easy Article 43 - Improving and adding to Shade Trees on our streets. That Article passed.
Wednesday, May 28th, Night 9
Ezra Fisher was mentioned by the moderator as misusing the statement that he was "raising a question" when he clearly knew all the answers he was raising, and simply used an opportunity to speak as a proponent of Article 40. This happened last Wednesday on the debate on Article 40 when the moderator was allowing for balanced speaking by asking people to identify if their speech was for/against or a question on 40.
We heard that gun violence death is the number 1 killer of children in the US, surpassing motor vehicle deaths, recently.
The Manager announced that because Arlington adopted MBTA density in 2023, we received last week a $3.5M grant to build/support affordable housing.
The Selectboard read a proclaimation that today, May 28th shall be known as John Worden Day in Arlington, in thanks for his many years as a moderator (19) and his status as the longest serving Town Meeting Member.
TM voted to appropriate $100,000 to help financially struggling ACMI, which is very busy helping to record and show Arlington government, educational and public interest TV media. There was an amendment to double that amount, but it failed, partly due to upcoming Town deficits.
During the Resolutions (not binding, but provide intent of TM), we learned that our trash costs are rising and we are working, but having trouble to reduce our net waste
This plan is a goal of the Zero-Waste Arlington and the Town:
read more:
There was a threat of reconsideration of our NO vote on Article 40. When the moment came for reconsideration - Mr Quinn, who proposed it earlier - did not say anything / did not propose any motion to Re-vote Article 40.
The moderator made a plea for TMMs to consider that people with opposing viewpoints (such as on Article 40) should be seen as colleagues and considered with grace - that we are all in this together.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
2024 Spring Town Meeting - more big changes, on the heels of October Special Town Meeting
Night 1 - April 24th
There were 22 newly elected Town Meeting Members (TMMs).
Select Board Chair Decourcey stated their most important function is to hire the Manager. They hired Jim Feeney last year..
Article 7:
BYLAW AMENDMENT / BETTERMENT BYLAW REVISION - PRIVATE WAYS | |||||||
Town will vote to amend Title III Article 3 of the Town Bylaws: Repairs to Private Ways to revise the criteria, process, and other material terms for the approval and administration of repairs to private ways, |
The Article would make it smoother for private way residents to work with the Town to coordinate repairs and projects to maintain private ways by changing the terms
TM approved Article 7.
Articles 8,9 and 10 (to change the start and end times of Town Meeting) were tabled until debate later in the Town Meeting - Select Board changed their opinion/vote on several of these.
We adjourned at 10:30 - the Moderator has introduced, on his prerogative, votes to adjourn starting at 10:30pm every night... While fun at the moment, it means that Town Meeting could take potentially 25% longer over the weeks to conclude.
Here's the video of it:
Here's Bob Sprague/Your Arlington's version: https://www.yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/town-meeting/22140-tm-042424.html
NIGHT 2 - April 29th
After welcoming the Mayor of Nagaokakyo, Japan, our sister city, and the 16 exchange students here for the 40th anniversary of the Arlington - Nagaokakyo Sister City relationship, we began with an important and contentious Article: Article 14
Article 14 proposes banning focused protest against one address. This happened earlier when Nazi members of NSC-131 protested outside the Arlington home of our State governor.
Debate went on and on - several amendments proposed making the language (preventing demonstrations in front of a single residence) valid to prevent overnight demonstrations.
The amendments all passed, the substitute motion failed and the main motion failed 87 yes to 142 no, no abstentions.
We got on to Article 15 - a proposal to ban the sale of fur in Arlington. Currently, no fur is sold in town, but the Article would prevent it in the future. It passed by something like 140 to 18
NIGHT 3 - May 1st
On Wednesday, May 1st.
We began with the Minuteman Budget (and presentation), Article 45.
Town Meeting heard that Minuteman costs, per student, about $40,000 and is about $10-15,000 more expensive per student than other MA vocational schools. Per my data, Arlington High costs about $15,000/student. Vocational school is more expensive than standard public school, but Minuteman is much more expensive than other such schools.
It passed.
Article 16 Prohibiting sale of pets
This passed - 173 to 42 prohibiting all sales of animals in Arlington. A proposed Amendment by Varoglu failed. This seems nuts to me, especially as we could have had an Article to improve animal conditions. This decision just sends Arlington's pet purchasers to other towns. Note: No pet stores currently exist in Arlington.
Article 20 - Transfer of the Clerk from an elected position to appointed position.Mr Worden offered a sensible Amendment to require the appointed Clerk to live in Arlington. The Amendment failed and the Article, not surprisingly - since the voters made the change recently - passed by 173 to 38.
Article 21: Senior Tax Cut - The Select Board voted "No Action" on this, so the elderly were not allowed a tax break on property taxes. We had to vote "Yes" on No Action.
NIGHT 4 - May 6th
"Budget Night" - the School and Town Budgets...
Article 39: Town Budgets
We learned at the beginning of the Education budget that Arlington electric rates are projected to rise 40%!
On the budgets, about Health and Human Services, Budget 24, I asked how many staff we have in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I was told there are now 3 staff. I pointed out that many developers have not made their buildings ADA compliant and that a black bystander was grabbed by the police when they were looking for a white suspect. I would like to see actual diversity and equity, and see this DEI function reduced to no more than one staff person.
Ultimately, as always, we passed the $178MM budget for next fiscal year of Arlington's operations.
On Capital Budgets, an interesting point was brought up by a question of John Leone's: $1MM has been budgeted so that every residence would get a large "Toter" trash barrel and recycling barrel - because they can be picked up by an automatic arm on some modern trucks. We were told they would only spend this money if they could obtain a much reduced trash/recycling contract price by using such automated trucks and barrels.
Article 29: Allowing taller Business-zoned buildings in the area close to residential zoning (homes). The article would reduce the "height buffer" edge by 50% (about 200 feet zone reduced to 100 ft zone) which would thus allow taller floors up to the 100 ft distance. This passed 137-70 (or so) and was listed as a majority vote. I felt strongly it should have been a 2/3rds vote - and should have thus been overturned.
Article 30: Requiring (private) parking lots of 25 or greater spaces to be covered by solar or tree-cover. This Article would prevent 25 space and larger parking lots from being uncovered, adding either solar panels above the cars or tree plantings to add shade. It was noted that a change to reduce parking lot size would not trigger the law, though expanding a lot above 25 spaces would invoke the requirement. An Amendment by the proponent tightened the language. It passed by 184 to 18.
Night 5 - May 8 - VE Day
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING got underway
Article 3: To approve the map that the Town failed to include in October Special Town Meeting about the MBTA Density Overlay... The Town Meeting voted 180 to 36 with 7 abstentions. Sligthly less gung-ho than they did in October. The Density Overlay isn't located near the MBTA terminus, Alewife and will reduce our existing affordablity rules, as well as offer limited parking, nearly no open space to residents. To the neighborhoods the luxury condos go into, they will be allowed to tower up to 78 feet on Mass Ave, 65 feet on Broadway - with no setback to the building masses from the sidewalk... UGH! Here's the map (from Oct 2023): https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/67120/638399915962630000
Article 4 - to allow a small parcel of trees/open space between Ottoson and the Greek Church parking lot to be made available to a developer to buy (to likely combine with the Greek Church parking lot and a small lot next to them.
Night 6 - May 13:
Report of the Artificial Turf Review Committee
1. They found that turf fields are more expensive in installation, maintenance and removal and must be removed every 7-10 years. They found that they are appropriate options with proper safeguards and several suggestions on materials and methods. The full report is on the 2024 Town Meeting Webpage and the Artificial Turf Study Committee page:
Article 17: Pet Companionship: An Article to prohibit landlords from not allowing pets in apartments in Arlington. SB Decourcey mentioned that Article 17 has conflicts with various MA laws and housing rules. You can read more about the SB's comments in the Article's language and review (they voted "No Action"): https://arlington.novusagenda.com/Agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=17824&MeetingID=2041
We kept Town Meeting start time to 8pm in a vote, after a lot of debate about changing the start to 7:30pm
Article 31: An article to include 5-7 Winter street, a nationallly listed historic property, into the MBTA Density overlay - which would likely result in it be demolished if purchased by a developer for Redevelopment into multifamily housing.
Night 7 - May 15th
There was an interesting report and resource mentioned in the form of the Zero Waste Arlington Report to Town Meeting: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/56402/637564189993270000
Article 33: To reduce rear yard setbacks in business districts between structures from 30 feet to 20 feet for the first 3 floors. Floors 4 and 5 would have to be at the existing 30 feet mark - creating a stepback for floors 4 and 5. It passed by 123 to 61, on a majority vote (though I think it should clearly have been a 2/3rds vote decision - zoning and not about residential density...
If you didn't notice, Town Meeting (250 or so people) is in a high-density, big changes mode again - as they were when they voted the terrible MBTA density overlay in with enormous building masses allowances and 50% or more overcompliance -- a license to reduce our affordability, gut our affordable housing laws and make Arlington a place of more elite luxury condos, less open space and less diversity... I don't think such major changes should be made so lightly and easily by Town Meeting - for 20,000 silent residents - owners and renters - all taxpayers.
Article 50 - funding the Community Preservation Grants - The US Army says that it was born in Arlington! At the Foot of the Rocks. That's the biggest battle of the first day of the American Revolution There was considerable debate about whether we should give $450,000 in a CPA grant to rebuilding the Foot of The Rocks monument - commemorating the worst/largest battle of April 9, 1775. In truth it happened at the intersection of Appleton Street and Paul Revere Road.
Article 53: The town proposed to make the walking routes to Stratton safe for children to walk to school. The town is working with other organizations - it's goal is to pay for the transfer of private ways to the town.
Night 8: May 20th - Monday
We dealt with some of the less administrative Articles regarding finances.
We debated a resolution (non binding of course!) "Dear MBTA: improve our busses and MBTA rapid transit service, please!" We spent a while on this obvious thing - which carries no legal weight.
Monday, May 15, 2023
2023 Town Meeting Week 3 - Composting for Businesses, Hill's Hill Bike Project, A bad housing overlay resolution and... TM ends!
2023 Town Meeting Week 3 - Composting for Businesses, Hill's Hill Bike Project, A bad housing overlay resolution and... TM ends!
We again didn't sing/perform or participate in the National Anthem. I raised a point of order that this was a mistake and we should resume it. The moderator's response that I should have found an act to perform it. Previously one of the Select Board or officials played the piano while the Town Meeting body sang.
MBTA Density "Communities" Act - Important Meeting
Big Density is coming. June 8 there will be a community meeting in the Community Center (Senior Center) on how the Town is planning to comply (or perhaps even adapt and change) the MBTA "Communities" density mandate that towns and cities within half a mile of MBTA hubs will have to meet. This could radically increase our density, loss of open spaces and expensive urbanization.
https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/32224/18?curm=6&cury=2023
Town Day - New time, with fireworks.
An announcement: Town Day will be 10:30-4:30pm (new hours) on September 23rd. There will be fireworks!
5 Arlington students presented a request for an appropriation of $5,000 to provide a discount to Arlington restaurants for composting services, to make the net cost the same as putting food waste directly into the trash. It passed. It seemed a good idea to me for short money. Fewer rodents, and it may get the restaurants hooked on (haul away) composting.
On Article 49, We voted YES for the Community Preservation Act funds which included a $400,000 for a project at Hill's Hill (by they ice rink) which would build bike paths and, controversially build pump and flow tracks, similar to skate parks. I voted yes, but am concerned about this large expenditure because of the pump/flow portions.
Article 67. At one minute to 11pm, with just a few minutes left in Town Meeting, a resolution to promote an affordable housing overlay zone all throughout all parts of town was pushed through. TM voted to support it. It was quite clear that Town Meeting didn't know what they were voting on, but felt warm and fuzzy about it. Hopefully this non-binding resolution will be remembered as anything but a strong vote of support. The resolution is highly problematic and would do nothing for affordability, or low-income residents -- but it would likely make your neighborhood heavily densified and be a gift to developers..
Monday, May 1, 2023
2023 Town Meeting Week 2 - May 1 - May 3
2023 Town Meeting Week 2 May 1 and May 3
This is the 216th consecutive annual Town Meeting year, it was said.
Monday, May 1
We voted that May 2 would become Ann Le Royer Day - Ann is a tireless volunteer who has served on the Open Space Committee.
We voted and discussed the budgets. Interesting tidbits learned along the way: The police chief Julie Flaherty said that 1300 people have gun licenses in town (license to carry).
Unfortunately, starting Wednesday, we ceased playing and singing the National Anthem, which I think is a big shame. This non-partisan way of starting each Town Meeting for, probably, all two hundred and sixteen sessions, was a visible, audible and meaningful way of starting our proceedings in unity - and with a focus on our laws, which ultimately go right up to the shared national level...
Wednesday, May 3
Town Meeting established a committee to study making TM a hybrid (in person and by zoom) meeting.
Arlington is having a hard time attracting police officer applicants and voted to look at a wider pool than just the traditional 'civil service' candidates. Interestingly, 25% of Arlington residents were said to be people of color. It was said that 8 out of 61 police officers were women. 5 out of 61 identified as people of color.
We unfortunately voted to remove the need for all parking in businesses in the Mass Ave corridor. This could be ADA non-compliant (no handicapped space) and hurt parking availability in these areas. Also, the Zoning Board and Redevelopment Board previously could decide to reduce parking requirements, after hearing the proposal - now no parking at all, with no review of the conditions, will be required, but just in that B5 Mass Ave zone.
Monday, May 10
12- PLASTIC TURF (Continuing) The painful process of getting through 10 votes on 7 substitutte motions and 2 amendments and even one last vote to divide the resulting amendment (I know, I barely understood it either!) went on for 2 of our 3 hours. To his credit, the new moderator Greg Christiana handled this complex vote incredibly well - I was very impressed with that. In the end a substitute motion to make a 1 year moratorium, and a study before that composed of neutral people passed.
30 - REMOVING ALL USABLE SPACE FROM 1 AND 2 FAMILY PROPERTIES
This vote had 3 pro-motion (pro-density) speakers and then the debate was terminated. We voted (it's a 2/3rds zoning vote) and the vote failed though it was about 124 to 84.
We voted to allow Dog Daycare to be an allowed use in the commercial/industrial districts - it was simply left off the earlier approved list from a few years ago.
And so ended the zoning Articles.
Monday, April 24, 2023
2023 Town Meeting Opens - Week 1: Monday April 24, and Wednesday April 26, 2023
2023 Town Meeting Opens - Monday April 24, 2023
Town Meeting meets twice a week, Monday and Wednesday from 8pm to 11pm in-person in Town Hall. You can watch live by coming to Town Meeting and sitting on either side of the balcony or by watching on ACMI's website government channel: https://acmi.tv/programs/arlington-government-channel/
You can follow along with the proposals and votes via the online interactive Warrant for 2023 Town Meeting: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/town-meeting/2023-town-meeting-warrant
You can see the progress of Town Meeting, as well as what was voted or rejected/'no action' on this progress tracker.
There are 70 Articles this spring. Below is my review of the most important votes that I think you will want to know about:
Article 6: To allow Self-Serve Gas. https://arlington.novusagenda.com/Agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=15447&MeetingID=1777 with Chris Loreti's "protect Arlington's small business" amendment:
This came up last year in 2022 (And I initially proposed it in 2013, but ended up asking Town Meeting to defeat it, because I learned that residents ALSO want full serve). The motion passed (we will now have self serve), but with an amendment by Chris Loreti to ensure that self serve can only be provided by auto service stations (so as to save our local businesses from being converted to pumps-only, or pumps with mini-marts only.
Article 10:Specialized New Construction Efficiency Code Standards https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/64832
To require the specialized stretch code in new construction. The measure will insure that new construction in Arlington is of the highest energy efficiency. It is already supported by 9 other towns and has little downside, as I could see. I am a strong proponent of not restricting existing home's choices and this seemed a good step. At close to 11pm, I motioned to terminate debate so we got the vote in. The moderator was proposing to carry the article until the next Town Meeting night (and prolonging it). The motion passed.
Town Meeting re-convened Wednesday, April 26 at 8pm. Wednesday was dogged by technical glitches with the voting process and awkward pauses.
Article 13 - To make a ballot issue to ask if the Town Clerk should be appointed, instead of elected by the public. The Town suggested that it's not political, said 120 Towns have converted. It conducts elections, maintains voters. It was mentioned that 2/3rd of towns DO elect their Clerk. It was also mentioned that the Inspectional Services Director, appointed, got into lots of problems, even with the supposed oversight of the Town appointment process. This passed - and it will go to the voters.
Article 19 - Removal of the prohibition of Parking Lots within 75 yards of Arlington Catholic. It was proposed to remove the prohibition on MBTA parking garages (which would prohibit further MBTA expansion, presumably). It turns out that Malden Public LIbrary has a digitized copy of the 1977 MBTA extension Red Line plan. Here is the 1977 MBTA plan, archived at the Malden Public Library. The motion passed, the old law was repealed. Here is some interesting 1977 Town voting and Town Officials commentary on the "NO to the MBTA in Arlington Center"
There is a Special Town Meeting coming up in the fall with very serious potential changes relating to density that are being forced on Arlington and all communities with or near MBTA transit hubs, such as Alewife. For this spring Town Meeting, I'm most concerned about the upcoming Article 30: removing the requirement for any usable open space from R0-R2 (single and two family properties). You can read more about this and the zoning Articles of interest on this blog entry.
I'll be updating my blog: http://blog.wagnerforarlington.com with each Town Meeting night's votes of interest to our neighborhood and town.
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Night 13 - Weds June 8 - What happened this year in Town Meeting? SUMMARY
We're closing in on done tonight.
What has happened in Town Meeting this year? Here are what I think the most important votes were and links to my reports on them.
Here are the things I think you'll be most interested in:
Night 2: We have a HUGE budget problem ($5m starting when the ARPA funds expire); We formed a civilian police advisory group.see: https://wfablog.blogspot.com/2022/04/town-meeting-night-2-weds-427.html
Night 3: TM loosened and expanded Arlington's 2021 groundbreaking polygamy acceptance rules... https://wfablog.blogspot.com/2022/05/town-meeting-night-3-monday-may-2.html
Night 4: TM banned sale of plastic non-carbonated water bottles 1 liter and smaller. TM banned the use of facial recognition software by Arlington municipal organizations. TM required the town to notify abutters when overnight work will be done at least 48 hours ahead. https://wfablog.blogspot.com/2022/05/town-meeting-night-4-thursday-may-4.html
Night 5: TM banned gas leaf blowers, with a phase-out period. https://wfablog.blogspot.com/2022/05/town-meeting-night-5-monday-may-9.html
Night 9: TM did NOT ban self-serve gas. https://wfablog.blogspot.com/2022/05/town-meeting-night-9-may-23-monday.html
Night 10: TM required new commercial developments to install solar thermal or electric panels. https://wfablog.blogspot.com/2022/05/town-meeting-night-10-may-25-z-o-n-i-n.html
Night 11: TM did NOT end Single Family Zoning. This was the Article I put the most work into educating and trying to convince the public and Town Meeting to not support. I was glad we chose to not make us more expensive, less inclusive and less climate resilient! https://wfablog.blogspot.com/2022/06/town-meeting-night-11-weds-june-1.html
Night 12: TM approved doubling the floor-to-area (FAR) ratio allowed on mixed use buildings, like the ones already built by Stop and Shop. TM reduced the amount of parking future apartment building residents will have from 2, 1.5 or 1.15 cars to 1 spot, regardless of apartment size. https://wfablog.blogspot.com/2022/06/town-meeting-night-12-monday-articles.html
Monday, June 6, 2022
Town Meeting Night 12 - Monday - Fiddling with FAR and cutting parking; Articles 39 and 41
Town Meeting continued.
We moved into "Enlarging Building Mass and Reducing Resident Parking Spots." Fun stuff. Sorry if you are going to be a multifamily apartment dweller in Arlington's future. Town Meeting decided to make your experience worse...
| Article 39 |
ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/INCREASED FLOOR AREA RATIO FOR MIXED USE STRUCTURES
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw in Section 5.5.2 to increase the Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) allowed for mixed use structures in the Business districts, or take any action related thereto.
Article 39, which ARFRR previously wrote about as "Fiddling With FAR" proposed roughly doubling the building density of mixed use buildings, like the two new buildings by Stop and Shop. I spoke about how the Article was poorly researched and there could be unintended consequences. It passed (majority vote - not 2/3rds, due to the new Governor's "Housing Choice" reduction in density votes.)
ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/APARTMENT PARKING MINIMUMS
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to reduce or remove minimum vehicular parking requirements for Apartment Building uses; or take any action related thereto.
Article 41 would punitively reduce the required parking spaces, particularly hitting renters and condo owners (who likely don't live here yet) hard by reducing parking in 2 and 3 bedrooms substantially from 1.5 and 2 parking spots to 1 space. Also, the redevelopment board already has the ability to reduce parking requirements by 75% when apartment buildings are reviewed by them.
It passed (majority vote - not 2/3rds, due to the new Governor's "Housing Choice" reduction in density votes.)
Article 49 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
We learned that the library will be open on Good Friday and Saturdays... yay!
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Town Meeting Night 11 - Weds June 1 - Zoning: Ending Single Family...
So this is perhaps 3 of the biggest zoning Articles. We started off with 38 - Ending single family zoning.
Warrant Article Title: ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/TWO FAMILY CONSTRUCTION ALLOWED BY RIGHT IN R0 AND R1 RESIDENTIAL ZONES | |||||||
Warrant Article Text: To see if the Town will vote to or take any action related thereto: To amend Section 5.4 of the Zoning Bylaw by amending definitions and expanding allowable residential uses in the R0 Large Lot Single-Family District and R1 Single-Family District with the goal of diversifying the housing stock; or take any action related thereto. I presented, asking Town Meeting Members to vote no. 54+speakers were in the queue to speak, which went very slowly. Somehow the pro-density folks seemed to get themselves into the majority of the earlier slots. Moderator Christiana offered some alternating between 'for' and 'against' speakers with some 'questioners'. At 12 minutes past 11pm, the vote came in: NO to Article 38 (49.6% though of TMMs said Yes...on a 2/3rds vote threshold. Here's what I said:  Next Monday we continue with the density Articles...
| |||||||
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Town Meeting Night 10 - Weds May 25 - the Z O N I N G Articles begin! Article 38 comes right before 11pm!
We are now into the Zoning Articles. Some are proposed by the Planning Department and/or the ARB and are OK (like 28, which underlines the need to reform the Mixed Use Law, that has been used to circumvent Apartment building zoning, and has hurt our businesses, the group it was designed to help by proposing accessory apartments above the businesses.
It was noticed that neither the Chair of the Redevelopment Board or the Director of the Planning Department were present for our first full night of discussing the zoning Articles - I think this materially worsened the ability of Town Meeting to discuss the matters - and was unprecedented, in my memory.
We started by continuing.... (Click blue text links to see the actual Article with associated materials).
Article 28 ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/ ENHANCED BUSINESS DISTRICTS
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to update Section 5 DISTRICT REGULATIONS to encourage pedestrian activity, maintain an active street, and limit the amount of ground floor retail space occupied by banks, offices, lobbies, and other non-active uses, when feasible; or take any action related thereto.
Because the "Mixed Use Law" which attempted to promote businesses by allowing accessory apartments has failed to support retail business so badly, the Planning Department entered this sensible article. However, the real point here is how BADLY our mixed use law has turned out. It should be altered to better support 1st floor businesses, especially retail and services that help our neighborhoods near those locations. Instead, apartment buildings without the requirements of size limitations, open space and adequate parking are being put in currently, like we see next to, and across from Stop and Shop.
This passed.
ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/ SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to update Section 2 DEFINITIONS and Section 6 SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS to allow for and require installation of solar energy systems for buildings subject to Environmental Design Review with certain exceptions; or take any action related thereto.
This would require new commercial structures to add solar electric or hot water systems to roofs that have adequate sun exposure.
It passed - a great thing for fighting our climate impact!
As it came up to 11pm, Article 38 loomed large. We would not be able to hear a wide selection of TMM opinions, clearly... We adjourned to NEXT WEDNESDAY June 1 - (Monday is a legal holiday)....Article 38 will be first thing on Wednesday!
Monday, May 23, 2022
Town Meeting Night 9 - May 23 Monday
We picked up Article 17 again - which I had originally proposed - and then asked TM to reject - in 2013.
Article 17 BYLAW AMENDMENT/CONVERSION OF GAS STATION DISPENSING PUMPS TO SELF SERVICE OPERATION
To amend the existing bylaw requiring gas station owners to have an attendant pump gasoline to a self service gas station operation without the need for a gas station attendant to do so; or take any action related thereto. A Substitute Motion was approved, which would require stations to keep full serve for those who wanted it. The overall Article, with substitute motion, failed narrowly 46% voting in the affirmative on a majority vote.
| Article 19 |
To see if the Town will vote to designate an unnamed public way, located between 49 Spring Street and the Route 2 Frontage Road, as Magliozzi Boulevard, or take any action related thereto.
A motion was made to name a tiny street between Route 2 and the frontage road as Magliozzi Boulevard. Tom and Ray Magliozzi were the "Car Talk Guys" and had a wildly popular car show on NPR, created and recorded here in Boston at WBUR radio. Both brothers lived in Arlington at one time. Tom Magliozzi died a few years ago but Ray still lives here.
The Article was not supported by the Select Board, because there is an established Memorials commission that was the correct way to propose the honorary street. Perhaps because of the unusual way the article was proposed, Town Meeting did not support it (majority vote).
The Article was not supported by the Select Board, because there is an established Memorials commission that was the correct way to propose the honorary street. Perhaps because of the unusual way the article was proposed, Town Meeting did not support it (majority vote).
Article 20 VOTE/CODE ENFORCEMENT
To see if the Town will vote to grant enforcement power to a Code Enforcement Officer, in the Department of Planning & Community Development, for the purpose of enforcing provisions of the Town Bylaws and Zoning Bylaws that do not pertain to building standards, or take any action related thereto.
An Article was proposed to improve compliance with Town and Zoning Bylaws (think: snow shoveling, crazy window signs, too large fences etc). It wasn't properly crafted for what it intended and TM voted it down. It did seem a good thing, in principle. The town isn't doing a great job enforcing (via Inspectional Services) our codes/laws. Hopefully the proponent will propose a version that makes sense and can be supported by Town Meeting next year. It failed, as a substitute motion to the Select Board's recommended "No Action" vote.
Article 28 ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/ ENHANCED BUSINESS DISTRICTS
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to update Section 5 DISTRICT REGULATIONS to encourage pedestrian activity, maintain an active street, and limit the amount of ground floor retail space occupied by banks, offices, lobbies, and other non-active uses, when feasible; or take any action related thereto.
Because the "Mixed Use Law" which attempted to promote businesses by allowing accessory apartments has failed to support retail business so badly, the Planning Department entered this sensible article. However, the real point here is how BADLY our mixed use law has turned out. It should be altered to better support 1st floor businesses, especially retail and services that help our neighborhoods near those locations. Instead, apartment buildings without the requirements of size limitations, open space and adequate parking are being put in currently, like we see next to, and across from Stop and Shop.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Town Meeting Night 8 Weds 5/18 - $100K gift to Blue Bikes, more funding Articles
Night 8 - More spending money we soon won't have - when the ARPA funds run out.
Bluebikes are great, but Arlington faces a large and growing fiscal deficit: $7.9M in 2 years, then increasing to $20M or so in the years following. For this reason I hoped it wouldn't go through - pushing our deficit to $8m! I wasn't allowed to speak, due to debate being terminated earlier.Article 60 Blue Bikes - providing $100,000 subsidy to let them expand.
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $100,000 for the support of “BLUEBikes” operations, including storage, relocation, and maintenance of bicycles and docking stations, and a pilot program assisting income-eligible users with bicycle access, including costs incidental and related thereto, and to determine how the appropriation shall be raised and expended including the possibility of borrowing all or some of same; or take any action related thereto.
| Article 65 $50,000 for the Planning Dept to pay a consultant for building styles |
APPROPRIATION/DESIGN STANDARDS To see if the Town will vote to appropriate or transfer a sum of money to fund development of design standards to enhance the economic vitality of Massachusetts Avenue and Broadway through attractive and consistent design in alignment with the Arlington Master Plan, including payment of consultant fees in furtherance of the process; or take any action related thereto.
This passed.
Monday, May 16, 2022
Town Meeting Night 7 - May 16: Budgets!
Budgets.
As I mentioned in last week's TM Blog, there will be a $7m deficit when the ARPA funds (COVID etc) run out in two years. The Town has been on a spending binge in staffing and other areas and will need a large override, or to cut back expenses.
Joe Barr, the chair of the Master Plan Implementation Committee spoke, giving its committee's report. He noted that the MPIC did not support Article 38, which would end single family zoning. He noted the MPIC vote was not a negative, just no positive or negative.
Steve Revilak proposed ending all single family zoning in 2020 and now is on the ARB, which narrowly supported Article 38, asked about "new growth" building new housing. He asked a leading question to support adding residential units to increase the tax base. He was told we have low new growth because we don't have land for new business or residential - we are fully 'built out'. He asked if it helps our taxation, and to avoid overrides. The answer, from Charles Foskett, chair of the Finance Committee was "yes, but" it left out an important point: adding residential units tends to actually hurt expenses, since the cost of education at APS isn't covered by multi-bedroom homes, often.
| Article 53 Article 54 |
Budgets - Capital Budget - Sewers/Water Infrastructure Debt - continued. See my ATM Night 6 post for more details of this. At the end (9:30pm) of the first part of TM Night 7 we voted all the budgets approved, except for individual budgets that TMMs had questions about.
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