Washington Street was repaved in July, but sidewalk work on the delayed $300,000 project continues. On Monday, Aug. 9, Town Manager Brian Sullivan told the selectmen that he expected the work to be completed by the time school starts. That would be Wednesday, Sept. 8.

July 24: Delayed Washington St. repaving underway

After the state Department of Public Health announced Friday, July 16, that West Nile virus had been detected in mosquitoes collected from Arlington Heights, the town health director says there are no current plans for spraying townwide.

The Boston Globe reported July 26 that Winthrop is spraying for West Nile. Asked whether Arlington might follow suit, Health Director Christine Connolly wrote July 28:

"In Arlington we do not spray pesticide townwide to kill adult mosquitoes.

July 16: W. Nile Virus confirmed in mosquitoes in Arlington

Months of bump-and-grind of driving on Washington Street may end in late August, as long-delayed $300,000 repaving, due to start the week of July 6, finally got underway Thursday, July 22. A truck was sweeping the street before 6 a.m. Saturday, July 24.

Once the new surface eases your neighborhood commute, you also may see improvements at Overlook and Ronald.

The question has been: When will the work really start? No observable repaving work occurred the week of July 6 or through July 19.

After a water-main break closed Mass. Ave. in Arlington Heights to traffic between Richardson (by Dunkin' Donuts) and Appleton Street (Video Horizons) Tuesday, July 20, the thoroughfare has reopened.

Acting Capt. Robert Bongiorno wrote at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday, July 21: "Construction is ongoing, but Mass. Ave. is now open. I do not know if full water service has been restored."

Alewife Brook drain.

In 1999, The state Department of Environrmental Protection issued a variance to the MWRA and the cities of Cambridge and Somerville for discharges of the combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to the Alewife Brook and Upper Mystic River.

The DEP is proposing a further extension of the variance until September 2013 and has scheduled a public hearing at its offices in Boston regarding the proposed extension on Wednesday, July 21, 2-4 p.m., fif^th floor, 1 Winter St.

Information about viewing the draft variance extension, how to submit comments, and contact information can be viewed at arlingtonma.gov.