$7 million operating override proposed for fall election

• budget

The Select Board at its June 5 meeting unanimously proposed a $7 million override in fiscal 2024, for Arlington residents to decide at a Nov. 7 special town election. This override seeks to fund town operations and the school department. 

The vote was 4-0, with Steve DeCourcey absent.

Town Manager Sandy Pooler, reporting on conversations with the town’s Long-Range Planning Committee, said both the town and the School Committee need extra revenue. 

“A $7 million override would allow us to go three years without having to go back to the voters for another override,” he said.

Read more …

Policy objections may be filed but can't be heard immediately, School Committee decides

• Arlington
• public schools

UNFPAgraphic

Residents will need to wait until at least mid-June for a chance to have formal objections on any topic processed at Arlington Public Schools.

Following a brief discussion and by unanimous vote of the committee, the temporary suspension of Policy IJ-R was extended to the next committee meeting, set for June 15; it was originally set to lapse the evening of the meeting, May 25.

The suspension essentially imposes a temporary moratorium on the ability to officially express displeasure with APS actions; people retain the ability to file objections, but none will be considered until later this month at earliest.

The committee’s policies and procedures subcommittee has been working on a language revision for Policy IJ-R over the past several weeks following an earlier discussion about sex education. To date, two proposals have been developed, but neither has been presented at the committee level. 

Read more ...

Residents support business, shared space, multifamily housing near transit, survey says

• housing

Discussion Thursday at community center

UPDATED June 5: Arlington respondents overwhelmingly favor vibrant business districts and shared community space, with multifamily housing near public transit and the bike path, a town survey shows. See the numbers at left.

In March, more than 1,000 people participated in Arlington’s MBTA Communities Visioning Survey, created to collect public input and identify community goals and priorities regarding where multifamily housing should be allowed by right. 

According to Claire Ricker, Arlington’s director of planning and community development, the town received a $20,000 technical-assistance grant to hire planning consultant Utile to assist with siting and mapping the town’s multifamily (three-family or larger) districts and with developing appropriate use and density requirements.

Utile analyzed the data from the town’s MBTA survey and presented the results to the public at the MBTA Communities Working Group meeting on May 16. The consultant translated the results into an actionable design framework, which it provided in a summary analysis and two early draft plan maps.

Read more …

Students shine at AHS under gray graduation skies

Mortar boards fly at close of AHS commencement. / Sean Garballey photo

UPDATED June 5: Commencement exercises for the Arlington High School class of 2023 were held in cool weather under gray skies on Saturday, June 3, at Warren A. Peirce Field.

Here are five speeches those gathered heard:

Graham Dimmock >>

Samip Phuyal >>

Megan Carmody >>

Olivia Moir >>

Mona Mohtadi >>

Read more …

Arlington Greek Festival returns Friday

• fund-raiser

The Arlington Greek Festival is set to return on the second weekend of June, starting Friday, June 9, at 11 a.m. and ending Sunday, June 11, at 6 p.m., at the St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church, 4 Appleton St.

As always, there is no admission fee, and the venue is handicapped-accessible.

Roast lamb, gyros, salads, souvlaki, loukoumades . . . oh my!

Read more …

AHS musical events: BeJazzled Friday (party the night before)

This information was provided by Sabato "Tino" D'Agostino, head of band and orchestra at Arlington High School. Unless otherwise indicated, all events are free of charge and open to the public.  

Arlington High School BeJazzled Concert is set for the new auditorium at Arlington High School, 869 Mass, Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 9.

To perform are the Ottoson Middle School Jazz Band, directed by Paula Demetrio; Arlington High School Jazz Band, directed by Sabato D’Agostino; and AHS alumni. The events costs $10 and is free for those 13 and younger.

Tickets are available at the door.

Expected are close to 80 alumni musicians joining the event on stage that night. Here is the list: Alumni Bejazzled 2023

Party Thursday

D'Agostino reports that a party for AHS Jazz Band Alumni and their parents is set for Thursday, June 8, at the Whittemore-Robbins House at 6 p.m. Please RSVP here >>

Read more …

Demand to remove double pole, call from ACMi yield 'miracle'

• property

News director lends a hand, explains:

UPDATED June 3: Yes, there is some justice. After Town Manager Sandy Pooler demanded that Verizon coordinate with other licensees to promptly replace two double poles, at 319 Mass. Ave. and Adams Street and at 108 Warren St., the latter was replaced days after the May 22 Select Board's authorization. A call from ACMi also nudged the utility.

The double poles in question had remained for at least two years, long after the required removal period. See the ACMi news video below.

A double pole occurs when a replacement utility pole is built alongside an original pole--to update the electric, telephone, cable or other wires--and the original pole is not yet removed.

According to a statutory reference, once a new pole is installed, the old pole should be removed within 90 days. Verizon’s May 15 semiannual report states that Arlington has 78 double poles, of which 66 are more than three years old.

Read more …

Arlington EATS to get $90k supporting work with farmers' market

Arlington EATS, at 117 Broadway, E. Arlington.

Arlington EATS is one of 150 local nonprofits that will share in $30 million through Cummings Foundation’s major annual grants program. It is to receive $90,000 over three years to support its growing work with the Arlington Farmers’ Market (AFM), which opens June 14.

Arlington EATS’ mission is to engage the community in eliminating food insecurity and hunger in Arlington. Arlington EATS operates a number of programs to provide access to food, including:

• EATS Market, a food pantry and home delivery service designed to foster dignity;
• School-based programs, including vacation and summer groceries and snacks during the school day;
• Fresh Bucks, a voucher program at the AFM; and
• Partnerships with social service agencies and nonprofits that make resources more accessible to food-insecure residents.

Read more …

2nd annual Spring Fling to hit Heights Saturday

• painting

UPDATED June 2: The second annual Spring Fling Festival is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10, in the Heights business district, at Mass. Ave. and Park Avenue. Rain date: June 11.

Enjoy an afternoon of top-notch live music, poetry, activities for children, more than 55 painted storefront windows and more – all free.

At left is one of those windows and its painter, Iris Peterson at the Heights Pub. See more windows and photos of two musical groups here >> 

This festival is put together by several local organizations -- the Arlington Heights Community Association (AHCA), the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture/ArtsArlington, ArtLinks and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

“Arlington is such a vibrant town and increasingly recognized for its arts, culture, and environmental activism,” said organizer Janet O’Riordan in a May 22 news release. “People in the Heights have been clamoring for more events and we are delighted to respond with our second spring festival and showcase the wonderful talent and energy in our community.”

Read more …