Lynema

Kelly Lynema, a senior town planner for three years, has been named assistant director of planning. 

“Kelly has already contributed much to the town,” said Jennifer Raitt, the town director of planning and community development, in an Oct. 19 news release. “She has been instrumental in advancing several major projects in Arlington, including economic-recovery efforts. I am confident she will excel in this new role and look forward to our continued work for Arlington.”

Lynema fills the position held by Erin Moriarty, who was named assistant planner last June and whose last day with the town was Oct. 1, Caryn Molloy, town personnel director wrote, in response to a query from YourArlington. Lynema's annual salary is $93,322, she wrote.

Take survey, register for Nov. 3 public forum

A plan to review and make recommendations to improve the Minuteman Bikeway, open since October 1992, is reaching out to the public for suggestions.

Town planning has announced a public survey to gather information about how people use the bikeway, their user experience and what issues need the most improvement. Take the survey here >>

The town is the host for a public forum set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, to share the scope of the project, its existing conditions and to gather more specific information about users’ experiences, use habits and priorities for the bikeway. 

Lowell Chamber Orchestra

The 2021-22 Menotomy Concert Series returns to Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Oct. 22, with performaces by the Lowell Chamber Orchestra.

This series has been on hiatus since March 2020 because of the Covid pandemic. For the concert, masks are required. 

Concert is free, but a donation is greatly appreciated and goes directly to the performers.

The program:

Part of Adria Arch set.UPDATED, Oct. 20: Remember the dancers who lit up the Park Avenue water tower in 2014? If not, see the text here and photos here >> 

Luminarium Dance is teaming up with Arlington artist Adria Arch in helping to present “CONTRADICTIONS + Casual Self Loathing,” shedding light on the universal stories women share. Three years in the making, the show opens Nov. 5 in Dedham.

Arch, a signature force behind establishing and supporting public art in Arlington, created the set – a kinetic installation, which choreographer Kimberleigh Holman says “looks like an exploding notebook” that will activate the space above the audience.

Asked to comment, Arch noted: “My aim is to support Kim’s vision and choreography while enhancing and playing with the concept of 'middle school dance awkwardness and aspirations.'”

Overnight work due

Work on short-term safety improvements at Mass. Ave./Appleton, Arlington Heights, is to start, weather permitting, Sunday, Oct. 24. Overnight work hours will be conducted from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The town’s contractor, Markings Inc., estimates the work will take three nights to complete. View the full notice here >>

"This option/ compromise is a lot better than option 1."
      -- Eric Helmuth

UPDATED, Oct. 21: The Select Board unanimously approved the Mass. Ave./Appleton Street intersection redesign at its Wednesday, Oct. 13, meeting. This plan, a compromise following a strong reaction from the cycling community after a September vote, incorporates critical safety measures and creates visibility for eastbound cyclists coming down Mass. Ave. and westbound drivers turning left onto Appleton Street.

The vote was 4-0, as board Chair Stephen DeCourcey recused himself because his sister-in-law owns a neighborhood business.

The board also agreed to review this intersection again by next February.

At its Sept. 13 meeting, the board was presented with two options ― option 1 (shared bike/car lanes) and 2 (separate bike lane, eliminating 22 parking spots) ― and chose option 1. 

Director of Public Works Michael Rademacher subsequently suggested a hybrid solution. 

Whittemore Park: The old ...
... and the renewed, with phase 2 to come.

The town plans to reopen the revamped Whittemore Park with a celebration of the completion of phase 1 set for Monday, Oct. 25 at 9:30 a.m. (Rain date Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m.). 

Evvie Jagoda seeks ties that bind.

UPDATED Oct. 21: The Covid-delayed season of CBS-TV's "Survivor" launched Sept. 22 with 18 new castaways, including Arlington resident Evvie Jagoda, and she continues to survive. Read an erxplanation about removing "Come on in, guys" >>

A doctoral student in the department of human evolutionary biology at Harvard, the 28-year-old offers well-defined opinions as she pits brains against brawn vying for $1 million in segments filmed in Fiji. 

Read a recap of episode 5, as Jagoda remains in >>

In an online interview, Entertainment Weekly asked for three words that describe her, and she responded: "Extroverted, enthusiastic, smart."