The following statement is among a number presented Thursday, May 31, to the School Committee’s redistricting subcommittee:
My name is Bill Copithorne and I am a lifelong resident of Arlington, I represent four generations of family members that have been active in the community and have gone through the Arlington School system. I am also the Broker/Owner of Sweeney & O’Connell Real Estate.
Based on discussions I have had recently with some concerned residents, I too am concerned with several of the aspects of the proposed re-districting plan especially when it comes to the “Buffer Zones”.
Of particular concern in regards to these “Buffer Zones” is the area being designated “H”, which from what I understand could include bussing children to schools outside of the neighborhood.
I believe that the uncertainty as to which school the children will attend in this area will create a lot of confusion, coupled with the possibility of adding bussing children to schools outside of the neighborhood vs walking to the neighborhood school into the equation I believe could have the potential to negatively affect the property values in these neighborhoods,
Which could in turn have a negative impact on the tax revenue the Town receives from these neighborhoods, which I don’t think the Town can afford to risk.
As a local Realtor I see young families coming into Town with the expectation of being able to walk their young children to the neighborhood schools and seeing this as a major benefit to them moving into the Town of Arlington.
Further, as a local Realtor I would be concerned about selling a home in some of the “Buffer Areas” as to how we would represent which school their children would be attending.
As we all know sometimes people hear only what they want to hear, which could open up real estate agents to liability down the line if suddenly a child is being bused to school instead of being able to walk to the school in the neighborhood in which they have recently bought their home.
Let’s keep Arlington a walkable Town, especially for our school children
Thank you for your time and consideration.
