Interested parties are asked to submit a letter and/or resume to the Board of Selectmen, 730 Mass. Ave., Arlington, MA 02476 or e-mail to mkrepelka[@]town.arlington.ma.us by 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11.
The board plans to interview all applicants at the Dec. 18 meeting. If no applications are received by then, the board will interview candidates at the Jan. 9 meeting. That would be within the 30-day time frame under the Town Manager Act following the Dec. 11 effective date of the resignation.
Recent former selectmen include Clarissa Rowe, Annie LaCourt and Jack Hurd. LaCourt filled the unexpired term of Hurd after he left in February 2010 to pursue becoming the town clerk. That did not occur when then-Clerk Corinne Rainville decided not to retire immediately.
Byrne says goodbye
At his final meeting on Monday, Byrne said, sadly. “It’s been an honor to serve on this board.
“We’re good at listening to each other and vote in a way that’s best for our community. Despite our different interests, it’s been a collaborative effort for these past 5½ years.
“We are lucky to have the best municipal employees of the commonwealth, and I will miss sitting here on Monday nights. I grew up in Arlington, and it’s been a pleasure and honor to serve.”
Selectman Kevin Greeley praised Byrne, noting his “exceptional service from the youngest person ever elected to this board.”
Town beautifies public spaces
Outdoor beautification: The Arlington Garden Club’s Beautification Committee oversees, and helps to maintain and preserve, more than 60 public spaces, including traffic islands, planters and gardens.
“We are pleased with the interest of so many businesses and citizens who volunteer to enhance our town,” said Jane Foley, chair of the Arlington Garden Club Civic Development Committee.
The Arlington Garden Club seeks to increase awareness of Arlington’s beautification projects for both residents and the board when they prepare next year’s budget.
Successful projects include the Town Hall Gardens, Jason Russell House, Robbins Farm, Uncle Sam Park and such restaurants as Caffè Nero, Menotomy Grille and Restaurante Olivio, which are adorned with outdoor planters and window boxes.
“Yet, in comparison to other local towns, we could do better,” Foley added.
Projects that needs improvement include the entry islands — called “gateways to our town” — town islands, municipal parking areas and landscape tidiness, especially on the tree strips along Mass. Ave., said Foley.
The board voted unanimously to accept the Civic Development Committee’s update.
Robbins Library effort
The Robbins Library is one of Arlington’s gems, as more than 1,000 people visit it daily, said Sally Naish, Friends of Robbins Library chair, who aims to keep it that way by maintaining its once-lovely gardens.
“Both time and the climate have taken their toll,” Naish said. “The landscaping looks pretty sad.”
A team of volunteers handle the light tasks, such as weeding. However, support from the town on larger tasks is appreciated.
The board voted unanimously to accept the Friends of Robbins Library’s update.
Seasonal, patriotic displays
The board unanimously agreed to create a Seasonal and Patriotic Displays Committee.
“The Chamber of Commerce did a great job on these displays last summer,” said Chairman Joseph A. Curro Jr., and now this committee will help advise on such projects in the future. The committee will coordinate work with other organizations that perform similar work for the town.
Selectman Daniel Dunn suggested the committee be specific in their work scope, to avoid overlapping with other volunteer groups.
Arts around town
Arts update: The Arlington Commission on Arts and Culture recently developed two plans for the town: (1) a cultural plan on historical and cultural resources, open spaces and the repurposing of historic buildings; and (2) a plan that rationalizes/consolidates the town’s several arts/culture organizations.
These plans were consolidated into the Arlington Arts and Culture Plan, which includes plans for a townwide arts-and-culture website, as well as all the information for the entire committee in one place, “a comprehensive go-to site and resource,” said Stephanie Marlin-Curiel, cochair.
In addition, the commission received a cultural-district designation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council last August. Read about it here >>
“The Arlington Commission on Arts and Culture is extremely grateful for the budget and support we receive from the Finance Committee, she concluded.
Arlington public art
Arlington Public Art’s goal is to bring art into public, walkable spaces.
The Minuteman Bikeway, one of Arlington’s cultural treasures, this year celebrated its 25th anniversary. To honor the occasion, public art consultant Cecily Miller commissioned artists to create temporary public art pieces on a section of the bikeway. For one project, 57 volunteers knit brightly colored panels that were displayed on trees. Read about it here >>
Another project, near Spy Pond, in a safe spot off the bike path, artist Frank Vasello gathered sticks to make natural sculptures. Near Ottoson, art teachers and students created similar “land art.” No nails or wires were used, imitate animals in building their nests. Read about these projects here >>
The board voted unanimously to accept Arlington’s public art update.
Special requests
Selectmen unanimously granted the following special requests:
Extended hours on New Year’s Eve, with last call at 1 a.m., for the following restaurants:
— Request: Duet Restaurant Late Night Event, 12/31/17-1/1/18: Duet, 190 Mass. Ave., Wayne Duprey; and
— Request: Tango Restaurant Late Night Event, 12/31/17-1/1/18: Tango Restaurant, 464-466 Mass. Ave., Ricardo Mermet
And for these events:
— Request: Special (One Day) Beer & Wine License, 12/30/17 at Robbins Memorial Town Hall for a Private Event, Heather Hawkes; and
— Request: Special (One Day) Beer & Wine License, 12/31/17 at Robbins Memorial Town Hall for a Private Event, Judy Femia
Nov. 20, 2017: Selectman Byrne to bow out in December, cites job impact
This news summary, by YourArlington freelance writer Susan Gilbert, was published Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, and updated Dec. 7, to add background.
