Select Board eyes returning to limited in-person meetings by July

‘Franklin already meets in person ….’
— Adam Chapdelaine

With the coronavirus pandemic winding down in this country, the Select Board discussed at its Monday, May 3, meeting the possibility of returning to in-person meetings by July. 

Initially, it would be just the five Select Board members, with the town manager and town counsel, and then later transition to more in-person representation. Meetings would still be conducted by Zoom for remote participation, explained board Chair Steve DeCourcey.

Len Diggins and Eric Helmuth, having the most technical background among board members, plan to discuss with Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine how to set this up, and choose the target date.

“The Town of Franklin already meets in person, and we can look to them for guidance,” said Chapdelaine.

Board member John Hurd said, “There are ways to keep ourselves safe in the chamber, and it’s time to start looking at this and moving forward. We all have iPads, which we could use for voting.”

“As long as people wear masks indoors,” said Diggins.

Helmuth said, “It’s easier to be a collaborative body in person. The Select Board can serve as a role model, and help pave the way for hybrid meetings of the other town bodies.

“I look forward to getting back to normal, whenever and whatever that is,” said board member Diane Mahon.

Thai Moon GoFundMe exceeds expectations

After last week’s devastating fire at Thai Moon, 663 Mass. Ave., which will keep the restaurant closed for the foreseeable future, a town resident set up a GoFundMe page with a $10,000 goal, which had raised $18,250 as of May 5.

“One of the things I love about our town is the generosity of our residents. Thai Moon had donated hundreds of meals at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Helmuth, and is now reaping the benefits of this altruism.

Third-grader Mason Conway receives proclamation

Mason Conway, a Hardy School third-grader, was honored with a Select Board proclamation for his recent on-the-spot action. Last March 5, Conway notified the Arlington Fire Department of a neighbor’s house that had caught on fire.

“Due to Mason’s quick-thinking and bravery, the Arlington Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire and prevent further damage to his neighbor’s home,” stated the proclamation.

“Mason Conway is a super nice kid who goes out of his way to help others, including special needs kids. It’s not surprising that Mason did this,” said Hurd.

Helmuth added, “What makes Arlington a great place is its many great neighbors. You, Mason, are a great neighbor.”

$1.2M sale of water bond to MWRA OK’d

The Select Board unanimously approved the sale of a $1.2 million water bond to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA).

“This sale is an opportunity to reconstruct our water mains and facilities in various locations by the MWRA,” said Treasurer Phyllis Marshall. The bond has an interest-free, 10-year payment schedule, and is an annual, recurring expense of $120,000 per year.

Arlington’s DPW, water/sewer divisions, will post these projects on a map, and give two weeks’ notice to the neighborhoods via fliers, said Chapdelaine.

Housing Authority tenant-appointment guidance

The town received updated guidance regarding the first appointment of a regular-seat tenant representative on the Arlington Housing Authority (AHA).

“There’ll now be a permanent seat on the housing authority, said Town Counsel Doug Heim.

Because there was a vacancy, the first step is to provide notice of this vacancy to the local tenant organizations. Four out of the five AHA places have tenant associations.

“My recommendation is to send a formal notice to the four tenant organizations, to the tenants of places without tenant associations and to all households in the housing authority complex, so they have an opportunity to join the organization,” said Heim.

The housing authority has 60 days to submit between two to five candidates.

“If we receive no candidates after 60 days, the Select Board has to make an appointment. These would come from each tenant organization, and the place without a tenant organizations would apply directly,” added Heim.

Terms are for five years, and interim member Fiorella Badilla can continue to serve until this is in process, explained Heim.

See the ACMi video of the May 3 meeting:

April 29, 2021: Town’s No. 2 ‘green’ ranking based on decades of effort

This news summary, by YourArlington freelance writer Susan Gilbert, was published Wednesday, May 5, 2021.