The Arlington Finance Committee has announced new leadership for the fiscal year that began July 1. Elected were Christine Deshler, chair, with vice chairs Darrel Harmer, Annie LaCourt and Alan Jones.

They replace Charles Foskett, who served as chair after longtime leader Al Tosti stepped down in 2020.

Deshler has served as a vice chair of the committee since 2017 and as a member since 2008. She has been a Precinct 19 Town Meeting member since 1994 and is a past member and chair of the Arlington Human Rights Commission, in addition to serving on several other town boards.

News summary from Sept. 9 forum added, as manager offers new total of $35.25M

UPDATED, Sept. 14: Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine joined other officials at a virtual town forum on Thursday, Sept. 9, presenting an plan to spend $34 million in federal funds from the American Recovery Plan Act.

The next day, the manager confirmed the funding amount totals $35.25 million and has provided an updated framework to reflect this update.

In addition, the comment period has been extended from Sept. 9 to Sunday, Sept. 19, before a final plan is presented to the Select Board, on Sept. 27, for endorsement. The board was to hear details about the forum at its regular meeting, set for Monday, Sept. 13, but that discussion was put off until Sept. 20.

Meanwhile, read the following report from the virtual town forum on Thursday, Sept. 9, was provided by Melanie Gilbert, YourArlington freelancer.

Public to get its say in next month's survey

UPDATED, Aug. 12: The Select Board had scheduled a discussion for Monday, Aug. 9, about initial plans to address how to spend $34 million due from the federal government, an unprecedented impact on the town, whose current budget totals $187,456,161, but that was delayed until Sept. 13.

The funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a slice of $350 billion aimed at softening blows from the Covid-19 pandemic and boosting water-related infrastructure. Instead of a discussion, the board formally accept these funds from the federal government and endorsed the following:

• $1.6 million in immediate water/sewer spending for current needs; and
• $50,000 for the Housing Corporation of Arlington to immediately fund homelessness prevention.

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Manager's presentation, link to Sept. 9 forum

Discussion was delayed in the interest of time at a meeting that went past 11 p.m.

Schools could get $1M via Title I; spending priorities await clearer direction

UPDATED, March 25: Arlington officials await final numbers for its share of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, but so far, the town's share is estimated to be almost $36.8 million. The public schools may get a little over $1 million.

That projection comes from a March 12 analysis of the national Covid-19 relief plan the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the nonprofit representing 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth. Read it here >> Within that analysis are these numbers >> 

“This gives us an opportunity to provide long-lasting benefits to Arlington," Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine told the Select Board Monday, March 15. "We’re aware only of broad categories, and await news from the federal level. We need to make sure we don’t spend it too quickly, and we’ll have more discussions.” 

Town receives two awards for financial reporting, budgeting

Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine has sent his fiscal 2022 operating budget to the Select Board and Finance Committee for  consideration. The former board heard a presentation and commented on it Jan. 25 . A summary will be published.

The budget recommends $187.7 million in general fund spending, including $41.8 million for town municipal departments, $80.1 million for the School Department and $15.7 million for capital expenses, as well as other appropriations for pensions and health insurance.

In his transmittal letter, Chapdelaine noted that, “this budget proposal has been formulated in one of the most uncertain economic environments that we have seen in the 21st century.” 

Arlington average single-family tax bill, 2016-2021.

Here's a fact: Arlington homeowners will pay $11.34 for each $1,000 of assessed value, a rate that is a slightly higher than the current year.

Here's an estimate: Under this new rate, the average annual tax bill for a single-family house in town is $9,405 (see chart for comparison of recent years).

Here's an opinion: "Taxes are what we pay for civilized society." So wrote U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. in a 1927 case. 

See some images from the assessors' report  >>

Agree or not, the public faces annually the results of town assessors' work -- to arrive at the total value of Arlington properties and recommend a rate to tax them.

This year, the Select Board approved the assessors' recommendation to raise the rate 28 cents per $1,000, from $11.06 in fiscal 2020, on Nov. 30, and the state Department of Revenue has approved the new rate.

Tax bills for the next quarter are expected to be mailed and delivered before Dec. 31, wrote Deputy Town Manager Sandy Pooler.

The state Legislature recently passed legislation to enhance unemployment benefits for 17,000 people in Massachusetts by as much as $1,800 each. The legislation was signed into law by Gov. Baker shortly after.  

“The Senate is committed to helping the most vulnerable residents in our Commonwealth as we continue to confront the ongoing pandemic, and this bill reflects that commitment,” Sen. Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) said in a Nov. 5 news release. “During this difficult financial time, we need to do everything we can to support those in need so they can support themselves and their families.” 

“Right now, Massachusetts has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge). “We must protect our most disadvantaged populations, and this critically important legislation will help us accomplish that goal. We will provide much needed support for families and individuals struggling financially during these unprecedented times, and I am pleased the Legislature prioritized this matter.” 

UPDATED: The Legislature and Baker administration have agreed to an unrestricted local aid and Chapter 70 funding commitment that provides a baseline amount for fiscal 2021. This commitment will provide critical support for municipalities and school districts as they finalize their budgets.

Under the agreement, the Town of Arlington will receive $8,056,055 in local aid and $14,566,028 in Chapter 70 education funding. The town is additionally eligible for federal relief funding of $1,522,470.