Shane Curcuru

Long-time Arlington resident; open source volunteer; working on transparency in town government.

The 2020 Annual Town Meeting is complete after being delayed due to the pandemic. By digging through the town website, and through the help of Bob Sprague of Your Arlington I’ve compiled all articles and town board reports proposed for this delayed town meeting.

What Happened At Town Meeting

For those curious to what happened in this first-ever oudoor Arlington Town Meeting!

Reports To Town Meeting

While all reports to Town Meeting are provided to the official email list (see the TMM list archive), you may find it easier to see them all in one place.

Board recommendations may be seen on articles below:

  • Boards recommend the article
  • Boards that recommend “No Action”
  • No opinion; recommend to defer to future town meeting due to pandemic

Meeting Updates Due To Pandemic

Along with delaying the meeting, Town Moderator announced significant changes to town meeting this year. In particular, the moderator, in conjunction with town boards and various citizens who have submitted articles is planning to defer most non-financial warrant articles to a future meeting, as can be seen in the Consent Agenda.

REMINDER: these articles have manually transcribed from various submissions or the original draft warrant, and are NOT OFFICIAL. The official, final Town Warrant is on the town website.

See how I build this page or the official Town Meeting page.

TO ELECT BY BALLOT:

  • A) One Assessor for three years
  • B) Two Select Board Members for three years
  • C) One Town Clerk for three years
  • D) Two School Committee Members for three years
  • E) One Arlington Housing Authority Member for five years

Also, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 43A of the General Laws, the number of Town Meeting Members hereinafter specified: (Four TMM per precinct, plus additional one in each of 1, 5, 6, 18). etc.

Supplemental documents:

To hear the Chair of the Select Board review important events in the past year in Arlington and preview expectations for next year.

(Inserted at the request of Envision Arlington)

To receive, hear, and act upon the reports of the Select Board, Finance Committee, Redevelopment Board, School Committee and other committees, commissions, and boards heretofore appointed, or dissolve any inactive committees; and take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Moderator)

Supplemental documents:

To choose and appoint all the usual Town Officers not hereinbefore mentioned, in such a manner as the Town may determine; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted by the Select Board)

To elect a Town Meeting Member as Assistant Moderator for a term of one year, as provided in Title I, Article 1, Section 11.A, of the Bylaws; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Moderator)

To see if the Town will vote to take affirmative action on the Warrant Articles listed on the Consent Agenda as printed in the Moderator’s Report, without debate on any of the Articles, provided that, upon the request of any one Town Meeting Member present made before a vote is taken on this Article, an Article requested to be omitted shall be removed from the Consent Agenda and shall be acted upon in the ordinary course of business at this Town Meeting; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Moderator)

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend Title V Article 14 Section 3D of the Town Bylaws to include structures used for religious purposes, and structures used for commercial purposes, among the exemptions to the prohibition of uplighting; or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Paul Schlichtman

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the town will vote to amend Title III, Article 1, Section 10 of the town bylaws (Minuteman Bikeway Hours) to extend the operating hours of the Minuteman Bikeway; or any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Adam MacNeill

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town Bylaws, Title VIII, Article 2 (“Canine Control”) to reduce late fees for dog license registration from $50.00 to $25.00; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the request of the Town Clerk

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town Bylaws, Title V, Article 1 Section 2 to reduce fines for violations greater than twenty days from $500 to $300 in accordance with state law; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the request of the Town Manager

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town Bylaws, Title III, Article 1, Section 18 (“Street Performances”) to expand the definition of “Perform” to allow the creation of items for sale; and further to remove or amend the prohibition of street performances in Town parks and recreation areas; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the request of the Town Manager

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend Title V, Article 15 of the Town Bylaws (“Stormwater Mitigation”) to update such bylaw so as to add, remove or amend definitions, clarify the bylaw’s procedures and applicability to certain projects, and adjust fees; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted by the Select Board

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend Title VI of the Town Bylaws to add a new provision prohibiting the installation of fossil fuel infrastructure in new construction projects and/or major renovation and rehabilitation projects in Arlington; to set forth the terms and scope of such prohibition, and to provide for exemptions to same; or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: As the Board likely knows, several communities in the Commonwealth have considered or adopted a prohibition on installation of new infrastructure for fossil fuel-based systems (including natural gas and oil-based systems) in new construction and major renovation projects; most notably [Brookline at its November 2019 Special Town Meeting](https://www.brooklinema.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20106/November-19-2019-Special-Town-Meeting-Warrant). The overall purpose of these ordinances is to take action to reduce carbon emissions in response to the climate change crisis. Such ordinances have generally been limited in scope to prohibit installation of new gas or oil pipping and systems such as certain boilers, furnaces, and cooktops, primarily in new residential construction but could be broader or narrower in Arlington. Similarly, the scope of exemptions to such prohibitions likely varies considerably.

Town Counsel potential proposed articles

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71 section 52, to provide all Arlington School Committee Members compensation consisting of an annual stipend of $3,000 per member commencing in Fiscal Year 2022, or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Christa Kelleher

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to establish a Committee of the Town Meeting to examine the current issues related to residential development in the R0, R1, R2, R3, and R4 zoning districts. These issues shall include, but not be limited to, effects on the neighborhood during teardown and construction activities; new construction impacts on neighborhood character/environment; permanent negative impacts on abutters; loss of healthy tree canopy; and exacerbation of particular negative impacts on abutters with existing non-conforming lots. Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Town Moderator, and consist of not less than 5 nor more than 9 members. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the appointed members. Members of the Committee shall be residents of the Town, a majority of whom shall be persons who are not Town employees and/or have no financial interest (either directly or indirectly) in the development, building, or real estate communities. The Committee’s objectives will include development of recommendations for proposing new zoning and general bylaws and/or amendments, as applicable, to provide long-term mitigation of the significant issues identified; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the request of Paul Parise and ten registered voters

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to establish a committee to learn the annual cost of auto and property insurance premiums and insurance claims in the Town of Arlington, or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Andrew Fischer

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to form a committee of Town Meeting to study, craft and submit a Warrant Article to Town Meeting in 2021 for the creation of an Arlington police civilian advisory board comprised of seven (7) voting members and three (3) non-voting members, or take any action related thereto. The study committee would make decisions based on the vote of a simple majority of the committee’s voting members who shall be appointed to the committee by: the Envision Arlington Standing Committee (1); the Arlington Human Rights Commission (1); the LGBTQIA & Rainbow Commission (1); the Disability Commission (1); the Board of Youth Services (1); the Equal Opportunity Advisory Committee (1); and the Town Moderator (1). Non-voting members of the committee shall include one (1) representative from the Arlington Police Department, the Town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, and the Town Counsel. The membership of the study committee’s voting members will include at least one Town Meeting member and shall reflect racial/ethnic and other forms of diversity of Town residents.

Citizen petition led by: Jordan Weinstein

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend Title I, Article 15 to change the name of “Vision 2020” to comport with its current name “Envision Arlington;” to revise the Bylaw’s articulation of “Goals” as a “Statement of Community Values” or similar term; and to modernize the “Goals” as set forth in the vote of the 1993 Town Meeting (Article 19) with more inclusive language; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the request of the Envision Arlington Standing Committee

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to accept Massachusetts General Laws c. 44 § 55C, to authorize the creation of a Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support the development of affordable housing in Arlington, establish a new bylaw for the administration of same; or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: This warrant article is requested by the Housing Plan Implementation Committee (“HPIC”) as a means to provide a new and invaluable tool to the Town’s goal of creating and supporting affordable housing in Arlington. An Affordable Housing Trust provides significant flexibility and additional resources over and above existing resources for affordable housing. HPIC continues to work on a proposed version of the bylaw itself, but the following provides an overview of the operation and scope of an Affordable Housing Trust bylaw in Arlington for the Board in its consideration of whether or not to support an article on the 2020 Warrant: (See town counsel memo for complete details.)

Town Counsel potential proposed articles

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation or other Special Legislation which would permit the Town to impose a real estate transfer fee or tax for the purposes of acquiring, creating, preserving, rehabilitating, restoring and supporting affordable housing in the Town; said fee or tax to be levied on the buyer, seller, or both on the purchase price of qualifying real estate, the proceeds of which are to be deposited in an Arlington Affordable Housing Trust Fund established pursuant to section 55C of chapter 44 of the General Laws; to set forth the rate, the qualifications for applicable transfers, and exemptions of and to such a tax or fee; and to authorize the procedures and requirements necessary for the collection of such fee; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted by the Housing Plan Implementation Committee)

Supplemental documents:

  • Housing Plan Implementation Committee docs Homepage

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to extend the life of the Election Modernization Committee, change its structure, objectives, or membership; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted by the Select Board and at the request of the Election Modernization Committee)

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to request and authorize the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation so as to enable Justin Brown, a resident of the Town, to be eligible for appointment as firefighter in the Town of Arlington notwithstanding the fact that he has attained the;age of 32, or take any action related there

Citizen petition led by: jb@usbrown.com

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation to reform the nomination and election process for Town Meeting seats to permit the consolidation of elections of Town Meeting Members when there are vacant seats into a single election per precinct, such that the highest vote-getters win the longest available terms, to promulgate regulations to effectuate the same; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted by the Select Board and at the request of the Election Modernization Committee)

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation to elect Town offices by Ranked Choice Voting; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted by the Select Board and at the request of the Election Modernization Committee)

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation to amend the Town Manager Act sections 31 (Estimates of Expenditures) and/or 32 (Preparation of and Annual Budget and Final Budget) so as to afford additional time for the Town Manager to submit, and the Select Board and Finance Committee to consider financial estimates and budget documents required by such sections; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted by the Select Board)

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation or other Special Legislation which would permit the Town to discount fees charged to qualifying, means-tested Arlington Seniors for water and sewer usage; or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: As the Board will recall from recent discussions, a number of municipalities have enacted water and sewer discount programs for local seniors. It remains the position of this Office that a straightforward form of such a discount programs may be offered by vote of the Select Board without Town Meeting action or Home Rule Petition. However, further research has revealed that Home Rule Legislation would be required if the Board were to contemplate a model of discount similar to the Board’s recent means-tested tax deferral and “work-off” programs or to certain specific subcategories of senior residents in Arlington, based upon the Department of Revenue’s interpretation of Brand v. Water Commissioners of Billerica, 242 Mass. 223 (1922). Accordingly, it may be in the Board’s interest to place an article on the warrant for further discussion.

Town Counsel potential proposed articles

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Select Board to file Home Rule Legislation, as set forth below, to allow retired police officers to work police details: or take any other action relative thereto. (Please see draft warrant, p.8 for full rule proposal.)

Proposer Comments: The purpose of this article is to implement an agreement between the Town and its collectively bargain police unions to retain qualifying retired Arlington police officers to serve on police details as needed.

(Inserted by the Select Board)

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw in Section 5.2.4, by inserting in the last sentence of said section, after the word footprint, the words “if allowed by special permit” and by inserting, after the words residential use, the words “provided that the addition or expansion is for affordable housing” so that said sentence will read as follows:

In the case of an existing commercial use, the addition or expansion of residential use within the building footprint if allowed bv special permit shall not require adherence to setback regulations for residential uses, provided that the addition or expansion is for affordable housing, even if the residential use becomes the principal use of the building, or take any action relating thereto.

Proposer Comments: Under the law as it presently stands, a mixed use building, with its minimal setbacks could be converted entirely into residential uses, by right. Since the only kind of additional housing that Arlington needs is affordable housing, the ability to do that would be limited under this amendment, and subject to public review.

Citizen petition led by: John L. Worden III

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw in Section 2,by addinga new definition as follows:

Building Foundation: The masonry or concrete structure in the ground which supports the building. It does not include porches, decks, sheds, patios, one story attached garages, carports, or the like, or take any action related thereto

Citizen petition led by: Patricia B. Worden

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Arlington by renaming the terms ‘Open Space’, ‘Open Space, Usable’, and ‘Open Space, Landscaped’ in Section 2 - Definitions, or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Stephen A. Revilak

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw in Section 3.1.8 by appending to the end of this section the sentence: “No such permit shall be issued until the Building inspector finds that the applicant is in compliance with the applicable provisions of Title VI, Article 7 of the Town Bylaws.” or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Michael Ruderman

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to or take any action related thereto: to Amend the Zoning Bylaw for the Town of Arlington by expanding the set of allowed residential uses in the RO and R1 zoning districts with the goal of expanding and diversifying the housing stock by altering the district definitions for the RO and R1 zoning districts.

Citizen petition led by: Benjamin Rudick

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to require the Zoning Board of Appeals to publish, on the Town Website, supporting documentation pertaining to items on its agenda, or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Christopher Loreti

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the definition of Mixed Use in the Zoning Bylaw to clarify that as enacted by Town Meeting, land uses individually prohibited in any particular zoning district are also prohibited as part of Mixed Use developments in the same zoning district, or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Christopher Loreti

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

NOTE: This proposed article is NOT in the actual draft warrant. See instead Article 43.

To see if the Town will vote to or take any action related thereto: In support of allowing the ARB/ZBA to reduce parking requirements for applicants in the B3 or B5 zoning districts to zero - especially in support of the new pub!!

Citizen petition led by: Gami Maishlin

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town Meeting will vote to amend Section 6.1 of the current Zoning Bylaw regarding off-street parking to encourage new businesses such as restaurants, or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: The Arlington Heights business district was established when the primary means of transportation was a streetcar line running down Massachusetts Ave., rather than the widespread use of private automobiles. As such, buildings housing commercial establishments were constructed without consideration for off-street parking. Under the current bylaw, it would be virtually impossible for a new business to meet this requirement if it were situated on the north side of the block bordered by Park Avenue on the West, and Davis Rd. on the East. The Town has expressed a strong desire for three vigorous business districts in the East, Arlington Center,and Arlington Heights. In past years,a number of businesses have closed in the Heights business district, and the current parking bylaw makes it challenging for new businesses to enter the area. We believe that changing the existing bylaw would aid in encouraging the development of new businesses, and helping to create a vibrant and diverse commercial community in Arlington Heights.

Citizen petition led by: Marvin Lewiton

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the town will vote to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in single and two-family dwellings in residential districts, or take any action related thereto by amending the Zoning Bylaw as follows:

Section 1.2 Purposes to add “to encourage housing for persons at all income levels and stages of life”: and

Section 2 5 Definitions Associated with Dwelling: to add An ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT, or ACCESSORY APARTMENT, “Accessory dwelling unit”, four or more rooms constituting a self-contained accessory housing unit, inclusive of sleeping, cooking and sanitary facilities on the same premises as the principal dwelling, subject to otherwise applicable dimensional and parking requirements, that: (i) maintains a separate entrance, either directly from the outside or through an entry hall or corridor shared with the principal dwelling sufficient to meet the requirements of the state building code and state fire safety code; (ii) is not larger in floor area than 1/2 the floor area of the principal dwelling., and

Section 3.3.3 Special Permits to add “in the case of requests for special permits for Accessory Dwelling Units, the use will add to the need for a range of affordable housing opportunities for the Town.” and

Section 5.2.3 Districts and Uses: to add ‘to allow for the creation of accessory dwelling units in all zoning districts which allow residential use. (include in Section 5.4 Residential Districts); or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Barbara Thornton

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

Creation of a Process Allowing Permanently Affordable Housing to be Built on Privately Owned Parcels of “Non-Conforming” Size

To see if the Town will vote, to allow the development of new sources of permanently affordable housing (affordable in perpetuity and affordability as defined in Arlington Zoning By-Laws) by modifying the requirements for constructing housing units to enable construction on smaller lots as long as those units are permanently committed to be available for rental or ownership according to official regional guidelines (see (Zoning Bylaw Section 2, Basic Provisions, Definitions Associated with Affordable Housing) of affordability, or take any action related thereto.

Such construction would be permissible in all zoning districts allowing residential use, providing the tracts were laid out prior to July 7, 1979, and receive a special permit from the ZBA.

Ownership, sale, repurchase and rentals of each property would be overseen by the Arlington Housing Trust Fund or a comparable entity that would have the authority to enforce the affordability guidelines in perpetuity

Citizen petition led by: Barbara Thornton

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5.3.17 of the Zoning Bylaw as follows: For buildings more than three stories in height, an additional 7.5 foot step-back (upper story building setback) shall be provided after beginning at the third story level or 35 30 feet above grade, whichever is less. The upper story step-back shall be provided along all building elevations with street frontage, excluding alleys. In cases subject to Section 3.4, Environmental Design Review, the Arlington Redevelopment Board in evaluating the proposal may grant a special permit to adjust the required setbacks set forth in this Bylaw to account for specific conditions unique to the proposal ; or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: James Doherty

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to or take any action related thereto: To amend Section 5.3 of the Zoning Bylaw by inserting, at the end thereof, a new sub­ section 5.3.23 which describes the Purpose & Intent, Applicability, Definitions, Standards by District, Dimensional and Density Regulations and Exceptions for Sideyard Sky Exposure Planes to accommodate new construction while protecting public health, safety and welfare in residential zoning districts.

Citizen petition led by: Ted Fields

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to increase the time during which the affordable housing requirements apply from a two-year period to a three-year period in alignment with M.G.L. c.40A § 9 by amending SECTION 8.2.2. APPLICABILITY; or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: Amend Section 8.2.2. as follows: **8.2.2. Applicability** The provisions of this Section 8.2 shall apply to all new residential development with six or more units subject to Section 3.4, Environmental Design Review, comprised of any or all of the following uses: - Single-family detached dwelling - Two-family dwelling - Duplex dwelling - Three-family dwelling - Townhouse structure - Apartment building - Apartment conversion - Single-room occupancy building Any residential development of the uses listed above involving one lot, or two or more adjoining lots in common ownership or common control, for which special permits or building permits are sought within a ~~two-year~~ **three-year** period from the first date of special permit or building permit application shall comply with the provisions of this Section 8.2.

(Inserted at the request of the Redevelopment Board)

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to include a definition of apartment conversion by amending SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS; or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: Amend Section 2 as follows: **Apartment Conversion:** The conversion of an existing structure originally designed for one- family or two-family use to an apartment building with no alteration to the exterior of the structure.

(Inserted at the request of the Redevelopment Board)

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to allow the Board of Appeals or Arlington Redevelopment Board, as applicable, to reduce the parking requirement to zero in the B3 and B5 Districts through Special Permit where businesses have no ability to create new parking by amending SECTION 6.1.5. PARKING REDUCTION IN BUSINESS, INDUSTRIAL, AND MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONES; or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: Amend Section 6.1.5. as follows: (by adding section D, see reference for details) **D.** B3 and B5 Districts: In special circumstances where a business in the B3 or B5 District has no ability to create new parking and there is the ability for customers to utilize street parking and/or municipal parking, applicants may propose a reduction lower than 25 percent of that required in the Table of Off-Street Parking Regulations to zero. For these cases, applicants may incorporate methods outlined in subparagraphs A., B., and C.

(Inserted at the request of the Redevelopment Board)

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to clarify how landscaped and usable open space is calculated relative to gross floor area by amending SECTION 5.3.22. GROSS FLOOR AREA to add subsection C and add appropriate references in the associated definitions in SECTION 2; or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: IMPORTANT: See the detailed bylaw changes in the supplemental document(s).

(Inserted at the request of the Redevelopment Board)

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to indicate that uses without a “Y” or “SP” in the Tables of Uses are prohibited by amending SECTION 5.2.2. PROHIBITED USES to add subsection C; or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: Amend Section 5.2.2. as follows **5.2.2. Prohibited Uses** - A. Any use not listed in the Tables of Uses for various districts in Section 5 or otherwise allowable under the provisions of this Bylaw is prohibited. - B. All uses that pose a present or potential hazard to human health, safety, welfare, or the environment through emission of smoke, particulate matter, noise or vibration, or through fire or explosive hazard, or glare, are expressly prohibited in all districts. - *C. Any use not designated with a “Y” or “SP” in the Tables of Uses is prohibited.*

(Inserted at the request of the Redevelopment Board)

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to include the legend for tables by amending SECTION 5.6.2. DIMENSIONAL AND DENSITY REGULATIONS; or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: Amend Section 5.6.2. as follows: **5.6.2. Dimensional and Density Regulations** The dimensional and density requirements in this Section apply to principal and accessory uses and structures in the MU, I, T, PUD, and OS districts. Additional dimensional and density regulations affecting all districts can be found in Section 5.3. **LEGEND FOR TABLES** *Sq.ft. Square feet ft Feet L Length H Height W Width ROW Right-of-Way SP Special Permit* Y Yes (use allowed)*

(Inserted at the request of the Redevelopment Board)

Supplemental documents:

Redevelopment Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to make the following administrative corrections;

    1. Correcting references to Board of Selectmen in subparagraph B of SECTION 3.1.4. PENALTY and in Section 3.2.1. ESTABLISHMENT;
    1. Correcting reference to August, 1975 in subparagraphs C and D in SECTION 5.4.2. DIMENSIONAL AND DENSITY REQUIREMENTS;
    1. Correcting reference to 105 CMR 725.100 in the definition of a medical marijuana treatment center in SECTION - DEFINITIONS; and
    1. Correcting reference to seven feet three inches in subsection A(2) in SECTION 5.3.22. APPLICABILITY;

or take any action related thereto.

Proposer Comments: IMPORTANT: See the detailed bylaw changes in the supplemental document(s).

(Inserted at the request of the Redevelopment Board)

Supplemental documents:

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to make additions, deletions and/or modifications to the Classification and Pay Plan, appropriate a sum of money to fund same if necessary, determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager and the Director of Human Resources)

Supplemental documents:

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to fund any fiscal items in the event that any are contained in collective bargaining agreements between the Town and the following named collective bargaining units, and to fund for non-union, M Schedule, and elected officials’ salaries or fringe benefits, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto:

  • A. Local 680, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees;
  • B. Service Employees International Union;
  • C. Robbins Library Professional Association;
  • D. Local 1297 International Association of Firefighters;
  • E. Arlington Police Patrol Officers’ Association (formerly Arlington Patrolmen’s Association);
  • F. Arlington Ranking Police Officers’ Association; G. M Schedule and non-union employees; and
  • H. Full-time elected officials

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)

Supplemental documents:

Select Board

To see if the Town will vote to endorse the application for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 prepared by the Town Manager and Select Board under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383) as amended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted by the Select Board and at the request of the Town Manager)

Supplemental documents:

Select Board Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to hear or receive a report concerning the receipts and expenditures of approved revolving funds, amend the Town Bylaws to adopt new revolving funds, and/or to appropriate sums of money to such revolving funds and determine how the money shall be raised or expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted by the Select Board)

Finance Committee, Select Board Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to endorse the Parking Benefit District operating and capital expenditures for Fiscal Year 2021 prepared by the Town Manager and the Select Board consistent with the Town Bylaws; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)

Finance Committee

To see if the Town will vote to make appropriations to defray Town obligations, liabilities, outlay and expenses and especially for or relating to all or any of the boards, departments, purposes and matters hereinafter mentioned, and to provide for the disposal of motor vehicles and other personal property belonging to the Town, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto: Finance Committee, Select Board, Town Manager, Human Resources, Comptroller, Information Technology, Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, Assessors, Legal and Workers’ Compensation, Town Clerk, Registrars, Planning and Community Development, Redevelopment Board, Parking, Zoning Board of Appeals, Public Works, Facilities, Cemeteries, Community Safety, School Department, Libraries, Human Services, Insurance, Non-Contributory Pensions, Contributory Pensions, Town Debt and Interest, Reserve Fund, and/or any other Town Departments, Boards, Commissions or Committees, Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund, Recreation Enterprise Fund, Council on Aging Transportation Enterprise Fund, Veterans’ Memorial Rink Enterprise Fund, and Youth Services Enterprise Fund.

(Inserted by the Select Board and at the request of the Town Manager)

Capital Planning Committee, Finance Committee

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to defray the expense of purchasing, leasing, or bonding of capital equipment, infrastructure, buildings or other projects of the Town or to acquire real property for municipal purposes; to appropriate a sum of money to fund previously incurred or future Town debt, to acquire land for said projects where necessary by purchase, eminent domain taking or otherwise, determine how the money shall be raised including the possibility of borrowing any or all of the same, or the transfer of funds from any previous appropriation, determine how such money shall be expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted by the Select Board and at the request of the Town Manager and the Capital Planning Committee)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to rescind the authority to borrow, from prior years’ authorizations, the amounts remaining with regard to any numbered prior Annual and/or Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Treasurer)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote (i) to appropriate $2,967,000, representing a portion of the net premium received upon the sale of the Town’s $66,190,000 General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2019 Bonds dated December 4, 2019, to pay a $2,967,000 portion of the cost of the Arlington High School Construction/Reconstruction project authorized in the amount of $290,851,820 by a vote of the Town passed April 29, 2019 (Article 1), excluded from the limitations of Proposition 21⁄2, so-called, on June 11, 2019 (Question 1), thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed for such project by a like amount and (ii) supplement each prior vote of the Town that authorizes the borrowing of money to pay costs of capital projects to provide that, in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, the premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes thereunder, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bond or notes, may be applied to pay project costs and the amount authorized to be borrowed for each such project shall be reduced by the amount of any such premium so applied; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Treasurer)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $34,279.30 received by the Town from the Commonwealth Transportation Infrastructure Fund to address the impact of transportation network services on municipal roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure or any other public purpose substantially related to the operation of transportation network services in the Town including, but not limited to, the Complete Streets Program, accepted by Town Meeting on May 4, 2015, established in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90I, Section 1 and other programs that support alternative modes of transportation; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate or transfer a sum or sums of money for the support of public, educational, and/or governmental (‘PEG’) access cable television services, said sum or sums to be provided for by the cable franchise agreements and cable licensing fees, detailed in an operational cost, building expenses, and capital expense budget, and expended under the direction of the Town Manager; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)

Finance Committee

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of financing the construction or reconstruction of sewers and sewerage facilities for inflow/infiltration reduction or system rehabilitation, including costs incidental and related thereto, and to determine how the appropriation shall be raised or expended, including the possibility of borrowing all or some of same; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager and the Director of Public Works)

Supplemental documents:

  • FinCom noted: 'W&S Enterprise SubCom Gibian recommended supporting the FY21 sewer renovation program w/ a no interest loan from the MWRA. VOTED $800,000 Unanimous.' FinCom Meeting Minutes 19-Feb-2020

Finance Committee

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of financing the construction or reconstruction of water mains and water facilities, including costs incidental and related thereto, and to determine how the appropriation shall be raised and expended including the possibility of borrowing all or some of same; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager and the Director of Public Works)

Supplemental documents:

  • FinCom noted: 'W&S Enterprise SubCom Gibian recommended supporting the FY21 water supply renovation program w/ a no interest loan from the MWRA. VOTED $1,300,000 Unanimous.' FinCom Meeting Minutes 19-Feb-2020

Finance Committee

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of paying the Town’s apportioned share of the operating and maintenance costs, including capital costs, tuition, and all of Arlington’s other obligations under the Minuteman Regional School District Agreement for the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School, as well as paying the tuition for all other out of district vocational education placements, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of Minuteman Regional Vocational School District Committee)

Supplemental documents:

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum or sums of money to be expended under the direction of various committees, commissions, and boards of the Town, determine how the money shall be raised; provided that any funds appropriated hereunder shall remain under the jurisdiction of said entities until expended at their direction, unless otherwise appropriated by the Town Meeting; the entities included hereunder, without limitation, are: Arlington Historical Commission, Arlington Recycling Committee, Avon Place Historic District Commission, Broadway Historic District Commission, Central Street Historic District Commission, Mt. Gilboa/Crescent Hill Historic District Commission, Jason/Gray Historic District Commission, Pleasant Street Historic District Commission, Russell Historic District Commission, Conservation Commission, Capital Planning Committee, Commission on Disability, Human Recourses Board, Public Memorial Committee, Human Rights Commission, Arlington Committee on Tourism and Economic Development, Envision Arlington, Transportation Advisory Committee, Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture, Open Space Committee, and any other Town Committee or Commission; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)

Supplemental documents:

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum or sums of money to be expended under the direction of the Town Manager for the following celebrations and memorials, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto:

  • Memorial Day Observation and the Patriots’ Day Celebration
  • Display of American Flags on Massachusetts Avenue
  • Placing of American Flags on the Graves of Veterans
  • Town Day Celebration
  • Veterans’ Day Parade

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote the following: Legal Defense – To appropriate a sum of money to replenish the Legal Defense Fund established under Article 13, Section 5 of Title 1 of the Town Bylaws, Indemnification of Medical Costs, to appropriate a sum of money in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 41, Section 100B of the General Laws, to indemnify certain retired Police Officers and Firefighters for all reasonable medical and surgical expenses which they incurred, determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to the Town’s Water Bodies Fund for the maintenance, treatment, and oversight of all the Town’s water bodies, said sum to be raised by the general tax and expended under the direction of the Town Manager, who will also report to Town Meeting on the status of the fund; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Envision Arlington Standing Committee and its Spy Pond and Reservoir Task Groups, and the Arlington Conservation Commission)

Community Preservation Act Committee

To see if the Town will accept, receive, or resolve to endorse the Community Preservation Plan adopted by the Community Preservation Act Committee; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the request of the Community Preservation Act Committee

Supplemental documents:

Community Preservation Act Committee, Finance Committee

To see if the Town will vote to make appropriations from the Community Preservation Fund for eligible community preservation projects; for community preservation reserve accounts for historic preservation, open space and recreation, and affordable housing; for Community Preservation Act Committee administrative expenses or other eligible expenses; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Community Preservation Act Committee)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of money for the Harry Barber Community Service Program for the Council on Aging, to determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Council on Aging)

Supplemental documents:

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of developing a bike share infrastructure, including, but not limited to joining a regional bikeshare network, to determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to accept into the Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund, established by Chapter 161 of the Acts of 2005, an appropriation of funds and/or the transfer of additional monies that the Town may deem advisable from other sources, including any monies previously deposited into any of the Town’s stabilization funds for this purpose, in order to administer and fund its OPEB obligation as described in the said Chapter 161 of the Acts of 2005; determine how the monies shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Contributory Retirement Board)

Supplemental documents:

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to implement the provisions of Chapter 32 of Massachusetts General Laws Section 90A, 90C, 90D and 90E, pursuant to which the Town pays up to fifty percent of the maximum salary as set forth in the Compensation and Pay Plan for the position formerly held by retired employees with twenty-five or more years of service to the Town and those employees who retired under an Accidental Disability; provided, however, that no one who retires after May 1, 2010 shall be eligible under this vote unless they qualify for at least a fifty percent pension, without this vote upon their retirement; this adjustment to be paid to those who qualify and administered in accordance with prior practice and understanding relating to the retirement allowance of said retirees; determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Contributory Retirement Board)

Supplemental documents:

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to accept any local option taxes or other revenue raising options, which are made available to cities and towns through enactments of the legislature, by state regulation or court action; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money from previous years overlay reserve surplus accounts, determine to what purpose this appropriation shall be made; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money to the Cemetery Commissioners for the improvement of Town cemeteries, said sum shall be taken from the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery “Sale of Lots and Graves” and/or “Perpetual Care Funds”; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will vote to authorize the taking of a sum of money voted for appropriations heretofore made at the Town Meeting under the Warrant and not voted to be borrowed from available funds in the Treasury, and authorize the Assessors to use free cash in the Treasury to that amount in the determination of the tax rate for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2020; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)

Supplemental documents:

Finance Committee Consent Agenda #2

To see if the Town will make an appropriation to the Long Term Stabilization Fund in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5B, as amended, or other appropriate provisions of law, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)

Supplemental documents:

Finance Committee

To see if the Town will make an appropriation to or from the Fiscal Stability Stabilization Fund created under Article 65 of the 2005 Annual Town Meeting or any other enabling action of Town Meeting in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5B, as amended, or other appropriate provisions of law, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to urge the Arlington Historic Districts Commission to allow installation in the Historic Districts of any solar panel, heat pump, or other energy-efficient technology that does not cause irreversible changes to historic features or materials, or to take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Susan R. Doctrow

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to endorse a resolution calling for a quarterly report of achievements based on the original departmental plan, finalized January 2015, to be provided to the Select Board; or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Barbara Thornton

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town Meeting will vote to allow the Town to plan and sponsor a design competition to encourage new housing and mixed use construction in the Broadway Corridor area of Arlington. This warrant article builds on findings from the Fall 2019 Broadway Corridor Study, and creates a “demonstration area project”; or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Barbara Thornton

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to support the development of a practice by the Town Meeting Procedures Committee for prompting proponent and opponents of Town Meeting Warrant Articles to register in advance of the beginning of the first night of Town Meeting to allow for the equal presentation of perspectives; or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Barbara Thornton

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to endorse a resolution in support of directing at least one member of each Town governent initiated citizen committee to have formal training or certification as a “Facilitator” in order to help ensure that the committee is a place where all members are respected, allowed to speak, are not intimidated and that agendas are developed that lead to productive outcomes or to reassess the productivity and purpose of every committee at least once every five years to re-authorize the committee’s purpose and continuity; or limit the number of Town government-initiated committees to no more than seven per year; or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Barbara Thornton

Select Board Consent Agenda #1

To see if the Town will vote to endorse a resolution calling for a the Director of the Arlington Housing Authority to be formally invited to present the AHA proposed annual budget and other key initiatives to the Town Meeting as a regular, annual event; or take any action related thereto.

Citizen petition led by: Barbara Thornton