Town Meeting - Apr 27th, 2026

This was the first night of Arlington's Annual Town Meeting. Materials were available from https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/town-meeting/2026-town-meeting-warrant.

Voting records: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/77538/639131439071711761.

Introduction

(Greg Christian, Town Moderator) Mr. Christiana says we started a pilot program this year, to publish links to hearing materials for the various warrant articles. He says this is a work in progress, and we'll build on in during subsequent years.

The Poet Laureate reads a poem called "The Battle of Menotomy".

The moderator gives his opening remarks.

Town meeting votes to consent to the use of a satellite room. Pass, 211--2--0.

There are no announcements this evening.

Article 2 - State of the Town Address

(John Hurd, Select Board Chair) Mr. Hurd expresses his gratitude to voters for passing the override on March 28th. Overrides are not a long term solution, and we have the responsibility to watch expenses and expand revenues. He acknowledges work done last year for the 250th anniversary celebration. We've reached a milestone with the completion of the Arlington High School Rebuild. Likewise with the completion of the new DPW facility. Arlington has made progress on roadway safety. We now have a 25 MPH speed limit town-wide and several 20 MPH safety zones. We are making sidewalk improvements as part of the town's safe routes to school program. We've also implemented a program for trash and recycling collection. Mr. Hurd says the Select board commits to smart growth and more affordable housing. Also improving the mechanical system at the Hardy school. Mr. Hurd says that Arlington's strength lies in its people.

Article 3 - Reports of Committees

The Redevelopment Board, Select Board, Finance Committee, and Capital Planning Committee submit reports to town meeting.

Article 4 - Appointment of Measurer of Wood and Bark

This is an honorary appointment given to a long-serving town meeting member. This year, the appointment goes to Al Tosti, Precinct 17.

Article 5 - Election of Assistant Town Moderator

Adam Auster (Precinct 16) is elected Assistant Moderator.

Consent Agenda

(Carl Wagner, Precinct 15, Point of order) Mr. Wagner asks where the town meeting tracker is.

(Greg Christiana, Town Moderator) Mr. Christiana says it should be linked from the Town Meeting page on the town website.

(Gordon Jamieson, Precinct 12, Point of Order) Mr. Jamieson asks if the text could be made larger.

(Matthew Miller, Precinct 11, Point of Order) Mr. Miller asks if the columns of the table being shown to town meeting could be re-ordered.

The following Articles were removed from the consent agenda:

• Article 36 - Revolving funds. Held by Beth Benedikt, Precinct 21.
• Article 61 - Positions Reclassification. Held by Beth Benedikt, Precinct 21.
• Article 62 - Collective Bargaining. Held by Paul Bayer, Precinct 13.
• Article 63 - Amendments to FY26 Budgets. Held by Andrew Fischer, Precinct 6.
• Article 76 - Water Bodies Fund. Held by Beth Benedikt, Precinct 21.
• Article 84 - Transfer of Cemetery Funds. Held by Christopher Moore, Precinct 14.
• Article 87 - Use of Free Cash. Held by Beth Benedikt, Precinct 21.

The following articles remain on the consent agenda: Articles 8, 9, 13, 15, 18, 20, 21, 33, 34, 37, 41, 56, 57, 58, 68, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 78, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 88.

Consent agenda passes by a vote of 216--3--1.

Article 6 - Removal of a Public Shade Tree

Article 6 had a recommended vote of no action, and the citizen petitioner did not provide a substitute motion for town meeting to consider.

No action passes by voice vote.

Article 7 - Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture Administrative Updates

(Stewart Ikeda, ACAC) Mr. Ikeda feels that it's appropriate for non-residents to serve on the Commission for Arts and Culture, especially on specialized committees like marketing and fundraising. Many of the committee's collaborators and stakeholders are not Arlington residents. This article would change the town bylaws to explicitly state that non-residents can fill these positions.

(Junko Nagano, Precinct 11) Ms. Nagano asks if there would be a scenario where all committee members are non-residents.

(Stewart Ikeda) Mr. Ikeda says "no", because some seats are specifically dedicated to residents. The committee wants the flexibility to bring in expertise from people who live out of town. That might include someone who has a business in Arlington but doesn't live here. It's about having discretion to get the best people.

(Matthew Miller, Precinct 11) Mr. Miller thinks that Arlington might be on the fifth tier for business owners. He asks what would happen if a majority of the committee members were non-residents.

(Stewart Ikeda) Mr. Ikeda says there will still be a direct relationship between committee members and the town, due to the different appointing authorities. He thinks enough slots will be filled by residents for them to have representation. An arts commission serving the town has to be inclusive of everyone, and state law requires this.

(David Bean, Precinct 8) Mr. Bean has question about part of the bylaw that isn't changing.

(Adam Lane, Precinct 3) Mr. Lane moves the question.

Motion to end debate passes on a voice vote.

Article passes, 200--14--4.

Article 10 - Wetlands Protection

(David Morgan, Environmental Planner) Mr. Morgan says the Conservation Commission decided to revisit the wetlands protection bylaw and found gaps. This article would add protection for wildlife, and mitigations for climate resilience. It adds clarifications to the process for extending conservation commission permits and the fines for violations. It updates the waiver language and makes a number of clerical changes.

(Eugene Benson, Precinct 10) Mr. Benson moves to postpone consideration of Article 10 until Wednesday. He filed an amendment, which hasn't been distributed to town meeting.

Town meeting votes to postpone discussion to Wednesday.

Article 11 - Wetlands Bylaw Enforcement

(David Morgan, Environmental Planner) Mr. Morgan says that Article 11 would allow the Town's Conservation Agent and Conservation Administrator to enforce the wetlands bylaw, in addition to the police department.

There are no speakers.

Article passes, 207--8--1.

It's around 21:30 and Town Meeting takes a short recess.

Article 12 - Town Meeting Procedures Committee Rolling Membership Appointments

(John Hurd, Select Board Chair) Mr. Hurd says this bylaw change will stagger the membership terms of the Town Meeting Procedures Committee.

(Christopher Moore, Precinct 14) Mr. Moore says there are five people on the Town Meeting Procedures Committee, and three seats are reserved for town meeting members. The town meeting member terms would be staggered so that they rotate one seat per year.

(Nancy Bloom, Precinct 18, Point of order) Ms. Bloom says she can't see the speaker queue.

Article passes, 202--2--0.

Article 14 - Tree Committee Rules and Procedures

(John Hurd, Select Board Chair) Mr. Hurd says this article was inserted at the request of the tree committee.

(Steve Moore, Precinct 18) Mr. Moore is a member of the Tree Committee. The committee started with five members in 2003, and one of those original members still serves on the committee. After an inactive period, the committee was re-created in 2010 to work on replacing lost trees, to work with the town's tree warden. Getting the tree preservation bylaw passed was one of the committee's major accomplishments. The committee supported the development of a town-wide tree inventory, and established a tree canopy program to subsidize planting of new trees. They've started the adopt-a-tree program to help keep street trees watered and they're working on a sidewalk planning program. Mr. Moore says the article would formalize the structure and purpose of the tree committee.

(Michelle Durocher, Precinct 19) Ms. Durocher asks what "support" means in Section 2.

(Steve Moore) Mr. Moore says the committee works with the tree warden on a regular basis, and they give and receive and advice from him. They try to help with town programs.

(Michael Cunningham, Town Counsel) Mr. Cunningham says that Mass General Laws Chapter 87 specifies the duties of a tree warden.

(Michelle Durocher) Ms. Durocher thinks the word "support" is vague. She moves to amend the article by replacing the word "support" with "partners with".

(Susan Stamps, Precinct 3) Ms. Stamps doesn't agree with the amendment, as the tree warden has statutory authority, and the tree committee does not have equal authority. She urges a no vote on the amendment.

(Ezra Fischer, Precinct 4) Mr. Fischer asks if the amendment will change the powers of the committee itself.

(Michael Cunningham) Mr. Cunningham says no.

Durocher amendment fails, 45--152--10.

Article passes, 208--1--0.

Article 16 - Town Fees and Charges

(John Hurd, Select Board Chair) Mr. Hurd says this article updates the town bylaw that lists fees, in order to keep up with costs.

(Jim Feeney, Town Manager) Mr. Feeney says Long Range Planning Committee suggested pursuing this article. All of these fees are categorized as local receipts, and they have to keep pace with the costs to provide services. The proposed article sees to update fees and to codify fees that exist but have not been added to the bylaw. There are no changes to building, plumbing, and electrical permit fees. Mr. Feeney expects these changes to generate an additional $150,00 in revenue.

(Carl Wagner, Precinct 15) Mr. Wagner applauds the town for doing this. He thinks the fines for tree removal aren't high enough and that the library should charge overdue book fees.

(Paul Schlichtman, Precinct 9) Mr. Schlichtman notes there are four categories of food licenses, each with a different risk level. He asks for an explanation of how that works.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says that a convenient store that served pre-heated food would count as low risk, while an assisted living facility that cooks food from scratch and serves it to at-risk individuals would be categorized as high risk. The risk category is based on how the food is being prepared and who it's being served to.

(Jane Biondi, Precinct 7) Ms. Biondi has a question about recreational fees. Will an adult soccer team need to pay $300?

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says that's correct.

(Jane Biondi) Ms. Biondi asks about the fees for picnics. She asks if that's new, or one that people have been paying all along.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says that's an existing fee, but it wasn't captured in the bylaw.

(Jane Biondi) Ms. Biondi asks if she'll need to pay the fee in order to picnic in the park.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says the fee allows one to reserve a portion of the park for their exclusive use. There's no fee for picnicking without a reservation.

(Gary Goldsmith, Precinct 11) Mr. Goldsmith asks how many sippio tables the town has.

(Jim Feeney) To the best of Mr. Feeney's knowledge, there are none.

(Ezra Fischer, Precinct 4) Mr. Fischer ask about the fee for domestic partnership licenses.

(Juli Brazile, Town Clerk) Ms. Brazile says it's the same fee as for a marriage certificate.

(Al Tosti, Precinct 17) Mr. Tosti moves the question.

Motion to end debate fails by a voice vote.

(Carmine Granucci, Precinct 21) Mr. Granucci moves the question.

(Greg Christiana, Moderator) Since a motion to end debate just failed, Mr. Christiana will not entertain another one.

(Faton Limani, Precinct 15) Mr. Limani asks what rDNA fees are.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says that fee pertains to biotech facilities that work with recumbent DNA. We had one of these facilities on Mystic St.

(Charles Foskett, Precinct 10) Mr. Foskett asks about per-participant fees for sports.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says the fee is per participant, per season.

(Charles Foskett) Mr. Foskett doesn't think it makes sense to have different fees for public and private schools.

(Vince Baudoin, Precinct 1, Point of Order) Mr. Baudoin notes that one of the microphones is cutting out.

(Eileen Cahill, Precinct 13) Ms. Cahill asks if the restaurant fees are new.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says they're long-standing fees.

(Eileen Cahill) Ms. Cahill thinks the fees for sports seem high.

(Elizabeth Dray, Precinct 10) Ms. Dray asks if the adult sports group fees are per game or per season.

(Christine Bongiorno, Deputy Town Manager) Ms. Bongiorno says they're per season.

(Elizabeth Dray) Ms. Dray asks who collects the fees for out-of-town groups.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says the recreation department collects the fees.

(Elizabeth Dray) Ms. Dray asks how cost-per-participant fees work.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says the clubs charge their members, and pass the money through to the recreation department. These fees pay for portable restrooms, field maintenance, and the administrative cost of permitting.

(Andy Greenspon, Precinct 5) Mr. Greenspon moves the question.

(Adam Auster, Precinct 16, Point of order) Mr. Auster noticed a difference between the printed warrant and what was displayed on the screen.

(Greg Christiana) Mr. Christiana agrees, there is a difference.

(Adam Auster) Mr. Auster motions that Article 16 be laid upon the table, until the differences are sorted out.

Motion to table passes.

Article 17 - Acceptance of M.G.L. Chapter 40, Sec. 22F Regarding Fees

(John Hurd, Select Board Chair) Mr. Hurd says this article asks town meeting to accept local option legislation, which would allow town boards to establish fees.

(Daniel Jalkut, Precinct 6, Point of order) Mr. Jalkut asks what happened to Mr. Greenspon's motion to terminate debate.

(Greg Christiana, Town Moderator) Mr. Christiana says he will nullify that motion until the difference are resolved.

(Jim Feeney, Town Manager) Mr. Feeney says this article would allow town boards to establish fees, subject to the approval of their appointing authorities.

(Gordon Jamieson, Precinct 12) Mr. Jamieson asks if these fees would be enumerated somewhere, in an article 16-like process.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says that Article 16's changes would remain in effect, until the fees were subsequently modified. But it would not be necessary to amend the bylaw in that case. He says we'd have to find a way to post fee information on the town website.

(Michael Cunningham, Town Counsel) Mr. Cunningham says the state law was enacted in 1991, so towns could adjust the fees they charged. Fees do need to be reasonably tied to the cost of providing the service associated with the fee.

(Elaine Crowder, Precinct 19) Ms. Crowder says she doesn't see any baseline language in Article 16. She asks if there could be some kind of amendment to Article 16 to explain where board-set fees were given.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says we can amend the fee bylaw next year to add such language, if Article 17 is adopted.

(Charlie Foskett, Precinct 10) Mr. Foskett is confused by Mr. Cunningham's statement about pricing fees to reasonable costs. Article 16 proposed to charge different fees for field use, depending on who the user is. He doesn't understand why and asks if they can be made consistent.

(Michael Cunningham) Mr. Cunningham reads a portion of MGL Chapter 40 Section 22F. What's "reasonable" is subjective, and open to interpretation by the courts.

Article passes, 180--17--4.

Article 19 - Addition of Certain Delinquent Municipal Fees/Fines to be a Lien On Real Estate Tax Account

(John Hurd, Select Board Chair) Mr. Hurd says that Article 19 is intended to streamline the process for receiving delinquent fees.

(Jim Feeney, Town Manager) Mr. Feeney says this article expands access to a tool that's already on the books. Citations are issued by town departments, but are not paid to them. Unpaid fines are not appropriate for criminal enforcement. This article would allow for non-criminal disposition via liens. Non-criminal enforcement is more expedient and costs less.

(Guillermo Hamlin, Precinct 14) Mr. Hamlin asks when does a violation crosses the line and become a lien.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says it would be up to the department to request an enforcement action.

(Christian Klein, Precinct 10) Mr. Klein asks if this would be applied retroactively, to fines already owed.

(Michael Cunningham, Town Counsel) Mr. Cunningham says it would only apply to new fines.

(Kirsi Allison-Ampe, Precinct 13) Ms. Allison-Ampe asks what would happen to renters.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says these fees are generally applicable to property owners.

(Cale Pennington, Precinct 1) Mr. Pennington asks if this section of the bylaw would need to be amended if we needed to add a new type of fee.

(Michael Cunningham) Mr. Cunningham says we would have to come back to town meeting. Town meeting has to approve all bylaw changes.

(Sanjay Newton, Precinct 10) Mr. Newton notes that almost all of these things are under the control of a property owner, not renters.

(Barry Jaspan, Precinct 18) Mr. Jaspan asks about the maximum cost of a fine, and opportunities for appeal.

(Michael Cunningham) Mr. Cunningham says it's hard to calculate max costs. If a lien was improperly placed, then a person could appeal that through the legal system.

(Elaine Cahill, Precinct 13) Ms. Cahill asks who enforces these fines.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says that all of these fines already exist in town bylaws, and the enforcing bodies are specified.

(Christine Deshler, Finance Committee Chair) Ms. Deshler motions reconsideration on all finance articles that were passed as part of the consent agenda.

There's a motion to adjourn, which passes 145--41--11.