Select Board - Feb 12th, 2026

Hybrid meeting. Materials were available from https://arlingtonma.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=776.

These notes cover agenda items related to the upcoming override.

FY27 Override Ballot Language

(Jim Feeney, Town Manager) Mr. Feeney acknowledges the efforts of the Long-Range Planning Committee. The state's Group Insurance Commission (GIC) met earlier today. They were scheduled to vote on a series of plan design changes, but they deferred votes on most items. The GIC voted on two changes but wanted to spend more time looking at the more consequential ones.

The long range financial plan has been updated to reflect the amount of state aid in the budget. Arlington will get a 2.9% increase in state aid. Other changes include an increase in motor vehicle receipts, and increases in fees and fines. Town meeting will hear several articles for increasing non-property tax revenue. Mr. Feeney recommends that a $14.8M override question be placed on the ballot. He believes the new financial plan, which becomes effective for FY2027 will be adequate.

Mr. Feeney notes that the long range plan has the override stabilization fund dropping to $9,300 in FY2029, and there's been an effort to make the override amount very precise. The override will amount to a $1,030/year increase on the average $1.2M single-family home.

(Steve DeCourcey, Select Board) Mr. DeCourcey makes a motion on the ballot question, in the amount of $14.8M. If successful, it will kick in during FY2027. Mr. DeCourcey notes that we are expecting an 11% increase in the cost of an insurance and a 6% increase in solid waste collection.

(Eric Helmuth, Select Board) Mr. Helmuth says the Select Board doesn't take overrides lightly, but he feels the need to be honest about the funding for current services being unsustainable. He hopes people will reflect on the quality of services in town.

(John Hurd, Select Board) Mr. Hurd appreciates the effort to whittle down projections and to minimize the impact of the override. He thinks Arlington still delivers good bang for the buck relative to other towns. One good thing about proposition 2.5 is that every few years we have to go back to the voters and justify our expenses.

(Jane Morgan, Select Board) Ms. Morgan was happy to see people work over the course of months to bring the amount down to a reasonable level. There will be deep cuts if the override isn't successful. She's proud of the process that's brought us to where we are tonight.

(Diane Mahon, Select Board) Ms. Mahon says we're doing 10% cuts across the board to committees and commissions. If the override is successful the town finance department will continue their work at looking for efficiencies. The town provides opportunities for senior and veteran tax relief. She talks about the cost of services, pedestrian improvements, and park maintenance. She acknowledges that costs have gone up for residents too.

The board votes to place the override question on the ballot, 5--0.

FY27 Override Commitments

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney has drawn up a draft set of commitments to accompany the override vote.

The first commitment involves continuing to exercise fiscal discipline. There will be no override before FY 2030. There will be a 4% year-over-year increase in funding for schools and a 3.25% annual increase for town government.

The next commitment involves minimizing the impact on taxpayers, by offering education on the various tax relief programs available.

Other commitments include increasing non-tax revenue, aggressively pursuing grants, and maintaining prudent fiscal planning with a 5% reserve.

(Steve DeCourcey) Mr. DeCourcey moves adoption. He says the override commitments are as important as the ask. He notes that it's a three-year commitment. The town will continue to look for efficiencies. It's also important to maintain our bond rating, to avoid increased interest costs. He's comfortable with the commitments.

(Jane Morgan) Ms. Morgan supports the commitments. She says it will be challenging to live within 3.25--4.0% increases. This will require a reduction in full-time employees and the number of positions in the schools.

(Diane Mahon) Ms. Mahon notes that the Retirement Board looked at these numbers, and there was a small reduction in retirement funding.

Motion to support the commitments passes, 5--0.