Town Meeting - May 21st, 2025

Night eight of Arlington's annual town meeting. Materials were available from https://arlington.novusagenda.com/Agendapublic/MeetingView.aspx?MeetingID=2254&MinutesMeetingID=-1&doctype=Agenda.

Voting records are available from https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/74429/638835226618733722.

Announcements

(Nora Mann, Precinct 20) Ms. Mann has an announcement regarding the Symmes Memorial Fund. There is money available. The fund was created after the hospital closed. $500k left over when the hospital closed secured the fund. The fund provides donations to health and public health organizations.

(Jane Biondi, Precinct 7) Ms. Biondi says the George and Elizabeth Sanborn Foundation was founded in 1998. It provides money for Arlington residents undergoing cancer care and treatment. There is no means testing. The Foundation has given out over $5.8M including $3.8M directly to residents. People with cancer are living longer, and this leads to higher financial costs. George Sanborn lived in Arlington during the 1930s and provided the initial funding for the foundation.

(Elizabeth Dray, Precinct 10) Ms. Dray says it's naive to think that ICE activity won't happen in Arlington, and we must be prepared to act. The LUCE defense hotline's phone number 617-370-5023. LUCE responded to Rumesa's abduction in Somerville. Ms. Dray is trying to form a LUCE hub in Arlington. See https://www.lucemass.org/ to volunteer.

(David Bean, Precinct 8) Mr. Bean says the fourth annual party for the Friends of the Town Hall Garden is happening soon. There's information in the lobby.

(Elaine Crowder, Precinct 19) Ms. Crowder makes an announcement about the Mayor's Monarch Pledge. Arlington is a Monarch Pledge Town. Monarch butterflies are endangered, and we've pledge to take action. There's a proclamation to raise awareness, and action to boost monarch habitat and remove invasives.

Article 40 - Two Family Construction Allowed By Right in R0 and R1 Residential Zones

Deliberations on article 40 continue.

(Carmine Granucci, Precinct 21) Mr. Granucci asks what's in the study committee's charge that we haven't previously studied, or reported at an earlier time.

(Claire Ricker, Planning Director) Ms. Ricker imagines the study committee would start by updating documents. There hasn't been significant change in the town, so they'd probably look to existing plans. She's not sure what new evidence would be found.

(Carmine Granucci) Mr. Granucci asks for an approximation of staff hours involved.

(Claire Ricker) Ms. Ricker says the process for MBTA Communities lasted 18 months, with hundreds, if not thousands of hours of staff time.

(Carmine Granucci) Mr. Granucci asks if Ms. Ricker has the resources for that workload.

(Claire Ricker) Ms. Ricker says her department already has a plan for FY2026. They'd need additional resources to work with a study committee. She'd have to reprioritize things like the Master Planning effort and updates to the business districts.

(Carmine Granucci) Mr. Granucci says the main effect of the study committee would be to delay things for a year. If we want to address this issue, we should move forward rather than study.

(Guillermo Hamlin, Precinct 14) Mr. Hamlin has a question about Ms. Friedman's motion to amend. Ms. Friedman asked town meeting to vote against article 40, even if her amendment is adopted. He asks if it would be appropriate to remove the amendment. Given Ms. Friedman's request, it's hard to take her amendment seriously.

(Greg Christiana, Town Moderator) Mr. Christiana says that Ms. Friedman could have had any of a range of intentions. He's not clear what her intention was.

There's back and forth about this.

(Guillermo Hamlin) Mr. Hamlin says he won't support Ms. Friedman's amendment. He says the time to do this is now.

(?) There's a question about whether the motion to commit could be reconsidered.

(Greg Christiana) Mr. Christiana say there will be no opportunity to revisit the motion to commit if the main motion is voted down.

(Ezra Fischer, Precinct 4) Mr. Fischer asks if article 40 makes any changes to rules regarding historic protection.

(Michael Cunningham, Town Counsel) Mr. Cunningham says there are no changes, and the Historical Districts Commission would continue to enforce preservation laws.

(Ezra Fischer) Mr. Fischer asks if the owner of a non-historic property could tear their building down.

(Mike Ciampa, Inspectional Services Director) Mr. Ciampa says you can tear the building down. Whether you can rebuild depends on whether you have a buildable lot.

(Ezra Fischer) Mr. Fischer asks what limits the size of new houses. He's aware of setbacks, height, and lot coverage.

(Mike Ciampa) Mr. Ciampa says that open space is another limiting factor.

(Ezra Fischer) Mr. Fischer asks if the article is changing any of these things, like setbacks.

(Mike Ciampa) Mr. Ciampa says no. You wouldn't be able to build any larger.

(Ezra Fischer) Mr. Fischer asks if someone could still build a single-family home.

(Mike Ciampa) Mr. Ciampa says someone would be allowed to build either a one-family or two-family home.

(Ezra Fischer) Mr. Fischer says it sounds like the number of dwellings is the only thing that's changing. Mr. Fischer asks why the ARB voted 5--0 against the study committee.

(Rachel Zsembery, ARB Chair) Ms. Zsembery says the ARB discussed the motions last Monday, and were concerned about the amount of resources a study committee would require.

(Ezra Fischer) Mr. Fischer asks if someone could provide a description of the current housing crisis.

(Greg Christiana, Town Moderator) Mr. Christiana says that different people would give different descriptions.

(Ezra Fischer) Mr. Fischer asks if waste collection would be an issue, should article 40 pass.

(Jim Feeney, Town Manager) Mr. Feeney says there would be some incremental expense for new toters. He's not worried about the town's ability to provide service.

(Peter Gast, Precinct 2) Mr. Gast moves the question.

Motion to end debate fails, 141--75--3 (two-thirds required).

(Sam Polk, Precinct 12) Mr. Polk has a question about tax revenue. He asks if new growth is exempted from proposition 2.5.

(Alex McGee, Assistant Town Manager) Mr. McGee says that new growth is generated by new construction, and it is exempt from proposition 2.5.

(Sam Polk) Mr. Polk asks if Arlington has had a larger population in the past.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says that Arlington had an addition ten thousand people in the 1970s.

(Sam Polk) Mr. Polk doesn't think this will have a major effect on services.

(James DiTullio, Precinct 12) Mr. DiTullio says he thinks he'll vote against the motion to commit. He chaired the artificial turf committee that town meeting formed. The committee was given one year, and barely got its report done in time. All of the motions to commit require a report before the warrant opens. That's not realistic. He's not ready to support article 40, but the timeline of the motion to commit is not realistic. It will take a lot of time and effort. Mr. DiTullio says this article will come up again, so let's have answers next time.

(Paul Selker, Precinct 9) Mr. Selker moves the question.

Motion to end debate succeeds, 157--61--5.

(Jennifer Cutraro, Precinct 11, Point of order) Ms. Cutraro asks if we've heard from any women tonight.

(Greg Christiana) Mr. Christiana answers no.

(Jennifer Cutraro) Ms. Cutraro says that women are passed over and she wishes they were heard from.

(Carl Wagner, Precinct 15, Point of order) Mr. Wagner asks if we heard from anyone against the article.

(Peter Fiore, Precinct 2, Point of order) Mr. Fiore challenges whether the motion to terminate debate was legitimate.

There's back and forth between Mr. Fiore and the moderator about this. The moderator believes the motion was legitimate, and any challenge should have been made before the vote on the motion was taken.

Krajewski amendment to the Cullinane amendment to the motion to commit passes, 142--79--2.

Cullinane amendment to the motion to commit fails, 93--127--4.

Goldsmith motion to commit fails, 78--143--2.

Friedman amendment to the main motion fails, 91--130--2.

Vote on article 40 fails, 128/--96--2 (two-thirds required).

It's midway through the meeting and we break for ten minutes. There are snacks available in the hallway.

Article 43 - Public Shade Trees

(Rachel Zsembery, ARB Chair) Ms. Zsembery says that article 43 creates additional requirements for public shade trees. The redevelopment board was split in its support, 4--1.

(Susan Stamps, Article Petitioner) Ms. Stamps says Article 43 would amend section 6.3 of the zoning bylaw. It would add guidance to help ensure we're planting the right trees in the right places. There are changes to the purpose statement. The standard would be to have the tree warden approve each choice of tree for each project. The next change requires trees to have a 2" caliper, and removes the option for them to be 10' high. New shade trees must be watered and maintained by the owner. The article changes the standard for care to the UDSA Forest Service Owner's Manual. If a tree declines or dies within three years, the owner must replace it.

(Grant Cook, Precinct 16) Mr. Cook has questions about the case of a tree dying within three years. What if the tree dies because someone drives into it with their car? Or because of a gas leak?

(Michael Cunningham, Town Counsel) Mr. Cunningham says the tree warden would make the initial assessment.

(Susan Stamps) Ms. Stamps says the tree warden would consult on replacement. The warden also has equipment to detect gas leaks.

(Beth Melofchik, Precinct 9) Ms. Melofchik supports the article. She says we should be doing everything we can to strengthen our tree bylaw. She asks town meeting to request street trees, and says that St. Agnes's property has space for them.

(Xavid Pretzer, Precinct 17) Mx. Pretzer says it seems like this article will create a lot of work for the tree warden.

(Jim Feeney, Town Manager) Mr. Feeney doesn't think this will significantly increase the tree warden's workload.

(Xavid Pretzer) Mx. Pretzer thinks this is a good way to add trees.

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

Motion to end debate passes by voice vote.

Article passes, 195--7--2.

Article 44 - Affordable Housing Overlay District

(Note: Article 44 has a recommended vote of no action, and no substitute motion has been provided.)

(John Worden, Petitioner) Mr. Worden held article 44 from the consent agenda due to concerns about free speech. He says the language of his article was eviscerated and lost.

(Greg Christiana, Town Moderator) Mr. Christiana says the current scope of debate is the recommended vote of no action, and he'll treat Mr. Worden's remarks as a point of order.

(John Worden) Mr. Worden says he asked the Select Board to take action, and not to change what was put in the warrant.

(Greg Christiana) Mr. Christiana says he was recently made aware that what was printed in the warrant was different than the language Mr. Worden submitted.

(Michael Cunningham, Town Counsel) Mr. Cunningham says he appreciates Mr. Worden's concerns, and will look at how to address this issue going forward.

(Aram Hollman, Precinct 6, Point of Order) Mr. Hollman asks if it would be possible to display Mr. Worden's original article text.

(Greg Christiana) Mr. Christiana says this would not be the proper forum.

Recommended vote of no action passes by voice vote.

Article 45 - PEG Access Budget

(Christine Deshler, Finance Committee Chair) Ms. Deshler says that Arlington passes all of its cable access fees to ACMi, and town meeting is required to approve this passing of money. Cable revenue has been decreasing due to cord-cutting, which has the effect of decreasing ACMi's funding. This article approves the passing on of cable fees.

(Guillermo Hamlin, Precinct 14) Mr. Hamlin says it's a privilege to give the full 5% to ACMi, rather than having the town take a portion. He hopes we can approve additional funding for ACMi.

(Robin Bergman, Precinct 12) Ms. Bergman says that ACMi is a great organization, which serves the town in many ways.

(Barry Jaspan, Precinct 18) Mr. Jaspan asks if anyone can provide information about ACMi's viewership.

No one present has that information.

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

Motion to end debate passes by voice vote.

Article passes, 201--3--2.

Article 46 - Endorsement of Parking Benefit District Expenditures

(Christine Deshler, Finance Committee Chair) Ms. Deshler says that Arlington created a parking benefits district in 2017. The Select Board's report provides a breakdown of income and expenses. The Finance Committee recommends favorable action on Article 46.

(Jim Feeney, Town Manager) Mr. Feeney says the article proposes to spend accumulated funds in FY2026. The plan is to replace several multi-space parking meters and explore improvements to the Russell Common lot, such as plantings and trees. We're also planning to remove pavers in median islands.

(Gordon Jamieson, Precinct 12) Mr. Jamieson asks what the fund's balance is.

(Christine Deshler) Ms. Deshler says the balance will be $432,423 after expenses.

(Gordon Jamieson) Mr. Jamieson asks if we've considered installing solar panels in some of the municipal parking lots.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says the idea has been discussed, but not fully vetted.

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

Motion to end debate passes by a voice vote.

(Gary Goldsmith, Precinct 11, Point of order) Mr. Goldsmith says that your vote won't be entered if you press the keypad before voting opens.

Article passes, 191--5--2.

Article 47 - Positions Reclassification

(Christine Deshler, Finance Committee Chair) Ms. Deshler says this is the Town's annual positions reclassification article. Reclassification is the way employees have their salary or job title altered if the nature of their work has changed. The reclassification process starts with the employee and their department head. Then, it goes to the HR department for a decision. Reclassifications are also approved by the deputy town manager for finance. This article seeks approval for the reclassifications, along with an appropriation to cover salary changes.

(Steve Moore, Precinct 18) Mr. Moore says he's watched this article go by for several years, and he has some questions. With the town having 370 positions covered by reclassification, how many of the titles typically go to people at the top of their pay band?

(Caryn Molloy, Director of Human Resources) Ms. Molloy says that happens about half the time.

(Steve Moore) Mr. Moore asks about the reclassification for the director of recreation.

(Caryn Molloy) Ms. Molloy says that position was previously held by a long-time employee that left. Their duties had expanded to cover recreation service work. While the position was vacant, it was determined that a higher classification was necessary.

Article passes: 200--2--1.

Article 52 - Transportation Infrastructure Fund

(Christine Deshler, Finance Committee Chair) Ms. Deshler says this article accepts money from the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure fund. The Commonwealth collects money from transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, and redistributes it to cities and towns. This money will be used to fund blue bikes.

(Mark Kaepplein, Precinct 9) Mr. Kaepplein says that, over the years, we've heard that the blue bike program would pay for itself. But it's not popular enough to be self-sustaining, and we have to fund it with taxpayer money. He asks if anyone can provide ridership data.

(Jim Feeney) Mr. Feeney says this money is being provided by the state, and not the town's general fund.

(John Alessi, Transportation Planner) Mr. Alessi says that ridership has been increasing over the years, and there were 32,000 blue bikes trips taken in 2024. Ridership has been steadily increasing. As for usage, approximately 1/3 of the trips start in Arlington and end at an MBTA station, so the bikes are being used for last mile transportation.

(Mark Kaepplein) Mr. Kaepplein asks how many trips we'd need to break even.

(John Alessi) Mr. Alessi isn't sure. However, we have brought in $400k to support the system.

(Mark Kaepplein) Mr. Kaepplein asks how many bus rides people have taken this year.

(John Alessi) Mr. Alessi doesn't know that number offhand.

(Mark Kaepplein) Mr. Kaepplein asks if we're planning to add stations.

(John Alessi) Mr. Alessi says we have funds to add three more stations.

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

Motion to end debate passes by voice vote.

Article passes, 185--15--4.

Article 57 - Town Celebrations and Events

(Christine Deshler, Finance Committee Chair) Ms. Deshler says that each year, we appropriate a set of funds for town celebrations.

No one wishes to speak on the article.

Article passes, 195--2--4.

Article 59 - Water Bodies Fund

(Christine Deshler, Finance Committee Chair) Ms. Deshler says the water bodies fund was established in 2008. At the Finance Committee's urging it was expanded to cover all water bodies in town. The money is used to test and treat water bodies.

Article passes, 197--1--1.

Article 60 - Community Preservation Fund

(Christine Deshler, Finance Committee Chair) Ms. Deshler says the finance committee recommends favorable action on Article 60.

(Sue Doctorow, Community Preservation Act Committee) Ms. Doctorow says the Community Preservation Act supports community housing, open space and recreation, and historic preservation. We must spend 10% on each of these categories each year, and are allowed 5% to cover administrative costs. The rest of the funding is flexible. This year, we're recommending $2.7M in funding for eleven different projects, which span all of the CPA categories.

In the community housing category, the committee recommends $275,000 to upgrade the fire alarm system in Winslow Towers, and $542,125.50 for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

(Dave Swanson, Community Preservation Act Committee) Mr. Swanson says the committee also recommends $50k for a tree survey on public lands, $75k to launch an urban wilds initiative to create walkable access to open space, $250k for a community garden at McClennan Park, $545k to restore the skate park at McClennan Park, $75,772 to digitize artifacts owned by the Cyrus Dallin Museum, $25k for a veterans oral history project, and $4.5k for chimney cap and gutter replacement at the Jason Russel House.

The committee also recommends $500k for Phase I of the Parmenter Building envelope repair, and $300k for envelope repairs of Town Hall.

(Gordon Jamieson, Precinct 14) Mr. Jamieson asks about the total anticipated costs of the Parmenter Building.

(Sue Doctorow) Ms. Doctorow says the costs are expected to be $500k for each of four phases.

(David Swanson) Mr. Swanson says the continued use of CPA funds for that project would depend on the town as an applicant.

(Gordon Jamieson) Mr. Jamieson asks what happened to the mountain bike project at Hill's Hill.

(Sue Doctorow) Ms. Doctorow says it's under construction.

(Gordon Jamieson) Mr. Jamieson asks if the CPA committee is considering bonding to cover repairs at town hall.

(David Swanson) Mr. Swanson says that would depend on the town as an applicant. Repairs to town hall are expected to cost in excess of $10M.

(Beth Melofchik) Ms. Melofchik asks how the affordable housing trust fund will spend their $545k award.

(Sue Doctorow) Ms. Doctorow refers Ms. Melofchik to the trust funds report to town meeting. The fund previously provided pre-development funds to the Housing Corporation of Arlington's project at 10 Sunnyside Ave.

(David Swanson) Mr. Swanson says the Affordable Housing Trust Fund's charter gives them flexibility in how the money is spent.

(Eric Helmuth, Affordable Housing Trust Fund) Mr. Helmuth has to use CPA money in a way that's consistent with the Community Preservation Act -- that means the creation and preservation of affordable housing. The trust fund's administrative costs are covered by other sources.

(Beth Melofchik) Ms. Melofchik has a question about the community garden at McClennan park. She asks if the raised beds will be in an area that was formerly a dump. She asks if we'll have to file some sort of application with the state.

(Mike Cunningham, Town Counsel) Mr. Cunningham says typically yes we would have to file an application, but he's not sure about this particular instance.

(Beth Melofchik) Ms. Melofchik is concerned about people raising food there, and then eating it.

(Pi Fisher, Precinct 6) Mr. Fisher moves the question.

Motion to end debate passes by voice vote.

Article passes, 187--9--1.

Article 64 - Arlington Community Media Appropriation

(Christine Deshler, Finance Committee Chair) Ms. Deshler says that ACMi requested a $200,000 appropriation, and this request was vetted by the finance committee over two nights. The finance committee recommends a $100,000 appropriation. Some committee members supported an appropriation in the requested amount while others preferred an appropriation of $0. The $100,000 recommendation represents a compromise. Ms. Deshler says that $100k or $200k may not alter ACMi's financial trajectory. If the meeting approves more than $100k in funding, the Finance Committee will have to figure out where that money will come from, which will require re-opening the operating budget article.

(Michael Ruderman, ACMi Board) As a member of ACMi's board, Mr. Ruderman submitted an amendment to increase the appropriation from $100k to $200k. He asks that ACMi executives John Leone and Norm McCloud be given permission to address the meeting.

(John Leone, ACMi President) Mr. Leone has been running ACMi since 2006, and the organization is seeking taxpayer money for funding. This year, ACMi has lost $250k due to cable cutting, so the board is looking for community funding.

(Norm McCloud, ACMi) Mr. McCloud plays a short video clip to highlight the work that ACMi does. He knows it's important to keep up with changes in the media landscape, like streaming and video on demand. ACMi has 17,000 news views per year. They cover board and committee meetings as well as special events. ACMi had 13 mobile cameras filming on Patriot's day. The town provides ACMi recordings to the stenographer that creates a record of town meeting, which saves the town money. He thinks the training and workshops they provide are worth the $200k.

There's a motion to adjourn. The result of the voice vote is not conclusive, so we take an electronic one. Motion to adjourn passes, 118--58.

(Michael Quinn, Precinct 10) Mr. Quinn moves reconsideration on Article 40. He says he voted on the prevailing side.

Meeting adjourned.