View source for Sustainable Arlington - Mar 25th, 2026

Meeting held via remote participation.  Materials were available from 
https://arlingtonma.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=1994&compileOutputType=1.

Tonight's meeting consisted of a series of short warrant article
presentations.  These articles focus on sustainability, resilience,
and environmental issues.

=Article 22 - Protection of Parks=

(Elaine Crowder) Ms. Crowder says her article proposes a change to the
bylaw that protects town parks.  Some people are damaging our parks,
by building tree-houses, attaching slides to trees, painting
graffiti, or digging large holes.  The current fine in the bylaw is
$20.  This article would update the list of things that are protected
along with adding four tiers of fines: $20, $50, $100, and $300.
The Select Board recommended favorable action, by a vote of 4--1.

=Articles 10 and 11 - Wetlands Protection and Enforcement=

(Jackie Yee) Ms. Yee is the town's conservation agent.  Article 10
proposes changes to Arlington's wetlands protection bylaw, which
hasn't been updated in many years.  This article would replace the
bylaw with a new version which adds more specific language around
wildlife protection, permit extensions, and enforcement.  Violations
could be fined at up to $300/day.  There are also new waiver
procedures.

Article 11 updates the schedule of fines for non-criminal enforcement.
It also adds the Conservation Agent and Conservation Administrator as
enforcing officers.

=Article 14 - Tree Committee Rules and Regulations=

(Steve Moore) Mr. Moore says the Tree Committee was first established
in 2003 with five members, and then re-established in 2010 with ten
members.  This article would add committee details in the town bylaws.
It was proposed with the advice and consultation of town counsel.

=Article 23 - Tree Protection=

(Robin Bergman) Ms. Bergman says that Arlington has been losing tree
canopy, and has lost 7% in the last five years.  The tree protection
bylaw protects trees of six inches in diameter breast height (DBH)
that are in setback areas.  Her amendment would add protection to
trees of ten inches DBH anywhere on private property.  Fees paid for
removing a protected tree would go into the town's tree planting fund.

Ms. Bergman says the Select Board voted to recommend no action, and
she will be filing a substitute motion.

=Articles 32, 96 - First Generation Anti-coagulant Rodenticides=

(Laura Kiesel) Ms. Kiesel says that Article 32 asks the town to file a
home rule petition to ban first generation anti-coagulant rodenticides
(FGARs).  The goal is to prevent second-hand poisoning of predators
and other wildlife.

Article 96 is a non-binding resolution asking that use of these
pesticides be prohibited on public lands.

=Article 44 and 47 - Floodplains=

(Steve Revilak) Mr. Revilak starts with background information on
flood plains and the national flood insurance program.  Flood plains
are designated by FEMA, and indicate areas where there is a 1% chance
of flooding in any given year.  In addition to drawing these areas on
a map, FEMA also determines the base elevation of flood events.
Anyone with a mortgage on a property in a flood plan is required to
obtain flood insurance, and this is administered through the national
flood insurance program.

Article 47 changes the definition of building height in flood plains.
Normally building height limits are measured from the curb.  Article
47 would measure heights from the curb or the base flood elevation,
whichever is higher.  This would allow buildings to be elevated,
without running up against height limits.

Article 44 is an update to the Zoning Bylaw's floodplain overlay
district.  It's essentially model language that federal agencies want
to see in the bylaws of communities that participate in the national
flood insurance program.  These changes will be required for
Arlington's future participation.

=Article 92 - Transitioning to Clean Heat=

(Ann Boland) Ms. Boland says this is a resolution to encourage a
transition to clean heat in Massachusetts.  The state's Department of
Public Utilities requires gas companies to look at alternatives before
replacing gas pipelines.  This resolution proposes a coordinated
street-by-street conversion, and a gradual removal of gas lines.

=Article 8 - Regulation of Outdoor Lighting=

(David Morgan) Mr. Morgan says the Select Board has recommended no
action on this article, due to concerns over the costs involved.  In
crafting the article, he tried to incorporate elements of the
International Dark Skies Model Legislation.  It would set standards on
the number of lumens per foot for outdoor lighting.  The goals is to
reduce the amount of light pollution.

Meeting adjourned.

[[Category:Public Meetings]]