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.