🗳️ Government

Annual Town Election — Polls Open Today

Voters head to the polls today from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for Arlington's Annual Town Election. Unofficial results are expected on the town website by approximately 10:00 p.m. tonight. YourArlington

Question 1: $14.8M Operating Override

The marquee ballot item is a Proposition 2½ operating override that would allow the town to assess an additional $14.8 million in property taxes to fund town and school operating budgets beginning July 1, 2026. For the average single-family home assessed at $1.2 million, the increase works out to roughly $1,030 per year (~$85/month). The Select Board voted unanimously in February to place the question on the ballot. If it fails, the town faces roughly $2.7 million in immediate FY27 cuts, with cuts potentially reaching $17.8 million in FY28 as stabilization funds run out. Patch | YourArlington

Override Is Permanent; No New Request Before FY2030

Unlike a debt exclusion, this override would be a permanent addition to the town's tax base. The Select Board has pledged not to seek another operating override before Fiscal Year 2030 if it passes. YesForArlington

Contested Races on the Ballot

School Committee (1-year term): Dmitry Vasilyev, Shaun Berry, and Crystal Haynes Copithorne are competing for one open seat. Three incumbents (Paul Schlichtman, Laura Gitelson, Elizabeth Exton) run unopposed for 3-year terms.
Housing Authority: Incumbent Nicholas Mitropoulos faces challenger Jacob Deck for a five-year term.
Select Board: Diane Mahon and Joseph Solomon run unopposed for the two available seats.
Town Meeting Members: Voters are also electing Town Meeting representatives across all 21 precincts.

Patch

Question 2: New Liquor Licenses

Voters will also decide whether to authorize two new off-premises alcohol licenses (liquor stores) in town. Patch

New Agendas & Minutes Portal Launched

The Town has rolled out a new online portal for agendas and meeting minutes, designed to improve ADA compliance and public access to town documents. Arlington MA Gov

Comprehensive Plan Open for Comment Through April 12

The "Arlington AmpUp!" draft — the town's vision plan through 2036 — is available for public review and feedback through April 12. Arlington MA Gov

New Recycling Fees Now Apply

Under the town's updated waste management structure, fees now apply for extra carts, overflow bags, and specialty items. Standard curbside recycling pickup continues to be provided. Arlington MA Gov

📣 Events

"No Kings" Rally — 10:00–11:30 a.m.

A coalition including Indivisible and the 50501 movement is hosting a "No Kings III" rally at First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 630 Massachusetts Ave, as part of a nationwide day of action. The event runs from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Larger simultaneous rallies are scheduled on Boston Common (1–4 p.m.) and in Washington, D.C. Patch

Sculptor Meredith Bergmann at Robbins Library — 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Award-winning sculptor Meredith Bergmann speaks at the Robbins Library Community Room (700 Mass Ave) as part of Women's History Month. Bergmann created the Boston Women's Memorial and the Women's Rights Pioneers Monument in Central Park, among others. The free event is presented by the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum and the Friends of the Robbins Library — no reservations required. Robbins Library

3rd Annual Health & Wellness Expo — 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

The Arlington Health & Wellness Expo takes place today with local fitness professionals, wellness practitioners, and family-friendly activities. YourArlington

🚧 Infrastructure

Eversource Night Work Near Mystic Street Bridge

Eversource continues overnight electrical upgrades near the Mystic Street Bridge, with work running from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. The work is expected to continue through next week. YourArlington

Today

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Friday, March 27