ADMINISTRATION
The mission of the Department of Human Services is both to provide a safety net for Arlington citizens who experience difficulty in their lives and to promote the health and well being of Arlington citizens.
The Department of Human Services is comprised of the following divisions: Board of Health including the Sealer of Weights and Measures; Council on Aging including Consumer Affairs and Transportation Program; Housing and Weatherization Program including Fair Housing Office and Affordable Housing Office; Recreation Division including Arlington Memorial Sports Center and Reservoir Beach; Veterans’ Services including Arlington Food Pantry and Arlington Assistance Program; Youth Services including Arlington Youth Consultation Center and Arlington Alcohol and Drug Education Program.
The Department of Human Services is comprised of the following boards and commissions: Board of Health, Board of Youth Services, Council on Aging, Disability Commission, Fair Housing Committee, Human Rights Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission.
The Department of Human Services receives its funding from the following sources: Town of Arlington, Arlington Public Schools, Department of Education (MA), Department of Elder Affairs (MA), Department of Public Health (MA), Department of Veterans’ Affairs (MA), Division of Medical Assistance (MA), Metropolitan District Commission (MA), Department of Housing and Urban Development (US), Lahey Hospital, Sanborn Trust, Project Bread, Private Insurance Carriers, Private Citizen Donations, and Client Fees.
In 2002 the Department of Human Services maintained a very active role in networking with all of the various agencies, committees, and players in Arlington to provide a safety net for Arlington citizens. The goal of networking is to make assistance and services as available and accessible as possible to Arlington residents, thus reducing barriers to help. Some examples of networking included: collaboration with the Arlington Housing Corporation to provide emergency monies to Arlington residents who were in danger of becoming homeless; coordination with the state fuel assistance program to facilitate access to fuel money for Arlington residents; and a close working relationship with the Arlington Food Pantry to ensure that citizens in need have adequate food supplies in their homes.
The Department of Human Services is comprised of a corps of incredibly dedicated and committed employees and volunteers who make life better for Arlington residents: its children, youth, adults, and elders.
WHITTEMORE-ROBBINS HOUSE
The Whittemore-Robbins House continues to establish itself as a “hidden gem” in the greater Boston network of function facilities. It’s been called a “baby Lyman Estate” by many and continues to be the site for many happy occasions: wedding receptions, birthday parties (for all the “decade” birthdays!), bar and bat mitzvah’s, christenings, showers, and retirement parties. The house is self-sufficient with the revenues covering all expenses including: utilities, maintenance costs, repairs, and basic upkeep.
In the fall of 2001 major structural problems in the Whittemore-Robbins Carriage House were discovered. The carriage house is know for the “turn-around” built into the floor of the building so that the Robbins’ sister’s vehicles could be turned around inside the structure and made ready for the next journey. The repairs to the carriage house were begun in late 2001 and by the end of 2002 the exterior repairs to the carriage house were completed. Thanks to the Nathan Robbins Maintenance Trust Fund this historic part of the Whittemore-Robbins House complex will be saved.
ARLINGTON YOUTH CONSULTATION CENTER
The Arlington Youth Consultation Center (AYCC) continued its therapy services to Arlington’s children, adolescents, parents, and grandparents in 2002. Approximately 400 people seek help from AYCC in a given year. People ask for help with a variety of family problems. These family problems are often conveyed through symptoms in their children, such as poor grades in school, peer difficulties, substance abuse, depression and suicidal ideation, or aggressive behavior. Having this community resource for these Arlington families is a wonderful service that AYCC provides.
In 2002 AYCC continued its collaboration with the public school system providing in-house counseling for several school programs, including STEP, CLASS, and Reach-Up at the High School; The Learning Center at the Ottoson Middle School, and the special kindergarten class at the Stratton. The counseling component provided by AYCC helps the students access the educational program offered by these specialized programs. The collaboration has been a very successful and rewarding one.
In support of this work within the school system, AYCC received a $1,000 grant from the AEEF program. This grant money is being used to purchase therapeutic supplies for doing “expressive therapy” work with the students. Students in these specialized programs have responded amazingly well to the use of expressive therapy to emote their personal struggles in a symbolic way. For example students might be asked to create their own personal masks or shields to show how they present themselves to the world.
AYCC is a licensed community mental health center, and as such must maintain a license with the Department of Public Health. The process of being re-licensed is a very rigorous one, with great attention to detail with clients’ records and physical plant requirements being demanded. A license is necessary for contracting with insurance vendors. AYCC was successfully re-licensed by the Department of Public Health in 2002, as well as successfully receiving its Public Safety Certificate.
All in all 2002 was a rewarding and productive year for both staff and clients of AYCC.
BOARD OF YOUTH SERVICES
The Board of Youth Services continued its service to Arlington in 2002, supervising the functions of the Arlington Youth Consultation Center and extending services to Arlington’s youth and families. Members continued to support such noteworthy programs as CAPP (Child Assault Prevention Program), the Arlington Community of Caring, the Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration, and the Arlington High School graduation party.
The Board also oversees the Arlington Alcohol and Drug Education Program which includes: the Alcohol Awareness Peer Leadership Program, the SADD Program, and the Safe Homes Program. Due to the retirement of Elizabeth Oppedisano after twenty-seven years of service, the functions of the Alcohol and Drug Education program will be have to be folded into programming within the school system in the future.
The Board of Youth Services thanks Elizabeth most heartedly for those twenty-seven years of service to youth and families in Arlington. Her dedication to this program built a most successful prevention program for this community and most certainly made students more aware of the consequences of substance use and abuse. She will be sorely missed.
In 2002 the Board welcomed Eugene Lucarelli to membership and bid Jean Donahue farewell. Jean gave over twenty-five years of service to the Board of Youth Services and to the Arlington Alcohol and Drug Education Council. She was a co-founder of the Salute to Youth Program sponsored by the Board of Youth Services in the early 1980’s. She was a prime mover in the establishment of the Arlington Alcohol and Drug Education Council, serving for many years as its chair. She was a recipient of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club Volunteer Service to Youth Award. Jean gave countless hours of volunteerism to the Arlington community especially its youth and families, and we are all most grateful. We wish her well in her future endeavors.
COUNCIL ON AGING
The mission of the Council on Aging (COA) is to provide advocacy and support services to help Arlington elders live dignified and independent lives. The agency’s primary responsibilities are to design, promote, and implement services to address the identified needs of the community’s elder population and to coordinate existing services in the community.
Our Senior Clients
While the percentage of elders in the general population continues to grow, Arlington’s senior population (sixty years of age and older) has diminished from 11,000 (1990 federal census) to approximately 8,800 (2000 federal census). People are living longer, and the oldest of the old are becoming frailer and therefore require more complex services than in the past. Lengthier health, wellness, monitoring, and social services are indicated in order to help seniors “age in place” safely and with dignity.
As a result of Medicare cutbacks over the past few years, many homebound seniors are not receiving the care they need. Thus, Councils on Aging have been called upon to provide increasing evaluation and monitoring services in the community. In addition, the increase in the number and cost of prescription drugs for seniors are beyond the financial reach of many elders.
2002 In Perspective
This year has been particularly busy for the Council on Aging staff, which has suffered significant personnel losses. The Coordinator of Transportation and Volunteer Services took extended medical leave in June and retired in the Fall. This left the position open for the last several months of 2002. The COA Receptionist, Marjorie Garrigan, passed away suddenly in November and her husband Ray, one of the COA’s most productive volunteers, passed away in December. Other agency staff, already overburdened, covered the necessary responsibilities of these positions as well as their own in order to keep these programs functioning. In addition, the Geriatric Nurse Specialist position saw its hours reduced in November from thirty to twenty-four a week. Despite these losses and the additional burdens on remaining staff,
there also were opportunities and chances for agency growth and productivity.
Major Accomplishments for 2002
· A survey and evaluation of the agency’s service offerings was done to establish service and program directions.
· Designed and initiated the Sevoyan Dental Subsidy Pilot Program, a yearlong study to determine the need for ongoing dental subsidies for seniors
· Designed and arranged for the installation of a building sign identifying the Arlington Multipurpose Senior Center at 27 Maple Street.
· Secured a new and talented host, Bea Barber, for the Council’s award-winning cable television show, “Golden Opportunities”.
· Continued advocacy on issues affecting seniors at the local, regional, and state level, through membership and active participation in the Massachusetts Councils on Aging & Senior Center Directors (MCOA).
· Evaluated and monitored the Transportation Program’s expanded structure and functioning (2002 Goal).
· Critically assessed and updated all Health & Wellness Programs (2002 Goal).
Community Partnering Efforts
The Council on Aging again offered to share COA office space for the fourth consecutive year with Community Teamwork, Inc. for their Fuel Assistance Program satellite office. This organization serves those from neighboring communities as well as Arlingtonians.
Offered startup office space to a new nonprofit organization, Arms Around Arlington: The Center for Cancer Support & Education.
Beginning with a gracious gift from the Cambridge Savings Bank, and partnering with the Seniors Association, the Council on Aging purchased a 65” television set, VCR, and DVD players for the Senior Center and built a secure cabinet to house this equipment. A license to show movies was purchased, and movies are now regularly being shown.
With a generous gift from the Arlington Housing Authority, the help of the Arlington Police Services, and with the support of the Town of Arlington Data Processing Department, the COA brought to Arlington the “RUOK”© Program, a senior safety program in which a daily, computerized system will make calls to those needing daily checks.
Volunteer Programs
There are many COA programs that would not exist without the dedication and continued involvement of COA volunteers. These include: the Council’s “Golden Opportunities” cable television show, Telephone Reassurance Program, Friendly Visitor Program, Income Tax Aide, Tax Abatement Assistant, Medical Escorts, Health Benefits Counselor (S.H.I.N.E.), Blood Pressure Clinic, Podiatry Clinic, Flu and Pneumonia Clinics, Receptionist, and Clerical Assistant. Yearly, sixty or more individuals give in excess of 5,500 hours of service through these COA programs. Volunteers are recognized and honored at an Annual Volunteer Luncheon that acknowledges their valuable and continuing efforts for seniors.
Funding
Funding for the agency derives principally from municipal sources, with Federal and State funds contributing nearly the remaining half.
COA Funding Sources
Due to the decreased elder population (according to the 2000 Census) and further budget reductions at the state level, there was a $7,800 reduction in the State Formula Grant to the Council on Aging this year. Gifts and donations to the Council on Aging continue to be an important budgetary factor. Relying solely upon the generosity of individual and corporate benefactors in the community, COA Subsidy Funds supplement the cost of the following services:
· The Medical Appointment Subsidy Funds support costs for qualified Arlington elder’s out-of-town medical transportation.
· Lifeline Subsidy Program currently supports nine to ten people through this potentially lifesaving program. Due to the continuing need for Lifeline monitoring, the annual expenditures go up as we add new clients while continuing to subsidize current clients yearly.
· The Sanborn Fund subsidizes multiple-trip transportation costs for cancer treatments. The cost of out-of-town transportation several times a week for several weeks can be prohibitive for an individual.
This agency is grateful for this year’s donors to the COA Subsidy Funds, insuring continuity of services for those in need: The Elizabeth and George Sanborn Foundation for the Treatment and Cure of Cancer, Inc., The Park Avenue Congregational Church, The Arlington Seniors Association, The Trustees of the Gift Shop at Symmes, The Center for Cancer Support & Education, The Minuteman Senior Services Meal Site Boutique, The Retired Men’s Club of Arlington, Boston Theosophical Society, and individual donations.
2002 Performance Measurements
· Provided nearly 12,000 one-way rides for seniors’ medical appointments.
· Increased participation in COA Health & Wellness programs under the direction of the Geriatric Nurse Specialist.
· A 10% increase in the number of COA volunteers.
· An increase in “community partnership” arrangements with other Town agencies and organizations.
Goals For The Year 2003
· Evaluate the Senior Center Survey results and identify any service gaps
· Continued development of joint programming and services in conjunction with the other Senior Center agencies.
FAIR HOUSING
The Fair Housing Advisory Committee is appointed by the Board of Selectmen to promote and implement fair housing in Arlington. It provides information and services regarding housing discrimination and other housing related issues to current and prospective residents, as well as realtors and landlords.
The focus in 2002 was on re-establishing contact with bankers and realtors in Town to assess the state of population diversity in housing in Arlington. Two very well attended meetings were held to talk with local realtors and bankers about changes in the housing market, minority interest in Arlington, and their perceptions about discrimination in Arlington. The realtors in particular see increased interest in Arlington on the part of Hispanics, Asians, and gays, though not on the part of African-American families. The bankers, however, did not note a large increase in minority home purchase loans. Statistics of particular note are:
· Between 1990 and 2000, the total minority population increased from 6% to just over 9% (US Census Bureau).
· Between 1997 and 2000 African-American home purchase loans decreased, from 1.3% to .9% of all loans. (In Boston this figure was 11%).
· Between 1997 and 2000 Latino home purchase loans increased, from .8% to 1.3% of all loans. (In Boston this figure was 6.2%).
All of the Town’s real estate professionals agree that affordability is a major factor in the lack of diversity in Arlington. The Fair Housing Advisory Committee will continue to work closely with the Town’s Affordable Housing Task Force, to increase affordable housing opportunities in Town, and the Diversity Task Group, to make Arlington a friendly place for minorities to live.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE
The Affordable Housing Task Force (AHTF) was established by unanimous vote of Town Meeting on May 3, 1999. The purpose was to quantify the need for affordable housing in Arlington and to find solutions that work. An important part of the Task Force’s work is to help the Town move closer to fulfilling the statewide goal that 10% of the units in Town be affordable to low and moderate income households.
During 2002, the first affordable units came to the Town as a result of the new affordable housing provisions in the zoning bylaw. Six units affordable to low and moderate income first time homebuyers were created at the Russell Place Condominium project. The units were sold for between $130,000 and $160,000, with resale restrictions that will keep them affordable for the life of the property. The AHTF oversaw this process, which included developing a marketing plan and holding a lottery to choose six buyers from among ninety applicants.
The Task Force also started to look at developing a program called “Work Force Housing”, that would target Town employees for assistance. Some ides for this program involve giving preference to Town employees for affordable units, or providing special financing options or units priced for middle-income households.
The Task Force has also been monitoring the redevelopment of the Town-owned Symmes property as the plan develops. Through the vigilance of its designee on the Symmes Advisory Committee, Marc Dohan, affordable housing remains an important piece in the redevelopment puzzle.
The Task Force continues to work closely with the non-profit Housing Corporation of Arlington to preserve and create affordable housing units. During 2002, the Housing Corporation purchased three new two-family houses, for a total of six new affordable units. This is in addition to the eight units purchased in 2001, making a total of fourteen affordable rental units. These properties are scattered throughout Town, in existing housing, thereby not adding to density or traffic. Funding for these purchases comes from federal CDBG and HOME dollars, and mortgage loans from Cambridge Savings Bank.
The Housing Corporation also administers the Homelessness Prevention Program, an idea that emerged from the Affordable Housing Task Force. This Fund, which comes entirely from private donations, provides emergency assistance to low income Arlington residents at risk of losing their homes, or in need of assistance to move into a new home. During 2002, thirty-four families were assisted. Over half of those helped have lived in the Town for more than twenty years.
The Affordable Housing Task Force is making progress toward the goal of 10% affordability and at helping Arlington’s lower income residents find safe, stable, and affordable housing.
ARLINGTON HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The Arlington Human Rights Commission (AHRC) was created by Town Meeting in 1993 to advance issues related to the fair and equal treatment of individuals and to create a mechanism for addressing complaints arising out of these issues. ~The mission of the AHRC is to work individually and collaboratively with other groups in our community to celebrate the ever-changing tapestry of our Town, and to emphasize, through educational outreach, the danger of intolerance at every level. The Town Manager, School Committee, and the Town Moderator have appointing authority for the thirteen members of the commission.
The AHRC began the year by electing Marlissa S. Briggett as chairperson and Kevin McGann to serve as vice chair. Mary Ann Sullivan serves as staff assistant. It continued the Arlington Dialogue series by hosting two events. In January, 2002 Wheelock College Professor of Education Diane Levin addressed over 100 people at the Robbins Library on the topic of bias in children’s media. In October she returned to lead a presentation for parents on “When the World is a Dangerous Place: Raising Children in Violent Times.”
In an effort to increase visibility and awareness, the Commission once again staffed a booth at Town Day in September, distributing informational brochures and answering questions. This year the commission raffled gift certificates to many restaurants in Town. Proceeds of the raffle will help sponsor faculty attendance at the Facing History and Ourselves workshop sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League. The commission also contributed to the Town’s Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration.
In August, the Arlington Advocate ran a story about a lesbian couple in East Arlington who reported incidents of harassment based on sexual orientation. The commission worked collaboratively with the couple, the Police Department, the Arlington Housing Authority, and the East Arlington Good Neighbors’ Association to address the situation in their neighborhood. In October, the Commission organized a community meeting in which interested parties were invited. Nearly 150 residents gathered in the Thompson School gymnasium to listen and to address their concerns. To date, we understand that the harassment has ceased.
The Commission continues to maintain records of hate crimes and incidents, and work in cooperation with the Police Department in order to track the frequency and severity of such events in Arlington. During the year, two complaints were formally filed with the Commission, and teams of investigators worked to resolve these matters. Commissioners also fielded quite a few calls from members of the public who were concerned about violations of their human rights but who ultimately did not file a formal complaint.
As the Arlington Human Rights Commission enters its tenth year, and the diversity of our community expands, our goal remains constant. The commission will continue to focus its efforts on keeping Arlington a safe, welcoming community where all individuals are treated with warmth, mutual respect, and acceptance.
In its ninth year of service, the Arlington Commission on Disability has continued to provide information, referral, guidance, and technical assistance to insure that people with physical, sensory, cognitive, and other disabilities have equal access to Town facilities, services, and programs. The Commission consists of nine Commissioners, all volunteers. State Law mandates that the majority of Commissioners have a physical, cognitive, or sensory disability. This mandate brings an intimate and informed understanding of disabilities to the Commission’s agenda and ultimate decisions.
Coordination and implementation of the Commission’s agenda and goals continues to be handled by Jack Jones of the Arlington Office of Housing and Disability Programs. Cooperation between the Commission and this Office is effective and efficient.
In 2002, the Commission continued to focus on and monitor a number of ongoing and important access issues. The Commission received approval from the Board of Selectman to expend approximately $50,000 of Community Development Block Grant Funds for curb ramp work along Massachusetts Avenue. The Commission continued to work with the School Department regarding access issues, both in the existing school facilities and the rebuilt Peirce School.
Educating the community regarding disabilities is an ongoing agenda item of the Commission. The fourth annual newsletter was published and provided information about the Commission’s projects and the Disability Laws. The Commission participated in Town Day to acquaint the public with its role and to disseminate information about the Americans with Disabilities Act and accessible Town programs and facilities. Coordination and sharing of information and ideas between the Arlington Commission on Disability and commissions from neighboring cities and towns is ongoing. The Arlington Disability Office, in concert with the Commission, manages resolutions of citizens concerns and complaints. Follow-up is done through the Disability Office using available municipal offices and information.
The 2003 agenda for the Commission will continue to revolve around the very clear parameters of the American with Disabilities Act, with special attention being paid to improving the accessibility of Arlington sidewalks. In June 2003 the Commission, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Office on Disability, will host a regional conference. The Commission will continue to monitor progress being made by the Arlington School Department regarding school facilities and school programs.
Arlington residents interested in serving on the Commission should notify the Town Manager in writing of their interest. The Commission meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 4:00 P.M. in the conference room of the Housing and Disability Program Office located in suite #203, at the Senior Center Building, 20 Academy St., Arlington. Meetings are open to the public and citizens are invited to attend.
The Office of the Board of Health is located at 175 Massachusetts Ave. in the Fox Community Center. The mission of the Board is to assess the health needs of the Town, to develop initiatives to protect the public welfare, and to prevent the outbreak of infectious diseases and to control environmental health hazards by evaluating current health services and enforcing state and local health regulations.
The Board of Health enforces all laws, codes, and regulations that fall under the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Protection. The Board annually permits and inspects 170 food establishments, twenty-seven tobacco vendors, seventeen massage therapy establishments, ten pools, six tanning establishments, and an ice-skating rink. In addition, inspections are conducted, upon complaint, at any housing unit or for any environmental concern within the Town. Over 300 resident complaints were investigated in 2002.
To protect the community against the spread of contagious illnesses, a rigorous communicable disease tracking system is in place. When a doctor diagnoses a resident with a communicable disease, the public health nurse conducts an investigation to determine if further control measures are needed. The illness is then recorded and reviewed to identify and respond to any disease trends of concern. During 2002 over 115 communicable diseases were monitored. Other efforts for disease prevention during 2002 included immunization clinics such as influenza vaccine clinics in the fall where over 100 elders were vaccinated and the rabies vaccine clinics in the spring where over thirty dogs and cats were vaccinated.
In addition, childhood vaccines are provided to pediatric health care providers free of charge through the Vaccines for Children Program that is sponsored by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through this program all children, regardless of a family’s ability to pay, will have access to necessary vaccines. The Arlington Board of Health is the local vaccine depot for the State.
During 2002, West Nile Virus surveillance efforts were improved. In total fifty-one dead birds were reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Thirteen were tested for West Nile Virus and six tested positive for the virus. Efforts to limit mosquito breeding were employed throughout the Town. Complaint investigation and community wide education campaigns were increased during the summer months.
The Sealer of Weights and Measures conducts inspections of all scales, scanners, and dispensing equipment to ensure compliance with the Consumer and Merchant Protection Act. These inspections include retail stores, gas stations, oil trucks, and food establishments. The Sealer responds to all consumer complaints to ensure fairness and accuracy.
The three member Board of Health meets on a monthly basis. During meetings, community health issues are addressed, public hearings are held, and policies are reviewed. In 2002, several meetings were held to revise the Town’s Massage Therapy, Bodywork, and Energy-Work Regulations in response to the growing number of energy-work practitioners coming to Arlington. In the future, the Arlington Board of Health will continue to protect the public health and strive to improve the overall environment in which the community lives.
VETERANS’ SERVICES
The Department of Veterans’ Services is designed to aid and assist veterans and their families as provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services. All eligible veterans and their dependents may avail themselves of counseling regarding applications for federal and state benefits, financial assistance, medical care at VA Medical Centers, educational/vocational benefits, and burial benefits.
In 2002, a total of twenty-six clients received benefits under Chapter 115 from the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services. One Gold Star Parent and two 100% disabled veterans were advised of their eligibility and are now receiving annuities from the State. Twenty-eight claims have been filed for disabilities and/or pensions, eleven requests for either in-patient or outpatient care at VA Medical Centers, seven families applied for burial benefits, and sixteen bronze markers were placed on veterans’ graves. Also, names are constantly being added to the file for The Veterans’ Honor Roll at Monument Square, Arlington Center and will be updated at the conclusion of the current war.
Veterans’ Services organized, coordinated, and participated in the Memorial Day Parade and the Veterans’ Day Parade. Volunteers assisted with decorating approximately 5,500 veterans’ graves with American Flags at both Mt Pleasant and St Paul’s Cemeteries. While actively participating in the Patriots Day Parade, Veterans’ Services also assures the “Display of Flags” along Massachusetts Avenue under the direction of the Department of Public Works. Services on Flag Day and the 9/11 Observance were assisted and attended by the Veterans’ Services.
The office of the Department of Veterans’ Services, now located in the Town Hall Annex, is in the process of updating and purging files from over 100 years. Computerization is a priority and should be fully implemented in the coming year.
Veterans’ Services, as the Director of both the Arlington Food Pantry and the Arlington Fuel Assistance Program, administered the collection and distribution of food to an average of 400 people each month and directly allocated aid to forty-one recipients out of forty-nine requests for fuel assistance.
RECREATION DIVISION
In 2002, Arlington Recreation offered a multitude of safe, quality programs and facilities for all residents of the Town of Arlington.
Improvements to facilities continue to be a priority. The installation of a temporary fence and the use of a Border Collie program at Arlington Reservoir decreased the number of Canada Geese. The Sports Center received several improvements which included: a new cooling tower, tables and chairs in the lobby, vending machines, and a semi-permanent wall as means of egress for the safety of all visitors. Management of the rink was handled well by Facilities Management Corporation and the ice time scheduling was computerized. The Arlington Sports Center Improvement Committee began a feasibility study with Arrowstreet Inc. to look at the current conditions, possible additions or changes for the future.
The popularity of our activities continues to grow, causing an increased demand for facilities and additional staff. The staff of Arlington Recreation worked with residents to meet their changing recreational needs. New programs in 2002 included: Yoga, youth tennis, day and overnight trips, track meets, a football clinic, and additional soccer clinics to meet the high numbers of youth interested in soccer. Many traditional programs were also modified to meet the increasing demand and changing needs of program participants.
Arlington Recreation collaborates with other town organizations and recreation centers to offer town-wide special events including: Town Day, Memorial Day Road Race, Arlington Celebrates, and the Winter Carnival. This year we offered a successful Special Needs skate program with the Arlington Catholic High School Boys Hockey team and their coaching staff.
Arlington Recreation provides excellent customer service by offering several ways to register for programs. Walk-in, mail-in, and on-line registrations allow residents and non-residents to sign up for all our programs. Arlington Recreation will continue to assess the means of marketing these programs via brochures and flyers.
Limited outdoor recreational facilities and playing fields continue to be an important issue facing Arlington Recreation. Arlington Recreation continues to work with both high schools and the many youth sport associations to adopt policies and procedures to assist in the scheduling and maintenance of these playing fields
Arlington Recreation welcomes their new Recreation Supervisor, Billy Gore who came from Somerville Recreation. He has a lot of enthusiasm and has facilitated new programs such as: “Sports and Games” for third to fifth graders, Skating Lessons, and “Adult Basketball” at the Gibbs gym Monday afternoons evenings.
In 2003 it is the goal of Arlington Recreation to increase program offerings, to upgrade the computerized registration system, to improve office efficiency, and to continue to work with users of the Arlington Sports Center and outdoor playing fields to address the increasing needs of the community.
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