 WARRANT FORANNUAL TOWN MEETING
ELECTION
Saturday, April 1, 2006
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Monday, April 24, 2006
TOWN OF ARLINGTON
TOWN WARRANT
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
To the Constables of the Town of Arlington, in said County:
GREETINGS:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Arlington qualified to vote in elections, to meet at the polling places designated for the several Precincts in said Town on
SATURDAY
THE FIRST OF APRIL 2006
at eight o'clock in the forenoon, to act on the following articles, namely:
ARTICLE 1
TO ELECT BY BALLOT:
A) One Town Treasurer for two years
B) Two Selectmen for three years
C) One Assessor for three years
D) Two School Committee Members for three years
E) One Member of the Arlington Housing Authority for five years
Also, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 43A of the General Laws, the number of Town Meeting Members hereinafter specified:
PRECINCT 1 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 2 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 3 -Four for three years; One for one year;
PRECINCT 4 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 5 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 6 -Four for three years; One for two years;
PRECINCT 7 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 8 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 9 -Four for three years; One for two years;
PRECINCT 10 -Four for three years; One for one year;
PRECINCT 11 -Four for three years; One for one year;
PRECINCT 12 -Four for three years; One for two years;
PRECINCT 13 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 14 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 15 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 16 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 17 -Four for three years; One for two years; Two for one year;
PRECINCT 18 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 19 -Four for three years;
PRECINCT 20 -Four for three years; One for two years; One for one year;
PRECINCT 21 -Four for three years.
For these purposes, the polls will be opened at eight o’clock A.M. and remain open until eight o’clock P.M., at each of the polling places designated, viz.:
Precinct 1 Thompson School, entrance on North Union Street |
Precinct 2 Hardy School, entrance on Brooks Avenue |
Precinct 3 Thompson School, entrance on North Union Street |
Precinct 4 Hardy School, entrance on Brooks Avenue |
Precinct 5 Thompson School, entrance on North Union Street |
Precinct 6 Hardy School, entrance on Brooks Avenue |
Precinct 7 Chestnut Manor, entrance on Chestnut Terrace |
Precinct 8 Town Hall, entrance on Massachusetts Avenue |
Precinct 9 Chestnut Manor, entrance on Chestnut Terrace |
Precinct 10 Town Hall, entrance on Massachusetts Avenue |
Precinct 11 Bishop School, entrance on Stowecroft Road |
Precinct 12 Brackett School, entrance on Eastern Avenue |
Precinct 13 Stratton School, entrance on Mountain Avenue |
Precinct 14 Bracket School, entrance on Eastern Avenue |
Precinct 15 Stratton School, entrance on Mountain Avenue |
Precinct 16 Dallin School, entrance on Florence Avenue |
Precinct 17 Stratton School, entrance on Mountain Avenue |
Precinct 18 Dallin School, entrance on Florence Avenue |
Precinct 19 Peirce School, entrance on Newland Road |
Precinct 20 Park Avenue Congregational Church, entrance on Paul Revere Road |
Precinct 21 Peirce School, entrance on Newland Road |
You are also required to notify and warn the said inhabitants to meet at the Town Hall in said Town on Monday the 24th day of April, 2006, at eight o'clock in the evening, at which time and place the following articles are to be acted upon and determined exclusively by Town Meeting Members, in accordance with and subject to the referenda provided for by Chapter 43A of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 2
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
To receive, hear, and act upon the reports of the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Redevelopment Board, and other committees, commissions, and boards heretofore appointed, including, without limitation: Permanent Town Building Committee (April 23, 1969), Vision 2020 Standing Committee (June 8, 1992), Commission on Disability (May 3, 1993), School Facilities “Working Group” (May 4, 1994), Bylaw Recodification Study Committee (May 9, 1994), Noise Abatement Study Committee (May 11, 1998), Affordable Housing Task Force (May 3, 1999), Zoning Bylaw Review Committee (May 12, 1999), Uncle Sam Committee (May 17, 1999), Fields and Playgrounds Task Force (May 19, 1999), Maintenance Study Committee (May 1, 2000), Alewife Brook Advisory Committee (May 15, 2000), Newsracks Study Committee (May 9, 2001), Community
Preservation Act Study Committee (May 21, 2001), Symmes Advisory Committee (May 21, 2001), Power Company Feasibility Committee (May 6, 2002), Community-Based Health Insurance Study Committee (April 30, 2003), Tree Committee (May 7, 2003), Post-Employment Medical Benefits Committee (May 17, 2004), Trust Fund Policies Committee (May 17, 2004), Information Technology Advisory Committee (May 17, 2004), Field Maintenance and Users Fee Study Committee (May 26, 2004), Symmes Neighborhood Advisory Committee (September 27, 2004), Private Way Procedures Committee (May 18, 2005), Symmes Neighborhood Committee (May 18, 2005), and 200th Anniversary Committee (May 18, 2005), or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Moderator)
3
To choose and appoint all the usual Town Officers not hereinbefore mentioned, in such a manner as the Town may determine; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted by the Board of Selectmen)
ARTICLE 4
To elect a Town Meeting Member as Assistant Moderator for a term of one year, as provided in Title I, Article 1, Section 11, A, of the Bylaws.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Moderator)
ARTICLE 5
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw in the following ways, in order to allow clustering of residential development on a lot.
In Article 2. DEFINITIONS, following the definition for “Certificate of Occupancy”, ADD:
Cluster Development:
A residential development in which the buildings are clustered together with reduced lot sizes, or on a single lot, in order to preserve open space or significant structures. The number of units in a Cluster Development shall not exceed the number of units allowed by right. The maximum number of units allowed by right shall be determined by first developing a “Yield Plan” showing the maximum number of dwelling units that could be placed upon the site under conventional zoning, taking into consideration any Undevelopable Land, such as wetlands, and any roads needed to provide access and frontage.
In Section 5.04 TABLE OF USE REGULATIONS, ADD:
Section 1.14, Cluster Development, by Special Permit in the following zones: R0, R1, R2, R3, R4.
In Section 6.00, TABLE OF DIMENSIONAL AND DENSITY REGULATIONS
Under District R0, following Single family detached dwelling, ADD:
Cluster Development (T)
Lot Requirements, Minimum, Size, Sq. Ft. 18,000; Frontage 75
Intensity of Development, Floor Area Ratio Maximum NA; Lot Coverage Maximum Percent 35%;
Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit, Sq. Ft. 9000
Minimum Yard, Ft. Front 25; Side 10; Rear 20
Maximum Height Stories 2 ½; Feet 35
Open Space Minimum Percent of Gross Floor Area Landscaped 10%; Usable 30%
Under District R1, following Single family detached dwelling, ADD:
Cluster Development (T)
Lot Requirements, Minimum, Size, Sq. Ft. 12,000;Frontage 60
Intensity of Development, Floor Area Ratio Maximum NA; Lot Coverage Maximum Percent 35%;
Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit, Sq. Ft.6000
Minimum Yard, Ft. Front 25; Side 10; Rear 20
Maximum Height Stories 2 ½; Feet 35
Open Space Minimum Percent of Gross Floor Area Landscaped 10%; Usable 30%
Under District R2, following Single-family detached dwelling, two-family dwelling or duplex house ADD:
Cluster Development (T)
Lot Requirements, Minimum, Size, Sq. Ft. 12,000;Frontage 60
Intensity of Development, Floor Area Ratio Maximum NA; Lot Coverage Maximum Percent 35%;
Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit, Sq. Ft. 3000
Minimum Yard, Ft. Front 20; Side 10; Rear 20
Maximum Height Stories 2 ½; Feet 35
Open Space Minimum Percent of Gross Floor Area Landscaped 10%; Usable 30%
Under District R3, following Single family detached dwelling, two-family dwelling, duplex house, three-family dwelling, ADD:
Cluster Development (T)
Lot Requirements, Minimum, Size, Sq. Ft. 10,000;Frontage 45
Intensity of Development, Floor Area Ratio Maximum.75; Lot Coverage Maximum Percent NA;
Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit, Sq. Ft.2000
Minimum Yard, Ft.Front 10; Side 10; Rear 20
Maximum Height Stories 2 ½; Feet 35
Open Space Minimum Percent of Gross Floor Area Landscaped 10%; Usable 30%
Under District R4, following Single family detached dwelling, two-family dwelling, duplex house, ADD:
Cluster Development (T)
Lot Requirements, Minimum, Size, Sq. Ft. 12,000;Frontage 60
Intensity of Development, Floor Area Ratio MaximumNA; Lot Coverage Maximum Percent 35%;
Minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit, Sq. Ft. 2000
Minimum Yard, Ft.Front 25; Side 10; Rear 20
Maximum Height Stories 2 ½; Feet 35
Open Space Minimum Percent of Gross Floor Area Landscaped 10%; Usable 30%
And, in Footnotes to Table of Dimensional and Density Regulations, ADD:
“T” The Redevelopment Board, in evaluating a proposal for Cluster Development, may by Special Permit adjust the required dimensional and density requirements set forth in this Bylaw, in order to encourage preservation of open space or significant structures.
In Section 11.06, Environmental Design Review, subsection b. APPLICATION, add:
(i)Cluster Development. Any proposal for residential development of two (2) or more units in which the buildings are clustered together with reduced lot sizes, or on a single lot;
or take any other action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Arlington Redevelopment Board)
ARTICLE 6
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw in Article 5 to allow accessory off-street parking by special permit in the Open Space District. To accomplish this, add the letters “SP” in the column for the “OS” district in the row for use 8.11 (Accessory off-street parking...) in Section 5.04, The Table of Use Regulations, or take any other action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Arlington Redevelopment Board)
ARTICLE 7
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Bylaws to control storm water runoff at new development and redevelopment sites, which would include a program aimed at reducing flooding, promoting soil recharge, and reducing pollution of the Town’s water resources; or take any other action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Arlington Redevelopment Board and
the Arlington Conservation Commission)
ARTICLE 8
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Bylaws and/or take any other necessary action so that the Town snow removal program includes the clearing of curb cuts to increase accessibility and pedestrian safety throughout the Town; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Commission on Disabilities)
ARTICLE 9
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Bylaws and/or take any other necessary action so that the Town snow removal program includes the complete clearing of the Donald R. Marquis Minuteman Trail in order to increase accessibility and pedestrian safety; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Commission of Disabilities)
ARTICLE 10
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Bylaws and/or take any other necessary action so that the Town adopts a policy that encourages the use of universal design in residential construction and renovation to facilitate access for people with disabilities and “aging in place” for all Arlington residents; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Commission on Disabilities)
ARTICLE 11
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Bylaws and/or take any other necessary action so that the Town adopts a policy of replacing brick curb cuts, sidewalks and crosswalks in need of repair with smoother, safer, and more easily accessible surfaces; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Commission on Disabilities)
ARTICLE 12
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Bylaws so as to require the Town Manager to report annually to the Town Meeting regarding the status of the Health Care Reserve Fund with such report to include at a minimum a report on current balances, current health care reserve fund balance standards, retrospective monthly cash balance trend analysis for at least the past five (5) years and any additional information so that the Town might determine whether current Health Care Fund Reserve practice warrants revision, with such reports to begin with annual reports on these matters to be made to Town Meeting beginning with the 2007 Annual Town Meeting; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 13
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town’s Recycling Bylaw so as to provide for the capacity to monitor property owner compliance with the existing mandatory curbside recycling Bylaw, to provide for the levying of fines against the owners of properties which are determined to be failing to adhere to the provisions of the existing mandatory recycling Bylaw, and to provide for personnel (to be funded from anticipated savings and recycling revenues) to monitor and enforce the provisions of the Town’s existing mandatory recycling Bylaw including the levying of fines, with such enforcement actions to commence as of July 1, 2007; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 14
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Bylaws to require that by the end of the day that Town boards, committees, and commissions post notice of their meetings and hearings in accordance with existing open meeting laws, they also submit to the Town notice of such meetings and hearings for posting in the calendar section of the Town web site. An agenda associated with each notice shall be submitted to the Town for posting on the web site not less than 24 hours before the meeting or hearing is scheduled to begin. For notices of hearings that are published in a local newspaper, the full text of such notices shall be provided to the Town for posting on the web site. Submission of the full text of a hearing notice for posting on the web site shall be deemed to fulfill the requirement for submitting
an agenda, provided that no other business is to be conducted by the board, committee; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 15
To see if the Town will amend the Bylaws so as to require the Board of Assessors to report to each Annual Town Meeting. The report shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the overlay reserve fund showing appropriations and expenditures over the previous six years. The report shall also include, but not be limited to, a description of the assessment process including the factors considered as well as a trend analysis of Town-wide property assessments by assessment class, neighborhood and sub-class therein. The first of these reports shall be made on or before the 2007 Annual Town Meeting; or take any action relating thereto.
(Inserted at the request of Vision 2020 Standing Committee and
Fiscal Resources Task Group)
ARTICLE 16
To see if the Town will vote to amend Article 6 Classification and Compensation Plans and Personnel Bylaw of Title I of the Bylaws; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager and the Director of Personnel)
ARTICLE 17
To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 8 Animal Control of Article 1 of Title IV of the Bylaws by providing for a hearing process to be established by the Park and Recreation Commission to consider community input regarding the creation, placement and/or use of dog parks, dog runs or dog exercise areas, to authorize the Commission to adopt rules and regulations relating to same, which will be subject to the approval of the Town Manager; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 18
To see if the Town will vote to amend the vote taken under Article 4 of the May 11, 2005 Special Town Meeting to require that building permit fees collected as part of the Symmes redevelopment be deposited into the Symmes special account, except for the portion of those fees used by the inspectional services department for acquiring additional resources to act upon the building permits for the Symmes redevelopment; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 19
To see if the Town will vote in accordance with G.L. c. 40, Section 4A, to authorize the Board of Health to enter into an intermunicipal agreement with one or more other governmental units to provide public health services which the Board of Health is authorized to perform, in accordance with an InterMunicipal Mutual Aid Agreement to be entered into between the Town and various governmental units, or take any other action relative thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Director of Public Health)
ARTICLE 20
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to release any Town easement at 55 Venner Road; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 21
To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Board of Selectmen to file a Home Rule Petition, which would limit retirement allowances for part-time elected officials including, without limitation, the Arlington Housing Authority; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 22
To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Board of Selectmen to file a Home Rule Petition, which would provide that part-time elected officials, both during their tenure and retirement, shall pay for healthcare benefits provided through the Town in an amount in excess of what is currently provided in the General Laws; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 23
To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Board of Selectmen to file Home Rule legislation which would permit David Pannesi to be eligible for appointment to the Arlington Fire Department notwithstanding the fact that he is over 32 years of age; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 24
To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Board of Selectmen to file Home Rule legislation that would establish a special fund into which may be appropriated a sum or sums of money to be utilized for the maintenance, treatment and oversight of the Town’s water bodies within or without the confines of the Town, to appropriate a sum of money for such fund provided that it is enacted into law, to determine how the money shall be raised and expended, including the possibility of borrowing some or all of same; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Vision 2020 Standing Committee
and the Vision 2020 Environment Task Group)
ARTICLE 25
To see if the Town will vote to include with at least one tax bill each year written information on the property tax exemptions and deferrals available to Arlington property taxpayers and authorize and request that the Board of Selectmen file Home Rule Legislation to accomplish this result, if necessary; and to see if the Town will vote to request that the Board of Assessors prepare a report each year on the property tax exemptions and deferrals available under state law, including the extent to which the Town of Arlington has adopted said exemptions and deferrals, the number of taxpayers who have used those exemptions and deferrals available in the Town during the previous year, and the financial implications for the Town of the use of these exemptions and deferrals during the previous year to amend the Bylaws
accordingly; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 26
To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Board of Selectmen to file a Home Rule Petition to amend the Town Manager Act, and/or amend the Bylaws of the Town, to designate members of the Board of Selectmen, members of the School Committee, the Town Treasurer, the Chair of the Finance Committee, the Town Moderator, and members of the Great and General Court residing in the Town of Arlington as At Large Town Meeting Members; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 27
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the General Court for the enactment of a special law relating to the issuance of temporary loans in anticipation of bonds in connection with the so-called Symmes Arlington Conservation and Improvement Project; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Arlington Redevelopment Board and the Town Manager)
ARTICLE 28
To see if the Town will vote to accept any permissive legislation relating to tax exemptions and deferrals provided under the General Laws, to expand on any exemptions or deferrals previously adopted by the Town or to alter any eligibility requirements related to same, to adjust any interest rates on deferrals, to authorize and request the Board of Selectmen to file Home Rule Legislation relating to tax exemptions or deferrals; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Board of Assessors)
ARTICLE 29
To see if the Town will vote to increase the income eligibility and reduce the interest rate for the senior citizen property tax deferral, and authorize and request that the Board of Selectmen file Home Rule Legislation to accomplish this result, if necessary; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 30
To see if the Town will vote to appoint a committee to explore the feasibility of finding additional burial space, determine the composition of said committee; to appropriate the sum of money to defray the expense of additional space, to determine how the sum of money is to be raised and expended; including the possibility of borrowing all or of some of same; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted by the Board of Selectmen and at the request of the Town Manager)
ARTICLE 31
To see if the Town will vote to establish a State Aid Task Force Committee. Said committee will: (i) work together with local, regional and state authorities to restore and obtain additional local aid to the Town; (ii) meet at minimum on a quarterly basis to discuss state action(s) and plan strategies (with these meetings to be public in nature and subject to the process of the Open Meeting Law); (iii) hold at least one public hearing annually to solicit public input regarding the committee’s work; (iv) report on an annual basis to Town Meeting beginning with the 2007 Annual Town Meeting. Said committee’s activities to include, but are not limited to, holding meetings with state leadership, participating in coalitions with other cities and towns, and provision of reports and analyses for
state budgeting process. Said committee’s membership to be as follows: (i) Two department level members to be appointed by the Town Manager; (ii) Superintendent of Schools; (iii) Chair of the Board of Selectmen; (iv) a Community At-Large Representative; (v) a School Committee Representative; and a Finance Committee Representative; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 32
To see if the Town will vote to require that the Town Manager and the Chief of the Arlington Fire Department develop a comprehensive Fire Station Rebuilding Plan, with such plan to include at minimum total cost estimates, station siting analysis and recommendations, equipment and staffing allocations between the three stations as operated by the Arlington Fire Department and impact if any on response times of the siting plan, with the Comprehensive Fire Station Rebuilding Plan to be reported to Town Meeting no later than at the 2007 Annual Town Meeting; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 33
To see if the Town will vote to require that the Town Manager report annually to the Town, starting with the 2007 Annual Town Meeting, regarding the approximate cost of all services provided to non-profits located within the Town. The report to include but not be limited to costs for the provision of trash removal and disposal services, and field maintenance and capital costs thereof. The only exception shall be non-profits that pay rent to the Town for use of real estate, public space and like services; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 34
To see if the Town will vote to enlarge the Pleasant Street Historic District, established under Chapter 40C of the General Laws by the vote under Article 32 of the 1988 Annual Town Meeting (By-Laws, Title VII, Article 1, Section 4) by adding thereto the land and buildings now known as and numbered 7, 11, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, and 24 Oak Knoll, and a portion of the rear yard of 119 Pleasant Street, said properties being bounded and described as follows:
Starting at a beginning point on the southwesterly sideline of Oak Knoll, about 148 feet northwesterly of the northwesterly sideline of Pleasant Street, and running southwesterly 116.3 feet through the property now known as and numbered 119 Pleasant Street, then turning and running northwesterly 147.86 feet along the side yard of said 119 Pleasant Street and the rear yards of 20 and 24 Oak Knoll, then turning and running northerly along the property line of said 24 Oak Knoll 78.05 feet, then turning and running northeasterly by the same, 49.83 feet, then turning and running northwesterly along the property line of 21 Oak Knoll, 110 feet, then turning and running northeasterly by the same 68.65 feet, then turning and running northerly by the property line of 19 Oak Knoll 25 feet, then turning and running
northeasterly by the same, 63.1 feet, then turning and running southeasterly by the property lines of 19, 17, 15, 11, and 7 Oak Knoll, in three courses, 69.3 feet, 122 ± feet, and 196 ± feet, then turning and running southwesterly along the property lines of 7 Oak Knoll and 111 Pleasant Street, and across Oak Knoll, 153 feet, the turning and running northwesterly along the aforesaid southwesterly sideline of Oak Knoll 23 feet to the point of beginning. All of said dimensions being more or less, or however said area may be otherwise bounded and described. Meaning and intending to include all of the land and buildings lying between Pleasant Street and Academy Street and not heretofore made part of the Pleasant Street Historic District. shown on a plan entitled “Oak Knoll Expansion of the Pleasant Street Historic District, Arlington-Mass January 2006” by Ronald Santosuosso, Town Engineer, dated 1/31/06.
and to amend the By-Laws accordingly; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Arlington Historic District Commissions)
ARTICLE 35
To see if the Town will vote to reauthorize revolving funds established under various previous votes of the Town, to hear or receive a report concerning the receipts and expenditures of same, to establish new revolving funds or to amend the votes under any previously adopted revolving funds, to appropriate a sum of money to fund same, to determine how the money shall be raised or expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted by the Board of Selectmen)
ARTICLE 36
To see if the Town will vote to endorse the application for Federal Fiscal Year 2007 prepared by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383) as amended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted by the Board of Selectmen and at the request of the Town Manager)
ARTICLE 37
To see if the Town will vote to give the Town Manager, the Board of Selectmen, the Superintendent of Schools, and the School Committee, the general authority to file applications and to accept grants from the Federal Government, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and/or any grant-making organization/body during Fiscal Year 2007; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager and the Superintendent of Schools)
ARTICLE 38
To see if the Town will vote to fund any fiscal items in the event that any are contained in collective bargaining agreements between the Town and the following named collective bargaining units, and to fund for non-union M Schedule and elected officials’ salaries or fringe benefits, each group to be voted separately, determine how the money shall be raised and expended, or take any action related thereto:
A. Local 680, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees;
B. Service Employees International Union (formerly NAGE);
C. Robbins Library Professional Association;
D. Local 1297, International Association of Firefighters;
E. Arlington Patrolmen’s Association;
F. Arlington Ranking Police Officers’ Association;
G. M Schedule and non union employees; and
H. Full-time elected officials.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)
ARTICLE 39
To see if the Town will vote to establish a reserve for funding future collective bargaining agreements, to appropriate a sum of money for same, determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)
ARTICLE 40
To see if the Town will vote to make additions, deletions and/or modifications to the Classification Plan and Pay Plan, appropriate a sum of money to fund same if necessary, determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager and the Personnel Director)
ARTICLE 41
To see if the Town will vote to make appropriations to defray Town obligations, liabilities, outlay and expenses and especially for or relating to all or any of the boards, departments, purposes and matters hereinafter mentioned, and to provide for the disposal of motor vehicles and other personal property belonging to the Town, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto:
Finance Committee, Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Personnel, Comptroller, Data Processing, Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, Assessors, Legal and Worker’s Compensation, Town Clerk, Registrars, Planning and Community Development, Redevelopment Board, Parking, Zoning Board of Appeals, Public Works, Highway, Snow and Ice Removal, Engineering, Properties, Natural Resources, Cemeteries and Sanitation, Community Safety, School Department, Libraries, Human Services, Insurance, Non-Contributory Pensions, Contributory Pensions, Town Debt and Interest, Reserve Fund, and/or any other Town Departments, Boards, Commissions or Committees, Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund, Recreation Enterprise Fund, Council on Aging Transportation Enterprise Fund, Veterans Memorial Rink Enterprise Fund, and Youth Services Enterprise Fund.
(Inserted by the Board of Selectmen and at the request of the Town Manager)
ARTICLE 42
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to defray the expense of purchasing, leasing, or bonding of capital equipment, infrastructure, buildings or other projects of the Town or to acquire real property for municipal purposes; to appropriate a sum of money to fund previously incurred or future Town debt, to acquire land for said projects where necessary by purchase, eminent domain taking or otherwise, determine how the money shall be raised including the possibility of borrowing any or all of the same, or the transfer of funds from any previous appropriation, determine how such money shall be expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted by the Board of Selectmen, and at the request of the
Town Manager and the Capital Planning Committee)
ARTICLE 43
To see if the Town will vote to rescind the authority to borrow for certain abandoned capital projects; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Capital Planning Committee)
ARTICLE 44
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of paying the Town’s apportioned share of the operating and maintenance costs, including capital costs, of the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of Minuteman Regional Vocational School District Committee)
ARTICLE 45
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum or sums of money to be expended under the direction of the Town Manager for the following celebrations and memorials, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto:
Veterans’ Day Parade
Memorial Day Observation and the Patriots’ Day Celebration
2006 Town Day Celebration
Display of American Flags on Massachusetts Avenue
Placing of American Flags on the Graves of Veterans
(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)
ARTICLE 46
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum or sums of money to be expended under the direction of various committees, commissions, and boards of the Town, determine how the money shall be raised; provided that any funds appropriated hereunder shall remain under the jurisdiction of said entities until expended at their direction, unless otherwise appropriated by the Town Meeting; the entities included hereunder, without limitation, are: Arlington Historical Commission, Arlington Recycling Committee, Avon Place Historic District Commission, Broadway Historic District Commission, Central Street Historic District Commission, Mt. Gilboa/Crescent Hill Historic District Commission, Jason/Gray Historic District Commission, Pleasant Street Historic District Commission, Russell Historic District Commission,
Conservation Commission, Capital Planning Committee, Commission on Disability, Personnel Board, Public Memorial Committee, Human Rights Commission, and any other Town committee or commission; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Moderator and the Finance Committee)
ARTICLE 47
To see if the Town will vote the following:
A.Legal Defense – To appropriate a sum of money to replenish the Legal Defense Fund established under Article 13, Section 5 of Title I of the Town Bylaws,
B.Out-Of-State Travel – To appropriate a sum of money for expenses incurred outside the Commonwealth and as described in the General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5, Paragraph 34, said appropriation to be expended under the direction of the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager,
C.Revaluation – To appropriate a sum of money to fund the cost of revaluation of Town property,
D.Indemnification of Medical Costs – To appropriate a sum of money in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 41, Section 100B of the General Laws, to indemnify certain retired Police Officers and Firefighters for all reasonable medical and surgical expenses which they incurred,
determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager)
ARTICLE 48
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of financing the construction or reconstruction of sewers and sewerage facilities for inflow/infiltration reduction or system rehabilitation, including costs incidental and related thereto, and to determine how the appropriation shall be raised or expended, including the possibility of borrowing; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager and the Director of Public Works)
ARTICLE 49
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of financing the construction or reconstruction of water mains and water facilities, including costs incidental and related thereto, and to determine how the appropriation shall be raised and expended including the possibility of borrowing; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Manager and the Director of Public Works)
ARTICLE 50
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to implement the provisions of Chapter 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws, Sections 90A, 90C, 90D, and 90E, pursuant to which the Town pays up to fifty percent of the maximum salary as set forth in the Compensation and Pay Plan for the position formerly held by retired employees with twenty-five or more years of service to the Town and those employees who retired under an Accidental Disability; this adjustment to be paid to those who qualify, and administered in accordance with prior practice and understanding relating to the retirement allowance of said retirees; determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Contributory Retirement Board)
ARTICLE 51
To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Section 1 and Section 2 of Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2005 allowing veterans to receive an additional yearly retirement allowance of $15.00 for each year of creditable service or fraction thereof, the total amount of this additional yearly retirement allowance not to exceed $300.00; said allowance to be paid retroactively to the date of each such veteran’s retirement, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Contributory Retirement Board)
ARTICLE 52
To see if the Town will vote to do all things necessary and appropriate including, if necessary, the filing of a Home-Rule Petition in order to establish a special account into which can be deposited funds from the school operating budget to defray unanticipated special education expenses; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Superintendent of Schools)
ARTICLE 53
To see if the Town will vote to do all things necessary and appropriate including, if necessary, the filing of a Home Rule Petition in order to establish a special account into which can be deposited funds to defray special education expenses; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Superintendent of Schools)
ARTICLE 54
To see if the Town will vote to accept any local option taxes which are made available to cities and towns through enactments of the legislature; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)
ARTICLE 55
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to be used by the Town in support of improvements to the existing Geographic Information System (GIS) currently in use. These improvements will enable the study recommended by the State’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to be used to accurately determine the Town’s status as to its 1.5% land area exemption from M.G.L., c. 40B implications. The study would be overseen by a committee of nine representatives, one from each of the following Boards or Commissions: Housing Authority, Assessors, Planning, Redevelopment, chosen internally, and one citizen representative selected by each member of the Board of Selectmen from volunteers; to appropriate a sum of money to fund same, determine how the money will be
raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 56
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for our local assessment of the Minuteman Senior Services, determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Council on Aging)
ARTICLE 57
To see if the Town will vote to do all things necessary to implement a program whereby senior citizens providing community service could receive a payment for such services, file Home Rule Legislation if necessary, appropriate a sum of money to fund same, determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Council on Aging)
ARTICLE 58
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of financing the planned events and activities of the Arlington 200th Anniversary Committee, to celebrate the 200th birthday of the Town, commencing on Town Day 2006 and continuing to the end of 2007, to determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the 200th Anniversary Committee)
ARTICLE 59
To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money to the Healthcare Trust Fund as established by Chapter 12 of the Acts of 1998, and to accept into said trust fund a transfer of funds and/or additional monies that the Town may deem advisable from other sources in order to fund its healthcare obligations, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Town Treasurer and the Finance Committee)
ARTICLE 60
To see if the Town will vote to make an appropriation/transfer from the Tip Fee Stabilization Fund established by Chapter 8 of the Acts of 1998 for any purpose allowed by such act, to determine how the money will be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)
ARTICLE 61
To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money to the Cemetery Commissioners for the improvement of Town cemeteries, said sum shall be taken from the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery “Sale of Lots and Graves Fund”; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)
ARTICLE 62
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money from previous years overlay reserve surplus accounts, determine to what purpose this appropriation shall be made; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)
ARTICLE 63
To see if the Town will make an appropriation to be added to the Fiscal Stability Stabilization Fund created under Article 65 of the 2005 Annual Town Meeting in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5B, as amended, or other appropriate provisions of law, determine how the money shall be raised and expended; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)
ARTICLE 64
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the taking of a sum of money voted for appropriations heretofore made at the Town Meeting under the Warrant and not voted to be borrowed from available funds in the Treasury, and authorize the Assessors to use free cash in the Treasury to that amount in the determination of the tax rate for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2006; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of the Finance Committee)
ARTICLE 65
To see if the Town will vote to direct the School Facilities Working Group (hereafter SFWG) to fulfill thoroughly and completely its obligations to develop, maintain and communicate plans to rebuild or renovate the Thompson and Stratton Schools, as previously directed by votes under Articles 74 and 61 of the 2003 and 2004 Annual Town Meetings, respectively. Specifically, that:
The SFWG is charged with the duty of diligently exploring the options to complete the rebuilding projects,
The SFWG shall report to Town Meeting on a preferred option and at least one alternative option for completing the projects, including plans of action for each, and
The SFWG plans shall include timetables and sources of funding, and furthermore, to direct the SFWG to:
Develop these plans with input from the Principals of the Stratton and Thompson Schools, who shall be added to the membership of the SFWG,
Make and clearly state all assumptions necessary to formulate these plans, identifying to the best of its ability the risks associated with each assumption,
Update these plans from time to time, as new information becomes available or developments affecting the plans may occur, but in any event not less than once per year, and
Report on these plans, including progress against them and updates to them, in writing, annually to Town Meeting beginning in 2007 and continuing until the last project has begun construction, and also to the Stratton and Thompson communities in public meetings held at each school at least once during each school year, beginning with the present 2005-06 school year and continuing at each school until its respective project has begun construction; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
ARTICLE 66
To see if the Town will vote to pass a resolution requesting the Selectmen to seek enactment of State legislation in collaboration with neighboring towns of Lexington, Lincoln and Concord to designate a portion of Massachusetts Avenue, the Battle Road corridor, as a Scenic Byway; or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted by the Board of Selectmen)
ARTICLE 67
POSITIVE PARENTING RESOLUTION
To see if the Town will vote the following:
WHEREAS, all children need love, guidance, and safety, and deserve to grow up in an environment free from violence and physical harm; and
WHEREAS, childhood is an especially vulnerable and impressionable stage of life during which future behavior, happiness and psychological health are greatly influenced; and
WHEREAS, positive, non-violent parenting promotes positive, peaceful relationships and respect for the rights and safety of others; and
WHEREAS, current research shows that exposure to violence negatively impacts normal brain development; and
WHEREAS, current research indicates that the majority of child abuse cases start out as corporal punishment, and
WHEREAS, current research shows a strong correlation between corporal punishment and increased aggression, depression, substance abuse, learning disorders, and lower scholastic achievement; and
WHEREAS, current research shows that corporal punishment of children is associated with worse behavior, and the cessation of corporal punishment is associated with improved behavior; and
WHEREAS, current research shows that children who are shown love and respect and are disciplined without corporal punishment are more likely to become adults who enjoy higher self-esteem, better psychological health, higher academic achievement, more peaceful relationships, and more respect for others’ safety; now therefore,
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that Town Meeting of Arlington encourages caregivers to refrain from the use of corporal punishment, and to use positive, non-violent forms of discipline, in the effort to reduce violence and to protect our children’s health and future well-being, and to promote safety and peace for all; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Town Meeting of Arlington encourages appropriate Town groups to help raise awareness of this important issue by distributing positive parenting literature within the Town through schools and community organizations.
“If we are ever to turn toward a kindlier society and a safer world, a revulsion against the physical punishment of children would be a good place to start.” – Dr. Benjamin Spock
17 countries have banned physical punishment of children: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and Ukraine;
or take any action related thereto.
(Inserted at the request of 10 registered voters)
(SIGNED) (SIGNED)
A true copy. JOHN W. HURD SELECTMEN
Attest: KATHLEEN KIELY DIAS OF THE
KEVIN F. GREELEY TOWN
DIANE M. MAHON OF
ANNIE LACOURT ARLINGTON
RICHARD T. BOYLE
CONSTABLE
How to vote by absentee ballot
Reasons for voting absentee
You may vote absentee if you are registered and will be unable to vote at the polls on Election Day because of
Absence from the Town
Physical disability
Religious beliefs
Illegal absentee voting is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and up to five years in prison.
Applying for an absentee ballot
You must apply for an absentee ballot from the Town Clerk no later than noon of the day before the election. Applications may be mailed or hand delivered and you may use any form of written communication (letter or postcard) or the official application form.
Include on the application
Your name as registered
Your registration address
Precinct, if you know it
The precise address to which you wish the ballot sent
Your own signature
Requesting to vote by mail
A ballot will be sent to any address you specify including your own home. Be sure to apply early because the ballots must be sent by mail and may be returned by mail or hand delivered.
Requesting to vote in person
If you prefer, you may request to vote in person before Election Day. You may vote at the Town Hall before Election Day at a time arranged with the Clerk, but application for your ballot must be made no later than noon of the day before the election. A voter may apply for an absentee ballot and then vote over-the-counter during the same visit.
Applying to vote if you are absent from the state, in the armed services or a prisoner
Registered and unregistered residents of Massachusetts outside the state and residents on active duty in the armed forces and merchant marine and their spouses or dependents, and prisoners, may vote absentee. They may request an absentee ballot from the Town where they legally reside (if outside the U.S., where they resided last before leaving). In addition, a close relative may apply on their behalf in person at the Town Clerk's Office.
A parent of a registered voter who is a student at a Massachusetts college or university may apply for an absentee ballot on the student's behalf to the Town Clerk where the student is registered.
In all cases, unregistered voters must register in person when they return to the state, since this does not establish permanent registration.
What if I am permanently physically disabled?
If you are permanently physically disabled and cannot cast your vote at the polling place, you may file a letter from your physician with the Town Clerk, stating that you are permanently unable to cast your vote at the polling place because of physical disability. A completed application for an absentee ballot, for you to sign and return, must be mailed by the Town Clerk to you at least 28 days before every primary and election.
NOTE: Voters who are admitted to a health care facility after noon of the fifth day before an election may apply for an absentee ballot up until the polls close on the day of the election (rather than noon the day before the election) and must designate a person to hand deliver and return the absentee ballot.
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