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Finance Committee Kicks Off FY27 Budget Season Amid Override Uncertainty — January 26 Meeting

Arlington's Finance Committee opened its fiscal year 2027 budget season on January 26, approving three small budgets while grappling with deep uncertainty over a pending property tax override vote set for March 28. With the Select Board yet to finalize the override amount and a projected multi-million-dollar deficit looming, committee members debated how to prepare for two possible budget scenarios — one with an override and one without.

Government

Redevelopment Board Approves 10 Warrant Articles for 2026 Spring Town Meeting — January 26 Meeting

Arlington's Redevelopment Board voted to advance 10 zoning bylaw amendment articles to the 2026 Spring Town Meeting warrant, while dropping two proposals — one on industrial zone jurisdiction and another on commercial space minimums in the multifamily overlay district — for further study. The board also continued three pending public hearings to an in-person meeting on February 2nd.

Government

Select Board Receives FY27 Budget Tied to Override Vote, Hears CDBG Funding Requests — January 26 Meeting

Town Manager Jim Feeney presented a $237.9 million fiscal year 2027 budget that is contingent on a Proposition 2½ override vote scheduled for March 28, warning that a roughly $3 million deficit — growing to $18.3 million in FY28 — would force significant service cuts if the override fails. The board unanimously voted to reschedule its February 9 meeting to February 12 to incorporate the latest health insurance cost data from the Group Insurance Commission before setting the override amount.

Government

School Committee Approves Model UN Trip, Celebrates Performing Arts Growth and Ottoson Elective Reforms — January 22 Meeting

The Arlington School Committee unanimously approved an overnight field trip for the Model United Nations club and received detailed presentations on the district's expanding performing arts programs and a new elective pilot at Ottoson Middle School. The committee also reviewed an FY26 financial update highlighting rising special education transportation costs and discussed upcoming budget forums tied to a potential override.

Government

Conservation Commission Continues Winchester Country Club Hearings, Discusses Fishing Line Waste — January 22 Meeting

The Arlington Conservation Commission continued two notices of intent for Winchester Country Club's golf course and facilities improvements to February 5, requesting additional planting plans, invasive species management proposals, and stormwater engineering review. Commissioners also received an update on their meeting with the town manager about fishing line waste at Hills Pond, expressing frustration over the lack of a concrete action plan from the recreation department.

Government

ZBA Hears Boston Gas Take Station Proposal, Continues to Jan. 27 — January 13 Meeting

The Arlington Zoning Board of Appeals heard a special permit application from Boston Gas Company (National Grid) to construct a new natural gas take station at 307 Washington Street, drawing significant public opposition over tree removal, wildlife impacts, and the necessity of building on a new site. The board continued the hearing to January 27, 2026, requesting additional information on native plantings, noise mitigation, and environmental considerations.

Government

Select Board Eyes March Override as FY27 Deficit Hits $3.7M — January 12 Meeting

Arlington's Select Board received a sobering long-range financial update showing a projected $3.7 million deficit for fiscal year 2027, down from $13.5 million last April but still requiring a property-tax override vote on March 28. The board also approved expanded 25 mph speed-limit signage along Massachusetts Avenue and updated outdoor dining permit rules.

Government

Conservation Commission Reviews Dudley Street Enforcement Plan, Winchester Country Club Hearings — January 8 Meeting

The Arlington Conservation Commission reviewed a preliminary remediation plan for flood storage violations at 66R Dudley Street and advanced a hearing on Winchester Country Club's golf course reconfiguration project along Herbert Myers Brook. The commission also unanimously endorsed a Charles River Watershed Association letter urging MWRA to reduce combined sewer overflows.

Government

School Committee Meeting — January 8, 2026

Arlington's School Committee spent most of its Thursday evening meeting on a detailed look at two very different futures for the district: one where a March operating override passes, and one where it doesn't.