Select Board Meeting - September 14, 2026

All right. We're calling to order the meeting of the Arlington Select Board for Monday, September 14th, 2026. It is 7:17. Um we first we'll confirm I I am select board chair John Herd and we'll do roll for all the members that are present. Joe Solomon >> Eric Helmouth >> Diane Mahan >> Steve Dorsy James Feny town manager Michael Cunningham town council >> Ashley Mar administrator >> thank you and we'll jump right into our agenda. So item one we have two proclamations coming up. Item one item two. The first is hunger action day. So, we have Andy Don from Arlington Eats. Andy, do you want did you want to come up? >> Do you want to read the proclamation first or you want me to speak? >> I'll read the proclamation, but you can just have to pull it up. All right. And we have a proclamation here from the select board that reads, "Whereas an estimated 20% of Arlington households, 3,890, experience food insecurity, and whereas the cost of living, high inflation, and new restrictions on federal assistant programs, including SNAP, are all resulting in more households struggling to afford food and relying on Arlington's network of community partners. ers. And whereas the town of Arlington recognizes that Arlington Eats, Arlington Council on Aging, Food Link, and Arlington Public Schools work in partnership to address food insecurity in this community. And whereas Arlington Eats is serving more than ever, the market served over 550 households each week in the past year, a number that has more than doubled in the past 5 years. And whereas the Arlington Council on Aging acts as the transportation partner for Arlington Eats and has provided 3,255 rides to the Eats market in the past year at no cost to the riders. And whereas in 2025, Food Link rescued 2 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 1.7 million meals, and distributed to 112 community partners through the greater Boston area. And now therefore be it resolved that we the members of the Arlington of the select board do hereby encourage any resident in need of food to call Arlington Eats at 3397076761 or visit arlington eatats.org or an resolved that we the members of the select board do hereby encourage residents to support efforts to alleviate food insecurity by volunteering and donating money or food when they are able. and resolved that Thursday, September 24th, 2026 shall be proclaimed as Hunger Action Day in Arlington and that all residents are encouraged to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance. This will be signed by the five members of the select board. Welcome, Miss Don, the executive director of Arlington. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the select board. I think this is maybe the sixth year that we've done this and part of me is really sad that every year I come the numbers keep growing and growing growing. But I have to say I'm really proud of our this community. The fact that you all support our organizations that you want our residents to take action. Um I think it just says a lot about this town. So thank you for that. Um and I also take heart in the fact that we've listed several of our partner agencies. I mean we can't do this work alone. Um, so grateful for food link and council on aging and many other partners. And one new partner I want to mention to you all is Arlington Housing Authority. So this past spring we worked with them to open up a mini market at Drake Village. So Drake Village is our largest senior housing complex um affordable senior housing complex in Arlington and it's the furthest away from Arlington Eats. So we felt like this was a great opportunity to bring food directly to seniors. Um and it's been very positively received. We had one woman tell us that she could not afford fresh produce when she went to the grocery store. And the fact now that we have this mini market at Drake Village, she's just a few floors away or a few feet away from being able to shop and every week now she can have access to fresh produce. So grateful for those partnerships that allow us to do this work. Um and I do encourage our community to take action this month, whether it's donate food, donate your time, donate money. Um, and also I want to mention that on Hunger Action Day on September 24th, if you're available, uh, that evening at the Robins Library at 6:30 PM, we're partnering with True Story Theater and we'll be doing a live theater presentation about food insecurity. Um, and we did it last year and it was just remarkable to hear the stories. I think it puts perspective on what hunger looks like in our community. So, encourage you all to come out and join us for that evening or take some kind of action this next month. So, thank you. >> Thank you. turn to the board for any questions, comments, motions. Mrs. Mahan, >> I first will move approval. Um, and I also share a concern about the number, but somebody who comes from that world. Um, I do take some solace in that in the fact that, um, kind of takes a stigma away, fortunately or unfortunately. You know, sometimes when you're in that position, you're already getting a little bit of help. There's the thing of if I ask for another thing, it might be too much. Plus, no one else I know has to do that, but then when they see not only it's available through Arlington Eats, but through all the other different programs and and I want to thank you, Miss Don, for working with Mr. Nagel, um, at the housing authority. He's fantastic. He's a nice guy. You should meet him. Um, no, he's always been so re receptive and like you and the members of of um, Arlington Eats, he really understands the constituency and it really is it's a silent helping. You know, if you truly want to help someone, you help them. Um, you know, the worst thing is when you're in that position and somebody helps you, but then says, "Oh, the Mahan family had no food, so we I helped her with a program." You know, that that's really not helping. So, it's a lot of unsung heroins and heroes. So, um and you you all have done a befitting job um for that because sometimes there's great programs, but if you don't have the right advocates or stewards that understand the constituency that they're working with, it makes your job two, three, four times harder. Um and you can't deliver the service you want. So, I say that with all sincerity. So, thank you. Okay. A motion to approve by Mrs. Mahan. >> Second. >> Second. Yeah, >> Mr. Solomon. >> Yeah, thank you for everything you do. You know, I've been lucky to kind of come through a few times over the last few years. um see how everything works, see how you guys have really, you know, the the folks at Arlington needs, the volunteers have not only just, you know, provided the the the end product, but done it in a a thoughtful way where it it really is a positive force in the community for for people who really are struggling. And you know it it is unfortunate to see the number go up but I think you know continued awareness and continued effort and you know the work that you do to expand access so that more people can access this this benefit is it's encouraging. So thank you for the work that you do and >> thank you come a long way from where we were 10 or 11 years ago when we were down in the in the annex putting this thing together. So, thank you for everything you do. All right, that will Yeah, you want to take a vote? Motion to approve by Mrs. Mahan, seconded by Mrs. Solomon. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Unanimous vote. My brain's still getting back to the select board from the summer break. Item number two, National Service Dog Month, Laney Cantor. Is Laney on Zoom? Okay. Right. So, this is another proclamation. I can pull it up. All right. This is proclamation from the Alex board. We believe in the joyful transformative power of the human K9 bond and inclusivity of all citizens. And whereas in the United States, more than 70 million adults and children have a disability and only 16,000 service dogs from accredited training programs exist nationwide and the need is growing. And whereas K9 Companions is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. And whereas K9 companions and their service dogs empower people with disabilities to lead life with greater independence by providing best-in-class training, ongoing follow-up services, and a deeply committed community of support. And whereas National Service Dog Month aims to educate our community about the benefits of service dogs and the laws protecting them. And whereas in the 250th year of our nation, the town of Arlington, Mass, continues to work towards becoming an inclusive community in which all citizens and their trained service dogs are embraced. Now therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the select board, do hereby in recognition of service dogs and the adults in children with disabilities in our community, proclaim September to be the National Service Dog Month. With that, Mr. >> I move approval. >> Second. >> All right. Any further comments? We have a motion to approve by Mr. Dorsy, seconded by Mr. Hlet. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. All those opposed. Unanimous vote. Right. That takes us to our consent agenda. Consent agenda is items 3 through 8 as listed on our posted agenda online. I'll take any motions. Mrs. Mahan approve motion to approve by Mrs. Mahan, seconded by >> second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. All those opposed. Unanimous vote. That takes us to item number 10, appointments. We have an appointment to the violating my own rules here. Appointment to the clean energy future committee. Monica Cabill. >> Cable. >> Yes. >> If you can just introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your interest in the committee. >> Sure. I'm Monica Cable. Uh I have been living in Arlington for about three years. Um, I have two children uh now, a three-year-old and a three-month-old. So, it feels like a great accomplishment to have made it here tonight. Uh, I have been working in the clean energy field uh for my entire career and honestly even since high school. Uh I it's something that I'm really passionate about climate uh mitigation, climate change mitigation and um it's something that I've uh dedicated my my personal and professional interests to. And now that I've uh kind of started settling down and uh into the community, I've just am have noticed a lot of opportunities to that I could uh use my my interest to help support the community and um do a little more grassroots uh support of of climate change mitigation adoption in uh in the area. So, uh I saw the opportunity online um and took the um the uh civics course as well and saw the the call to action and I got really excited after um doing doing that course and um thought this would be a good place for me to plug in. >> Excellent. Turn to the board for any motions. M. >> Thank you very much. I'd enthusiastically move approval. Um, full disclosure, Monica's a a neighbor, but um, and I got to know her first from her exemplary service on the local road uh, paving committee, which is like with our private ways, and I know that's how managers got to experience your uh, incredibly good project management expertise. So, I was thrilled to read your resume and find out just what a great fit you were for the clean energy futures committee. I'm the select board representative to that. So, I look forward to your joining that. And uh thank you so much for stepping up to get involved. It's a great group and I hope it will be a gateway to some other things as you have time. >> I hope so too. >> Motion approved by Mr. Helmet. Second by Mrs. Mah. >> Yes. I will gladly second this. And three year and threemonth-old. This is like a night out for you. >> I know more questions. >> Exact. Exact. Sorry honey. They wanted me to stay >> right. Yeah. But no, I am I am also thrilled that to hear that you came through the civic academy. That's one of our town managers sort of >> incredible program honestly. >> And what did you think of Mr. Defeny? He already signed the contract, >> but it's one of the things that um he's worked on pretty much I think from the beginning um with not that you have to when you sign up for it, get yourself engaged um on a committee or in the community, but that's sort of the hope to at least make it an option. Um but then for you and your family because this is a family commitment and I truly um we all uh recognize that and respect that. So, thank you to your spouse and your two kids for allowing me to do this. And if I wasn't impressed with MIT, the Sloan Fellow, um, uh, we've had a few Arlington residents that come from the Sloan community. Um, and it's not something I could even touch, but um, and then the other thing that we always say with all of our different volunteer committees, commissions, board, etc., when you look at the resumes, curriculum, VTI, etc., um we couldn't afford you to do, you know, what we're getting for your expertise and what the town is. And I know you're giving it back for yourself and for your family, but you're also doing it for the Allenting community, and we're very, very grateful for that. So, and stay out as long as you want. I'll give you a >> Thank you, M. I'll try to extend this a little bit. That might be one of those few instances where we're sorry for not putting you at the end of the agenda, but um but but thank you for for your interest in in in serving and and um with your experience. I know you'll be a great addition and and in addition to MIT you uh you Berkeley for undergrad, which is uh really really impressive. So, thank you for your interest and um um and for your comments about the academy as well beforehand. >> Appreciate it. I think they got it. >> Thank you. And we have motion to approve by Mr. Helmets, seconded by Mrs. Mahan. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Unanimous vote. >> All right. That takes us to licenses and permits. Item number 11, food vendor license, Thrive Gourmet Amari Aras in Wilma Mia. There'll be a hearing. Yes. Good evening everyone. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can. >> Oh, hi. How are you? Uh, my name is Amii Arias. My wife Wilma cannot join me uh at this moment, but uh just wanted to take the moment to thank you for the opportunity. Uh, and also I want to congratulate you for making me sit through this because it allows me an opportunity to get to know the community some more. Um, and I definitely look forward to to uh not only being a part of the community but contributing to to the betterment of it. >> Thank you. And I will turn to the board for any questions. >> Mrs. Mahan. Um, first I would like to move approval of Thrive Gourmet's food vendor license. And I would also like to um I've heard from and read um a lot of testimonials from different Arlington residents and families with different circumstances who just rave not only about your food, but also your service and how um accommodating you are and how welcome welcoming you are with um people who come into Thrive Gourmet. So, um, thrilled that you're here. You're very welcome. And, uh, I know you and your your wife and and your Thrive family really have to put in a lot of hours, um, to do that. And it's only makes Allington better for it. So, we're thrilled that you here you're here. Wish you all the luck and um, look forward to um, working with you in the community. >> Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much. We are committed uh, and we are all so proud and you're all welcome to swing by at some point. Thank you. >> There's a motion to approve by Miss Mahan. Second, >> second by Mr. Helmet. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Unanimous vote. Thank you. All right. So that will take us to our open forum. Except in unusual circumstances, any man matter presented for consideration of the board shall neither be acted upon nor decision made the night of the presentation in accordance with the policy under which the open forum was established. Should be noted that there is a 3minut time limit to present a concern or requests. I'll first look to anyone in the chamber that wishes to speak during open forum. Seeing none, if you are on Zoom, please use the raise hand function in your Zoom app now to signify that you'd like to speak. >> Seeing no raises. >> With that, we will close our open forum, which brings us to item number 12 for approval, cable ascertainment report. Attorney Mer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, I have with me my colleagues uh Sandro Katzaro and Joseph Whis. Uh, we have put together our uh uh ascertainment report uh for your consideration. Just to retrace history, we've we've been before you a couple times before first to outline the process. Then on July 27th, we had our public hearing. The report is really broken down into three categories. One is the uh initial survey when we thank uh Ashley and her staff for conducting that. Uh we boiled it down and drew some conclusions which you saw in the report. We had interviews the week of July 27th with the various stakeholders, department heads, superintendent of schools and finally and also of course ACMI. Uh and we have the public hearing as I referred to before. So uh if very glad to answer any questions that you have. Uh then after we close any questions that you have, I have a proposed very short simple motion that needs to be adopted. So questions turn to the board. Mhan. >> Um I'll ask the question if there is or isn't an answer. Um, I understand with the public hearings and the public survey and everything else, there was sort of two general areas, two categories, um, that you made sure was the basis of everything you asked for. And I'm just wondering um if there was anything under you know identifying cable related community needs and interest and reviewing the performance of our cable companies if there was anything of note on one both or either of those that you all um encountered or was it something that it was pretty much what you expected. >> Uh that's really kind of referring uh Diane I think you're talking more about the survey. Let me have uh Joseph reply. he's our he took the survey part of the uh report. I I think generally there were some negative comments. Uh but most people, you know, a lot of them are cutting their cords now in streaming. Uh I think negotiations will be somewhat challenging because of that because there's less money coming in and therefore less money to send to ACMI after town meeting vote. Uh but um I didn't sense a ground swell of opposition to the cable companies. They are here. Uh there was some complaints that they should have a center in town. Only RCN or a town really has one. Uh some of their service personnel had some. There was some small criticism on them. Uh the major criticism was that you know increase of rates uh pretty much what you would expect. >> Anything you want to add to that? >> Uh yeah I I will mirror what you said. There were no no significant surprises with the report. Uh what we did learn is that um a lot of people lack awareness with of the programming that is provided by ACMI and how to access that. And that was some of the key feedback there about, you know, making driving more of that awareness. Um, in addition, I think this um the concern about a access to repairs, reliability, cost, etc. Um, it wasn't focused on one provider. I think it was evenly spread amongst all three providers. And finally, I think it was really interesting to read through the comments and understand that there is a chunk of people that are using alternative services such as uh uh mobile networkbased uh so high-speed internet through the uh cellular networks etc that are not covered by this survey. So something to consider for the next ascertainment report. I think. Yes, I'm good. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Did I move approval on that? >> Move approval on the case. >> There's actually a motion I could suggest. >> Okay. Sorry. >> This, by the way, is a I'm sorry. I had no questions. >> Yeah. Thank you. Uh, thank you for your work. First of all, this, you know, this is important. Despite the changes and shifts we're seeing and and in cable services, a lot of people still use it. And I know there's forces beyond our any of our control um certainly in this room and uh to to change some of the fundamental economics especially as it goes to the community access programming but nevertheless it's good to know that there's a lot of support for ACMI and um and it's good to know that the three providers are still providing satisfactory. My question is were is what was the um is all all three Comcast Verizon being rated satisfactory was that a binary satisfactory or not satisfactory or did any of them fail to get like very satisfactory excellent you know like can you give us a sense for what that represents that level of service >> um we would need to get back to you on that specific item um I don't have it off the top of my head and we need to dive into the data but there wasn't a significant difference in terms of satisfaction. >> So it's all kind of about even. Yeah. Yeah. That's good. >> It's important to to understand that this is like preliminary to the as you know preliminary to the negotiation. This sets the framework uh for the negotiations which I'm sure will be undertaken by the manager and whoever he chooses to have on negotiation team I'm sure including the town council. uh and uh it's a it's a process uh that prelim is preliminary to the negotiations. The Comcast license has exired already. >> Um astound I think expired last week and uh Verizon expires next March. I think I have that right. So, we're going to be engaging with all three and of course their licenses carry over until we either negotiate an extension or we don't. I'm sure we I assume we will. >> If we're not, we'll all go to court, you know. So, a lot of money involved here, but it is a framework and uh we did our best and uh if unless there's any other questions, I do have a proposed motion. Anybody else have questions? Any >> just a brief comment. Thank thank you all for for your work on this and it and I I maybe I shouldn't be surprised but the number of respondents that just unaware of the the local programming and I do see that in the negotiations you do put in um the request that ACMI made to put their program guide within each of the access. That doesn't seem like a big ask and hopefully you get a positive response on that. >> It has been a big ask. We did know 10 years ago uh we asked and their response was they have one program guide for all the communities that they provide service for. Uh I think uh if a town can do it, which they're doing now, uh we won't I doubt very much the manager is going to take no for an answer this year. So I mean with technology being such now that will no longer be an appropriate response from them. >> Right. Right. Yeah. No, I'd encourage en encourage that because it's >> um I was at a forum a few years ago when Jeff Barn was still at ACMI and the number of people that weren't aware of their newscast and and some other things was was surprising but that this this may help. So yeah, thank you for your efforts and and good luck with that ask. >> The uh the other major thing ACMI is looking for additional the capital expenditures. They need a new server and there are some other things that they would uh would like for sure, but they also want to have all of their presentations, their offering, their program offerings in in high definition and only Astound does that now. There's no reason why cannot be done for the other two companies. Okay, >> great. Thank you. >> It's funny these meetings are so interesting. We figured everyone in town watches them. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to thank the committee too. This is an essential step in the process. This estate report is excellent. It's it's got great data. Um it's critical for the board as we open up negotiations with these providers and just for the board's information. We have already been in touch with all three providers to get that process started. So, this is a helpful step this evening and we'll keep it moving forward for the board um when we begin negotiations in earnest. All right, we'll go to our former town council for a proposed motion. We'll clear it with our current town council. Then I'll look to the board to make the motion. >> He refers to me as town council of Mmeritus. And and we were talking before the meeting that I've been going to Sleman's meeting since 1974, which is over 50 years. If you we used to meet every week when we f when I first came on and if you if you do the arithmetic that's a lot of selectments meeting probably 700 selective meetings. >> Well isn't that when there used to be a bottle of whiskey in this area. The proposed motion would be pursuant to the provisions of the Cable Communication Policy Act of 1984 47 United States Code 46 546A in chapter 166 of the general laws. The licensing authority of the town of Arlington hereby adopts the ascertainment report provided by its cable advisory committee and request that the town manager transit transmits same to the cable companies and commence negotiations. Good. >> Town council amerit's draft motion is comprehensive and correct. >> I'll turn it to the board if anyone wants to adopt the motion as suggested by >> I move that move that motion as suggested and just request if has not already been transmitted to the board chairs inclusion in the minutes and to town council for whatever they do with it. >> Second motion by Mr. Helmet, second by Mr. Dorsy. All those in favor say I. All those opposed. >> Unanimous vote. >> Good to see you. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Public TV. Interesting. >> All right. That takes us to >> being shown in high deaf, but >> we might regret that. >> Item number 13 on our agenda, discussion, approval, parking permits around Arlington High School. We have a memo from Superintendent Homeman. I'm going to turn to Mr. to present on this. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, this matter is being brought be back before the board for renewal. It was initially voted uh in the affirmative for 100 permits uh last August for the 2025 2026 school year. Uh and at that time, the board only wished to approve for that uh school year pending any review of any followup and updates. uh for the subsequent year. So the Dr. Hman has provided uh a memo that provides background again on the request and the uh frankly the simple fact that there is not enough parking available on the AHS site to support all staff. But uh notably I want to point out that though we saw 100 permits last year uh this year the request is for 75 parking permits for staff. And I will note obviously we are collecting requests now through the uh board's administrator and as of right now we are only up to 58 requests. We thought that perhaps seeking uh approval for up to 75 would uh prevent this matter from be from needing to be brought back before the board uh again this school year. But again, the permits are only issued as applied for by individuals who provide uh their information and who have been verified by uh the school department as being active, current employees who need uh parking for Arlington High School. So, these permits again provide essentially are providing an exemption from the 2-hour parking limit on the neighborhood streets uh south of Massav where largely staff and students have always parked for accessing uh the high school. Of course, what these permits do not exempt uh those who hold them from or are parking in any manner that may uh violate the town's traffic rules and orders. Uh so know that you know already this year we are making a concerted effort through our parking control officers uh each and every day to uh be out in that particular neighborhood and enforcing uh crosswalk driveway hydrant uh intersection handicap ramp too far from curb direction parking uh failure to leave a 10-ft travel lane. So anything that could present a safety risk is being uh actively enforced and in fact having these uh permits and having contact information for the individuals associated with those vehicles actually uh is a mechanism for streamlining enforcement. So, uh certainly welcome any questions or feedback that we can send to the school department, but to date we have not received uh any correspondence uh or negative feedback regarding the uh parking permit program that was instituted uh last year and that is being uh scaled back somewhat this year, but would be uh for all intents and purposes looking exactly the same. It would not include uh massav or metered parking. it would only be uh neighborhood streets and would more readily identify the vehicles that are parking uh in that neighborhood. So, thank you in advance for your consideration. >> Turn to the board. >> This is Mad. >> Um first, I'd like to move approval um of the current request of 75. Um, and one of the things I was really encouraged by because um, I think to date this year, we've only received one letter from the surrounding neighborhood. But one of the things that um I'm really happy with that the superintendent and the town manager along with the traffic division have instituted that they've done you know when neighbors neighboring communities streets roads have had concerns they've gone out and responded to those right away and and worked together and and um come up with a solution. And um usually with the start of the new school year um they'll hear at least half a dozen if not a dozen um different neighbors that will notify the town. And I think as of right now I don't want to jinx it. We haven't heard from anybody yet. Is that right, Mr. Manager? >> That is true. >> And I think that's really because you and the superintendent at all have been really proactive in um going out and and responding that way. So, I just want to note that that, you know, it's a little extra work in the in the short term, but I think it pays off in the long run. So, thank you, >> Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yeah, I'll second Mrs. Mahan's motion. And one of the other things I wanted to point out, and you mentioned it, but that the collaboration between the school department, the police department is really impressive here in terms of getting feedback and and and acting on it. And I don't know if you know the answer to this question, Mr. define. But was the CVS lot was that did that come at at a cost the 25 spots there or or um was it a temporary accommodation? >> Uh thank you Mr. Dorsy for the question. I knew it was only a temporary accommodation and I don't believe there was a cost associated with it but I would have to verify as I was not a party to the direct agreement. >> Okay. And and I'm happy to support the 75 but if that lot at CVS does have some excess capacity. to the extent that that's available that that's fewer cars off the neighborhood streets if it can be done. If it can't, um we appreciate everything that's been done in the comprehensive report. >> You have a motion to approve by Mrs. Mahan, seconded by Mr. Dorsey. All those in favor say I. I. >> All those opposed. Unanimous vote. That brings us to item number 14. We have a draft letter to the MWR in response to the public comment period for the updated combined CSO control plan. Mrs. M. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, with no light-heartedness or joking, I do want to um thank town council and the town manager for the draft letter that appears before us because I know number one, you know, sort of encapsulating something for us to look at to consider submitting on behalf of the town of Allen, but also dealing with the moving pieces of city of Summerville, city of Cambridge, now city of Boston, and then all our watershed association, Mystic River, Charles River, Save the Owl Life. Um, that's I know I and others that I've named as well as up here sitting up have thrown a lot of information at you and for a first or last pass at a draft. Um, I do appreciate what is here before us because I have very few um, suggestions that I would make changes. Um recognizing that um what I anticipate from the chair the way this is on the agenda we won't vote this tonight you know we want to look at uh ruminate think about um I think the two changes or additions or whatever that I would have as well as anyone else and then both this um at the meeting on the 24th. Um I feel more and more encouraged every month around this issue. Um I really think um having all the groups that we mentioned as well as Representative Co Clark, Katherryn Clark who is a friend of mine. We're friends and then she went further and and has gone much further than I have in politics. But her coming out to Arlington um Mr. Dorsy was there. Mr. We had um Representative Rogers, Garbbley Decker, um Barber, uh Senator Jaylen, Representative Steve Owens from Watertown and all the affiliated staff, her coming out um committing to exploring seriously getting the Army Corps of Engineers to come out and look at this um visav solutions, visav dredging um as well as um taking one of the suggestions that the MWR has about one of the it's either inflow or outflow gauge um up at their main out um the the representative representative clock feels pretty confident that she can um secure the funding around that which would be anywhere from 100 to 300,000 but then also um getting the vote out of the Boston City Council that was proposed by its chairman Miss Liz Braden um and getting a unanimous members vote on something that's a political issue. Um, when I started out, I started out with city of Boston, which was ABCC, uh, the city council and MoCal. and to see a vote like that. Um I think a lot of it is because of the momentum and for them to come out so strongly um opposing the current plan um proposed um by the MWR which we've incorporated in into our comments and um I'm reaching out to uh the chair of the city of Boston to see because one of the things the council voted was to number one to get a message to city of Cambridge summer which individually have taken votes that we need a better plan um in MW, but also put in there to work with uh neighboring municipalities. So, I'm going to explore that to see if that's something because one of the things that we've really wanted and I spoke to the manager about this morning is to get Arlington a seat at the table, which means to get our town manager um with whoever else he decides to bring at the table, even if they're not a voting member, but to be at the table so we're not overlooked. Um, so we're not having to do all this extra work taxing our legal department, our town manager department, all the watersheds, etc. Um, and one of the, uh, other groups that I wasn't really holding high up on feeling good about, um, the MAPC, um, Metropolitan Planning Council. I don't know what the A stands for. area, >> Metropolitan Planning Council just last week met with um after Representative Clark's visit met with the members of Save the Alwife um and have asked for a second meeting. Uh then they're kind of on board now. Um, and and and the other good thing about Boston City Council coming on board because anything I go into, I think of it as a game and a sport and I figure out what game I'm playing, how many players I need, what strong play, what kind of strong players I need, DHS or and um, city of council gets three, city of Boston gets three appointees to the MWR um, advisory board or executive exe one of the and secretary ter that's the governor. The unions have one. So, you know, we're getting there. So, I know we all and you all have spent a lot of time um getting all this information, learning about it, continuing. Not that you didn't know about it before, but I I know it's really been perhaps in some ways taxing, but I really feel positive about um this actually um coming out so that the public health issue is is is addressed. That's that's the main foremost. So, I'm not looking, no one is looking for anything extra. So, um with that, I will just very briefly say what my um what I would add to the letter and I'll um coordinate with the manager and town council and then it'll be in our packet for our next vote to see how the the rest of you um feel about that. But I do want to on the um first paragraph um add a sentence that says contrary to the claim at El Whitebrook, the draft plan results in worsened conditions in a common fiveyear storm event with 50% more untreated sewage overflow discharges when the brook is most likely to flood over its bank. And and I have the backup materials to that, the um studies and engineering reports. I just want to add that part of what we're sending. Um, and then the other thing I wanted for consideration is uh the par paragraph that starts with on October 26, 2026, Boston City Council voted that when it goes down to when it talks about the select board, this board has long supported the implementation of green and gray infrastructure solutions. Yes. And then it says such as and what I would like to do is strike the words and I'll explain hopefully briefly tunnel storage and or and then replace it with such as storm water wetlands and sewer separation. And the reason I say that the issue around the tunnel storage with the residents in Arlington who the brook as well as the residents of North Cambridge who are very active who but the brook on that side are vehemently opposed to that. um they see it as part of the MWR plan that first of all the construction of that it's a massive massive amount of land of where these underground storage tunnel tanks would be and it's also what the neighbors are concerned about is not only are they going to be continuing to flooding be flooding the brook with csos they're going to store them underground a budding Arlington a budding north Cambridge and just you know sitting in there continuously be being discharged and what all the um professionals in terms of the scientists that we have on the Charles River, Mystic River, save the owl wife etc. um as well as it was in MWR Cambridge and some plan as a possibility but they went with the easy tunnel. I mean, they just want to do huge long underground tunnels, which is like a 5 to eight year construction project, which if you live in East Arlington, North Cambridge, that's going to be a nightmare. And then those tanks are going to be underground. So, I'd like to strike tunnel storage and add it and change that to storm water wetlands. Um, so infrastructure solutions such as not the tunnel storage, but storm water wetlands and then keep everything else. So, but I'll get that to um the manager in town council and I'll ask you to whatever you call it, red line it in MSMAR or yellow highlight it, whatever it is, so you all can see what my changes are with that. Um, and then what what I whatever I hear from the city council, if I hear from the council president, Miss Braden, that you know, of course, the board's always welcome to take a motion and we'd be happy to work with you, but it's pro former. I'm not going to waste anybody's time. But if if the feeling of the Boston City Council is, yeah, we want to, you know, gather all the groups together, all the, you know, cities and towns, then um I I won't waste anybody's time unless it's actually a doable thing. Thank you. >> Okay. Any other comments, >> Mr. Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um you Thank you to Mr. Feny and Attorney Cunningham. Um I think this is an excellent draft. There's a few comments here and there that I have as well. So, I'm glad to to hear that this might be something that we make some changes and come back later in the month. And I think one thing further on the tunnel storage, one of the complaints about that too is the tunnel storage becomes fixed in terms of what it capacity is. So, you don't know what the future what will happen in the future and you you may be further restricted. And I think the other thing we heard on that is that in theory what you put in the tunnel storage then has to go through the system as opposed to the wetlands. And that's that's a big difference. Um and and I think as to the information Mrs. Mahan mentioned at the beginning I think if if that can be circulated I know you have the backup in terms of for the conclusions so the members can see that so everybody's comfortable if if if it goes in the letter and and um it was a big step by by the city of Boston I mean I think the other thing here it's a big difference what was in the Boston resolution what's in this draft that this will cover a 25-year storm as opposed to a typical storm in 20150 that's a huge difference. Um and and um so I I look forward to offering some comments and maybe having a further discussion later in the month, but thank you for getting this to us. I know it was a lot of work and it reads really well. >> Good. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to thank the members, too. When that's what this is designed to be, an opportunity for the members to look at this draft, to make comments on it, and have an opportunity to edit it. Um, this isn't due to the MWA until the end of October, but I think Mrs. Mahan's diligent efforts at pushing this forward um, and making sure that we have enough time to make edits that we want to make. And so, fortunately, we're in that position now where the board has some time to make those edits. And now, I'm happy to work with any board member who has changes they want to make, including the the good changes that have been suggested tonight. >> Thank you. I don't believe we have a motion on the table. So, we will move on to item number 15, discussion invoke parking regulations and policies. Mr. V, happy to start. uh for the board's consideration this evening is a redline version of your current uh parking policies and regulations largely as prepared by uh Miss Mar to reconcile recent uh votes of the board in regards to the overnight parking uh pilot and the terms of the fact that it's no longer term to pilot that the number of permits has changed. As the board is aware, we recently uh updated relevant sections of the town's website to uh have these changes more clearly reflected if you were to search overnight parking. And at that time, it became clear we also needed to update uh this document that lives on the website. I will note now we'll turn it over to Miss Mara if she wishes to sort of uh elucidate further that there is one change in blue that is unrelated to the board's uh recent votes regarding the overnight parking pilot permit program. that when I saw just is an opportunity to alleviate confusion for uh a reference to a stipen uh for when the treasurer's position uh was in fact still elected. Those duties have been rolled into the position description and in fact that stipen has not been appropriated through the finance committee or town meeting uh since fiscal year uh 2018. So, just taking the opportunity to uh clean up what is an otherwise confusing reference uh in the document. But beyond that, I'll turn it over to Miss Mar if there's anything she'd like to add. >> Nothing additional. We just tightened up the policy as a whole, made some edits that are now consistent with what is on the police website as well. A lot of it was um how to request overnight parking. There's no longer an overline an overnight hotline. the main line and just kind of tightening up some of the information to make sure that it's consistent with what's on our website for residents. So, >> for the board's consideration to just update and put on our website so everything is kind of in uniform, >> this is the first of a series of >> That's correct. >> Items to clean up and make what we're presenting to the public actually what we've have voted on. >> And why not start with parking? >> That's right. I'll turn to the board. M. >> Thank you. Move approval. I love a good clean up. Nice job. Um, just while we're talking about the overnight parking waiverss, this is the one. Is this the one that there are 14 of these available per year? So, we've, you know, we've been hearing from some folks over the last year or so that uh, and I've heard from some people, I think other board members have too that that's sometimes not enough for family members who are coming in for extended stays and all that. And you know, I I wonder just from our professional staff um what their sense of that is and other board members if there's any interest in and we'd want to know what the police think of this too, but in in expanding that to accommodate some of that feedback we've been getting. >> I think the town manager maybe has a thought about that. >> Sure. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for the question, Mr. Helmouth. Uh I have asked a similar question. We have pulled the data on those requests from web QA where it lives and I actually have uh the current intern from Arlington High School who is serving the town manager's office currently uh preparing some analysis of that data to help uh support hopefully a future recommendation uh and change for same at an upcoming board meeting uh as sort of a a project for that particular student. So, it's certainly something that hasn't been uh amended in some time and is probably due for consideration of an update and is fully within the purview of this board to do so. >> I would look forward to that information. >> All right. >> Additional comments, >> Miss I'll second Mr. Helmet's motion. Um, two points. Um, not that this has to be changed. Um, I know we're saying, um, on page I think eight, um, regarding, uh, snow emergencies. I I see it says the holder of the permit will be expected to be off the street. Um, I was kind of hoping that would be must be off the street, but I'm fine with keeping it the way it is. But if we could think cuz if you wanted to quibble about that, someone could say, "Yeah, there was a snow emergency. You didn't tell me I had to have to be off the street." Or if maybe in the next version, that could just be firmed up a little bit more um in in terms of um in comply, you know, the hold of the permit when there's a snow emergency to be in in compliance with or something like that. Or if we can just throw a must in there, but that doesn't have to happen right now. That's fine. And then the other thing that um uh I spoke with the uh Ms. Maher this morning and the town manager is um I would like for the board I know we have um I've heard different solutions in ter terms of when the board gets a report on how many overnight parking requests how many have been issued versus the number that we give out. Um, I've heard monthly and perhaps something that that's something that the manager gets. it it doesn't have to and it shouldn't be necessarily in this policy here, but I would like if it's sort of a an established protocol or that at least by annually the select board um receives like at the beginning of the year and near the end of the year a status update either through the board administrator or town manager just I mean it's just a quick calculation um as well as um also So, in any extraordinary circumstances, if all of a sudden, you know, we knew um we got the report in January to March, we're not due to November, but then all of a sudden in August and September, um 40 permits were applied for, you know, and there's only eight left. I' So, I'd like if there could be some sort of protocol that this board and whatever the manager gets, if he gets monthly, that's fine, too. I'm not saying it has to be monthly for us, but I would like at least buy in twice a year and as well as if there are any extraordinary circumstances because then I'd like to also um look into why is that happening? Is there something else this board needs to do? Is it a construction project? Is it something else? So um so again, that's not in there, but um I'm hoping that my colleagues would agree that we should at least maybe twice a year get a report. >> Okay, >> that's it. Thank you, >> Mr. Solomon. Mr. may have suggested this in a prior meeting, but as we approach the threshold of whatever the current policy lists for that, then that that may be a good trigger point to let us know that we may need to take action soon. So, I don't know if we want to vote with this tonight, that's fine, but just, you know, at some point in a version, just be explicit about like this is when it just comes to the select board for review and and updating. But >> I think that's >> I know we're working on looping them into the conversation to make sure that we don't get into a situation again where we ran out of permits and people getting turned away and we don't know that and I think that's in process too. This is really just to take our current policy and make sure it's reflecting what we voted on in the past couple years and the changes. >> Attorney Cunningham. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to follow up on Mrs. Mahan's comment regarding page 8, bullet point number two there regarding the language if the board ch I I do think that that language would clarify it and pursuant to the the agenda item, if the board wanted to make that change as part of its vote tonight, it could do that right now. Um, specifically just making that sec second sentence read that the holder of the per the permit's vehicle must be off the street when there's a street cleaning or a snow emergency. I do think that clarifies it. >> I'd be happy to make that amendment to my motion. >> And I notic that that would also make consistent with a couple of other musts regarding that elsewhere in the document. So, it would just eliminate confusion. >> As long as it doesn't say we urge them to do it. >> No strongly urges here. No. Well, let I was talking to strongly urged this morning. >> Town council may have had that recommendation, sir. >> All right. With that, we have a motion approved by Miss Telmouth, seconded by Mrs. Mahan. All those in favor say I. >> I. All those opposed. Vote. All right. That brings us to correspondence received. We have item number 16, request for our parking signs on Mystic Street by Paul Schlookman. And item 17, fair share bus shelter installations by Katie Lzai, our economic development coordinator. >> Mrs. Mahan, the motion received by Mrs. Mahan, seconded by >> second. >> Mr. Dquasi. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> All those opposed. Unanimous vote. New business. Um, my only new business is that town day is this Saturday for the public to come and enjoy the day. Hopefully, it's a nice sunny day for everyone and hope to see you all there. It's really new business. Thank you, >> Attorney Cunningham. No new business, Mr. Chair. Thank you, >> Mr. Feny. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just wanted to note uh the town in conjunction with Arlington Public Schools is planning a budget forum to take place on Thursday, October 29th at 700 p.m. We're looking to hold this in a virtual format using the uh discourse lab at the Arlington High School to support both uh inerson and Zoom participation uh with the intention of providing sort of an overview and primer on the town's finances coming uh on the heels of the spring override vote. So, I just wanted to announce that date and time this evening and uh certainly will uh turn it over to Mrs. Mahan, if there's anything she'd like to add on that particular item as I know uh she and other members of the override steering committee uh you know have been encouraging this to happen and this came out of um my co-chair and to me the main chair I served under him uh Jeff theman our colleague on the school committee when we were going out um talking to people who are undecided or were yeses or nos that said you know we'd like another opportunity to not only about the budget but also um why an override, you know, what what is that for? You know, we'd like to engage in the conversation and um we committed that we would do that. We didn't want to because we discussed how to answer that question and some people said, "Well, let people know there's so many opportunities that they can do that. They can come to the finance committee hearings, uh you know, when there's there warrant article reviews. They can come to the Envision um Arlington uh group that that runs those hearings. They can come to um the select board meeting for warrant article hearings. Um what Mr. Theman and I and other members of the of the override committee felt like um even though we could give that as an alternative when we started saying that we didn't want to be deflecting as well as people were like well I don't want to go in and listen to one specific item I want an overview. So that's what this is and and um also the third co-chair, Miss Destler, um chair of the the finance committee um also has been involved with this and and Mr. Theman met with the superintendent this morning. Um I met with the town manager and it really was just following through on that commitment. It's the first one we're doing and we'll craft it um going forward. But the hope is that um it's a a yearly thing as well as it begins to really foster the town school um sort of coming together because we'll be learning too um when it comes to that. So so that's what it is and and more information will go out um about the rest of the format of the thing. But I do want to thank people doing um uh 85 to 90% of the work on this starting back in June or July when we started meeting have been the town manager and superintendent of schools. But you make the big bucks. But they really um have have put in a lot of work and we'll have to put in a little bit more work to have this event on the 29th. Thank you. >> Back to you. I jumped in on his new business. >> No new business. >> Miss Fee, were you also new business? >> Thank you. No new business. >> New business. >> Any additional news? >> Um, apologies for not making it Thursday night to the goals meeting. I did send I think to you and the text from my boss that I had to get it, you know, I had a double expedite on that. Um, because I did want to speak to um, but I won't speak to it tonight because it's not on the agenda. Um, but I know the town manager relayed the um, proposal I had regarding commercial development and planning and things like that. But it's my understanding, correct me if I'm wrong, that the goals document will be an agenda item in the future in a draft form. And then that's where um, what I'll do is make sure I include in the packet materials what my language would be to back up what that proposal is. and and um for the board to consider whether it goes in as a goal and if not um if it can be done a different way or not done at all. So, but I do want to say um I'm I'm really really sorry. I originally was going to make it, but then when the second job got expedited, I was up all night if that's any consolation. I didn't get to go to sleep at all. But the other two new business already spoke about. Thank you, >> Michelle. No new business. So >> I I don't remember if I went out or in. >> No, with no new business, Mrs. Solomon. >> No new business. >> I still don't need to do new business. >> Whichever direction you go. >> All right. My only new business was to talk about tand day. And I know we uh we have excess we have more applicants this year than than we were able to give boost to. So hopefully next year we can kind of make some changes to help that. But should be a great event. It's the first one in years that I haven't had 12 hockey games for. So, I'll actually get to participate in. So, I'll enjoy uh being able to do so. So, and thank you all for all the work they put into it. With that, we will take a motion and adjourn by Mrs. Mahan. Seconded by >> Second Mr. Solomon. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed. Unanimous vote.