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Judith Pfeffer
Category: Minuteman
Hits: 849

Kathleen DawsonSuperintendent-Director Kathleen Dawson

George ClementPrincipal George Clement

Arlington residents and others the evening of May 25 extolled Minuteman High School Principal George Clement, excoriated district Superintendent-Director Kathleen Dawson and blasted the Minuteman School Committee for allowing the fraught situation to occur. 

The immensely popular Clement has been absent from his office in recent days, his employment status currently unclear. Dawson’s refusal to renew his contract, set to expire June 30, triggered a student walkout covered by three television stations, a unanimous faculty vote of no confidence in Dawson and two ongoing online petition drives on Change.org demanding, respectively, that officials keep Clement and dump Dawson, with total signatures exceeding 2,000.

At the May 25 meeting, in comments on the petition drives and in other ways, many people have suggested that Dawson’s consistently off-putting approach with her subordinates had motivated at least four other high-level managers to resign so far.

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YourArlington staff
Category: Things to do: Events
Hits: 2787
Regent Theatre at 100 years old logo
Albert Profeta

Internationally acclaimed Italian tenor

His mentor, Luciano Pavarotti once said to Alberto, "You have a beautiful voice. You will be a great tenor and go far..." ... Alberto has performed on many stages. Now, directly from Italy.

Thursday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m. | Learn more | Show Times

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YourArlington staff
Category: Environment
Hits: 42

Students in EverettFourth-grade students from Jada Simmons-Ononeme’s science class at the George Keverian School in Everett participated in MyRWA’s Storm Drain Design Project for the fourth year in a row.

The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is one of 150 local nonprofits that will share in $30 million through Cummings Foundation’s major annual grants program. MyRWA was selected from a total of 630 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $90,000 over three years.

The Mystic River watershed is a critical natural system that connects 21 communities to the ocean, and provides much-needed benefits to the 600,000 people that live there. Every day, MyRWA works to protect water quality, restore important habitat, build climate resilience, transform parks and paths, and engage youth and community members.

“The Mystic River watershed is an amazing asset for our communities — and it is a great entry point for area youth to learn about science and the environmental issues,” said Patrick Herron, executive director, in a June 1 news release. “Thank you to the Cummings Foundation for recognizing the importance of connecting youth to nature in their backyard.”

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YourArlington staff
Category: Town news
Hits: 449

State Ethics Commission logo

The state Ethic Commission case alleging that a former Arlington official was involved in conflicts of interest is expected to be argued in August, not in June, as previously scheduled.

Eron L.A. Hackshaw, presiding officer in the case involving Michael F. Byrne, the town's former inspectional services director, denied a defense motion seeking an indefinite stay. "However, under the circumstances," the May 23 order says, "a reasonable continuance of the proceedings is warranted to accommodate respondent’s scheduled neuropsychological evaluation."

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Kristin Anderson
Category: Planning
Hits: 625

MBTA Communities survey results

UPDATED May 31: Arlington respondents overwhelmingly favor vibrant business districts and shared community space, with multifamily housing near public transit and the bike path, a town survey shows. See the numbers at right.

In March, more than 1,000 people participated in Arlington’s MBTA Communities Visioning Survey, created to collect public input and identify community goals and priorities regarding where multifamily housing should be allowed by right. 

According to Claire Ricker, Arlington’s director of planning and community development, the town received a $20,000 technical-assistance grant to hire planning consultant Utile to assist with siting and mapping the town’s multifamily (three-family or larger) districts and with developing appropriate use and density requirements.

Utile analyzed the data from the town’s MBTA survey and presented the results to the public at the MBTA Communities Working Group meeting on May 16. The consultant translated the results into an actionable design framework, which it provided in a summary analysis and two early draft plan maps.

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YourArlington staff
Category: Business news
Hits: 899

Iris Peterson, Heights Pub, window painter

UPDATED May 30: The second annual Spring Fling Festival is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10, in the Heights business district, at Mass. Ave. and Park Avenue. Rain date: June 11.

Enjoy an afternoon of top-notch live music, poetry, activities for children, more than 55 painted storefront windows and more – all free.

At left is one of those windows and its painter, Iris Peterson at the Heights Pub. See more windows and photos of two musical groups here >> 

Organizer are the Arlington Heights Community Association (AHCA), the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture/ArtsArlington, ArtLinks and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

“Arlington is such a vibrant town and increasingly recognized for its arts, culture, and environmental activism,” said organizer Janet O’Riordan in a May 22 news release. “People in the Heights have been clamoring for more events and we are delighted to respond with our second spring festival and showcase the wonderful talent and energy in our community.”

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Susan Gilbert
Category: Selectboard summaries
Hits: 990

Double pole at Adams, Mass. Ave.Sign designs by Jeff Dawson Associates.

UPDATED May 30: The Select Board at its May 22 meeting unanimously accepted wayfinding signs to be installed along and near the Minuteman Bikeway, donated by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

In a May 18 memo to the Select Board, former Planning and Community Department Assistant Director Kelly Lynema wrote, “In 2021, Arlington, along with Lexington and Bedford, developed a Local Rapid Recovery Plan (LRRP) for Bedford Center, East Lexington and Arlington Heights. The LRRP was a grant-funded plan to support local businesses in light of the impact of Covid-19, and focused on recommendations to better connect these business districts with their common asset: the Minuteman Bikeway.”

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Renee Abbott
Category: Fundraisers
Hits: 1204

Housing Corp. of Arlington 2023 walk. / Renee Abbott photosHCA walkers support rent control. /Renee Abbott photos

UPDATED May 30: The Housing Corporation of Arlington was the host for a walk on Sunday, May 21, to raise money for affordable housing. Attendees embarked on a three-mile walk and later were joined by members of the Torrington Tenants Association of Arlington protesting their rent increase. 

The event kicked off at noon in the green space between Robbins Library and Town Hall. Attendees got free green T-shirts with a depiction of 117 Broadway, which is part of HCA’s newest property, on the front and a list of event sponsors of the event on the back. People enjoyed the free pizza, coffee, fruits and snacks courtesy of local supermarkets and pizzarias. 

In total, the event raised $48,165 through raffles and a donation box on top of the $47,000 raised through sponsors. Raffle winners could win gift cards to local businesses including Quebrada, The Roasted Granola Café and Arlington Bakery. There was also a kids raffle with prizes for Play Time Crafts and Cookie Time Bakery.

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YourArlington staff
Category: Media
Hits: 175

ACMI News logoACMi News has won the Hometown Media Nationwide Award in the category of “news access” for the second consecutive year.

Arlington Community Media inc. (ACMi), Arlington’s community-access television studio and a YourArlington media partner, submitted a newscast from Nov. 11, 2022, anchored by James Milan and ACMi intern Summer Maxwell. The 2023 broadcast entry was edited by Jared Sweet.

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Jake Bentzinger
Category: Health
Hits: 955

Rodent forum, May 2023 / Jake Bentzinger photoResidents discuss the rodent problem at May forum. / Jake Bentzinger photosArlingtonians made their voices heard clearly at the "rodent forum" held recently.

They urged the town’s Health Department to step up community outreach efforts and to work with residents to address public health issues caused by rodent control efforts.

According to the town website, “In 2014, The Arlington Health Department began noticing an increase in rodent activity across town. This trend was [also] seen in other areas of the United States, particularly in urban areas.” 

In the most recent six years (2017 through 2022), the Health Department completed an average of 225 rodent inspections per year, health officials said in response to a YourArlington inquiry.

  1. Years pass, so board demands removal of double poles at 2 sites
  2. 'Final vinyl' sale a record success; patrons get vintage LPs, library reaps revenue
  3. BEING Mr. B: Taking a spin through life of teacher, coach, marathoner
  4. Authority board urged to support state-budget housing amendment

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YOUR VIEW: Opinions

How to seek agreement after Town Meeting 'turf war'

Recreation

Field Turf explainer / Source: Tarkett Co.
Tarkett Co. graphic used in 2014 report about Peirce Turf.

Linda Hanson, a Precinct 9 Town Meeting member, wrote this column about moving forward on artificial turf. She thanks Christa Kelleher, a Precinct 5 meeting member, for her contributions.

I am sharing an edited version of remarks given to the recently concluded Town Meeting on Article 12, a proposal to institute a temporary moratorium on the installation of artificial turf on town land pending the findings of an Artificial Turf Study Committee to investigate artificial turf in regards to its safety, environmental impact and cost effectiveness, as well as the available natural alternatives to its use.

This was one of the most contentious debates during this Town Meeting, and I’d like to offer some thoughts about how we can move forward on the important issues raised during this discussion.

I have close personal experience with the issue of field adequacy and availability. I coached boys' soccer for 13 years in the “all grass era,” so I know firsthand what it's like to vie for limited practice space and attempt to reschedule games with limited options due to weather cancellations. It was challenging, to say the least.

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8th graders call for changes in town bylaw to boost affordable housing

Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing Housing

UPDATED May 26: The following opinion was sent to all Town Meeting members three days after the 2023 annual meeting ended. Signing it were Pavia Christiana, Calvin Cheung, Collin Burrell, Theo Ginggen, Dorsey Mitchell and Lorenzo Hamlin. It was published with the authors' permission. 

Arlington vua Google Earth: Your Town, Your Future

We hope this email finds all of you in good health and spirits. We are Ottoson Middle School students, concerned about the issue of affordable housing in the town.

There is a lack of affordable multifamily homes, and we are advocating for a change in zoning bylaws to allow for more of these homes, and for them to have access to public transportation.

We believe that spreading multifamily homes around town will create more ethnic diversity in Arlington Public Schools. Additionally, this aids Arlington's economy by creating job diversity and benefiting the town's gross domestic product.

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Officer Hogan to ride Pan Mass Challenge 11th time

Fund-raising Fund-raising Fund-raising Fund-raising Fund-raising

The following plea seeking support for his longtime effort in the Pan Mass Challnge (PMC) is from Officer Mike Hogan and K9s of the Arlington Police Department.Officer Mike Hogan with Eiko

This August, I am proud to say, I will have the privilege of riding in the Pan Mass Challenge for the 11th time as a member of the Arlington Angels Team.

I will be riding for my wife, Nancy, who was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago and received treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

I now know firsthand how important it is to raise money for DFCI, so it can continue its research for life saving cancer treatments.

I will also be riding for my sister-in-law Colleen Lombard, who also received treatment for breast cancer at Dana Farber.

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Letters: Emailing Advocate & Star? Copy it here; it'll be published first

Letters to the editor

YourArlington's policy about letters to the editor

UPDATED April 26: YourArlington welcomes opinions of all kinds from local residents, including national issues so long as you can draw a local connection. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in June on Roe v Wade must have echoes here, too. Letters are reviewed for fairness, factualness and taste.

letters

Town Meeting began April 24. Factual letters supporting town candidates are welcome. Length of such letters should be no more than 400 words.

NOTE: When emailing a letter to The Advocate & Star, consider copying YourArlington at the same time. Your opinions will be published sooner.

Please support your view with facts and arguments that attempt to adhere to reason.

You may write on any subject, so long as you try to make a connection to Arlington. If you can't do that, then your residence in town will be a sufficient connection.

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