Meeting Overview

The Arlington Select Board held a brief remote meeting on Friday, February 20, 2026, with a single item on the agenda: a vote on ballot language for a proposed increase in package store liquor licenses. Chair Diane Mahan presided, with members Steve DeCoursey and Eric Helmuth present. Member John Heard was unable to connect. Town Manager Jim Feeney and Select Board Administrator Ashley Ma also attended. [1]

Background: Home Rule Legislation

Town Manager Feeney recapped the path to this vote. At the 2025 Annual Town Meeting, voters approved Article 16, authorizing the filing of home rule legislation to allow the Select Board to increase the number of all-alcohol package store licenses by two. [2]

That legislation became House Bill 4815, formally titled An Act Authorizing the Select Board of the Town of Arlington to Place Upon a Town Ballot a Question to Increase the Number of Licenses for the Sale of All Alcoholic Beverages Not to Be Drunk on the Premises. It was enacted by both the House and the Senate on February 17, 2026, and signed into law by Acting Governor Kim Driscoll at approximately 3:23 PM on February 19, 2026 — just one day before this meeting. [2]

Ballot Question Language

Feeney explained that the board was now authorized to place the question before voters and needed to approve specific ballot language in order to provide the required 35-day notice to Town Clerk Juliana Brazile ahead of the March 28 election. [3]

Arlington currently holds five all-alcohol package store licenses, all of which have been issued. Approval of two additional licenses would bring the total to seven, providing a tool for economic development and small business growth. Feeney noted that the board had already heard a presentation from a prospective business owner interested in opening a wine and cheese shop in town. [4]

Motion and Vote

Member Steve DeCoursey moved that the Select Board place the following ballot question on the March 28, 2026 annual town election:

"Shall the Select Board of the Town be authorized to issue two additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages, not to be drunk on the premises? Yes / No"

[4]

Eric Helmuth seconded the motion, praising Town Manager Feeney for his diligence in shepherding the timing of the legislation and expressing agreement that the additional licenses would be a useful economic development tool. [4]

Feeney credited State Representative Sean Garballey for guiding the bill through the legislative process and Town Clerk Brazile for tracking deadlines to ensure the question could appear on this year's ballot. [5]

DeCoursey emphasized that the board had raised the issue a year ago specifically because all existing licenses were already issued, which could have a chilling effect on future development. [5]

Chair Mahan noted the vote was connected to the board's broader efforts to encourage business growth in Arlington, referencing a prior joint meeting with the Redevelopment Board where the license increase had been suggested as one strategy. [6]

The motion passed by roll call vote, 3-0:

Steve DeCoursey — Yes
Eric Helmuth — Yes
Diane Mahan — Yes

[6]

New Business and Adjournment

No new business was raised by any board member or staff. The board voted 3-0 to adjourn. [6] [7]