Government

Voters Approve $14.8M Override

Arlington residents approved a $14.8 million Proposition 2½ operating override in the March 28 town election, with 9,666 votes in favor (about 72%) and 3,775 against on a 41.08% turnout (13,508 ballots cast out of 32,880 registered voters). The override permanently increases property taxes starting July 1, 2026 — an estimated $1,030 per year for the average home assessed at $1.2 million. The Select Board has committed to not seeking another operating override before Fiscal Year 2030. (Patch)

Two New Liquor Licenses Also Approved

Question 2, authorizing the Select Board to issue two additional off-premises all-alcohol licenses (package stores), passed 9,336 to 3,775. (Patch)

Election Results: Mahon, Solomon Win Select Board Seats

Incumbent Diane M. Mahon (9,015 votes) and newcomer Joseph A. Solomon (7,978 votes) won the two open Select Board seats. Crystal S. Haynes Copithorne won the contested one-year School Committee seat, defeating Shaun D. Berry and Dmitry Missiuro Vasilyev. (Patch)

AmpUp! Comprehensive Plan — Final Comment Deadline April 12

The draft AmpUp! Arlington Comprehensive Plan is open for public comment through April 12. This is the final opportunity for residents to weigh in on the plan, which will guide land use, housing, transportation, and economic development through 2036. An open house was held March 26. (arlingtonma.gov)

Town Meeting Warrant Available — 96 Articles, Starting April 27

The Annual Town Meeting begins Monday, April 27 at 8:00 PM in the Town Hall Auditorium. The 96-article warrant — mailed to households in late March — includes the FY2027 budget incorporating the $14.8M override and various zoning amendments. (arlingtonma.gov)

Conservation Commission Filing Deadline — Today

Today, April 1, is the application filing deadline for matters intended for the April 16 Conservation Commission meeting. (arlingtonma.gov)

Heights Business District Open House — Rescheduled to April 14

The Arlington Heights Business District Open House, originally scheduled for today, has been moved to Tuesday, April 14, 6:00–7:30 PM. The event focuses on a proposal to create a unified business district to replace the current four overlapping districts. (arlingtonma.gov)

Tonight's Public Meetings

Four boards meet tonight. The Select Board convenes at 7:15 PM (hybrid, Town Hall and Zoom) for its first session following the election. The Redevelopment Board meets at 7:00 PM on environmental design dockets. The Finance Committee meets at 7:30 PM to continue FY2027 budget deliberations. The Arlington 250 Semiquincentennial Committee meets at 7:00 PM to finalize Patriots' Day 2026 plans. (arlingtonma.gov)

Community

EcoFest 2026 Calendar Launches Today

The EcoFest 2026 calendar is now live. The month-long celebration of sustainability runs April 22 – May 23, anchored to Earth Day, with park cleanups, student projects, and workshops. (arlingtonma.gov)

"Riding Through History" Opens at Whittemore Park

A new public art installation goes up today at Whittemore Park, commissioned to honor Arlington's history ahead of the 251st anniversary of the Battle of Menotomy, celebrated Patriots' Day weekend, April 18–20. (yourarlington.com)

Events Today

10:00 AM — Children's Storytime, Robbins Library: Storytime for ages 3–5. (robbinslibrary.org)

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — English NOW! Conversation Group, Robbins Library Community Room: Free English-language practice for learners. (robbinslibrary.org)

5:30 PM — Kids' Drop-in Craft, Fox Branch Library: Self-directed creative projects for all ages, supplies provided. (robbinslibrary.org)

7:00 PM — Good Harbor Poets Reading, Robbins Library Community Room: K.T. Landon, Kali Lightfoot, Rebecca Hart Olander, and Carla Panciera read from their latest collections. Free and open to the public — a National Poetry Month kickoff. (robbinslibrary.org)