2012 Annual Report
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Town of Arlington Massachusetts 2012 Annual Report Board of Selectmen Kevin F. Greeley, Chairman Daniel J. Dunn, Vice Chairman Diane M. Mahon Steven M. Byrne Joseph A. Curro, Jr. Town Manager Adam W. Chapdelaine Table of Contents Executive Services Education Board of Selectmen 3 Arlington Public Schools 65 Town Manager 5 Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District 68 Financial Management Services Finance Committee 11 Robbins and Fox Libraries 71 Office of the Treasurer & 11 Collector of Taxes Cultural & Historical Activities Comptroller/Telephone 13 Arlington Cultural Council 78 Board of Assessors 14 Arlington Historical Commission 79 Fiscal Year 2013 21 Historic District Commissions 79 Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum 80 Department of Public Works 33 Community Development Planning & Community Development/ Community Safety Redevelopment Board 82 Police Department 38 Permanent Town Building Committee 83 Fire Department 46 Zoning Board of Appeals 84 Inspectional Services 48 Conservation Commission 84 Open Space Committee 86 Central Management Services Transportation Advisory Committee 87 Human Resources Department 49 Bicycle Advisory Committee 89 Equal Opportunity 49 Arlington Housing Authority 90 Information Technology 50 Vision 2020 92 Legal Department 52 Legislative Health & Human Services Moderator 102 Health and Human Services 54 2012 Annual Town Meeting 106 Health Department 54 Special Town Meeting: May 7, 2012 111 Board of Health 56 Special Town Meeting: October 10, 2012 112 Board of Youth Services / 58 Arlington Youth Counseling Center (AYCC) Town Clerk & Elections Council on Aging 59 Town Clerk 113 Veterans’ Services 61 Registrars of Voters 114 Commission on Disability 61 Arlington Annual Town Election, April 10, 2012 116 Human Rights Commission 62 Town Meeting Member Election: April 10, 2012 117 Special Town Election: July 19, 2012 119 Recreation Department Election Results for Primary: March 6, 2012 120 Recreation Department 63 Election Results for Primary Sept. 6, 2012 121 Parks and Recreation Commission 64 Federal and State Election Results Nov. 6, 2012 122 Town Directory Town Officials and Committees 124 Reference Guide 124 Arlington Information 130 Credits and Acknowledgements The following people have contributed to the production of this report: Editing by Joan Roman with generous support by Eileen Messina. Layout, design, and cover photos by Joan Roman. Printing by King Printing Company. Thanks to all department heads and Chairpersons of all Boards, Committees, and Commissions for their reports. Published April 2013. 3 Executive services Board of Selectmen Mr. Chapdelaine has also brought on board an exceptional Deputy Town Manager in Andrew P. Flana- Executive Services gan. Mr. Flanagan formerly served as the Director of Policy and Administration for the City of Newburyport and has a long history in municipal government. Library Director, Maryellen Remmert Loud, retired in April after 27 years overseeing Arlington’s library sys- tem. Maryellen was a visionary leader with the manage- ment skills to see the libraries through some difficult times, though the system flourished with an addition to the Robbins Library in the 90’s and the system entering the digital age. She will be greatly missed. Arlington Board of Selectmen clockwise, left to right: Diane M. Mahon, Joseph A. Curro, Jr., Steven M. Byrne, Daniel J. Dunn, Vice Chair, Kevin Greeley, Chair The Board is pleased to submit our annual report for 2012 to Arlington residents. The Board is composed of five elected residents who set policy and oversee the management of municipal functions of the Town. 2012 brought two new Selectman to the Board, Steven M. Byrne and Joseph A. Curro, Jr. Mr. Byrne brings his statehouse experience to the board and Mr. Curro brings his four years experience from the Arlington School Committee. Clarissa Rowe and Annie LaCourt resigned from Maryellen Remmert Loud the Board in 2012. The Town has benefitted from both Ms. LaCourt’s and Ms. Rowe’s efforts. In her seven Year in Review years on the Board, Ms. LaCourt was instrumental Residents and businesses now enjoy weekly re- in supporting a focus on technology and encouraged cycling collection. As this had been one of the top re- the creation of a Town/School Information Technology quests to the Board, I’m pleased the Public Works staff Department and the addition of the Request/Answer was able to provide this service without extra cost to the Center to the Town’s website. She was also active in Town. Construction of the new Thompson Elementary the Town’s budgeting process and an advocate of the School is fully underway and the project on track to be Town’s long-range planning activities. In her six years open for the start of the 2013-2014 school year. A com- on the Board, Ms. Rowe was a thoughtful advocate for prehensive municipal Master Plan is being developed to the Town’s open spaces, tourism and economic devel- serve as the Town’s primary policy statement on future opment. Her work outside the Board with the Arlington physical development in Arlington. An interactive public Land Trust helped secure Elizabeth Island for the enjoy- kick-off meeting was held in October, with future public ment of residents to share for future generations. events planned. We thank both Ms. LaCourt and Ms. Rowe for Designated as a “Green Community” in 2010, Ar- their valuable years of service to Arlington. lington continues its energy and conservation initiatives. The Town was awarded a $250,000 competitive Green Changes Around Town Communities Grant for energy reduction improvements The first year of working with Arlington Town at the high school, several elementary schools and Manager, Adam W. Chapdelaine has been extremely Robbins Library. The new Highland Fire Station was rewarding. In his first year he has continued the fine awarded LEED® Silver Green Building Certification tradition of fiscal responsibility spearheaded by Brian and plans to complete the LED streetlight installations Sullivan and has brought new enthusiasm in the areas in 2013 are on track. The US Environmental Protection of energy conservation, technology, and community Agency (EPA) awarded the Town a grant to install a po- outreach. rous pavement parking lot at Hurd Field. Porous pave- 3 Executive services ment is designed to handle stormwater run-off to better Town Day Celebration protect the local waterways, such as the Mill Brook. Arlington Town Day continued on with its proud Cyrus E. Dallin’s 150 Anniversary was celebrated tradition and continued success. Resident and vendor in Arlington. Events were held throughout the year to participation was at an all-time high. Again, the Town honor the famed American sculptor and Arlington resi- Day Committee is grateful for the strong community par- dent. Dallin created many iconic statues that adorn the ticipation that has become well-known as a source for cover of this year’s annual report. These are just a few Arlington’s strong and thriving spirit. The Board would of the highlights in Arlington this year. More highlights like to extend its thanks and congratulations to the Town Executive Services are included in this report. Day Committee, and especially the Co-chairs, Marie Krepelka and Kathleen Darcy. The Board also wants to extend the same thanks to the many businesses and tireless volunteers whose loyalty, dedication, and hard work made this celebration a success again. All Town Day activities are privately funded and this event con- tinues without any Town funding. Acknowledgements & Recognitions The Town experienced the loss of two valued con- tributors to the community with the deaths of long time contributor to the Town, Bill Shea, and former Deputy Town Manager, Nancy T. Galkowski. Bill Shea was active in Arlington Town government for over forty years, serving as a Town Meeting Member, a member of the Finance Committee and most recently EcoFest 2012 as a member of the Permanent Town Building Commit- tee. Bill’s contributions to the Town are too long to list, Arlington’s many volunteer committees continue but a significant part of his legacy includes the construc- to provide valuable contributions to the community tion and renovation of the Town’s elementary schools by helping those in need, participating in Town gover- over the past decade. The library at the newly con- nance, and educating the public on important issues. structed Thompson Elementary School will be named One such example of volunteer participation is in his honor. EcoFest. Co-sponsored by Vision 2020’s Sustainable Nancy T. Galkowski passed away in early 2013 Arlington, the Arlington Garden Club, and Public Works from pancreatic cancer. During her 23 years with the and held at Town Hall, the event is fast becoming an Town, Ms. Galkowski influenced many with her profes- annual event. The theme in 2012 was “Locavoracious sional work ethic and warm sense of humor. …about Food,” where local vendors and authors spoke Both of their contributions were numerous and about local food gardening options and provided in- they leave a rich legacy for all Arlington residents to en- sights about where our food comes from. joy and for us to remember. The Board of Selectmen would also like to thank all Department Heads, Committees and Boards, as well as the entire staff of the Selectmen’s office for their tire- less and intelligent work on our behalf. We thank Marie Krepelka, Board Administrator, MaryAnn Sullivan, Fran- ces (Fran) Reidy, and Jean Burg for their exceptional commitment and their dedication and service to the en- tire Town of Arlington. 4 Executive services Town Manager Executive Services I am very pleased to deliver my first Annual Report to the Town of Arlington, having been officially sworn in as Town Manager on February 24, 2012. I am honored and humbled to have been selected to serve the Town of Arlington in this capacity and I am thankful to the Board of Selectmen for entrusting me with this role.