The Arlington Board of Selectmen is composed of five elected individuals who are entrusted with the responsibility to set policy and oversee the management of the municipal functions of local government. The Board is pleased to submit to the residents of Arlington our Annual Report for 2002.
Financial Overview
The Town continued to experience significant budget shortfalls. The federal and state economies have shown no improvement and declining tax revenues caused the Legislature to reduced state aid to municipalities throughout the Commonwealth. Arlington’s local aid was cut by 10% this year and an additional reduction of at least 15% is anticipated for the coming fiscal year.
These cuts in state aid when coupled with significant increases in employee health insurance and out of district special education costs have caused the Board to rethink how services are currently provided and to seriously consider eliminating some town services and postponing building projects until the economy improves. The Board instituted a hiring freeze to reduce expenditures and it has already impacted many departments. Significant cuts to the police, fire, public works, library, elderly, and youth service departments are still to come. Revenue raising measures, such as increased user fees, fines, and an override to proposition 2 ?, are being considered as partial solutions to the current fiscal situation. The Board has also formed a number of sub-committees to evaluate and to make recommendations on reducing the
costs of some of our “budget busters”, including insurance costs, pension obligations, and out of district special education placements. It is hoped that some of these initiatives will provide alternative approaches that will enable the Board to maintain services for our citizens and employees during this economic recession.
Notable Accomplishments For 2002
The Board joins other members of the community in celebrating some notable accomplishments during 2002:
The purchase of the Symmes Hospital site, which was approved by the Special Town Meeting held on January 16, 2002, was completed this year. The Symmes Advisory Committee developed three scenarios for Town Meeting consideration and, upon approval, the Arlington Redevelopment Board can proceed with its implementation.
The Peirce School was completed. This building provides the Town with a state-of-the-art educational facility that will benefit our children for years and be a valuable resource for the surrounding neighborhood.
Site improvements for recreational fields and drainage improvements for the Reeds Brook Project were completed. Completion of the entire project in the coming year will provide additional park and recreational facilities for the entire community while substantially reducing potential flooding to homes in the area.
The Transportation Advisory Committee to the Board of Selectmen has provided significant research and recommendations to assist the Board in addressing one of the more negative aspects facing our community: traffic and congestion. The Transportation Advisory Board in conjunction with other town departments has used local expertise to develop solutions to make our neighborhoods safer places to work, live, and drive. They have managed to leverage small amounts of consulting money to produce incremental improvements for specific neighborhood traffic issues. The Board values their initiative and diligence and wishes to make special note of their efforts and accomplishments.
The Board also wants to acknowledge the dedication and work of the citizens on all of the Town’s boards and commissions. These citizens provide the Town with invaluable service, input, and expertise as the community strives to maintain and improve the quality of life in Arlington.
The current members of the Board of Selectmen are: Charles Lyons, Kevin F. Greeley, Kathleen Kiely Dias, John W. Hurd, and Diane M. Mahon.
The Board was pleased to welcome Nancy T. Galkowski to her new position as Acting Town Manager upon the retirement of Philip J. Farrington. Ms. Galkowski brings sixteen years of experience as part of Arlington’s Executive Team and has gained a wealth of knowledge regarding the Town’s finances and the community’s values.
In closing, the Board acknowledges the death of former Selectman Margaret Spengler. Mrs. Spengler was the first woman elected to the Arlington Board of Selectmen. She was an advocate for education, library resources, and citizen involvement in all phases of government. We offer our condolences to her husband and family and our appreciation for her many contributions to the Town of Arlington.
| 
