New Minuteman Bikeway signs to point toward businesses

• property

Sign designs by Jeff Dawson Associates.

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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Rat czar? SGAR? People ponder perennial problem of rodent control in Arlington

Residents 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.

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Police investigate after car hits 2 pedestrians outside Stop & Shop

UPDATED May 28: Arlington police are investigating after two pedestrians were struck by a motor vehicle Saturday, May 27.

At 10:16 a.m., Arlington Police and Fire responded to Stop & Shop, at 905 Mass. Ave., for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving multiple pedestrians. On arrival, Arlington officers found two people injured in the parking lot, and Arlington Police and Arlington Fire personnel began to administer emergency medical care.

The crash occurred after a 2005 Mercury Marquis driven by an 87-year-old man from Belmont struck an unoccupied parked car, which then hit a flower stand in front of the store. The flower stand struck the building, causing cosmetic damage, Boston.com reported. The parked vehicle is owned by a woman from Harwich, who didn’t report any injuries, police said in a statement. Police said that the driver then reversed the vehicle and struck pedestrians. The report was updated to pinpoint the number of pedestrians at two.

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Housing Corp. of Arlington's 20th walk raises $48k, includes protesters

• housing
• fund-raiser

HCA walkers support rent control. /Renee Abbott photos

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 HCA’s newest property and has 48 apartments, 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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Years pass, so board demands removal of double poles at 2 sites

• property

Double pole at Adams, Mass. Ave. / Town photo

The Select Board has unanimously authorized Town Manager Sandy Pooler to demand that Verizon coordinate with other licensees to promptly replace two double poles, at 319 Mass. Ave. and Adams Street and at 108 Warren St. These double poles are still not fixed after more than two years.

A double pole occurs when a replacement utility pole is built alongside an original pole--to update the electric, telephone, cable or other wires--and the original pole is not yet removed.

According to a statutory reference, once a new pole is installed, the old pole should be removed within 90 days. Verizon’s May 15 semiannual report states that Arlington has 78 double poles, of which 66 are more than three years old.

Pooler said at the board's May 22 meeting, that although one of the utilities had moved its equipment to Mass. Ave. and Adams Street, he was not told which utility was involved. “The level of communication has been horrendous," he said, "I’m more than happy to follow up to get more specific direct communication from Verizon and other utilities in town to make improvements to these poles.”

Pooler will seek Verizon’s commitment to conduct a full audit of its double-pole inventory, and update the list for omissions before submitting it to the state for its next semiannual double-pole report, for the period ending Nov. 30, 2023.

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Arlington-based organization aiding Asians awarded $45k Cummings grant

Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs award commendation ceremony.

Arlington-based JB Line Inc. (Japanese Bostonians Support Line) has been chosen to receive $45,000 over the next three years from the Cummings Foundation, a news release said.

JB Line aims to provide specialized support for Japanese-American and other Asian-American communities who experience unique challenges shaped by their culture.

It is among 150 local nonprofits that will share a total of $30 million through the nearby foundation’s major annual grants program.

JB Line was selected from a total of 630 applicants during a competitive review process.

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