Arlington Finance Committee Backs $3 Million in Community Preservation Grants

ARLINGTON — March 9, 2026 — Arlington's Finance Committee voted 13-3 to endorse $3.05 million in Community Preservation Act grants, advancing the package to Town Meeting. CPAC Co-Chair Sue Doctro and Deputy Town Manager of Operations Christine Bongiorno presented seven projects across affordable housing, open space, and historic preservation as the program marks its 10th year, noting that preliminary applications this cycle reached a record $8 million. The largest single item is $900,000 for phase three of the Town Hall envelope restoration; the Housing Corporation of Arlington received $500,000 toward a 97-unit fully affordable housing campus on Mass Ave. The Crosby Courts reconstruction was funded at only $750,000 — half the $1.3 million requested — after debate over whether the Parks and Recreation enterprise fund's $1.2 million reserve should close the gap. The committee also voted unanimously to take no position on Article 31, a home rule petition by Town Meeting member Carmine Griucci that would bar new Chapter 61B recreational tax exemption applications, potentially generating roughly $50,000 more per year from Belmont Country Club's 11.5 acres in town.