Arlington Select Board Approves World Cup Watch Parties, Delays Hemlock Street Tree Vote

ARLINGTON -- June 8, 2026, Arlington approves World Cup watch parties honoring hometown U.S. men's soccer player Miles Robinson. The Select Board voted unanimously Monday to grant one-day beer and wine licenses for four FIFA World Cup public viewing events at Arlington Reservoir Beach on June 19, 23, 24, and 26, with Director of Recreation Natasha Wade saying the town secured a FIFA public viewing license, with the fee waived, in part because of Robinson's selection to the national team. The board also postponed until June 22 a vote on removing a healthy 90-year-old London plane tree at 54 Hemlock Street that town engineer Bill Copperthorne said obstructs both sight lines and ADA compliance at a proposed crosswalk on the Stratton Safe Routes to School project; neighbors offered to work with the town on fence adjustments and potential easements to save the tree. In other action, the board authorized Town Manager James Feeney to sign a five-year body-worn camera contract with Axon Enterprise Inc., with Feeney confirming a 14-page use policy agreed to by both police unions is nearly ready for public posting.