Arlington Town Meeting Funds Two School Studies, Expands Home Business Rules

ARLINGTON — May 11, 2026 — Arlington Town Meeting approves three school funding votes and reshapes zoning on night five. The May 11 session opened with a unanimous 200-to-0 vote appropriating $8,268,757 for Arlington's share of the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School budget — a 7.5 percent decrease from the prior year tied to enrollment averages — then authorized borrowing $2.5 million for an Ottoson Middle School feasibility study (200-6) and $375,000 for a Hardy Elementary School HVAC study (211-7), both clearing the required two-thirds threshold. Deputy Town Manager of Finance Julie Wayman told members that a geothermal option at Hardy, which carries a $13 million upfront cost, could fall to "as little as $3.7 million" after MSBA reimbursements, IRA direct payments, and climate grants, though Town Manager Jim Feeney cautioned those sources are "outside of our control." A Redevelopment Board proposal to cap business A-frame signs and cut temporary banner display time from 60 to 30 days failed 131-83, short of two-thirds. A citizen petition by James Fleming and Andy Greenspon to allow one on-premises employee, limited on-site retail, and exterior signage for home-based businesses passed 159-47 over objections from Carl Wagner, Precinct 15, that "we voted against a similar motion to this just last year." Animal daycare was approved for most business districts by special permit (194-24), while a floor amendment to make the use by right across all business districts was rejected 31-182.