Selectmen Support Self-Service Gasoline in Arlington in 4-1 Vote
See who cast the dissenting vote.
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The Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 Monday night in support of the Town Meeting warrant article that would allow self-service gasoline in Arlington for the first time in the town’s history.
“I enthusiastically support this,” Selectman Joseph Curro Jr. said Monday during the article’s hearing.
Once Town Counsel Juliana Rice crafts the exact wording of the article, the board will take a final vote, most likely Monday, March 18, recommending “favorable action” on the article at Town Meeting in late April. Then, it’s up to Arlington’s 252 Town Meeting members to decide whether it passes or fails.
Town Meeting member Carl Wagner, of Precinct 11, submitted the article by petition. On Monday, Wagner, an Arlington native and longtime resident, told the board that he did not know the town had a bylaw banning self-service gasoline until last year.
“I never really thought about it,” he said.
Wagner said the ban is out of date.
Three of Curro’s colleagues also supported Wagner’s article.
“I support this 100 percent,” said board chairman Kevin Greeley, who thanked Wagner for bringing the issue forward.
“We’d be keeping up with the times to a certain extent,” Selectman Steven Byrne added.
Selectman Daniel Dunn also voted in favor of the motion.
Selectman Diane Mahon did not.
“I haven’t heard from a person in my precinct, including business owners, who is in favor of this,” she said of her dissenting vote.
Wagner said that at a time when Town Meeting is banning leaf blowers and considering a ban on bottled water, his article looks to lift a long-standing ban.
Full-service would still be allowed in town, he noted.
The board considered making full-service a mandatory option at every station in the wording of the article but ultimately decided against it. Wagner said he would be in favor of that measure but thought that it should be instituted in the zoning bylaws, not the town bylaws, along with other specifications.
Curro noted that self-service-only stations are required to accommodate disabled drivers who cannot pump their own gas.
In Massachusetts, Weymouth, Milford and Upton also prohibit self-service gasoline, according to a recent Boston Globe report, while Holbrook and Mendon both recently removed bans, according to Wagner. At the state level, New Jersey and Oregon prohibit self-service.
What do you think? Should self-service gasoline be allowed in Arlington? And would you like to see full-service a mandatory option at every station? Let us know by posting a comment below, or submit a Letter to the Editor.
Drew
9:24 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
This is a great idea for residents and others to have an option of pumping gas themselves or have the attendant do it. I can't wait to read the ridiculous arguments against it here on Patch and I'm sure there will be the usual amount.
Zoltan
11:19 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Keeping up with the times is all well and good if it promotes a better quality of life in Arlington, otherwise what's the purpose?
Self-Serve gas stations are much better suited to large lots at major intersections with plenty of maneuverability, adequate entry and exit and at least 8 self-serve pumps at 2 dedicated islands to provide for bi-directional access.
Of the existing gas stations in Arlington all but one or two would be disqualified from selling Self-Serve due to space constraints. Those stations that do have the necessary space to operate would still need to devote an entire island to Full-Serve as well as an attendant to operate it.
As presently constituted I think the potential problems of Self-Serve stations in Arlington outweigh the benefits.
Wind Dummy 25
11:41 am on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Who was the one who didn't support it...Must be from Jersey.
Just an Average Guy
1:12 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
With all the issues in town, why do we waste time and money on such trivial issues like Self serve gas stations? My understanding is that only a few gas stations would even qualify under the current zoning laws. Before more time and money is wasted shouldn't we know how many stations could qualify for self serve?
Lori P
2:30 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
I agree with Just an Average Guy, why is this important enough to be even discussed.
Marie
4:10 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
I agree with Just an Average Guy and Lori P. What is so important about self-service gas stations? Homeowners in this town are being taxed right out of town, and water bills have gone sky high. If we have the money to spend on unimportant things like this, how about giving some back to the taxpayers in town. We don't have huge gas stations in this town. What is the problem with having gas pumped? Besides, it keeps many working, that otherwise wouldn't have a job. What are they supposed to do? Lets start coming up ideas that actually help people...not make life more difficult!
Wind Dummy 25
5:19 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Well it's a slightly underhanded issue Banks...
The reasoning is for having attendants, is that it makes sure someone has a job. Think summer part time jobs for students etc. Also It matters at the pump price.
Remember the gas stations are mostly franchises like Dunkin doughnuts etc.
It's a giant issue in New Jersey. And believe it or not Jersey has the lowest gas prices in the nation with attendants mandatory even on the turnpike. Mass has some exceptions but higher pump prices. It's a whole thang if you knock this seemingly non issue down. Underlying implications...Me and my big mouth right?
Wind Dummy 25
5:31 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Additionally, if you notice the closer you get to the tanks and ships in Everett and Chelsea, Revere for instance, the pump prices much lower, MUCH lower.
It's the way the locals have set up taxes and road use fee's they hit big gas for the transportation.
Having workers is reflected at the pump in pennies per gallon. Folks may want to reflect more on this when DP wants to raise the state gas prices.
Keep a weather eye out nothing is unimportant when it comes to keeping $$'s flowing to the giant money eating State and Fed monsters.
Mike G.
12:23 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2013
I lived in Arlington for more than 10 years. I always spent my money for gas in other cities and towns, because I prefer to pump my gas myself, and I sometimes needed gas later than 7pm, when all of the stations seemed to close up across town.
It's 2013, time to catch up with the rest of the world.