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Community Corner

Arlington Plans to Use Property Tax Dollars to Renovate a Church

In the Financial Report to Town Meeting under the Capital Budget there is a $150,000 line item to " Design and Renovate New Food Pantry Space"

Currently, the Food Pantry is located at 21 Marathon Street in the basement of the Church of Our Savior.

From Section 2 of the Massachusetts Constitution:


"no such grant, appropriation or use of public money or property or loan of public credit shall be made or authorized for the purpose of founding, maintaining or aiding any church, religious denomination or society."


There is no mention of where the "design and renovation" will be located.  One must assume the location remains in a church basement.  How much rent does Arlington pay for locating the Food Pantry in a church basement?  Why does the town not use a public building for this purpose?  Why would the town spend taxpayer funds to renovate a private church building?

Where are the screaming atheists on the separation of Church and State on this one?

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