Recent Spike in Home Break-Ins: Are You Concerned?

Let us know by posting a comment below.

On Tuesday, Arlington police sent out a release warning residents of a recent spike in home break-ins, especially during the daytime hours. Police asked for residents’ help in solving these break-ins and reporting suspicious activity (Arlington Police Criminal Investigation Bureau, 781-316-3938). Two of the more notable incidents happened in the last two weeks: We want to know: Are you concerned about the recent spike in home-break-ins, or do you just view it as part of the normal ebb and flow of suburban crime? Also, have you taken any recent steps to protect your home? And do you think the town should take any steps, such as putting more money toward increased police patrols? Let us know by posting a comment below.

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Sustainable Arlington Supports Mass. Ave. Corridor Project

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Sustainable Arlington, which is a Vision2020 Environment Task Group Committee and a chapter of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network.

Please vote “NO” on the misleading referendum known as Question 1 that seeks to derail the Mass. Ave. Corridor Project. Let the Town and State know that you favor a transportation vision for Arlington that meets our future needs in a balanced way.  Here’s why we recommend voting “NO.” Despite what opponents say, Mass. Ave. today does not have four lanes.  Officially, it has a single, variable-width lane in each direction, but cars regularly drive side by side—or swerve and pass. Under current guidelines which determine roadway design and funding, Mass. Ave. does not qualify for four traffic lanes because it is not consistently wide enough. Maintaining “four lanes as practiced” will cause Arlington to lose $5.8 million in State and federal …

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Mark Kaepplein

1:55 am on Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Tim, the four lane markings are imaginary like the hoards of bicyclists to justify giving them a travel lane, and all your imaginary friends who are the majority wanting 3 lanes!   more ›

Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Arlington Avocado Editor on Town Meeting Candidacy

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Kurt Fusaris, the editor of the Arlington Avocado, a Precinct 8 Town Meeting candidate and Pleasant Street resident.

My name is Kurt Fusaris. I write and edit the Arlington Avocado, which brings a lighter side to Arlington’s most pressing issues. I have decided to bring that same flavor to Town Hall as a member of Town Meeting from Precinct 8. I have lived in Arlington for almost six years, and I currently live on Pleasant Street. I have demonstrated a commitment to the community in which I am so proud to call home. I was also an employee here in Arlington for a year and a half, with temporary stints as both a speech-language pathologist and science teacher, respectively. Over the past six years, I have been inceasingly involved with town affairs. I am a member of the Arlington Cultural Council. I have worked on several campaigns, including the override …

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Where Are the Worst Potholes in Arlington?

Let us know by posting a comment below.

Now that most of the snow has melted and spring technically has arrived, it can only mean one thing: It’s pothole season in New England. We want to know: Where are the worst potholes in Arlington? Let us know by posting a comment below. An early favorite appears to be the stretch of Mystic Valley Parkway along Lower Mystic Lake, heading from Mystic Street to the Medford Street rotary.

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: The Arlington Renaissance

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Joe Curro, a selectman and Millett Street resident.

Arlington is experiencing a renaissance. Empty storefronts are rapidly being filled. Our schools are high-performing and competitive with the rest of the nation. And our real estate market remains one of the strongest in the country. There is a vibrant, young management team in Town Hall, and key education leadership positions have been filled. Our local finances are stable, and long-delayed undertakings, such as the Thompson School rebuild and the Symmes redevelopment project are on track. New public art initiatives are thriving, and our school music programs have earned widespread acclaim. On April 6th, voters will have the opportunity to continue this track record of success. By returning Kirsi Allison-Ampe, Judson Pierce and Paul …

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Be There for Kevin Greeley on April 6

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Barbara Goodman, a former Arlington School Committee member and Walnut Street resident.

There are many people who have worked hard over the year to make Arlington a better place to live. But only one of them is running for the Board of Selectmen. Kevin Greeley has dedicated a significant part (24 years) of his adult life to the Town of Arlington. I am particularly grateful for the commitment he has made to our schools. Kevin has been a relentless champion of our efforts to rebuild all of our elementary schools and he has worked tirelessly to ensure that all Arlington Public Schools are adequately funded. We have worked side-by-side on this issue for years. In addition, Kevin has worked to create a town that is welcoming to all and that is attractive and safe, with rising property values and a vibrant business community. Kevin…

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Vote Judson Pierce for School Committee

The following is from Carol Band, a Bartlett Avenue resident.

I support Judson Pierce as a candidate for School Committee. Serving with him on the Friends of Menotomy Rocks Park and watching him during his first term as a member of the School Committee, I have been impressed with his ability  to communicate clearly, build consensus and to listen. But Judson Pierce does more than listen. He works. His efforts have helped make the School Committee more effective, given teachers a new contract, created an anti-bullying policy and brought the new Thompson School to life. For the sake of our children and our town, we need to continue this progress and with Judson Pierce on the School Committee, we will. Carol Band Bartlett Avenue

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Transportation Advisory Committee on Mass. Ave. Corridor Project

The following is a Letter to the Editor from the town's Transportation Advisory Committee. It was submitted by its principal author, Richard Turcotte.

Those who have expressed their ardent support for the Mass. Ave. Corridor Project do so for many of the same reasons as do those in opposition: a desire to make our wonderful, vibrant town an even better community. The members of Arlington’s Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) share that commitment. We are ever-mindful of the many competing interests, concerns, and financial constraints accompanying changes both great and small on the projects for which we are asked to assist and advise town officials. It is an obligation we try to honor to the best of our individual and collective abilities. TAC has been an active participant in the project since its inception, and has voted unanimously for it in the past. The overwhelming majority of…

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Letters to the Editor

LETTER: On Mystic River's Water Quality

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Stephen Greene, chairman of the Wastewater Advisory Committee to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

The condition of the Mystic River has been subject to much press attention lately. While it is wonderful to see increased interest in water quality, we would like to clarify that the water quality in the Mystic is fairly similar to that of the Charles River. The Wastewater Advisory Committee, a citizen’s group that provides an independent forum for discussion of issues facing the MWRA, has reviewed the data on both rivers. Unfortunately, despite the many millions of dollars the MWRA has spent since 1990, pollution still flows into the Neponset, the Charles and the Mystic rivers during wet weather. But the quality of water in the Mystic should see improvement in the next three years. The MWRA and the City of Cambridge together will spend at…

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Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

7:48 am on Sunday, March 17, 2013

Why not bottle the water from the Mystic River, and sell it at Arlington stores in single-serve PET containers? Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III   more ›

Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Vote Judson Pierce in April

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Jayme Purinton, a PTO co-president and Ridge Street resident.

Judson Pierce is a man of strong morals, ethics, intellect and let’s not forget an incredibly important requirement of a School Committee member … compassion. Jud has the innate ability to listen and move swiftly on issues that affect the people whom he represents. Jud consistently seeks feedback and insight from people in the community, making sure he brings a solution-oriented mindset to the School Committee. Jud helps Arlington teachers and administrators to focus on the growth and development of students by working for them, us and the Town all at the same time.  Jud has worked tirelessly in his role on the School Committee over the past three years to establish new teacher’s contracts, decrease athletic fees and to hire additional …

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