Selectmen Continue to Back Mass. Ave. Corridor Project After Question 1 Vote

The narrow “Yes” vote on Question 1 hasn't swayed selectmen away from supporting the project’s current design.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously agreed Monday to send a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation expressing its continued support for the Mass. Ave. Corridor Project, as it’s currently designed. At the request of Selectman Kevin Greeley, the board did so in response to the recent “Yes” vote on Question 1, which opponents of the current design viewed as an indictment on it. On Monday, Selectmen Steven Byrne and Joseph Curro Jr. called the non-binding ballot question “flawed,” and Greeley said there is “ample evidence” that the town wants the current project. “We’re ready,” Greeley said. “We need to do this, or we lose all of the money.” The project, which is expected to cost about $6.8 million, would be 80 percent …

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Harriet

5:49 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

@mark, Until either you or "tim" provide proof that Byrne doesn't live in Arlington, you are just going to come across as part of the "tin foil hat brigade". Man up, and provide that proof.   more ›

VIDEO: Selectman Responds to Question 1 Vote

See what step Selectman Kevin Greeley wants the board to take at its next meeting.

Count Selectman Kevin Greeley firmly in the camp of those who believe that Saturday’s “Yes” vote on Question 1 shouldn’t be interpreted as a deathblow to the current Mass. Ave. Corridor Project. At the end of Monday night’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting, Greeley said he plans to draft a letter, with help from Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine, to Federal Highway and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation expressing the board’s “[strong continued] support for the project” and to request the project's funding. He said he would bring the letter to the board’s next meeting on Monday, April 22, for his colleagues’ approval. The Mass. Ave. Corridor Project, which is expected to cost about $6.8 million, would be 80 percent federally funded, 20…

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SteveM

12:45 am on Thursday, May 9, 2013

no, four unmarked lanes means four unmarked lanes. If they were not legal lanes, it wouldn't say four lanes, it would say 2 lanes. I can't believe you could really be that dense? I pray you're just a troll, otherwise you have single-handedly made me lose faith in the average intelligence of the community.   more ›

RESULTS: 2013 Arlington Town Elections

See the map of precinct-by-precinct results on Question 1.

The 2013 Arlington Town Elections Results Editor's note: The numbers below are unofficial. We've attached the full results, including Town Meeting races, to this article. Voter turnout: 8,619 ballots were cast from Arlington's 30,069 registered voters for a turnout of 28.66 percent.            Question 1. This question is not-binding. Shall the Town have four vehicular travel lanes on Massachusetts Avenue in East Arlington as now practiced? Question 2. This question is not-binding. Do you favor the Town’s current overnight parking ban? Board of Selectmen for Three Years (Vote for Not More Than One)  School Committee for Three Years (Vote for Not More Than Two) School Committee for One Year (Vote for Not More Than One) Town Moderator for …

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Dean

4:36 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Susan where did you get the info on people holding signs for money? CAN YOU PROVE THAT? YOUR SIDE LOST FACE IT.   more ›

Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Maria Romano on Board of Selectmen Candidacy

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Maria Romano, a Board of Selectmen candidate and Bates Road resident.

A person’s record is not always judged by all the years of service, but by simple actions and comments. They speak volumes to a person’s character, honesty and integrity. This election is about experience. I have 25 years of solid, strong and successful projects. I listen to people and help them realize their dreams. On the one hand if you don’t do what the customer asks, they will find someone else who will. On the other hand you are being paid to bring your knowledge to the process to make sure the project can be done on time and within budget. Ask yourself, is a town that has multiple overrides within a few years – on time and on budget? Is it delivering for its citizens! Experience brings humility, in business and in life. My 25 years …

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QUESTION 1: Shall the Town Have Four Vehicular Travel Lanes on Mass. Ave. in East Arlington as Now Practiced?

Consider the comments section below your forum to discuss Question 1 leading up to Saturday's vote. We’ll keep this article on the homepage all week.

It’s election week here in Arlington, and one of the hottest items on Saturday’s ballot is “Question 1” on the Mass. Ave. Corridor Project. Here is how it will appear on the ballot: Question 1. This question is not-binding. Shall the Town have four vehicular travel lanes on Massachusetts Avenue in East Arlington as now practiced? YES NO Consider the comments section below your forum to discuss Question 1 leading up to the vote. We’ll keep this article on the homepage all week. Also see: “QUESTION 2: Do You Favor the Town’s Current Overnight Parking Ban?” As quick background, Question 1 was put on the ballot by a citizen petition, which was organized by Eric Berger, a Town Meeting member from Hamilton Road who has vocally opposed the …

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Dean

8:37 am on Monday, April 8, 2013

Crooked Townies, I agree with you...We need a city form of government. This town meeting form was sufficient in days gone by but now we need more representative form of govt. TM meeting members are not involved with the issues daily and cant wait for Leone to bring down the gavel for adjournment. Greeley likes to quote how a lot of towns our size operate, well a lot of towns our size have a city …   more ›

Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Modernize Mass. Ave. and the Board of Selectmen

The following is a Letter to the Editor from Christopher Loreti, a Precinct 7 Town Meeting Member, former Redevelopment Board member and Adams Street resident.

In his closing remarks at Candidates' Night last week, Selectman Kevin Greeley stated that supporting the Mass. Ave. reconstruction project was more important than voting for his re-election. Arlington voters should take Mr. Greeley’s advice to heart by voting “No” on Question 1 and by voting for Maria Romano for selectman. While it may seem inconsistent to vote in support of the current plan to reconstruct the avenue and for a candidate who opposes that plan, it is important to remember that each selectman has only one vote. Having an opposing voice on the project, as there had been previously, will improve the process going forward by bringing some much needed diversity of opinion to the board. Arlington needs to bring both Mass. Ave. …

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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 ›

5 Things You Need To Know Today

Mass. Ave. Corridor Project Transcripts and Comments Now Online

The document, prepared by MassDot, includes the transcript of both public hearings, as well as other comments submitted.

Today is Wednesday, March 27. Here are five things you need to know. 1.) From the town: Mass. Ave. Corridor Project Transcripts and Comments Now Online: The transcript and public comments from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 26, are now online. The document, prepared by MassDOT, also includes the transcript of the first public hearing on April 12, 2011, and other documents submitted. It can be viewed at arlingtonma.gov/massave. 2.) From the town: Shingles Presentation and Info Session Thursday, March 28: Shingles is a viral infection of the nerve roots that causes pain, and often results in a rash on one side of the body. Up to 1 million cases of shingles occur in the United States each year, …

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VIDEO: Selectmen Candidates on Mass. Ave. Corridor Project

See what incumbent Kevin Greeley and challenger Maria Romano had to say Thursday night about the hot-button issue. It's one of the major differences in their campaigns.

Arlington's Town Elections are Saturday, April 6. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. In the Board of Selectmen's race, 24-year incumbent Kevin Greeley is being challenged by Maria Romano for a three-year seat. Here is how "Question 1," referenced above, appears on the ballot: Question 1. This question is not-binding. Shall the Town have four vehicular travel lanes on Massachusetts Avenue in East Arlington as now practiced? YES NO Submit a Letter to the Editor on these candidates or the Mass. Ave. Corridor Project/"Question 1."

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SteveM

11:07 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Hi Charlie, you're from somerville. I'm from East Arlington. Your opinion in matters of Arlington elections is totally irrelevant.   more ›