Warrant Article Title:
VOTE/BYLAW AMENDMENT/ENVISION ARLINGTON UPDATED LANGUAGE

Discussion:

*This articles returns to the Warrant from the 2020 Annual Town Meeting.

 

Envision Arlington’s Standing Committee requests the foregoing updates to:
• Redefine the “Town Goals” as “value statements” in the interests of the operational clarity of their purpose and greater inclusivity;
• Updating the Town Bylaws to reflect such changes in Envision Arlington’s charter vote; and
• Updating the Town Bylaws to reflect 2018 Town Meeting’s vote to change the name of “Vision 2020” to “Envision Arlington,” and the foregoing re-branding of “Goals” as “Statements of Community Values.”

The Select Board respectfully requests Town Meeting join with the Board in supporting each and all of these measures.

Vote Language:

That the 1993 vote of Town Meeting (Article 19) as subsequently amended is hereby amended as follows:

Article 19 (1993). Town Adoption of Vision 2020 Goals Envision Arlington Statements of Community Values

To see if the Town will vote to accept, endorse and adopt the following nine vision statements as statements of our community values goals for the Town; or take any action related thereto.

The Goals Statements are:

Article 1. Community and Citizen Service

We value Arlington’s geographic neighborhoods, common interest groups, and the sense of community in our Town. We value an active and compassionate citizenry volunteers and programs delivering services in our community. We will be known for the vitality of our neighborhoods and as a community of people helping others.

Article 2. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We value the diversity of our population. Our Town’s mix of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, as well as economic and personal circumstances, enriches us. We will be known for the warm welcome and respect we extend to all.

Article 3. Education

We value learning for all Arlington residents citizens. We are responsible as a community for educating our youth and providing all ages with opportunities for educational growth. We will be known for demonstrated excellence in public education and our commitment to life-long learning.

Article 4. The Environment and Sustainability

We value the physical beauty and natural habitats of our Town – parks, ponds and wetlands, dramatic vistas and tree-lined streets – as they contribute to the well-being of our community. Recognizing the fragility of our natural resources, we must ensure that Arlington’s residential areas, commercial centers, and infrastructures are developed in harmony with environmental concerns. We will be known for our commitment to the preservation of Arlington’s beauty, limited open space and resources, as well as our place in the regional and global community.

Article 5. Culture & Recreation

We value the many opportunities to meet, play, and grow in Arlington while treasuring and preserving our unique historical resources. Our social, cultural, artistic, historic, athletic, recreational, and other community groups strengthen Town life. We will be known for the breadth and richness of our resources and activities available to Arlington residents citizens.

Article 6. Communication

We value public dialogue. Communication and information-sharing build trust. Our goals are true openness and accountability. Arlington will be known as a community that thoughtfully searches beyond divisive issues for the opportunities that bind us together.

Article 7. Fiscal Resources

We value Arlington’s efficient delivery of public services providing for the common good. The benefits from these services and the responsibility of taxation will be equitably distributed among us. We will be known for our sound fiscal planning and for the thoughtful, open process by which realistic choices are made in our Town.

Article 8. Governance

We value our representative Town Meeting system and the community spirit it fosters. Participatory governance is both responsive and innovative. We will be known as a community where government provides effective and efficient services, insures open two-way communication, promotes the lively exchange of ideas, and encourages active citizen participation of all residents.

Article 9. Business 

We value Arlington’s diverse and accessible mix of merchants and service providers. We will be known for our vibrant, attractive commercial centers supporting the primarily residential and historic character of the Town.

AND FURTHER VOTED:  That the Town hereby accepts, endorses and adopts the nine “vision statements” set forth in Article 19 of the 1993  as “statements of our community values,” in place of “goals for the Town.”

AND FURTHER VOTED: That Title I, Article 15 (“Consideration of Vision 2020 Goals”) of the Town Bylaws is hereby amended by replacing the term “Vision 2020” with “Envision Arlington” and replacing the term “Goals” with “Statements of Community Values” throughout so as to read as follows:

ARTICLE 15
CONSIDERATION OF VISION 2020 ENVISION ARLINGTON GOALS STATEMENTS OF COMMUNITY VALUES 
(ART. 19, ATM – 05/05/93)

All Town officials including, but not limited to the Select Board, Town Manager, School Committee, and Superintendent of Schools shall consider the Goals of Vision 2020 Envision Arlington Statements of Community Values as delineated in Article 19 of the 1993 Annual Town Meeting, or as same is subsequently amended by any future town meeting, in establishing their respective policies and in performing their various public functions.

(5 – 0)

 

Select Board Report