To see if the Town will vote, consistent with the Town Manager Act, to affirm the Town Manager’s authorization to file and accept grants from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and carry out the terms, purposes and conditions of such grants, specifically for the purposes of improving Veteran Memorial Park; or take any action related thereto.

(Inserted at the request of the Director of Health and Human Services and the Town Manager)

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While the Select Board strongly believes that the Manager already possess the authority affirmed by this resolution as one of his powers and duties under the Town Manager Act, this resolution was requested by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and supports the exciting and worthy improvements to Veteran’s Memorial Park.  The Select Board is grateful for the dedication of all the staff working to update and improve this central, multipurpose park space in the Town’s center, but especially grateful for the work of the Director of Veterans Services, Jeff Chunglo and Health and Human Services Director, Christine Bongiorno.  Accordingly, the Board requests Town Meeting join in its enthusiasm for this resolution.

That Town Meeting does and hereby resolves as follows:

A RESOLUTION TO FILE AND ACCEPT GRANTS WITH AND FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS FOR THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND GRANT PROGRAM FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COMMON

Whereas, the parcel of land known as the Veteran Memorial Park is by far a community-wide asset and the preservation and improvements to this facility are a Town priority as evidenced in the most recent Open Space and Recreation Plan; and

Whereas, Arlington is dedicated to park and recreation purposes under M.G.L. Chapter 45, Section 3; and

Whereas, Arlington’s ultimate restoration, guided in principal by the Master Plan, will greatly enhance this facility with improved infrastructure, path systems, site lighting, universal access, etc.; and

Whereas, the main focus of the Plan is to increase the available park space to adequately host major events and activities.  This overall cost and fiscal budget constraints prevented the Town from proceeding forward with implementation as one project; and

Whereas, the project was instead viewed as a series of phases, to be implemented over time, by priority as fiscal resources were available, with the intention of securing grant funding, when and if available, to assist in this effort; and

Whereas, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) is offering reimbursable grants to cities and towns to support the preservation and restoration of urban parks through the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (P.L. 88-578, 78 Stat 897); and

Whereas the Phase I of this Restoration Project will cost a total of $1,000,000 (One Million Dollars) and the Town has allocated $200,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for Phase I of this project.

Therefore be it resolved that the Town Manager be and is hereby authorized to file and accept grants from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; and

Be it further resolved, that the Town Manager be and is hereby authorized to take such other actions as are necessary to carry out the terms, purposes, and conditions of this grant to be administered by the Parks and Recreation Department.