Arlington Voters To Decide On $291M High School

ARLINGTON, MA — The Special Election that determines the future of the Arlington High School Building Project will be held Tuesday, June 11. Residents will be asked to vote on two ballot questions, one of which would raise property taxes to pay back bonds sold to fund a new Arlington High School.

Here's what you need to know before you head to the polls Tuesday.

Ballot Questions

1. Debt Exclusion

Shall the Town of Arlington be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition two and-one-half, so called, the amounts required to pay for the bond or bonds issued for the purposes of paying costs of a project to demolish, design, construct, reconstruct, remodel, add to, and originally equip the Arlington High School, including replacing the existing facility located at 869 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington MA, and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto?

If approved, the Debt Exclusion question would increase property taxes to pay debt service on bonds sold to pay for a new Arlington High School, according to the town. The estimated total cost of the project is $290,851,820, of which it is estimated that the Massachusetts School Building Authority will pay $86,019,645 and the Town of Arlington will pay $204,832,175. The tax increase would remain in effect until the bonds are fully paid.

2. Proposition 2 ½ Override

Shall the Town of Arlington be allowed to assess an additional $5,500,000 in real
estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the operating budgets
of the Town and the Public Schools for the fiscal year beginning July first, 2019?

If approved by Arlington voters, the Proposition 2 ½ Override would permanently raise property taxes by $5,500,000 to pay the operating costs of the Town and School departments.

Polling Locations

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• PRECINCT 1 - Thompson School, 187 Everett Street; Four for three years
• PRECINCT 2 - Hardy School, 52 Lake Street (entrance on Brooks Avenue); Four for three years
• PRECINCT 3 - Thompson School, 187 Everett Street; Four for three years
• PRECINCT 4 - Hardy School, 52 Lake Street (entrance on Brooks Avenue); Four for three years
• PRECINCT 5 - Thompson School, 187 Everett Street; Four for three years
• PRECINCT 6 - Hardy School, 52 Lake Street (entrance on Brooks Avenue); Four for three years
• PRECINCT 7 - Chestnut Manor, 54 Medford Street (entrance on Chestnut Terrace); Four for three years; One for one year (to fill a vacancy)
• PRECINCT 8 - Town Hall, 730 Massachusetts Avenue (beside Robbins Library); Four for three years
• PRECINCT 9 - Chestnut Manor, 54 Medford Street (entrance on Chestnut Terrace); Four for three years; One for two years (to fill a vacancy)
• PRECINCT 10 - Town Hall, 730 Massachusetts Avenue (beside Robbins Library); Four for three years
• PRECINCT 11 - Bishop School, 25 Columbia Road (entrance on Stowecroft Road); Four for three years; One for one year (to fill a vacancy)
• PRECINCT 12 - Brackett School, 66 Eastern Avenue (Left at Water Tower at top of Park Avenue); Four for three years
• PRECINCT 13 - Stratton School, 180 Mountain Avenue; Four for three years
• PRECINCT 14 - Brackett School, 66 Eastern Avenue (Left at Water Tower at top of Park Avenue); Four for three years
• PRECINCT 15 - Stratton School, 180 Mountain Avenue; Four for three years; One for one year (to fill a vacancy)
• PRECINCT 16 - Dallin School, 185 Florence Avenue (off Park Avenue); Four for three years
• PRECINCT 17 - Peirce School, 85 Park Ave. Extension (entrance on Newland Road); Four for three years; Two Vacancies
• PRECINCT 18 - Dallin School, 185 Florence Avenue (off Park Avenue); Four for three years
• PRECINCT 19 - Peirce School, 85 Park Ave. Extension (entrance on Newland Road); Four for three years
• PRECINCT 20 - Park Avenue Congregational Church, 50 Paul Revere Road (corner of ParkAvenue & Wollaston Ave.); Four for three years; One for one year (to fill a vacancy)
• PRECINCT 21 - Peirce School, 85 Park Ave. Extension (entrance on Newland Road); Four for three years