Arlington Planning Department Gets 2 New Employees

ARLINGTON, MA – The Arlington Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) is pleased to announce that new employees have started in September. Emily Sullivan has joined the staff as the Environmental Planner/Conservation Agent and Daniel Amstutz, AICP, has joined the staff as the Senior Transportation Planner, a new position in the Town of Arlington.

Jennifer Raitt, Director of Planning and Community Development, says, “We are excited to welcome Dan and Emily. Emily will continue to broadly engage and advance environmental planning and resource protection efforts in the community. In this newly-created position, Dan will bring a tighter focus and longer-range planning expertise to transportation issues for all modes of transit.”

As Environmental Planner/ Conservation Agent, Ms. Sullivan will assist with coordination of a range of sustainability and environmental efforts in town and assist the Conservation Commission in its administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, the Arlington Bylaw for Wetlands Protection, and management of property under Conservation Commission management or control. Outside of special projects or tasks, duties of the position will be evenly split between Conservation Commission-related tasks and environmental planning activities.

Ms. Sullivan comes to the Town of Arlington following the completion of a Master’s degree in Urban Planning, concentrating in Environmental Hazard Management from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. While at Texas A&M University, Ms. Sullivan gained experience working on a diverse range of projects related to comprehensive planning including hazard mitigation, urban resiliency, and public health. Ms. Sullivan received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.

"As an Arlington native, I look forward to working with the community in which I grew up on environmental planning and conservation projects," said Ms. Sullivan.

The new Senior Transportation Planner will coordinate transportation policy and planning efforts for the Town. Mr. Amstutz will provide professional, administrative, and technical work in the development and implementation of neighborhood-based and town-wide transportation plans. He will develop and advance a number of short- and long-range transportation initiatives and goals, including decreasing congestion, mitigating neighborhood traffic-related concerns, and enhancing multi-modal mobility options in Arlington. Mr. Amstutz will serve as staff to the Transportation Advisory Committee and coordinates with other Town departments, boards, and commission on larger Town transportation projects.

Mr. Amstutz comes to the Town of Arlington after more than five years of experience with the City of Greensboro and the Greensboro Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in Greensboro, North Carolina. While there, he wrote, researched, conducted public engagement, and facilitated the process for the award-winning Greensboro Urban Area MPO Bicycle, Pedestrian, Trails and Greenways Master Plan. Mr. Amstutz completed his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Clark University in Worcester. He holds two Master’s degrees; one in Public Administration also from Clark University, and the second in City Planning from Boston University. Mr. Amstutz is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

"I am thrilled to return to the Boston area to work on transportation planning for the Town of Arlington" said Mr. Amstutz. "I have a passion for improving the safety and mobility for all travel modes, especially people walking and bicycling who are our most vulnerable road users."

About Planning and Community Development: The DPCD is committed to improving the quality of life for Arlington's residents by improving access to housing and transportation, enhancing the vitality of business districts, providing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households, and preserving and promoting the town's natural, historic, and cultural resources. The department oversees various planning and community development activities within the town of Arlington including implementation of the Arlington Master Plan. Staff support a range of Town boards and committees, including the Arlington Redevelopment Board and manage three redevelopment properties: Jefferson Cutter House, Central School (Senior Center), and 23 Maple Street.

For more information about the department, go to: http://www.arlingtonma.gov/departments/planning-community-development/. Contact: Jennifer Raitt, jraitt@town.arlington.ma.us / 781 316-3092.

Announcement via town of Arlington; Image via Shutterstock