Arlington Finance Committee Approves Library, Rec, and Rink Budgets for FY27

ARLINGTON — February 2, 2026 — Arlington Finance Committee approves recreation, rink, and library budgets while rejecting a zero-appropriation policy aimed at committees with large reserves. The committee voted unanimously to approve the Recreation Department's enterprise fund budget at $3,306,574 in revenues and expenses, the Edwards Arena rink at $654,620, and the Public Library at $3,010,325 at its February 2 meeting. A motion by member Charlie to deny any appropriation to town advisory committees whose unspent reserves exceeded their funding requests failed after members argued the policy would penalize volunteers and that the total dollars involved amounted to roughly $100,000 in a $200 million budget. An amendment by member Sophie to shield the Commission on Disabilities from the policy passed before the underlying motion collapsed. Library reviewer Rebecca warned the committee that a 12 percent budget cut would push Arlington below the state Municipal Appropriations Requirement, potentially costing the library its certification and access to statewide interlibrary lending.