An Arlington native, community organizer, and public servant — committed to making Arlington work for every generation.
Hi, I'm Joe Solomon — Select Board Member for Arlington, MA.
Arlington is my home. It shaped who I am, and it is where I am raising my family today. I've experienced this town from many angles: as a student in our public schools, a parent and PTO leader, and as a member of town government.
Twenty years of work at federal and state agencies and in the private sector has taught me how to deliver results that people can see, measure, and trust. I believe in data-driven decision making, transparent governance, and always putting residents first.
I ran for Select Board to ensure Arlington continues to work for everyone — for families just starting out, for young people finding their path, and for neighbors who built this community and deserve to stay in it.
Everyone deserves to get where they're going safely, whether driving, walking, or biking. Through my work on the Park Ave Safety Study and with Everywhere Arlington Liveable Streets, I've advocated for real solutions to longstanding safety problems. I'll work to adopt a Vision Zero policy and support fast, proven safety improvements that don't wait for perfect plans.
Our schools are Arlington's foundation. They served me well as a student and are serving my children well today. That reputation requires sustained investment and community support. I'm committed to ensuring our students and teachers have the resources they need to succeed.
Arlington should be home for every stage of life. I built an accessory dwelling unit so my mother could age safely in place, and I helped my mother-in-law purchase a condo in a multi-family building to bring her closer to her grandchildren. I'll support policies that make it easier to build housing options like these, allowing seniors to downsize without leaving the community they love and giving the next generation a foothold in our town.
Smart, well-planned development is essential to Arlington's long-term health and quality of life. I support strategic growth along our key corridors to strengthen business districts, expand mixed-use housing, and diversify our tax base. Thoughtful development lets us meet today's needs while planning responsibly for tomorrow.
Endorsed by neighbors and leaders across Arlington
"Joe is a smart, collaborative leader who gets results the right way. I was impressed with how he led a successful neighborhood effort to advocate for street safety improvements by asking questions, doing his homework, and empowering his neighbors to be heard. As a Select Board member, Joe will bring these skills to the wider range of challenges facing Arlington."
"Joe has been a key resource for our neighborhood and our congregation as we've worked to improve pedestrian safety along Park Avenue. He is smart, strategic, caring, committed, and centers the work rather than himself. He would make an incredible addition to the Select Board."
"Joe is smart, practical, forward-thinking, and most importantly, he is empathetic. I'm confident he will listen to everyone who reaches out to him and take into account the needs of all others as well. The Arlington community can take credit and be proud that it has raised someone like Joe. I've known that ever since he asked me about a transportation-related element in the capital budget which he felt deserved scrutiny. He was correct — which showed me not only how much he cares but also that he is willing and able to be a good steward for the community."
"During my time working with Joe on Dallin's PTO, I was impressed by his ability to lead, collaborate, and implement forward-thinking changes, helping the organization evolve even in an environment that can be slow to adapt. His strong commitment to community progress makes him an excellent candidate for the Select Board."
"Joe has been a consistent, pragmatic advocate for street safety, as an individual and an active member of the Everywhere Arlington Livable Streets Coalition."
"Joe is an outstanding neighbor and community leader. We have had countless productive conversations about municipal infrastructure, costs, and trade-offs. His willingness to share his time and expertise has helped me become a more informed citizen on the issues that matter to me. I particularly appreciate his measured, thoughtful approach to conversations about complicated issues, which ensures that all voices are heard and that decisions are well reasoned and inclusive. Joe is committed to paying his knowledge forward and to making our town work for everyone."
"I've known Joe for some time now and think very highly of him. First, he is one of the most knowledgeable people I know about town government, how it works and as important, how it interacts with the State in various processes. What do I mean? Joe isn't just telling you the answer, he's sending you the document, showing you what page the vote or recommendation was recorded, or he's showing you the evidence in a study that backs up what he's saying. Joe also walks the walk. When we worked together to help gather signatures for safety concerns on Park Ave, Joe really went to work to get it done. He's great on process, extremely intellectually curious, and wants to make Arlington better. He's exactly the leadership we need as we turn over a new page and elect a new generation of leaders in Arlington."
"Joe is smart, efficient, and responsive. Most of all, he is demonstrably committed to improving our town. He has the right mix of competence and lived experience for this job, and I'm happy to endorse him."
"Joe has my full support as a candidate for Arlington's Select Board. Joe is collaborative, thoughtful, and kind. His dedication to the town of Arlington is evident in his involvement in the Dallin community, as a member of the Everywhere Arlington Livable Streets Coalition, and as a member of our town's government. Joe is always willing to take the time to listen. He is insightful, extremely well-informed, and data driven. His depth of knowledge in the areas of governance, budget, and transportation is admirable and would be a tremendous asset to the Select Board."
"Joe Solomon grew up in Arlington. He graduated from Arlington High, married, and started a family here. He became an early adopter as Arlington moved toward supporting Accessory Dwelling Units, spoke publicly at Town Meeting, and shared his family's experience through ACMI with this new approach to intergenerational housing.
Support for ADUs is just one instance where Joe showed strong leadership through example. He is just the kind of thoughtful, reflective, respectful leader I would like to see on the Arlington Select Board."