Trapelo/Belmont Reconstruction Begins In Cushing Square with Project Nearly Half Complete

By Leave a Comment

Traveling from Belmont’s Cushing Square to the Cambridge town line will be filled with delays, lane closures and dodging very large mechanical vehicles as the Trapelo Road/Belmont Street Reconstruction project begin its downhill descent towards completion as today, Tuesday, Jan. 6, an excavator digger tore into the center of Trapelo at Common Street. 

The current work includes installing traffic signal conduits and drainage along Trapelo Road as weather permits.

The nearly $17.1 million reconstruction of the main artery running through Belmont between Cambridge and Waltham is 41 percent complete, according to the latest update from Ronald Strangfeld, the resident engineer with the state’s Department of Transportation (MassDOT) which is financing and managing the project.

Begun in October 2013, the multi-section project started at the Waltham line and headed easterly.

This latest segment of the project, from Common Street to Payson Road, is scheduled to be completed by early June 2015.

According to the current MassDOT timeline, the entire project should be finished in September. This summer, landscaping is scheduled to begin which will include the planting of 200 new trees.

Belmont Boys’ Basketball Ups Physical Play to Stall Rockets, 58-41

By Leave a Comment

With the grind of league play upon them, the Belmont High School Boys’ Basketball team took to the court on Friday, Jan. 2 against hosts Reading Memorial High School with the objective to get a bit more physical out there.

After suffering its first defeat of the season to a good Billerica team on Monday, Dec. 29, the squad hoped to move bodies around the court to allow the Marauders’ scoring duo of senior center Adam Kletchner and senior point guard Ben Lazenby a bit more room to hit their shots and, consequently, making it harder for the Rockets – just off winning a holiday tournament – offensively.

It worked; as Belmont (4-1) handled the Rockets (2-4), 58-41, in which Lazenby shouldered the bulk of the scoring lost with junior scoring guard Matt Kerans (bandaged hand) and 6th man Cole Bartels sitting on the bench.

“I liked what I saw. They showed a more physical side” of their play, said Belmont Head Coach Adam Pritchard.

The key to the win was the duel role Lazenby took, not only leading the offense but also taking shots usually handled by his partner Kerans. Lazenby finished the game with 21 points which included hitting four three point shots but only going 3 for 10 from the charity stripe.

Pritchard noted that Lazenby was not only doing double duty on the offensive end, “he’s also guarding their best backcourt player. His work rate is very impressive.”

Following Lazenby on the scoring sheet was Kleckner (20 points) who was Mr. Steady, scoring four, six, six and four in each quarter while making it difficult for the Rockets down low.

“Kleckner is Kleckner; he’s getting the job done, especially now when he need him to step up,” said Pritchard.

While no other Belmont player hit more than a single basket, the team’s defense was a marked improvement from Monday’s loss, lead by seniors Jaemar Paul (3 points from the line) and Seth Altman (an important 3 pointer early in the game to put the Marauders’ in the lead) and junior big man Justin Wagner (2 points), each contributing to the defense on the night.

BREAKING: Studio Cinema ‘Unlikely’ to Reopen as Theater

By 6 Comments

The co-owner of the Studio Cinema, the historic landmark in Belmont’s Central Square, said it was “unlikely” the town’s nearly century-old movie theater will be in the business of showing films if current tensions with town departments can not be resolved.

“I am trying very hard to reopen it but, as of now, it’s only about a 10 percent chance that that will happen,” James “Jim” Bramante – who is co-owner of the Studio with his brother, David – told the Belmontonian.

The Bramante brothers also own the popular multi-screen West Newton Cinema in Newton.

The Studio, at 376 Trapelo Rd., has been shut for the past two weeks and its website only informing residents and movie goers that the theater “is closed for technical problems until further notice please keep in touch.”

Those technical issues, according to Bramante, regard town regulations involving several departments including those related to the fire department’s annual inspection of the building.

Bramante would not go into details about the specific issues, only to say that town officials appear unwilling to give the operation “grandfather” status from new town regulations.

“I have real concerns that I can fulfill the obligations the town requires me to do and remain a viable business,” said Bramante.

Town officials are playing their cards close to the vest, only indicating that all departments are working collectively to resolve any remaining issues to allow the operation to open for business.

In fact, Bramante did apply to the Belmont Town Clerk’s Office last year for a business license to run a theater at the existing location.

But Bramante, who bought the theater in Belmont and West Newton with his brother 30 years ago due to their love of movies, said it all comes down to the money needed to make the repairs and upgrades.

“It always comes down to cost,” he said. “We try hard to make this a success, but it has always been an uphill battle,” said Bramante.

The theater is one of the rare remaining venues that was built to show silent films that has remained a single-screen operation in New England and the US. The building opened in 1919 as The Strand at the corner of Trapelo Road and Beech Street as the area surrounding Central Square was being developed into residential housing.

At the height of its popularity in 1941, the theater – with its new name the Studio – had 700 seats and was operated by the national chain, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Bramante said he and his brother have not envisioned another use for the property – he said the building “is beautifully situated to remain a theater.”

“Right now we are working to find a reasonable solution but that’s hard to see coming,” he said.

 

Oh, Christmas Tree, You Can Place It On the Curb Beginning this Week

By Leave a Comment

Today, Jan. 5th, is Twelfth Night, which marks the end of the Christmas holiday (it’s the night before Epiphany, the day when the nativity story says the three wise men visited the infant Jesus), which in the past was a time of revelry and merry making.

And with the end of the holiday comes another tradition: the dumping of the family Christmas tree onto the curb.

And starting today, the Belmont Department of Public Works will collect your Christmas trees at the curb for regular trash pickup on the designated trash day during the first two full weeks of January.

Belmont Girls’ Basketball Puts on Defensive Clinic Blanking Reading

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The scoreboard is correct as Belmont shutout defending Middlesex League champions, Reading, 15-0, in the first quarter to win going away, 50-19. 

The scoreboard clock in the gym at Reading Memorial High School showed two minutes remaining in the second quarter after the Belmont High School Girls’ Basketball team racing to a 23-point lead.

The score: Belmont 23, Reading 0.

The game wasn’t even that close.

In a masterclass of shutdown basketball, the Marauders’ smothered the four-time Middlesex League champions, 50-19, on Friday, Jan 2.

Only a deep three-point shot from Reading guard Michelle Downey (her only basket of the game) with less than two minutes in the half prevented the shutout.

“I think I can remember when we were shut out for a quarter but I have never seen a team nearly keep another team scoreless for a half,” said Belmont Head Coach Melissa Hart who appeared a bit surprised by the level of intensity from a team that features 9th graders and seniors on the court.

Hart pointed out other factors hampering the defending champions: it is an inexperienced team, their point guard – the equivalent of the quarterback – was on crotches while the refs pocketed their whistles to allow for a bit more physical contact during the game.

But it was the Marauders who dictated how the game would be played and its foundation was a relentless defense.

Throughout the game, Belmont (3-1) used its athleticism and tight covering of their opponents to suffocated the Rockets (1-5) offense, reducing it to outside shots as the 30-second shot clock ran down. The Marauders – particularly freshman Carly Christofori (5 points), senior Sophia Eschenbach-Smith (2 points), Irini Nikolaidis (4 points) and junior Samari Winklaar (2 points)– were dogged in running down opponents, diving for balls, reaching in to disrupt Reading’s dribbles and stepping into passing lanes.

When Reading missed shots, Belmont’s veteran low-post players, junior forward Sarah Steward (2 points) and seniors Elena Bragg (8 points) and Linda Herlihy boxed out the opponents to take down the rebound.

Even after half time, the team stepped up their game, scoring the first four times they touched the ball in the third quarter while preventing Reading from scoring for the first four-and-a-half minutes of the second half, leading at the time, 37-3.

Emblematic of that defensive mindset, despite leading by more than 30 points in the final minutes of the game, Steward was sent heavily to the floor after stepped in front of a Reading player driving to the basket to create a charging foul against the Rockets.

The resulting pressure produced opportunities on the other end of the court. Several times, Christofori and Eschenbach-Smith drove near the basket before dishing off the ball to Herlihy to put in a season’s high 16 points to go with three blocks and numerous rebounds.

In addition to winning the battle down low, Belmont upped its total from mid-range baskets, hitting a number of jumpers (Bragg opened the game’s scoring from outside) including a three-point shot from Christofori. The game allowed several bench players to play some significant minutes including senior guard Kayla Magno and junior Ani Maroyan (1 point each), junior point guard Meghan Ferraro (a nice 2 point basket) and sophomore guard Mary Kate Egan, who scored a career high 5 points in the fourth quarter to lead all scorers in the final eight minutes.

“This was a real team win,” said Herlihy, giving credit to the intensity the team brought to the floor.

“It’s great that we are coming together as a team. It makes scoring easy,” said Herlihy.

Belmont will need to show the same defensive skills on Tuesday, Jan. 6 as they take on one-loss Arlington at Wenner Field House at 7 p.m.

 

 

This Week: A Bit of Everything Happening in Belmont in the New Year

By Leave a Comment

Welcome back from the holidays and winter recess.

• On the government side of the week, the Zoning Board of Appeals will approve the specifications for the pump and force main required in the comprehensive permit for the proposed housing development at Belmont Uplands on Monday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Gallery of Arts located on the third floor of the Homer Building in the Town Hall complex. On the same day and at the same time, the Belmont Board of Selectmen will be at Town Hall to have a really short meeting with the Belmont Police presenting its new “Smart 911” program. On Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m., the Planning Board is meeting at Town Hall where it will discuss potential zoning by-law amendments while the School Committee (at the Chenery Middle School) will present a preliminary budget along with program changes at the High School. The Municipal Light Advisory Board will discuss the substation project and carbon reduction at the Light Department Headquarters at 40 Prince St. at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.

• Music & Movement with Rubi, a movement and music program recommended for ages 3 to 5 (but 2 year olds are welcome) will be held in the Flett Room on Monday, Jan. 5. There will be two sessions: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• The 7th-8th Grade Book Club will discuss “Jackaby” by William Ritter, on Monday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Young Adult Room of the Belmont Public Library. Enjoy some snacks and choose February’s book.

• Tuesday, Jan. 6 is story time at both of Belmont libraries. Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer run library, at 10:30 a.m. Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is located at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex. Over at the Belmont Public Library on Concord Avenue will be holding two sessions of Story Time for 2’s and 3’s, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 

• State Rep. Dave Rogers will be holding office hours in Belmont at the Beech Street Center on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 9:30 p.m. 

• Head over to the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 1:15 p.m. for a sing-along with Arnie Rosen. A Belmont resident, Rosen has become one of the favorite musical performers at the Center. A multi-instrumentalist, he has played guitar for more than 50 years and has a nice repertoire of songs.

• Yoga for everyone at the Beech Street Center on Tuesday, Jan 6, 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: join Susan Harris, a registered yoga teacher and associate professor of Nutrition at Tufts University for this Iyengar-inspired class which practices yoga postures slowly and with attention to alignment and safety, adapted to the abilities and needs of individual students. Practice is done with bare feet; mats and props are provided. Cost: $15/class. This is a non-Council on Aging class held at the Beech Street Center. For more information, call Susan at 617-407-0816.

• There will be a sing-along with Julie Goetze in the Children’s Room of the Belmont Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

• The Belmont Public School invites Chenery Middle School students on early release Wednesday to come over to the library’s Assembly Room today, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., to do your homework while enjoying some hot chocolate. This is for middleschoolers only so high schoolers are on their own. This event is provided for free, thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library.

• The Belmont Public Library LEGO Club is for kids in kindergarten through second grade who want to meet and create their own unique structures. All LEGOs will be provided so just bring your imagination to the Assembly Room from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.

• The Book Discussion Group for 3rd and 4th grades will take place on Thursday, Jan. 8, 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• The Belmont League of Women Voters meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• The Senior Book Discussion Group at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. will discuss “Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen on Friday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. 

• Belmont’s Powers Music School will be giving a concert for the community at the Beech Street Center on Friday, Jan. 9, at 1:15 p.m. Dubbed “Characters and Conversations,” the concert will feature faculty members Ben Fox (oboe), Meghan Jacoby (flute), and guest Ellie Parrone (piano). The concert is supported in part by East Boston Savings Bank. All residents are welcome to attend.

Not The Last Picture Show: Studio Cinema Closed for ‘Touch Up’

By Leave a Comment

This week, the marquee above the front door of the Studio Cinema, Belmont’s only movie theater, has been blank.

The doors to the cinema at the corner of Trapelo Road and Beech Street – which opened (as The Strand) to screen silent films 96 years ago – are shut and there is no activity from inside the lobby. Those online will discover a near empty web page with a cryptic note:

“The theater is closed for technical problems until further notice please keep in touch…..  Jim” it reads.

A flurry of comments began as residents and movie goers worried that the Studio, one of the few remaining one-screen theaters remaining not just in Massachusetts but around the country, had become a victim of high definition, IMAX screens and Netflix.

While the venerable theater is nearing the century mark, it is not ready to be bulldozed to create a residential/retail complex. In fact, the “Jim” of the message on the website said that the screen will be back in operation within the fortnight.

“Don’t worry,” said James Bramante, the long-time owner of the Studio Cinema at 376 Trapelo Rd., in addition to the West Newton Cinema in Newton.

“What’s happening is improvements to the building,” he said.

“It’s more of a rehab, a touch up, cosmetic in nature which should require the theater to be closed for the next two weeks.”

Sold in Belmont: Paying Premiums on the High-End Homes

By Leave a Comment

A weekly recap of residential properties bought in the past seven days in the “Town of Homes.”

• 40 Randolph St. A big, brick Tudor-style Colonial (1929), Sold for: $1,255,000. Listed at $1,250,000. Living area: 3,320 sq.-ft. 11 rooms, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. On the market: 54 days.

• 255 Slade St. Brick Colonial (1925), Sold for: $1,131,000. Listed at $995,000. Living area: 2,390 sq.-ft. 10 rooms, 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 61 days.

• 165 Radcliffe Rd. Dutch Colonial (1948), Sold for: $705,500. Listed at $725,000. Living area: 2,417 sq.-ft. 7 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. On the market: 54 days. 

Would it surprise anyone that the two high-end houses picked up on the final days of 2014 where sold at a premium – contrary to the trend over the past six months of seven-figure structures having a hard time holding onto the listed price –  as new owners seek a tax advantage for this year and 2015?

Then again, each property had its selling points. The huge (expanded horribly in the early 1990s with the dormers running front to back) Tudor wannabe on Randolph Street in the Presidential neighborhood is the perfect location for parents with kids in the schools. A jump and a skip from the Burbank, just up Washington Street to the Chenery and a leisurely stroll to the High School. Just think, never have to drive the little ones to school and no need to give them a car when they turn 16. The Slade Street house would have been considered, at 2,300 sq.-ft. of livable area, a “big” house in Belmont up until about 15 years ago. But being the neighbor to the (bland) massive new residential construction at the corner of Common and Slade (will it go onto the market or is being built for someone?), it’s now not even the biggest kid on the block. But it doesn’t hurt that the former c. 1920 structure that resembled a haunted house was finally demolished in 2013. Finally, the Dutch-Colonial on Radcliffe was bought for a steal at just more than $700,000. Of course, the house is literally on Route 2, but still a great place to call home.

This Weekend: ‘Touch The Wall’ with BATs, Farmers Market Meeting Sunday

By Leave a Comment

• BATs can swim, at least in Belmont. And this Sunday, Jan. 4 at 1:30 p.m., the Belmont Aquatic Team is having its very own day at the movies holding a fundraiser screening the just-released documentary, “Touch the Wall,” at the West Newton Cinema.

The documentary highlights 17-year-old swimming phenom and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Missy Franklin who was destined for greatness at an early age, but it wasn’t until the arrival of three time Olympic veteran Kara Lynn Joyce did those sky-high expectations began to take shape. As training partners, competitors, and friends, Missy and Kara redefine what it means to win.

Due to some facilities problems, the first venue for the movie, the Belmont Studio Cinema, was unable to show the film. The West Newton Cinema is located at 1296 Washington St. in Newton (617-964-8074.)

Tickets are $10 and you can obtain them online here.

• Belmont Food Collaborative/Belmont Farmers Market is meeting Sunday, Jan. 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.