Sports: Girls’ Hoops Off The Snide with Winchester Win, One Game from Playoffs

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Photo: Defense is the name of the game for Belmont.

For Belmont High Girls’ Basketball Head Coach Melissa Hart and her team, the postseason has already begun.

“I feel like every game is our first tournament game,” said Hart after the Marauders halted a four-game losing streak with a solid 54-30 victory over winless Winchester (0-16) Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 9.  

The win brings Belmont (9-6) within one game of clinching a spot in the Division 2 North playoffs. Belmont needs to capture one win in their final five matches to secure a place in the dance.

“It really is game to game for us,” said Hart. Belmont plays a much improved Reading Memorial High team away before heading to a North Shore tournament and finishing up with Lexington at home on Feb. 25. 

The game was close early as both teams had not taken the court for a while due to Friday’s snowstorm.

The long layoff – a week since its last game, a loss to undefeated Woburn – “affected our shooting a little tonight, so we were a little cold,” said Hart, noting it took nearly three minutes before the first basket – a three-pointer from Belmont’s sophomore point guard Carly Christofori (14 points), with the Sachems taking a 9-8 lead entering the second quarter.

As with the past five games, Belmont was able to stay close with an aggressive defense, holding Winchester to four points in the second to take a 19-13 lead into the half, scoring the last 6 points of the quarter behind sixth man sophomore Alexa Sabatino who had a clever assist to frosh Megan Tan (5 points with a three) and scored her only basket off a steal.

“Our defense, in the end, is what made the difference. We keep telling them that,” said Hart.

Winchester did creep back into the game behind junior captain Julie Fitzgerald who scored 7 of her co-game-high 14 points in the third (all from free throws) as the Sachems pulled within 5 (25-20) with 3:40 left in the quarter before Tan and sophomore forward Jenny Call (5 points) hit outside threes to give Belmont a 31-25 lead entering the final eight minutes.

Unlike the past few games, Belmont’s offense came to life as the defense wore down the Sachems. A layup by senior co-captain Irini Nikolaidis (8 points), a bucket and one and a steal and layup by Christofori gave Belmont a 12 point lead with six minutes remaining, and that was the game. 

Co-captain Samri Winklaar hit for 8 points, Greta Propp (6 points) went 2-4 from the line along with two hoops while role players Sofia Cellucci (with a great three pointer) and Riley Haight (2 points) got in the book. 

Belmont held Winchester to five points in the fourth as the squad swarmed the ball time and time again.

“Offenses are great but defenses are better,” said Hart.

Just as the Denver Broncos. 

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Vehicle ‘Total Loss’ After Wednesday Morning Fire on Winter Street

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Photo: Belmont Fire Department.

The driver of an SUV was unharmed, but her vehicle was a total loss after it caught fire on Winter Street near Partridge Lane this morning, Wednesday, Feb. 10, according to the Belmont Fire Department. 

“An interesting way to start the morning,” Belmont Fire’s Capt. Kenny Gardiner told the Belmontonian as he described the incident near the intersection of Concord Avenue. 

Gardiner said a call came in at 7:30 a.m. of a vehicle fire outside 21 Winter St. When fire equipment arrived at the scene five minutes later, they spotted a Kia Sorento “fully involved” in a fire that began in the engine compartment. The vehicle’s driver, who was not from Belmont, was not injured and was waiting outside the SUV. 

Gardiner said firefighters pulled a pair of hoses from the engine and quickly doused the flames while closing Winter between Marsh and Concord Avenue. 

Fire crews were done by 8:30 a.m. and the roadway opened by 9 a.m.

Town Election Update: One Week Left to Get Signatures, Paolillo is In, Four Possible for Housing

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Photo: Selectman Mark Paolillo and his mom, Mary, as he turns in his nomination papers to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman.

One Week to Turn in Nomination Papers

You’ll likely have neighbors stalking the streets with pen and clipboard in hand this weekend as residents who took out nomination papers for town-wide elected office and Town Meeting have one week to turn them into Town Clerk Ellen Cushman. 

The deadline to bring signatures into Town Hall is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Residents seeking town-wide office will need 50 certified signatures of registered Belmont voters, 25 certified signatures of Belmont registered voters dwelling in the appropriate precinct are required for Town Meeting. 

Paolillo Makes It Official: He’s on the Ballot

Belmont Board of Selectman Mark Paolillo will in all likelihood be on the April Town Election ballot as the two-term incumbent turned in more than 100 signatures to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman at noon, Tuesday, Feb. 9 at Town Hall. 

Accompanied by his mom, Mary, Paolillo said he is looking forward to running “one final time” for town-wide election, noting that he will not seek a fourth term if elected in April.

“We accomplished a lot in the past six years but there is more to do,” said Paolillo. He pointed to finishing the work of the Financial Task Force, the need to finalize a community path through the community and take a hard look at a renovated Belmont High School and other municipal buildings.

“I talked to many supporters in town and former selectmen and they really encouraged me to run and stay on the board for another three years,” he said.

Alexandra Ruban of Claflin Street has also taken out nomination papers for the board.

A Quartet for Housing Authority

Add another person with papers out seeking one of two seats on the Belmont Housing Authority. 

Paul Rickter of 119 Cross St. came drudging through yesterday’s snow storm to pick up nomination papers, making it a possible quartet running town-wide for the places on the body which manages programs providing housing assistance for low-income families, veterans, and the elderly.

Also taking out papers are Anne Mahon and Tomi Olson while Matt Sullivan has already submitted his paperwork.

Wednesday, Feb. 10 Deadline to Register, Change Parties for Mar. 1 Presidential Primary

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Photo: Register to vote.
The Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman reminds residents that tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb 10 is the deadline to register to vote if they wish to participate in the Massachusetts Presidential Primary on March 1.
 
Feb. 10 is also the deadline for registered voters who wish to change party enrollment either to another party or to “unenrolled,” which is commonly referred to as “independent.” This should not be confused with the United Independent Party (UIP); a party that will have ballots available but with no candidates printed on them. Voters registered in UIP will NOT be eligible to take a Democratic, Republican, or Green-Rainbow ballot, according to Cushman. 
 
“With spirited contests in both parties, pervasive advertising and intense coverage in early primary states, some voters may want to vote for a candidate in a different party from the one they are registered in now,” said Cushman.
 
To do that, however, the voter must switch to the other party or to “unenrolled” status by 8 p.m. Wednesday. 
 
Unenrolled voters or voters enrolled in political designations can ask for any party ballot on Primary Day, but someone registered in a party can only vote on that party’s ballot. A Democrat cannot take a Republican ballot, and a Republican cannot take a Democratic one.
 
The Belmont Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10 for voters who wish to change their party registration status or for persons wishing to register for the first time.
Persons who are United States Citizens, residents of Massachusetts, and who will be at least 18 years old on or before March 1st are eligible to register to vote. Those meeting these qualifications who have a Massachusetts Driver’s License can submit their registration online. Those registering by mail should have their form hand-canceled by the Post Office to ensure it is postmarked before the deadline.
 
For more information, feel free to contact the Belmont Town Clerk’s Office at townclerk@belmont-ma.gov or 617-993-2600.

Library Closing at 12:30PM Monday; Town Offices at 1PM Due to Snow

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Photo:

Due to the pending snow storm, the following town services will be closing early today, Monday, Feb. 8:

  • Town offices including Belmont Town Hall and the Homer Building will close at 1 p.m. 
  • Belmont Public Library is closing at 12:30 p.m. All events scheduled this afternoon and tonight at the library have been canceled. 
  • All Belmont Recreation Department programs and events have been postponed. 

Snow Emergency Parking Ban in Belmont from 6PM to 6AM Tuesday

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Photo: You could be towed.

The Belmont Police has announced a snow emergency parking ban on all roads and municipal and school parking lots beginning at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 8. 

The ban will last until 6 a.m., Tuesday morning, Feb. 9. 

Vehicles parked on the side of the road or in the lots are in violation of the ban and will be ticketed and possibly towed at the owner’s expense. 

For additional updates and storm resources, visit www.belmont-ma.gov/snow

Special Town Meeting Postponed to Feb. 22

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Photo: Mike Widmer, Town Moderator.
Due to the pending snow storm that is anticipated to leave up to 10-12 inches of snow on Belmont, tonight’s Special Town Meeting, Feb. 8. and has been recessed by Town Moderator Michael Widmer and will be continued to Monday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. in the Chenery Middle School, according to Belmont Town Clerk  Ellen Cushman.
The warrant and motions that were distributed to Town Meeting Members for the Special Town Meeting are unchanged.

Look Who’s Running (Or Is Thinking Of It) for Town-Wide Office in Belmont

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Photo: Anne Mahon taking out nomination papers from the Town Clerk’s Office last week.

With only eight days remaining for nomination papers to be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office, it appears that potential races for several town-wide elected offices are starting to take shape, according to information from Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman.

Residents taking out and those returning nomination papers (in bold) include (incumbents in italics):

Selectmen (elect one member for three years)

  • Mark Paolillo (42 Pilgrim Rd) – took papers, not returned
  • Alexandra Ruban (133 Claflin St) – took papers, not returned

School Committee (elect two members for three years, one for one year)

  • Sabri Murat Bicer (117 School St.) on the ballot for 3 years
  • Elyse Shuster (29 Van Ness Rd.) took papers, not returned
  • Andrea Prestwich (86 Alexander Ave.) took papers, not returned
  • Louissa Abdelghany (38 Palfrey Rd.) took papers, not returned
  • Kimberly O’Mahony, (42 Sycamore) took papers, not returned

Library Trustee (elect two members for three years)

  • Mark Carthy (21 Stone Rd.)  on the ballot for 3 years.
  • Mary Stearns  (15 Winthrop Rd.) took papers, not returned.
  • Elizabeth McGuire (70 Lawrence Lane) on the ballot for 3 years

Housing Authority (elect one member for five years and one member for three years)

  • Matthew Sullivan (121 Hammond Rd.) on the ballot for 5 years
  • Tommasina Olson (10 Bay State Rd.) took papers, not returned
  • Anne Mahon (19 Alma Ave.) took papers, not returned

There are some interesting match-ups in the offing. For the Housing Authority (which is, like all town offices, non-partisan) there is a potential for a blue/red confrontation with Town Republican Olson vs. Bernie Sanders supporter Mahon with perennial candidate Sullivan in the mix. 

For Selectman, incumbent Mark Paolillo, who is seeking a third term, could be facing business consultant Alexandra Ruban. But in a brief conversation, Ruban isn’t actually committed to turning in the nomination papers although she said, “I have concerns how the town is run.” 

And how are these for candidates for the two three-year seats (incumbent Shuster said she’s running for the one-year term) on the school committee: A venture capitalist (Bicer), a Harvard astrophysicist (Prestwich), a former John Hancock employee who is now a child care provider (O’Mahony) and a professor of Arabic and French (Abdelghany). This could be a lineup of a TED Talk Belmont.

Nomination papers must be returned by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in order for residents to be included on the April 2016 Town Election Ballot.

This Week: Special Town Meeting (Maybe) Monday, A Cappella Night Rescheduled

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Photo:

The government side of “This Week”:

  • Special Town Meeting will convene at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8 at the Chenery Middle School concerning a vote to approve or reject a new regional agreement for Minuteman Tech.
  • The Board of Selectmen will be meeting briefly in public at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 8 at the Chenery Middle School to vote the warrant for the Presidential Primary and the amendment to the creation of the Belmont High School Building Committee before going into executive session to discuss Trapelo Road and Cushing Village.
  • The Energy Committee is meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 8 a.m. in Town Hall to discuss its priority projects including a discussion of whether to use dryer heat waste in the home as one of those priorities.
  • The Community Preservation Committee will be preparing for the annual Town Meeting and will hear an update on the PQ Playground application on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. in Town Hall.
  • The Board of Health will host a meet and greet with Belmont Public School’s Director of Nursing Service Mary Conant Cantor at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. in Town Hall.

• This month’s Books and Bites event will feature Belmont Public Library librarian Miriam MacNair who will discuss the life and work of poet Denise Levertov. The talk will take place on Monday, Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. in the library’s Assembly Room. Levertov was acclaimed by Kenneth Rexroth in The New York Times as “the most subtly skillful poet of her generation.”

• ESL Conversation Circle for beginners takes place on Monday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room.

• Girls Who Code will meet on Monday, Feb. 8 from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library.

Not attending Special Town Meeting? Bummer! Here is a pair of outstanding counter-programming you can attend instead: 

  • The Belmont After School Enrichment Collaborative‘s Parent Lecture Series continues with “Social Success for Tweens and Teens; Understanding and Supporting Social Development in the Middle School Year” with Peter Rosenmeier, LICSW, clinical director of The Gifford School, will be held on Monday, Feb. 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Burbank Elementary School Cafeteria (new location). Drawing on current research into the developing adolescent brain, best practices in social work and psychology, and more than 30 years’ experiences working with adolescents and their families, Rosenmeier will help unravel some of the mysteries of middle schoolers’ emerging social selves.  We will be sure to make time for discussion about practical solutions to real-life dilemmas.
  • Another special night of singing at Belmont High School as the school is holding its annual A Cappella Night on Monday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. (snow date, Tuesday, Feb. 9)

• Tuesday 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 visit with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex.
  • The Belmont Public Library on Concord Avenue will have preschool story time at 9:30 a.m. 
  • Story Time for 2’s and 3’s is at 10:30 a.m.

• State Rep. Dave Rogers‘ staff will be available for walk-in office hours on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 9 a.m.

• Experience El Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage route to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in Galicia, Spain, with Nancy Nee Hanifin, founder and co-chair of the Boston Chapter of the American Pilgrims of the Camino, at the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9. Snow date will be Feb. 16.

• Elementary students now have their own book club so come join other 2nd and 3rd graders to talk about this month’s book, The World According to Humphrey, by Betty G. Birney on Thursday, Feb. 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. in the Flett Room. Register online or by calling the Children’s Department at 617-993-2880.

• The developers of Belmont Uplands will be holding an information session concerning the affordable housing lottery for Acorn Park (that’s the name being used) on Wednesday, Feb. 10
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. 

• The Chenery Middle School Symphonies Concerts will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 in the Chenery Auditorium. 

• The monthly meeting of Belmont Against Racism will be held in the Flett Room on
Thursday, Feb. 11, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Literacy Playgroup is a parent and child group that supports child’s language and literacy development on Friday, Feb. 12, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Flett Room. You’ll play, read, sing and take home new ideas. Presented by educators from the CFCE grant program; for children age 4 and under.

• The Senior Book Discussion Group will discuss Deephaven by Sarah Orne Jewett on Friday, Feb. 12  from 11 a.m. to noon in Classroom A at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. Published in 1877, Deephaven is a nuanced work of fiction that explores life in a town in Maine. The Senior book discussion group is co-sponsored by the Belmont Public Library and the Belmont Council on Aging.  All are welcome to attend.
 
• Attention teens at Belmont High School: Looking for a new community service opportunity that will look great on your college applications? Come to the Belmont Public Library Teen Advisory Board meeting on Friday, Feb. 12, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the library’s Young Adult Room. Sign up to attend by stop by the library’s reference desk, or call 617-993-2873.

Snow Day! Belmont Public Schools Closed Monday

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Photo: Snow day.

To the 4,100 students in Belmont: Sleep in, have pancakes for breakfast, take the inner tube to the hills and watch Netflix. 

Unlike Friday’s snow event in which Belmont was one of a few school systems that remained open, there was no waiting around on whether the central office would keep the doors of Belmont’s six public schools closed due to Monday’s pending snow storm.

Word came at 8:37 p.m. that Belmont Public Schools will be closed for a snow day on Monday, Feb. 8.

The announcement means Monday’s A Cappella Concert at Belmont High School and all other after-school events are postponed. The concert will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 9.