Photo: Belmont Middle and High School in 2023.
After more than a decade of planning, applications, the largest debt exclusion vote in town history and dozens and dozens of public meetings, the inaugural step in the construction of Belmont’s newest school will take place the day after Memorial Day when the Belmont High School Building Committee hosts the groundbreaking ceremony for the Belmont Middle and High School at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28 at Belmont High School, 221 Concord Ave.
Photo: 5G small cell technology is coming whether Belmont likes it or not.
The future of ultra fast, ultra reliable, ultra cool mobile connection is coming to Belmont as a company in alliance with AT&T will present an application to install 5G small cell equipment at two locations in the Belmont Center area before the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, May 14.
But don’t think that Belmont has much said in the matter. New Federal Communications Commission regulations called unprecedented in favoring corporate interests over local municipalities have tied the hands of town officials both here and around the country in any attempt to limit the number, height, and appearance of the hardware.
Just how tall are
“They are monstrously tall,” said Selectman Adam Dash as he pointed out height can not be challenged under the new F.C.C. regulations.
Aesthetically, the towers can appear as a light poll, the supporting equipment can be stored in enclosures shaped like mailboxes or, it can be designed to look like a tree.
With the prospects of the town soon being home to dozens of these new cell stations, the board attempted to dull that impact by voting for a package of “reasonable” restrictions that will pass federal muster.
“This is as good as we’re going to do in the time frame we have as we continue to work on it,” said Dash as the board approved a series of “life/safety” measures at its Monday, May 13 meeting so the town will have some limiting language on the books before Tuesday’s meeting.
Some of the 10 new regulations passed Monday included restrictions on poles in historic districts, they can not be within 10 feet of a house, the color of a new pole must be consistent with existing poles, a structural engineer is required to work on the project, there is no signage on the pole, a series of fees and there can not be cell equipment within 20 feet of each other.
These were the sort of “reasonable” restrictions the town’s counsel said would be defensible if challenged with the F.C.C. restrictions, said Dash who worked on an earlier draft of the regulations before it was reviewed and revised by legal counsel.
“We have some level of urgency to get this passed and then come back and [deal] with this later,” said Dash, adding he “wasn’t thrilled to having to do it quickly but I would rather get this done and then continue the discussion.”
Extenet Systems has applied to put a pole top antenna on one of the ornamental light posts in Belmont Center between 30 – 42 Leonard St. and the other on a Belmont Light light pole at 223 Channing Rd. The small cell antenna are located in an enclosed pod-like unit with the equipment supporting it secured either to the base or midway up the structure.
5G is the next generation of wireless internet which produces far faster speeds than existing cellular connections, allowing for a wide range of applications and uses. (For more see the explanation presented by CNBC.)
And it appears there will be quite a few of these these cell locations. Verizon, which along with AT&T are leading the installation of 5G in the area, noted online that “[W]e’re building a vast network of small cells, because a denser network is a crucial part of 5G Ultra Wideband deployment.”
According to a 2018 New York Times article, the new antennas will be placed an average of 500 feet apart to create complete customer coverage. When installed nationwide, 5G will add nearly one million more cell locations to the already 300,000 wireless cell stations in existence.
The installation rules being used by AT&T and Verizon was part of the F.C.C’s effort to have the US become the leader in 5G use and innovation. The FCC said the rules sought to “ban short-sighted municipal roadblocks that have the effect of prohibiting deployment of 5G.”
The federal rules make it easier for telecom industries to install its equipment by easing local zoning regulations, limiting fees and streamlining the review process. They include placing strict 60 day time limit for the board to make a decision after an application has been submitted.
The Times article noted without local regulations impeding its installation, telecommunications companies will be able to cheaply and quickly build out the system as “they cash in on the $250 billion in annual service revenue from 5G by 2025.”
Early this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit turned down a motion from a group of local governments to stay the F.C.C’s rules on the roll out of 5G technologies.
Those opposing the F.C.C. said local governments should be allowed to set its own regulations regarding the placement of telecom equipment on publicly-owned infrastructure rather than being forced to accept nationwide a one-size-fits-all approach.
The three selectmen said they are not opposed to the arrival of 5G to town, rather there remains a number of very practical questions – who pays for the electricity and running the wire to the pole and should the owner of the pole “be on board” with the placement of the antenna on their property – that need to be answered, said Dash.
During the meeting of the Belmont Light Board – made up of the Board of Selectmen – Belmont Light General Manager Christopher Roy stated he does not want the cell on Light Department structures for a myriad of reasons including the poles were not installed with additional equipment in mind.
“That’s when the rubber will hit the road,” said Dash of Roy’s objection.
Photo: Lillian Blacker
The Belmont High School English Department will present the annual Lillian F. Blacker Prizes for Excellence in Writing on Wednesday evening, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Peter Holland Library at Belmont High School. This year, we will honor seniors Abigail Mohr (first place), Cameron Anderson (second place), and Alexander Park (third place) for their outstanding writing.
Belmont residents are cordially invited to attend.
This year’s ceremony will begin with an exhibition of the creative projects produced by some of the 80 seniors who participated in the pilot Capstone Project. A dozen of those students will be presenting their work, science-fair style, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the library. If the Capstone program is adopte by the Belmont School Committee, it’s likely that most students will move towards creating projects instead of a senior thesis though AP students will still do the traditional thesis.
Family and friends established the Blacker Prizes more than 20 years ago in memory of Lillian F. Blacker, a longtime Belmont resident who was active in community affairs and was
The Blacker Prizes are presented each year to three seniors for outstanding writing ability on their senior theses. Each senior reads, researches, and writes a lengthy thesis paper investigating a literary topic. English faculty members determine the winners after an extensive reading process.
At the awards ceremony, the three Blacker Prize winners will read from their papers and discuss the evolution of their ideas. A panel of seniors will discuss their topics and the senior thesis process. Teachers, parents, administrators, and friends are invited. Underclassmen are encouraged to attend the ceremony to learn more about the senior thesis process. Refreshments will be served.
Photo: An example of a design by Oudens Ello Architecture for the Scituate public library.
Gather your friends, family, and neighbors and join the Belmont Library Building Committee and its architectural team, Oudens Ello Architecture, for an open public forum on Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library.
Come to the forum to:
Children are welcome to attend and participate in interactive activities.
Photo: The poster of the show
The final night of the Belmont High School Performing Arts Company’s student directed “ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL” will be held on Saturday, May 11 with a matinee at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the High School’s Little Theater.
Join BHS-PAC for the annual Student Directed Festival of short plays. Featuring 10-minute plays directed by PAC Members, the One Acts are a mix of comedy, drama and everything in between.
TICKET INFO:
7 PM SHOWS: ADULTS $12 / STUDENTS $5
SATURDAY 4 PM SHOW: ALL TICKETS $5
WHERE TO GET TICKETS:
Tickets are now on sale online and at Champions in Belmont Center
The plays are:
| MURDER BY MIDNIGHT By Jeff Goode Directed by Alice Turner and Grace Christensen Dick Piston is a world-renowned hotel detective. A guest at the hotel comes to him, distressed by the murder of her husband. Hilarity and chaos ensue. THE BEST DADDY By Shel Silverstein Directed by Jacob Makar-Limanov and Sam Lubarr It’s Lisa’s birthday and she’s getting a pony… Or is she? THE WEDDING STORY By Julianne Homokay Directed by Liz Biondo and Sri Kaushik An innocent attempt at a bedtime story quickly goes astray after the tale’s characters begin to inform the storyteller that she has got the facts all wrong. THE MIME CRIME By Jonathan Yukich Directed by Alyssa Bodmer and Megan Bodmer A seemingly ordinary mime appears to have a connection with recent mysterious murders in a park. ‘TIS NOT ME SHE LOVES By Steven Stack Directed by Alyssa Allen and Zoe Armstrong The feud between the Hatplains and the McCroys has been in a slump for some time now, but perhaps a forbidden love between Romero McCroy and Julia Hatplain can get things going again. THE GAME By Louise Bryant Directed by Nathan Miller Life and Death play a game of dice to decide the fates of two young people. THE ZERO SUM MIND By Stephen Gregg Directed By Sammy Haines A group of people deal with the implications of the revelation that every time they learn something, they forget something else. |
Photo:
Owen Thomas is combining his love of bikes with helping others by asking Belmont residents to donate bicycles no longer being used to be sent far
On Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thomas, a 13-year-old Chenery 7th grader and member of Boy Scout Troop 66 in Belmont, is spearheading a bike drive for Bikes not Bombs, a Boston-based non-profit that collects used bikes, parts and accessories. The non-profit rehabilitates the donated bikes and ships them to economic development projects in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The bike donation/drop-off location will be at 17 Clark St. at the corner of Common and Clark streets in the parking lot of All Saints Episcopal Church.
The donated bikes become the primary means of transportation and economic opportunity for individuals living in developing economies.
“It’s spring and many people are cleaning out their garages and donating or getting rid of older items,” says Thomas. “This project gives Belmont residents an opportunity to help underprivileged people in Massachusetts and around the world by donating used bicycles that will provide a reliable, eco-friendly, low-maintenance mode of transportation to school and work. These bicycles will transform people’s lives.”
There is a $10 tax-deductible, suggested donation to Bikes not Bombs to support refurbishment and shipping of each bike. Tax receipts will provide at the drop-off location. All types of bikes are desired such as road, hybrid, mountain, BMX, and tandem, along with bike parts, tools and other accessories (helmets, bags, lights, pumps, locks, etc.).
“My goal for this drive is to gather at least 50 donated bicycles,” says Thomas, “And I hope that Belmont community members will share the word with friends and neighbors to help us reach our target.” He is an active Scout and a candidate for the Eagle Scout rank, which this project will help him achieve.
Bikes not Bombs also engages Boston-area youth in fixing the donated bikes as part of summer activity programs. Youth nurture a love of biking, develop useful mechanical skills and are eligible to earn a bike of their own. They are also trained in safety for urban bikers, get physically fit and participate in biking field trips throughout summer.W
Photo: The view from the moderator’s stand.
If the second time is “lucky” and a third “the charm,” what’s the idiom for a fourth vote on the same article at Town Meeting?
Whatever word you want to use, the marathon debate around a seeming inconsequential request to increase the term of the Town Moderator from one to three years ended a few minutes before 11 p.m. when Town Meeting defeated the article for the third time in four tries by a healthy margin on Monday, May 6
The debate Monday from a town government’s perspective is whether lengthening the term “would create a more effective way for town government [to be run],” said Mark Paolillo, who stepped into the moderator’s chair when Widmer recused himself from the position.
Speaking before the body, Widmer repeated his comments from last week his reasons for bringing forth the article; principally a yes vote would bring the moderator’s position in sync with the three-year terms of other town offices (such as treasurer and town clerk) and town meeting. Today, about half of the communities in Massachusetts have moderators serving three years.
Widmer also commented on the moderator position in town government as a number of members after the first votes on the article felt they knew little of the power it wields.
The most significant role the moderator plays is selecting members of 4 – the warrant, capital budget, permanent building advisory, and bylaw review – of the 30 permanent town committees as well as the numerous building committees in town, said Widmer, who noted this function secures a separation of powers between the Town Meeting and town government.
“All of these are legislative committees and I appoint these … on your behalf,” said Widmer, noting this prevents the town’s administration from having undue influence over the committees.
When appointing the committee members, Widmer said he goes through a comprehensive “checks and balances” process – including asking for volunteers, takings recommendations, speaking to the boards and conducting interviews – “that serves Town Meeting and the town.”
“My hope is simply that ultimately [the discussion] results in an informed discussion and debate,” said Widmer.
The theme whether the moderator has too much power as to trust that it would not be abused by a future office holder.
Elizabeth Dionne, Pct. 2, a member of the Warrant Committee who was selected to the board by Widmer, pointed out “the Board of Selectmen actually does have real power. If we are comfortable with three-year terms for the Board … we should be comfortable with a three-year term for the moderator who has far less power.”
Claus Becker, Pct. 5, said there is an assumption by supporters of the three-year term that the moderator will be a rational person when many examples of leaders on the “national scene” provide examples of those who are willing to “set things on fire and let them burn.” The 50 signature floor to get on the ballot is not a stumbling block for nearly anyone who is willing to take on the position.
Anne Marie Mahoney, Pct. 1, who has been a member of several committees over the years, said a moderator’s appointment to the Capital Budget Committee which she chair’s “will never control [it]” since he has only three selections to the seven-member board. But those three moderator appointees “are the check and balances” to the other members who come from the administrative side of town government.”
“A one-year moderator potentially could appoint many ill-suited folks to these committees and be gone in a year with very little accountability. A three-year moderator has to take the responsibility and the heat for at least three years in his or her appointment,” said Mahoney, who said a vote for a
Alex van Geel, Pct. 7, said committees and boards with multiple members have the ability to check the actions of “that worse person” in the group, which is unavailable when discussing an individual with legislative powers on a single person body.
When the (third) vote on the article is taken, it went down to
Photo: It’s town meeting
Welcome to possibly (hopefully) the final night of Segment A of the 2019 Belmont Town Meeting being held in the Belmont High School auditorium, Monday night, May 6.
Two big articles await the 290 plus members of Belmont’s legislative body, the first is voting on an extra $3.76 million for the renovation of the Belmont Police headquarters and additions to the Department of Public Works main building.
The second article will be the fourth time Town Meeting will either be debating or voting on changing the tenure of the Town Moderator from one to three years. The first vote was a razor-thin rejection of the article but in a tactical mistake worthy of the French at Agincourt, the “Nos” requested a roll call vote that resulted in accepting the three-year change.
The third time the article came before the meeting was this past Wednesday on a call for reconsideration that seeming laid on the assumption that members weren’t fully informed on the role of the moderator before voting one way or another. The debate along with a more than 90-minute presentation on a non-binding article on the town’s response to climate change resulted in the meeting adjourning past 11 p.m.
Why four bits at the apple on a seemingly non-controversial measure that Mike Widmer, the well-liked and respected moderator for the past 12 years who has come out saying he’d be in favor of whatever the meeting wants? The answer will likely come during the debate.
The under/over that the meeting ends by 11 p.m? 2 to 1 the over.
The meeting is about to start. Here’s the agenda:
7 PM: Reconvene the Special Town Meeting,
Article 1: The DPW/ Police Appropriation.
After the conclusion of the Special Town Meeting, the Annual Town Meeting resumes with the following articles in this order
Celtics up 5-3 in the first quarter.
In a powerful speech from the moderator’s stand, Widmer said he is deeply concerned about “what’s happening with the roll call.” He said people are telling him that “people are feeling intimidated” and none of us should “be shamed” for the votes they take as the roll call is being “weaponize.”
“The fact that our democracy was built on dissent. And if we’re can’t embrace this in this town meeting, then we are in deep trouble,” said Widmer.
“Democracy is not a given,” he said. “
Anne Marie Mahoney is presenting the special town meeting for an added $3.76 million for the $7.9 million renovation of the police headquarters.
Just like the Kentucky Derby, a building project can have unexpected outcomes and the renovation of Police HQ is just like that. And the added funding is due to an
Ted Galante, the project architect, said the best way to do the most efficient building process and provide the most safety for the officers. He speeds through the designs.
Mahoney goes over the relocation of the police at the Water Dept. and the DPW, the trailers and talked about how the police will be traveling to and front the site. It will take 15 months.
Mahoney runs through the financing, a total of $12.5 million and explains that the $1.9 million in contingency which is more than the standard 10 percent. “This is an old building,” said Mahoney and there will be issues that pop up doing this work. If the meeting does not approve the article, it means the entire project must start over with either keep doing costly repairs or build a new headquarters for up to $60 million. Mahoney does her usual masterful job “selling” a project (or passing a budget) that there is cheering at the end of the presentation.
Questions include the energy efficiency of the future building and if the DPW is just as
Jamie Murphy, pct 5, asked why didn’t the building committee know that the scope of work could change resulting in an additional “ask” of $3.76 million, deeming it as a “bait and switch.” Mahoney said that was a “fair” complaint but the added funding comes with more information.
More questions on energy issues with the building, such as electrifying the building rather than using natural gas for heating.
The vote is underway and it passes 223-16.
The special town meeting is ended and the town meeting returns with the Community Preservation Committee requests. There are eight requests and seven projects for funding.
Bob McLaughlin, Pct 2, questions the work of the committee, whether it takes a vote on each of the project or if it simply “check the boxes” on its acceptability under the rules. Another question, who oversees each of the projects to get the best value for the bucks paid.
Now the projects:
So there is a five-minute break. About time!
Now for the fourth time: Article 10, the term of office from one to three years for the Town Moderator. Mark Paolillo is taking over as moderator. This debate is if going from one to three years would be a more efficient way of governing.
Mike Widmer speaks why he presented this article. He points out what the duties of the moderator, he appoints four of 30 committees. He talks about the four committees (Warrant, Capital Budget, etc); these are legislative bodies as he acts on the Town Meeting’s behalf. This is done for the separation of powers. When he makes these appointments, he asks several people, Town Meeting members and groups while performing interviews before selecting that person. It is the process that moderators have been performing for years.
The debate comes down to this: those in support of the three-year term is that the moderator doesn’t actually have that much actual power and can be held accountable for their actions. Those who want to keep it at one year is that moderators have too much power and can be unaccountable for their personal whims. It’s interesting that a few members bring up the current political climate (not naming the administration in Washington DC, of course) to defend the one year term.
So the third vote on article 10; yes for three years; a no, one year.
The article is
So the fourth vote is in and its 139-79 against.
That’s it. I lost my bet by two minutes! At least the Bruins won.
Photo: Empress Mask, Belmont High School, Class of 1981.
Some high schools can boast of their alums who have become pro athletes, pop singers or movie stars while others point to those who run high tech start ups or prize winning eateries.
At Belmont High, the most noted graduate is part of royalty. Not the Hollywood type of nobility (aka Kardashians) or someone from a tiny island principality. In Belmont, that grad is a proper empress.
Belmont High School alumna Masako Owada, 55, became the Empress of Japan on Tuesday, April 30.
A member of the graduating class of 1981, Owada – who was named Masako, Crown Princess of Japan, when she married Crown Prince Naruhito in 1993 – became empress with the abdication of Naruhito’s father, 83-year-old Emperor Akihito who is stepping down from
Owada’s journey to Belmont was not that uncommon for a child of a diplomat as her father, Hisashi Owada, was sent by the Japanese government to Moscow and New York before coming to Massachusetts as a visiting professor at Harvard Law School for two years.
Living a stone’s throw from Habitat on Juniper Street with her parents and younger twin sisters, Owada spent her junior and senior years at the Concord Avenue school where she was a member of the French Club and Math team. After graduation, Owada didn’t travel far for college, attending Harvard.
Belmont and Owada would next intersect in 1993 when her engagement to Akihito’s eldest son was announced. A short blast of interest in Owada’s former hometown from Japanese tourists occurred only to subside just as quickly.
The next question is if Empress Masako will be attending her next high school reunion, her 40th, in 2021.