Santa’s ‘Turning On’ Belmont Center Thursday, Nov. 30

By Leave a Comment

Photo: It’s Santa!

Santa is coming to Belmont Savings Bank on Thursday, Nov. 30 during Belmont’s 27th annual “Turn on the Town” celebration. The festivities will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Leonard Street in Belmont Center.

“We are excited to kick off another holiday season with the Belmont community at this year’s Turn on the Town celebration,” said Bob Mahoney, president and CEO of Belmont Savings Bank. “As always, we are thankful for the opportunity to sponsor this special festivity bringing together families, friends and residents of Belmont. We look forward to seeing everyone there.”

On Nov. 30, Santa will arrive and light the tree at 6:20 p.m. He will then ride his sleigh to the Belmont Saving Bank main branch located at 2 Leonard Street to pose for free photos from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Inside the branch, attendees will also have the opportunity to win holiday prize stockings stuffed with goodies provided by local businesses.

Outside the branch, Bank employees will be handing out hot chocolate and offering free train rides on Moore Street. Inside the bank’s garage will be a petting zoo.

Residents are encouraged to celebrate the season of giving and bring non-perishable food items or unwrapped toys to be donated to the Belmont Food Pantry.

In anticipation of the event, the Bank has launched its fifth annual “Santa’s Helper Contest.” This contest offers kids a chance to win a ride in the horse-drawn Sleigh with Santa and Mrs. Claus from the tree lighting to the Bank’s Belmont Center branch. The winners will also be first in line to have their photo taken with Santa inside the Bank’s branch. Parents may enter their children to win on the Bank’s website.

For more information, please visit https://www.belmontsavings.com/community-involvement/belmont-turn-on-the-town.

Find Your Christmas Tree in the Belmont Lions (Club) Den

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Alex (left) and Mary Rogul perusing the wares at the Belmont Lions’ annual Christmas Tree Sale.

Belmont resident Mary Rogul walked along rows of evergreens with her son, Alex, 10, in search of the Christmas tree to be their home’s holiday centerpiece.

And what makes a certain tree the “right” one for the Rogul clan?

“A really chubby one so we can hang all the decorations,” said Alex as they perused on a sunny Sunday afternoon, Nov. 26.

“We come by each year because they do sell the best trees,” said Mary, who came with Alex, husband Emerick and son Nathan, 8.

For nearly 70 years after Thanksgiving, the triangle in front of the Belmont Lions Club becomes the center of the local Christmas tree universe as approximately 3,000 trees and wreaths travel 14 hours from a farm in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia as part of the Lions’ annual Christmas Tree Sale along Royal Road at the entrance of Belmont Center.

“It’s a great community give-back as it serves so many causes,” said John McNamara, who is one of four team captains who leads the 50-plus volunteers who work the sale. 

The tree and wreath sale is the Lions’ biggest annual fundraiser, said McNamara, with the money supporting Mass Eye Research, the Lions Club International Foundation, Diabetes Awareness, scholarships for students at Belmont High School, community activities, Lions Clubhouse Historic Preservation and more activities.

The proceeds of this year’s tip jar goes to Belmont S.P.O.R.T. and Adaptive Sports New England.

Trees are sold from noon to 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, “until the last tree is gone” which occurs usually a week before Christmas, said McNamara. 

“The reason we sell out is people come back each year because they know the money they spend goes to a good cause. It’s not like we’re making a profit. Everyone is donating their time,” he said.

The prices for trees are according to the height indicated on the board next to the wrapping area.

  • 4 feet   $23
  • 5 feet   $32
  • 6 feet   $40
  • 7 feet   $45
  • 8 feet   $50
  • 9 feet   $55+
  • Special shaped trees are priced as marked.
  • Wreaths range from $12 for a small 12-inch plain one to more than $35 for a decorated (bow and ) 24-inch.

There are also tree stands, tree bags, and center and mantelpieces for sale.

And the Roguls took home a Balsam Fir that was wrapped up and placed on the family car.

“We like to support local business and we care about Belmont,” said Mary.

Watertown Airs It Out To Down Belmont, 35-16, in 97th Thanksgiving Game

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont senior Will Ellet defended by Watertown’s John Korte. (photo by Ian Findlay)

The formula Watertown High Raiders used Thanksgiving morning to get by crosstown rival Belmont in the annual Turkey Day contest was relatively simple: find wide receiver John Korte and throw it to him.

And that tactic worked as the tall senior – the 6’5″ Korte is expected to be the Raiders’ starting center this upcoming hoops season – scored three times via junior quarterback Nick McDermott while making a handful of clutch catches to lead the Raiders over the Marauders, 35-16, in the 97th edition of the rivalry held at Victory Field.

“The defense was pretty stout through most of this game especially against the run from our linebackers and ends,” said Belmont’s Head Coach Yann Kumin after the game. “But I also thought we missed some opportunities on offense. Plays were there, but we didn’t execute. All credit to [Watertown Head Coach] John [Cacace]. They … played a great game,” said Kumin.

Watertown ends the season at 7-5 including some major silverware, the Division 5 North Sectional title and one win from a Superbowl appearance. Belmont finished the campaign at 2-9, coming close in some games but falling short. 

While Belmont’s defense was able to keep Watertown’s ground game in check for three-quarters of the game, it was just a step behind when the Raiders took to the air with Korte its most lethal weapon. Watertown scored on the opening (at 8:23), and closing (2:31) drives of the first quarter with Korte scoring from 48 and 46 yards.

There were a number of stellar plays in the first half by Belmont’s defense including a drive stopping run blitz tackle by senior linebacker Adam Deese on a third down and short deep in Marauder territory late in the first quarter and a timely sack of McDermott by sophomore lineman Derrick Bow followed by sophomore Justin Rocha’s breaking up a McDermott pass. Both drives ended in missed field goals by senior Conor Kennelly.

Offensively, Belmont’s usually accurate senior quarterback George Fitzgerald was a little off target especially in the first half when Belmont could not sustain its drives. The Marauders did get a boost from the punting of senior Aidan Cadogan who booted 53 and 45-yard punts on the day. Despite a muffed punt deep in Belmont’s end with less than a minute to play in half, the Marauders’ forced a field goal attempt that Kennelly hooked wide in the final seconds. 

After halftime – which saw the Belmont High Marching Band perform its “Gold” routine for a final time – it appeared Watertown was heading for another score after forcing yet another Belmont punt after a three and out. But a fumble recovery near midfield put a spark in Belmont’s offense, and it smartly drove downfield finishing with senior running back Tyler Reynolds turning the right corner and scampering for the TD from six yards out with five minutes left in the third to cut the lead in half, 14-7.

But Watertown quickly upped the lead back to two touchdowns as senior running back Matthew Muldrew scored the first of his brace from two yards out with 2:53 remaining on a series that began with a 40-yard completion between McDermott and Korte to increase the lead to 21-7. The Raiders would mix it up on its next drive with short strikes by McDermott and running plays that saw Muldrew score again with about eight minutes remaining in the game. 

Despite the score, Belmont kept plugging away on its next series, keyed by a great 45-yard catch by senior Jake Pollack to the Watertown 5 yard line and culminating in Fitzgerald finding junior wide receiver Dijuan Moore for the touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt failed by less than a length of the football to make the score 28-13. 

Korte who put the explanation mark on his game with his third TD, a 40-yard pitch and catch with McDermott.

In a nice gesture, Belmont sent out three-year starter Cadigan to finish his career with a 35-yard field goal with 49 seconds remaining in the game to end the scoring at 35-16. 

“One of our problems all season was being susceptible to the big play and it happened here,” said Kumin. 

Belmont Boosters Name Estok, Tseng October Athletes of the Month

By Leave a Comment

Photos: Sophia Estok and Zach Tseng.

Belmont Boosters’ October Athletes of the Month are:

• Sophomore Sophia Estok of the Belmont High School Girls Volleyball Team

• Senior Zach Tseng of the Belmont High School Boys Cross Country Team. 

Letter to the Editor: A Quieter Leaf Blower and Community

By 5 Comments

Dear folks,
 
There’s something I’d love to give thanks for next year at this time – a world, or at least a town, without leaf blowers. I actually forbid our landscaper a few years ago from using one after a spring when one of his workers blew down hundreds of our daffodils. Now he uses a rake on the lawn and a broom on the driveway; and the leaves that fall on the garden stay there to turn into mulch. He doesn’t complain, actually, and he didn’t raise his rates.
 
I was inspired to find this website by a letter in last Sunday’s Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/letters/2017/11/19/that-sound-you-hear-push-for-quieter-leaf-blowing-solutions/VCTX5eJlmBawTBVfY0Up8I/story.html
Here’s the organization’s site: https://www.quietcommunities.org/
Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving,
 
Sue Bass
Concord Avenue

‘Play, Music!’: 76 Belmont Student Musicians Earn Acceptance to Senior District Festival

By Leave a Comment

Photo:

The following announcement is from Arto Asadoorian, director of Visual & Performing Arts for the Belmont Public Schools.

This past Saturday, Nov. 18, 132 students from Belmont High School traveled to North Andover High School to audition for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Northeastern Senior District Festival. These students spent weeks and months preparing an audition that required them to perform a piece of solo repertoire and demonstrate high levels of proficiency playing selected scales and sight reading. Auditions are judged by professional musicians, and the highest performing students are selected to perform in the MMEA-NED Band, Chorus, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble.

This year we are very proud to announce that 76 students from Belmont High School were accepted in the Senior District Festival. The question I will be asked by many in the community is, “Is this the most students that have ever been accepted?” The answer to that question is, “I really have no idea!”, since we don’t keep statistics like this on hand. What I can say is that I have been writing these e-mails every year for quite a while, and I don’t ever remember typing a number higher than 77.

Along with the students who were accepted, we must also congratulate those who auditioned and were not accepted – some by only the narrowest of margins. There are dozens of students who were one or two points shy of being accepted, which of course tells us that they are well-deserving of a place in the District ensembles.

The fact that so many of our students perform so well at these auditions each year is a direct result of their hard work, the support they receive from their parents, the excellence of the teaching faculty who work with them, and to the high value, our community places on music education in our schools.

Below is the list of students who were accepted to perform at the 2018 MMEA-NED Senior District Festival. Congratulations to these students and their families on this impressive achievement!

Idris Abercrombie Trombone
Rebecca Anderson Tuba
Eli Barnes Chorus
Merrill Barnes Chorus
Sam Bastille Chorus
James Boyle Chorus
Stephen Carvalho Chorus
Alyssa Chen Violin
Jason Chen Clarinet
Jessica Chen Viola
Katarina Chen Viola
Grace Christensen Chorus
Miriam Cubstead Chorus
Eleanor Dash Trumpet
Sylvian Davidson Tenor Saxophone
Tori Dignan Chorus
Emily Duffy Chorus
Garrett Eagar Trombone
Joia Findeis Viola
Mariko Findell Euphonium
Elizabeth Galli Chorus
Mary Galstian Chorus
Christopher Giron Bassoon
Alicia Grassia French Horn
Catherine Graves Chorus
Cameron Gurwell Euphonium
Sammy Haines Chorus
Honor Hickman Jazz Tenor Saxophone
Eva Hill Chorus
Allen Jang Chorus
Seiyoung Jang Trumpet
Wonyoung Jang Euphonium
Ethan Jin Jazz Trumpet
Nate Jones Jazz Trombone
Daniel Joh Kang Violin
Emily Kim Violin
Isabelle Kim Violin
Edward Lee Chorus
Miro Leeb Viola
David Leigh Flute
Meri Lochhead Chorus
Chris Lynch Trumpet
Philip Lynch Trumpet
Raffi Majikian Chorus
Jackson Mann Chorus
Natalie Marcus-Bauer Chorus
Clare Martin Alto Saxophone
Noah Merfeld Chorus
Matthew Miller Clarinet
Sebastian Newell Chorus
Charlotte Nilsen String Bass
Christina Noonan Chorus
Alex Park Jazz Trumpet
Chloe Park Trombone
Jessica Peng Flute
Calvin Perkins Trumpet
Olivia Pierce Chorus
Elisabeth Pitts Chorus
Audrey Quinn Violin
Connor Quinn Chorus
Valentine Reynolds Chorus
Annalise Schlaug Cello
Becca Schwartz Chorus
Lila Searls Alto Saxophone
Walter Shen Chorus
Ian Svetkey Chorus
Jason Tang Clarinet
Will Thomas Chorus
Shankar Veludandi Chorus
Allan Wang Clarinet
Alex Wilk Viola
Amy Wu Oboe
Andrew Xu Bass Clarinet
Alex Yang Cello
Clark Zhang Oboe
Henry Zuccarello Trombone

Rats Begone! Joey’s Park Reopened; Town Asks Patrons To Carry Out Trash/Food

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Joey’s Park, certified rat free.

After being closed for nearly a month due to an infestation of rats, Joey’s Park will reopen Wednesday, Nov. 22 – just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday – to the public after the “rodent problem” has been resolved, according to a press release from the Belmont Department of Health.

The play structure adjacent to the Winn Brook Elementary School on Cross Street has been off-limits to the public since mid-October when the Belmont Department of Public Works and the Health Department discovered rats nesting in and around the facility. The town contracted Assurance Pest Solutions, a professional pest control operator to both investigate and treat the infestation using a non-chemical irritant to force the rodents out of the area.

“We are pleased to inform you that the rodent problem has been safely resolved at Joey’s Park and the park is again open for Belmont residents and the general public to enjoy!” read the press release.

To help prevent future rodent infestations at Joey’s Park, the Health Department is encouraging those using the park “to carry in/carry out any food, drinks, and trash items, which may attract nuisance wildlife to the area.”

Put Your Two Cents In: New Belmont High On-Line Survey Ends Nov. 30

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Survey illustration.

The Belmont High School Building Project Community Input Survey is online, and the residents behind the proposed development want to hear from you!  Share your opinions on the Belmont High School Building Project by filling out the BHSBC Survey HERE before the end of the month. 

The Belmont High School Building Committee has received surveys from more than 1,200 community members, but we still want to hear from you. Take five minutes to complete the survey before the Nov. 30 deadline.

You can also sign up for email updates and learn more about the project, including timelines, videos, meeting schedules, presentations, and more, at www.belmonthighschoolproject.org

Questions can be sent to: BHS-BC@belmont-ma.gov

Bradford Update: First Steel Frame Going Up After Thanksgiving

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The foundation takes form at the future home of the Bradford in Belmont.

The metal superstructure for the first of three buildings will begin raising from the ground next week as work on The Bradford project marches on, according to the latest news from the former Cushing Village site.

The structural steel erection of the Winslow building – on the former municipal parking lot adjacent Trapelo and Williston roads – “will begin after Thanksgiving and continue through the end of the year,” said Otto Weiss, project manager for property owner and developer Toll Brothers Apartment Living. 

Also, sewer tie-in work on Williston Road for the new building was expected to be completed this week with no further in-road utility work scheduled for the near future, noted Weiss.

The Winslow, a three-story residential structure with ground level stores, is expected to be the first building completed by the team in approximately the early fall of 2018. The Winslow will be the location of the new Starbucks Cafe, replacing the popular coffee shop leveled in the spring. 

In other news, foundation work is moving forward at the Hyland building site – located at the corner of Belmont and Common streets – while excavation of the large parking garage and the Pomona building, at the intersection of Trapelo and Common, will continue through the winter. The Pomona will house a 35,000 square foot retail space, a centerpiece of the 168,000 sq.-ft. apartment/retail/parking complex. 

The development is expected to be fully occupied and all detail work finished by the first day of 2020.

Outside the construction site, the MBTA will be relocating one of its catenary poles located along Trapelo Road.  While this work in not being performed by Toll Brothers or its construction partners Nauset, “we are unable to give you specific scheduling information, it’s our understanding that the work may take place during the week of the [Nov.] 27th and will be done off hours,” noted Weiss. 

Finalists for Town Administrator’s Post to Meet the Public Dec. 5

By 1 Comment

Photo: Shirley Town Administrator Patrice Garvin (left) and Kevin Sweet, town administrator in Maynard.

The working group created to nominate candidates to fill the post of Belmont Town Administrator recommended two finalists who will meet with town officials, department heads and the public in the first week of December.

Shirley Town Administrator Patrice Garvin and Kevin Sweet, town administrator in Maynard were selected by the Temporary Town Administrator Screening Committee with help from the management firm of Gerux White Consulting and presented to the Belmont Board of Selectmen on Monday morning, Nov. 20.

The selectmen will vote for the new administrator at its scheduled Monday, Dec. 11 meeting after the candidates are presented to town employees and residents on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in Town Hall.

The candidates will fill the position vacated earlier this year when David Kale returned to Cambridge after serving four years in Belmont. 

Committee chair Catherine Bowen along with Rick White of Gerux White Consulting, the municipal management consulting firm that recruits chief executives and other key staff, told the board it had whittled down the number of candidates from 19 in September to 10 and then three with one of the finalists dropping out at the last moment. Bowen noted the committee “accelerated” the process “mindful of the of the market for town administrators” is quite strong

“We would love to have more [applicants] … but we believe the remaining candidates are strong,” said Bowen, with each seasoned and with a proven track record.” 

“We were looking for candidates with the proclivity and inclination to with independent boards and residents on difficult decisions in the future,” said White. 

According to his blog site, Sweet “joined the Town of Maynard in 2009, and served in a variety of leadership roles as the Director of Public Health, Executive Director of Municipal Services and Assistant Town Administrator. On April 1, 2013, he began his tenure as Town Administrator.” Sweet received his bachelor and master of science degrees from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a Masters in Public Administration from Norwich University.

You can find out more about Sweet here.

Garvin has been Town Administrator in Shirley since 2013. She previously served for six years as executive assistant to the Groton Town Manager and before that was recording secretary for selectmen and other boards in Chelmsford from 2004-2008. Garvin received her bachelor of science degrees in political science and sociology from Suffolk University and matriculated at Boston College where she earned her master’s in education, developmental and educational psychology.

In a recent evaluation of her job performance, Garvin received high marks from the Shirley selectmen.

Garvin has been quite active in the town administrator job market having been a finalist in three previous towns; Leicester, Upton and Easton. In September, Garvin just missed out being named Easton’s administrator, coming out on the short end of a 3-2 vote, her chances reportedly hurt by the town’s residency requirement. 

Sweet has also placed his name and experience out in the market, having been a finalist in Scituate.

“This is a big deal for us,” said Selectman Mark Paolillo on the upcoming decision. “It a big decision that will affect the town for years.”