Paper Saver: Belmont Kindergarten Registration Now Just a Click Away

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Photo: It’s registration time.

From the beginning of time – probably the 1970s – registering your five-year-old into Belmont kindergarten was both a joyful occasion (the beginning of 13 years of public education) and an odious process in which parents would need to deal with mountains of papers, forms, documentation and subsequent copies to place your child into the school district.

Well, the need to scale Mount Paper is now a thing of the past as the Belmont Public Schools announces its new online registration process for incoming kindergarten students.

Registration for incoming kindergarten students will be initiated online at the following link.

The online registration portion should be completed by March 1. After completing this step, parents will be notified via email of the next steps in the registration process.

Kindergarten Parent Information Night

A general information and orientation program for all parents of incoming kindergarten students is scheduled, as follows.  Each elementary school will host its own program at each school.  

  • Butler School: Tuesday, March 22 at 7 p.m.
  • Burbank School: Thursday, March 24  at 6 p.m.
  • Wellington School: Thursday, March 31 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Winn Brook School: Thursday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m.

In order to qualify for admission to kindergarten, a child must be five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2016.  As always, proof of residency is required. 

Town Election Update: Where are Precinct 7’s Candidates? Election Workers Needed

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Photo: Election workers at Precinct 5. 

Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman told the Belmontonian Wednesday that she anticipates by next Tuesday’s deadline there will be at least a dozen candidates seeking the 12 three-year Town Meeting Member seats up for grabs in each precinct at April’s Town Election.

Well, all the precincts except Precinct 7, Belmont’s perennial laggard when it comes to residents running for Town Meeting. And this year the numbers are disappointing by even 7’s minimum standards.

With 15 seats (12 three-year members and three one-year members) up for grabs in Precinct 7 – located in western Belmont abutting the Cambridge city limits – so far only five incumbents are seeking re-election and three residents have been out nomination paper, leaving nearly half the seats wanting of a candidate.

The lack of people running could result in almost a majority of seats being won by just a handful of write-in votes.

That’s not the case in neighboring Precinct 8 where nine incumbents are running while eight residents have taken out nomination papers so voters will have 17 residents to vote for 12 seats.

The same volume of candidates is being seen in Precinct 1 where nine residents want to keep their Town Meeting seats as nine registered voters have taken out papers.

So if anyone in Precinct 7 would like to make a quick decision to run for one of those open seats, here is what you have to do:

To be considered a new candidate for Town Meeting Member, you must be at least 18 years old and a registered Belmont voter. If you are currently serving as a Town Meeting Member, who was elected at a caucus, not by Town ballot, you will need to submit nomination papers as a new candidate.

Signatures of at least 25 registered voters of your precinct are required on the nomination papers. The Town Clerk must certify these signatures, so we always suggest obtaining about 20 percent more just to be safe. Deadline is 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Election Workers Still Needed

The town continues to seek residents who would like to serve as election workers who will properly staff the town’s eight polling locations.

Applicants must be registered to vote in Belmont. Training is provided in advance of every election: You’ll learn how elections work. 

Poll workers earn $10 per hour.  Typically there are two shifts on Election Day: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., and  1 p.m. to approximately 9 p.m.  Workers are not required to work every election – you let us know which dates & shifts you are available. It’s a great way to meet new people and learn about elections from the inside.   

The elections this year are:

  • Tuesday, March 1: Presidential Primary Election 
  • Tuesday, April 5: Annual Town Election 
  • Thursday, Sept. 8: State Primary Election
  • Tuesday, Nov. 8: Presidential General Election. 

If you are interested, visit the town’s web page, select Town Clerk, Elections: Information for Residents and Media or go directly to:

http://www.belmont-ma.gov/town-clerk/pages/election-workers

or email to townclerk@belmont-ma.gov for more information.

 

 

 

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.