This Week: A Long List of Events, Meetings This Week

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On the government side of “This Week”: 

  • The Belmont Board of Selectmen is holding an abbreviated “working session” for procedural action at 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5 in Town Hall. 
  • The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet in the Belmont Gallery of Art on the third floor of the Homer Building in the Town Hall complex on Monday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. to discuss a special permit for a child care business on Sycamore Street.
  • The Belmont School Committee is meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Chenery Middle School. The evening begins a half hour earlier as the district honors educators who are granted professional status. There will also be stuff about budgets, enrollment, future plans and food services. 
  • The Recreation Commission will discuss the past shortened season and whether to raise residential fees in the 2016 Underwood Pool season, review the tennis court study and discuss the proposed skating rink at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Town Hall.
  • The Warrant Committee will take up its pension report at its meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7:30 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School.

• The Belmont Crew Club is holding its board meeting in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library on Monday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.

• 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 will host office hours at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

• Performed by actors Richard Clark and Lynne McKenney Lydick, “Two to Tango” is a pair of theatrical scenes that takes the audience on a bittersweet tour of life, love and love lost. From the dark and stormy war of passion and will in the 12th century realm of England’s King Henry II, to a contemporary clash of bi-coastal emotional cultures, scenes from James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter and Neil Simon’s Visitor from New York, remind us of the strange and unexpected forms love can take and uplift us with the message that love, even bruised and broken, remains a splendid thing. This free performance takes place Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 1:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center. Supported by a grant from the Belmont Cultural Council.

• Tuesday is Wii Game Night at the Beech Street Center. This Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., enjoy sports from the comfort of your senior center, rain or shine! Wii is a motion-activated video game console with baseball, golf, archery and more games are available. You can get a workout depending on how hard and how long you play. Beginners welcome.

• The ‘Tween Tuesday Book Discussion Group is holding a Rick Riordan Party on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room on the release of Riordan’s latest book, The Sword of Summer. We’ll talk all things Percy Jackson, Greek mythology and Norse mythology.  Familiarity with the Percy Jackson books is helpful, but not necessary. Register by calling the Children’s Room at 617-993-2880.

• Chef Gerry Connolly will hold another of his cooking demonstrations on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room as he gets creative with “Fall Squash All-Stars.” Learn to create Southwestern Butternut Squash Soup, Parsnip Puree, Orange Cranberry Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash, and Chayote Squash Chow-Chow Curry, and time permitting, Spaghetti Squash and Patty Pan Squash. Space is limited, so register by calling 617-993-2870.

• The Belmont Garden Club Board meeting is being held on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Library’s Assembly Room. The club pursues a variety of projects to help beautify the Town of Belmont and support its residents. For more information, see www.belmontgardenclub.info

• Infant Storytime, for infants up to 12 months and pre-walkers, includes a short program of songs and rhymes followed by time to play and socialize. The fun takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 7
10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room.

• On Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Belmont Fire Department will host a free Open House at the Headquarters Station, 299 Trapelo Rd. Questions can be directed to the Fire Administration Office by calling (617) 993-2200. 
 
• Sustainable Belmont is holding its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room. 
• The Belmont Historical Society Board meeting will be held in the Society’s Claflin Room on the main floor of the Belmont Public Libary on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m. 
• The 2nd & 3rd Grade Book Club will discuss The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room, Call the Children’s Department at 617-993-2880 to register. 
• Storytime for 1’s is for walkers and toddlers under 24 months will be held on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 10:30 a.m. in the library’s Flett Room. They will share simple stories, songs, and nursery rhymes, and end with time to play.
• Belmont High Field Hockey vs. Watertown at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 on the pitch of Harris Field. ‘Nuff said. Just be there. 
• The Belmont Housing Trust is holding a general information session on the trust’s First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program created by the town to help low- and middle-income families purchase homes in Belmont. The session takes place on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.
• Dr. Anthony Rao will speak on the challenges of raising young boys into happy, healthy young men that he wrote about in his groundbreaking book, “The Way of Boys: Promoting the Social and Emotional Development of Young Boys,” at Belmont High School’s Little Theater on Thursday, Oct. 8 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sponsored by the Health and Wellness Committee of the Belmont Health Department and the Belmont Public Schools, Rao will talk on understanding how boys think, behave, learn, socialize and what works best to encourage positive behaviors. Leave with practical tips for raising strong, confident boys.
• Literacy Playgroup is a parent and child group that supports child’s language and literacy development on Friday, Oct. 9, 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 meet on Friday, Oct. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., to discuss Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.

Sports: Football Losses at Home, But Gains in Stature

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Photo: Belmont running back Mekhai Johnson

Belmont High School Football Head Coach Yann Kuman stood before his team moments after the Marauders found themselves on the short end of an 18-15 score against the Woburn High Tanners under the Friday night lights, Oct. 2.

“There’re no words to express how proud I am of this team right now,” said Kuman, after the team’s hard-fought encounter with the experienced Middlesex League squad.

“I say to you what I said to the guys in the huddle, you found your spot tonight. [Woburn] ran you out of the ballpark last year. You guys have more fight and more courage and more pride in what you are as football players and as men then any team I have been privileged to coach,” he said to the team.

In a near-complete turnaround in pose and technique from the previous week’s disappointing performance at Arlington, Belmont stayed with the Tanners for the entire game and had the ball with less than three minutes in the game before giving up the ball near mid-field.

“We’re just one better call, one better block, one better tackle away from a different outcome. There are a lot of these little individual moments that if it goes the other way, we are winning,” said Kumin.

The big takeaway from the game was the improvement from Belmont’s defensive front seven. Led by linemen Justin Aroyan and Lowell Haska, the defense plugged up the middle of the field, making life miserable for Woburn’s running back Brandon Moscat.

The defense forced the Tanners on a three-and-out on its first series before giving up a Hail Mary 25-yard TD pass on fourth down and 10 yards from Tanner QB Tim Concannon midway through the second quarter to give the Tanners a 6-0 lead.

The score came after Belmont held the ball for nearly 10 minutes on its first possession behind the running of Ben Jones and Marauder star senior Mekhai Johnson, who carried the ball 19 times for 165 yards. The 15 play, 59-yard drive stalled at Woburn’s 30-yard line but demonstrated a confidence in the offensive line and the running game.

“I thought the offensive line really came out to play today and did a great job,” said Kumin.

After the Woburn score, Belmont took the ball and behind Johnson’s running and critical passes from Belmont QB Cal Christofori to receivers Trey Butler (6 yards) and Joe Shaughnessy (11 yards), the Marauders drove the ball 54 yards to score on a Johnson one-yard run around the left side, taking a 7-6 lead into the half.

With Jones out of the game since the second quarter, Johnson was the man as he carried the ball six consecutive times to start the third quarter before Belmont was forced to punt.

Woburn appeared ready to give the ball right back as it faced a second down and 17 from its 13-yard line. But a facemask penalty and its ability to make a series of third-down plays allowed the Tanners to march down the field to take the lead, 12-7, on a Moscat one-yard run a minute into the fourth quarter.

Woburn was back on the march a minute later after a Belmont three-and-out that included a 29 yard Moscat run to the Belmont 19. A few plays later, Concannon snuck the ball over the goal line to give the Tanners an 18-7 lead with 5:47 left in the game.

But on the first play from scrimmage, Johnson uncorked an eye-popping scamper around left end and sprinted 74 yards for the TD, his third 70-plus yard touchdown run for the season, cutting the lead to 18-15.

Woburn’s attempt to seal the win by running the ball and taking time off the clock was turned on its head as Aroyan stripped the ball from Moscat and Belmont recovered the ball at their 36 yard line with 2:30 seconds remaining in the game.

On a third and two from the 44-yard line, Christofori’s pass to Rob Aiello was knocked out of the receiver’s hands by a vicious, but legal hit at the Woburn 45 yard line. After waiting for five minutes before resuming play, Belmont’s fourth down play didn’t make it past the 46-yard line. Woburn was able to take the time down to a few seconds before giving it back to the Marauders, effectively ending the game.

For Kumin, the game showed the best of his team as it continues to improve in the tough Middlesex League.

“That was a great football game,” a physically exhausted Kumin said.

“I thought our defense found itself a bit. Obviously, [Woburn] is a team that can do some things and I thought we shut them down pretty well. They squeaked out of here with a three-point victory. We were one play away on that last drive from making it really interesting.”

Next up for Belmont is Reading High at Harris Field on Friday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.

Road Closings for Dan Scharfman Memorial Run Sunday,

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Photo: Roads will be closed Sunday morning.

The Foundation for Belmont Education (FBE) third annual Dan Scharfman Memorial Run takes place on Sunday, October 4 at 9:30 a.m.

The Memorial Run starts at the Belmont High School Track, 221 Concord Avenue, and takes a scenic route past the town’s schools, Payson Park Reservoir and Clay Pond.

The following road closings will occur on Oct. 4 to ensure the safety of participants:

•    6 a.m. – 12 p.m. – No Parking on East/West side of Concord Avenue between Cottage Avenue and Underwood ;

•    6 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – No Parking on Goden Street between School Street and Concord Ave;

•    9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – School Street closed between Myrtle and Philip Road;

•    9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – No exit onto Oakley from Selwyn and Hurd;

•    Between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Drivers should be aware of runners on the 5K course (Concord Ave / Orchard Road / Stone Road / School Street / Philip / Elizabeth Road / Jacob / Payson / Oakley / Goden / Concord / Underwood); and

•    Between 10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Concord Ave West bound will have young runnersDin the bike lane running against traffic between Underwood and Goden. Cones will separate runners from traffic.an

In the past two years, the Memorial Run raised more than $40,000, allowing the FBE to fund new programs across the six schools in the Belmont Public School system to give educators and students the best tools, technology and training that foster innovation and love of learning.

 

This Weekend: Scharfman Race Sunday, Organ Concert, Sing-Along

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Photo: David Owens, the newly appointed organist at Belmont’s All Saints’ Episcopal Church

First Friday Evening at the Benton

The Benton Library, Belmont’s independent, all volunteer run library, is open evenings – from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. – on the first Friday of each month. Begin your weekend by exploring the Benton: Use our Wi-Fi, borrow from our collection, buy some of our gently used sale books; all proceeds benefit the library.

Saturday Song-Along at the Library

Belmont Public Library’s Saturday Sing-Along returns with well-loved local musician Liz Buchanan performing original songs and traditional favorites on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 10:30 a.m. in the library’s Assembly Room.

Organ concert Saturday at All Saint’

David Owens, the newly appointed organist at Belmont’s All Saints’ Episcopal Church, will make his local performance debut with an organ recital featuring works by Bach, Rheinberger, Howells as well as his own compositions at the church on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. 

Owens will perform on All Saints’ 34-rank M.P. Möller organ, with its distinctive antiphonal organ, situated in the rear of the sanctuary. A well-known musician in the greater Boston area, Owens studied at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY,  and is active as a composer and pianist.  

A free-will offering at the concert will go to support Mission of Hope International  in Grand-Goâve, Haïti.  For more information go to http://www.allsaintsbelmont.org
Girls Matinee at Harris Field
 
Bring your wellies and a warm coat to Harris Field Saturday afternoon, Oct. 3 as a pair of Belmont High girls teams will be in action: Soccer meets Medford at 2 p.m. and Field Hockey takes on Reading at 4:30 p.m.
 
It’s Never Too Late to Help the Schools While Getting Healthy
 
Join the 600 residents and runners who have already registered for the third annual Dan Scharfman Memorial 5K Run on Sunday, Oct. 4. Join your friends, family members, and teammates by registering on race day. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. at Harris Field off Concord Avenue; the race at 9 a.m.

Sold in Belmont: Affordable in a Potpourri of Styles, Locations

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Photo: 81 Statler Rd.

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

• 77 Leicester Rd. Old-style center-entrance Colonial (1932). Sold: $987,500. Listed at $1,050,000. Living area: 2,510 sq.-ft. 10 rooms, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. On the market: 98 days.

• 25-27 Gilbert Rd. 5+5 Two family (1925). Sold: $710,000. Listed at $699,000. Living area: 2,308 sq.-ft. 10 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 42 days.

• 42 Walnut St. Townhouse condo (1993). Sold: $667,000. Listed at $630,000. Living area: 1,800 sq.-ft. 7 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 43 days.

• 96 Beech St. Early Cape with commercial space (1922). Sold: $625,000. Listed at $599,900. Living area: 1,691 sq.-ft. 11 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. On the market: 38 days.

• 49-51 Slade St. Two family (1925). Sold: $755,000. Listed at $749,000. Living area: 2,150 sq.-ft. 10 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 69 days.

• 285 Common St. Brick Cape-ish (1945). Sold: $810,000. Listed at $820,000. Living area: 2,383 sq.-ft. 7 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 98 days.

• 271 Common St. Brick Cape (1948). Sold: $810,000. Listed at $820,000. Living area: 1,684 sq.-ft. 5 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 42 days.

• 16 Bay State Rd. Brick/frame Colonial (1928). Sold: $1,005,000. Listed at $999,000. Living area: 2,165 sq.-ft. 9 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. On the market: 57 days.

• 81 Statler Rd. Cape (1939). Sold: $545,000. Listed at $525,000. Living area: 984 sq.-ft. 5 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 1 baths. On the market: 63 days.

From one of the smallest single-family homes in Belmont (most new condo/townhouses are double the size of the Cape on Statler) to a pair of classic two units close to Trapelo Road, a mishmash of add-on extensions along the Beech and a lot of Capes, the traditional frame for first-time homebuyers. There is affordable housing in the “Town of Homes.” 

Sports: Girls’ (3-0), Boys’ X-Country Take Home Opener over Woburn

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Photo: Senior Leah Brams (left) on her way to first against Woburn. 

It took nearly a month before Belmont High’s Harriers got to take a spin around the Clay Pit Pond course, but it was well worth it as a senior-led Girls’ Cross Country squad and a team-focused Boys’ team took victories over Middlesex League rivals Woburn on a warm, humid Wednesday, Sept. 31.

Leading the girls’ was its outstanding four-year starter senior Leah Brams who remains undefeated on her home course, winning in what for her is a pedestrian 20 minute and one-second romp around the 3.1-mile route. 

Following close behind in second was junior Sara Naumann in 20.35. Scoring valuable points for the varsity were freshman Audrey Christo in 5th (21:28), steady senior point magnet Sophia Klimasmith (21:37) in 6th and another fleet freshman, Eleanor Amer, in 7th (22:08).

Belmont finished with 21 points vs. 36 for Woburn. 

The Boys’ were not looking to set records but race for the points, which they did quite effectively as the Marauders finished 2nd through 5th to seal a 22 to 33 victory.

Senior Mike Ferrante (17 minutes and 47 seconds), sophomore Cal Perkins (17:52), sophomore Zach Tseng (18:15) and junior Manion Wilder (18:23). Finishing up the Marauders’ scoring was senior Ian Bowe in eighth (19:01). 

The next meet for the teams is against always strong Lexington on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 3:30 p.m. 

Final Month for Farmers Market Brings Autumn Harvest

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Photo: Radishes. 

October is the final month of the Belmont Farmers Market year, and fall crops are abundant. Shoppers will find collard greens, winter squash, radishes, and a wide variety of apples. The lingering warm weather will keep summer favorites available, such as corn and summer squash.
 
Over in the events tent, Market favorite magician Ryan Lally will entertain adults and children.
 
The Belmont Farmers Market is open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays until the final week of October. The market is located in the municipal parking lot at the intersection of Cross Street and Channing Road in Belmont Center.

Schedule of Events

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Tasting by Tony G’s Barbecue
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Magic by Ryan Lally
4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Storytime
4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Yoga for Kids by Groundwork Yoga + Wellness
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Music with Joe Zarro

Monthly and Occasional Vendors
  • Coastal Vineyards
  • Couët Farm and Fromagerie
  • Seta’s Mediterranean Food
  • Soup N’ Spoon
  • Valicenti Pasta Farm

Weekly Vendors

Boston Smoked Fish Co., C&C Lobsters and Fish, Dick’s Market Garden Farm, Flats Mentor Farm, Foxboro Cheese Co., Gaouette Farm, Goodies Homemade, Hutchins Farm, Kimball Fruit Farm, Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery, Nicewicz Family Farm, Sfolia Baking Company and Stillman Quality Meats.

Sports: Field Hockey’s Second-Half Collapse Drops Marauders from Unbeaten

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Photo: Belmont High School Field Hockey.

This one hurts.

After dominating 18th-ranked Winchester for nearly three-quarters of the match, a monumental collapse by Belmont High allowed the host Sachems to score four unanswered goals in the final 12 minutes of the game to shock Belmont, 5-4, handing the 19th-ranked Marauders’ its first loss of the season on Monday, Sept. 28.

“I’m currently still trying to get over the loss,” said an emotional Belmont Head Coach Jessica Smith.

“Although we talked about not being complacent, our level of play dropped and Winchester took advantage of our lulls. Defensively we made a ton of errors,” said Smith, whose team now stands a half game behind Winchester for the lead of the 

Demonstrating why it’s one of the highest scoring high school teams in Eastern Massachusetts, Belmont (6-1-0) raced to a 3-0 lead in the first 15 minutes of the game against one-loss (7-1-0) Winchester, its only defeat by five-time consecutive state champions Watertown.

Leading off the scoring was senior forward Katherine McCarthy from freshman standout, Morgan Chase, before junior AnnMarie Habelow showed why she is one of the best players in the state by scoring unassisted and then delivering the ball to McCarthy, who slammed home her brace.

Winchester finally got on the scoreboard at the 17-minute mark, but Chase returned the lead back to three two minutes later with an unassisted tally.

In the second half, Winchester pressed Belmont within the attacking circle and began winning penalty corner, which proved to be critical in the Sachems’ comeback. Sophomore goalie Christina MacLeod had 10 saves on a busy night. 

Winchester senior Melissa Zavez led the charge back scoring with 12 minutes remaining from junior Julie Bockoff. Fellow senior Carla DiBiase brought the home team within a goal with 10 minutes remaining unassisted. Finally, senior Megan Drew tied the game up at the 55-minute mark and scored the winner with just three minutes remaining in the game. Three of the Sachems’ four second-half goals came from penalty corners. 

“We gave up too many defensive corners and we were losing our players after the initial shot, said Smith.

“I’m just hoping that we learned a huge lesson from this loss. If we’re going to lose, it’s essential that we learn something from it. I’d rather [that] lesson happen now than in the tournament,” said Smith.

The team will host Burlington on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. and will greet Reading on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 4:30 p.m., the second part of a Saturday matinee with Belmont High Girls’ Soccer. 

 

Concord Avenue Paving Commences Thursday, Oct. 1 at 6 AM

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Photo: Road work on Concord Avenue.

Final preparations and paving of Concord Avenue from the intersection of Cottage Street to the US Postal Service office will begin Thursday, Oct. 1, at 6 a.m., according to Belmont town officials.

The contractor believes it will take a single day to complete the paving.

Also, Cottage Street from Concord Avenue to School Street will also be paved by contractor E.H. Perkins Construction.

Concord Avenue will be open for traffic during the prep work and paving. All vehicles will travel on either side of the roadway during the working hours as delineated by traffic cones. 

Cottage Street may be briefly unavailable to homeowners when the asphalt is being laid.

On-street parking on both sides of Concord Avenue will not be allowed from Goden Street to the intersection of Common Street.

The work on Concord Avenue is part of the $2 million 2015 Pavement Managment program. 

Residents with questions or concerns about the project can contact Robert Bosselman, the engineer in the Office of Community Development, at 617-993-2650.

Compromise ‘Town Green’ Plan Wins Selectmen, Residents OK

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Photo: Lydia Phippen Ogilby with Paul Roberts before the Belmont Board of Selectmen. 

When the Belmont Board of Selectmen voted Monday night, Sept 28 unanimously, to approve the “enhancement” plan for the green delta in Belmont Center, a round of applause rang out throughout the crowded meeting room in Belmont Town Hall.

But hold on. Wasn’t the ever-changing blueprint for the redevelopment of the parcel abutting Belmont Savings Bank the catalyst for a four-month long, running battle that included the calling of a Special Town Meeting, competing citizen’s petition, condemnations, yelling and the need to have a police officer at one meeting to “keep the peace?”  

The answer to those questions is “yes.” But through the efforts of two individuals, Belmont found a compromise design that meets the demands of protagonists from both ends of the issue.

“We actually ended up in a much better spot as a community. This is a really good answer whether you call it a compromise or an enhancement, it’s much nicer,” said Belmont Selectman Mark Paolillo. 

While many residents can claim parentage of the new space – resident Bonnie Friedman and the director of the Office of Community Development Glenn Clancy were two named by others – two former selectmen were praised for bridging the gap between those mostly senior citizens who sought to reintroduce parking and a pass through roadway in front of the bank and those who fought for the parcel to become a new “town green” with the space abutting the bank.

(A history of the dispute and the Special Town Meeting can be found here.)

Rojas’ blueprint for the 17-foot wide pass through incorporated the dual requirements of parking while creating a “pedestrian friendly space” using the same brick and concrete being used throughout the Belmont Center Reconstruction Project.

See details of the plan here.

When the roadway is closed off at the intersection of Moore Street during non-peak hours – the Selectmen agreed to hold public discussions on the best times when to shut down the avenue – the area becomes a pedestrian-friendly area.

“It really looks like a plaza,” said Rojas, noting the green space is larger than in either of the previous two plans. 

While Rojas created the plan, Ralph Jones played the role of diplomat, bringing the different sides together both after the Special Town Meeting while urging the Selectmen – which had final say on the design – to take a last stab at finding a middle ground.

“[Jones] is able to move between the Selectmen and the residents and begin the compromise,” said Friedman last month when ideas were being passed between the opposing camps.

Some areas of the design – such as extending the crosswalk along Moore Street to enhance pedestrian safety – will be reviewed, the bulk of the construction work will be completed before the end of the construction season in the next two months. 

For Lydia Phippen Ogilby, the long-time Washington Street resident whose petition began the series of events in May, said the actions of the past five months “has stirred up this community which as been asleep for a long time.”