Ruggers Ready to Give a Hand with Inaugural Campus Clean Up

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The Belmont High School Rugby Club is one of the most successful at the High School, winning a pair of state championships and respected in the rugby world as one of the best-run youth organizations in the sport.

This weekend, Belmont Rugby will provide a hand to the wider community with its inaugural “Campus Cleanup.’

Come join the Belmont High School Girls and Boys Rugby teams in an effort to clean our campus.

Who: All students, staff, residents and community groups are welcome.                                                  

What: Community service project to clean our campus.

When: Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Meet in the Wenner Field House parking lot by 1 p.m.

  • Trash bags and gloves will be provided; we just need yourselves. 
  • Community service hours provided; Please bring form for signature on the day

“This event is being organized by the boys and girls rugby teams and is a way for students to take a bit of pride in their campus and give back just a little bit,” said Belmont Rugby Head Coach and BHS teacher Greg Bruce.

“We will focus our efforts on the area surrounding the pond and the main school building, but will branch out across larger areas of the campus if our numbers warrant it,” he said. 

Craig Raubenheimer, an avid rugby supporter as well as CEO of Roan Solutions, a Cambridge-based IT support and consulting firm, is generously sponsoring the event and helping with supplies and food for the volunteers, said Bruce. 

MBTA, State To Discuss Waverley Station’s Future At Nov. 16 Meeting

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Photo: Waverley Station/Fitchburg line.

The Belmont Board of Selectmen and officials from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Massachusetts Department of Transportation are holding a public meeting next month to updated the public on the future of the Waverley Commuter Rail Station.

At an initial meeting held on  Sept. 28, the MBTA expressed a desire to build a new commuter rail station near the present Waverley station, either on Pleasant Street or to the west of the business center and closing down the existing stations at Waverley and adjacent Belmont Center.

The meeting, which will take place on Monday, Nov. 16, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., will discuss:

  • potential options to bring the facility into required compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations,
  • the future of the Belmont Center Station, and
  • a possible new Belmont Station alternative on Pleasant Street, as well as other options.

The meeting is an opportunity for the public to provide ideas to the MBTA. Any resident or community member who has an interest in this matter is highly encouraged to attend.

View a power point presentation made by the MBTA to the selectmen on Sept. 28 at www.belmont-ma.gov/sites/belmontma/files/file/file/belmont_meeting_09282015.pdf

In addition, State Sen. Will Brownsburger provides a detailed explanation and breakdown on why a small level of repairs could lead to the building of a new facility.

Sports: Girls’ Soccer Secure Playoffs with Wins Over Lexington, Winchester

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Photo: Belmont’s Julia Cella carrying the ball vs Lexington.

Early in the season, Belmont Head Coach Paul Graham said getting the 2015 Girls’ Soccer team into the playoffs would be a “numbers game”; win the games against the smaller schools in the Freedom Division of the Middlesex League and surprise some of the “big” teams in the Liberty Division.

“We do that, the points will be there,” said the long-time coach who won his 300th victory earlier in the season.

Now, with just a handful of games to contest in the season, the Marauders have successfully executed Graham’s “math” plan as the team successfully qualified for the MIAA Division 2 North Sectionals after defeating Lexington, 2-0, on Thursday, Oct. 15. 

This week, the team visited Winchester on Tuesday, Oct. 20 and beat its archrival, 3-1, in an important away game.

After last week’s win over the Minutemen, Graham said the victory “makes it 21 for 22” in number of postseason appearances to his years as head coach.

“We didn’t play our best, but our young defense came through for us,” he said, including defender Rachel Berets – the most senior member of the backline as a junior – who cleared a Lexington shot off the goal line just nine minutes into the game.

The Minutemen – which Belmont beat last month, 1-0, in Lexington – had the majority of the play and threatened to score throughout the first half including hitting a post and sending an open net shot over the crossbar.

But Belmont found its bearings in the second half, leading to two quick goals. Leading scorer Carrie Allard took a perfectly-weighted pass between the two center backs and slipped the ball by the Lexington keeper with 28 minutes remaining in the game. 

Four minutes later, Kristin Gay snuck the ball into the net sitting on the right post. 

Belmont’s Reagan Haight kept the clean sheet for her first shutout this season. 

Graham praised the play of sophomore Eliza Filler, who recorded both assists coming off the bench.

“She was a spark plug out there,” said Graham. 

On Monday, Belmont welcomed a starter’s return to form as junior forward Julia Cella broke her duck and scored her first goal of the season to lead the Marauders over the Sachems. 

Belmont is currently 9-5-0 and faces Reading at Harris Field on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m.

Mount Auburn Sponsoring 8-Week ‘Living with Cancer’ Workshop

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Photo: Mt. Auburn Hospital. 

Cancer diagnosis brings with it a world of testing and treatments, as well as heavy emotional and physical demands. At times, these elements can seem overwhelming, but they don’t have to be.

Mount Auburn Hospital – the closest full-service hospital for Belmont residents – recognizes these difficulties and has developed its Mind/Body Medicine Program to help patients maintain good mental and emotional health through their treatment and recovery.

This fall, the hospital is pleased to present the Living with Cancer Workshop, an eight-week group focused on reducing stress and promoting resilience.

Participants will be introduced to relaxation techniques, meditation, spirituality, yoga, Tai chi, and nutrition. Unlike most other therapies, these techniques can be learned and practiced independently to foster the mind-body connection and ease the process. 

The workshop will meet every Tuesday for eight weeks from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Nov. 3 at Mount Auburn Hospital, 330 Mount Auburn St. in Cambridge.

This course is complementary to patients. To enroll, contact Meredith Hobson, LICSW at 617-499-5665 x 4664.

Founded in 1886, Mount Auburn Hospital is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, with a mission is to deliver healthcare services in a personable, convenient and compassionate manner, with respect for the dignity of patients and their families.  

Final Chance for Health Department-Sponsored Flu Shot Wednesday, Oct. 21

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Photo: Get your flu shot Wednesday evening.

The final date for residents to receive a flu shot sponsored by the town’s Health Department will be Wednesday, Oct. 21 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Temple Beth El auditorium, 2 Concord Ave.

Residents as young as five years old can receive the flu shot.

There is a limited amount of vaccine, and the clinics will be run on a first come, first served basis.
Bring your health insurance card, as the town, can be reimbursed at no cost to you. Remember to wear a short sleeved shirt.
Call the Belmont Health Department at 617-993-2720 with any questions.

More Paving! Concord Avenue Work Begins Wednesday morning

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Photo: Paving on Concord Avenue. 

Just as paving begins for ten days on Trapelo Road, the town’s Office of Community Development announced the second – albeit much shorter in duration – major paving project on the main thoroughfare happen this week.

Starting at 6 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21, and continuing for the remainder of the week, the E.H. Perkins Construction will begin the final paving of Concord Avenue (east and westbound) from the US Post Office near the commuter rail bridge to Cottage Street.

Also, the entire length of Cottage Street, from Concord Avenue to School Street, will also be rehabbed.

According to Belmont Police, Concord Avenue will be open for traffic. However, motorist, residents, and tenants are advised that all vehicles will be traveling on one side of the roadway or the other during the working hours as delineated by the traffic cones.

On-street parking on both sides of Concord Avenue will not be allowed from Goden Street to Common Street and on Cottage Street, affecting several sporting events being held at Harris Field.

Finally, Cottage Street may not be available at brief times during the placement of the asphalt.

The Town’s contractor and the Town will make every effort to reduce any inconveniences as possible.

For any questions or concerns about the project, contact Robert Bosselman, resident engineer in the Office of Community Development, at 617-993-2650.

 

Paolillo: ‘Seriously Leaning Towards’ Selectman Re-election Run

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Photo: Mark Paolillo.

Belmont Selectman Mark Paolillo said he “is seriously leaning towards” running to retain his seat on the Board of Selectmen as his term will expire in April 2016.

“At some point, I will need to make a definite decision but as of now, I’m heading in that direction,” said the Pilgrim Road resident. 

Paolillo said he was not ready to commit fully to the race due to “changes in the circumstances of my family.” Paolillo’s father, former Cambridge Police Chief Anthony Paolillo, died this summer, and he is assisting his mother after her husband’s death. 

“I just want to wait to see how things are in the next month,” he said.

Paolillo pointed to several unfinished issues facing the town, such as a number of major building projects – a new High School, police station and Department of Public Works facility – as well as the implementation of a community path, that he would like to see either decided or “directed towards completion” as reasons for seeking re-election. 

Paolillo said if he does win a third election, “it will be my final term. There needs to be new blood coming on the board.” 

Paolillo, a financial executive, won his first term in April 2010 by handily defeating incumbent Daniel LeClerc and fellow challenger Anne Mahon. He ran unopposed in 2013. 

Seven Projects Make Initial Cut for $1M in Community Preservation Funding

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Photo: Clay Pit Pond

Repairing another of town’s tennis courts, installing a walking path and revitalizing a well-known park are some of the seven projects that past muster with the Community Preservation Committee after it announced which applications were approved in the preliminary round of assessments.

The seven applications moving forward in the CPC process are:

Accepted:

  • $75,000 Town Hall Exterior Railings Improvements (Gerald R. Boyle, Town of Belmont – Facilities Dept.)
  • $50,000 Conservation Fund (Mary Trudeau, Agent, Belmont Conservation Commission
  • $250,000 Construction of Intergenerational Walking Path at Clay Pit Pond, (Mary Trudeau, Agent Belmont Conservation Commission)
  • $150,000 PQ Park Revitalization (Julie Crockett, Friends of PQ Park)
  • $325,000 Winn Brook Tennis Courts (Jay Marcotte, Town of Belmont – DPW)
  • $100,000 Preserving Belmont’s Original Vital Records (Ellen Cushman, Town of Belmont – Town Clerk)
  • $60,000 Digitizing Belmont’s Town Meeting Records (Ellen Cushman, Town of Belmont – Town Clerk)

The only project that did not make the initial cut was the largest request this year: $1 million to renovate Hittinger Field – which is adjacent to Belmont High School – from a request from Belmont Youth Baseball and Softball Association, which is adjacent to Belmont High School, by replacing the grass field with a Turf surface. The rejection came after it was determined artificial turf is prohibited under Massachusetts General Law from receiving Community Preservation Act funds.

The remaining applicants are now required to submit more detailed proposals to the committee. A final committee recommendation on funding any of the remaining projects will take place early in 2015. The 2016 annual Town Meeting will have the final say on allocating CPA funds.

The Community Preservation Act was adopted by Belmont voters in 2010. The fund is financed by property tax surcharges and annual distributions received from the State “Massachusetts Community Preservation Trust Fund.”

Ten Days of Paving On Trapelo Road Begins Monday, Oct. 19

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Photo: Road work on Trapelo Road will last one week. 

It’s official; the town administrator’s office has released the schedule for the night time work on Trapelo Road as part of the $17.1 million state-financed Trapelo Road/Belmont Street Reconstruction Project.

Beginning Monday night, Oct. 19, Newport Construction will be paving the main thoroughfare.  Weather permitting, work is expected to be completed by Wednesday, Oct. 28 and will occur between 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The paving will occur from Mill Street to Cushing Square. 

Access to driveways along the work area may be restricted so residents should park on side streets away from Trapelo Road if you need access to your vehicle overnight.

Residents with questions should contact the office of Community Development at 617-993-2665.

Belmontians Stock Up on Winter Reading at Friend’s Sale

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Photo: A final buyer on Sunday afternoon at the Friends of the Belmont Public Library’s Fall Book Sale. 

Nancy Dignan, president of the Friends of the Belmont Public Library, has a theory about the group’s annual fall book sale and the coming winter that doesn’t bode well for those hoping for a reprise from last year’s massive snow totals.

“People said they were loading up on books like they did last year feeling they’ll be stuck inside!” Dignan said Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18.

 

She and her crew of Friends and volunteers from the Chenery Middle School were waiting for the final shoppers fill books into grocery bags and boxes – only $5 a bag for as many books as you could carry – before  starting the final task of the two-day yearly sale: putting all the unwanted books into barrels that a recycler would take away.

“What’s not to like about a bag of books,” said one of the final stragglers before heading out the door. 

According to Dignan, this year’s sale “was very civil” with a half a dozen book dealers who came on Friday night’s Members sale “and we moved a lot of books.”

“This is one of our major fundraisers for the year, maybe 50 percent of what we raise comes from the annual book sale,” said Dignan, raising about $5,000 after expenses.

The money will go to funded discount passes to local museums, young adult and children’s programs, author and music series, the One Book One Belmont community read and other gifts to the library.