Marauders in the Middle: Second Year of Chenery Football Underway

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Photo: Head Coach James MacIsaac with some of the players at Chenery Middle School.

The grass on the Chenery Middle School playing field was green and freshly mowed on Monday, Aug. 24, greeting 40 7th and 8th graders who “are going to learn football,” said James MacIsaac, the head coach of the Chenery Middle School team.

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While the squad is a member of the Eastern Middlesex Middle School Football League, “I like to think of this as a 12-week football camp,” said MacIsaac who is running the program for the second year.

“It’s a great league because we don’t have playoffs or championships; it’s all about learning the game, being drilled in the fundamentals,” said MacIsaac, who is also Belmont’s assistant police chief.

Now in its second year after being dormant for nearly four decades, all but three of last year’s 7th graders have returned, “which says a lot about how we treat the players and how much they enjoy being part of this team,” said MacIsaac, a lifelong resident, as he put the players through their paces around the field.

The team will have three home games scheduled including one at Belmont High School’s Harris Field “which will be special. They love playing there, with the turf field and stands filled. It’s great fun.”

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Residents Meet Belmont at Annual Get-together

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Photo: Ellen Triantafellow registering to vote with the help of Town Clerk Ellen Cushman. 

Several hundred residents – from pre-teens to the elderly, newcomers and long-time homeowners, families and singles – gathered in the Chenery Middle School’s auditorium Tuesday, Aug. 26, to meet their town.

For the 13th year, Meet Belmont, the annual community information fair sponsored by the town’s Vision 21 Implementation Committee, allowed Belmontians to connect with their town departments, local government, schools, recreation and arts programs and town-wide organizations and activities.

Ellen Triantafellow and her husband moved recently from Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood to Belmont and registered to vote at the Town Clerk’s desk near the entrance to the cafeteria. 

“This is a great resource and an opportunity to meet all the folks in the town and what’s available in town,” she said, before taking a mail-in registration form from Town Clerk Ellen Cushman. 

For Phil Hughes of the Belmont Historical Society, Meet Belmont allows the organization “to introduce ourselves to new members of the Belmont community and introduce them to our newsletters, our programs  and the fact that we have a home in the library.”

 “It always has been a great event,” said Hughes, as a large contingency of families with young children came wandering through the hall.

Beginning a decade and a half ago as part of the aspirational goals set forth in the Working Vision for Belmont’s Future adopted by the town in April 2001, which included a provision “to be welcoming to newcomers.” 

In its inaugural year, there were 20 exhibitors and 40 residents who showed up, recalled Jennifer Page, who with Sara Oaklander who coordinated the event.

“Now, as you can see, it’s taken off and is growing each year,” said Page. 

Circling the room, a constant buzz rose from the floor as old friends and newbies discussed clubs and town government, beginning or continuing relationships as they went table to table to pick up pamphlets and calendars from groups they’ve never knew existed in Belmont. 

This is a fantastic event, especially for young, new families, so they can be part of the community when they get here,” said George Durante, the chair of the Vision 21 Committee, who worked the door of the event, taking down names and getting feedback. 

Registration Now Open for Scharfman Memorial Run

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Photo: A scene from last year’s Dan Scharfman road race.

Runners and residents can now register for the Foundation for Belmont Education‘s third annual Dan Scharfman Memorial Run being held on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at Belmont High School’s Harris Field, 221 Concord Ave.

What is now a fall staple on the road running calendar, this family-friendly event offers a 5k and a 2k course that takes runners through a scenic route past many of the town’s schools as well as the Payson Park Reservoir and Clay Pit Pond. Awards follow each race’s end, including prizes for children of all ages.

The race is held in memorial of Dan Scharfman, a Belmont School Committee member, long-time runner and a dedicated advocate of technology and innovation in education. Last year, more than 500 runners raised $25,000 for the Dan Scharfman Education Innovation Fund in support of the FBE’s Innovative Teaching Initiative, a multi-year, $450,000 program providing teachers with the training resources that support math, science and reading instruction.

Registration for the USATF-certified and sanctioned event is available through the FBE website: www.fbe-belmont.org/race.

Contact: Amanda Theodoropulos, Foundation for Belmont Education, amanda.maria.mccarthy@gmail.com or call 617-947-4633.

 

Got a Project? Need Funding? The CPA Could Be Your Answer

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Photo: The Underwood Pool, finance in part with a grant from the Community Preservation Committee.

Do you or your community group have a great idea for a town-wide project but can’t think how to pay for it?

If that’s the case, your answer could be in applying for the fourth-round of funding from the town’s Community Preservation Committee.

According to Town Treasurer and CPC member Floyd Carman, the committee will have approximately $1.2 million to distribute to organizations or town agencies in the fiscal year 2017, beginning July 1, 2016.

“It’s roughly the same amount as last year,” said Carman after the committee’s monthly meeting on Aug. 12.

Using money from a 1.5 percent surcharge on property taxes and state contributions, the CPC supports a broad range of proposals involving:

  • acquiring or improving open space and recreation land,
  • rehabbing or preserving historic sites, and
  • promoting community housing.

In the past, the CPC has provided funds for the new Underwood Pool, restoring the Pequossette Park tennis courts, first-time homebuyer’s assistance and the electrical upgrade of town-owned housing.

Individuals and groups interested in learning more about the process can attend a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at Town Hall where the committee will answer questions and review the extensive process in which projects are evaluated.

Preliminary applications are due on Oct. 4 and final applications are expected on Dec. 4. The CPC will make its final decision on applications on Jan. 15, 2016. The accepted application will then go before the annual Town Meeting in April for final approval.

The new CPA applications are available on the Town of Belmont’s website.

For more information, contact the Community Preservation Hotline at 617-993-2774 or Michael Trainor at mtrainor@belmont-ma.gov

This Week: For Last Week of Vacation, Why Not A Little Midsummer Dream

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Photo: Youthquake Theater presents “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

On the government side of “The Week”

  • The Temporary Net Metering Working Advisory Group is meeting on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 24-27, at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall, to discuss its draft report.
  • The Community Path Implementation Advisory Committee is meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss challenges the path faces.
  • Board of Library Trustees is meeting on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. in the Claflin Room of the Belmont Public Library. 

• Pre-School Summer Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer run library, on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 10:30 a.m.5 Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is located at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex.

• The third annual Beech Street Center Talent Show will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 1:15 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

• Youthquake Theater presents the Bard’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 4 p.m. at the Beech Street Center. One of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. Follow the chaos and passion of four love-struck youths as they find their way through the forest and to each other! Youthquake Theater productions are organized, acted and directed entirely by children and teens, ages 12 to 17.

• Meet Belmont, the annual community information fair, is being held on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School at the intersection of Washington Street and Oakley Road.

• The Payson Park Music Festival‘s season comes to an end with the BaHa Brothers knocking off summertime tunes at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 26, in the Payson Park Playground, at the corner of Payson and Elm.

• Come to the Belmont Farmers Market, rain or shine, on Thursday, Aug. 26, from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Parking Lot.

• Orientation for Incoming Belmont High School Freshmen and Parents/Guardians will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug 26 in the High School Auditorium. A pizza supper for the freshmen and Class Connectors will also be provided. Parents need to pick up their students at 7:45 p.m. 

The Week’s News: Selling Parking Lots and Compromise, Celebrating a Garden

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Photo: Those responsible for the Belmont High garden. 

Eight years after first proposing the scheme and two since winning approval to build the multi-use development, the Board of Selectmen approves the sale of the municipal parking lot on Trapelo Road to the development team seeking to build the 168,000 sq.-ft. Cushing Village project.

Both sides of the “Town Green” dispute are now speaking of creating a compromise design with the help of former Selectman Ralph Jones.

There are new parking meters in the Belmont Center and Waverley municipal parking lots, each will accept credit cards.

Now in its second year, Belmont High students are tending their garden with the goal of helping those in need.

Thanks to many groups and individuals, the commuter rail bridge in Belmont Center is getting its face cleaned.

Not every home in Belmont sells for seven figures. 

Belmont Yard Sales, Aug. 22-23

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Photo: Yard sale in Belmont.

Yard sales in the “Town of Homes.” 

• 124 Bright Rd., Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 130 Bright Rd., Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• 72 Chester Rd., Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 and 23, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• 18 Lodge Rd., Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22 and 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• 275 Payson Rd., Saturday, Aug. 22, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

New Parking Meters Installed in Belmont Center, Waverley

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Photo: Parking Enforcement Officer Larry MacDonald assisting a resident with the new parking meter.

It’s a warm market day, and a resident was caught off guard attempting to pay to park in the municipal lot in Belmont Center.

“This doesn’t look familiar,” she said to Larry Macdonald, one of Belmont’s parking enforcement officers, as she viewed a new and entirely different looking parking meter.

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Unlike the former ones that only took one dollar bills and coins, the new meters – installed three weeks ago – still takes currency but now provides residents the convenience of accepting card cards.

“They love the credit cards,” said MacDonald. That is what people like the best; they don’t need to carry quarters around with them.” 

But for all the ease of using a credit card, those purchasing tickets still have to display them on the driver’s side dashboard. 

Belmont bought three meters from Integrated Technical Systems as part of a revamped parking plan for Belmont Center and after the renovation of the Waverley Square lot rebuilt during the Trapelo/Belmont Corridor Project.

Two meters are in the Claflin Street Parking Lot; one uses solar energy and the other electric. The other meter is in the lot adjacent to the Waverley Commuter Rail station. 

The town’s contract with ITS is for two years for software maintenance, online reporting and credit card processing, which is performed via a cellular link to the company.

Meet Belmont: Everything Under the Sun This Tuesday

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Photo: Residents at Meet Belmont in 2013.
 
Want to know what’s going on in and around Belmont? How about registering to vote, apply for a library card, license your pets and get useful information about all kinds of programs and activities in the “Town of Homes”?
 
In fact, all that wealth of information about Belmont will be found at Meet Belmont: a community information fair being held on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School at the intersection of Washington Street and Oakley Road.
 
Meet Belmont is an opportunity for residents  – from newcomers to those who have lived here for decades – to chat with town and school officials, as well as representatives from local arts, children’s, environmental, political, religious and social, political and civic action groups.
 
Drop by for a few minutes; stay for longer. All are welcome to this free, fully accessible event. Bring friends and neighbors, especially those who are new to town; there is something for everybody.
 
For information, contact the organizers at meetbelmont@gmail.com

Sold in Belmont: Mid-Level Homes Also Being Snatched Up

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Photo: 52 Thomas St.

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

67-69 Beech St. Two-family (1910). Sold: $678,000. Listed at $649,000. Living area: 2,454 sq.-ft. 10 rooms, 5 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 70 days.

253 Payson Rd. Colonial (1940). Sold: $960,000. Listed at $906,000. Living area: 2,166 sq.-ft. 8 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths. On the market: 64 days.

25 Drew Rd.,#2, Condominium (1924). Sold: $480,000. Listed at $395,000. Living area: 1,124 sq.-ft. 6 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 1 baths. On the market: 63 days.

25 Drew Rd.,#1, Condominium (1924). Sold: $425,000. Listed at $400,000. Living area: 950 sq.-ft. 5 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 1 baths. On the market: 63 days.

46-48 Benjamin Rd. Multi-family (1924). Sold: $950,000. Listed at $899,000. Living area: 2,860 sq.-ft. 13 rooms, 6 bedrooms, 3 baths. On the market: 70 days.

21 Barnard Rd. #1, Condominium (1924). Sold: $470,000. Listed at $429,000. Living area: 1,265 sq.-ft. 6 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 1 baths. On the market: 70 days.

52 Thomas St. Antique early-Colonial (1870). Sold: $764,100. Listed at $749,000. Living area: 2,242 sq.-ft. 9 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 77 days.