Belmont Boys’ Basketball Back to Winning Ways After Woburn Win

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Was Friday’s game against Woburn High the kairotic moment for Belmont High School Boys’ Basketball?

Maybe. The 69-51 win over the Tanners at Wenner Field House highlighted a team that didn’t panic while beset with a bevy of miscues and played to its strengths – quickness and power at the post – to dominate an opponent who came into the game tied for second in the Middlesex League’s Liberty Division at 10-6.

The victory stemmed a two-game losing streak where Belmont fell to superior (undefeated Arlington) and inferior (a three win Reading squad) competition by being unable to make the big play down the stretch.

That wasn’t the case Friday as Belmont used a 19 to 10 third quarter to open up a tight game as All-Star senior center Adam Kleckner scored 9 of his game high 20 points in the eight minutes. 

Not that Belmont looked good coming out of the gate, falling behind 7-0 and 11-4 with two minutes remaining in the first quarter, before cutting the lead to 13-10 at the half behind two three-point hoops by junior shooting guard Matt Kerans including a successful wild heave that beat the buzzer. 

The second quarter was much like the first; Belmont falling further behind early – 19-13 after three minutes after a three-point shot from junior point guard Brandon Moscat – before rallying with contributions from senior guard Ben Lazenby (8 of his 15 points in the second stanza) to tie the score at 28 at the half. 

The second half was set up for Kleckner who proceeded to score 7 points in the first two-and-half minutes while pulling down rebounds on both ends of the court to give Belmont a five-point cushion. Then the Marauders’ guard duo – who have played together for the past three season – took turns leading the way; Kerans making one of two after a steal before burying a three followed by Lazenby hitting a leaner than barking “Matt!” to his backcourt mate who swung the ball to the open point guard who sank a 15 foot jumper with the shot clock at 1 second. The lead was then 45-36 with a 90 seconds left in the quarter.

Helped by Woburn’s cold hand shooting from the outside, Belmont was able to take time off the clock before punishing the Tanners inside as Kleckner (9 points including 5 for 6 from the charity strip) and junior Justin Wagner (8 of 12 points in the fourth quarter) ruled under the basket.

The win ups Belmont’s record to 11-6.

Belmont’s game Monday against Wakefield is canceled for a second time and Tuesday’s game with Lexington remains hostage to the latest snow storm.

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Belmont Schools Closed Monday, Emergency Parking Ban In Effect 6 PM Sunday

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The instructions on shampoo bottles once had a familiar description: “Lather, rinse, repeat” which, if taken literally, would result in an endless loop of repeating the same steps.

In the past two weeks, it has appeared the Belmont has been in that endless loop as for the third time in two weeks, the town will effectively shut down due to yet another snow storm heading into eastern Massachusetts. 

  • The Belmont Public Schools will be closed on Monday, Feb. 9, due to the day-long  storm that is expected to drop up to a foot of snow on the town.
  • In addition, the Belmont Public Library and the Beech Street Center will be closed on Monday.
  • Beginning at 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 8, the town is declaring a snow emergency during which there will be a parking ban on on-street parking and in the three town municipal and six public school parking lots.
  • Trash and recycling pickup will occur on Monday despite the storm.

 

 

Belmont Can Expect More than a Foot of Snow Monday

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Here we go, once again.

The  National Weather Service is issuing its third Winter Storm Warning in the past two weeks forecasting 12 to 18 inches of snow falling on Belmont through late Monday night, Feb. 8. And Belmont will be on the edge of an area running from Boston to Bedford where 18 to 24 inches of snow could be dumped.

This new snow storm will add to the 52 inches of snow Belmont has received this winter.

The warning will go in effect at 10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7,  and last until 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

A few light snow showers and flurries expected through early Saturday with steady snow developing early Sunday morning and continues at varying intensity through Sunday afternoon. The heaviest snow is expected to fall for 24 hours from Sunday night into Monday night.

The snow will bring hazardous driving conditions due to the storm’s long duration.

Later this week, a frigid weather system will blow into the area, sending high temperatures into the single digits.

 

Belmont High, Chenery Musicians Earn All-State, District Honors

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Despite snow and cold, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association held auditions over the past two weeks for its annual All-State Festival, as well as for the MMEA Northeast Junior District Festival.

This year, 10 students from Belmont High School were selected to perform in the All-State Festival, a three-day event to be held at the Boston Convention Center, honoring the highest achieving high-school musicians in the state and invites them to perform in the All-State band, chorus orchestra and jazz ensemble.

  • Devon Carter, chorus
  • Lucas Cmok-Kehoe, chorus
  • Andrew Eurdolian, oboe
  • Eunice Lee, flute
  • Hannah Messenger, French horn
  • Zoe Miner, chorus
  • Connor Quinn, chorus
  • Hannah Read, flute
  • Jack Stone, bass trombone
  • Thomas Zembowicz, chorus

The Junior District Festival honors the younger music students, selecting the most outstanding musicians in 7th to 9th grades throughout northeastern Massachusetts. Students will have the opportunity to perform in the honor band, chorus, orchestra or jazz ensemble under the direction of high-profile conductors during the three day festival at Lowell High School in April. This year, 59 students from Chenery Middle and Belmont High schools were selected to participate.

From Belmont High School:

  • Naomi Arsenault, oboe
  • Belle Carbeck, chorus
  • Elana Chen, flute
  • Miriam Cubstead, chorus
  • Caleb Harris, cello
  • Wan Young Jang, euphonium
  • Owen Loveluck, cello
  • Andrew Mazzone, string bass
  • Linnea Metelmann, French horn
  • Georgia Sundahl, chorus
  • Evan Wagner, trumpet, jazz ensemble

From Chenery Middle:                                                                                                                            

  • Idris Abercrombie, trombone
  • Jason Ackerson, trombone
  • Zoe Armstrong, chorus
  • Hoon Baeg, cello
  • Renuka Balakrishnan, chorus
  • Christina Cahaly, chorus
  • Jackson Carter, cello
  • Aristotelis Chaniotakis, chorus
  • Jonah Covell, cello
  • Phoebe Derba, string bass
  • Justin Dong, clarinet
  • Garrett Eagar, trombone
  • Valentina Garcia-Martinez, chorus
  • Chris Giron, bassoon
  • Rachel Hong, chorus
  • Jackie Jiang, flute
  • Ethan Jin, trumpet
  • Nate Jones, trombone
  • Brandon Kim, violin
  • Isabelle Kim, violin
  • Madeline Kitch, chorus
  • Daniel Klingbeil, cello
  • Edward Lee, chorus
  • Luna Lee, chorus
  • Parker Lutz, chorus
  • Philip Lynch, trumpet
  • Clare Martin, alto saxophone
  • Abby Mohr, chorus
  • Viola Monovitch, guitar , jazz ensemble
  • Alex Park, trumpet
  • Chloe Park, trumpet
  • Audrey Quinn, violin
  • Kate Sandage, clarinet
  • Annalise Schlaug, cello
  • Lila Searls, alto saxophone
  • Eric Shen, violin
  • Aarya Tavshikar, bassoon
  • Mayura Thomas, chorus
  • Joshua Wan, trumpet
  • Alex Wilk, viola
  • Naina Woker, chorus
  • Yanzhe Xu, clarinet
  • Abby Yu, chorus
  • Lara Zeng, violin
  • Isabelle Zheng, cello
  • Tiancheng Zheng, clarinet

 

This Weekend: Oscar Auction at First Church; ‘Charlotte’s Web’ at Town Hall

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• An Evening at the Oscars!, a live auction along with a dinner and music will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The First Church, Belmont, 404 Concord Ave. Auction items range from vacation getaways to donated items guaranteed to delight and surprise to raise money to support all of the church’s important committee, youth and adult education work. Tickets are $50 which includes a cocktail reception, live auction, dinner and live entertainment. The silent auction continues until Feb. 14.

• The Menotomy Musical Theater presents “Charlotte’s Web” Friday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 8 at Belmont Town Hall auditorium, 145 Concord Ave. Adapted from the classic E. B. White novel, Charlotte’s Web tells the memorable story of Wilbur, a little pig who becomes famous with the help of his clever friend, a spider named Charlotte, and their chatty animal neighbors.

Performances: 

  • Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2p.m.

Price: $15 on-line or $20 at the door.

Information and Tickets available at www.menotomymusicaltheater.com

‘Active’ Bidding for Belmont Center Reconstruction Project

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It appears likely that Belmont Center will be quite busy beginning this spring.

Four construction firms have taken out the necessary paper work to bid on the $2.8 million Belmont Center Reconstruction Project since town opened the bidding on Jan. 30.

“This shows there’s interest in the project and that’s good because there will be competitive bidding,” said Andy Rojas, the chair of the Board of Selectmen, who spoke before the Warrant Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 4. 

The project, which is the calumniation of five years of planning and debate, is set to improve sidewalks, crosswalks, pavement repairs and add new lighting in the town’s main business hub.

The bidding period will close on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. The work is expected to begin in March with expected completion on Oct. 31, 2015.

The reconstruction will also allow the town to install a new parking system that includes parking stations along Leonard Street.

The project was approved by a Special Town Meeting in November, using the town’s “free cash” account to fund the work.  

While businesses along Leonard Street have been supportive of the project, they are wary that the construction schedule will impact the Belmont Center Business Association’s annual Town Day celebration that takes place in mid-June.

“We will need to discuss this with the town so we can plan for it,” said Gerry Dickhaut of Champions Sporting Goods.

 

Belmont Boys’, Girls’ Hoops Sunk in SpyPonder’s Court

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Both the Belmont High Boys’ and Girls’ basketball teams returned home from their short trip to neighboring Arlington on Wednesday, Feb. 4, a little worse for wear as both Marauder squads were defeated by their SpyPond hosts.

The boys’ – with their entire varsity squad healthy and playing for the first time all year – nearly pulled off the upset against an undefeated Arlington team, but could not hold onto a second-half advantage as Arlington’s top player, who will be playing for Division 1 Syracuse next year – on the soccer pitch – lead the SpyPonders to the 65-56 victory.

Girls’ Head Coach Melissa Hart said recently the team’s most glaring flaw – this from a squad that thrives on defensive intensity – is giving up too many three-point buckets. That deficiency was highlighted Wednesday when Arlington stroke nine threes, including three consecutive treys by SpyPonder junior guard Margaret Ammondson (15 points) in the second quarter, to avenge a loss to the Marauders in January, winning in Arlington, 56-41.

Boys’ Hoops

The loss to 15-0 Arlington was there for the taking for the Marauders. Using its speedy backcourt of senior Ben Lazenby (7 points) and Matt Kerans (16 points), the outside shooting of the guards and junior sixth-man Cole Bartels (6 points) and senior forward Seth Altman (9 points) and keying off All-Star senior center Adam Kleckner (16 points), the Marauders lead after the first 17-16 and at the half, 34-32, as the game came was a give and take affair, much of it from beyond the three-point line.

In the third quarter, SpyPond senior forward Miles Robinson (21 points) – the soccer sensation who “likes” basketball – took center stage, running off eight consecutive points (3 hoops and 2 from the line) on Arlington possessions to lift his team to a 46-43 lead at the end of three.

But Altman came through early for Belmont in the final stanza, hitting inside and outside (a three pointer) to put the Marauders on top by two. But that man Robinson scored quickly and his compatriot, senior guard Josh Lee (22 points) made a steal and a bucket and then hit a big three pointer to give the hosts a 55-50 lead midway in the quarter.

Belmont cut the lead to three at 55-52 and in control of the ball when Robinson stole the ball once again for a layup to extend the lead to five. The next time downcourt, the Marauders coughed up the rock leading to another uncontested hoop and the ball game.

The Boys will host Woburn, who stunned the Marauders in January by going on a 9-0 run in the final 90 seconds to win at Woburn High School.

Girls’ Hoops

In Hart’s eyes, Arlington stepped up their game since the last time they encountered the Marauders – in which Belmont came back from 9 down in the third to win – who unfortunately decided to have its poorest all-round game of the season.

“Not our best game,” said Hart. “But Arlington played very well.”

Arlington came to play, taking off to a 19-4 first quarter lead with that included 3 threes – two from Grace Carter (11 points) – with the Marauders scoring through forwards junior Sarah Stewart (2 points) and Elena Bragg who finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds on another productive night for the senior.

Belmont made its run in the second quarter as Belmont held Arlington to eight points – although they gave up the first six points of the half – and squeezed in 16 of their own. Junior forward Samari Winklaar (5 points) and senior point guard Sophia Eschenbach-Smith (6 points and 5 assists) each hit two buckets to trim the lead to 27-20.

Belmont got the lead down to three points at 27-24 early in the third but there would be no comeback for the Marauders this time around as Ammondson hit her three straight threes, as the SpyPonders put up two more threes in the quarter to run off to an insurmountable 46-26 lead at the end of three.

Next up for the Girls’ will be a rematch with one loss Woburn on Friday, Feb. 6, at home, where the team is undefeated.

Talks on Possible Private/Public Partnership to Rebuild Skating Rink Underway

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Photo: Belmont’s ‘Skip’ Viglirolo Skating Rink.

First, the White Field House. Then, the new Underwood Pool. Next, the town’s skating rink?

After two successful public/private partnerships restored and saved a pair of town/school facilities in the past year, word is spreading that negotiations are underway for a possible collaboration between the town of Belmont and either an individual or a group to renovate the town-owned ‘Skip’ Viglirolo Skating Rink located adjacent to Harris Field at 297 Concord Ave.

“There are talks, but that’s all I know,” said Belmont Town Administrator David Kale after Wednesday’s meeting of the Warrant Committee, adding that he does not know who is the outside party who reached out to Belmont officials.

People in the sports community and town government have echoed Kale’s refrain: someone or a group has shown interest in renovating the rink, the condition of which is, at best, threadbare.

But other than acknowledging there are discussions, those in the know are keeping tight-lipped.

There is little debate the skating rink, owned by the town and run through the Recreation Department, is badly in need of a complete renovation.

Built in 1971 during the height of popularity of the Boston Bruins and their star, Bobby Orr, the nearly 29,000 sq.-ft. rink was originally an open air facility until the early 1980s when it was enclosed. The rink is home to the Belmont High School Marauders Hockey teams and Belmont Youth Hockey. The rink is also available to residents for recreational use.

 

The unheated rink is known for its steel panel walls with gaping openings that allow the frigid outdoor temperatures to seep inside. While many hockey players say the ice benefits from the blast of cold outdoor air making for improved skating, spectators are forewarned to bundle up before venturing inside. Several years ago, a visitor from Canada told the Belmontonian editor he attended games at outdoor rinks in Calgary which were warmer than the inside of the ‘Skip.’

It is unlikely the required work needed to upgrade the skating rink is on the horizon.

According to a recent study by the Capital Budget Committee, renovating the skating rink will cost an estimated $5 to $6 million. The committee also noted such a repair is not a current priority for the town; a new $20 million police station or a $28 million Department of Public Works Yard are higher on the list of needed capital projects.

For those reasons, a collaboration between the town and outside financing is the best chance for a renovated rink in the near future. In addition, Belmont is coming off two highly successful public/private ventures in 2014. A group of residents led by Frederick Jones contributed $100,000 and hours of sweat equity to extensively renovate the eight-decade old White Memorial Field House before the start of the 2014-15 fall sports season at Belmont High School.

Last fall, Belmont Savings Bank led the effort to raise $400,000 in public money by contributing half of the amount to save the construction of the new Underwood Pool after a low bidder withdrew its bid.

Sold in Belmont: Did Location Unfairly Depress Oak Street Bungalow?

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

• 16-18 Dalton Road. Framed two-family (1920) Sold: $938,000. Listed at $895,000. Living area: 3,790 sq.-ft. 15 rooms, 6 bedrooms, 3 baths. On the market: 83 days.

• 4 Oak St. Early Bungalow (1899), Sold for: $661,000. Listed at $849,900. Living area: 1,9 sq.-ft. 6 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. On the market: 321 days.

The house on the corner of Oak Street and Concord Avenue is likely one of the earliest examples of a bungalow-style residence in these parts. The popularity of the design didn’t begin to take hold around the country for at least a decade after this single family was built in 1899, just a couple of years after the road was laid out. With a little more digging, the Oak Street structure could discover that it has architectural, historical significance.

Despite its age, it appears to have held up well – there’s an active television antenna on the roof – with many of the rooms retaining beautiful wood and plaster ornamentation, especially the dining room with the original lower decor molding. It was last sold in 1988 for what was then close to the average value of a Belmont house.

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Despite having a lot going for it, especially for a young family seeking a Belmont address, the owner could not give this house away. Trotted out for last year’s spring selling season, this 115-year-old house soon resembled the Tom Petty song: “Free Fallin’.”

Original: 3/13/2014: $849,900

4/1/2014: $819,900

4/23/2014: $799,900

5/14/2014: $779,900

6/19/2014: $759,900

7/9/2014: $749,900

8/6/2014: $699,900

Sold: $661,000.

Sure, the initial listing price was ambitious – the town assesses the property at $747,000 – but despite the demand for housing in and around the median price of residential property in the “Town of Homes,” this bungalow only found its floor after losing a quarter of the proposed sale price. That’s a free fall.

Is it that 1,900 square feet isn’t enough livable space anymore? The lack of a large backyard? Being too close to the High School? Or was it that twice each weekday, Concord Avenue is filled with a boatload of vehicles cutting through town for the outer suburbs? Whatever the reason, this early bungalow was bought cheaply.

Belmont’s Snow/Ice Removal Budget ‘Burned Through’ in a Fortnight of Storms

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When calculating the snow and ice removal budget each year, the town looks at historical data and prices for raw material before determining that final figure.

This winter, the town’s determined it would likely clear about 45-inches of snow as well as sanding and salting the roads for approximately $600,000.

“You make your best estimate and go with it,” said Belmont Town Administrator David Kale last week.

“Some years, $600,000 is OK,” said Kale.

But with any prediction, sometimes you get it right and sometimes the odds get thrown out the window.

In the past two week, Mother Nature decided to throw a wooden shoe into the Belmont budget maker’s forecasting machinery, dumping nearly a season’s worth of snow – a whopping 40 inches – during the fortnight.

With Belmont’s Department of Public Works crews and approximately 40 private contractors worked around the clock attempting to clear the town’s streets and main sidewalks, the dual storms have busted the town’s snow removal budget, as well as making it more difficult for the school district to resolve its river of red ink.

“While we are still receiving bills from our vendors and calculating the costs, it’s likely true we’ve already burned through the $600,000 budgeted for removing snow,” said Kale after the Warrant Committee meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Fiscal 2015 will mark the second year running the snow and ice budget will end up in the red. Last fiscal year, Belmont spent $709,000 on snow removal, $142,000 over the budgeted amount.

And with still half of winter to come, Kale said the town is likely facing a significant hole to fill in the account by the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

But residents should not fear Belmont roads being left untouched until spring once the snow and ice account spends its final dollar. The annual town budget has a reserve funds account – a sort of rainy day fund – for just these sorts of incidents. The account, which has $400,000, can be tapped through a transfer of funds requiring Town Meeting approval.

While it appears the town will find the money for snow and ice removal, the same reserve account was being eyed by the Belmont School District as it currently sits in a $500,000 hole midway through its fiscal 2015 budget, according to Anne Lougee, the School Committee’s representative to the Warrant Committee.

With costs associated with the rapid increase in enrollment in Belmont schools, including nearly $1 million in added expenditures in the special education line item, the district had been counting on the reserve account to cut the deficit.