What’s Open/Closed On Indigenous Peoples’ Day In Belmont

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Indigenous Peoples’ Day is Oct. 13

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which is celebrated annually on the second Monday of October – this year Oct. 13 – is a federal holiday and observed by the Town of Belmont celebrating Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures.

Curb side trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day due to the holiday.

What’s Closed:

  • Belmont Town offices, Belmont Public Library and Belmont Light are closed.
  • US Postal Service will not deliver mail and post offices are closed.
  • Most banks; although branches will be open in some supermarkets.

What’s Opened:

  • Retail stores
  • Coffee shops
  • Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts
  • Supermarkets and convenience stores
  • Establishments that sell beer and wine are also allowed to be open.

MBTA: Holidays such as Juneteenth, Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, and Veterans Day do not have modified schedules; all services will operate on their regular schedule.

As Negotiations Reach Inflection Point, School Committee Chair Calls To ‘Keep Our Schools Open’

By Leave a Comment

Photo: School Committee Chair Meg Moriarty at the Butler Elementary School

Days before an Oct. 9 public forum hosted by Belmont’s educators union to discuss the stalled salary negotiations on a new teachers contract, the leader of the town’s School Committee came before the Select Board to provide its prospective on where the talks stand, and asking the town’s administrative body to provide “additional guidance” to resolve the current impasse.

School Committee Chair Meg Moriarty said the committee’s “goal is a contract that values our educators and sustains strong schools while staying within reoccurring, predictable revenues.”

But with a significant pay gap separating the two groups, Moriarty also directed her comments to the Belmont Education Association as the prospect of a labor action grows by the day.

“Many of our students lived through the years of disruption during COVID. They need stability and consistency in their learning, and we owe it to them to keep them in our schools, keep our schools open, and keep learning uninterrupted while the adults work through this process,” she said.

Moriarty said the committee “has been very transparent and honest with the school community” by providing regular factual updates, recapping sessions, sharing proposals and data. The committee has presented “multiple salary offers” made with “the knowledge of the financial constraints” facing the town.

In the past two years, the town’s budget has provided the schools a shrinking level of revenue increase.

“Compensation remains a major issue,” said Moriarty, revealing the committee has proposed Fiscal Year ’26 [pay] raises across all units that are competitive with neighboring and peer school districts, that keep Belmont’s top salaries “among the highest in our comparative districts and beyond.”

While the committee’s raises are “sustainable” within future schools budgets, “by contrast, the BEA’s latest proposals call for about $1.2 million more in Fiscal Year ’26 and more than $5 million more over the three years of the contract.” To meet the association’s demands would “almost certainly require cuts to staffing levels and programs, increasing workloads to those who remain and at the heart of all of this are our students,” she said.

Moriarty acknowledged that Belmont’s nationally recognized schools are due to the community’s commitment to its educators and students. And “we need to get back to the important work, the work of teaching and learning, and keeping our focus on our students.”

“These negotiations are taking far too much time and energy away from that shared mission,” she said.

Moriarty then turned to the Select Board to ask for guidance in the negotiations, specifically “whether you expect the School Committee to stay within the [budget] allocation provided to us, or whether you see any other paths forward.”

“The School Committee remains committed to good faith negotiation and to a contract that values our educators, is good for our students, and sustains Belmont schools for the long term. Verbal or written guidance, once you have time to discuss on an agenda, is appreciated by the School Committee,” said Moriarty.

While the Select Board’s counsel will likely be forthcoming at its next meeting in late October, one board member made her opinion known on Monday.

Board Member Elizabeth Dionne said the board has received “a number of e-mails from parents asking the town to acquiesce to the educator’s contact demands. She said that “often times parents are not aware” that “approximately 70 percent of the budget goes to support schools and 30 percent of the budget goes to support town services.”

“We have consistently been cutting positions on the town side while adding positions to the schools which we acknowledge the need for,” said Dionne. “I’m not saying they’re unnecessary, but … the town and its residents have been very, very generous about supporting schools. We value our schools. I don’t see that the town can afford anymore.”

Lace Up Your Skates: Belmont Sports Complex Opening Day Is Sunday, Nov. 16

By Leave a Comment

Photo: It’s ready to open on Nov. 16.

Get ready to lace up your skates! The official opening of the Belmont Sports Complex has been announced.

“We circled the date of Nov. 16,” Patrice Garvin, Belmont Town Administrator told the Select Board at its Monday, Nov. 6 meet. The announcement comes as the ice surface is being established and set at the $32 million complex, seeing the return of skating and hockey since 2022 when the former facility was closed after multiple mechanical failures forced the shut down of the former rink.

“We’re working on an opening ceremony and then an event” for that day, said Garvin, who is working closely with Rink Manager Erik Harrington. While admitting they haven’t worked out all the details, Garvin said the preliminary plan is for the day to start with a gathering in front of the complex at 1 p.m. An official opening ceremony will follow with tours of the interior. The day concludes with a public skate at the Viglirolo Rink.

“That’s the date we’d like to do,” said a hopeful Garvin.

Belmont League Of Women Voters Holding Warrant Briefing For Special Town Meeting Oct. 7

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The Belmont League of Women Voters will be holding a virtual warrant briefing on Oct. 7

The Belmont League of Women Voters and the town’s Warrant Committee will be holding a virtual Warrant Briefing to discusss the warrant articles in the Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

Here is an opportunity to ask questions about the 15 articals that will come before Town Meeting Members prior to Special Town Meeting that will begin on Oct. 20. Town officials will be present to provide information.

Paul Rickter, chair of the Warrant Committee, will host the meeting.

Viewing Options:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82452007848

Zoom meeting ID: 824 5200 7848
Passcode: 086788

Live broadcast: Belmont Ch 9 (Comcast); Ch 29 (Verizon);
Ch 2130 (Verizon HD)

Livestream or on-demand: belmontmedia.org/watch/publictv

Health Board, Pharmacies Holding Belmont Fall Vaccine Clinics

By Leave a Comment

Photo: COVID and flu shots will be avaliable

The Belmont Health Department is partnering with Osco and Union pharmacies to provide vaccines primarily for COVID-19 and the annual flu to Belmont residents. The vaccines will be given at the Beth El Temple Center and the Beech Street Center.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about your vaccine eligibility and current recommendations. And bring your insurance card to the clinic.

For questions or more information, contact the Belmont Health Department at 617-993-2720.

To register, click on the link for the day and time that best works for you.

Beth El Temple Center (2 Concord Ave.) Vaccine Clinics:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 22 – 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Wednesday, Nov. 19 – 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Wednesday, Dec. 3 – 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Beech Street Center (266 Beech St.) Vaccine Clinics:

  • Thursday Oct. 9 – 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Monday Nov. 3 – 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
  • Monday Dec. 8 – 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Learning The History Of Purple Heart Day In Belmont

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Purple Heart Day in Belmont

Since its inception in Belmont about a decade ago, Purple Heart Day has been a mostly intimate event with aging veterans joined by town officials and residents to honor those awarded the nation’s oldest military decoration that is presented to those wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. armed forces

But on a picture perfect summer evening in the first week of August, the Veterans Memorial at Clay Pit Pond was packed with attendees to hear the story of this uniquely American honor and the people who earned it.

“I want to say ‘thank you very much’ to everyone that made the time to come and be with us here tonight, to help us honor and appreciate and show our respect to those Purple Heart recipients of this town and those that are with us here tonight,” said Bob Upton, Belmont’s Veterans Service Officer.

Joining the ceremony this year were dozens of young members from Antioch Baptist Church, a pre-dominantly Asian-American church located in Cambridge. They gathered at the behest of the church’s pastor emeritus Paul Kim and his wife Dr. Rebekah Kim, who serves as a Baptist chaplain at Harvard.

Pastor Paul Kim of Antioch Baptist Church

Kim, who has attended serveral veterans events in Belmont over the years and who gave the invocation, decided Thursday was an opportune time to introduce many of his congregation to what it takes to earn the Purple Heart.

“Who were they who served the country? Our country cannot enjoy freedom as it is, if not for those people who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to serve our nation,” Kim told the Belmontonian.

“So many of the next generation don’t understand war. They just take everything for granted. We want to have these young people understand the history, American history. It’s been so valuable for our children to just learn about the sacrifices that were made so that we could have all these blessings of living in this country,” said Kim.

Thursday evening’s keynote speaker was retired US Army Col. Bob Notch, the leader of the newly formed Commonwealth Office of the Veteran Advocate, a first in the nation independent state office dedicated to safeguarding the well-being and upholding the rights of the veteran community.

Bob Notch, Commonwealth Office of the Veteran Advocate

“Thank you for being here, for keeping the recognition of Purple Heart Day alive in your community,” he said. “It speaks volumes about who you are, your commitment of service, your commitment to those who have served, and your commitment to each other. You are blessed to be in a community that cares so deeply, and thank you for allowing me to participate in your recognition.”

“We all understand what the Purple Heart Medal is today, a recognition of the blood shed by military members wounded or killed by an act of the enemy in service to our country,” said Notch, a West Point graduate who served 27 years in active duty and the reserves including tours during Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Notch reviewed the history of the medal. In 1782, as the Revolutionary War was ending, General George Washington was looking for was a way to recognize the patriotism from his troops, “the valor of those folks that had fought alongside him for the last seven years.” So he commissioned the Badge of Military Merit in the shape of a heart made of purple silk edged with silver colored lace on a wool background, and the word “merit” embroidered in silver.

What made the badge unique was the Purple Heart was presented to all ranks, and was a significant recognition for enlisted soldiers. “In the years before 1782, most military awards were given to officers who secured grand victories in battle, enlisted members did not awards,” said Notch,. He noted John F. Kennedy is the only president to receive a Purple Heart, highlighting its historical significance.

Notch said 147 recipients from Belmont have been awarded the Purple Heart. “If you compare that to the population of Belmont today, that is about one half of one percent of the population of this town. So I congratulate the residents of Belmont, all of you that are here tonight.” And while researching his speech, Notch discovered that 51 female veterans are residents.

Upton said he plans to identify the Purple Heart receipants and female veterans in town so they can be recognized at future events.

“Just Gimme A Coupla Aspirin. I Already Got A Purple Heart.” Cartoon By Bill Mauldin, Stars & Stripes 1944.

“Because history humbles us. History makes us understand. History is a past, but the future. You know these people to understand, while they have opportunities given because that without the history, the people who sacrifice to make America strong and that free country as it is.

So if youreally is, like, to know your community, you have to know that community’s past,

yeah, that’s right, because the young people, very these are the church members, right? we want to have these young people to understand the history, American history.

“Who were they who served the country? Our country cannot enjoy freedom as it is, if not for those people who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to serve our nation,”

so many of the next generation don’t understand war. They just take everything for granted, that mantra that freedom is not free from the Korean War, the monument in Washington, DC, he’s been preaching and teaching about it.
most of our congregation are second, third generation Asian American, but really,

it’s been so valuable for our children to just learn about the sacrifices that were made so that they could have all these blessings, you know, of living in this country.

If I Were A Bell: Belmont Rings In National Farmers Market Week [Video]

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Mini bells to ring in National Farmers Market Week in Belmont

Around 2 p.m. on Thursdays from late spring to the end of October, a bell rings in the weekly farmers market to open the day’s activities. For 20 years, the market – which brings a slew of vendors selling produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and sundries – has been a staple of the community, bringing approximately 1,000 patrons to the back of the Claflin Street parking lot in Belmont Center.

This past week, on Aug. 7, the market commences not the ringing of one bell buy with the sound of dozens as nearly 100 mini-replicas were given out to celebrate National Farmers Market Week.

The day’s big event was the dedication of the new storage shed, partly paid through a grant from Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources, and the sponsorship of Belmont’s Hillside Garden Ace Hardware. Hal Shubin, chair of the market committee, invited Gary and Troy DiGiovanni from Ace and Mary Jordan of the MDAR to cut the red ribbon as the clammering of tiny bells could be heard.

But the farmers market, one of the more successful in the state, is more than just a place to buy corn, tomatoes, fish and loafs of bread, said Shubin.

“It’s a place to congregate,” said Shubin. “There’s music, there’s community information, folks have office hours from Town Hall and Beacon Hill. They say that you’re more likely to run into people you know at a farmers market than a supermarket. It’s just a fun place to be.”

Heat Advisory Through Wednesday Evening

By Leave a Comment

Photo: It’s HOT through Wednesday

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for our area until Wednesday, July 30, at 8 p.m. Heat index values may reach 103 degrees by Tuesday afternoon, July 29. The heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is the temperature that the human body perceives when relative humidity is combined with air temperature. 

The Beech Street Center, located at 266 Beech St., will be open to provide an air-conditioned respite from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Prolonged exposure to high heat and humidity may cause illness. All residents are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned buildings, avoid direct sunlight, and check on relatives and neighbors.

Relief is on the way: the high temperature on Friday is expected to barely reach 70 degrees.

What’s Open/Closed On The 4th Of July, Fireworks Close To Belmont

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Old Glory, Belmont

Friday, July 4, the country observes Independence Day, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 (The document was signed on July 2nd). 

Massachusetts’ own John Adams, who signed the Declaration and was the nation’s second president, said the Fourth should be celebrated the day with “Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” Adams died on July 4th, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the document’s adoption, on the same day as the declaration’s chief author, Thomas Jefferson, the third president.

Here is what’s closed and open on the 4th of July.

Closed on the 4th

  • Belmont Town Hall, the public library at the Beech Street Center and Benton Library, and town offices.
  • State and Federal government offices.
  • US Postal Service: Both Belmont post offices are closed; express delivery only.
  • Banks.

Opened

  • The Underwood Pool: Open to members and those purchasing day passes.
  • Retail stores: Open at owner’s discretion
  • Supermarkets: Star Market on Trapelo Road in Waverley Square is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., but the pharmacy will be closed.
  • Coffee shops: Starbucks and Dunkin’s on Trapelo Road will operate regular hours. The Dunks on Pleasant and Church will also be open.
  • CVS: 89 Leonard St. (Belmont Center) Store 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Pharmacy 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • CVS: 264 Trapelo St. Store 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Pharmacy 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For those who will be traveling using public transportation, the MBTA is running on the following schedule:

  • Subway will run on a modified Saturday schedule until 3 p.m. After 3 p.m., the subway will run on a weekday schedule.
  • Bus and the RIDE will run on a Sunday schedule.
  • Commuter Rail will run on a weekend schedule. After 8:30 p.m., bikes will not be allowed on board on trains. The last train from Boston’s North Station on the Wachusett route, which serves Belmont and Waverley commuter stops, will depart at 11:40 p.m.
  • There is no fare after 9:30 p.m. on all lines.

Riders are encouraged to purchase the $10 Holiday Weekend Pass for unlimited travel, July 4 – July 6.

Where to see fireworks celebrations near-ish to Belmont:

  • Arlington: Robbins Farm Park on Eastern Avenue just over Route 2. There will be music, and refreshments, with the Boston Pops Orchestra and fireworks on a giant screen. Starts at 6 p.m.
  • Boston/Cambridge: along the Charles River at the Esplanade, 10:30 p.m. A great option: Use the Paul Dudley White Charles River Bike Path along the Charles to get to Boston. A great option for viewing the fireworks is the BU Bridge which remains open all night.
  • Newton: Albemarle Field/Halloran Sports Complex. Carnival rides, food trucks, and a crafts fair starts at 1 p.m. with fireworks at 9:10 p.m.