Town-Wide Covid Vaccination Clinic At Beth El Temple Tuesday, April 12

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Vaccine/booster shots will be provided to public school students and staff on April 12. (Credit: Wikimedia)

The Belmont Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible residents, including first, second and booster shots on Tuesday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Ave.

Register for a vaccine appointment here.

Please present insurance cards, photo ID, and vaccination cards at appointment.

The CDC recommended in late March that all individuals over the age of 50 and certain immunocompromised individuals get an additional booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines. The decision follows authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a second booster dose for these groups four months after receiving a first booster of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Those eligible include:

  • Individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after getting a first booster.
  • Individuals 18 and older with certain medical conditions may get a second Moderna booster at least 4 months after first booster.
  • Individuals 12 and older with certain medical conditions may get a second Pfizer booster at least 4 months after the first booster.
  • In addition, per the CDC, individuals 18 and older who received a primary vaccine andbooster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Residents may access booster doses from more than 1,000 locations, with appointments readily available for booking across the Commonwealth. Visit mass.gov/COVIDVaccine to make an appointment.

This clinic will be operated through a partnership between VaxinateRX and the Belmont Health Department. The Pfizer vaccine will be available.

Having difficulty registering? Call 617-993-2720 or Email: Lsharp@belmont-ma.gov for assistance

Vote! Town Election Day 2022 Is Tuesday, April 5: A Little Different Look To The Ballot

By Leave a Comment

Photo: It’s election day in Belmont

Belmont annual Town Election is today, Tuesday, April 5!

Registered voters may cast their ballots in person only on Election Day; polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the traditional polling locations: 

  • Precinct One: Belmont Memorial Library, Assembly Room, 336 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct Two: Belmont Town Hall, Select Board Room, 455 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct Three: Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct Four: Daniel Butler School Gym, 90 White St.
  • Precinct Five: Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct Six: Belmont Fire Headquarters,  299 Trapelo Rd.
  • Precinct Seven: Burbank School Gym, 266 School St.
  • Precinct Eight: Winn Brook School Gym, 97 Waterhouse Rd., enter from Cross Street.

If you are wondering if you are a registered voter and your voting precinct, go to the Town Clerk’s web page or phone the Town Clerk’s office at 617-993-2600.

A list of the candidates for town-wide office and Town Meeting can be found in the League of Women Voters guide here.

The ballot for the 2022 annual Town Election will look a little different. In addition to the customary town-wide elected offices, a new elected Municipal Light Board has been created and five members will be selected.  

In addition, for Precincts 1, 2, 6, and 8, the voters will elect 36 Town Meeting Members instead of the usual 12. Precincts 3, 4, 5 and 7 will elect 12 Town Meeting Members. Belmont, like many other communities, was required to redraw Precinct borders to balance the population, as reported by the 2020 federal census, across the eight voting precincts.

Voters in Precincts 1, 2, 6 and 8 whose precinct number and voting location have been changed by the redrawing of the precinct lines have already been mailed a postcard with their new 2022 voting information.  Precincts 3, 4 ,5 and 7 are unchanged.

A view of sample ballots for each precinct can be found here.

Results will be posted after 10 p.m., Tuesday, April 5 on the Town Clerk’s web page.

Thursday’s Allen Memorial Horticultural Lecture Explores The World Of The Modern Plant Hunter

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Dr. Michael S. Dosmann, keeper of the Living Collections at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

The lecture is free and honors the gardening legacy of Anne Allen.

The third annual Anne Allen Memorial Horticultural Lecture will be held Thursday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. at the Waldorf High School, 160 Lexington St. It will also be streamed on Zoom, with the Zoom link available at www.belmontgardenclub.org.

This year’s speaker is Dr. Michael S. Dosmann, keeper of the Living Collections at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, sharing his experience and understanding of plant exploration in “Tales from the Plant Explorer: Adventures in Plant Collecting Around the World.”

The focus of the talk, plant exploration – going into the wild to document plant diversity – is not just a Victorian Era activity, but is very much alive and well in 2020. As a veteran plant explorer, Dosmann uses examples from his own expeditions around the world to compare the historic and modern plant hunter, and places these activities in the context of scholarship, global change, and the search for improved garden plants.

Anne Allen was an Honorary Member of the Belmont Garden Club. Like her mother before her, Anne gave the use of the family greenhouse to the Belmont Garden Club. Anne was also known for helping to initiate and provide guidance to the Chenery Middle School indoor garden. Anne’s family made a memorial bequest to the Belmont Garden Club to fund a horticultural lecture in Anne’s memory.

Teachers Marching From HS To School Admin Offices In Protest Over Contract Negotiations

By 1 Comment

Photo: The Belmont Education Association logo

Just past 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29, teachers, staff and aides will head for the streets as the membership of the Belmont Education Association is set to march from Belmont High School, down Concord Avenue into Belmont Center and to the School Administration building next to Town Hall on Pleasant Street as the union calls for “fair agreements” in a contract that is currently being negotiated.

“After returning almost $6 million to the town over the past two years, the school district is now offering educators annual cost of living adjustments that are, on average, less than 2 percent, even though educators’ real wages are lower now than they were eight years ago. The district is also trying to save a nominal amount of money by shifting greater healthcare costs onto new employees, those who can least afford it,” said a press release from the union.

The BEA release said the union is proposing annual raises of three-to-four percent over the next four years. Currently, the district’s counter offer is:

  • First year: 2 percent increase + $500
  • Second year: 1.5 percent
  • Third year: 1.75 percent
  • Fourth year: 1.5 percent

The BEA is also calling for what they term adequate wages for support professionals, “the district’s lowest paid and most undervalued educators who also happen to be the ones working with our most vulnerable students.”

Commuters should expect delays along Concord Avenue from the high school to Pleasant Street from 3:20 p.m.

League Of Women Voters’ Virtual Candidates’ Night 2022 Thursday, March 24 At 7 p.m.

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The good ol’ days: the parade of Town Meeting members candidates in 2019

The League of Women Voters of Belmont is holding its annual Candidates’ Night on Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m.

The event will take place virtually via Zoom, over the internet and live on Belmont Media Center.

The night will start with the popular Town Meeting Member “parade” to be followed with short speeches and questions and answer with each of the town-wide candidates.

Just a reminder: Town Election takes place on Tuesday, April 5.

Your viewing options include:
• Zoom meeting webinar: 827 7506 4862
https://uso2web.zoom.us/j/82775064862
• Live broadcast: Belmont Ch 8 (Comcast); Ch 28 (Verizon)
• Livestream or on-demand: belmontmedia.org/watch/govtv

Belmont World Film 20th International Film Series Begins Friday, March 25

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Scene from A Change of Heart (Ils Sont Vivants)with Seear Kohl and Marina Fois

Belmont World Film International Film Series begins its 20th season on Friday, March 25, with the US premier of A Change of Heart (Ils Sont Vivants) starts streaming at 7 p.m. The 2021 French production will also be shown on a CinemaScope screen in person on Sunday, March 27, at 7 p.m. at the Majestic 7 Cinema in Watertown.

Films will be shown in a hybrid of online and in-person screenings. All but the closing night film – Silent Land on Monday, May 16 – will be available for screening online. Three of the eight films will also be screened in person at either the Majestic or the West Newton Cinema.

The schedule of the films as well as tickets, passes and memberships can be found here.

Half of the eight films in the festival are directed by women and six of the directors are also making their feature film debuts, alongside two veteran directors: two-time Cannes Film Festival winner Tony Gatlif (Djam, BWF 2018) and Philippe Le Guay (Women on the Sixth Floor). Each film will accompanied by both online and in-person discussions with filmmakers or expert speakers via Zoom on Monday nights at 7 p.m.

Founded in 2001 by Naomi Ellenberg-Dukas, Belmont World Film began with the premise that foreign-language film is not only a vehicle for hearing another language in action, but it can also foster an emotional understanding of other cultures.

Registration Open For Covid Vaccine Clinics In Belmont; March 22 & 23

By Leave a Comment

Photo: A pair of vaccine clinics in Belmont this coming week.

You’ll have a pair of opportunities to receive for free a first, second or booster Covid-19 vaccine shot in Belmont this coming week.

Residents will need to resent insurance cards, photo ID, and vaccination cards at their appointment.

On Tuesday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Belmont Town Hall, 455 Concord Ave., the Belmont Health Department will provide the Pfizer vaccine to one of two groups of residents:

  • Residents 5 to 11 years old can sign up to receive the 1st or 2nd dose* of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine.
  • Those 12 year old and older can register to receive the 1st, 2nd* or booster dose of the adult Pfizer vaccine.

Register for an appointment at Belmont Town Hall at: https://www.appointmentquest.com/scheduler/2180061935?schedule+belmontvaccineclinic

On Wednesday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Belmont Council on Aging 266 Beech St., the Beech Street Center is offering Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to individuals 18+ to receive their 1st, 2nd or booster dose of the adult Moderna vaccine.

Register for an appointment at the Beech Street Center here: https://hipaa.jotform.com/220694271484157

*As long as it has been 5+ months since their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer, or 2+ months if they received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

If there is any difficulty with registering, call 617-993-2977 or email Dbickelman@belmont-ma.gov for assistance

The FBE On-Line Auction Is Up And Running, Deadline March 18

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The on-line auction will continue March 18

How does getting a ride on a fire truck to school sound? Or taking a run with a world-class marathon athlete? Or a styling party at a top line hair salon?

These are just a few of the more than 100 fabulous items you can bid on during the Foundation for Belmont Education On-Line Auction which starts on Monday, March 7. The online auction runs until Friday, March 18.

A sample of the auction items include:

• Belmont Fire Department: A ride a firetruck to school
• Black Earth Composting Service: Help yourself and the environment
• Haven and Hair Salon: Styling party
• Becca Pizzi: Run and fun with friends and Becca
• Running Brook Camp: One week of camp
• Tiffany White Photography: A family portrait
• Cheeky Monkey: Textile creation by Holly Johnson
• Inspired Bath (Watertown): $500 gift certificate

Every bid helps make a difference in the Belmont public schools.

Final Topping Off Ceremony For Middle And High School On March 4

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The previous topping ceremony took place in May 2020.

The Belmont Middle and High School Building Committee (BMHSBC) and general contractor Skanska USA is inviting the community to the in-person “topping off” ceremony for the Middle School segment of the Belmont Middle and High School on Friday, March 4 at 11 a.m.

The celebration is the final topping off of the $295 million project, a milestone that speaks to the completion of the entire building erection, said the head of the town’s oversight group.

“Looking back over the nearly six years of planning and execution, it is an incredible feeling to be realizing the start of the end of this construction project”, said Bill Lovallo, BMHSBC chair, in an e-mail released Feb. 23.

Speakers will include Belmont High School Principal Isaac Taylor, School Committee Chair Amy Checkoway, Massachusetts School Building Authority Chief Operating Officer James MacDonald, and representatives from Skanska. Special musical guest is the Belmont High School Marching Band. Chenery Middle School Principal Karla Koza will arrive with student council members from grades 5 and 6, representing the students who will be in the new grade 7 and 8 wing when completed in September 2023.

Students and the public can sign the beam in the morning before the ceremony from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The first topping off celebration for the grade 9-12 wing was held virtually on May 15, 2020 due to COVID.

Town-Wide Covid Vaccination Clinic At Beth El Temple Monday, Feb. 28

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Covid vaccine clinic in Belmont on Monday, Feb. 28

The Belmont Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible residents, including first, second and booster shots on Monday, Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Ave.

Register for a vaccine appointment HERE.

Please present insurance cards, photo ID, and vaccination cards at appointment.

This clinic will be operated through a partnership between VaxinateRX and the Belmont Health Department. The Pfizer vaccine will be available.

Having difficulty registering? Call 617-993-2720 or Email: Lsharp@belmont-ma.gov for assistance