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

All On A Page: Warrant Committee Producing Brief Budget ‘Explainers’ For Town Meeting Members, Public

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The new Belmont High School auditorium where Town Meeting is expected to take place.

With the budget season underway, the Warrant Committee – the financial watchdog for Town Meeting – has begun creating a series of one-page “explainers” on a variety of topics of interest to Town Meeting members and the public as the town prepares for the annual gathering of the town’s legislative body in June when the budget is taken up.

The first of the one-pagers explores the $7.8 million allocation to Belmont from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to be used over the next two fiscal years. In addition, a further $1 million is heading to the Belmont School District from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund III.

The ARPA can be viewed here: https://www.belmont-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6831/f/uploads/arpa_explainer_-_2_8_22.pdf

While how the ARPA funding is parceled out does not require a vote by Town Meeting, Town Administrator Patrice Garvin will present a draft plan for spending the majority of ARPA funds at a Monday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. virtual meeting of the Select Board, which has already allocated some ARPA funds to the Board of Health for items such as COVID testing.

Direct all questions to Warrant Committee member Paul Rickter at rickter@gmail.com.

Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic On Monday, Feb. 7 At Beth El Temple Center

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The vaccine clinic will take place on Monday.

Belmont Health Department and VaxinateRX is holding a Covid-19 vaccine clinic on Monday, Feb. 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Ave. The clinic includes Pfizer 1st, 2nd, and booster shots.

• Individuals 5 to 11 years old can sign up to receive their 1st or 2nd dose of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine.
• Individuals 12+ can sign up to receive their 1st, 2nd or booster* dose of the adult Pfizer vaccine.
*As long as it has been 5+ months since their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer, or 2+ months.

Register for a vaccine appointment at https://www.appointmentquest.com/scheduler/2180061935? schedule=belmontvaccineclinic If you have difficulty with registration, call Belmont Health Department at 617-993-2720 or email Lsharp@belmont-ma.gov for assistance.

Present insurance cards, photo ID, and vaccination cards at the appointment.

Belmont Health Holding Covid-19 Testing This Sunday, Feb. 6 At BHS

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Testing will take place in the cafeteria of Belmont High School on Sunday

Belmont Health Department will be offering free COVID-19 PCR testing to anyone aged 1 year or older on Sunday, Feb. 6 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Belmont High School Cafeteria, 221 Concord Ave.

PhysicianOne Urgent Care will be providing the testing. You will need to set up an account on their website to register for a COVID-19 test, and to view your test results. No walk-ins will be accepted, please register in advance.

Register for a COVID-19 test on Feb. 6 at HERE.

For this testing event, Belmont has a new registration link and organization code. Even if you have been to previous Belmont testing clinics, you will need to enterthe new organization code or use the new link in order to register.

The new organization code is: TOBCAA

If there are difficulties or issues with registration, please contact Physician One at testing@p1uc.com or Belmont Health Department  617-993-2720.

A PUBLIC MEETING ON CORRALLING LEAF BLOWERS!! ON TUESDAY, JAN. 25 AT 7 PM!!

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Leaf blowers will be discussed at a public meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 (Credit: Wolfmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Belmont Select Board returns to the contentious debate on placing limits on what many believe is a necessity and others a scourge of suburban life – leaf blowers.

The board will once again hold a public form on a proposed bylaw to control the use of leaf blowers on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.

Want to join the fun? Here’s the contact links.

“I’ve had several requests of from people in recent months to revisit the subject,” said Adam Dash, chair of the board. Dash noted the last time the subject came before the members it “sort of yielded a Balkanized response about what to do with anything.”

The pro bylaw side says commercial portable leaf blowers cause pollution beyond their size while destroying quiet mornings and evenings by being so dang loud. The status quo is the gas-driven machines are the most effective method of moving leaves in a town with as many trees as people.

The meeting will help decide if the board will present a bylaw before the annual town meeting in May.

Covid Vaccine, Booster Shots At Belmont High On Wednesday; Register Now

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Get on the bus (Credit: mass.gov)

The Belmont Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines, including 1st, 2nd, and booster shots at the Mass Department of Public Health’s Mobile Vaccine clinic on Wednesday Jan. 12 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Belmont High School, 221 Concord Ave.

Register here for the clinic: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/purpleshield?calendar=8d672bef-8ff4-464c-8fa1-524b3904a1f8

Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available for all eligible ages for 1st, 2nd or booster doses.

  • Individuals 5-11 can sign up to receive their first or second dose of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine
  • Individuals 12+ can sign up to receive their 1st, 2nd, or booster* dose of the Pfizer vaccine
  • Individuals 18+ can also sign up to receive either 1st, 2nd, or booster* dose of the Moderna vaccine

Boosters are available to anyone as long as it has been more than six months since their second dose of the Moderna vaccine, five or more months since their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, or two or more months if they received the Johnson&Johnson vaccine

This clinic will be operated through a partnership between and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Mobile Vaccine Program, Belmont Public Schools and the Belmont Health Department.

Happy (?) New Year, Belmont; What’s Closing Early on the 31st And Open On The First Day Of 2022

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Fireworks over the Boston Common at 7 p.m. Take the T! (Credit: Estormiz, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

A Happy New Year, Belmont. We all deserve having something to celebrate, even if most of us will be doing it alone or with a smigin of the folks you wish you could as we try to be Omicron-avoidant.

Unlike a week ago on Christmas, there is a bit more options available for those seeking a strong cup of coffee, some aspirin or just resupplying the pantry.

Closed:

  • Town offices
  • Federal offices
  • Belmont Public Library
  • US Postal Service, Belmont Center and Waverley Square closed on Jan. 1. (Regular hours on the 31st.)

MBTA

On New Year’s Eve: For everyone looking for a cheap and reliable way to attend First Night 2022 in downtown Boston to participate in the First Night Procession (at 5:50 p.m.) or attend the Family Fireworks display over the Boston Common (7 p.m.), here is what you need to know.

Subway trains will run on a Saturday schedule, but with increased service after 3 p.m.

Buses will run on a Saturday schedule. 

Commuter Rail will run on a weekday schedule, and will hold the last train on each line after midnight: The final train on the Fitchburg line will depart North Station at 12:50 a.m.

New Year’s Day

 Commuter Rail will run on a weekend schedule. 

 Buses and subways will run on a Sunday schedule.

Dunkin’ Donuts

• The store at 353 Trapelo Rd. in Central Square (the one at the intersection of Beech Street) is running regular hours on both days: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The shop at 350 Pleasant St. is open until 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the First while the site on at 53 Church St. will, as always, stay hold regular hours 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the 31st and 1st.

Starbucks

• The location at 110 Trapelo Rd. in Cushing Square will close early at 1 p.m. on 12/31 and open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first.

Star Market

The supermarket at 535 Trapelo Rd. will be operating slightly shorter hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on both days with the pharmacy open until 5 p.m. on the 31st but closed on the 1st.

Craft Beer Cellars

Located at 87 Leonard St., the store will be opened until 9 p.m. They will be closed on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

CVS Pharmacy

• The store at 264 Trapelo Rd. will be open regular hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Pharmacy will be open from 9 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

• The Belmont Center location at 60 Leonard St. is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on both days with the pharmacy open until 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day.

Belmont Town Offices Closed Dec. 27, 31; Library Shuts For Christmas Eve

By Leave a Comment

Photo:

The holiday hours for town departments and buildings has been set with departments closing at noon on Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24 and reopening on Tuesday, Dec. 28.

The town offices will be closed on Friday, Dec. 31 for the New Year’s Holiday with departments opening bright and early Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

The Belmont Public Library will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 24 and 25. It will by closed for New Year’s on Friday, Dec. 31 and Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022.