Belmont Light’s Second Annual Public Power Week Open House On Monday, Oct. 7

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The Open House will take place on Monday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Belmont Light will be hosting its second annual Open House in honor of Public Power Week.

The Open House will take place on Monday, Oct. 7 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Belmont Light’s headquarters located at 40 Prince St., and will feature activities for the whole family such as:

  • Touch-a-Truck
  • Dress as a Line Worker
  • Safety Demonstrations
  • Kids Activities, and more

Public Power Week is a national event celebrating community-owned utilities and their benefits, such as reliability, accountability, and local focus.

Parking is available onsite. Refreshments will be served.

Public Invited To Groundbreaking For New Rink/Sports Facility This Thursday, Sept. 5 At 10 AM

By Leave a Comment

Photo: It’s a constuction site now but just wait.

The proposed skating rink and recreation center adjacent to Harris Field on Concord Avenue has as many lives as a lucky cat.

An initial attempt in 2019 to replace the dilapidated Skip Viglirolo facility with a public/private venture stalled before it even started. Then the first attempt in November 2022 at a publicly financed building failed at the ballot box. Even when a second chance vote was successful in April of ’23, the project was nearly scuttled when it was discovered to be millions of dollars over budget, requiring a last-minute bailout by Town Meeting in 2024. And those near-death moments don’t even include environmental issues, electrical changes and a slew of value engineering decisions that left the building bruised and battered.

But like that charmed cat, when all believed the project was a goner, it somehow shows up at the door having survived all the misadventures none the worst for wear – even if it’s missing a tip of its tail. For the past month, large earth-moving equipment has been … moving earth as the first evidence that the rink facility has become a reality.

On Thursday, Sept. 5 at 10 a.m., the Belmont community is invited by the stalwarts of the Municipal Skating Rink Building Committee to attend the public groundbreaking ceremony for the new rink and sports facility at the building site on Concord Avenue.

Join the Building Committee, members of the Select Board, and town administration, School Department and Committee, as well as representatives from Skanska, The Galante Architecture Studio, and the Owner’s Project Manager, CHA as they put shovels to dirt on this landmark occasion.

Closed-toe shoes are required at the site.

What’s Open, Closed On Labor Day In Belmont/ Trash,Recycling Pickup Delayed A Day

By Leave a Comment

Photo: the “Labor Day” stamp, issued on Sept. 3, 1956 (credit: The National Postal Museum)

With the big migration back to school beginning this week in Belmont, Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, ends the last big getaway weekend of the summer.

The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day in 1887. During that year, four more states including Massachusetts passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

Labor Day is one of ten holidays recognized by the federal government, although the feds don’t require employers to pay workers for this holiday. Businesses traditionally provide their employees with a paid holiday as part of a benefits package because most other employers do the same.

Trash and recycling collection is delayed ONE DAY due to the holiday: If your pickup day is Monday, this week it will be collected on Tuesday, etc.

Closed:

Belmont Town offices, Belmont Public Library at both the Beech Street Center and the Benton Library, and Belmont Light are closed.

• US Postal Service offices and regular deliveries.

• Banks; although some branches will be open in some supermarkets.

• MBTA: Operating on a Sunday schedule. See www.mbta.com for details.

What’s Opened:

• Retail stores

• Coffee shops; Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts are open.

• Supermarkets

• Convenience stores and,

• Establishments that sell beer and wine are also allowed to be open.

Early Voting For State Party Primary Election Starts Saturday, Aug. 24

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Early voting starts Saturday, Aug. 24

Voters will decide their political party’s candidates for the general election in November at the State Primary Election on Tuesday, Sept. 3 – the day after Labor Day – with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 pm.

But why wait until the day after the summer holiday to vote when you can perform that task before you head off for the beach or backyard? In Person Early Voting begins on Saturday, Aug. 24 and lasts until Noon, Friday, Aug. 30. All in person early voting will take place at the Belmont Town Hall. Here’s the schedule:

DateTime
Saturday, August 2410 AM to 4 PM
Sunday, August 25No Early Voting
Monday, August 268 AM to 7 PM
Tuesday, August 278 AM to 4 PM
Wednesday, August 288 AM to 4 PM
Thursday, August 298 AM to 4 PM
Friday, August 308 AM to Noon

The final day to register to vote in the primary is Saturday, Aug. 24:

  • by 5 p.m. for in-person requests at Town Hall,
  • by 11:59 p.m. for online requests, and
  • postmarked by the deadline date for mail-in requests.

Voter registrations received after 5 p.m. on the 24th will be entered after the election.

There is a caveat to vote in this election: voters enrolled in either the Democratic, Libertarian or Republican party can vote only in that party’s primary. Enrollment in a political party does not affect your right to vote in the general election.

Unenrolled voters may cast a primary ballot for any party. Voters in political designations are treated as “Unenrolled” voters for primary purposes, and so they may choose to vote in any one of the party primaries.

If you have any questions on elections in Belmont, contact the Town Clerk at ecushman@belmont-ma.gov or call (617) 993-2604.

Second Annual Town Wide Yard Sale Set For Sept. 28

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Poster for the Town Wide Yard Sale

Back by popular demand, the Belmont Public Library, along with the Belmont Recreation Department and
the Council on Aging, is hosting the second annual Town Wide Yard Sale on Saturday, Sept. 28.

If you’d like to host a yard sale, visit the Belmont Recreation website ASAP. A fee of $15 dollars per home is required, to help cover the costs of the markers and advertising.

The sale will focus on recycling of goods, community fellowship, and highlighting the local economy and business community. Last year more than 125 homes participated, and this year the number has been increased to 175 homes,

Participants are allowed to have a Yard Sale in their yards or driveways between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. A map will be created in both physical and digital forms, for yard sale goers, sponsored in part by local businesses, and identifying markers will be placed at each home to more easily identify sales. Participants can choose to keep the proceeds from their sale, or opt to donate them to a favorite town departments.

This event helps residents to clean out their homes, keeps items out of the Belmont trash process, and offers an opportunity to earn a few dollars.

Last year this attracted residents from other towns, who came to our town and enjoyed coffee shops, restaurants and shopping, and hopefully it reminded them of what a wonderful place Belmont is to frequent.

Belmont Issues Heat Advisory, Opens Cooling Center At Beech Street, 1/2 Price Pool Admission

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The Underwood Pool will have reduced admission during heat advisory.

Due to the upcoming period of high heat and humidity, the Beech Street Center at 266 Beech St. will be open as a cooling center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and Wednesday, July 16-17.

Additionally, the Underwood Pool at the intersection of Concord and Cottage will be open Monday July 15 through Wednesday July 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is half price admission for Belmont residents until the close on Wednesday.

“We encourage everyone to stay cool and hydrated. We ask that you check on elderly friends and neighbors, along with others, who may need help during this period of high heat and humidity,” said a message from the Belmont Police Department

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

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Old Glory, Belmont

Thursday, 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 would die 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.

Other noted events occurring on July 4th:

1845: Henry David Thoreau moved to his cabin at Walden Pond in nearby Concord, where he wrote his series of reflective essays titled Walden; or, Life in the Woods.

1865: Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published.

1939: New York Yankee great Lou Gehrig gives his famous “Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth” speech before 63,000 fans at the Stadium after being diagnosed with ALS.

1960: The 50-star US flag is flown for the first time.

For most Belmontians, the most impactful result of the holiday is that trash and recycling pick up will be interrupted for one day due to the holiday. So Thursday’s pickup will take place on Friday.

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

Closed on the 4th

  • Belmont Town Hall, the public library and town offices will also be closed on the 5th.
  • 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 during 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 want to do someday 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. The last train on the Wachusett route, which serves Belmont and Waverley commuter stops, will be held at North Station until 11:25 p.m.
  • There is no fare after 9:30 p.m. on all lines.

Where to see fireworks celebrations near-ish to Belmont:

  • Arlington: Robbins Farm Park on Eastern Avenue. There will be music, refreshments, with the Boston Pops Orchestra and fireworks on a giant screen. Fireworks starting at 10:30 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.
  • Newton: Albemarle Field/Halloran Sports Complex, 9:10 p.m. Carnival rides, food trucks and a crafts fair starts at 1 p.m.

Why Wait? Underwood Pool Opening One Day Early On Wednesday, June 19

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Early opening for the Underwood Pool

The children are out of school for the summer, and a heatwave has descended on Belmont. Why wait to open the Underwood Pool? So, the town’s Recreation Department has decided to start the 2024 summer pool season one day early on Wednesday, June 19.

The pool, located at the corner of Concord Avenue and Cottage Street, will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the last day of Spring.

The June 19th opening is being sponsored by Belmont Youth Activities and D.A.R.E.

Juneteenth: What Open/Closed In Belmont; Trash/Recycling Delayed By A Day

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The Juneteenth flag (credit: Wikipedia)

This year, on Wednesday, June 19, the country celebrates Juneteenth National Independence Day. It is a federal and Massachusetts holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Deriving its name from combining June and nineteenth, it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. (Thank you, Wikipedia)

Trash and recycling pick-up will be delayed by a day.

Here is what’s closed and what’s open on Juneteenth:

  • Belmont Town Hall and town offices: Closed
  • Belmont Public Library (at the Beech Street Center and the Benton Library): Closed
  • Belmont Public Schools: Summer recess began last week
  • State and Federal government offices: Closed.
  • US Postal Service: Both Belmont post offices are closed; express delivery only.

Most retail operations are open for the new holiday.

  • Retail stores and coffee shops: Open
  • Liquor stores: Open.
  • Supermarkets: Open.
  • Convenience stores: Open.
  • Taverns, bars: Open.
  • Banks: Closed.

The MBTA will operate on its regular weekday schedule for those who want to use public transportation.

Belmont Opens Cooling Centers To Help Alleviate Midweek Heat Wave

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Cooling center opened for all residents

With temperatures during a midweek heat wave expected to reach the mid-90s to over 100 degrees, Belmont is providing a pair of cooling centers to help all residents stay comfortable and safe during the peak of the hot weather.

The Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., will be open on Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Center will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, as part of the Juneteenth holiday.

The Belmont Media Center, at 9 Lexington St., will be open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Water will be provided at both locations.