MBTA, State To Discuss Waverley Station’s Future At Nov. 16 Meeting

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Photo: Waverley Station/Fitchburg line.

The Belmont Board of Selectmen and officials from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Massachusetts Department of Transportation are holding a public meeting next month to updated the public on the future of the Waverley Commuter Rail Station.

At an initial meeting held on  Sept. 28, the MBTA expressed a desire to build a new commuter rail station near the present Waverley station, either on Pleasant Street or to the west of the business center and closing down the existing stations at Waverley and adjacent Belmont Center.

The meeting, which will take place on Monday, Nov. 16, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., will discuss:

  • potential options to bring the facility into required compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations,
  • the future of the Belmont Center Station, and
  • a possible new Belmont Station alternative on Pleasant Street, as well as other options.

The meeting is an opportunity for the public to provide ideas to the MBTA. Any resident or community member who has an interest in this matter is highly encouraged to attend.

View a power point presentation made by the MBTA to the selectmen on Sept. 28 at www.belmont-ma.gov/sites/belmontma/files/file/file/belmont_meeting_09282015.pdf

In addition, State Sen. Will Brownsburger provides a detailed explanation and breakdown on why a small level of repairs could lead to the building of a new facility.

Mount Auburn Sponsoring 8-Week ‘Living with Cancer’ Workshop

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Photo: Mt. Auburn Hospital. 

Cancer diagnosis brings with it a world of testing and treatments, as well as heavy emotional and physical demands. At times, these elements can seem overwhelming, but they don’t have to be.

Mount Auburn Hospital – the closest full-service hospital for Belmont residents – recognizes these difficulties and has developed its Mind/Body Medicine Program to help patients maintain good mental and emotional health through their treatment and recovery.

This fall, the hospital is pleased to present the Living with Cancer Workshop, an eight-week group focused on reducing stress and promoting resilience.

Participants will be introduced to relaxation techniques, meditation, spirituality, yoga, Tai chi, and nutrition. Unlike most other therapies, these techniques can be learned and practiced independently to foster the mind-body connection and ease the process. 

The workshop will meet every Tuesday for eight weeks from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Nov. 3 at Mount Auburn Hospital, 330 Mount Auburn St. in Cambridge.

This course is complementary to patients. To enroll, contact Meredith Hobson, LICSW at 617-499-5665 x 4664.

Founded in 1886, Mount Auburn Hospital is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, with a mission is to deliver healthcare services in a personable, convenient and compassionate manner, with respect for the dignity of patients and their families.  

Ten Days of Paving On Trapelo Road Begins Monday, Oct. 19

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Photo: Road work on Trapelo Road will last one week. 

It’s official; the town administrator’s office has released the schedule for the night time work on Trapelo Road as part of the $17.1 million state-financed Trapelo Road/Belmont Street Reconstruction Project.

Beginning Monday night, Oct. 19, Newport Construction will be paving the main thoroughfare.  Weather permitting, work is expected to be completed by Wednesday, Oct. 28 and will occur between 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The paving will occur from Mill Street to Cushing Square. 

Access to driveways along the work area may be restricted so residents should park on side streets away from Trapelo Road if you need access to your vehicle overnight.

Residents with questions should contact the office of Community Development at 617-993-2665.

Belmontians Stock Up on Winter Reading at Friend’s Sale

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Photo: A final buyer on Sunday afternoon at the Friends of the Belmont Public Library’s Fall Book Sale. 

Nancy Dignan, president of the Friends of the Belmont Public Library, has a theory about the group’s annual fall book sale and the coming winter that doesn’t bode well for those hoping for a reprise from last year’s massive snow totals.

“People said they were loading up on books like they did last year feeling they’ll be stuck inside!” Dignan said Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18.

 

She and her crew of Friends and volunteers from the Chenery Middle School were waiting for the final shoppers fill books into grocery bags and boxes – only $5 a bag for as many books as you could carry – before  starting the final task of the two-day yearly sale: putting all the unwanted books into barrels that a recycler would take away.

“What’s not to like about a bag of books,” said one of the final stragglers before heading out the door. 

According to Dignan, this year’s sale “was very civil” with a half a dozen book dealers who came on Friday night’s Members sale “and we moved a lot of books.”

“This is one of our major fundraisers for the year, maybe 50 percent of what we raise comes from the annual book sale,” said Dignan, raising about $5,000 after expenses.

The money will go to funded discount passes to local museums, young adult and children’s programs, author and music series, the One Book One Belmont community read and other gifts to the library.

Annual Belmont Boosters Fund Drive This Sunday

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Photo: “B” there.

On Sunday, Oct. 18 from around noon to 2 p.m., Belmont High’s student-athletes will be traveling around town knocking on doors in support of Belmont Booster’s annual fund drive.

The students will be seeking donations in exchange for your very own “B” decal – a snazzy item, indeed.

The fund drive helps the Boosters’ mission to provide funding for items that are outside the athletic budgets. The Boosters have contributed $170,000 in the past six years towards the purchases and improvements of new football and softball scoreboards, the wrestling clock, the Hockey Rink P.A. systems, new trophy cases, Belmont Marauders club car, coaches training and equipment, Marauder spirit flags, the 2014 renovation of White’s field house, the 2015 renovation of the Fitness room and 2015 installation of new flooring for the Wenner field house.

Annually the Boosters provide the jackets awarded at the seasonal athletic awards nights, championship banners in the field house and the team captain leadership program.

This Week: Harry Potter Fans, Hanneke Cassel Band Concert Thursday

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Photo: The Hanneke Cassel Band.

On the government side of “This Week”:

  • The Board of Selectmen is holding an abbreviated morning public meeting at Town Hall on Monday, Oct. 19 at 8 a.m. in which there will be the usual granting of licenses and hear from the Town Administrator. 
  • The Belmont School Committee holds its annual Boston meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Shelburne Community Center at 2730 Washington St. in Roxbury beginning with a reception at 6 p.m. with the meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. when the committee will update the METCO program in Belmont. 
  • The Town of Belmont Energy Committee will discuss the Solarize Belmont initiative which is part of Belmont Light’s new Solar Policy at its meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 8 a.m. in Town Hall. 
  • The Belmont Cultural Council will meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22 at Town Hall to discuss grant applicants and guidelines for receiving money from the group. 

• The Teen Book Club for 9th to 12th Graders will meet on Monday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room to discuss Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Snacks will be provided. If you have any questions, please e-mail Kylie Sparks at ksparks@minlib.net or call 617-993-2873.

Tuesday is story time at both of Belmont libraries.

  • Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer-run library, at 10:30 a.m. Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is located at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex.
  • Pre-School Storytime at the Belmont Public beginning at 9:30 a.m.We’ll read longer books, sing and dance, and make simple crafts. For 3-5-year-olds with a longer attention span.

• Kelsey Perkins from US Rep. Katherine Clark’s office will be holding office hours at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

• Storytime for 1’s is for walkers and toddlers under 24 months will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 10:30 a.m. in the library’s Flett Room. They will share simple stories, songs, and nursery rhymes, and end with time to play.

• It’s early-release day for students at the Chenery Middle School on Wednesday, Oct. 21..

• The International Fiction Book Club will discuss Please Look After Mom by Kyung-sook Shin on Wednesday. Oct 21 at 7 p.m. in the Flett Room. Come for fun conversation, tea and snacks.  Everybody is welcome. If you have a question, or need help finding a copy of the book, contact Kylie at ksparks@minlib.net. The book club is a great way to explore different cultures and read great books international fiction books.

• Hogwart lovers, the Belmont Public Library is hosting the Harry Potter Fan Club on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Flett Room. 

• The Belmont Public Library’s OTAKUrabu program offers students (7th to 12th grades) the chance to watch anime, do a craft/activity, plan for future events and nibble on some Japanese snacks (while they last – they’ll go fast) on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Assembly Room. Provided to you for free, thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Just drop in, no registration required.

• After spending a two-day residency at Belmont High, the Hanneke Cassel Band will perform in concert on Thursday, Oct 22, at 7 p.m., in the school’s auditorium. This concert is free and family friendly. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Both high school and middle school string students will perform on the first half of the show, followed by a second set of the Hanneke Cassel Band – Hanneke Cassel, violin; Mike Block, cello; Christopher Lewis, guitar – showing off their fan favorites. 

• The Belmont Historical Society welcomes historian Doug Stewart who will speak on “Massachusetts’ Role in the 19th Century China Trade” (including Belmont’s) on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. 

• Literacy Playgroup is a parent and child group that supports child’s language and literacy development on Friday, Oct. 23, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Flett Room. You’ll play, read, sing and take home new ideas. Presented by educators from the CFCE grant program; for children age 4 and under.

Annual Belmont Library Fall Book Sale Saturday, Sunday, Oct. 17-18

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Photo: Patrons of the Friends of Belmont Library’s book sale.

If you love books but not looking to pay and arm and a leg for them, this is your weekend to stock up on fiction, non-fiction, children’s and every other sort of book as the Friends of the Belmont Public Library holds its annual Fall Book Sale.

The sale takes place on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Assembly and Flett rooms at the library, 336 Concord Ave.

The sale’s proceeds allow the Friends to purchase museum memberships, bring authors and demonstrations to the library while adding to the technology available to patrons.

Belmont Yard Sales, Oct. 17-18

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Photo: Yard sale in Belmont.

Yard sales in the “Town of Homes.”

• 130 Common St., Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 331 Common St., Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 9 Coolidge Rd., Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to noon.

• 22 Coolidge Rd., Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to noon.

• 28 Coolidge Rd., Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to noon.

• 25 Falmouth St., Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• 56 Grove St., Saturday, Oct. 17, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Brighton Street Closed at MBTA Rail Crossing From Saturday Until Monday AM

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Photo: The MBTA track crossing at Brighton Street.

The reconstruct of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority commuter rail grade crossing at Brighton Street will require a small but important segment of the road to be closed for more than 48 hours, requiring traffic to be detoured through Belmont Center, according to a press release from the T.

In addition to the temporary road closure, the release said work to the rail line will require the MBTA to suspend weekend service on the Fitchburg line until Nov. 22.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this work and may cause. It is critical that these major construction efforts be undertaken over weekends and some nights when the track is taken out of service. These improvements are essential to the rehabilitation of the Fitchburg Line,” said the release.

At approximately 1 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, Keolis Construction will begin the reconstruction work, closing the roadway to vehicular traffic until 5 a.m., Monday, Oct. 19, with the completion of the paving of the roadway.

Police details will be in place to mitigate any traffic issues, according to the MBTA. Access to the nearby neighborhood be residents and businesses will be maintained throughout construction by the detour.

More information on the weekend service suspension can be found at www.MBTA.com

Questions concerning the project, please contact us via email at MBTA Fitchburg Project email –FitchburgProject@MBTA.com or via telephone at MBTA Fitchburg Project Hotline 617-721-7506.

Belmont Serves Brings Volunteers Out for A Day of Service

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Photo: Everyone pitched in at Monday’s Belmont Serves.

Wearing gloves and carrying a clipboard, Mary Lewis was spending a beautiful Columbus Day morning getting dirty. 

As one of two coordinators at the Burbank Elementary School, Lewis had a long list of projects that needed to be done during the sixth annual Belmont Serves day of community service.

“We’ve been clearing a lot of brush from the back of the hill, picking weeds and planting pretty bulbs for the spring,” she said, as three friends from the Chenery Middle School – Anthony Casale, Zach Moss and Harry Brennan – prepare to load branches and leaves into yard waste bags. 

“We’ve done a lot, just this morning,” said Brennan. 

For more than 300 parents, children, teens and other residents who started and ended the day at St. Joseph Parish Hall, the Columbus Day holiday was not of laying around until noon, but an effort to give back to the community where they live. 

Sponsored by the Belmont Religious Council, Belmont Serves “is about providing just a little help to people or a project that needs our attention,” said Rev. Joseph Zarro of Plymouth Congregational Church, this year’s BRC vice president. 

The largest group event each year is retrieving grocery bags of food that residents left on their stoops the night before for pick-up on Monday. SUVs and cars toured specific neighborhoods around Belmont collecting the food stuffs and sundries, bringing them back to the Belmont Food Pantry located behind Belmont High School. 

By early afternoon, 1,700 bags of food was delivered to the Pantry, restocking the empty shelves – there are no food drives in the summer – which will last through the holidays in December.

“This is a tremendous response from the Belmont community to support and help their neighbors. I know that the recipients of the pantry appreciate and are most grateful to the Belmont residents,” said Patty Mihelich, the pantry manager.

She said at least 50 volunteers helping both outside and inside the building, sorting and stocking, “and everyone had a great time.”

Special thanks go to the following businesses who supplied the paper bags: Iggys, Belmont Cambridge and Waltham Star, Whole Foods Cambridge, Arlington and Cambridge Trader Joes.