Road Construction On Four Streets Begins April 10; Work Complete In Two Weeks

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Photo: Van Ness Road will be one of four streets in Belmont to undergo road construction beginning April 10.

Weather permitting, on Monday, April 10, the Town of Belmont’s general contractor, Newport Construction, will begin full-depth road construction on Amelia Street and Becket, Clairmont, and Van Ness roads, according to a press release from Town Engineer Glen Clancy.

These roads will be closed to all traffic between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. This work is expected to be completed in two weeks.

This phase will include removing the manhole covers and water grates. Pulverizing the road, grading, and finally placing the first layer of asphalt will then occur.

Residents and commuters are advised to seek alternate routes. No on-street parking will be available, and access to driveways will be limited during construction hours. Residents affected by the construction can park overnight on nearby side streets.

For any questions or concerns about the project, don’t hesitate to contact the Office of Community Development at 617-993-2665.

Vote! Town Election 2023 Is Tuesday, April 4; All You Need To Know

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Photo: Get your sticker by voting today

Belmont’s annual Town Election is today, Tuesday, April 4!

A list of the candidates for town-wide office and Town Meeting, as well as information on the two ballot questions – for an appointed treasurer and a debt exclusion for a new skating rink/municipal recreation center – can be found in the League of Women Voters guide here.

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.

Election results will first be announced at Town Hall after the polls close with unofficial results located on the Town Clerk’s website early Wednesday morning.

Portion Of Goden Street To Close At 7 AM, Friday For Emergency Sewer Repair

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Photo: The impacted area of Goden Street

An emergency repair to a faulty sewer line will require a portion of Goden Street to be closed to vehicle traffic starting at 7 a.m., Friday, March 24, according to Belmont Police.

The closure, from School Street to Concord Avenue, will impact travel to Belmont High School as Goden Street enters the intersection with Concord that leads to the school’s parking and entrance.

League Of Women Voters Candidates’ Night, On-Line This Thursday

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Photo: The league’s annual candidates’ night.

The Belmont League of Women Voters is holding a virtual Candidates’ Night on Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m.

The night will start with a video “parade” of Town Meeting Members.

Short speeches and Questions & Answers with each town-wide candidate will follow it.

The night will conclude with information on the two ballot questions: the debt exclusion for a new rink/recreation center and a change from an elected to an appointed town treasurer.

Viewing Options:

Zoom meeting webinar: 893 7026 9526
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89370269526
Live broadcast: Belmont Ch 8 (Comcast); Ch 28 (Verizon)
Livestream or on-demand: belmontmedia.org/watch/govtv

Remember: Town Election Day is Tuesday, April 4.

There It Blows: Gale Forced Winds/Snow This Week Could Cause Outages

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Photo: Wind and snow over the next three days

Gale forced winds up to 70 mph will storm through eastern Massachusetts and Belmont from Monday, March 13 to Wednesday, March 15 with the potential of down electrical wires causing outages during the week.

In a press release issued at 3:35 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, the National Weather Service said a Winter Storm Watch will be in effect from Monday evening through Wednesday morning.

The storm will start as rain, changing to snow Tuesday morning, accumulating into Tuesday night. The late day Tuesday commute will likely be impacted with snow covered roads and low visibility,” said the NWS.

“Travel could be difficult. Heavy wet snow combined with gusty winds could bring down tree branches and result in power outages,” said the report.

If the lights go out, call Belmont Light‘s outage number: 617-993-2800

Or text an outage to 617-993-6006 with all the necessary information: Name, address, outage information. When reporting an outage Belmont Light encourage customers to send photos of any damages, infrastructure issues, and general community engagement. But do it safely.

Belmont Light also has an outage map online where customers and residents stay informed on the extent of the outage.

Meet The Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliance And Making Belmont More Welcoming At Virtual Community Meeting Thurs. March 9

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Photo: Making Belmont more welcoming and inclusive.

Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliance and Belmont Against Racism invite the residents of Belmont to a
virtual Community Meeting on Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83423040283?pwd=anAyQm9uQ0RPSFpMb3B5c25KTHBndz09

Here is your chance to share your thoughts about how we can make Belmont a more welcoming and inclusive town.

Meet the Alliance and learn about volunteer opportunities.

RSVP here and via email: belmontlgbtqalliance@gmail.com

COVID, Flu and ‘Catch Up’ Vaccine Clinics; Monday, March 13, At Town Hall

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Photo: Multi-vaccine clinic on Monday, March 13 at Belmont Town Hall

The Belmont Health Department is offering three vaccine clinics to eligible staff and residents, including primary and booster shots.

  • COVID-19 vaccines and Flu shot Clinic
  • Adult Vaccine Catch Up Clnic (Tdap)
  • Kids’ Vaccine Catch Up Clinic (Trap, MMR, Meningitis)

What is Tdap? Find out here.

The clinics are taking place on Monday, March 13, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Town Hall Conference Room 1, 455 Concord Ave.

These clinics are by appointment only and will be operated through a partnership between VaxinateRX and the Belmont Health Department.

Those under 18 need either a parent/guardian with them, or a signed and printed consent form. Monday, March 13, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Town Hall Conference Room 1, 455 Concord Ave.

Look here for information and to register for a vaccine appointment. If you have difficulty with registration call  617-993-2720 or Email: lsharp@belmont-ma.gov for assistance.

Please present insurance cards and vaccination cards at appointment.

What’s Up With The Rink: Public Meeting Thursday, Tours Of The Skip This Week, How Much Will New Rink Cost Taxpayers

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Photo: The first look of the new rink

With less than a month before the vote to determine the future of a new Belmont Rink & Sports Facility, supporters are ramping up events to help convince voters to support a new 40,313 sq-ft skating rink/recreation center at the location of the existing rink.

Public Meeting This Thursday

On Thursday, March 9 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Municipal Skating Rink Building Committee is hosting a hybrid public forum to update the public on conceptual plans for the new rink/recreation facility to be constructed on the site of the ‘Skip’ adjacent Harris Field.

Discussion will include conceptual design, current costing, energy utilization and year-round facility programming. Speaking will be architect Ted Galante and members of the Building Committee.

The meeting will take place on the third floor, Art Gallery, in the Homer Building in the Town Hall complex or via Zoom to learn more about the project and for an opportunity to provide the public feedback.

Trips of the ‘Skip’

Wondering why people are saying Belmont needs a brand new rink/recreation center? Can’t the existing facility be rehabbed? Put a new coat of paint on it? This weekend is your chance to see “why” a new rink the only solution.

Yes for the Rink, the voluntary campaign spearheading the effort to bring a new rink to Belmont, will be holding tours of the ‘Skip’ – the existing ‘Skip’ Viglirolo Skating Rink – to highlight the dilapidated condition of the half-century old building.

Tours are taking place:

  • Saturday, March 11; 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 12; between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

How Much Will An Average Homeowner Pay For A New Rink

Belmont Town Treasurer Floyd Carman this week has released the calculations on the cost to the “average” homeowner if voters approve the debt exclusion for a new rink at the April 4 Town Election. With a current net price-tag of $28.6 million – the $29.9 million construction cost minus $1.3 million in fundraising money – the owner of an average single family house, currently valued at $1.4 million – would see their residential tax increase $248 per year over the 30 years of the debt exclusion.

A Round Of Golf … In The Belmont Public Library? Come By On March 10, 11 For A Quick 18

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Photo: Putt and Pints this weekend

New England winters are long and cold. Sometimes you just need something “new” to do. Well, the Friends of the Belmont Public Library has come up with just the solution as the non-profit is hosting a pair of mini golf event … indoors! That’s right, for two days in March, you can swing a golf club in the Belmont Public Library (the building IS coming down this fall). On top of the putting, there will be beer and snacks available on Friday!

As part of the Friends 50th Anniversary celebration, the non-profit support group of the library are offering two days of mini golf: Friday, March 10, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for adults ($15) and Saturday, March 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for families and friends, all for free.

Whether you are a regular on the links, or have never swung a club, this weekend is for you. It’s likely you never had a round of golf in a library, put it on your calendar.

Belmont HS PAC Presents The Musical ‘Mean Girls’ March 16-18

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Photo: “Mean Girls” is coming to Belmont

The Belmont High School Performing Arts Company presents the High School version of the hit Broadway musical “Mean Girls.”

The hit 2004 film and 2018 Broadway Musical comes to the Belmont High School stage. With music by Jeff Richmond, lyrics by Nell Benjamin, and a book by Tina Fey, the iconic characters and lines from the movie are paired with original music and a story about finding your way in the High School jungle.

Performances will take place at the Belmont High School auditorium on:

  • THURSDAY, March 16, 7 p.m.
  • FRIDAY, March 17, 7 p.m.
  • SATURDAY, March 18 at 2 p.m. matinee and 7 p.m.

TICKET INFO: 

ADULTS: $15, STUDENTS/CHILDREN: $10

BHS STUDENTS: $5 Thu/Sat Matinee, $10 Fri/Sat 7pm

Purchase Tickets and for more information go to bhs-pac.org

CONTENT WARNING: Mean Girls contains adult themes, strong language and depictions of mature situations that may not be appropriate for all audiences. The show is recommended for ages 6th grade and up. The musical is based on the 2004 film “Mean Girls” and while the Mean Girls High School Version script contains some revisions from the movie and the original Broadway Musical, it follows the plot of the film faithfully, with much of the original dialogue and scenes included. Parents of younger children are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the movie or musical soundtrack before purchasing tickets. While Mean Girls contains mature content, it also provides an opportunity for meaningful dialogue about healthy vs. unhealthy friendships, social media, bullying and other important topics that adolescents face on a daily basis. We have engaged in these conversations during the rehearsal process, and hope the show will invite audience members to do the same.