Belmont Light Urge Customers to Reduce Power Usage During Peak

By 2 Comments

Photo: Turn it down!

With temperatures today forecasted to reach the 90s again, Belmont Light has a request to its 11,000 customers: Lighten up on the power, please. 

With today, Thursday, July 30, expected to be another high electricity use day, the town’s electrical utility is urging users to save energy and money by reducing electricity consumption during the hottest (or peak) part of the day, between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“Every bit of electricity reduced during peak times will help Belmont mitigate rising electricity costs,” read a press release dated Wednesday, July 29, from Sagewell, Inc., the Woburn-based firm that is administrator of Belmont Light Energy Efficiency Programs.

“Nearly one-third of your electric bill is for the cost of procuring sufficient capacity for peak days and these costs are continuing to increase for all utilities across New England.” 

And Belmont Light is providing tips to reduce peak electricity consumption:

  • Adjust the air conditioning between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and turn off the air conditioning in rooms that are not used. Adjusting the thermostat even by two-to-three degrees helps.
  • Use a microwave oven or an outdoor grill instead of a stove or a regular oven.
  • Shift laundry and dishwasher use to after 7 p.m.
  • Run pool pumps or use hot tubs before 2 p.m. or after 7 p.m. Shift other electricity use at those times.

If customers have any questions or would like advice on how to decrease peak energy consumption, contact Sagewell at 617-963-8141 or at support@sagewell.com

Strike Up The Summer Band: Belmont’s Once-A-Year Musical Get-Together

By Leave a Comment

Photo: On stage with the Belmont Summer Community Band.

“You’re playing great,” said Arto Asadoorian as he directs a collection of amateurs and students in a hurry-up rehearsal of an overture from the Disney movie, “Frozen.” 

Yet the drummer has yet to get a feel for the piece, which Asadoorian found a bit amusing.

“What, am I the only person to have seen that film a thousand times?” he wonders aloud from the stage of the Belmont High School auditorium last Tuesday afternoon. 

Unlike the orchestra and bands he directs as Belmont Public School’s Director of Fine and Performing Arts, Asadoorian is putting about 40 residents, students and alum through the paces as the Belmont Community Summer Band prepares for its once-a-year concert on Wednesday, July 29 beginning around 7:30 p.m. at the Payson Park Music Festival.

Now in its second season, the band – filled with brass and woodwinds accompanied by percussions – will be preforming along with “Frozen” several works that are band standards, including those pieces that you’d likely hear at sitting in the town green somewhere in England.

For Asadoorian, who came up with the idea of creating a local band, it’s a chance to keep some of the high schoolers practicing and playing during the summer, an opportunity to welcome back former students and meet skilled amateurs who are looking to spend a few hours for a month – a total of three rehearsals – learning works to enjoy performing.

“In Belmont, we’re fortunate to have such a wealth of musical talent,” said Asadoorian.

“It’s a really nice way to all come together as a community of music makers and have come fun together,” he said. 

There’s an easy rapport between players and conductor; the ensemble takes the music to heart and Asadoorian attempts to shape it into a concert piece despite the limited time together.

There are more hits than misses, with Asadoorian keeping the tempo and atmosphere light.

When a particular passage of music hits the mark, Asadoorian quipped, “Band director of the year – tell them to play what’s on the page.” 

IMG_9858 IMG_9850 IMG_9849 IMG_9840 IMG_9832 IMG_9836 IMG_9837 IMG_9809 IMG_9831 IMG_9826

This Week: Belmont Community Band Wednesday, Thea & Rick, Robin Hood

By Leave a Comment

On the government end of “The Week”:

  • The Board of Selectmen meet on Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall discussing the Grove Street Playground, a request to change the operating hours at Moozy’s on Trapelo Road, hear a request by Foodies Urban Market (going into the old Macy’s) for a beer and wine license and a request to sell the municipal parking lot to the developer of Cushing Village.
  • Precinct 4 is meeting Tuesday, July 28, at 7 p.m. in Town Hall to fill a vacancy on its Town Meeting roster.
  • The Net Metering Working Group will meet on Wednesday and Thursday, July 29 and 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss the economic framework on designing a solar tariff for Belmont as well as present the financial model to assist in its design.

• The Belmont Food Collaborative – the people who run the Belmont Farmers Market – is meeting on Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m., in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• Summertime Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer run library, at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 28. 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.

• Movie for Children at the Belmont Public Library this week will be a Short Film Festival. The fun starts on Tuesday, July 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room.

• From The House of Blues to The Beech Street Center, the Thea & Rick Jazz Duo brings its remarkable skills and charm to entertain you on Tuesday, July 28, at 1:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center. A mixture of jazz standards and easy listening tunes influenced by classic songs, rock, R & B, gospel and show tunes, including Lullaby of Birdland, Moon River, Satin Doll, Stormy, Imagine, One Note Samba? Come out and hear these great tunes and more.

• Yoga for Everyone at the Beech Street Center on Tuesday, July 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: join Susan Harris, a registered yoga teacher and associate professor of Nutrition at Tufts University for this Iyengar-inspired class which practices yoga postures slowly and with attention to alignment and safety, adapted to the abilities and needs of individual students. Practice is done with bare feet; mats and props are provided. Cost: $15/class. Non-seniors, beginners and experienced are welcome. This is a non-Council on Aging class held at the Beech Street Center. For more information, call Susan at 617-407-0816.

• I … Am …Ironman! This week’s Chillin’ with Villains movie series at the Belmont Public Library is the very first ‘Iron Man’ movie with Robert Downey Jr. Beat the heat in the library’s Assembly Room at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 28. There will be popcorn! No sign-up is necessary. All are welcome.

• The Hampstead Stage presents the tale of our favorite redistributor of wealth, Robin Hood, in a presentation of the outlaw, his merry men and the dastardly Sheriff of Nothingham on Wednesday, July 29 at 3 p.m, in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library. It will be full of action, brave heroics, bumbling villains, and participation from the audience! This is a presentation for kindergarteners to fourth graders.

• For the second year, the Belmont Community Summer Band, led by Belmont Public School Director of Fine and Performing Arts Arto Asadoorian, will be highlighting the Payson Park Music Festival on Wednesday, July 29, at 6:45 p.m. The band, filled with residents, students and alum, will play music from the movie “Frozen” and band standards.

• Award-winning local musician Alastair Moock brings his rowdy, rootsy, singing, dancing, family-fun-filled live show at the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room on Thursday, July 30 at 10:30 a.m.! For those 2 to 5 year olds.

Belmont Yard Sales, July 25 – 26

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Yard sales in Belmont.

Yard sales in the “Town of Homes.” 

• 34 Benjamin Rd., Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and July 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• 60 Channing Rd., Saturday, July 25, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• 25 Elm St., Saturday, July 25, 9 a.m. to noon.

• 12 Franklin St., Saturday, July 25, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 27 Payson Rd., Sunday, July 26, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• 37 Springfield St., Saturday, July 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 57 Trapelo Rd., Saturday, July 25, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Meyer Conducts Chamber Concert Sunday at the Beech

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Nathaniel Meyer.

Belmont High School alumnus Nathaniel Meyer conducts the Athena Orchestra Chamber Players in a “Summer String Serenade” on Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. 

Meyer, a 2013 Yale graduate who concentrated in German Studies and Music, will lead the ensemble in the free concert featuring music by Mozart, Elgar, Sibelius, Bach and Tchaikovsky.

This marks the third time Meyer brings an orchestra to the Beech Street Center for a summer concert– he also presented a concert in December 2013 – having organized the Belmont Festival Orchestra in previous years.

An outstanding trumpet player in his own right, Meyer has dedicated his current activities towards conducting. A  student of Benjamin Zander, the long-time conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Meyer recently obtained his Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. 

At Yale, he conducted the school’s Amadeus Ensemble, Gilbert & Sullivan Society and the Yale Symphony Orchestra.

You’re Invited! New Underwood Pool Party Set for Aug. 8

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Invitation to Belmont’s big pool party,

You’re invited to Belmont’s biggest pool party of the year as the town celebrates the opening of the New Underwood Pool.

After years of planning, a debt exclusion vote and a last-minute fund raiser in September to save the original proposal, the $5.3 million two pool complex with a pair of buildings housing changing rooms, showers and restroom facilities will hold its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 8.

The ribbon cutting will take place at 1:30 p.m. with a community open house from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Belmont Recreation Department will be providing one-month single and family passes to the New Underwood. For more information, call the department at 617-993-2760.

Below is your official invite:

Screen Shot 2015-07-23 at 4.22.50 AM

Invitation

This Week: Bubbleology, OTAKUrabu and Movies for Kids and Teens

By Leave a Comment

Photo: “Bubbleology,” with Keith Michael Johnson.

On the government side of the week: 

  • The Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, July 21, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall where it will discuss a new house’s design at 1 Clark Lane and will review a series of plans required for the construction of Cushing Village. 
  • The Community Path Implementation Advisory Committee will be reviewing the challenges of placing a community path in Belmont on Wednesday, July 22, at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. 

• Summertime Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer run library, at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 21. 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.

• US Rep. Katherine Clark is holding office hours at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., on Tuesday, July 21, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Mary Poppins Sing-Along (with lyrics) will be the Noon movies for children on Tuesday, July 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library. 

• The Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., will present “Revere Beach Then & Now Slide Show” on Tuesday, July 21, at 1:15 p.m. The presentation will include more than 100 beautiful images of historic Revere Beach and its glorious past. Once again be thrilled to recall the special memories that we share of Rotherhams Red Indian popcorn, Moxie, Korr Bros. Frozen Custard, and, of course, Kelley’s Roast Beef. Many will also remember the wonderful Big Band music always heard at the dance halls of Revere Beach such as the Oceanview Ballroom, Ocean Pier, or the Frolic nightclub.

• In his show “Bubbleology,” Keith Michael Johnson will build beautiful creations out of bubbles with enthusiasm, humor and style in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library on Wednesday, July 22, at 2 p.m. One moment he will be encasing a dinosaur in a bubble and the next he’s encapsulating an audience volunteer! For kindergarteners to fourth grade.

• It is the final three concerts of the summer by the Music on the Hill (MOTH) students will be Wednesday through Friday, July 22-24, at 6:30 pm, at the Powers Music School, 404 Concord Ave. Wednesday and Thursday will be the MOTH Orchestra, with Jazz, Fiddle on Friday.

• The nation’s premier tribute to U2, The Joshua Tree, will once again grace the stage of the Payson Park Music Festival as this week’s featured artist beginning at 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, July 22, at Payson Park Playground at Payson Road and Elm Street.

• The Chillin’ With Villains Movie Series begins Tuesday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. with The Avengers (2012) at the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. 

• Musician Matt Heaton plays kid-friendly folk music and surf-inspired original songs on Thursday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. For ages 2 to 5.

• It’s OTAKUrabu at the Belmont Public Library. 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, July 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in the Assembly Room. Provided free, thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Just drop in, no registration required.

Superheroes on Film at the Library this Summer

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Ironman is coming to the Belmont Public Library next week, July 28.

This summer the Friends of the Belmont Public Library will use its superpowers to transform the library’s Assembly Room into a showcase for your favorite (mostly) Marvel heroes at the “Chillin’ With Villains Movie Series.”

For the next month, head to the library to enjoy freshly popped popcorn or a sweet snow cone and watch your favorite comics come to life.

The schedule is:

• Tuesday, July 21, 6:30 p.m.: The Avengers (2012) (PG-13) 142 min.

• Tuesday, July 28, 6:30 p.m.: Iron Man (2008) (PG-13) 125 min.

• Tuesday, August 4, 6:30 p.m.: Amazing Spiderman (2012) (PG-13) 136 min.

• Monday, August 10, 6:30 p.m.: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) (PG-13) 136 min

• Friday, August 21, 2 p.m.:  Dick Tracy (1990) (PG) 101 min.

Belmont Yard Sales, July 18 – 19

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Yard sales in Belmont.

Yard sales in the “Town of Homes.” 

• 9 Anis Rd., Saturday, July 18, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

• 17 Bow Rd., Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 12 Chester Rd., Saturday, July 18, noon to 2 p.m.

• 13 Davis St., Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• 72 Radcliffe Rd., Saturday, July 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Belmont Selectmen OK Special Town Meeting Date

By 1 Comment

Photo: Belmont Center reconstruction underway.

It’s official: the Belmont Board of Selectmen approved a Special Town Meeting for Thursday, Aug. 6, location to be determined (although strong hints have been dropped that it will likely be held in the air conditioned comfort of the Chenery Middle School.)

The votes, held at an early morning meeting at Town Hall on Thursday, July 16, was a foregone conclusion as the petitioners submitted more than 200 certified signatures from registered voters.

“We had no choice but to certify the warrant,” said Mark Paolillo, who along with Chair Sami Baghdady, voted to open and close the warrant, and to approve the language of the motion.

(Selectman Jim Williams is currently on vacation and could not cast a vote).

“It’s unfortunate that we as a community should be celebrating the revitalization of Belmont Center … it just seems that this is now an issue that has divided our town,” said Paolillo. 

The article calls for the selectmen to reverse its vote on May 28 approving significant changes to the design of the Belmont Center Reconstruction Project, the $2.8 million plan to improve traffic flow and upgrade the town’s main business district.

While construction on the site had begun, the Selectmen voted unanimously to approve changes submitted in a separate citizen’s petition by Lydia Ogilby of Washington Street who called for trees to be protected (they had been removed weeks before) and to restore parking and a cut through from Concord Avenue from Moore Street adjacent to the Belmont Savings Bank. 

The petitioners who called the Special Town Meeting said the Selectmen’s overstep its authority since the town’s legislative body approved a financial plan for the project at another Special Town Meeting last November with the original design blueprint – which included removing angled parking and the bypass which creating a larger town “Green” at the location. 

According to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman, under the town’s bylaws, amendments to the motion can be submitted to her office at least three business days before the Special meeting, which will be Monday, Aug. 3, at 4 p.m. 

A quorum of 101 Town Meeting members will need to show up for the up or down majority vote to take place. The vote is non-binding as Town Counsel George Hall considers the motion as “instructional,” in which Town Meeting is giving their opinion to the Selectmen, said Cushman.   

While voting to approve the meeting, Paolillo said “it is really unfortunate that [a Special Town Meeting] is taking place. It’s just a waste of money” – the Aug. 6 gathering will cost the town $5,000 – and it was a shame that a compromise plan could not have been agreed to by all sides of the issue.

But Baghdady noted that the May 28 vote itself was a compromise in which the board voted to approve design changes to assist elderly residents and ease traffic congestion.

“How do you compromise a compromise?” said Baghdady. 

Paolillo said the one point that bothers him is the process question, “but as far as changing the plan, I’m not accommodating that.” 

Baghdady said notice of the May 28 meeting was sent to Town Meeting members and the public via social media and email. 

“What more process could we have done?” he said.

Next week, the board will discuss and then vote whether to seek “favorable action” on the article.