Conners Retiring as Belmont Library Director

By Leave a Comment

“Everything has to come to an end, sometime,” wrote L. Frank Baum in “The Marvelous Land of Oz.” And on Halloween, Oct. 31, that “sometime” will occur at the Belmont Public Library as Maureen Conners, its long-serving director, will retire from the position she has held for nearly three decades. “I’m leaving before I turn into a pumpkin,” Conners told the Belmontonian on Monday, Aug. 18. Conners decision to turn in her library card was due in large part to the retirement of her husband from his job a year ago. “He has been saying that we should do things while we’re not ‘too old old’, and that sounded good to me,” the Medford-resident said. The Belmont Board of Library Trustees will discuss hiring a new director at its Tuesday, Aug. 19 meeting while the town has issued a job posting. Conners believe a new director could be named by mid-November. The salary range is $76,859 to $109,140 commensurate with experience and includes a full benefit package. Conners, a Cambridge-native who received a master’s in Library Science from Simmons College, has been at the helm of the library for the past 18 years, coming to the library from Watertown where she worked her way up from children’s librarian to assistant library director. Conners points to the introduction and use of technology as a significant accomplishment in her time at the library located on Concord Avenue. “When I got here, the computers were still in their boxes, waiting to be used,” said Conners, who also hired a technology librarian to allow the library to meet the need of a changing library clientele. The library has increased its digital services to include library-wide WiFi, tablets and e-books, computers for patrons and the introduction of Kindle and shared software. She is also responsible for establishing the Young Adults Room on the library’s main floor and the hiring of a young adult librarian to accommodate the needs of Middle and High School students. Conners said her greatest disappointment during her tenure was returning back to the state three separate grants from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners when the town would not approve either the spending for or location of a new library. “Hopefully, a new director will have more success,” said Conners.

Deconstruction of Belmont’s Clark House Begins

By Leave a Comment

The first step in the eventual deconstruction of the historic Thomas Clark House has begun with the removal of the upper-floor window sills and some interior work that took place in the past week.

One of the town’s oldest residential homes, the 254-year-old structure was the center of a nearly three-year long effort to preserve the pre-Revolutionary War era house after its original homestead on Common Street was sold to a developer in the summer of 2011. In the most dramatic act, the house was slowly moved down town streets to its current location on Concord Avenue near the White Field House in February 2012.

But supporters, including the deed holder Architectural Heritage Foundation and the Belmont Historic District Commission, could not find a suitable site to relocate the building. With costs to reinsure the building coming due, it was determined in July to “deconstruct” the structure.

Help Belmont’s Health Dept Survey Public Health Concerns

By 1 Comment

What are your public health concerns?

The Belmont Health Department is seeking residents input to an online survey to determine what community health education resources town citizens would like to come from the department. 

You can take the survey here or going to the Health Department’s web page. 

What’s Coming This Week: Ice Cream and a Mad Scientist at the Beech, Chef Gerry Returns Again

By Leave a Comment

• Another sign that summer is nearly over: the return of the Belmont Board of Selectmen! It is meeting on Monday, August 18 in Town Hall at a special early time of 6 p.m. On the agenda: an update on the storm water regs and a presentation for a Belmont Veterans Memorial project.

• Meet Belmont’s new school super as John Phelan holds a open house coffee for all residents at the School Administration building in the Town Hall Complex in Belmont Center on Monday, August 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

• Come to one of the final Summer Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library – at the corner of Oakley and Old Middlesex – on Tuesday, August 19, at 10:30 a.m. Story time will be hosted by summer intern Lenora Ellison or Denise Patnod for children ages 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must be present. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required.

• Chef Gerry is back! After making sushi, California rolls and other great food at Belmont Public Library, Belmont resident Gerry Connolly – a Cambridge School of Culinary Arts Professional Chef Program graduate with 20 years of experience as a personal chef and event caterer – is coming to make flat breads and dressings on Tuesday, August 19 at 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This event is free thanks to the generosity of Chef Gerry and the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Space is limited, so please sign up online or sign up by phone at 617-993-2870.

• The Belmont Public Library is providing one-on-one Digital Library Help on Tuesday, August 19, from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Wednesday, August 20 at 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Reference Room. Learn how to download eBooks from the library and set up a device. Get started with Zinio to read free digital magazines. E-mail and Internet basics, social media, or basic computer skills. Registration is required; register online or call 617-993-2870 to register by phone. Some services require downloading an app. Please come prepared with your Apple ID, Adobe ID, Amazon Account information, or other password and log in information for your device.

• Duplicate Bridge Club meets from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Beech Street Center at 266 Beech St. The club holds American Contact Bridge League-sanctioned games. All are welcome to play. Cost is $7. Phone: 339-223-6484 for more information.

• A genre party for the Belmont Public Library’s Children’s Summer Reading Program will take place in the Assembly Room on Wednesday, August 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• It’s an Ice Cream Social and Mad Science Extravaganza for all Belmont residents as the Beech Street Center welcomes back the Mad Scientist on Friday, August 22 beginning at 1:30 p.m. Children will be dazzled and entertained as they interact with the Mad Scientist, whose show includes foggy dry ice and demonstrations of floating beach balls in the air. He will unlock the mystery of how to get “Egg-bert” back into his house using suggestions from the audience. Ice cream will be served at 1:30 p.m. and the entertainment will begin at 2:30 p.m. Suggested donation: $1. Tickets are available for 160 people. reserve by calling 617-993-2970 or come by in person.

 

Time’s Running Short to Register in State Elections

By Leave a Comment

Here is information that will confirm that summer is nearly over: the biennial State Elections are just around the corner as Massachusetts voters this year will select several important statewide political officials including a new Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer along with members of Congress and the state legislature.

If you want to be part of the process, Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman is ready to register residents to vote in the Sept. 9 State Party Primary and the Nov. 4 General State elections.

Any Belmont resident who is 18 years or older and a citizen of the United States can register to vote.  In order to be eligible to vote in the upcoming elections, voter registration must be received or postmarked by the following dates:

  • Wednesday, Aug. 20 for the Sept. 9, for State Party Primaries.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 15 for the Nov. 4, for State General Election.

The Belmont Town Clerk’s office will be open until 8 p.m. on the deadline days.

Registered To Vote in Another Town

If you were a registered to vote in another town or state, you’ll need to register as a voter in Belmont in order to vote here.

Voter registration and changes to party affiliation, name or address (within Belmont) documents are available at the Town Clerk’s office in Belmont Town Hall, 455 Concord Ave. or online at the Town Clerk’s web pages.

Absentee Ballot Application

Forms for individuals who qualify to receive an absentee ballot due to absence from Belmont on Election Day or physical disability preventing the voter from going to the polling place or religious belief. A voter may request a ballot in writing to the Town Clerk but the request must include the voter’s signature.

Coffee Talk with Belmont’s New Schools Super This Monday

By Leave a Comment

A tip of the hat to Belmont resident and author of the Blogging Belmont website Paul Roberts for this information. Newly-installed Belmont School District Superintendent John Phelan has been holding coffees with residents through the summer with the next date on Monday, Aug. 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Conference Room in the School Administration building located in the Town Hall complex in Belmont Center.

Phelan, who has a quarter century of experience as a teacher, principal and an assistant superintendent in the Boston and Milton Public Schools, has been organizing the forums to hear from parents and community members to help get up to speed on the issues of concern to community members while formulating a plan for the district going forward.

If you can’t attend Monday’s coffee, more are expected to be scheduled in September. In addition, residents can make an appointment to meet with Phelan individually by calling Cathy Grant at 617-993-5401.

Day Late, 4 Guys in Tuxes to Perform Thursday Evening at Payson Park

By Leave a Comment

More a rain delay than a rainout, the concert by 4 Guys in Tuxes at the Payson Park Music Festival only had to be held back 24 hours wait as the lads will hold their performance this evening, Thursday, Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

The concert will take place at the Payson Park Playground at the corner of Payson Road and Elm Street.

Residents should know that dressing in their own tuxedos is strictly optional.

 

Solomon and Salmon Highlight Market Day in Belmont

By Leave a Comment

A Belmont musician from Zimbabwe and a new vendor are in the spotlight this week on Market Day in Belmont on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Belmont Farmers Market is held each Thursday, 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. through October. It’s located in the Belmont Center municipal parking lot at the corner of Channing Road and Cross Street.

Belmont’s own Solomon Murungu (Babawapepukai) will bring to life the culture, folklore and wisdom of the Shona people of Zimbabwe using the mbira, a musical instrument from southern Africa made of wood with staggered metal keys. Visitors are encouraged to join in and try the various mbira instruments on display.

On the shopping front, Farmers Market shoppers will get a chance to meet new vendor; Matt’s Amazing Smokehouse from Sudbury. Mike Baumann started his company last year in which he smokes fish “with a touch of class” using only local ingredients to offer a fresher, healthier, and tastier smoked fish. There is plenty of salmon (cajun, teriyaki, lemon dill and even salmon bacon!)  on his menu as well as smoked bluefish pate.

In season today is basil, beets, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, chard, cilantro, collards, cucumbers, garlic, kale, leeks, lettuce, mint, mizuna, parsley, peaches, peppers, scallions, summer squash, tomatoes, turnips, yu choi and zucchini.

Along with the regular vendors and Matt, occasional vendors this week are Bedford Blueberry Goat Farm, Sara Ran Away with the Spoon, Soluna Garden Farm and Turtle Creek Winery

The food truck will be Benny’s Crepe Cafe. Expect them around 3 p.m.

In the events tent:

  • 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Classical music by violinists Jocelyn Milton and Coleen Bennett.
  • 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Storytime with Denise Shaver of the Belmont Public Library.
  • 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Solomon Murungu.
  • 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Mystic String Quartet which consists of four local musicians; Karen Allendoerfer and Marianne Brown, violins; Ben Miller, viola; and Sandy Reismann, cello.

Stormy Wednesday for Belmont; Flash Flood Warning Issued

By Leave a Comment

It will be a stormy Wednesday for Belmont as heavy rain and thunderstorms cascade over eastern Massachusetts for the majority of the day, according to the National Weather Service.

A flash flood warning has already been issue from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Wednesday, Aug. 13 as there a good chance the region will see upwards of two inches of rain before the system clears after midnight on Thursday. Residents who live in low-lying areas should take care of the pending weather event.

The heaviest rain will arrive in the afternoon accompanied by thunderstorms after a period of fog in the morning.

Showers and thunderstorms will continue until midnight, then there will a chance of showers until it clears out for a sunny Thursday.