‘Farewell and thank you, Belmont’ – Town Meeting Member Bids Adieu

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Dear Precinct 1 Belmontians:

Thank you for the opportunity to serve on Town Meeting these past three years. I’m grateful to have worked with such intelligent and committed public servants, and for the tireless work and dedication of everyone who contributes to our town — and I’m proud of what we accomplished these past three years. I am graduating from college this May and may soon be moving out of Belmont, so I am not running for re-election.

I look back on the victories — whether it be the moment we stood up for undocumented immigrants with the overwhelming passage of the Welcoming Town resolution, the many votes we took to turn the new Belmont High from concept into reality, and smaller victories such as whenever Don Mercier moves a question. I’m proud to be born and raised Belmontian, and I’m grateful to have worked with such committed and passionate community servants to play a small role in moving our town forward.

Reflecting on the past three years as a Town Meeting Member, and my time involved in this community since childhood, I am proud of the direction our town has gone: From the corruption of the Monahan days to an increasingly diverse and forward-thinking town government, from underfunding our schools when I was in Chenery to 76% of voters approving the new Belmont High last fall.

Splitting this Town Meeting term between my teens and my twenties, I’m grateful to only once have had a Selectman mistake me for a custodian and tell me to throw out his trash. But in all seriousness, I’m glad to have brought a youth perspective to the table, whether in conversations regarding the future of Belmont schools, immigrant protections, affordable housing, or environmental policies — young voices form a perspective that’s needed now, more than ever, in our town and in our country, and I hope that Belmont expands opportunities for students to engage in local advocacy and town government.

I’d like to thank my Belmont Public School teachers from kindergarten through 12th grade. Their tireless work and dedication was fundamental in building my desire to engage in advocacy and public service, and in driving me to where I am today. I am proud to be part of a community that values and invests in its public schools.

I want to recognize the Belmontians who are no longer with us, but who mentored and shaped me growing up. I first met Dan Scharfman when he knocked on my door while running for School Committee when I was in 7th grade. No one had ever cared what I thought, but he took the time to ask and to listen — and in doing so, inspired me to start engaging in advocacy around town. That year, when my teachers were at risk of being laid off, I wrote a cringeworthy but well-intentioned Citizen-Herald op-ed about the 2010 override and held signs outside Precinct 1’s polling place for the first time. I would also like to thank Trish Lohmar, who mentored me about progressive advocacy and civic action as I grew up. I’m inspired by the dedication of Dan and Trish to bettering the Belmont community, and more importantly for being incredible welcoming and supportive people.

There have also been harder moments. When I was canvassing during my campaign for Town Meeting, a person first said they would vote for me, then asked me if I am Jewish, and then told me they would probably not vote for me because of my religion. That interaction demonstrates the importance of staying vigilant for antisemitism and other forms of prejudice and white supremacy in our community. Addressing complaints as a member of the Belmont Human Rights Commission and answering the civil rights complaint hotline for Attorney General Healey’s office provided reminders that antisemitism and racism are more common in our community than most people realize, and must be fought accordingly.

I said this when I first ran for Town Meeting, and it is still just as true as I finish my term: Never be satisfied with the status quo. Question, innovate, and embrace bold ideas. These past few years have reinforced my belief in the importance of never listening to the tired arguments that “Belmont isn’t ready” or “it’s too difficult” or “it’s too controversial, people will be angry.” I’ll be the first to acknowledge the many issues facing our town — but local government has reminded me to never be deterred by entrenched institutions. Particularly in the Trump era, local government has enormous power to lead the way, stand up for our values, and fight for justice and progress.

Belmont’s successes leave gaps that must be addressed by thinking big and acting bold. With federal inaction and a state legislature that has failed consistently to pass adequate climate legislation, it’s up to local government to lead the way on addressing the climate crisis by adhering to and expanding on the emission reductions in the Belmont Climate Action Plan. Watertown, for instance, just became the first city to mandate solar panels on all new commercial buildings. Belmont could send a bold message of climate leadership by being the second. We must face the reality that single family zoning in affluent suburbs like Belmont has consistently facilitated socioeconomic inequality and racial disparity, and contributes to the region’s affordable housing crisis. We must support lower-income residents by continuing to build safeguards for those who cannot afford the increasing tax burden, and ensuring adequate affordable housing through zoning reform to allow for increased density. We must increase awareness of issues of racial justice and immigrant justice in a relatively homogenous environment that is conducive to facilitating ignorance about race and inequity. To grow and strengthen our town, it’s important to face these hard truths by acknowledging and then tackling them head on.

There’s a lot of work to do, but I’m confident that we have a strong group of Town Meeting Members and a strong Selectboard, and I look forward to both bodies continuing to become more forward-thinking, diverse and representative of our community in the coming years. The choices on April 2nd are clear.

And to Belmont’s students and young people: this is your town, too. Raise your voices, demand they be heard, and ensure that our generation has a seat at the table. Get involved in town government and advocacy. Run for office. Not only do your voices matter, it’s critical that your voices are heard and elevated in decisions on town and school policy.

It has been my honor to serve Precinct 1 in Town Meeting these past three years, and to be part of the Belmont community while growing up. One thing is certain: I’ll always be grateful for everything I’ve learned from our town community these past 21 years, and I will fight for racial justice, economic justice, environmental justice, and education justice wherever I end up.

Thank you, Precinct 1, for the opportunity to serve you these past three years. Thank you, Belmont.

Daniel Vernick

Town Meeting Member – Precinct 1

Belmont Girls’ Lax Ride The Wave To Thrilling OT Win In Season Opener

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Photo: Belmont’s Jordan Coppolo (#4) scoring the winning goal in OT vs Billerica.

As the team was heading out onto the Harris Field turf for sudden death overtime, Belmont High Girls’ Head Coach Kathryn Anaian called out to them: “Ride the wave!” 

Anaian was speaking about the momentum the team created in the second half of its game against Billerica Memorial High School in the season opener on March 28. After trailing 11-7 at the half, the Marauders’ held Billerica to just a pair of goals while scoring six second-half tallies that resulted in the extra frame.

“[Junior midfielder Carolyn] Findlay made a great comment at halftime. Let’s get the momentum, let’s fire everyone up and ride that wave. And we actually did it,” said Anaian. 

Riding high on that crest was a pair of sophomores who were critical in the unfolding contest. After tying the game with a little more than a minute to play in the game, goalie Kendall Whalen produced a stellar one-on-one save with 8 seconds to play, one of seven she registered in the game to keep the game squared at 13.

It would come down to Belmont’s most dangerous attack forward Jordan Coppolo (4 goals) to make the play of the game after receiving a pass from Marauder All-Star Findlay (6 goals, 2 assists). Rushing into the slot, Coppolo would gather the ball between four Billerica defenders and score on a shot high in the net to secure an exciting come-from-behind victory.

“We needed this first win as a [starting] point and we got it,” said Anaian. “If this is our starting point, I’m happy.”

Belmont came out strong to open the game, scoring three times in the first five minutes by dominating ground balls and faceoffs. While the defense was playing an aggressive style against Billerica’s attackers, the Marauders found themselves behind 11-5 before two late goals from Findlay and Coppolo allowed for some hope of a comeback at the half.

“We have a ton to work on but I can’t coach heart and I can’t coach work ethic. And I have a team where everyone is all in. And for that reason alone, we will be successful,” said Anaian.

New Selectmen Lineup As Epstein Joins The Team [VIDEO]

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Photo: Belmont’s new Board of Selectmen’s lineup (from left): Adam Dash, Chair Tom Caputo and Roy Epstein. 

The Belmont Board of Selectmen’s early morning meeting on Wednesday, April 3 was short and to the point: Welcome aboard Roy Epstein the newest member of Belmont’s governing crew and then shuffle the deck chairs.

But first, as with all newly elected officials, Epstein, who won a razor-thin victory over Jessie Bennett at Tuesday’s annual Town Election, was given the town oath by Town Clerk Ellen Cushman and sign his name into the town register.

Upstairs in the Board of Selectmen’s Room, the newly constituted board elected Tom Caputo as the next chair of the selectmen for the coming board cycle which runs until the 2020 town election. Former Chair Adam Dash will be the vice chair. 

BREAKING: Epstein Takes Selectman Seat; Prestwich, Checkoway Top School; Page On Housing

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Photo: Cassandra Page (right) hugs Charles Laverty III as the newly elected member of the Housing Authority celebrates her popular victory.

In a battle between Belmont’s progressive community and the town’s establishment wing, Warrant Committee Chair Roy Epstein prevailed over newcomer Jessie Bennett to fill the seat of retiring selectman Mark Paolillo in a tight race in the 2019 Belmont Town Election held on Tuesday, April 2.

Epstein was able to parlay a long history of experience as a member of numerous town boards and committees to the win over Bennett garnering 2,573  votes (final totals will be certified by the state) from the town’s eight precincts, a razor thin 128 vote majority over Bennett. Epstein’s win was secured with lopsided majorities in two precincts – Belmont Hill’s Precinct 2 (a two-to-one win, 442-208) and Winn Brook’s Precinct 8 (446-308) – to offset Bennett’s wide support winning six of the town’s eight precincts.

Trailing the field was newcomer Tim Flood who came in third with 128 votes.

In the race for Belmont School Committee, incumbent Andrea Prestwich will retain her seat for a full three-year term coming in with 2,975 votes, joining first-time candidate Amy Checkoway who took the second three-year seat available this year with 3,105 votes. Peter Pantazapolous (1,417 votes) came in third in the three-person race. 

Micheal Crowley ran unopposed to take the one-year term seat on the School Committee.

In a race for a five-year seat on the Belmont Housing Committee, Belmont Village resident Cassandra Page defeated incumbent Tomi Olsen, 2,422 to 2,034. An anxious Page arrived at Town Hall to hear the results called by Assistant Town Clerk Meg Piccione outside the Board of Selectmen’s Room. When her victory was confirmed, Page – a popular first time candidate who ran on improving the lives of her fellow residents – received countless handshakes and hugs from supporters, observers such as Paolillo who came to see if he won a seat on Town Meeting (he did) and total strangers. 

“Oh my God. This is so not real,” an overjoyed Page said to Charles Laverty III (who was newly re-elected on the Board of Assessors) who is a now fellow housing board member. 

Long Time Wayland Educator Selected As Next Wellington Principal

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Photo: Dr. Heidi Paisner-Roffman (YouTube)

The Wellington Elementry School has its principal as Dr. Heidi Paisner-Roffman accepted an offer with the Belmont School District, according to a district press release on April 1.

Final Say: Cassandra Page, Belmont Housing Authority

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Photo:

I am Cassandra Page and I am running for Belmont Housing Authority. I am a lifelong resident of Belmont, and 30 year resident of Belmont Village.

I am a proud single mother of three beautiful children: Faith, Jacob and Christopher. I am running so that I can help create a better relationship between the BHA and the tenants. Through those relationships we can better the facilities and the character of the communities governed by the BHA.

When I was younger the Village was a much different place than it is today. When the village opened in 1950 it welcomed veterans and their families, giving them an affordable place to call home. There was a strong tie to our police department, everyone knew each other and we had large kickball games, water fights and cookouts. We weren’t just a community, we were family.

My goal is to rebuild these relationships not just between the tenant, but with the office staff, the board, and Belmont as a whole. I believe that working together we can restore the vibrant neighborhood I grew up in. Tenants need to be heard so that respect can grow on both sides. I hold a relationship and understanding of tenants no one else has. I can help them contribute not only in the decision making processes relating to our homes but also to bettering ourselves so eventually we will no longer need to rely on public housing. I want to build a better environment to pass on to the next generation of those in need, who may not otherwise have an opportunity to live here in Belmont.

The responsibility of the board is to oversee all financial aspects, programs, general maintenance and major projects by working with the director of the housing authority, while following DHCD guidelines, state laws and town bylaws. The BHA board is a bridge to better communication, not only with the office staff but with the tenants. Our low-income Developments for Veterans, Elderly, Disabled and Families deserve a place to call HOME.

Not only will I add tenant perspective to the board, I have made it my goal to learn my responsibilities. I have attended multiple meetings since starting this journey; even ones not directly related to the BHA. I am certain that I am prepared to take on this role and adapt it to needs of the town and tenants.

Some people might question my ability to tackle problems that the BHA might face, but I have been through more challenges in my life than the average person could even fathom, and I’m still standing; I am a survivor. I have always found a way through adversity with very little resources.

This experience has taught me so much about our community, government and myself. I feel truly blessed to have had this experience. I have met so many people through this process and their kindness has been invaluable. I want to thank everyone that has placed my sign in their yard, donated to my campaign, held a sign, and shown up to support me at meetings. So many people have encouraged me and given me their support privately including many tenants that are afraid to add their names to the list below of people who wish to endorse me publicly.

  • Natasha Vazquez
  • Linda Levin
  • Bonnie Friedman
  • Ellen Sugarman and Paul Rickter
  • Jack Weis
  • Emma Thurston
  • Loriann Hazel
  • Peter Smilak
  • Sandi McKinley
  • Julie Crockett
  • April Edrington
  • Laura Caputo
  • Cosmo and Keri Macero
  • Jessica and Nick Hausman
  • Cabell and Curtis Eames
  • Claire Holmes
  • Anne and Fred Paulsen
  • Rose O’Neil
  • Arty Marchetta
  • Daniel Cohen
  • Amy Checkoway
  • Paul Roberts and Lisa Starobin
  • Sundi Eleni
  • Carina Jasmine Hernandez-Wigfall
  • Libby Fallon Weintraub
  • Jenn Spencer
  • Jennifer Sheehan
  • Rose Marie Carlson
  • Roger and Roberta Wrubel
  • Anne Stuart
  • Paul Santos
  • Mary Ries
  • Claudia Flett
  • Erin and Ogden Sawyer

Since I began this journey, I have seen my neighbors start to come together as a community. I am confident that if I am elected to the Belmont Housing Authority I will be able to amp up this momentum and see the Belmont Village and all the Belmont Housing Authority properties become the vibrant communities they are meant to be.

I ask you to vote for me, Cassandra Page, for the Belmont Housing Authority on April 2nd and help me turn the PAGE to a better community!

Final Say: Jessie Bennett, Board Of Selectmen

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Photo: Jessie Bennett (photo from http://www.bennettforbelmont.com)

I am inspired by you.

You have shared so much with me these last few months: your hopes for your children or your retirement; your excitement, and nervousness, about the educational opportunities brought by the new 7-12 school; your determination to address our climate goals, cost of housing, business climate, traffic congestion, and pedestrian safety; your passion for the gathering places that define our town – the library, rink, and soon, community path.

You are what I love about Belmont.

So let’s do something bold. Let’s bring us all together. Let’s bring our combined skills, experiences, points of view. And let’s work like crazy until we get things done.

That’s what I do. I’ve spent my entire professional life joining and leading teams – in banking and non-profits, marketing and communications. I’ve spent nearly a decade in Belmont organizations – from town government to school-related non-profits to citizen groups – collaborating and leading people to accomplish big goals.

At this moment in time, Belmont needs a leader. Not an analyst, not a manager – we have those on staff. We need a Selectwoman who talks to residents, studies every angle of the issues, and values the advice of town departments and committees.

We need a leader who strikes the right balance and keeps us all in mind when tough decisions are made.

This is my promise: I am here to serve you, and I will never forget that it’s not about me – it’s about us.

I hope you will join me in creating the future of our town, and I humbly ask for your vote on April 2.

Letter To The Editor: Vote Roy Epstein, For A Shared Vision

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Photo: (from left) Elizabeth Dionne, Roy Epstein, Lisa Gibalerio

To the editor:

We are two Belmont women who are voting for Roy Epstein for Selectman on Tuesday because we believe in a vision for our town that is shared by both of the major candidates.

Look at the platforms of the candidates — check out their websites. Each wants successful building projects, awesome schools, diversity and transparency, safe roads and sidewalks, less traffic, environmental progress, affordable senior housing, a community path, and sustainable budgets.

We want that too! It’s a vision shared by many people in our community. (It’s funny that there is such heated debate on social media—the candidates basically agree!)

We bet you agree with these laudable goals as well.

Since we all agree on the goals, the question really becomes: what’s the best way to reach these goals? Which candidate is best equipped to help us move forward toward accomplishing these goals?

Here the answer is clear: Roy Epstein.

Roy has a decade of experience working through all the ins-and-outs of a complex town structure (regulations, by-laws, arcane procedures, etc.). He has also accomplished things that no one else even thought of: the DPW/Police Station renovation, the Flanders Road electrical substation siting, and so on. To anyone who knows the town’s recent history, Roy’s accomplishments are staggering.

We are first-hand witnesses, we have watched Roy in action. While others sit in meetings, pontificating about “the best path forward,” Roy quietly takes out a ruler and a pencil and visits the sites at issue. Where others might skip down to the summaries, Roy pores over the budgets line by line. Roy investigates, he looks deeply. He’s the Sherlock Holmes of town government: he not only solves the case, but his process is brilliant, and his conclusion is beyond what anyone was considering.

The other major candidate is certainly accomplished, and we appreciate her many contributions to Belmont, but her field, her experience, is in communications and marketing—not governance, not finance. With a $295 million school underway, many other capital projects ramping up, and a fiscal storm the likes of which we haven’t seen in years about to hit the town, we need the person with the most profound financial skills and the deepest relevant town experience sitting in the driver’s seat. That means Roy.

So, precisely because we share this vision, because we want that common vision of a thriving Belmont to come to fruition, we’re voting for Roy!

We hope you will too. Thanks!

Lisa Gibalerio, Campaign Chair; Elizabeth Dionne, Campaign Treasurer

Committee to Elect Roy Epstein

Letter To The Editor: Bennett Will Be ‘A Tremendous Asset’ To Selectmen

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Photo: Jessie Bennett (photo from http://www.bennettforbelmont.com/about-jessie/)

To the editor:

I’m writing to express my enthusiastic support for Select Board candidate Jessie Bennett. Having worked with Jessie on many projects around town, I am continually impressed by her level of commitment and experience, her ability to build consensus, her outstanding people skills, and her financial pragmatism. She is a tremendous listener and actively seeks out opinions and perspective from others, particularly those who may not always feel heard.

She is a frequent attendee at Belmont High School Building Committee meetings, traffic meetings, Planning Board meetings, Business Study meetings, Selectmen meetings, and likely countless others that I’m not there to witness (and attended these before she decided to run for the Select Board). She is dedicated to pedestrian safety/safe streets and traffic calming, senior services, affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and is a well-known champion for our exceptional education system. I’ve seen firsthand the work that she’s put into these issues and know that she will bring that tireless energy and perspective to the Select Board table.

Jessie was instrumental in getting the high school project passed, and I’m confident that she will be a key player in the success of the project going forward. Her experience in leadership, collaboration, and financial matters will be a tremendous asset to our Select Board. I look forward to voting for her on April 2.

Remember, local elections matter – please take a few minutes to learn about each candidate across all races, and show up on Tuesday!

Emma Thurston
Baker Street
Precinct 1 Town Meeting Member

Final Say: Micheal Crowley, Belmont School Committee (One Year Seat)

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Photo: Micheal Crowley, Belmont School Committee (one year) (photo credit: Belmont Media Center)

I’m running for School Committee because I believe that our kids deserve the best education that Belmont can provide. This is why I was involved in the Yes for Belmont campaign for the new 7-12 school, which will dramatically improve our school system.

We need strong oversight to make sure that this almost $300 million school is a success from the moment construction begins. It has to meet the needs of our kids and their kids, too. I want to make sure that we get our money’s worth from this project because so much depends on it.

Apart from the need for the new 7-12 school, we have an excellent school system and a supportive community. That’s a great place to be. But I also think there are plenty of other issues to stay focused on. Here are just a few:

  • Class Sizes. Increasing enrollments have put pressure on class sizes for several years. Class sizes for many of our grades are well beyond what they should be. The new school is part of the solution because it helps solve our space needs. We also need to invest in additional teachers and staff if we’re going to continue making progress.
  • School Fees. Like many area school districts, we’ve implemented fees for music programs, athletics, and transportation, and fees are here to stay. But I think it’s worth reviewing our fees and waiver criteria periodically to make sure that we’re not turning away any kids from activities because of affordability.
  • After School Care. So many Belmont families depend on after school care. Availability of after-school care has improved during the last year, but the School Committee can be part of a town-wide conversation to make sure that we have enough—and that it’s affordable.
  • Vocational Education. We still don’t have a long term plan for vocational education since Belmont voted to exit the Minuteman District in 2016. Fixing this isn’t something we can ignore.

These are some of the issues I’m thinking about. As someone who believes that all community voices deserve to be heard, I’m interested in the concerns of parents and other Belmont community members, too.

I’ve been a Town Meeting Member and a Member of the Warrant Committee since 2016. So, I’m familiar with many of the critical issues we face in our schools, including those involving budget and finance. I also have more than 20 years of budget and finance experience with the White House Office of Management and Budget. This kind of experience can be a real asset to the School Committee as it grapples with future funding issues.

I live in Belmont with my wife and 17-year old son. We really appreciate being a part of this community. As a potential School Committee Member, I’m committed to ensuring that our schools continue to meet the needs of our children.