Shanah Tovah: Rosh Hashanah Begins Sunset Sunday

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Photo: Happy Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, begins at sunset (at 6:30 p.m.), Sunday, Sept. 30 and lasts until Tuesday evening, Oct. 2.

Rosh Hashanah – which in Hebrew translates to “head of the year” – is a time of inner renewal and divine atonement. It begins the the High Holidays culminating with Yom Kippur on Tuesday evening, Oct. 8. It is a time for observant people to acknowledge their sins of the previous year and are judged for their transgressions by God.

The holiday will affect after-school activities and athletic events in Belmont’s public schools. Under current district rules, teachers should be aware of the holiday when assigning homework and tests as some students will be attending religious services. 

Meals include apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year and at least one brisket dinner. Other traditions include participating in tashlich, Hebrew for “casting off” in which people go to a nearby body of water – Clay Pit Pond is a popular site – and throw in pieces of bread, which signifies the washing away of sin.

With $19M Of Red Ink To Drain, HS Building Committee Look To Designers/Builders For Fix

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Photo: William Lovallo, the chair of the Belmont Middle and High School Building committee, explaining the $19 million deficit in the project.

The first law of holes is when you find yourself in one, stop digging.

And this past week, the Belmont Middle and High School Building Committee did just that when it turned to the design team of Perkins+Will and general contractor Skanska USA to lead the process of filling a $19 million deficit at the $295 million construction project.

“We have heard loud and clear that a solution needs to be found,” said William Lovallo, the chair of the building committee.

According to Lovallo, the red ink has its origin in a “creep” in the project’s expenses and red hot real estate. The creep he spoke of is scope creep which refers to changes and continuous or uncontrolled growth in the project’s scope at any point after the project begins.

One example at the high school site: the expense of removing the soil dug up to allow the building of the high school wing.

“It turned out we needed to truck out a lot more dirt than expected,” said Lovallo.

Cost escalation is the second element, a result of Boston’s highly competitive construction sector as well as events outside the region that increase the cost of raw material and labor.

The plan to find the necessary savings was outlined by Tom Gatzunis of Daedalus, the committee’s owner project manager, who said the cuts would be found through value engineering which aims to identify and reduce unnecessary costs while maintaining or improving the value of the overall project.

This will be the second time the project will undergo a value engineering exercise as the committee spent two meetings in May ranking $30 million of construction expenses that either should or should not be cut due to worrying estimates that pre-production costs were beginning to spike.

But Lovallo admitted the committee missed “a golden opportunity” then, admitting the process was “rushed” over the two nights as the process became a showcase for a large number of residents focused on the project’s energy efficiency such as requiring solar arrays be a mandatory part of the development.

This time, the committee would leave the number crunching to the design and construction teams which have detailed familiarity of expenses and savings and have come to understand the committee’s core priorities which include keeping value within an educational program. It was unanimously approved by the committee at its August meeting.

“I like this approach,” said Belmont Superintendent John Phelan, approving of the collaboration between the three main players – the committee, designers and contractors – which will become “a team of one.”

The key areas of the project the team will focus on and the estimated target cost savings are:

  • the exterior ($3.5-$4 million),
  • the interior ($6.5-8 million),
  • the building systems ($2.5-$3.5 million),
  • the structure ($2-$3 million),
  • phasing and logistics ($.25-$.75 million)
  • and general conditions ($1-$1.5 million).

While the design and construction teams will present as a team a list of alterations to the building to cover the deficit, “It’s you at the end of the day which will approve or disapprove the changes,” said Gatzunis.

According to Brooke Trivas of Perkins+Will, some of the decisions the committee will need to make will be difficult “because there’s not a lot of fluff in this building.”

Last Wednesday, the team made its first stab at findings savings by tackling the interior with some encouraging results. Changes to the type of acoustic tiles on the ceilings of the high school corridors would save a little over a half of a million dollars while a different ceiling lighting fixture in the classrooms – producing the same amount of light with similar energy savings – would produce a “big number” of nearly $900,000 in cost reduction, according to Mike Morrison of Skanska.

But some changes were not considered by the committee as adding value to the building. When a suggestion to use a paint-like coating over drywall rather than tile in restrooms – which could save the project $950,000 -several educators on the committee and the town’s facilities director Steve Dorrance cautioned against this alteration.

“There will be 2,250 students using the restrooms everyday,” said Phelan, which will require a great deal of cleaning which tile floors and walls is the only practical surface to stand up to the repeated washings.

The cost reduction team and the committee will meet twice more – on Wednesday, Sept. 11 and Thursday, Sept. 19 – with presentations and final dollar estimates on the 19th.

Breaking: Man Hit, Killed By Commuter Rail Train At Brighton Street

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Photo: Commuter trains along the Fitchburg line at Belmont’s Brighton Street intersection.

An unidentified 21-year-old man was killed early Monday morning, Aug. 19, when he was hit by a commuter rail train as he attempted to cross the tracks at Brighton Street, according to Transit Police. It is unknown which hospital Belmont EMT took the man.

The incident occurred at 6:16 a.m., according to public safety officials at the scene. The Number 400 train, the first of the day inbound to Boston, is scheduled at the Belmont station at 6:13 a.m.

A dozen officials from the MBTA, Transit, Belmont and State Police, as well as Keolis Commuter Services which runs the commuter rail system for the MBTA, were at the scene collecting evidence. Just before 9 a.m., officials examined then took a bike away – along with a helmet and a carrying case – that was leaning up against a signpost.

The accident occurred on the MBTA right of way, which is under the control of Transit Police.

Today marks the fourth time in a little more than a decade a serious accident occurred at the Brighton Street crossing. A man was killed by a train in February 2009 and a woman seriously injured after her vehicle was caught between the gates in December 2016. In March 2018, a man in his 60s suffered life-threatening injuries after being hit late at night.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Pile Driving At High School Starts Tuesday, Aug. 20

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Photo: Pile driving set to start on Tuesday.

Get ready, Belmont. Beginning early next week, the neighbors living near the Belmont Middle and High School construction site will soon be listening to 10 hours a day of “the rockinest, rock-steady beat” of pile driving madness.

That’s the word from Skanska, the project’s general contractor, which announced the long awaited installation of the underpinnings of the new school’s foundation at the Belmont Middle and High School Building Committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13. The foundation will require a few hundred piles (essentially poles) to transfer the large building loads to the earth farther down from the surface.

According to Project Manager Mike Morrison, the pile driving team will be onsite by Friday, Aug. 16 with the actual installation of the first of the 80 foot piles beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

And the pounding will be a constant for residents and students for the next months. The steady beat of the drill pounding away on the site will run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

In addition, due to state regulations on the transportation of extremely long piles on highways, residents can expect deliveries traveling on town streets from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Just how long will the steady beat of piles being driven deep into the soil? Morrison would only say the work will continue “through the fall” with no specific end date.

And it will be loud. According to data from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the noise produced when the anvil strikes the strike plate on the pile can generate noise as much as 135 dB, which is somewhere between jackhammer and a jet engine. Even 200 feet from the source, the noise can reach 68 dB.

For some, the vibration and noise can be too much. On the website SeeClickFix.com, the pile driving conducted at the former Lane & Games bowling alley off of Route 2 in North Cambridge a year ago brought a torrid of complaints from Arlington and Cambridge residents.

“Like you, we’re pretty annoyed by hearing it start up every morning in the distance, like the Excedrin headache from @#$%,” wrote David S.

The work will begin close to the school than move outward towards Harris Field and the intersection of Concord Avenue and Goden Street. Prior to the work starting, owners of 43 of approximately 76 residential structures signed up to have the exterior of their properties examined.

John Phelan, Belmont Schools Superintendent, said he and Isaac Taylor, the High School’s new principal, will be on site when the pile driving begins to monitor the noise level. But he doesn’t believe the noise or vibration will affect learning as students are adept at attending classes with up to seven MBTA commuter trains rumble adjacent to the school.

Belmont Town Administrator Patrice Garvin said residents will be provided a heads up on the start of the job via the police department’s “reverse 911” system.

Underwood Pool Patrons: It’ll Be Crowded This Weekend, So Here’s Some Rules To Know

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Photo: Open for the crowds

With the expected weather forecast for this weekend calling for record heat, the Belmont Recreation Department is anticipating a high volume of users at the Underwood Pool at the corner of Cottage and Concord.

Following state code, the pool may not exceed 275 swimmers in the water at any given time. In the event that maximum capacity is reached, the lifeguards will need to rotate groups in and out of the water in 15-minute intervals to ensure compliance with the law. 

In addition, if the pool reaches capacity, the pool staff may need to limit the sale of single entry day passes.  

The department also wants to remind patrons of some key rules to know so to enjoy this town resource: 

  • Showers: A cleansing shower is required before entering the pool. Please apply sunscreen 30 minutes before entering the pool.  Sunscreen applied right before entry will wash off and impact water quality.  
  • Storm Related Closing: Upon hearing thunder or observing lightning, the pool will be closed immediately.  The pool will remain closed for one hour after the last sighting of lightning or last sounds of thunder.  
  • Membership Tags: As a reminder, membership tags are required for entry to the pool. If you do not have tags, you must show ID to the front desk staff to gain entry.  

Summer Recess Begins Monday At Belmont Public Schools

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Photo: Final walk out of the Wellington.

The unofficial start of summer begins today, Monday, June 17 as Belmont marks the final day of the 2018-19 public school year.

Students won’t be spending the entire day in class as it is an early release for all grades.

Belmont High School: 10:30 a.m.

Chenery Middle School: 11 a.m.

Burbank, Butler and Wellington elementary schools: 11:40 a.m.

Winn Brook: 11:50 a.m.

Some of the elementary schools will have a final walk out of school of the 4th grade students who will be heading to the Chenery Middle School in the fall.

While school is officially “out” for summer recess, there is one final student event taking place: On Saturday, June 22, Belmont High’s boys’ and girls’ rugby squads will complete in the MIAA Division 1 state championships at Curry College in Milton.

And for parents anxious for a return to normalcy, the 2019-2020 school year for 1-12 grades will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 4, with a half day. Kindergarten students will be starting either on Sept. 5 or 6 for a half day.

Groundbreaking For The Belmont Middle and High School, Tuesday, May 28

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Photo: Belmont Middle and High School in 2023.

After more than a decade of planning, applications, the largest debt exclusion vote in town history and dozens and dozens of public meetings, the inaugural step in the construction of Belmont’s newest school will take place the day after Memorial Day when the Belmont High School Building Committee hosts the groundbreaking ceremony for the Belmont Middle and High School at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28 at Belmont High School, 221 Concord Ave.

Finally! Four Votes To Decide Moderator To Have Single Year Terms

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Photo: The view from the moderator’s stand.

If the second time is “lucky” and a third “the charm,” what’s the idiom for a fourth vote on the same article at Town Meeting?

Whatever word you want to use, the marathon debate around a seeming inconsequential request to increase the term of the Town Moderator from one to three years ended a few minutes before 11 p.m. when Town Meeting defeated the article for the third time in four tries by a healthy margin on Monday, May 6.

The debate Monday from a town government’s perspective is whether lengthening the term “would create a more effective way for town government [to be run],” said Mark Paolillo, who stepped into the moderator’s chair when Widmer recused himself from the position.

Speaking before the body, Widmer repeated his comments from last week his reasons for bringing forth the article; principally a yes vote would bring the moderator’s position in sync with the three-year terms of other town offices (such as treasurer and town clerk) and town meeting. Today, about half of the communities in Massachusetts have moderators serving three years.

Widmer also commented on the moderator position in town government as a number of members after the first votes on the article felt they knew little of the power it wields.

The most significant role the moderator plays is selecting members of 4 – the warrant, capital budget, permanent building advisory, and bylaw review – of the 30 permanent town committees as well as the numerous building committees in town, said Widmer, who noted this function secures a separation of powers between the Town Meeting and town government.

“All of these are legislative committees and I appoint these … on your behalf,” said Widmer, noting this prevents the town’s administration from having undue influence over the committees.

When appointing the committee members, Widmer said he goes through a comprehensive “checks and balances” process – including asking for volunteers, takings recommendations, speaking to the boards and conducting interviews – “that serves Town Meeting and the town.”

“My hope is simply that ultimately [the discussion] results in an informed discussion and debate,” said Widmer.

The theme whether the moderator has too much power as to trust that it would not be abused by a future office holder.

Elizabeth Dionne, Pct. 2, a member of the Warrant Committee who was selected to the board by Widmer, pointed out “the Board of Selectmen actually does have real power. If we are comfortable with three-year terms for the Board … we should be comfortable with a three-year term for the moderator who has far less power.”

Claus Becker, Pct. 5, said there is an assumption by supporters of the three-year term that the moderator will be a rational person when many examples of leaders on the “national scene” provide examples of those who are willing to “set things on fire and let them burn.” The 50 signature floor to get on the ballot is not a stumbling block for nearly anyone who is willing to take on the position.

Anne Marie Mahoney, Pct. 1, who has been a member of several committees over the years, said a moderator’s appointment to the Capital Budget Committee which she chair’s “will never control [it]” since he has only three selections to the seven-member board. But those three moderator appointees “are the check and balances” to the other members who come from the administrative side of town government.”

“A one-year moderator potentially could appoint many ill-suited folks to these committees and be gone in a year with very little accountability. A three-year moderator has to take the responsibility and the heat for at least three years in his or her appointment,” said Mahoney, who said a vote for a three year term was “for accountability and not power.”

Alex van Geel, Pct. 7, said committees and boards with multiple members have the ability to check the actions of “that worse person” in the group, which is unavailable when discussing an individual with legislative powers on a single person body.

When the (third) vote on the article is taken, it went down to defeated, 141-82. A roll call request was requested and the fourth, and final, vote came home at 139-79 against. 

Belmont Fast: 37 Residents Complete BAA Marathon

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Photo: The finish line of the BAA Marathon.

There are some fast neighbors in Belmont as 37 residents completed the 122nd BAA Marathon on a warm and wet Patriots’ Day on Monday, April 16.

They joined a capacity 32,500 runners who traveled the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston on the historic course of the world’s oldest marathon.

This year, three Belmont men broke three hours with 28-year-old Daron Holloway taking the top spot with a 2 hour, 52 minutes and three seconds, a six minute, 34 second per mile pace which placed him 1,285th. Lauren Phillips, 34, ran a stellar 3:09:25 for 430th place among female participants.

Also running yesterday was a chair of a Belmont committee (Russell Leino, Community Path, with the second fastest Belmont male time), a Nobel Prize winner (Wolfgang Ketterle) and a coach (Melissa Hart, Belmont High Girls’ Basketball).

Daron Holloway28 2:52:03
Russell Leino36 2:54:17
Martin Kronbuegel 42 2:58:32
Alfons Marquez47 3:04:14
Lauren Phillips34 3:09:25
David Marchefka35 3:25:42
Laurie Nahigian 48 3:29:59
Becca Pizzi39 3:31:44
Lynton Karfor40 3:36:20
Wolfgang Ketterle 61 3:36:28
Jeff Roth45 3:40:25
Sarah Poplawski 41 3:42:03
Konstantin Tyurin 51 3:45:18
Scott Dedeo38 3:45:18
Rachid Belhocine59 3:48:53
Michael Ascione 47 3:49:03
Julie Kellett 34 3:50:40
Katie Brace42 3:54:20
Michael Thomas52 4:08:21
Christine Bowe32 4:14:19
Ed Amer49 4:19:05
Satomi Kato
53 4:22:52
Alice Rushforth 57 4:36:00
Richard Newton30 4:41:51
Sarkis Chekijian 45 4:46:01
Young-Jin Cho45 4:46:58
Paul Firth51 4:51:05
Melissa Hart51 4:56:16
Lisa Engler41 5:01:02
Jennifer Knight41 5:19:55
Chris Hiserman40 5:23:24
Kaela Hale19 5:27:06
Peter Walker44 5:27:20
Kelly Chiu46 5:28:34
Kai Saukkonen 56 5:31:47
Alexandra Cellucci23 5:53:31
Awinja Otiato50 6:00:04

Last Day Of School In Belmont Is … A Monday (Ugh!)

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All it took was a single snow day for last classes at Belmont’s six public schools to be dragged over a weekend.

Belmont School Superintendent John Phelan announced at the School Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April 9, the definitive final day of the 2018-2019 school year, no matter what weather related event – June snowstorm, a rain of frogs, – occurs over the next two months.

Naming the final day is, in fact, a state requirement per the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and has to be done in April. At the beginning of the school year, districts schedule 185 school days but only operate 180 of them during a school year.

With this year being “good year” in terms of snow days, Phelan declared Monday, June 17, as the official “school’s out” day in Belmont. If it hadn’t been for the “day off,” the year would have ended on Friday, June 14, sparing children from having to spend an almost summer weekend preparing for another trip to school.

At least that Monday will be a half day for students; not so for staff and educators.