Belmont High Football Salutes Retiring Police Chief In Season Opener

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Photo: James MacIsaac, Belmont Police Chief and Head Coach of the Belmont Junior Marauders

Belmont High School football will honor retiring Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac before the Middlesex League season opener on Thursday, according to Belmont High School Athletic Director Adam Pritchard.

While mostly known for this more than quarter century career in public safety, the life-long Belmont resident is instrumental in promoting football by establishing the Belmont Junior Marauders football club, recuiting Belmont Middle School students – both boys and girls – to learn and play games against opponants throughout eastern Massachusetts.

The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4 at Harris Field. The Belmont High football team will get its season underway at 7 p.m. against Waltham High School.

What’s Open, Close On Labor Day; Trash Pick Up Delayed A Day

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Photo: In 1999, the US Postal Service issued a stamp of Rosie the Riveter, the labor icon (credit: USPS)

With Belmont and regional schools set to open their doors this week, Labor Day, held this year on Monday, Sept. 1, ends the last big getaway weekend of the summer.

Trash and recycling collection is delayed ONE DAY due to the holiday: If your pickup day is Monday, this week it will be collected on Tuesday, etc.

The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. 

Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states. After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day in 1887. During that year, Massachusetts joined four other states passing laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

Boston will be holding its first Labor Day Parade in downtown Boston on Monday, Sept. 1 at 9:30 a.m.

Labor Day is one of ten holidays recognized by the federal government, although the feds don’t require employers to pay workers for this holiday. Businesses traditionally provide their employees with a paid holiday as part of a benefits package because most others do the same.

Closed:

Belmont Town offices, Belmont Public Library at both the Beech Street Center and the Benton Library, and Belmont Light are closed.

• US Postal Service offices and regular deliveries.

• Banks; although some branches will be open in some supermarkets.

• MBTA: Operating on a Sunday schedule. See www.mbta.com for details.

What’s Opened:

• Retail stores

• Coffee shops; Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts are open.

• Supermarkets

• Convenience stores and,

• Establishments that sell beer and wine are also allowed to be open.

Belmont Fire Chief DeStefano Earns Merit Bump, Contract Extended To 2028

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Photo: Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano

The Belmont Select Board approved a two percent merit pay increase to Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano as part of his annual performance review at its Aug. 25 meeting. The board also extended DeStefano’s contract for an additional year to 2028. DeStefano’s salary as of October 2024 is $168,642.79.

I just like to thank the Select Board for their past support,” said DeStefano. “I look forward to working with [the Select Board] continuing in the future, [with] the town administrator and town staff as well.”

DeStefano began his career in 1989 at the North Providence (R.I.) Fire Department, becoming Belmont’s top firefighter in March 2021.

Before the board’s vote, Belmont Human Resources Director Kelli King discussed the results of DeStefano’s performance review, collated from comments by the Board and Patrice Garvin, the town administrator. In what she called a “little executive summary, the overall assessment is that [DeStefano] provides a steady professional leadership during a period of fiscal constraints and staffing challenges.”

“The theme amongst all of your comments is that the chief is a strong leader. He has great financial discipline, great financial aptitude in working within the constraints of the budget. He’s very active in engaging with the community, and he’s working on deepening the relationships internal to the department, and … being open to constructive feedback and willing to make changes, something that’s hard for a lot of other folks to do,” said King.

“He has strengthened the Fire Department through fiscal discipline, long term planning and active community engagement, while opportunities remain to deepen internal relationships and guide the department through the evolving EMS Focus model, his commitment adaptability and integrity have made him a valuable leader for the department and the town,” read the summary.

DeStefano said while the review relates directly to him, “anything that’s accomplished with the Fire Department is a team effort. I’m fortunate as chief in the town to have the dedicated firefighters that we have working hard, training hard, and putting together all the elements to make fire and life safety services happen in the town of Belmont.”

Jennifer Hewitt, Architect Of Belmont’s Current Budget, Financial Structure, Set To Depart

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Photo: Assistant Town Administrator/Financial Director Jennifer Hewitt

Jennifer Hewitt, who as Belmont’s financial director was a lead architect of modernizing town budget process and who unified the town’s financial framework, announced last week she would be leaving her post as assistant town administrator.

Hewitt next career stop will be as CFO of the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), the Massachusetts-run health insurance agency responsible for delivering coverage to state and local government employees.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to work here,” said Hewitt. “I definitely came wanting to make a difference, and I feel like I have accomplished that.”

“I can’t express what [Hewitt] brought to the town in terms of her abilities, her skills and work ethic. It’s just amazing,” said Town Administrator Patrice Garvin as she announced the news to the Select Board and the public at its Aug. 25 meeting.

With the hiring of Hewitt in 2022 as the town’s financial director – a crucial recommendation by the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at UMass Boston’s review of the town’s financial structure – and chair of the town’s new Financial Management Team, “we finally had a position that was dedicated for [the] purpose [of updating town finances], which we didn’t have before. I think [Hewitt’s hiring] was a game changer to get us on the right track now,” said Garvin.

Despite her short tenure, Hewitt’s legacy will be long lasting in the forming of future town budgets, now based on an agreed-to revenue expenditure forecast that directs the town-wide budget process.

“In her three years, [Hewitt] was able to formulate and coordinate an idea of how the budget should go. She worked with staff and everybody, to bring those ideas along, which in the past, for whatever reason, we couldn’t bring it all together,” said Garvin after the end of the meeting.

“In a lot of ways that may not be obvious for people who don’t follow the budget process, it helps us take a giant step forward in both the following and caliber of the discussions,” said Board Chair Matt Taylor. “There’s been a lot of cleanup and modernizing efficiencies that have been found” through Hewitt’s efforts.

A major accompishment was a significant overhaul of the town’s financial structure, creating with successive select boards and Town Meetings a body that currently works in concert with town budget and fiscal objectives.

“I’m particularly proud of being part of building that team and helping with the transition from elected Treasurer, Collector and the Board of Assessors to the now appointed group. And I think that is will live long and have a positive benefit for Belmont for years,” Hewitt said.

“I wholeheartedly agree that you’re leaving us in a better place than you found us, and that sets up our whole community for better, for looking to the future,” said Board member Elizabeth Dionne.

Garvin said the town will begin a job search for Hewitt’s replacement after the town’s Special Town Meeting in mid-October.

Belmont Fire Department Adds Three ‘Probies’ To Force

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Photo: Belmont’s newly hired firefighters; Daniel Keenan, Ryan O’Neil, and Kyle Forester.

Belmont’s three newest firefighters were ceremonisly pinned with their department badges at the Select Board’s final summer time meeting on Monday, Aug. 25.

Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano introduced the trio: Kyle Forester, Ryan O’Neil, and Daniel Keenan, before family, friends, residents and fellow firefighters. The three “probies” began working in Belmont’s two fire houses a month ago. The fire department now has 52 members on staff.

“Thank you for having us here tonight to meet our new members and take part in this special event in their careers,” said DeStefano. “Each comes from a variety of backgrounds and experiences that will serve to enhance their ability to protect the lives and property of the people of Belmont.”

The probationary firefighters attended the Massachusetts Fire Academy and completed an in-house training program at the Fire Department.

Forester is a graduate of Burlington High School and a veteran of both the United States Marine Corps and US Army. Forester was pinned by his wife, Tamta.

O’Neal attended the Massachusetts fire academy and completed an in-house training program at the Belmont Fire Department. O’Neal is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and UMass Lowell, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He is finishing his studies to become certified as a paramedic. O’Neal was pinned by Becca Donnelly.

A registered nurse, Keenan attended the Massachusetts fire academy and completed an in-house training program at the Belmont Fire Department. He is a graduate of Hanover High School and Plymouth State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. Keenan was pinned by his mother, Sandra.

At The End Of A Raucous Meeting, Select Board Names New Rink ‘Belmont Sports Complex’ With A Mention To Skip

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Photo: The Belmont Select Board

At the end of a raucous meeting infused with catcalls and taunts directed at the members of the Belmont Select Board from a bellicose crowd of mostly senior residents, the board voted unanimously to name the new $32 million recreation facility on Concord Avenue the ‘Belmont Sports Complex.’

The name will be placed on a sign outside the structure along the Concord Avenue with the words “Home of the James ‘Skip’ Viglirolo Rink” below. In addition, the board approved two permanent acknowledgments inside the facility honoring Viglirolo.

The inclusion of Viglirolo’s name throughout the structure is a victory for the Viglirolo family who have campaigned for the past two years to have their family member’s name transferred to the new complex.

And while the family was able to muster significant support behind their cause – highlighted by the 40-plus participants that crowded into the Select Board Room in Town Hall – what ultimately allowed the supporters to exit

The former rink was named after Viglirolo, a long-time town employee and youth hockey coach, in 1998 by a vote by the Recreation Commission and the Select Board without public debate or input. The former rink – which was in disrepair for the most part of three decades – was demolished in 2023 to make way for the new rink that town voters approved in a $29.9 million debt exclusion in April 2023.

The naming controversy took over most of the conversation in town this summer beginning when the Select Board approved a Town Naming Policy in July, a few weeks before an unusual mid-summer Town Meeting where a non-binding citizens petition to name the rink after Viglirolo. Members approved the article by a 56-44 percentage margin.

More to come.

Learning The History Of Purple Heart Day In Belmont

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Photo: Purple Heart Day in Belmont

Since its inception in Belmont about a decade ago, Purple Heart Day has been a mostly intimate event with aging veterans joined by town officials and residents to honor those awarded the nation’s oldest military decoration that is presented to those wounded or killed while serving in the U.S. armed forces

But on a picture perfect summer evening in the first week of August, the Veterans Memorial at Clay Pit Pond was packed with attendees to hear the story of this uniquely American honor and the people who earned it.

“I want to say ‘thank you very much’ to everyone that made the time to come and be with us here tonight, to help us honor and appreciate and show our respect to those Purple Heart recipients of this town and those that are with us here tonight,” said Bob Upton, Belmont’s Veterans Service Officer.

Joining the ceremony this year were dozens of young members from Antioch Baptist Church, a pre-dominantly Asian-American church located in Cambridge. They gathered at the behest of the church’s pastor emeritus Paul Kim and his wife Dr. Rebekah Kim, who serves as a Baptist chaplain at Harvard.

Pastor Paul Kim of Antioch Baptist Church

Kim, who has attended serveral veterans events in Belmont over the years and who gave the invocation, decided Thursday was an opportune time to introduce many of his congregation to what it takes to earn the Purple Heart.

“Who were they who served the country? Our country cannot enjoy freedom as it is, if not for those people who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to serve our nation,” Kim told the Belmontonian.

“So many of the next generation don’t understand war. They just take everything for granted. We want to have these young people understand the history, American history. It’s been so valuable for our children to just learn about the sacrifices that were made so that we could have all these blessings of living in this country,” said Kim.

Thursday evening’s keynote speaker was retired US Army Col. Bob Notch, the leader of the newly formed Commonwealth Office of the Veteran Advocate, a first in the nation independent state office dedicated to safeguarding the well-being and upholding the rights of the veteran community.

Bob Notch, Commonwealth Office of the Veteran Advocate

“Thank you for being here, for keeping the recognition of Purple Heart Day alive in your community,” he said. “It speaks volumes about who you are, your commitment of service, your commitment to those who have served, and your commitment to each other. You are blessed to be in a community that cares so deeply, and thank you for allowing me to participate in your recognition.”

“We all understand what the Purple Heart Medal is today, a recognition of the blood shed by military members wounded or killed by an act of the enemy in service to our country,” said Notch, a West Point graduate who served 27 years in active duty and the reserves including tours during Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Notch reviewed the history of the medal. In 1782, as the Revolutionary War was ending, General George Washington was looking for was a way to recognize the patriotism from his troops, “the valor of those folks that had fought alongside him for the last seven years.” So he commissioned the Badge of Military Merit in the shape of a heart made of purple silk edged with silver colored lace on a wool background, and the word “merit” embroidered in silver.

What made the badge unique was the Purple Heart was presented to all ranks, and was a significant recognition for enlisted soldiers. “In the years before 1782, most military awards were given to officers who secured grand victories in battle, enlisted members did not awards,” said Notch,. He noted John F. Kennedy is the only president to receive a Purple Heart, highlighting its historical significance.

Notch said 147 recipients from Belmont have been awarded the Purple Heart. “If you compare that to the population of Belmont today, that is about one half of one percent of the population of this town. So I congratulate the residents of Belmont, all of you that are here tonight.” And while researching his speech, Notch discovered that 51 female veterans are residents.

Upton said he plans to identify the Purple Heart receipants and female veterans in town so they can be recognized at future events.

“Just Gimme A Coupla Aspirin. I Already Got A Purple Heart.” Cartoon By Bill Mauldin, Stars & Stripes 1944.

“Because history humbles us. History makes us understand. History is a past, but the future. You know these people to understand, while they have opportunities given because that without the history, the people who sacrifice to make America strong and that free country as it is.

So if youreally is, like, to know your community, you have to know that community’s past,

yeah, that’s right, because the young people, very these are the church members, right? we want to have these young people to understand the history, American history.

“Who were they who served the country? Our country cannot enjoy freedom as it is, if not for those people who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to serve our nation,”

so many of the next generation don’t understand war. They just take everything for granted, that mantra that freedom is not free from the Korean War, the monument in Washington, DC, he’s been preaching and teaching about it.
most of our congregation are second, third generation Asian American, but really,

it’s been so valuable for our children to just learn about the sacrifices that were made so that they could have all these blessings, you know, of living in this country.

If I Were A Bell: Belmont Rings In National Farmers Market Week [Video]

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Photo: Mini bells to ring in National Farmers Market Week in Belmont

Around 2 p.m. on Thursdays from late spring to the end of October, a bell rings in the weekly farmers market to open the day’s activities. For 20 years, the market – which brings a slew of vendors selling produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and sundries – has been a staple of the community, bringing approximately 1,000 patrons to the back of the Claflin Street parking lot in Belmont Center.

This past week, on Aug. 7, the market commences not the ringing of one bell buy with the sound of dozens as nearly 100 mini-replicas were given out to celebrate National Farmers Market Week.

The day’s big event was the dedication of the new storage shed, partly paid through a grant from Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources, and the sponsorship of Belmont’s Hillside Garden Ace Hardware. Hal Shubin, chair of the market committee, invited Gary and Troy DiGiovanni from Ace and Mary Jordan of the MDAR to cut the red ribbon as the clammering of tiny bells could be heard.

But the farmers market, one of the more successful in the state, is more than just a place to buy corn, tomatoes, fish and loafs of bread, said Shubin.

“It’s a place to congregate,” said Shubin. “There’s music, there’s community information, folks have office hours from Town Hall and Beacon Hill. They say that you’re more likely to run into people you know at a farmers market than a supermarket. It’s just a fun place to be.”

Breaking: In Unexpected Move, Police Chief MacIsaac Announces Retirement

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Photo: Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac

In a surprise move, Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac announced his retirement from his post effective Aug. 25.

“After much reflection, I have decided that the time has come to move on,” MacIsaac said in a one-page letter dated Aug. 6 to the town’s Select Board.

“Serving Belmont has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am deeply grateful for the trust, support, and friendships I have experienced along the way,” he said.

“Chief MacIsaac has served our community with honor, dedication, and integrity since 1999, and has been an invaluable part of our police department’s leadership. Chief MacIsaac is also a proud resident of our community, making his commitment even more personal and impactful,” said Patrice Garvin, Belmont Town Administrator reacting to the announcement.

Hired as a police officer in 1999, the lifelong Belmont resident was appointed by the Select Board in December 2019 after many years as Assistant Chief under Richard McLaughlin. Right off the bat, MacIsaac faced the COVID shutdown and the impact on police/public relations of the George Floyd murder a few months later.

“The most effective way we can build trust between the police and the community is for us to get to know one another. I, and the members of the Belmont Police Department, will always make ourselves available to anyone who has concerns or questions regarding operations, tactics and how we interact with the public,” said MacIsaac in a letter to the community in May 2020.

MacIsaac was outfront as the public face of law enforcement in the racially-based murder of Henry Tapia on Upland Street in January 2021, winning praise for his willingness to engage with the affect communities.

Also under MacIsaac’s watch saw the Police Department in 2023 depart from Civil Service, something he had advocated for many years. In recent months, a series of violent gun incidents – including one which a man was wounded by gunfire – and other incidents have increased concerns from residents on being safe in Belmont.

MacIsaac was in the first year of a new three-year contract approved last year which began Jan. 1, 2025 and ran through Dec. 31. 2027. His base salary was $225,000 under the contract with annual cost of living adjustments and merit pay reviews.

MacIsaac is Belmont’s 12th full-time chief since David Chenery, Jr. was named Superintendent of Highways and Police Chief in 1877.

“I have been truly fortunate to call Belmont both my home and my place of work,” said MacIsaac.

Following past precedent, the Select Board will appoint a Police Chief Screening Committee which will whittle down candidates to a pair of finalists. After a public interview, the Board will vote on a new police chief.