Burnin’ For Cleo: Saturday’s Boot Camp Honors Athlete​ Memory

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Photo: Poster for the event this Saturday.

Join Belmont’s Burnin’ by Ray for an outdoor workout to celebrate the life of Cleo Athena Theodoropulos this Saturday.

The “Best of Boston”-winning gym is hosting a two-hour charity outdoor boot camp at the Winn Brook Elementary School field in Belmont on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. to honor Cleo’s energy, kindness, fierce athletic drive and abundant spirit. 

Tickets are $25 and can be obtained here. All proceeds and donations would benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Cleo, who was an outstanding figure skater and varsity field hockey player, was a junior at Belmont High School who died on April 22, less than one week after her diagnosis with Ewing sarcoma, due to a cancer-induced fatal stroke.

Select Board OKs 5 Year Trash Processing Contract

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Photo: Trash processing will continue with Wheelabrow Technologies.

Belmont’s Select Board unanimously approved Monday, Aug. 12, a five-year extension to the town’s existing contract with a waste-to-energy firm to process Belmont’s residential trash.

The new contract with Wheelabrow Technologies, which goes into effect July 1, 2020 and runs through fiscal 2025, will see a one year increase of 10 percent from the current fiscal year, jumping from $69.54 to $77 per ton.

Despite the significant spike for the coming year – the cost increases for years two to five will be between 2.5 and 3.5 percent – Jay Marcotte, the town’s director of the Department of Public Works, said he was surprised at the bargain the town received.

“I can honestly tell you that I am surprised that the pricing. I thought it would be a lot more expensive it would be getting rid of trash” since the cost of recycling has skyrocketed in the past year.

“It’s a volitile world out there for recycling and trash,” said Marcotte.

Belmont has separate contracts for hauling trash from the curbside and recycling, each in their second of a five year contracts with Waste Management.

Marcotte said the price Belmont will pay on July 1 is comparable to those in surrounding communities such as Lexington, Wilmington and Reading. He also noted that just a decade ago, trash processing for Belmont was in the $90 to $100 per ton range.

The hit to residents’ tax bill for trash removal under the new contract should not be that hard due to the automated trash collection system installed last year, said Marcotte. While the town budget anticipated about 7,500 tons of trash processed townwide in the past two years, last fiscal year residents produced 6,200 tons, an 18 percent fall off due to automation.

“There is room for improvement,” said Marcotte.

Common Street Repaving Now Set To Begin Thursday, Aug. 15

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Photo: Common Street, before.

The long-awaited repaving of Common Street is scheduled to begin on Thursday, Aug. 15.

EH Perkins Construction of Burlington will be laying asphalt on one of the town’s main thoroughfares between Payson Road and School Street. The work along the 8/10 of a mile route is expected to be completed within three workdays on Monday, Aug. 19.

During the three days, sections of Common Street will be closed to traffic between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents and commuters are advised to seek alternate routes. No on street parking or access to driveways will be available during construction hours. Common Street residents affected by the construction will be able to park overnight on side streets.

For any questions or concerns about the project, residents can contact Ara Yogurtian, assistant director in the Office of Community Development at 617-993-2665.

Meet Belmont Finds A New Home At Day School’s Gym

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Photo: Meet Belmont is happening at the Belmont Day School.

One of the many unintended consequences of the construction of the new Belmont Middle and High School is the loss of the school’s cafeteria for out of school activities. And one of the casualties was Meet Belmont, the end-of-summer communal get together for new residents and long-time townies.

But thanks to scrambling by the Meet Belmont Planning Committee, the annual event has a new home for 2019 as the 17th Meet Belmont Community Information Fair will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Belmont Day School Gymnasium, 55 Day School Ln. off of upper Concord Avenue.

This event brings together Belmont’s nonprofit/volunteer organizations, Town government and local officials, and new and settled residents in a fully accessible and friendly environment.

You can expect to:

  • Meet local government and nonprofit leaders—approximately 80 organizations have registered as exhibitors to date
  • Discover recreation and arts programs
  • Find community organizations, volunteering and other activities
  • Participate in our democracy—register to vote
  • and support the Belmont Food Bank with your contribution of nonperishable items

This is an ideal event for anyone interested in our schools, enrichment programs, other local nonprofits, volunteering and town government. The committee encourage you to attend.

 

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week In Belmont Thursday

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Photo: A special week at the Farmers Market.

It’s National Farmers’ Market Week, August 4-10.

Farmers’ markets stimulate local economies, increase access to fresh, healthy food, and promote sustainable farming practices. They reconnect residents to the bounty of their region, sharing knowledge about seasonality and the variety of local goods. 

Stop by to celebrate and support the local farmers and food entrepreneurs that are helping to make our community a better place. There will be fun activities for the family – a scavenger hunt, photo booth, prizes and more.

Expected vendors this week:

Produce: Dick’s Market Garden, Common Acre Farm, Hutchins Farm, C&M Farm, Flats Mentor Farm, Nicewicz Family Farm

Meat, fish and dairy: Hooked – Red’s Best & Boston Smoked Fish Co., Foxboro Cheese Co., Lilac Hedge Farm, The Little White Goat Dairy

Bread, pastry and sweets: Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery

Prepared foods: Del Sur Empanadas, Valicenti Pasta Farm, Keegan Kreations, This Haiti

And more: When Life Gives You Lemons, Recreo Coffee & Roasterie, Beverly Bees, Merton’s Maple Syrup

At the Events Tent

2 p.m.: Lindsay Straw
Traditional ballads have been a source of inspiration for guitarist, singer and Irish bouzouki player Lindsay Straw since her childhood in Montana. But she truly grew into the art when she became immersed in Boston’s Irish and folk music scenes. Once here, she began to tie together the threads of the traditions she was most passionate about: English, Scottish, Irish and American folk songs from the 60’s, 70’s and beyond.

2 p.m.: Face Painting with Nina White
Nina is a rising senior at Belmont High School. She is applying to art schools and hopes to be a professional artist in the future. She is very popular with kids and adults alike.

4 p.m.: Storytime
Belmont Public Library staff read to young kids at the Market each week.

4:30 p.m.: Ruth Rappaport and Friends
Ruth will return to the market this Thursday to play mountain ballads, blues, honky-tonk hits and old folk tunes. Ruth will be joined by Alan Kaufman on the fiddle and Gian Criscitiello on bass.

At the Community Table

2 p.m.: Pop Up Library
The Belmont Public Library will be ready to lend you some books, answer questions, and give recommendations.

Shoppers are reminded that the Market matches SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) dollars up to $20 per person per Market day and most produce vendors support the HIP program which provides free produce to SNAP recipients.

Purple Heart Ceremony Set For Wed., Aug. 7 Come Rain Or Shine

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Photo: There could a change of location of the ceremony due to the weather

The Town of Belmont will honor and observe National Purple Heart Day on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 10 a.m.

Just where will depend on the weather. If the rain expected to arrive around noon stays away, the ceremony will take place at the main entrance of the Belmont Public Library, 336 Concord Ave.

If the waterworks starts early, the celebration will take place at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.

Residents of Belmont, veterans and their family members and in particular all of those who are Purple Heart recipients are invited to attend this special event. 

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the United States armed forces who are wounded by an enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action.

Opening Reception For Jones’ Solo Show Thursday At Belmont Library

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Photo: “Commuting” (detail) by S B Jones.

Nope, Mussorgsky isn’t on the bill this Thursday, Aug. 8 at the Belmont Public Library.

The Belmont Gallery of Art at the Belmont Library is holding an opening reception for artist Susan Jones’ Solo Show: Pictures at an Exhibition.

The reception will take place between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the library’s Assembly Room. Jones will discuss her art: paintings, window pieces and woven multimedia pieces. There will be a vintage stereoscope demonstration and an art project to do yourself. 

There will be light snacks and art-making. The exhibit continues through the summer.

Changes Coming to Online Payments for Belmont Light Customers

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Photo: Belmont Light will soon turn to a new online payment processor.

Starting Monday, Sept. 9, Belmont Light will be switching its online payment processor from InvoiceCloud to NISC’s SmartHub. 

SmartHub can be accessed by following the link on the front page of www.BelmontLight.com or by visiting BelmontLight.SmartHub.coop  To start, customers will need only their account number and the name on the account, which can be found on all Belmont Light and Town DPW Water bills.

Customers wishing to continue or begin paying online for their electric or water accounts after September 9 will need to log in to SmartHub to submit new payment information, including any autopayment information.  Payments will no longer be accepted through InvoiceCloud after that date.

“Having two customer portals – one to view their account and one to pay their bill – has proven cumbersome and difficult for many customers,” said Jim Zocco, Belmont Light’s customer care and enterprise resources manager.  “We heard the feedback from these customers and have worked over the last few years to provide a simpler and more efficient experience.”

Zocco said that he hopes the new system will erase many of the headaches customers have faced since the two-portal system launched. 

Belmont Light will be holding training session this fall for customers who want to learn how to get the most out of SmartHub. Information about these events will be posted on the Town website and the Belmont Light website, as well as other Town media outlets.

More information and a tutorial on how to use SmartHub for payments will be available on Belmont Light’s website shortly.  For any other questions, customers can reach out to Belmont Light’s Customer Service at (617) 993-2800 or email customerservice@belmontlight.com. 

FBE’s Inaugural Apple Run Set For Sunday,​ October 6

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Photo: Let’s run for education.

The Foundation for Belmont Education is excited to announce the FBE Apple Run!

For six years, Belmont residents have honored the late resident and School Committee member Dan Scharfman by participating in a special fall event, the Dan Scharfman Memorial Run. However, as the seventh year of the run approaches, the Scharfman family has asked for this event to focus solely on education in Belmont.

In keeping with the family’s request, the Foundation for Belmont Education is announcing the FBE Apple Run, which will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019.

“We have been honored to celebrate Dan’s legacy,” said Christa Bauge, FBE president. “In six years, we have raised more than $150,000 to help Belmont’s Public Schools invest in professional development for teachers and school technology, two of Dan’s passions as a School Committee member. Going forward, and with the blessing of the Scharfman family, we are going to take these goals and run with them,” said Bauge.

“We’re thrilled with the success our annual, fall run has enjoyed in the last six years. The FBE Apple Run will continue as an amazing opportunity for Belmont and the larger running community to challenge themselves and celebrate public education,” said Paul Roberts, race director of the FBE Apple Run.

In addition to the name change, the FBE has made modifications to the routes of both the 5K race and the new 1-mile race to accommodate construction of the new Belmont Middle and High School. The new route will maintain a scenic route through Belmont, followed by music, fun, and festivities at Harris Field.

Registration for the inaugral FBE Apple Run is now open at fbeapplerun.racewire.com and registration for the FBE Apple Run Couch to 5K Program is also open for sign up when you register for the race.

For additional information about the FBE Apple Run, the Apple Run Couch to 5K Program, and the Foundation for Belmont Education, please visit www.fbe-belmont.org.

Thank you for your continued support of the Foundation for Belmont Education. Together, we are making a difference in the Belmont Public Schools.

The Foundation for Belmont Education (FBE) is a non-profit, independent, charitable organization run by volunteers dedicated to improving educational opportunities for Belmont’s children and teachers. The FBE awards grants for a diverse array of projects—from small grants that benefit a single classroom to large programs sponsored by multiple teachers designed to benefit students in an entire grade or school. Thanks to donations from thousands of Belmont residents and businesses, the FBE donates an average of $250,000 annually to the Belmont Public Schools, granting close to $4.0 million to date.