Santa and the Mrs Turns on the Lights in Belmont

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Photo: Someone wants mom more than Santa.

Before taking part in the 25th Annual Turn on the Town on Thursday, Dec. 3, Mr. and Mrs. Claus were seen looking at hockey equipment in the basement of Champions Sporting Goods on Leonard Street.

“Doing a little holiday shopping,” said Santa.

I guess there are no elves with hockey making skills at the workshop.

And since the reindeer were not available – they are resting up for the 24th – Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived via Belmont Fire Department fire engine, with Santa strapped on top, to turn on the lights of the town’s Christmas tree adjacent to Bellmont Cafe. 

Then hoping on a horse-drawn carriage, the couple from the North Pole took a quick trip to Belmont Savings Bank (the event’s main sponsor) where they took pictures with children, some parents and a pet or two. 

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‘Turn On The Town’ Celebrates A Quarter Century of Lights and Santa

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Photo: Don’t be shy; say hello to Santa at the Belmont Savings Bank.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are visiting Belmont Center tonight as the main attraction of the 25th annual Belmont Center Business Association’s “Turn on the Town” celebration taking place Thursday, Dec. 3 beginning at 6 p.m.

The Claus’ will arrive via Belmont Fire Department truck to the town’s Christmas Tree located adjacent to the Bellmont Cafe at 6:20 p.m. and then head over to the Belmont Savings Bank – the event’s main sponsor – headquarters at 2 Leonard St. where children (and some adults and pets) can have free photos taken with Jolly Ol’ St. Nick from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. While inside, enter to win  Holiday Prize Stockings stuffed with goodies!

Hammond Residential is sponsoring the annual Belmont Food Pantry Drive. The Belmont Food Pantry is providing assistance to a record number of Belmont families and needs to fully stock its shelves in time for the holidays.

For every food item donated to the Belmont Food Pantry during the food drive, Hammond Residential will donate $1 to the Foundation for Belmont Education. For a list of the most needed items at the Belmont Food Pantry, please click here.

In addition, during the Food Pantry Drive, Hammond will match any cash/check donations made to the Belmont Food Pantry with a matching gift to the Foundation for Belmont Education.

Enjoy free trains on Moore Street provided by Belmont Savings Bank and the Petting Zoo in the bank’s parking garage.

While at the bank, residents can purchase tickets for next week’s Holly Jolly Trolley tours, which benefits the Parents of Music Students at Belmont High School.

See you there.

VIDEO: Belmont Resident Discuss Airplane Noise in Belmont, Region on NECN

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Photo: Belmont’s Adriana Poole and Michael McLaughlin of Medford tell how a protest movement was born after a change in takeoff patterns at Logan Airport.

“Too many, too low, too loud,” Belmont resident Adriana Poole told host Sue O’Connell during an interview on New England Cable News’ “Broadside,” the network’s daily news analysis show, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, as she discussed how noise from planes taking off from Logan Airport has increased markedly over Belmont in the past three years due to changes imposed by the FAA.

A member of the activist group Boston West Fair Skies, Poole and fellow member Michael McLaughlin of Medford discussed the campaign to reduce the noise pollution that is creating a number of health issues for residents in communities impacted by the changes.

On Thursday, Dec. 3, US Rep Stephen Lynch (D-Boston) will host a public forum with the FAA and US Rep Katherine Clark at Milton High School to address growing complaints about the frequency and increased levels of airplane noise in local towns and neighborhoods that are impacted by Logan Airport air traffic.

See the video of the interview:

 

School Committee OK’s Land Survey for Possible Rink/Rec Center

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Photo: The varsity softball field.

The promise of a new ice skating rink and multi-purpose recreation center serving Belmont’s residents and sports teams took a baby step forward as the Belmont School Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday, Dec. 1 to allow a survey of school-owned property near Belmont High School by the non-profit seeking to build the facility.

The decision gives permission for the Belmont Youth Hockey Association to hire a firm to perform evaluation work on school property currently occupied by the Belmont High Varsity Softball field to determine if the surface is suitable for the construction of a recreation center and ice surface. 

“It’s a small step forward, but it is forward,” said Bob Mulroy, who has become the association’s point person for the project, that would include an NHL-sized skating rink, a second “half” skating surface that transforms into a field house for half the year, modern locker rooms, a community fitness center, and many more amenities.

According to Belmont School Superintendent John Phelan, the land survey will allow the association to return to the committee with a more detailed and concrete feasibility study. 

The $6.5 million complex – which would include off-street, on-site parking – would be overseen by a non-profit public/private partnership that would incorporate a wide array of town departments, the school committee, youth hockey and funders on the board.

In exchange for the land to build the center, Belmont schools, and high school teams will have use of the facilities at no cost. 

Back Again: Cushing Village to Seek More Changes to Development Permit

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Photo: The proposed Cushing Village development (left) and what is currently at the location (right).

Only three weeks after receiving an extension allowing it an additional year to construct its long-stalled project, the developers of the troubled Cushing Village residential/commercial/parking complex at Common Street and Trapelo Road will be back once again before the town’s Planning Board on Thursday, Dec. 3, as the project’s money backers are expected to demand modifications to the agreement to provide them even more legal and financial cover in the event the deal falls apart.

While neither the developer, Smith Legacy’s Chris Starr, nor the town’s point person on the project, the Office of Community Development’s Jeffrey Wheeler, would indicate what section of the extension requires altering, the one-year deadline of the special permit itself would not be affected, according to Sami Baghdady, chair of the Board of Selectmen. 

Baghdady led the Planning Board when it awarded the special permit to Starr in July 2013 to build a 164,000 sq.-ft. three-building development with 115 units of housing, shops and underground parking in the heart of Cushing Square.

This time, it’s the developer’s financial backers who are demanding the changes.

“It is my understanding that the proposed modifications to the one-year extension of the special permit are at the request of the developers’ lenders,” said Baghdady, who said the thrust of the revisions is to allow the lenders the opportunity to protect their interests in the event that the developer does not meet the time deadlines of the conditions.

But even Baghdady said the public will know the exact implications of the changes when the agenda item is taken up by the Planning Board.

“It is difficult to comment any further without the benefit of the developer’s presentation at the hearing,” said Baghdady.

Thursday marks the third time since August that the development team requested and received extensions and modifications to the special permit issued nearly 30 months ago. 

The latest extension, for 12 months, issued on Nov. 17, also stipulated the developers meet three strict deadlines as part of the agreement:

  • The developers must close on the deed for the municipal parking lot at a cost of $850,000 by Friday, Dec. 11,
  • Begin initial demolition on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, and
  • Seek a building foundation permit from the town by Monday, Feb. 1, 2016. 

The meeting’s timing is also somewhat interesting, as it will occur at the same time thousands of Belmont residents will be attending the annual “Turn on the Town” Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony taking place in Belmont Center, a block from Town Hall. 

Belmont Police has issued traffic bulletins advising residents of road closures in the Center including Leonard Street being closed at 5:30 p.m., making travel to Town Hall difficult. 

Traditionally, the Planning Board holds meetings on Tuesday evenings.

Nomination Papers Are Now Available For Town-Wide, Town Meeting

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Photo: Town Clerk’s Office.

Nomination papers for the election of Town Meeting Members and Town-wide offices taking place at Belmont’s annual Town Election (Tuesday, April 5, 2016) are now available at the Town Clerk’s Office, located on the first floor of Town Hall.

The papers are due back to the Clerk for certification by Feb. 16, 2016 at 5 p.m.

Fifty certified signatures of registered Belmont voters are required for Town-wide office, 25 certified signatures of Belmont registered voters dwelling in the appropriate precinct are required for Town Meeting. It is always wise to obtain and provide at least 20 percent more signatures than the requirement to meet the certification minimums.

Getting Your Name on the Ballot

Running for election is simple. Have your neighbors and friends who are registered voters sign your papers and submit the signed forms to the Town Clerk by the deadline.

Town-wide Offices

To be considered a candidate for Town-Wide Office, you must be at least 18 years old and a registered voter of the Town of Belmont.

There are many Town-wide elected offices that will appear on the annual Town Election ballot. If you’re interested or want to share your skills in this way, you may file Nomination Papers until Feb. 16, 2016. 

The following is a list of elected Town-wide offices that will appear on the April 5 ballot:

Moderator

 elect one person for one year

Board of Selectmen

 elect one member for three years

Board of Assessors

 elect one member for three years

Board of Cemetery Commissioners

 elect one member for three years

Board of Health

 elect one member for three years
Members of the Housing Authority

elect one member for five years

elect one member of three years

Trustees of the Public Library

 elect two members for three years

Members of the School Committee

 elect two members for three years

Town Clerk

 elect one person for three years

Representative Town Meeting: Representatives from Each of the Eight Voting Precincts

The elected term of a Town Meeting Member is three (3) years, though should a resignation occur, there may be openings for one (1), or two (2) year periods.

In addition to the Twelve Representative Town Meeting Members that are elected for three-year terms from each of our eight voting precincts, there are also several partial terms available.

  • Precinct 3 – elect one person for one year
  • Precinct 5 – elect one person for one year
  • Precinct 7 – elect three people for one year

Incumbent Town Meeting Members

Incumbent Town Meeting Members who intend to run for re-election must notify the Town Clerk by signing and returning the Intention Letter that is mailed to them by Jan. 26, 2016. Missing the return deadline means having to collect signatures on nomination papers.

New Candidates for Town Meeting Member

To be considered a new candidate for Town Meeting Member, you must be at least 18 years old and a registered voter of the Town of Belmont. If you are currently serving as a Town Meeting Member, who was elected at a caucus, not by Town ballot, you will need to submit nomination papers as a new candidate.

Signatures of at least 25 registered voters of your precinct are required on the nomination papers. The Town Clerk must certify these signatures, so we always suggest obtaining about 20% more just to be safe.

Withdrawing Your Name From the Ballot

If you have taken out nomination papers and the signatures have been certified, but you change your mind, you may remove your name from the ballot by notifying the Town Clerk in writing by the deadline.

Now Into Its Sixth Decade, Belmont Lions Has The Right X-Mas Tree For Everyone

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Photo: The Folan’s have their perfect tree.

While growing up as a child in the UK, Somerset Street’s Edward Young would join his family as they would go out and “dig out or cut our Christmas tree.”

But on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 29, with his family in tow, Young came to Royal Road adjacent to the commuter rail station to select a tree from a few hundred. 

“This is much easier,” he said of his yearly trek to the Belmont Lions Club Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale. 

And he has a particular type.

“I look for the right height for the house and that it’s nice and bushy,” said Young. 

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The Youngs joined a steady stream of residents and people from surrounding towns to the annual migration of folks who for the past half century have ventured down to the Lions Club in Belmont Center looking for that “right” Christmas tree (all from one farm in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia); the one that fills the living room, frames the front window or stands on the upstairs landing. 

From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (they may close up a little early on bad weather nights), the Belmont Lions –  one of 46,000 local clubs worldwide with more than 1.35 million members in 200 countries – will be there to help you find “your” tree.

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Dan MacAuley, a Lions past president, said he and his 60 fellow members (supplemented by volunteers from the Belmont High School sports teams) will spend the last Saturday in November until Christmas Eve selling approximately 2,700 trees – all balsam firs – and more than 2,000 wreaths, mantle pieces, and cemetery baskets.

Price is determined by the “official” measuring stick located next where the trees are prepared for traveling; a 7-footer will put you back $43.

But don’t wait until the last minute to get “your” tree.

“They’ve sold out every year I’ve been here, and I have doing this for 14 years,” said MacAuley.

The sale’s proceeds go to help the Lions Internationals’ SightFirst programs focusing on its Childhood Blindness Project and other sight-related charities as well as funding a pair of scholarships at Belmont High School.

“A lot of it stays here in town,” said MacAuley.

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This year, change and donations placed in the “tip” jar will go to Belmont S.P.O.R.T. (Special Programs Organized for Recreation Time) which provides activities for individuals of all ages with special needs.

Peter Folan from Monroe Street came with the wife and kids and found “the perfect tree for the occasion,” said Folan.

Why is it the right tree?

“It’s the perfect height, and it’s plump and it resembles his dad,” said Folan, pointing to his son.

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[PHOTOS] High School Prepares for Turkey Day at Pep Rally

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Photo: All hail the pie-eating champion!

On Wednesday morning, Nov. 25, before the start of the four-day Thanksgiving Day recess, Belmont High School’s Wenner Field House became home to a “battle of the classes” as seniors, juniors, sophomores and lowly freshmen would decide which graduating year would dominate this year’s Pep Rally before the annual football tussle between Belmont and Watertown.

The morning proceeded with the March Band belting out its musical routine, fall athletic teams presented to the crowd, the cheerleaders flew into the air and a slew of fun events were contested including a pie-eating contest, tricycle races, tug-of-war (in which the junior class won by default) and musical chairs.

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Sold in Belmont: The Roof on the Exploding Colonial, No-So-High French Country

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Photo: 25 Greensbrook Way.

A weekly recap of residential properties sold in the past seven-plus days in the “Town of Homes:

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15 Temple St., Colonial (1928). Sold: $1,060,000.

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47 Homer Rd., Colonial (1940). Sold: $917,500.

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10 Marlboro St., Unit 1., Condominium (2006). Sold: $420,000.

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93 Country Club Lane, French Country-style (1938). Sold: $894,000.

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138 Dean St., Brick Ranch (1957). Sold: $765,00.

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25 Greensbrook Way, Great exploding Colonial (2008). Sold: $2,010,000.

• 15 Temple St., Colonial (1928). Sold: $1,060,000. Listed at $1,150,000,. Living area: 2,426  sq.-ft. 10 rooms, 5 bedrooms, 2 full, 2 half baths. On the market: 68 days.

• 10 Marlboro St., Unit 1., Condominium (2006). Sold: $420,000. Listed at $449,000. Living area: 1,140 sq.-ft. 5 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. On the market: 74 days.

• 47 Homer Rd., Colonial (1940). Sold: $917,500. Listed at $885,000. Living area: 2,094 sq.-ft. 8 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. On the market: 130 days.

• 93 Country Club Lane, French Country-style (1938). Sold: $894,000. Listed at $1,149,000 Living area: 2,225 sq.-ft. 5 rooms, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths. On the market: 65 days.

• 138 Dean St., Brick Ranch (1957). Sold: $765,00. Listed at $789,000. Living area: 1,353 sq.-ft. 7 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. On the market: 61 days.

• 25 Greensbrook Way, Great exploding Colonial (2008). Sold: $2,010,000. Listed at $2,245,000. Living area: 5,663 sq.-ft. 10 rooms, 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. On the market: 92 days.

The town calls the design of the pretty house on Country Club Lane a “French Country style” house, which, while popular in some part of the country, never really caught on here.

On closer inspection, the Belmont structure has few of the typical design elements associated with the French countryside; stonework and stone floors, wood beams, a large fireplace, small, panelled windows with heavy shutters and a mishmash of styles.

It was also overpriced, even by Belmont Hill standards. Nearing 80 years old without any significant improvements, a nearly $1.15 million price tag – or more than $500 per square foot (that’s new construction value) sent most people out the door.  It’s little wonder the owners took a steep $200,000 reduction in the initial offer.

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The builders of the structure on nearby Greensbrook Way decided they needed to build the equivalent of a second house on the sode of their massive exploding Colonial. Because who doesn’t have use for nearly 5,700 square feet of livable space! You literally need roller skates to effectively get around the place. The “main” section is all about space with a massive 19-foot ceiling height (If you need to ask how do you heat this barn, you can’t afford it!) and blown out walls to give almost freakish amount of openiness. And what wouldn’t a house be without a 1,000 sq. ft. master suite. The secondary section has bedrooms, au-pair suites, a media room and three vehicle garage. 

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Built and first sold in 2008, there is one thing somewhat particular about the house: it appears to have a hard ceiling on the final sales price. Both in 2008 and this year, the house sold for a deep discount of its list price, coming in at $2,010,000 (giving back $685,000 and $235,000 respectively) each time. You can understand the first sale being impacted by the financial crisis on 2008-9 but what kept the buyers holding onto their wallets is a question mark. Is the popularity of the “small(er)” house movement creeping upward impacting the supply of high-end buyers?

This Week: Quarter Century of ‘Turn on the Town’ This Thursday

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On the government side of “This Week”

  • The School Committee meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Chenery Middle School.
  • The Planning Board will be holding a meeting on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Town Hall. 
  • The Municipal Light Board is meeting on Friday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at Town Hall to receive an update on the substation and transmission project.

• Music & Movement with Rubi, a movement and music program recommended for ages 3 to 5 (but 2-year-olds are welcome) will be held in the Assembly Room on Monday, Nov. 30.  There will be two sessions: 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• ESL Conversation Circle for beginners takes place on Monday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room.

• Belmont Against Racism will be holding its monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 30 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• The Belmont Food Collaborative – the people who run the Belmont Farmers Market – is meeting on Monday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m., in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.

Tuesday is story time at both of Belmont libraries.

  • Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer-run library, at 10:30 a.m. Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is located at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex.
  • Pre-School Storytime at the Belmont Public Library beginning at 9:30 a.m.We’ll read longer books, sing and dance, and make simple crafts. For 3-5-year-olds with a longer attention span.

• The Teen Book Club for 9th-12th graders will be discussing “Half Brother” by Kenneth Oppel on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Young Adult Room of the Belmont Public Library. Any teen who has read the book is welcome to attend, no sign up necessary. There will be pizza and snacks. If you have any questions, please e-mail Kylie Sparks at ksparks@minlib.net or call 617-993-2873.

• Yoga for Everyone at the Beech Street Center on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: Join Susan Harris, a registered yoga teacher and associate professor of Nutrition at Tufts University for this Iyengar-inspired class which practices yoga postures slowly and with attention to alignment and safety, adapted to the abilities and needs of individual students. Practice is done with bare feet; mats and props are provided. Cost: $15/class. Non-seniors, beginners and experienced are welcome. This is a non-Council on Aging class held at the Beech Street Center. For more information, call Susan at 617-407-0816.

• Infant Storytime, for infants up to 12 months and pre-walkers, includes a short program of songs and rhymes followed by time to play and socialize. The fun takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room.

• Sustainable Belmont will be meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room.

• The monthly meeting of the Belmont Historical Society Board is taking place on Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Claflin Room of the Belmont Public Library. 

• A special night for many Belmont High School students as they will be inducted into the National Honor Society at a ceremony in the school’s auditorium on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

• Meeting of the Friends of the Belmont Public Library is taking place on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the library’s Assembly Room.

• Belmont’s own Harry Potter Fan Club will magically meet on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Flett Room of Belmont Public Library.

• The Claus’ are coming to Belmont on Thursday! The 25th annual Turn on the Town Celebration will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3 along Leonard Street in Belmont Center. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive aboard a Belmont Fire Engine then help turn on the Christmas tree next to the Bellmont Cafe at 6:20 p.m. before heading to Belmont Savings Bank – this year’s main sponsor – where they will have their photos taken with good boys and girls until 8 p.m. There will be music, food, hot stuff to drink, fake snow, bank employees dressed up, animals and lots more. 

This year, you can help those in need and education in Belmont at the same time by participating in the Hammond Residential’s “Belmont Food Pantry Drive” For every food item donated to the Belmont Food Pantry during the food drive (Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 at Hammond Residential, 84 Leonard St. and on Turn on the Town in front of il Casale, 50 Leonard), Hammond Residential will donate $1 to the Foundation for Belmont Education. In addition, during the Food Pantry Drive, Hammond will match any cash/check donations made to the Belmont Food Pantry with a matching gift to the Foundation for Belmont Education.

• Literacy Playgroup is a parent and child group that supports child’s language and literacy development on Friday, Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Flett Room. You’ll play, read, sing and take home new ideas. Presented by educators from the CFCE grant program; for children age 4 and under.