Belmont High School’s Wenner Field House was transformed Monday night, Dec. 8, from an athletics center into a concert venue for the 43rd annual Bandarama Concert.
Ensembles of winds, brass and percussions from elementary-school youngsters just starting out on Saturday mornings to the highly-skilled High School Jazz Band performed for parents and friends.
First ice, then lots and lots of water.
No, it’s not the first steps in making a cocktail but the spate of nasty weather – ice, rain and wind – Belmont residents will face for the next day and a half.
At 3:21 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory that begins at 7 p.m. tonight, Monday, Dec. 8 until 5 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9 that will result in a minor accumulation of ice and snow on roadways and sidewalks.
The conditions will result in “slower than normal travel” due to the slippery road conditions.
“Drivers should allow extra time and be especially careful on bridges and overpasses,” the NWS suggests.
By Tuesday morning, heavy rains – between one-and-a-half to two inches with some areas receiving up to four inches – and strong winds will arrive for most of the day with the likelihood of flooding and street ponding (when water pools at low points in the roadway, generally as a result of inadequate drainage or improper grading) in areas around town. The winds, steady at 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, will cause some trees and branches to fall and may lead to power outages.
If you power does go out, call Belmont Light at 617-993-2800. Do not call 911 unless it’s a true emergency.
The heaviest rain and strongest winds will occur during the evening rush hour on Tuesday.
After three-and-a-half years, Anne Lougee has decided to end her service on the Belmont School Committee by not seeking a second term at Town Election in April 2015.
Lougee’s announcement will create a second open seat on the Committee in the coming election. Also on the ballot will be incumbent Lisa Fiore, who is seeking her first full three-year term after serving the unexpired time of Pascha Griffiths, who resigned in 2013.
Lougee decided not to pursue re-election after the evaluation and selection process in November to replace School Committee member Kevin Cunningham, who resigned in September.
“It’s hard to walk away from a group of wonderful colleagues but I was encouraged by the number of well-qualified candidates who came before the committee and selectmen last month for the position,” Lougee told the Belmontonian.
Thomas Caputo was selected from eight residents to replace Cunningham. His term ends at Town Election. Caputo can file to run for the remaining two years of Cunningham’s term, challenge Fiore for her seat or decide not to run.
At his appointment, Caputo said he would seek election to the board.
Fiore, a Lesley University faculty dean with children in district schools, was elected in 2014 to fill the one-year remaining on Griffiths’ term. She told the Belmontonian in September she would likely run for re-election in 2015.
Nomination papers are currently available at the Belmont Town Clerk’s office; the deadline for their return is 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
Lougee, whose daughter is a 2011 Belmont High School graduate, was appointed to the committee in October 2011 to fill the remainder of the term held by Karen Parmett, who resigned. She won a full stint in the 2012 Town Election.
Lougee said the selection of Belmont Schools Superintendent John Phelan and promoted social/emotional learning throughout the district was two of her accomplishments serving on the committee.
In addition, Lougee emphasized from the time she was on PTOs that parents and officials must not take a myopic view of the town’s schools.
“You have to look at the whole system. It’s K through 12; you can’t separate it by school building or class,” said Lougee, a native midwesterner who came to Belmont in the 1980s and lives on Warwick Road with her husband, Roger Colton.
“You must know how it all works together for your child because they will be a graduate one day,” said Lougee.
In addition to the collegiality of the committee members, Lougee said she’ll also miss witnessing the growth of students in the classroom, in athletics and the arts.
“I love watching the kids test themselves and build their confidence,” she said.
The Parents of Music Students and the Belmont Savings Bank are sponsoring the inaugural Holly Jolly Trolley, a half-hour tour on an old-style trolley (just like the one in the movie “Meet Me to St. Louis” which showcased the song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”) of the holiday lights of Belmont accompanied by Belmont High School musical groups.
The tours take place on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 with children that can sit on your lap riding free.
All proceeds benefit the outstanding music program in the Belmont public schools.
Tickets are available at Belmont Savings Bank headquarters at 2 Leonard St. or on-line at www.belmontpoms.weebly.com
• Author Marjan Kamali will speak on her debut novel “Together Tea,” Monday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Assembly Room of Belmont Public Library. Selected by the Massachusetts Center for the Book as a “Must-Read Book 2014,” Kamali show us the complex life of Mina Rezayi, an Iranian immigrant, as she, her mother, Darya, and their family attempt to balance Iranian traditions with American culture. This book is a story of the tug-of-war between old and new, the universal quest for love and the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. All are welcome to attend this free program. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Refreshments will be provided.
• It’s loud, festive and fun. Come hear the music of the Belmont Public Schools’ bands, representing musicians from elementary middle and high schools, at the 43nd annual Belmont Public Schools Bandarama! taking place Monday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at Belmont High School. The Wenner Field House will be filled from end to end with bands, highlighted by a combined band performance of “Jingle Bells.”
• Join Heather Hurd of Blue Cross Blue Shield for a talk on “Heart Health” on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 1:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. The talk is free but you should sign up.
• The Belmont Municipal Light Advisory Board will discuss and possibly vote on a solar distributed generation proposal at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.
• The Belmont Health Collaborative presents a panel discussion: “Grief, Loss, Recovery, and Hope, a candid conversation concerning the universal experience of living with loss,” on Thursday, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Belmont Media Center, 9 Lexington St. The panel will be moderated by Rev. Joe Zarro of Plymouth Congregational Church.
• Belmont Light is inviting residents to a “Celebrate the Winter Solstice” event at its headquarters at 40 Prince St. on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. They are asking residents to donate either new or gently used blankets, bedspreads, comforters or quilts for those in need.
• The Chenery Middle School Honors Concert takes place in the Chenery Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11.
• The Book Discussion Group for 3rd and 4th grades will take place on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.
• The monthly meeting of Belmont Against Racism will take place in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
• The 5th Grade Chorus Concert takes place at the Chenery Middle School auditorium at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12.
• The Belmont Gallery of Art will hold an opening reception for its Small Works Holiday Show and Sale on Friday, Dec. 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the gallery on the third floor of the Homer Municipal Building on Moore Street in the Town Hall complex. This is a not-to-be-missed chance to purchase affordable works of art by local artists including paintings, ceramics, photographs, sculptures, jewelry and cards. The show runs until Dec. 21.
• The Senior Book Discussion Group will meet on Friday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Beech Street Center, continuing to discuss “Bleak House” by Charles Dickens (Chapter 32 through the end of the book).
• The Beech Street Center’s Movie of the Month for December is 1989’s “Driving Miss Daisy,” with Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman on Friday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m. No cost.
• The Belmont Public Library continues its OTAKUrabu program. Watch anime, do a craft/activity, plan for future events and nibble on some Japanese snacks (while they last – they’ll go fast) on Friday, Dec. 12 from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Assembly Room. Provided to you for free, thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Just drop in, no registration required.
The Arlington-Belmont Chamber Chorus under conductor Barry Singer presents NOT-QUITE-WINTER CONCERT on Sunday, Dec. 7, beginning at 3 p.m. at Payson Park Church, Trapleo Road.
Mass of Six Centuries:
Five Centuries of Poets:
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for 17 years old and younger.
(From left) Mark Sylvia, Undersecretary of Energy, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; David Kale, Belmont Town Administrator; Maeve Vallely-Bartlett, Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; State Rep. Dave Rogers; Andy Rojas, Chair, Board of Selectmen; Sami Baghdady, Vice-Chair, Board of Selectmen; Ian Todreas, Co-Chair, Belmont Energy Committee; Gerry Boyle, Belmont’s Director of Facilities, Meg Lusardi, Acting Commissioner, Department of Energy Resources.
After being formally submitted to the Board of Selectmen this summer, Belmont was named by Gov. Deval Patrick as one the state’s latest Green Communities at a State House ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Belmont was one of 13 municipalities named and is now eligible for grants up to $151,850 to encourage energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy by the town.
As a designated Green Community, Belmont will be eligible to apply for future grants to fund local renewable power and energy saving projects.
“Collaboration has real power, particularly when we’re trying to do something new and innovative,” said Patrick.
Belmont became eligible to become a “green community” after meeting five criteria including
After expressing concerns of possible unintended financial consequences from being designated a green community, the Selectmen created a working group to review the proposal. As part of the application process, an energy audit by Marlborough-based Guardian Energy of all town buildings to review the lighting, water use, and windows was completed to create an energy reduction plan. The application was submitted to the state in October.
Next for the town is a more detailed analysis of municipal buildings and the costs associated with meeting the Green Communities goals. If the town does go to the next step and apply for grants, Guardian Energy will implement the required improvements.
Funded by a regional cap-and-trade program, more than $30 million have been paid out to city and towns since 2010. With the announcement, 136 of the state’s 351 communities have joined the program.
Photo: One youngster got very shy when greeting Santa Claus at the Belmont Savings Bank during the 24th annual “Turn on the Town” in Belmont Center, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2015.
Why was Santa and Mrs. Claus coming out of the basement of Champions Sporting Goods? It was expected the famous couple was coming down from their workshop beyond the Arctic Circle using the sleigh pulled by reindeers on the annual visit to Belmont Center to light the Christmas tree and say hello to all the town’s kids.
But there they were, climbing out of the section of the store where hockey and baseball equipment are located.
Turns out there was a “reasonable” answer to the question so many were asking on Thursday, Dec. 4.
“There’s a tunnel from the North Pole to the store. It’s easier,” said Champion’s owner Gerry Dickhaut.
Another mystery solved.
And before you could say “Ol’ Saint Nick,” Santa was on top of a Belmont Fire Department Engine for the short trip to the town’s tree and the official start of the 24th annual “Turn on the Town” celebration.
Residents came out with their children while pre-teens and some high school students wandered closed Leonard Street to participate in the night’s activities.
After the tree was illuminated, the Claus’ headed to the Belmont Savings Bank’s headquarters for a round of photos with a larger than usual number of toddlers who made it quite clear they didn’t want to sit on Santa’s lap.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be around somewhere before Christmas,” said Santa to a child and her mother.
Outside, Leonard Street was filled with free eats, the Belmont High School Madrigals (many who were auditioning at the same time for the spring musical), a petting zoo, Frosty and Rudolph and a train ride.
And in a sign of the times, one young girl took a “selfie” with Rudolph rather than wait for her mother to show up to take a photo.
Want a say in how Belmont is run? Here’s your chance: Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman has announced that nomination papers for Town Meeting and Town-wide office are available to be picked up at the Clerk’s office on the first floor of Town Hall starting today, Friday, Dec. 5.
The deadlines to return nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s office is 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, said Cushman.
The Town Election will take place on Tuesday, April 7.
If you’re thinking of running for elected office in Belmont, Cushman is advising potential “runners” to take a look at the guide for Belmont’s elected government and how to run for elected office in the “Town of Homes.”
Candidates for town–wide office (such as selectman, school committee and several boards)
To be considered a candidate for town-wide office, you must be at least 18 years old and a registered voter in Belmont.
All candidates for town-wide office must secure the signatures of at least 50 registered Belmont voters and return the signed nomination papers by Feb. 17 at 5 pm. Cushman recommends that more signatures are collected and submitted in the event that some signatures are invalid.
Nomination papers are available for pick-up at the Town Clerk’s office. Before collecting signatures, the candidate must sign the nomination papers and fill in the office for which he/she will be a candidate.
Terms for Town Meeting Member
The elected term for Town Meeting Member is three years, though should a resignation occur, there may be openings for one or two year periods.
Candidate for re-election as Town Meeting Member
If you are an incumbent Town Meeting Member, in late December/early January of the year your term is due to expire, you will receive from the Town Clerk’s office a letter asking if you would like to be considered a candidate for re-election to Town Meeting for your precinct.
The candidate must sign and return the affirmation form to the Town Clerk’s office by Feb. 17 to be considered a candidate for re-election. If the date passes without return of the form, the candidate would be considered a new candidate for Town Meeting and would be required to secure the 25 signatures on the nomination paper and the words “candidate for re-election” will not appear next to the name on the ballot.
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 in Belmont in the precinct you wish to represent. If you are currently serving as a Town Meeting Member who was elected at caucus, not by town ballot, you will need to submit nomination papers as a new candidate.
Candidates for Town Meeting must secure the signatures of at least 25 registered voters from the precinct and return the signed nomination papers. Once again, Cushman recommends that more signatures are collected and submitted in the event that some signatures are invalid.
“We encourage all candidates for all elected offices, for both town-wide and for Town Meeting, to investigate the responsibilities of the post by reading the Town General Bylaws and Belmont Town Meeting Acts of 1926, and reading the minutes of the elected board,” said Cushman.
• The Benton Library, Belmont’s independent library located at Oakley and Old Middlesex, is holding it’s annual Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Join the board of directors and volunteer staff to celebrate the season. Everyone in the community is welcomed to attend and anyone who hasn’t tried the Benton is urged to stop by.
• Students from Belmont’s Powers Music School are performing their winter recitals with a holiday theme as they tour the area. They will be performing at the Watertown Mall, 550 Arsenal St. in Watertown on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Come early as the group will be a special holiday music story at 2 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 7 at 1:30 p.m., the group heads to the Mall at Chestnut Hill in Newton.
• The Belmont Hill School’s Winter Concert will take place in Hamilton Chapel on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. Performing will be the school’s orchestra, jazz band, piano trio and the Belmont Hill B-Flats, the senior choral group, as well as the 9th grade’s A-Sharps. The concert is open to the public.
• The Arlington-Belmont Chamber Chorus under conductor Barry Singer presents NOT-QUITE-WINTER CONCERT on Sunday, Dec. 7, beginning at 3 p.m. at Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St. The concert will consist of six masses each from a different century and songs of poets over five hundred years. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for 17 years old and younger.