Belmont Takes Advantage of Low Rates to Bond $29 Million

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While the low-interest rate environment promoted by the Federal Reserve over the past five years has dampened residents appetite for bonds, the same condition has been a boom for municipalities with good credit ratings when selling their debt on the open market.

Using its top-ranked “triple A” credit rating, Belmont’s Treasurer and Tax Collector Floyd Carman was able to receive eight bids for nearly $29 million in municipal bonds that will include financing construction and upgrades to the Belmont Light substation that will be located on Flanders Road.

The winning bid for Belmont’s bonds came from Morgan Stanley offering an average interest rate of 2.951 percent, Carman told the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, April 22.

“That is a good deal for the town,” said Carman, noting the low rates will result in a significant savings to taxpayers which will be felt on Belmont’s fiscal bottom line.

The bond will pay for:

• $26,100,000: Belmont Light substation construction.

• $482,000: Water main replacement.

• $30,000: A school department vehicle.

• $890,000: a ladder truck for the Fire Department.

• $500,000: a new fire engine.

• 960,000: Harris Field replacement.

Belmont High Named As One of Nation’s Best

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As the saying goes, you don’t come to Belmont for the roads; you come for the schools.

And in the latest issue of US News & World Report, Belmont High School is honored as one of the top-rated high schools in the country, earning the magazine’s “Gold” medal. The Concord Avenue school is ranked 151st nationally out of 19,400 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia examined that includes charter and examination-entry schools from across the US.

Using the USN&WR ranking criteria, Belmont High is rated higher than 99.2 percent of all high schools in the country.

The top-ranked high school in the country is the School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas, Texas.

In Massachusetts, Belmont is the top-ranked open-enrollment high school, rated just below the state’s top school, Boston Latin, an exam school, and the Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough. Wellesley High and The Bromfield School, the town of Harvard’s public high school, round out the top five schools.

In 2013, the school was ranked 193rd nationally.

U.S. News teamed up with the Washington, D.C.-based American Institutes for Research, one of the largest behavioral and social science research organizations in the world, on creating the ranking methodology that is based on, as the magazine stated, “the key principles that a great high school must serve all of its students well, not just those who are college bound, and that it must be able to produce measurable academic outcomes to show the school is successfully educating its student body across a range of performance indicators.”

According to the magazine, Belmont High scored high on college preparedness, with nearly three-quarters of high school seniors taking and passing at least one AP advanced course.

The school also rated very high, 63rd in the country, in students taking and passing AP exams in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) courses.

Fast Times For Belmont’s BAA Marathoners

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Your neighbors are a quick lot!

Belmont runners produced some outstanding results at Monday’s 118th Boston Athletic Association Marathon, the historic annual 26.2 mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston’s Copley Square to celebrate Patriots’ Day, April 21.

Of the 42 who finished the race, 40 percent, 17, ran under four hours, a great accomplishment for any runner.

And just like the men’s race, where American Meb Keflezighi won the race by 11 seconds, it was a close contest for the first Belmont resident across the line as Roger Donaghy finished nine seconds ahead of fellow BAA member Ryan McCalmon, 2 hours, 36 minutes and 17 seconds vs 2:36:26, placing 213th while Ryan finished 217th.

Rachel Reardon was the female Belmont runner, finishing in 3:25:15, or 7,490th overall, ahead of 25,000 fellow runners, and 1,225th among all women.

But it was in the veteran’s categories that Belmont runners made their mark. Fifty-six-year-old Wolfgang Ketterle finished third in the 55-59 age group in 2:44:06, less than three minutes from the winning time. He placed 528th overall.

Hammond Road’s Robert Cipriano ran a possible personal best in the marathon in 2 hour, 40 minutes and 48 seconds to finish 4th in the 50-54 age group, placing 364th.

Here are all the results from the race:

  1. Scott Abrams, 3:37:45
  2. Anne Antonellis, 4:40:28
  3. Cara Brickley, 4:31:55
  4. John Carey, 3:13:14
  5. Sarkis Chekijian, 3:42:11
  6. Robert Cipriano, 2:40:47
  7. Kelly Coates, 6:14:43
  8. Charlie Conroy, 3:05:03
  9. Virginia Cox, 3:53:19
  10. David DeMarco, 4:06:28
  11. Roger Donaghy, 2:36:17
  12. Paul Feloney, 4:22:19
  13. Paul Firth, 4:38:32
  14. Jonathan Haines, 3:59:19
  15. Bill Hees, 5:22:45
  16. Christopher Heuisler, 3:32:29
  17. Richard Horgan, 5:27:31
  18. James Kelleher, 4:58:31
  19. Wolfgang Ketterle, 2:44:06
  20. Peter Lamb, 4:45:28
  21. Russell Leino, 3:06:15
  22. Mark Lewis, 6:35:29
  23. David MacDonald, 5:03:49
  24. Eric Marro, 4:54:57
  25. Leslie Mauriello, 4:43:14
  26. Ryan McCalmon, 2:36:25
  27. Carolyn Mehaffey, 3:58:36
  28. Karyn Miller-Medzon, 4:26:36
  29. Joseph Mullaney, 4:53:48
  30. Stephen Najarian, 5:34:58
  31. Carrie Palmer, 5:08:19
  32. Oswald Paredes, 5:24:42
  33. John Pilkington-Sperry, 4:40:10
  34. Becca Pizzi, 3:40:15
  35. Rachel Reardon, 3:25:15
  36. Kristen Ruane, 5:27:20
  37. Alissa Schreiner, 3:56:39
  38. Andrew Schreiner, 3:59:03
  39. Emily Seaver, 4:41:41
  40. Hannah Swartz, 5:00:05
  41. Kimberly Usseglio, 4:27:45
  42. James Winter, 5:15:02

Nice Day for a Belmont Egg Hunt

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As the appointed time grew near, the anticipation on the hunters’ faces stood out: the widening eyes, the tightening grip, the impatient moving of their feet.

“Is it time?” one said to a friend, eager for the start.

Then, a few minutes after 10 a.m., the momentum to chase was just too much to bear and with a silent “Tally Ho!” the mob broke and the prize was afoot.

Before them, hundreds of colorful plastic eggs with candy and prizes inside. And they would not be content until they had secured their 10 egg limit.

For the 14th year, the Belmont Activities Committee held its annual Belmont Egg Hunt in the Chenery Middle School field on the Saturday before Easter. This year saw slightly less participants then years past but that didn’t mean that most of the hundreds of eggs spread over the field were placed into baskets and bags within the first 10 minutes.

The smallest hunters had their own hunt in the playground of the school where many took advantage of the slides and climbing stairs. Others got their photos taken with the Easter Bunny, had their face painted by Cultural Care Au Pair, parents ate donuts and drank coffee while everyone danced and sang with Marcie of Kids Music by Marcie

This year’s main sponsor was Belmont Savings Bank which gave away “gold” coins for those who found some of the special eggs left on the field.

Other sponsors of the Egg Hunt include: Champions Sporting Goods, Cultural Care Au Pair, Dunkin Donuts, Gregory’s House of Pizza, Hammond Residential, Kendall Confectionary, Lawndale Realty, Moozy’s Ice Cream and Yogurt Emporium, Paprika Kids, Patrick Murphy, Coldwell Banker, Tokyo Joe’s, Toy Shop of Belmont and Wheelworks.

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The Week to Come: Liquor Licenses, Kid-Friendly Library Events and Drug Drop Off

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It’s a quiet week in Belmont with schools on recess and many families going away for spring vacation.

• The Belmont Board of Selectmen is holding an early morning meeting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, to fix next fiscal year’s water and sewer rates along with reviewing the application for four all alcohol licenses. One of the applicant’s most people already know, Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont Center. The other three include a new store called D&L Wine & Spirits (there are three D&L Liquors in Waltham and Woburn) which will be located on Pleasant Street, the Loading Dock on Brighton Street and LC Variety on Trapelo Road.

• Thank goodness that the Belmont Public Library has scheduled kid-friendly events during the school recess week!:

  • Meet kid’s author and illustrator Jef Czekaj for a wonderful children’s program on Tuesday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Screen Shot 2014-04-21 at 8.23.39 AM
  • The British are coming to Belmont! Members of His Majesty’s 10th Regiment of Foot (OK, the library doesn’t have a time machine; the soldiers are Revolutionary War re-creators) are coming to the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 to tell the British perspective on the American Revolution and try an 18th century military drill under the guidance of their commander, Rob Lee. The group is dedicated to portraying the life of the British troops garrisoned in the Boston area during the War for Independence. For ages 10 and up. Sign up online or call 617-993-2870.
  • The library is sponsoring a children’s event associated with One Book One Belmont with a tour of the Jason Russell House in Arlington on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Russell was killed at the doorstep of his Arlington home by British troops ransacking and burning homes on their retreat from Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.  Daniel Leclerc, former Belmont selectman and history teacher, will lead a tour of the house and tell more about that fateful day.  Recommended for families with children ages 8 and up. Space is limited so registration is required; sign up at 617-993-2880.
  • More on the musical end of the schedule, come hear the music from the country that is holding the World Cup in June: Sounds of Brazil with Sulinha Boucher is Brazilian music for the whole family. The show will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 26 in the library’s Assembly Room.

Belmont World Film 2014 will be screening “An Afghan Love Story” the story of an Afghan father who weighs his family’s honor against his allegiance to his daughter after she is seduced and impregnated by a handsome waiter. The movie, which was nominated for an Academy Award, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. at Belmont’s own Studio Cinema at 376 Trapelo Rd. on Monday, April 21. 

• One Book One Belmont events continue this week as John Stauffer, Professor of English, American Studies and African American Studies at Harvard University, tells the story of Phillis Wheatley, a Boston slave born in Gambia, became one of the foremost poets in early America known for the revolutionary nature of her works. Co-sponsored by Belmont Against Racism, the Belmont Historical Society, and the Human Rights Commission, the talk will take place on Wednesday, April 23, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room.

• Belmont joins communities across the country participating in the Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative on Saturday April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Belmont Auxiliary Police will have a collection point set up at the DPW yard, 37C St. You can contact Belmont Police Lt. Daley at kdaley@belmontpd.org for more information.

Murder Suspect from Belmont Surrenders to Law Enforcement

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Olmsted Drive’s Domingo Mendes, who faces a murder charge for killing a popular Waltham High School student on March 20, surrendered to Waltham Police on Thursday, April 17, according to a press release from Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Waltham Police Chief Keith MacPherson.

Mendes, 22, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in on an outstanding warrant for murder, possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to violate the drug laws.

He is expected to be arraigned Friday, April 18, in Waltham District Court.

Authorities had previously arrested Taylor Poulin, 21, of Newton, in connection with the shooting.

According to court papers, Mendes is charged with killing Tyler Zanco, a Waltham High senior and wrestling captain, was shot shortly after 10 p.m. in the Gardencrest Apartments parking lot on Middlesex Circle in Waltham during a confrontation in the midst of a drug exchange.

Things to Do Today: Early Release, Brownsberger at Beech Street , Story Time

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Today is Good Friday and the beginning of the week-long April recess for the town’s students.

• It’s early release at the six Belmont public schools today: The High School at 10:30 a.m.; Chenery Middle School at 11 p.m. and the elementary school’s at 11:40 p.m. with the exception of the Winn Brook which will release at 11:50 p.m.

• State Sen. Will Brownsberger will be at the Beech Street Center at 10 a.m. to meet with residents and hear their concerns.

• Come to the Friday pre-school Story Time taking place at the Benton Library (at the corner of Oakley and Old Middlesex) beginning at 10:30 a.m. and led by Denise Patnod. There will be stories and crafts for children 3 to 5. Siblings may attend with adults. Parents or caregivers must be present. Registration is not required.

• Well-loved local musician Liz Buchanan performs original songs and traditional favorites at the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room at 10:30 a.m.

• While Monday is Patriots’ Day, it is today in 1775 when Paul Revere and William Dawes began their rides warning the Massachusetts countryside that “the regulars” were on the march.

Goose Busters Program Coming Back to Belmont

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When your fields and playgrounds are fouled by fowls, who are you going to call?

Goose busters!

In an effort to control the waste left on Belmont’s fields and common areas by Canada geese, the most common waterfowl species in North America, the Belmont Health Department will be establishing a new, more formalized “off-leash” registration program for residents and their pet pooches, according to members of the Belmont Board of Health at an informational meeting held last week and in subsequent interviews.

A past attempt to register dogs to run on the tows playing fields was less organized or controlled, resulting in an ineffective scheme. The existing “Off-Leash Program for Dogs on Belmont Athletic Fields” run by the Recreation Department is $40 per resident dog for 2014.

“[O]ver the recent years we have found residents made  little or no attempts to actually have their dogs involved in chasing geese,” Belmont’s Health Director Stefan Russakow told the Belmontonian Thursday, April 17.

Under this new initiative, the town’s Recreation Department in conjunction with Belmont’s Animal Control Officer John Maguranis, will create a registration program that will allow dogs to be “off leash” outside their owner’s property.

Under the proposed guidelines (Article 8) for animals that will be voted on by Town Meeting in May, no dogs will be allowed “to run free” without permission from the Board of Health.

One important part of the new program will be determining if those dogs “are good citizens,” said Board Vice Chair Dr. David Alper, that they can be controlled by their owners while on the fields and playgrounds.

According to Russakow, his department will not be issuing ‘licenses’ for off-leash activities on the fields, but creating a laminated card similar to the former “goose buster” card of the past indicating the owner has paid the fee and their pet was evaluated by Maguranis.

The new program “will be looking at activities for dog owners and their animals to increase animal and human health through exercise in the future,” said Russakow.

In fact, Russakow said as a result of the expanded nature of the initiative, his department will not be using the term “goose busters.”

“Any secondary benefit like keeping geese off the fields is a plus,” he said.

Easter Services in Belmont

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All Saints’ Church (Episcopal)
17 Clark St. (on Common Street)
617-484-2228

Thursday, April 17
6:30 p.m. – Agape Meal

Friday, April 18
Noon – Stations of the Cross
7 p.m. – Good Friday Liturgy which will include a dramatic reading of the Passion according to St. John.

Saturday, April 19

8:30 a.m. – Holy Saturday Liturgy

Sunday, April 20
10 a.m.: Festival Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Childcare for children up to age three.)

After the service: coffee hour.

Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church
421 Common St. (Cushing Square)
617-489- 0730

Thursday, April 17

7:30 p.m.: Maundy Service

Friday, April 18

7 p.m.: Tenebrae Service for Good Friday.

Sunday, April 20

10:30 a.m.: Easter Sunday.

Christ Lutheran Church
597 Belmont Street (on Common Street)
617-484-4352
Cornerstone Baptist Church
54 Brighton St.
617-489-2498

Sunday, April 20
6:30 a.m.: Sunrise Service.

7:30 a.m.: Full Breakfast

9:30 a.m.: Sunday School

10:45 a.m.: Morning Service

6:30 p.m.: Evening Service

Crossroads Evangelical Church
51 Lexington St.
617-489-4959

Sunday morning worship begins at 11 a.m.

First Armenian Church
380 Concord Ave.
617-484-4779

Sunday, April 20

10:30 a.m. Easter services

First Baptist Church of Belmont
129 Lexington Street
(617) 484-1310

Thursday, April 17

6 p.m.: Maundy Thursday Service

Sunday, April 20

10 a.m.: Easter services

First Church in Belmont, Unitarian-Universalist
404 Concord Ave.
617 484-1054

Sunday, April 20

6 a.m.: Easter Sunrise Service at Habitat at 10 Juniper St.

9 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Sunday Service

11 am – 12 pm.: Sunday Service

Payson Park Congregational Church
365 Belmont St.
617-484-1542

Thursday, April 17

6 p.m.: Maundy Thursday Service

Friday, April 18

7 p.m.: Good Friday Service

Sunday, April 20

10:30 a.m.: The Reverend Lael Atkinson preaching and the Cherub Choir and Alleluia & Youth Choirs singing.

Plymouth Congregational Church
582 Pleasant St.
617-484-5257

Thursday, April 17

6:15 p.m.: Maundy Thursday meal

7:30 p.m.: Maundy Thursday service

Sunday, April 20

10:30 a.m. Easter Sunday Service

St. Joseph’s Parish
130 Common St.
617-484-0279

Thursday, April 17

7 p.m.: Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper.

Good Friday, April 18

3 p.m.: Living Stations of the Cross
7 p.m.: Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at St. Luke

Holy Saturday, April 19

8 p.m.: Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday, April 20

Masses: 8 a.m. in the church and 10 a.m. in both the church and hall.

Saint Luke’s, Belmont
132 Lexington St.
617-484-1996

Good Friday, April 18

3 p.m.: Living Stations of the Cross

Holy Saturday, April 19

Easter Sunday, April 20

Belmont Planning, Health Boards to Make Changes to Kennel Rules

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The Belmont Planning Board and the Board of Health will be working together to make changes to a pair of Town Meeting articles that, if passed, would force Crate Escape, the doggie day care center located on Brighton Street, to close its doors, leaving 300 customers and 150 dogs – 75 percent from Belmont – without a home of the day.

“The intent [of the articles] were not to effect day care, only overnight kennels,” said the Planning Board’s Elizabeth Allison, who said she will be sitting down with the Health Board’s Vice Chair Dr. David Alper and the town’s Health Director Stefan Russakow to replace the current static number of dogs that can stay in a “kennel.”

“Is this a backdoor way to eliminate doggy day care in town? No,” said Allison at a Planning Board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, at Town Hall.

The two Town Meeting articles, number 8 and 9, updates Belmont’s decade-old animal bylaw to meet state standards and the zoning code on the definition of what is a “kennel”; the current regulations specify a kennel as being an outdoor shelter. Under the existing code, that facility could only hold up to 25 dogs at one time.

Under the new proposed code, the definition of kennel is expanded to include commercial entities such as overnight and extended-stay as well as day care businesses. But the Town Meeting article that would amend the Health Code did not change the maximum number of 25 dogs that could be kept in a licensed location.

According to Crate Escape’s owner Bradley Hastings, he would be forced to close his Belmont site if the articles passed Town Meeting early in May.

In response to Hastings’ concern, the Allison group is considering replacing the 25 dog limit with a formula establishing a square-footage percentage of dogs that can be safely held in an interior site such as Crate Escape.

“We will come up with something to keep [Hastings] here,” said Allison, who said she will be seeking the help of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in creating the formula.