Police Chief Interviews Before Select Board Taking Place Friday, Feb. 20 Beginning At 3 PM

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The finalists to be Belmont’s next Police Chief will come before the public and the Select Board on the Friday of school vacation week at Belmont Town Hall.

Town Administrator Patrice Garvin said the interviews will commence after the Select Board holds its general business beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. The interview section of the meeting will start at 3 p.m.

Garvin would not say how many candidates will be scrutanized by the three-member board or if any are interternal candidates, which the leadership for the patrol officers, and sargents unions have said is their preference. The Select Board strongly preferred three finalists if the Committee feels they have that many qualified candidates.

The announcement of the interviews came on the same day as the final meeting of the Police Chief Screening Committee. The seven-member committee chaired by former Select Board member Roy Epstein, was assisted by Chelmsford-based Parow Consulting & Associates which performs Fire and Police Chief recruitment services.

Former Chief James MacIsaac announced his retirement in July. Assistant Belmont Police Chief Mark Hurley was named the department’s interim head by the Belmont Select Board on Thursday, Aug. 21. Chief James MacIsaac who announced his retirement in July.

Belmont Fire Adds Two ‘Probies’ To Department’s Roster

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Photo: (from left) Tate Skiffington with Sean McGillvray, and Michael Downing with Allie Wadland.

The Belmont Fire Department has added two new members to the department this week at a ceremonial badge pinning. 

“The badge that these firefighters will wear symbolizes an achievement,” said Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano before the Select Board on Monday, Feb. 9. “A visible recognition of hard work, dedication, and training. That is why we celebrate this moment publicly and acknowledge the effort that has made this day possible.”

The two probies joining the BFD are Michael Downing and Sean McGillvray. A veteran of the US Army, Downing holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and was appointed to the BFD this past August. He is assigned to the Operations Division, Group 4. A native of Burlington, McGillivray, a vet of the US Marine Corps, joined the BFD in August and is assigned to Group 3 in the Operations Division.

DeStefano said both probies could not have completed their journey to becoming firefighters without a support system, with each asking one of those special people to pin their badge: for Downing it was his girlfriend, Allie Wadland, while McGillivray was pinned by his girlfriend, Tate Skiffington.

Wearing our badge signifies commitment to the ideals and principles of the fire service, the high standards of the Belmont Fire Department, and the protection of the lives and property of residents and visitors of … Belmont,” said DeStefano.

Town Wide Cardboard Drop Off Is Back! (For One Day) Thanks To A Collection ‘Hiccup’

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Photo: Cardboard drop off is back on March 7.

Long dead since the collapse of the worldwide corrugated box market made the practice too pricy to hold, Belmont will see the return of an old-fashioned town wide Cardboard Collection Day next month.

Residents can load up flattened boxes in their vehicles and head to the DPW Yard, 37C Street (off of Waverley Avenue) on Saturday, March 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. where all those Amazon-type packaging will be collected, free of charge.

But in all likelihood, the drop off day will be a one-time offer. The collection is being facilitated with a $10,000 donation from Waste Management, the town’s trash and recycling contractor. Three weeks ago, many neighborhoods had “a little hiccup” with their recycling day pickup, which several upset residents let the town know about, said Town Administrator Patrice Garvin. DPW Director Jay Marcotte reached out to the WM reps and the company reimburst the town with the donation.

Cardboard drop off days were once a popular post holiday event in Belmont. In January 2021, nearly 350 vehicles waited an hour in line at the DPW Yard as the town collected 22 tons of cardboard filling five 40-yard long containers, two truck bays and six 6-wheel dump trucks. But a collapse in the price of recycling corrugated material after the pandemic made the service too costly for the town, with the practice stopping in 2023.

So March 7 will be a rare opportunity to relive a little of Belmont’s past.

“Load up the trunk and recycle some cardboard,” said Select Board Chair Matt Taylor.

Belmont High Boys’, Girls’ Hockey Enters Final Week Coming Off Big Wins At Woburn

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Photo: Belmont’s Mackenzie Tierney vs Reading

When push came to shove on Saturday, Feb. 7, it was the Belmont High hockey program that shouldered past host Woburn in a pair of late season matches giving a boost to the Marauders’ playoff hopes as the state Division 1 tournament looms only a fortnight away.

Belmont High’s Girls’ continued its best stretch of the season with five wins and a tie in its last six games with a convincing 3-1 away victory over 10th-ranked Woburn in the midst of Saturday’s snowfall.

It was Belmont’s Mackenzie Bookends – first year Mackenzie Tierney and senior Mackenzie Clarke – who tallied Saturday with the youngster collecting the first goal in the first period from the point while the veteran put home an empty netter with 30 seconds remaining in the third to go along with her first period backhander to seal the deal.

Along with sophomore Mia Smith – whose second goal scored in the final minute salvaged a 2-2 against Reading the previous Saturday – the “Macs” have stepped up in February after Belmont’s top scoring threat, sophomore Alexcia Fici, was lost to a season-ending injury.

Belmont High’s Mia Smith scoring her second goal in 2-2 tie with Reading.

The Marauders defensive lineup – led by junior Elsie Larkin-Schlutz, first years Amelia Long and Kate Townsend and senior Martha Dimas – has been stellar in front of goalie Elinor Dorn who has replaced consenus All-Star Jil Costa. The sophomore put up 43 minutes of shut out goaltending against Woburn which was on a seven-game winning streak.

With the weekend win, Belmont (10-4-3) sweeps the season series over the Tanners with its second 3-1 victory, the first coming at home in early January. The Marauders inflicted the only league losses to Woburn which came into the game 10th in the MIAA Division 1 Power Rankings. Belmont was 15th in the all important rankings, the penultimate place that secures a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

Belmont’s final three games of the season includes its final regular season home game at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11 vs. Lexington, a Valentine’s Day love match against Winchester in Woburn at 2 p.m., and a season ending romp with Waltham at Bentley University on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 1:45 p.m.

It’s been a trying season for Belmont High Boys’ Hockey. Last year’s squad was one of the state’s elite, sixth in the final MIAA power rankings, with 15 wins (15-6-1), shutting out the state’s top-ranked team (Pope Francis) while winning the Ed Burns Coffee Pot tournament. A three overtime loss to league rivals Winchester in the Sweet 16 of the MIAA tournament was a shocker but the team appeared ready to reload for the 2025-6 campaign.

But the loss of nine seniors and the transfer of the team’s three lynchpin players raised a large question mark for the season. The answer to that quiry was that it would be a tough rebuilding year for the Marauders. Playing in one of the state’s most competitive leagues – three teams in the top ten of their power rankings – with a very difficult non-league schedule, the Marauders have been in games where they could not match up in talent or bulk.

“Do you a weight room we could use?” joked Belmont Head Coach Tim Foley between periods of one of the matches where his players were pushed around.

The result has been a 3-12-2 record with the team sitting in 28th in the Power Rankings, percariously close to the 32nd ranking that marks the final automatic playoff place. What Belmont needed in the final stretch of the season would be a big time win.

And that is exactly what the team did, swamping 6th-ranked (in Division 2) Woburn, 6-3, at the O’Brien rink, as junior defender John Connolly racked up the hat trick and forward Michael Rowan took home three points with his own brace while adding an assist in the team’s performance of the year.

The three-goal margin gave the Marauders the maximum points avaliable as they seek to secure a playoff spot. Belmont – which is coming off a 2-0 win on Sunday against Braintree in the consolation game of the Ed Burns Coffee Pot tournament – will meet 8th-ranked Pope Francis in the final home game on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7:15 p.m. and Winchester on Valentines Day in Woburn with a noon start. The team finishes its season playing in West Springfield in the Cardinal Classic on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Belmont Against Racism Sponsoring Black History Month Events In February

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Photo: Regie Gibson, Poet Laureate of Massachusetts, will be the featured artist on Friday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. (credit: convergenceensemble.org)

For the past 100 years, the month of February has been recognized as Black History Month, designated as a time to promote and educate people about Black history and culture. With the help of Belmont Against Racism, residents will have a rich array of events to attend to learn abou

Film screenings at Belmont Public Library, 336 Concord Ave.

  • Selma (2014) – Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m. (RSVP)
  • Just Mercy (2019) – Wednesday, Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m. (RSVP)

These powerful movies will spark meaningful conversations around justice, equity, and history.

2nd Annual Community Potluck, Karma Fine Crafts, 68 Leonard St, Belmont Center
Friday, February 13, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. (RSVP)
Our community’s favorite event returns! Share a meal, connect with neighbors, and celebrate community care. Bring a dish, bring a friend, and come ready to enjoy the warmth of shared stories and food.
Click here to sign up to bring a dish.

Book Group Discussion at the Library
Monday, Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m. (RSVP)
Join us for a thought-provoking discussion of this month’s Equal Justice Book Group selection—a space for reflection, learning, and shared insight.

T-Shirt Design Competition (for Middle and High School students)
Feb. 1 – Feb. 20 (Entry Form)
Calling all young artists! Help shape the visual identity of BHM26 with a design that expresses what Black History Month means to you.
Click here for details.

BHM26 Finale CONCERT: An Evening of Poetry, Music & Conversation
Friday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. (RSVP)
Black Box Theater, Belmont High School
This inspiring concert will feature:

  • Regie Gibson, Poet Laureate of Massachusetts
  • Reggie Harris, legendary folk musician, educator, and activist
    They’ll explore themes of identity, resilience, and social justice through spoken word, song, and powerful conversation. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening!

We Need Your Help!
In order to make these events successful, we’re seeking volunteers to assist with everything from event setup to spreading the word. You can make a real impact by helping us bring these community-centered events to life.
Click here to volunteer.