Blogging Belmont

07/02/2024

Read about the latest incidents reported to the Belmont, MA Police Department in Belmont Media Center's News Blogging Belmont
https://belmontmedia.org/news-events/belmont-police-log-june-24-june-30-overnight-car-break-ins-tree-limb-falls-car-douglas

03/27/2024

Do Belmont Town Meeting members have a right to criticize their government? Amazingly: its a topic of debate in the race for Town Moderator. Check out this exchange from the recent candidate's debate!

03/27/2024

Belmont’s Moderator Mike Widmer declared emphatically in a debate Monday evening that, if he is re-elected, Town Meeting Members will not be permitted to speak critically of the Town’s appointed committees, equating criticism of town officials and committees with personal, “ad hominem attacks” and abusive speech worthy of censorship.

Belmont Moderator Mike Widmer said that, if re-elected, he will forbid criticism by Town Meeting members of Town committees and individuals.

03/25/2024

For the first time in years, Belmont voters have the opportunity to enact big changes to the Town’s leadership. Given the way things are going, it’s not an opportunity we should pass up! Here are my picks for the April 2nd 2024 Town Election.

For the first time in years, voters have the opportunity to enact big changes to Belmont’s leadership. It’s not an opportunity we should pass up. Change is on the ballot, Belmont. Let’s make it happen! Here are my picks for the April 2nd 2024 Town Election. Read more →

03/21/2024

With the Town's election just around the corner, its time to weigh in on the big issue on this year’s ballot: Question 1, an override of Proposition 2 1/2 that will add $8.4 million to our Town’s operating budget and prevent disastrous cuts to town services and our schools. That seems like reason enough to vote, but - for the sake of some election season conversation: here are the top 3 reasons that I will be voting YES on Question 1!

On April 2nd, residents will be asked to approve Question 1, which raises our property tax levy to fund critical Town- and school operations. Check out the top 3 reasons that I am going to vote YES. Read more →

03/15/2024

Is criticizing Town Officials speech that should be censored? That's the question I had after Moderator Mike Widmer shut me down at a June, 2023 Town Meeting for 'impugning the motives' of our Select Board and Warrant Committee. So I asked the ACLU to weigh in on whether he crossed a line. Their take? He may well have.

Did our Moderator Widmer engage violate the State Constitution by declaring speech critical of Town officials out of order? I asked the ACLU.

03/08/2024

Will your kids be able to buy a house in Belmont? 8 of 10 Belmontonians say it’s “very unlikely.” The MBTA Communities Act may change that- but not if NIMBY gets its way. Read on to learn how our town's restrictive zoning is already making us poorer, even as it jacks home values.

Will your kids be able to buy a house in Belmont? 8 of 10 Belmontonians say it’s “very unlikely.” The MBTA Communities Act may change that.

03/06/2024

There's a hearing hosted by the Mass DOT tomorrow (Thursday, March 7) at 7:00 PM to review and discuss the 25% design plan for the Belmont Community Path. Show up and voice support!

There's a hearing hosted by the Mass DOT to review and discuss the 25% design plan for the Belmont Community Path. Show up and voice support!

01/03/2024

Belmont educators update Blogging Belmont readers about the financial challenges facing the school, identify some important, upcoming meetings where those challenges facing the school system will be discussed. They also provide an email template that can be used to urge Select Board members to back an override that is large enough to fully fund our K-12 schools.

The Select Board is discussing an override of $7 million dollars which will only maintain level services, Belmont Educators warn.

10/20/2023

In her latest “If I May” opinion piece, Town Meeting Member Judith Feinleib argues that the Town’s proposal to have Town Meeting withdraw the Belmont, MA Police Department from the State’s Civil Service program leaves lots of questions unanswered.

The Town’s proposal to withdraw the Belmont PD from Civil Service leaves questions unanswered, writes Town Meeting member Judith Feinleib

10/16/2023

With its 11th annual event, the Foundation for Belmont Education - FBE is doing a Apple Run with a new course (no more hills) and the opportunity to run as part of a team and in costume! Register now to make sure you get your t-shirt!

The 11th annual FBE Apple Run is just around the corner. This year's run has a Halloween theme. Register now!Read more →

09/07/2023

A shout out to Blogging Belmont readers: there’s a very important public hearing taking place Thursday evening, September 7th, at 7:00 pm to discuss a proposal to withdraw our town from Massachusetts’ Civil Service – a radical step that will remove critical hiring and staffing protections designed to prevent patronage hires and other abuses. You can find a link to the meeting in our blog post.

A hearing Thursday evening September 7th at 7PM seeks public input on a proposal to withdraw the Town from Massachusetts’ Civil Service. Turn up and be ready to ask hard questions about what will replace the Civil Service protections we all enjoy. Read more →

08/06/2023

Abutters to Belmont’s Benton Branch are up in arms that the nearly century old library might again be used... as a library. They’re pressuring the Select Board to cut the operating hours of the temporary BPL Children's Room at Benton by more than half: to just 20hrs/week citing concerns traffic and parking. We've got links to a petition opposing the cuts and to a Zoom of Monday's Select Board Meeting at 7 PM where you can voice your opposition to the proposed cuts.

Abutters to the Benton Branch are pressuring the Select Board to slash the hours of the temporary Children's Room over worries about parking.

03/31/2023

Hey Belmont. So we are being asked to weigh in on two ballot questions in this year’s local election: on rebuilding the Viglirolo skating rink and switching from an elected- to an appointed Town Treasurer. Check out my thoughts on Questions 1 and 2!

Voters are being asked to weigh in on two ballot questions in this year’s local election. Here’s how I plan to vote on Questions 1 and 2.

03/29/2023

Belmont voters go to the polls April 4th to elect their town government, and this election matters! Here are my picks for Town Meeting and town-wide offices!

Belmont voters go to the polls April 4th to elect their town government. Here are my picks for Town Meeting and town-wide offices!

03/21/2023

Election season is here, Belmont. Check out Blogging Belmont’s guide to the candidates for the April 4 Town Election!

https://www.bloggingbelmont.com/2023/03/town-election-2023-meet-the-candidates/

Belmont's Progressive Voice

03/07/2023

One Love One Belmont is a free, non-partisan event is co-hosted by Belmont Against Racism (BAR), The Belmont Human Rights Commission, and The Belmont Democratic Town Committee. It’s described as “an informal gathering to celebrate our community, learn more about each other, and help create a more welcoming town.

There’s a growing body of research that shows that human connection – to family, friends and our communities – is the key to a happy (or at least happier) life. The latest example of this comes in the form of…Read more →

03/04/2023

Whether to fund it is a big question. As with the recent campaign to fund reconstruction of our Town Library, it really helps to lay eyes on these buildings and absorb the reality of what’s going on and why Band-Aid fixes won’t suffice. You can do that this weekend and next, courtesy of Belmont Needs a Rink.

Belmont voters are being asked to fund a new skating rink. Is a new building needed? See for yourself with rink tours this weekend and next!

02/07/2023

The Belmont Superintendent Screening Committee published an online survey to help identify screening criteria that will inform the selection of our next school superintendent. Make your voice heard!

An online survey asks residents to help identify screening criteria for choosing our next school superintendent. Make your voice heard!

11/02/2022

Hey BB readers - another good reason to vote yes: $5.3m in private funding from close to 1,000 people and earmarked for construction of the new building is on the line!

Nearly 1,000 generous donors are giving an unprecedented $5.3 million to help pay for our new library building, BUT WE LOSE THE $5.3M IF THE VOTE FAILS.
Now we need to finish the job.

VOTE YES ON #5 FOR A NEW LIBRARY.

Why do we need a new library? Watch http://video.voteyeslibrary.com

More information at www.voteyeslibrary.com

10/28/2022

Hey Belmont! If you haven't yet cast a ballot for the November midterms and haven't made up your mind on Question 5 to fund construction of a new library building, here are 4 good reasons to VOTE YES on Question 5! https://www.bloggingbelmont.com/2022/10/belmont-4-reasons-to-vote-yes-on-question-5/

There are lots of reasons you should vote YES on Question 5 to fund construction of a new Belmont library. Here are four worth considering.

10/17/2022

Read on to learn how an inevitable failure of aging systems at the library may force Belmont to close its library and leave residents without access to the Minuteman Library Network.

A vote against funding for a new library building could - in short order - leave Belmont without a library at all. How? Read on...

10/07/2022

Belmont voters will be asked to approve funding to construct a new library in November. The new building has a lot to offer our Town – from an expanded children’s and young adults room to quiet work/study rooms and expanded public meeting spaces. Check it out and then help make it happen by getting involved in the Vote YES Library campaign!

The new Library Belmont voters are being asked to approve has a lot to offer the Town. Check out what the new Library will look like!

09/19/2022

Our library is close to failing, with millions of dollars of structural and safety fixes, as well as mandated ADA improvements to a building that is already too small and ill suited to meet the needs of our 21st century community. Come November 8th, we have an opportunity to make a new start: funding construction of a modern library to replace it. If that sounds good to you, here are some ways that you can help make sure it happens!

With a vote to fund the construction of a new public library building on the ballot on November 8, supporters need to step up, step out and get involved to make our new public library a reality. Here are some things that Blogging Belmont readers can do to help. Read more →