Belmont United
Many people remember 1980 as the “Miracle on Ice” year that united America and was arguably the greatest “team” in Olympic history. Fewer remember the scrappy group of Belmont soccer players who travelled to Welwyn Garden City in England that year to take on Europe’s best soccer teams. Arguably the greatest team in the history of Belmont athletics the team returned with a 3-1-1 record and was tops in the tournament. Shockwaves were felt throughout Europe. In the spirit of the Belmont United soccer team… Townie Talk unveils a brilliant plan that combines the same level of sacrifice and teamwork needed to unite the Town through the coming storm.
Halloween
Another holiday brought to you by my Irish ancestors. “Samhain” begins at sunset on Monday and was a Celtic Feast which included opening the portal to the “otherworld” by opening the ancient burial grounds. It evolved into Halloween.
House of Seven Teeth
The most haunted house at Belmont’s border and probably the entire State of Mass? It has been shuttered for decades. If you lived in Belmont through the late 70’s and early 80’s it may have haunted your dreams. If you drive by it today it would give most the creeps. The Police regularly patrol the site as some try to hold dark rituals at it. Many believe the site is cursed. It is simply called the “House of Seven teeth”. Not a legend… just an unimaginable evil crime that still haunts even today. Avoid it at night. Keep your distance during the day and never speak of it again.
Belmont High School
Townie Talk is aware of security concerns at BHS. Belmont High School has had threats made against it on multiple occasions (thankfully most have been hoaxes) and one was limited to vandalism. The issue is what level of balance can the Town accept between wanting an open campus and a secure campus. This is not meant to alarm but it really needs to be out in the open and addressed properly by the School Committee. The other issue is how safe are students and staff in the school themselves. While Belmont hasn’t made the news like other communities with staff being attacked and brawls in the hallways… both staff and students should feel safe and have defined reasonable ways to defend themselves.
Lock your cars people.
Six vehicle break ins last week. Loose change, computers, and three hen ways were reported stolen.
Trivia
The last large commercial greenhouse in Belmont closed in 1983. Do you remember the name?
How is Mary Sawyer, the inspiration for “Mary has a little lamb” indirectly linked to Belmont?
Which former Belmont resident major leaguer had more career wins… Wilbur Wood or Bill Lee?
Go Fund Me
Belmont resident Antonella Casale started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Jadden Iantosca. The 19-year-old contractor who suffered serious life altering injuries from the auto/pedestrian accident last Saturday on Lewis Road. Jadden has undergone a few surgeries and is fighting the good fight. The donation link to help Jadden and his family during this difficult time is https://gofund.me/65703638
Belmont Hill School
The Hillers are in the news again. While Belmont Hill School has generally been a good neighbor to the Town friction has been building. The school is a non-profit and as a result pays no property taxes to our revenue strapped Town. Over the years Belmont Hill School has been buying homes in the area which some speculate is a pre-cursor to building dorms. The school has consistently rejected voluntary PILOT contributions (Payment in lieu of taxes) while sitting on a $136 million endowment as the school is part of the ISL that prohibits members from doing so. The school plans to build a new parking lot (150 spaces) on woodlands the school owns upsetting neighbors. Reportedly, the lot would include above ground fuel tanks although not confirmed by TT at present. It’s not a good situation or look for the school. Now… if the Hillers would throw the Town $10m toward the new rink (in exchange for some ice time) Townie Talk could be sold on dorms and parking lots but is a big fat NO to above ground fuel tanks.
Vintage
Belmont has a strong relationship with Cape Cod. One could argue half the Town’s population lives there over the summer. TT was tipped to a Dan McCarthy short film called “The Kings of Cape Cod”. Its about 45 minutes and tells the history of Happy Hour on the Cape. Enjoy
The Townie Talk Great plan to unite Belmont
Biggest complaint I hear on the campaign trail is why doesn’t Belmont maintain their buildings? Simple answer is nobody is campaigning for maintenance of buildings outside of maybe Anne Marie Mahoney. Townie Talk is about to enter the fray. The solution is grand in nature and will require three steps and buy in from various stakeholders. No sleight of hand just common sense.
- Step #1 Repeal the Community Preservation Act. It’s a process the Select Board and Town Meeting would need to do and then the voters would vote to repeal it.
- Step #2 Approve a 15-year Debt Exclusion for a total of $22.5m allocating 60% of the proceeds to maintenance projects, 25% to roads, and 15% to energy.
- Step #3 Sell the former Benton Branch Library (with a historic deed restriction) and the modulars from the schools.
The repeal of the CPA fee combined with the $22.5m debt exclusion provides a near net zero change in tax impact to the residential taxpayer. The Debt exclusion allows the Town to dictate how the funds are allocated.
Why do this? The CPA has run its course in Belmont. How so?
The CPA requires spending on Open Space/Recreation, Historic preservation, and affordable housing. In exchange for charging residents a 1.5% surcharge the State provides matching funds of 26% on average with a range from 17% to 43%. The State budgets have been flush the last couple years so the number has grown. The near future looks dark as recession warnings flash daily and that will impact the matching rates.
These funds have done some good but also used taxpayer funds on very low priority issues. For example, recently…
- The Town allocated $200,000 for a community path phase 2 study that may be eligible for funding in 10-20 years. (Seriously)
- The Town allocated $150,000 for repairing the chimney at the former Benton Library plus another $20,000 for a structural review.
- The Town gave the First Church of Belmont $26,000 to restore the so called “Town clock”.
More relevant data…Current Fund distribution since inception…
- Open Space – 0% (There is none left. We spent $25,000 over a decade total).
- Recreation – 67% (Not sure we have any playgrounds left to renovate). The BHS fields can apply for FY24 funds if approved.
- Historic – 16% (most of this is repairs to Town Hall and new windows for the Belmont Women’s Club “Homer Flagg” house.
- Housing – 16% (a large portion went toward upgrading the electrical systems at Belmont Village (which is supposed to be handled by State Govt.)
The $22.5 Million debt exclusion plus another @$2.5m from the proceeds of the Benton sale and modulars. How to use it?
- Roads – $6.25m: Increase annual spend by $500,00k per year to increase Road repaving.
- Maintenance – $15m: Repair the Library. Have Capital Budget Committee manage remaining funds toward maintenance needs.
- Energy – $3.75m: Apply toward developing the solar farm at the old incinerator site.
How does this unite Belmont? It requires all stakeholders to work together for it to happen and gives all a reason to do it. It addresses the decades long issue of neglecting maintenance on buildings. It addresses Belmont’s Zero carbon initiative, and it replenishes the road and sidewalk fund to expedite paving projects. It has little additional impact on taxpayers. It relieves some of the stress on Belmont’s structural deficit. This current pattern of “All or Nothing” isn’t working to unite the Town. It’s just pitting group against group.
BHS Football
The Friends of Belmont Football are selling Tickets for a pre-game party at the Lansdowne Pub on November 23rd from 1-4pm. Belmont vs Watertown follows at Fenway Park.
Budding Artists
Friday November 4th, 7pm-9pm at the Belmont Media Center… Art opening reception for “Works by Annette Tzouvelis and Bella Brody Magid” 9 Lexington Street, Belmont MA. Free (your chance to say you met them before they went bigtime)
Foodies
Ok not Belmont but the food is good. Ravello’s in Watertown on the Belmont line next to Conley’s Pub has the “Sunday Dinner Special”. Easily the best pasta around and available every day. $17 for fresh linguine, marinara and meatballs.
Belmont Center
The Farmer’s Market is now closed for the season and outdoor dining in the Center has returned to sidewalk only dining. Comella’s has officially re-opened on Brighton Street.
Arsenal Yards Watertown
TT is not a sushi guy… no surprise there but if you are and want an experience of the future go to Kura Sushi at Arsenal Yards… you will need a reservation. They have “robots” delivering drinks to your table and a revolving sushi machine. It’s Japanese sushi (if that’s redundant then its because I don’t eat sushi) and I believe I saw a “Kirin” being consumed which I have tried and while it’s no Bud Light if cold enough it suffices.
Answers
Edgar’s.
Mary Sawyer joined the Mclean Hospital staff as an attendant in 1832. The hospital later moved to Belmont in 1895. Once known as the “Asylum for the Insane” it is now considered a top mental health facility in the World.
The Spaceman Bill Lee had 169 career wins just eking out Wilbur Wood’s 164 career wins.