Townie Talk Exclusive…
Multiple developments in Belmont that were built under “inclusionary zoning” are making news this month. Inclusionary zoning is a state program that allows a developer to circumvent local zoning in exchange for a percentage of the units being offered at affordable rates dictated by the Town’s household median income.
The developments TT has been made aware of have raised their “affordable” rents significantly as Belmont’s median household income surged (more later). The developments are being accused of violating the spirit of the law. That is total hogwash. The developments are keeping up their end of the bargain and maintaining affordable units per the statute. A smattering of complaints was directed to TA Patrice Garvin (not her domain), the Belmont Housing Authority (not their domain), and the Belmont Housing Trust (Bingo). Those who don’t like it can complain to Dave Rogers and Will Brownsberger. If you do, can you please ask them to explain why the State is subsidizing low-income earners in units that many in Town can’t even afford?
Belmont Median Income…
A brief survey of housing experts came back with a few reasons for the surge in Belmont’s household income. Most blamed the Covid lockdown leading to turnover. Some stated Government stimuli during Covid inflated household income and Townie Talk stated the obvious that high taxes are replacing the middle class and fixed income with elitists.
Sanity triumphs on Concord Ave…
In a shocking smackdown of the cyclist mob, The Select Board voted 2-1 to return the bike lane configuration in front of the post office to its original state. Previous research by now Board Chair, Roy “The Professor” Epstein, showed no fatalities and few injuries in the prior decades with the original design. The new design led to many close calls and complaints. The “ill suited” for Concord Ave new configuration forced pedestrians to play “Frogger” with their lives trying to cross the street.
Board member Mark Paolillo changed his mind after months of negative feedback and agreed to the restoration of the original design. Lizzie “Feel the Pain” Dionne voted to keep the “mobility challenged death trap” design.
The “ill suited” design does remain on some parts of Concord Ave including in front of the Memorial Library, Underwood Pool, and BHSMS. For now, just pray for the safety of those needing access to those spaces. Kudos to Mark Paolillo for standing up against the aggressive lobbying of the cyclist mob.
More insanity from the BHSMS building committee…
In a not surprising development, the BHSMS Building committee caved to the special interests and ripped up a much-needed parking lot at the entrance to the school. This will make it more difficult for Teachers, Parents and Students to access the school. The ignorant would say they should walk or bike instead of using a car. If you need to be told why that is an “ignorant” statement clearly you are a narcissist.
Hot off the presses….
Belmont Police are already preparing for the largest anticipated crowd in Belmont concert history and then this… Rumors are circulating that the upcoming July 19th performance by “The Twisted Jukebox Band” at the Payson Park Music Festival will have a guest vocalist. The band has many connections to Belmont including BHS ’81 lead singer Peg Navin and BHS ’85 guitarist Cosmo “Don’t call me Kramer” Macero. Who is this “guest” … Townie Talk can confirm it’s a Townie legend… Mr. Gary Rizzuto.
Due to a generous donation from New England Shutter Mills… an American manufacturer that repurposed an old mill in Lawrence Ma and provides high quality, custom, and unique wood shutters to fine residential and business properties across New England… the concert is free. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Belmont Business…
The Hanami Sushi Bar and Grill will hopefully open its doors this month after some delays. I suspect this is the second inning in the revitalization of Cushing Square. Once, the Bradford lawsuit is resolved and the commercial space is filled, expect a well-known local developer to propose additional housing across the road. In a decade the Square could be a vibrant area. The only thing standing in the way of progress is restrictive zoning and our structure of Town Government.
The Belmont Voice…
It appears Belmont is closer to having a true local newspaper again. Anticipated launch date is October 2023. I truly hope they are successful. There is nothing better than being able to pick up a local newspaper loaded with relevant content and real news. Belmont’s lone newspaper was in part killed by progressives in this Town. Years back, the Town paper had an aggressive editor who acted as a checks and balance to what the Town and School Departments would report. His reporting made the paper a weekly must read. However, those who didn’t like anyone questioning how Belmont spends taxpayer money complained and canceled subscriptions leading to his departure.
The new editors were told to stick to bland stories and told to ignore “controversial subjects”. The paper became so bland that even more people stopped subscribing. Eventually it led to a what is now a regional paper that few probably know it still exists.
The “Voice” faces an obvious challenge of providing a product that people will want to eventually pay for or finding enough advertisers that it can be provided free of charge. It appears to have some balance on the staff (they are not all Kool Aid drinkers) but will they just report the news, or will they vet the news as well? TBD.
Affirmative Action…
It’s a great week to be an American that stands against racism. The Supreme Court ruled that race can’t be used for or against an applicant in College Admissions. They also dope-slapped Joe Biden for lying to millions of college grads that he would erase their debt. Something even Nancy Pelosi knew was a lie.
Wondering how Black Americans view the ruling?… 31% strongly approved and 26% disapproved. Next up is Legacy admissions. A study on Harvard admission found that a White student applicant with no privileges stood a 10% chance of acceptance. That same student if the child of a legacy parent would see their odds rise to 50%, and if the parents were donors it would rise to 70%. I am sure some reading this are now thinking that explains a lot.
All are welcome here part 1…
Anti-Asian slurs allegedly were directed at some pedestrians last week in a drive by verbal attack. The offender is a youth with what was described to me as “issues”. While we should try to cut children slack the obvious question is where did he learn to have so much hate for Asians?
All are welcome here part 2…
Illegal immigrants are flooding into Massachusetts as Democrats have failed to secure the Southern border. Massachusetts is being deluged. Boston Medical Center has a new policy that turns away those seeking shelter and shipping the illegals off to Logan. Emergency rooms under attack as are hotels not too mention the State budget.
Imagine if Belmont had built that hotel on Brighton Street? It likely would have been taken over by the State to house illegals. In Taunton, the entire 155 rooms at the Clarion hotel are contracted with the State for $123 a night plus a $37 daily stipend for food per person. Taunton too far away? How about the Best Western in Concord? All 105 rooms rented by the State. Did I mention US citizens were forced to leave the hotel to accommodate the non-citizens. The Papa Razzi next door to the hotel is now closed? When you devalue citizenship (drivers licenses to illegals) you end up with a Country that has no identity (38% of Americans would flee vs fight if the US was attacked like Ukraine). Future is bleak for the US.
The new “old school” Belmont Firefighter patches are out…
L1637 patches are now on sale! $12 to be shipped or $10 local pick-up Email:
belmontl1637@gmail.com like to place an order.
We have a new Lieutenant on the BFD force. Congrats to John MacDonald on the promo.
An aside… with the aggressive electrification efforts in Belmont between solar panels and EV charging stations one wonders at what point will the added risks to Firefighters be addressed in Contract negotiations?
Captain Brendan O’Leary…
Has officially retired from the BPD. Thank you for your service, Brendan.
Riddell and Pelrine promoted…
Kudos to Jonathan Riddell and Michael Pelrine for being promoted to Police Sergeants. Stay safe.
BMLD…
The recent power outage in the Harvard Lawn section lasted less than 30 minutes. That performance is why Municipal Electric Light Departments are tops in customer service. THX.