Superbowl 58
The Taylor Swift Chiefs face the SF 49ers. SF is favored by 2 points and the Over/Under is 47.5pts.
What you don’t know… the Vegas sportsbooks as of Thursday need SF to win and in a low scoring game to be in the money.
My prediction… usually go with the better QB in big games.
SAVE BELMONT
A “No Override” committee has been formed to fight this outrageous override request. If Question 1 on the April Town Election Ballot passes the average single family tax bill will increase about $2,353.00 (or 13.8%) in the next fiscal year which includes the Library/Rink and $8.4m override. In the past 5 years, Belmont’s average tax bill increased by 34% driven in part by $370m in debt exclusions.
You may recall Townie Talk consistently warning that all these projects should be scaled back significantly (atriums/expanded services etc) or else we would be unable to pay to staff them. Town leaders intentionally stayed quiet about the budget to get these massive over the top buildings passed and now they are coming back for more but this time threatening a “feel the pain” budget cut approach that shockingly was publicly raised at a Warrant Committee meeting by a WC member with a nodding approval by a current Select Board member. Pay attention as Townie Talk exposes the Yes campaign over the next few months.
The Invest in Belmont Yes campaign leads with fear…
(Full disclosure… My grandfather, Dan Murphy, was a Cambridge Firefighter and when you attack firefighters who risk life and limb everyday it’s personal).
The Yes campaign warns of a 20% cut to fire services in FY26 yet the upcoming budget is FY25. Pay attention to their shenanigans. Of course, they also say Prop 2.5 only allows taxes to grow by 2.5% a year but an honest person would admit that number is historically about 3.1% as new growth is included. If you are wondering why the last 5 years taxes went up 34% get ready for some stumbling and Enron math. The reality is they were reckless on capital and short-changed operating and want you to think its normal. It’s not. It’s irresponsible.
(Current key Override proponent) Cost Saving proposal presented to Structural Change Impact Group on March 4, 2021, Public Forum Transcribed from Zoom recording beginning at 28:48.
We really need to consider closing the Belmont Center Fire Station. We need to consider Fire Department consolidation. We have a new Fire Chief coming in on March 15 and this is an opportunity to rethink the whole Department. We’re only 3 square miles, and also there was a very unfortunate report that came out today from the Department of Revenue Division of Local Services and since I’m pro-override, I’m not going to say where we rank in terms of taxes, but it’s bad. And it worries me, and I think we’ve got to think very creatively so that we’re spending money on our most important priorities.
Anyway, I’ve discussed this with a number of people and closing the Belmont Center Fire Station…it’s amazing to me how broad the support is. It goes from Progressive to Conservative. There are 4 very key areas where we could save money if we did this. The first is obviously head count. So, salaries we would save money. Second, overtime, which is huge. We spend quite a lot of money on overtime. And in terms of retaining and potentially providing more staffing to the main fire house on, is it Belmont… I forget where it turns from Belmont to Trapelo. We would eliminate our overtime problem; we would reduce our capital spending… we have to allocate a significant amount of money each year on fire truck turnover. I would much rather be putting the new two-million-dollar roof on Chenery than paying for new fire trucks, that’s my personal preference. And then, finally-and this is major and something people don’t understand- but we start paying fire pensions when they turn 55. Firefighters can retire when they are 55. Their average pension is forty-three thousand a year. And that goes on as long as they live. So, we have 4 areas of significant cost savings that would free up significant money to invest in our infrastructure- our buildings, our roads, our streets, our schools. Belmont is only three-square miles, and also there are fire stations on our border. Arlington has a fire station just over Route 2 on Park Avenue. So, I think, this would also be an opportunity to discuss cooperative agreements with our neighboring cities and towns. I have been studying this for a long time, that is our biggest cost savings by an exponential fact, would be if we shut down the Belmont Center fire station. And then, finally, huge advantage, we are so strapped for community space, that space could very quickly be repurposed for office space, for meeting space for community organizations, for teen space, maker space. We are desperate for space. That building would be repurposed in 4 important ways.
Townie Talk….
The statement above represents the values and priorities of Override proponents. While it may be one person’s statement it is group thought that prevails on the current Select Board and Committees that have forwarded these potential future cuts. If you doubt it, then ask individuals on these Boards and Committees if they agree and support the proposed cuts being used to drive fear.
The override vote gives voters a chance to say enough is enough by voting No.
Most of us know Public Safety is more important than any other service in Town as the level and speed of service can often have a direct impact on one’s life and property. The suggestion of closing a fire station or a drastic cut in staff is witless even more so after the recent elitist drunken sailor spending spree on behalf of special interests in Town. The intent of the futuristic threatened cut is a new “Feel the Pain” tactic. Do you share the priorities they have shown in budgeting? Are you frustrated they pushed a massive new HS/MS building based on 5,000 students when we peaked at 4,700 and are getting closer to the historic norms of < 4,300? Was it wise to build a bigger library with expanded services and then tell the voters we need to reduce library hours without an override? How about building a new $29m Sports facility and then threatening to eliminate High School hockey programs. Do you feel deceived? Were you misinformed at the time of the votes that this was a potential outcome? Who do you hold responsible… those who are now asking for another $8.4m perhaps?
Horrifying News
President Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials” after he served as vice president. The good news is he won’t be charged as the report also said Biden’s memory was “significantly limited” during his 2023 interviews with the special counsel, and Hur continued to detail more instances of the 81-year-old president’s memory lapses in the report, saying Biden could not remember when he was vice president. Holy Farts. No wonder nothing is being done about the border invasion. Please stop this elder abuse now. This is beyond dangerous as we are on the precipice of a Civil War because of the border invasion and World War 3 because America is not considered a viable deterrence currently.
Private Church event targeted by protesters…
A private event sponsored by a local Belmont church, that featured US Congressional Rep. Katherine Clarke and Belmont State Senator William Brownsberger, was disrupted by protesters who became unruly and were threatened with arrest if they did not leave. It is believed the protesters were demanding a cease fire in Gaza. Rep Clarke has had a Capitol Police escort with her since becoming House minority whip and she has been accosted regularly by far-left organizations for a variety of reasons. A Belmont Police detail was also on site. The unruly protesters were escorted out and no arrests were made.
Something new…
Just got back from Denver… the view of the Mountains looks just like as pictured on a Coor’s Light. Coor’s Light is served in 24oz cans out there and they still have Happy Hour. There are many pot shops, Starbuck’s, and Arby’s. There are also many (more than Boston) illegal immigrants and homeless. It’s an epidemic. Every traffic light has someone trying to squeegee your windshield for a few bucks (not in a threatening way as much as a desperation way) and the homeless are overwhelmingly drug addicts in their teens and 20’s. Very sad and unfortunately a pattern that’s developing in large Democratic run cities across the US. There are not many Dunkin’s out there, but I did find two. The Avalanche and Nuggets are very similar to the Bruins and Celtics except both Denver teams have recent championships. There is a strip club called Shotgun Willie’s that was hosting a “Large Lady strip off” but I made a better choice by spending my money on a Shrimp Cocktail appetizer and a couple Coor’s Lights at Local Jones. If you like Shrimp cocktail and fancy yourself capable of handling extreme spice, then you should order a bottle of St. Elmo’s Steak House Shrimp Cocktail sauce, chill it, and be prepared for pain and ecstasy. Guaranteed your eyes will tear. Fantastic.
Townies trashed…
Select Board member “Lovey” Liz Dionne at times joined by fellow board member “Professor” Roy Epstein went out of their way to disparage a handful of long-time residents serving the Town of Belmont. At a recent Town meeting, the current victims of Lovey’s “feel the pain” movement, were none other than Bob Reardon, Chuck Laverty, and Patrick Murphy. Those lads represent the current Belmont Board of Assessors and are irresponsive and provide flawed data perhaps per Liz and Roy. To think Moderator Mike said no personal attacks just minutes prior. Have no fear as Liz and Roy want “we the voters” to validate their attacks by voting to have the BOA appointed instead of elected.
An odd thing though… Liz says her voter friends didn’t even know that the BOA members are voted on. So now she wants those same people voting on changing the process. That’s logical…not. Anyways Question 2 is a solid NO. Easy to remember No on 1 and No on 2.
Select Board member Mark Paolillo probably gave the most obvious reason to vote No. As a Select Board member, a frequent complaint by voters is their homes assessment is too high. His response is simple… assessors are elected not appointed. It keeps funny business from happening. What happens if those changes? Good point Mark.
Hey, Floyd Carman… please don’t watch Town meeting. Apparently, moving to a Town appointed treasurer created a huge efficiency. Now instead of walking to the nearby bank to deposit checks the office can now scan them. I understand that the savings will enable the Treasurer’s office to order two topping pizzas instead of one for the next Christmas (Holiday party).
Memo to all residents…. If you have expired foods in your fridge or closet it’s time to retire. This one is from Bob “Mustard” McGaw. Angus “Porta Potty” Abercrombie has started a trend. Bizarre stories at Town meeting
Cambridge sucks…
Yes… it was once a proud city but now is filled with disturbed minds. Did you know that Cambridge plans on building a massive business and residential complex on Blanchard Road next to Comellas. The traffic is already a nightmare on Blanchard but the moon bats in Cambridge don’t believe in cars. It’s a six-story monstrosity on the Belmont border. Pay attention folks.
Tom Gibson
Just a follow up, sure as a Jets losing season, Townie Talk correctly predicted the 2-2 tie vote by the retirement board on re-appointing long term member Tom Gibson. It was a political decision and just another dedicated Town resident being erased by a power-hungry crew. I have heard from multiple sources Tom took his responsibility to retirees seriously and that is what did him in. Not all change is positive. Pay attention folks.
Noxious Odor… Oil, Gas, and Farts
The Belmont Skating rink demolition crew struck Oil. Unfortunately, not the type we can sell to get out of the reckless spending by Town Leaders. This oil was from an old storage tank containing 100 or so gallons and it was the tank feed that was struck. In total about 10 gallons escaped and quick remediation prevented further environmental damage. No leakage has been reported into the Claypit pond, so the two headed fish are from prior spills. The cleanup cost (rumor in the low 10’s of thousands is within the contingency fund range). The big question is how does a tank go unnoticed?
For those wondering if the Belmont Teachers went on strike, the answer is No. Maybe they should.
January 16th, a teacher at the Winn Brook, reports a smell and complains of a headache. This was allegedly investigated by facilities and the teachers were assured they were safe. Jan 19th the first evacuation of the Winn Brook school occurred, and the issue was allegedly fixed over the weekend. A second evacuation occurred on January 23rd with the school then closed the 24th and 25th. A third evacuation occurred on January 30th. Apparently, the issue was traced to two boilers and the Town is now inspecting all buildings. For those long time Townie Talk readers… you will remember the infamous “SprayGate” event when Town employees were exposed to potentially toxic chemicals by the improper use of sanitization sprayers and found out by external sources that it was being investigated. In other words, very few Town/School employees believe anything the Town Leaders say anymore.
On February 8th, the Chenery middle school had a report of strong odor in the sixth-grade hallways. Trust me those hallways reek of body odor as middle schoolers and hygiene aren’t synonymous. The odor was identified as a small bottle of “fart spray”. Yes… Fart spray. For those not familiar with the term…
Colloquially, flatulence may be referred to as “farting”, “pumping”, “trumping”, [9] “blowing off”, “pooting”, “passing gas”, “breaking wind”, “backfiring”, or simply (in American English) “gas” or ( British English) “wind”.
- Wikipedia
This story brought tears to my eyes. We should name a street after this kid. Fart sprays, whoopie cushions, water doorways… the spirit of the young. I declare February 8th an extra recess day from here on out.
$1.7 Million
Floyd, Reardon, Laverty, Murphy, Gibson…. all much nicer and reputable gents than I, are being erased by a power-hungry group thought political faction driven by a desire to be the next Lexington. Why, I ask, hasn’t this not-so-secret cabal ponied up the $1.7m so I can leave Town and Townie Talk behind, and you can operate in the shadows. That’s USD not Bitcoin. If it makes you feel better add another million to show off.