In Memoriam…

The list keeps growing… 

• Gino Villa… dedicated Belmont DPW employee.
• Donald White… Teacher and Coach. 
• John Mangano… BHS 85 grad and always a friendly smile. Rough 12 months for ’85. 
• John Rocca… from Cambridge both a WW2 vet and former Local 30 Cambridge Jake President. 
• Dolores Fairbanks… Mom of Jen ‘86er
• Lawrence “Larry” Furnari… car lover and former resident. 
• Paul Maney… Triple Eagle and longtime resident.
• Jean Tellier… Teacher and part of the Tellier/Almond crew. 
• Robert Rines… Lector at St. Lukes and boat lover
• Election recap

Moderator… 

Winner: Mike Widmer   Loser: Paul Roberts

Roberts will keep his “out of order” nickname as Widmer won easy. Crowley is not a horse to bet on since the brutal damage caused by the School Committees Covid response. 

School Committee…

Winners: Moriarty and Kraft    Loser: Abercrombie

The rub is most people who run for School Committee are running to fix something wrong with the system usually as it relates to their own child. Remember the cat lady wanting a later start for high schoolers. Angus wanted a better relationship between the Teacher Union and School Committee and paid the price. The lad has ambition and drive which is great, but he needs to realize when he is being used as a pawn and by whom. (Hint… it’s not the BEA contrary to opinion). With age comes wisdom for some so keep an eye on him as he matures and determines who he is… people or things. 

Question # 2 Change to appointed Bard of Assessors

This is officially going to a recount in May. How do I know? A source confirmed a great American turned in the signatures on April 11^th on behalf of Democracy and transparency so stay tuned. 

Select Board 

Winner: Taylor Loser: Lubien Spoiler: Howard

This is a watershed moment for Belmont. The last watershed moment was in 2002 when Paul Solomon knocked off the GOAT Bill Monahan for a seat on the Board. Solomon’s win shifted the balance of power from fiscal conservative to liberal. The damage to Belmont’s middle class and fixed income has been constant since. Taylor’s win will take it even further into fantasyland idealism. Epstein will be even more irrelevant as Dionne will be focused on trying to reign in Taylor and then realize that the next board member will be another idealist and she will be irrelevant. There will be attempt to expand the BOS to 5 which will fail. 

Question #1 The $8.4m Override…

Winners: Elitists, Materialists, and low info voters   Losers: See below

I have had some time to think about this and with 50% of the registered voters showing up to vote and a 55-45 vote in favor it’s fair to say the result is representative of the majority in Town. It is also fair to call the Yes voters out for the type of people they are. They are people who prioritize things and wants over their neighbor’s basic well-being. It’s comical when a Yes voter says but “You don’t know me”. No, but I know your vote and that’s exactly what this vote was about. Ms. Dionne was clear a successful override would force out renters and homeowners and that is what you voted for. That was your priority so now own it. You are the evil landlord that you always rooted against in TV and Movies. Elitist and materialistic. 

 A DD pal told me this Town is run by kids who were bullied now getting their revenge for a miserable childhood by creating an aura of exclusivity as adults (some sort of elite nerd club?) I don’t know maybe not getting invited to that Bar Mitzvah in 7^th grade still stings or hearing “Top of the Order” every inning keeps you up at night. I’d like to think its more of a generational thing with Boomers and Millennial’s of the same mindset of wanting things now regardless of having the funds to pay for it. Odd for Boomers as many of them experienced the “layaway” purchasing model. No one knows for sure but according to realtors many homes in Town are being paid for with cash so who knows.  

As a side note… I will take a cash offer of $1,675,000 USD for my home and Townie Talk.  That’s a $25k discount. 

As for the losers… 

Listen, it sucks that people are so selfish, but society has changed, and people don’t know their neighbors like they used too or even care. Here is a list of positives to thing about while preparing to sell your home. 

Real Estate commissions are shrinking. What was once 5% is now negotiable. Some Realtors are using a 2% sell rate and making a commission for the buy side negotiable. So maybe you save 1% or even 2% on the sale versus what was once 5%. Yes, you could sell it on your own, but “quality” realtors can make a difference just like great investment managers can. 

Homes are selling fast as inventory remains limited (when that changes prices will plummet, and it could change quick). Anyone over 50 years of age should recall October 19^th, 1987, otherwise called “Black Monday”. The similarities between today and then are scary. The stock market tanked, and home prices tanked and took a decade to recover (10 years). You don’t want to be on the end of a 30% drop in home prices and a Town like Belmont is much more at risk now.

The Silver Tsunami (when Boomers downsize and move on to independent/assisted living) is upon us. That will free up an estimated 9 million homes. It’s funny that when the obvious is staring you in the face you ignore it.  

Belmont is no longer immune. Covid changed the work environment. You don’t need to live close to your office in many cases making our proximity to Cambridge and Boston less valuable (Don’t believe me then look at Commercial Occupancy rates in Boston where more than 1 in 5 floors sits empty). Belmont is tied to the Education sector more so than other areas… meaning people relocating to Belmont to attend or teach at local Universities is high. The Education sector is under attack by tanking enrollment that is expected to hit in a year or two (the cliff) and strong AI (Artificial Intelligence) is expected to be commonplace between 2030-2037. That will put enormous pressure on Higher Education as many jobs will be replaced including (computer programming) so future higher education will be limited to fewer fields of study meaning less jobs and students. Less likely but under the current Biden administration we could see foreign investors flee the US market as military conflicts continue to arise daily and foreign and domestic threats are growing.  

So… in the positive, it’s a good time to sell. My raw guess is you have 1-3 years to unload. The Town is not what it once was so what are you leaving behind is more memories than reality and maybe the few friends that remain will see the light and follow you. So where do you move to? I have my plan, and you can too just think positive.  

For those Renter’s being forced out… when the pendulum shifts you will reap the benefit. Who knows you may even be able to afford to buy but would you want too here?

Belmont Center 

A new hair salon and a new nail salon will be moving into Belmont Center. Doesn’t do me any good but good luck to the new owners and here’s hoping the Town doesn’t drag its feet on permitting.

Belmont Blunders 

Have you been by the new Brendan Grant baseball field? What a shame how the BHSMS building committee shortchanged it. The netting is so low that most foul balls will end up in the Claypit. The dugouts would be rejected by Mayor Wu as temporary housing for Mass and Cass refugees. The field gives the Underwood deep end a run for depth during rainstorms. 

Have you seen the Waverley MBTA station fire hoses? Faker Charlie Baker pushed a bill driving Belmont to zone thousands of units of new housing but left the MBTA in such disrepair that the Waverley station floods during every storm and the toxic runoff is then fed into the sewer system. Ironically, Belmont just warned homeowners about excess fertilizer runoff from yards causing environmental harm. Do as I say…

The Belmont skating rink architect apparently forgot it takes water to make ice. Rumor says the main water line feed was left out. The reason Harris filed had no lights was another oops. BMLD graciously put up three poles and an electric feed in record time but who is paying for these gaffes? 

Irish Humor to get you past your troubles…

Paddy wants a job, but the foreman won’t hire him until he passes a little math’s test.

Here is your first question, the foreman said. “Without using numbers, represent the number 9.”

“Without numbers?” Paddy says? “Dat’s easy.” And proceeds to draw three trees.

“What’s this?” the boss asks.

“Have you no brain? Tree and tree plus tree make 9” says Paddy.

“Fair enough,” says the boss. “Here’s your second question. Use the same rules, but this time the number is 99.”

Paddy stares into space for a while, then picks up the picture that he has just drawn and makes a smudge on each tree. “Ere ye go.”

The boss scratches his head and says, “How on earth do you get that to represent 99?”

“Each of them trees is dirty now. So, its dirty tree, and dirty tree, plus dirty tree. Dat makes 99.”

The boss is getting worried that he’s going to actually have to hire Paddy, so he says, “All right, last question. Same rules again, but represent the number 100.”

Paddy stares into space some more, then he picks up the picture again and makes a little mark at the base of each tree and says, “Ere ye go. One hundred.

The boss looks at the attempt. “You must be nuts if you think that represents a hundred!”

Paddy leans forward and points to the marks at the base of each tree and whispers, “A little dog came along and pooped by each tree.

So now you got dirty tree and a turd, dirty tree and a turd, and dirty tree and a turd, which makes ONE HUNDRED!”

Dancing with the Stars…

I had Laverty, Tzouvelis, and Mahoney in my trifecta bet on DraftKings. Apparently, Twinkle Toes was the weak link. Maybe next year they can do Drinking with the Stars. I know who I would bet on.

Side Notes… 

The Eclipse just wasted 1 hour of your life or nine hours if you went to NH and tried to return to Massachusetts. Good News EV charging stations were only 6 hour wait times he said sarcastically. 

Tough news…

The evidence behind medical intervention for youth questioning their gender is “remarkably weak”, with some doctors abandoning “normal clinical approaches” to prescribe hormones to teens, a landmark review in the United Kingdom has found.

The long-term health effects of masculinizing and feminizing hormones on teens are “limited and need to be better understood” and such interventions should only be taken with “extreme caution”, the long-awaited review commissioned by England’s National Health Service (NHS) said on Wednesday.

NHS is the equivalent of the US FDA. This is awful news for Parents with children questioning their gender. Most parents just want to do what is best for their kids. Now it appears according to this comprehensive review that only under extreme circumstances should action be taken. Waiting till children reach adulthood is the best course of action (or inaction). Regardless of how you feel on the subject this new report is just brutal for Parents in this situation. Why the story is only making headway in the US as it relates to a JK Rowling controversy is a disappointing indictment of the politicization of American healthcare. We thought the Covid cover up was bad and now this.  

Happy Patriot’s Day     

Just a reminder that on the 19^TH of April in 1775, Brave men fought the battle of Concord, Lexington and Menotomy signaling the start of the American Revolution. A war that was started over taxation without representation. Today, we just hold No signs and vote against Democrats and some establishment Republicans. Just like Memorial Day, the reason for the holiday has been lost and in this case is thought of as Marathon Monday. God Bless the heroic men and women who started this Country and those who continue to defend our freedoms at home and abroad. While many celebrate, many others will be on high alert protecting our citizens from domestic threats. Stay safe. 

Civil War

Can I get a refund? I was looking forward to this movie for months. I thought it would paint a picture of what was dividing this Country and instead spent an hour and a half learning that embedded photographers and journalists are heartless narcissists that only care about the glory and fame. People left stunned at how lacking this movie was. 

Cheers,  

PJ Looney

Townie Talk 02478

“AMDG” Never Forget, Never Again

In Memoriam…

James Michael Trodden… Mr. Trodden was my favorite hockey coach growing up. Just a great guy that you wanted to play for. It wasn’t wins and losses with him. He truly wanted all his players to learn and love the sport and many of his sons went on to compete at higher levels of play. Mr. Trodden was a retired US Marine and leaves behind his wife (Maureen) and five children (Arlene, Dan, Brian, Ted, and Mark) … their spouses and 19 grandkids. Good man from a great family. RIP Coach. 

Daniel Higgins… BHS class of 1985 and Providence Friar, passed recently after a freak accident. I have known Dan for decades. His gift for gab is only surpassed by his brother John and I would argue his late Father. Dan was a gentle giant whose passion was watching his kids grow. Dan’s son Brendan gave the eulogy and from what I heard Dan has reason to be proud. Taken too soon, Dan leaves behind two children, Brendan and Brietta, and his brother John (wife Kelly) and his niece and nephew. RIP Danny Boy

Mary (McLucas) Daniels… if you grew up in Belmont in the 80’s/90’s you knew at least one of the Daniels kids. Mary was the matriarch of the family and passed in January. She leaves behind her children Elliot, Marshall, Elizabeth Dragone, and Mary Ellen Birnbaum and 9 grandchildren. RIP Mrs. Daniels.  

Belmont Hill Development looking at massive HOA increase. 

The Woodlands development HOA (former McLean property) turned into high end condo’s, recently notified condo owners that their HOA fees would be rising over the next two years to pay for repairs and replacement of roads and sidewalks in the development as well as growing the contingency fund. How much you ask? Depending on your condo the HOA increase will be between ($2,000 a month for 2 years) to ($3,000 a month for two years). This doesn’t even factor in the impact the debt exclusions and massive override will add. 

As I read that keep in mind my house is available for a paltry $1.7 million and there is plenty of parking and no HOA fee. Seriously, isn’t that like a one-month rental in the Hamptons these days. Put an end to my misery please. 

Anyways, sources close to Townie Talk indicate a growing number of condo owners are seeking a stop order (arguing the existing infrastructure is fine and 2 years to cover that amount of money in my words is “Grey Poupon” money. Again, this is unrelated to the average $2,500-$3500 property tax increase many of those units can expect with a Yes vote on the override. 

Belmont Voice…

Kudos to the Belmont Voice #1. While there certainly is bias in how issues are reported with a leftward slant… they proved their value with breaking a story on how the Town was hiding a very expensive screw up in the Assessors office where an inexperienced Covid hire and/or poorly trained employee in the office failed to pay withholding taxes to the IRS from the Belmont Retirement fund. The mistake has cost over $45,000 in fines with another possible 6 figure fine pending. Pay Attention Folks!

Kudos to Belmont Voice part 2. 

Wittingly or not the Belmont Voice March 9^th print edition exposed a secret on the override. In the article, Town Administrator Patrice Garvin admits that cuts discussed in prior meetings exceed the actual need.  This is precisely what the No campaign is arguing that this is a “fear campaign” based on speculation. This also falls into the comment made by Warrant Committee member Chris Doyle with now Select Board member Elizabeth Dionne nodding in approval that taxpayers must “feel the pain” for the override to be successful. 

OBEY!

Borrowed from the “PR guru” in Belmont is simply applied to anything the Select Board says these days. The only Committee with more arrogance in Town is the BHSMS Building Committee. What happens when those two get together… complete dismissive behavior. This week’s victim none other than the Conservation Committee. 

The Conservation committee negotiated that the path around Claypit would be fully restored after construction of the new school was finished. This was a condition that the BHSMS Building Committee agreed to so construction could start. Now that the BHSMS building is finished they are looking to receive the final $5m in State funding for the project. This won’t be transferred until the checklist is complete. The path has not been restored (about 40% is not passable) and that is standing in the way of the $5m. The BHSMS building Committee bluntly told the Conservation Committee they will not rebuild the path they destroyed and to pound sand. The BHSMS BC complained to the Select Board that the Town is paying $1,000 a day in interest on a carry loan because the Conservation Committee won’t release the Building Committee from their obligation. Estimated cost is about $300,000 or so. 

The Select Board essentially belittled the Conservation Committee as being irresponsible for holding things up and costing the Town money. The Conservation Committee just wants a guarantee from the Select Board the path will be finished. The Select Board told them to pound sand and now the Conservation Committee is on their own to find the money. Good luck. 

Pay attention folks…. If you have read Townie Talk consistently you will see a pattern of citizen’s and committees being disrespected and a combination of false intellectual superiority and elitism.

Boston Globe a few weeks late…

Ok, Townie Talk beat the Globe in pointing out the obvious… young professionals want out of High-cost Boston citing rent, home cost, and job availability. A recent survey by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce says 25% intend to move elsewhere in the next 5 years. My advice is move now… it’s not going to get better and the areas they are fleeing to will eventually start seeing rising costs.  

Kudos to Coach Kelleher and the Belmont/Watertown Girls Hockey team…

It wasn’t long ago that the BHS girl’s hockey team was scouring the Chenery for players. This season it ended up Middlesex League Champs and just missing a final four appearance. Nicely done Coaches and Ladies.

Something Rotten

BHS PERFORMING ARTS is putting on a production of “Something Rotten” at the BHS Auditorium. 

Tickets go fast so go get them. Thursday March 14^th 7pm, Friday the 15^th 7pm, and Saturday the 16^th 2pm and 7pm. This is a fun play and a talented cast. 

April 2^nd Election… how I plan to vote. (These are not endorsements just why I am voting how I am)

Question #1    NO

I find it repulsive that I live in a Town that would choose pickle ball courts over firemen, teachers, and Senior Center counselors. Yet, that is exactly the assbackwards way this Town is currently run. We have a spending problem, and a YES vote just encourages more fiscal irresponsibility. The road to recovery starts with a No vote and provides at least some temporary relief to a citizenry that is overburdened as the Town report says and struggling with inflation. The Yes campaign slogan “Invest in Belmont” is insulting to taxpayers who approved $370 million on oversized and luxurious new buildings in the last 5 years. 

Question #2 NO

Select Board member Mark Paolillo said one of the top complaints he gets on the Select Board is resident’s complaining about their home assessments. Currently, the Select Board has no say in the makeup of the Board of Assessors and as such they are unable to influence individual home assessments. A Yes vote changes that and puts Select Board members in a position of influence over assessments and that is a recipe for corruption. 

Moderator Mike Widmer

Over a decade ago, Mike Widmer interviewed me for a seat on the Warrant committee. He went a different direction (someone with legal or building engineering expertise over my high IQ and great looks). One could argue that was the biggest mistake Mike ever made. Maybe Belmont wouldn’t be so materialistic, and spending wouldn’t be beyond any reasonable means. Regardless, Mike gets my vote. He does a good job running Town meeting but needs to do better with appointments to the Warrant Committee (I would like to see more economic diversity represented like fixed incomes Seniors and middle-income folks). 

Unfortunately for Mike Crowley, past performance is a good indicator of future performance. (I sound like Jeff Lasseter) Mike was a member of one of the most destructive School Committee’s in Belmont history. The pain still lingers. 

Select Board   Geoff Lubien

If Geoff Lubien were an ice cream flavor, I would say he is Vanilla. Not showy or fancy he digs into the numbers, listens, and keeps focused. He is not an ideologue. Of all the candidates I think Geoff is most likely to hear the message voters send on election day which I hope is “enough is enough” and reacts accordingly. 

School Committee Meg Moriarty

This may surprise some because I don’t agree with Meg on several priority issues, but Meg was true to her word on academic excellence and supported advanced math classes at the Chenery. On a super “woke” school board that probably was a hard position to take. That earned her my vote. 

As for the others I look at things differently then many. I value “quality” Teachers and Staff over “quantity”. I believe a well-paid quality Teacher is much more valuable than 2 less capable lower paid Teachers. I believe there is a push among school committees to dumb down Teaching requirements to increase the pool of Teachers and allow them to pay less for Teachers. Teaching is like health care as in knowledge and experience are critical to success. Great Teachers will identify obstacles and work with Parents early on to make a difference. Is class size more important that we can dumb down pay and education requirements for Teachers?  Ask the candidates. In theory, smaller class sizes produce better results with all things equal. In practice, Belmont has done fine with their competitively paid Teachers regardless of class size. That may change if Teachers choose better paying districts. 

I would ask the remaining candidates if they would agree with the suggested cuts in the Schools for FY26. Recently, due to heightened interest at the High School and their DEI obsession “AP African American Studies” was added to the curriculum. I know all we hear about are cuts but Yes things get added as well. I get why students want the course as it looks great on the College resume. What I want to know is… is the School Committee as committed to Athletics which has had record student participation since pre-covid? Are sports not education? Does interest not drive offering? I still recall the lukewarm reception by the School Committee to a new rink. Holding signs for the library was a common sight but the rink was an afterthought. Are athletics a priority with any of the other three candidates and if so, get on record now. 

Town Meeting Members

I lost a lot of respect for my fellow Town Meeting members when 2/3rds of them voted to remove the Police department from civil service without collective bargaining. It wasn’t just anti-union it was an elitist vote that sent the message you work for us and will “Obey”. With that said I will not vote for any who supported the measure. Their names can be found on belmontbriefing.com under the December 5, 2023, Townie Talk issue “Santa’s Naughty List”.  

Belmont Dancing with the Stars…

Limited Tickets are still available for “Dancing with the Belmont Stars” fundraiser by the Belmont Woman’s Club. Friday April 5^th at the Beech Street Senior Center. Cash Bah. 

Early favorites include Charles “Twinkle Toes” Laverty and Anne Marie “Cha-Cha-Cha” Mahoney. Don’t be surprised if the “Greek Goddess” Joanna Tzouvelis does a Triple Lindy for the upset.  

GET THE LED OUT

April Vacation is not just for the kids. Friday April 12^th at the Chevalier theater in Medford Ma. one of the better Led Zeppelin tribute bands takes the stage. If you like pure Rock and great guitar and drums… this is your concert to see. 

March 17^th   An Irish Blessing for all

“May God give you… For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer.”

Cheers, 

PJ Looney

Townie Talk 02478

“AMDG” Never Forget Never Again

I was not insulted by his tardiness BUT I was infuriated by the outright lying to the American public.  Lying or “telling of half-truths” has become the norm in politics.  

Similarly, I am infuriated at the VOTE Yes Committees flyers which continue this campaign of lies and half-truths.

“Belmont residents will not be allowed to check out the 6 million books due to the loss of Minuteman network accreditation.”  A lie!  Look it up!  Any resident of Massachusetts may use the Minuteman network.

“Sports, theatre, clubs will be cut at the High School.”  Parents pay now for their students to participate!  $450 per sport plus monies raised by parent groups and the Boosters.

“Most school buses will be eliminated.”  Busing is required for all students who live more than 1-1/2 miles from their school.  Most other riders pay for the service which compliments the required expenses.

“Eliminate Town funded rubbish collection and add new fees.”  The “trash collection override of 1990” continues to provide more than enough funds to support the present rubbish/recycling contract. 

“Closing the Burbank School.”  There has been no decision regarding Burbank.  Indeed, this would be a terrible decision.  Instead, make all schools K-6 (saves busing costs).  Then close Chenery, sell it to a developer for millions and create 100 units of over 55 housing.  Netting millions in revenue with no impact on the schools.

Let’s look at other cost reductions and sources of new revenue.  

Enrollment is down 500 students from the projections used to justify the new High/Middle School.  (Why should they be so far off?)  There should be staff reductions based on this alone.

Energy costs for the new school should be way down, as a result of the investment in geothermal and solar installations.  Where is this reflected?

A new High/Middle School, Library, and Rink should result in further savings in maintenance and operations costs.

McLean Hospital is budgeting $1.5 million for PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) for FY 25.

Send the message that fiscal responsibility and solvency must come first and without further burdening our over-taxed citizens. 

An operating override is too much to ask!  Join me and vote NO!

Edward A. Kazanjian is a retired facilities engineer, registered educational facility planner, executive director and head consultant for a nonprofit, national public school consulting firm and an assistant superintendent of schools. He has been a Belmont resident for over 50 years.

It has been widely claimed that it is not the responsibility of the MBTA communities advisory committee to evaluate noncompliance. While I disagree with that premise, let’s look at other venues for discussion. If the MBTA communities advisory committee is the wrong venue for discussions around non-compliance, why then won’t the select board and/or the planning board hold their own separate public forms to allow residents to weigh in on non compliance? Why won’t the Planning Board specifically look at the cost of noncompliance versus a fiscal impact statement, and economic impact statement, etc? 

As you can see from the photos below, the biggest theme from the public forum was residents making clear (via stickers since questions weren’t allowed on noncompliance during the Q&A) that we need a townwide vote. 

Another big concern expressed from residents is the lack of consultation and the lack of a fiscal impact study, etc.. It is important that a fiscal impact study is put together before plans are presented, and not after. An economic development survey has also not been done, this is especially concerning as Belmont is already a town troubled with a lack of commercial business. This is driven by the highest vacancy rate in Belmont Center’s history. 

My big takeaway is that the discussions around non compliance are occurring regardless of if they are endorsed by the town government. It’s now town officials who are lagging behind.

Attention Townie Talk readers…

Occasionally, an issue of critical importance to the community will arise that requires immediate notification to the residents. As Townie Talk believes in transparency, below is a letter I received unedited for your consumption. My comments will follow… 

Letter to TownieTalk02478

Hi TownieTalk authors,

Belmont Center is in grave danger of being turned into an Alewife-like monstrosity of 4 story and higher buildings, from Moore to Alexander streets, obliterating the historic center, and destroying the town’s core identity. 

We – a group of Belmont Center abutters – have been talking to the MBTA zoning committee to ask them to take this off their map for rezoning for Subdistrict 5, which they did even for the Star market and car wash plot – a much more likely spot for the new required housing! They refused to do so for Belmont Center, at a meeting with us today.

It is IMPERATIVE that at the public meeting on Thursday Feb 15, 7pm, to review the skewed current zoning “scenarios”, folks who care about the center show up in force and vote for the scenarios that don’t destroy the center. 

Can you please put out a call on your blog? Most people don’t even know this is happening – once in a generation change to obliterate our town center as we know it, happening now.

For informational purposes… there will be a meeting this Thursday at 7pm at the Beech Street Center (Senior Center – 266 Beech Street, Belmont MA). It will not be remote. Public comment will be allowed. 

TownieTalk commentary…

Tomorrow, Milton voters go to the polls to vote on whether to comply with the controversial MBTA community’s law. The law demands communities dramatically increase housing along and near MBTA routes or risk losing State aid. We are talking about potentially adding 1,600-3,000 units in a Town like Belmont that has about 10,000 units. Gov. Healey is maintaining a zero-tolerance attitude even though certain communities will be economically and aesthetically devastated as Belmont will. 

At this moment, the Select Board has refused to consider allowing Belmont to vote on compliance, so the MBTA Zoning committee is forced with creating a plan for which the meeting Thursday solicits more resident feedback. The current committee has some members who want to add as much housing as allowed and damn the consequences (familiar theme in Belmont perhaps?) and others who want to protect as much potential commercial development space as possible in Town who are trying to be creative and balance the intent of the law vs the actual impact on the Town. 

Things to consider…. 

1. To date there has been no fiscal impact analysis study requested by the Select Board on enacting this law. Ditto for environmental. 
2. Leaders talk a good game of increasing commercial revenue… yet this law unless meticulously configured would eat into the little commercial space we have. 
3. Why should Belmont bear the cost of housing and educating residents who overwhelmingly work in Cambridge and Boston while those business taxes go to those cities?  
4. What will Belmont Center, the Squares… Waverley, Palfrey, Cushing, and the key corridors…Pleasant, Brighton/Blanchard, and Belmont Street look like lined with six story units. (If you read the last Townie Talk then you would see the 6-floor housing planned for the Cambridge side of Blanchard Street in the old pepperidge farm site)
5. How many new students will any plan unload on our school system? Could easily exceed 1,000 in a Town with 4,500 currently enrolled.  

Some will say Cambridge and Somerville can do it so can we. That’s fine if you can send your kids to private school, don’t have a car, and don’t mind human excrement on the sidewalks. Some will say it will happen over years… that doesn’t solve the space issue as the Town isn’t getting any new land in the deal. 

Townie Talk is 100% opposed to the new law and believes a change of this magnitude should be in front of the voters. In the meantime, the effort should be focused on the least negative fiscal and aesthetic impact to the Town and preserving commercial revenue space. 

If I recover from my head cold/flu in time, I will stress the fiscal impact study being essential in any planning stages, the need to protect what little commercially zoned space we have, and the erosion of the Town’s historic and suburban aesthetics. If I can’t… someone please raise these issues and reach out to the Select Board ASAP. This is insanity. #GOMILTON. 

PAY ATTENTION FOLKS!!!!

PJ Looney

Townie Talk 02478

“AMDG” Never Forget Never Again

I watched and listened to the FinCom meeting a few nights ago when the various members commented on the “right amount” for the override…ranging from $6.4 to $8.4 million and how the higher the  number the declining prospect for passage.  There was discussion of asking for two amounts providing some level of support without requiring a large number, all or nothing!  I now read today, the Selectmen have gone with the highest number…ergo the least chance of passage or in their case the biggest gamble.

At no time during the meeting was there any discussion about just how the numbers were derived (some attributed to X’s number or Y’s number using names of persons.

Also, I heard no discussion about any available offsets coming from aid, growth, or opportunities to increase revenue.  No discussion on the impact of the new High/Middle School on existing fuel and electricity budgets or the impact the enrollment projections used to justify the new building which of course never came to fruition…down 500 students from the projections.

Herein are a few suggestions for consideration before any override could possibly be supported.

A. The existing school budget (indeed the entire premise for the new school) was an enrollment increase of over 500 which never occurred.  Current budgets and staffing were based on that premise.  Shouldn’t the current budget staffing and costs be scrutinized?  

B. The new HS/MS HVAC design includes $2.6 million in rooftop solar panels and 283 geothermal wells for heating and cooling.  The building was advertised as Net Zero.  This must be reflected in the operating budget for the schools.   What portion of the “$5 million in net present savings is reflected?

C. Literature being distributed at a recent High School basketball game states that “the costs of services that residents receive are rising faster than the limit imposed by Prop 2-1/2”…shows the lack of understanding of what Prop 2-1/2 assumed.  Municipalities are NOT constrained by an annual 2.5% increased….the law allows for considerable increases to that amount….new growth, debt limits, overrides, etc.  Indeed, Belmont in the that past thirty-five years has passed 45% of its overrides, and 70% of its debt exclusions.  Also, the Community Preservation Act was passed during this period adding an additional 1.5% annually to the taxes of our citizens.

D. The same literature threatens elimination of school sports and activities.  Parents currently pay dearly for these programs.  $450 per sport NOT to mention the various booster and fund raiser monies solicited throughout the year.

E. I have heard threats of “privatizing” trash collection (inferring we would pay for this private service).  In 1990, the Citizens passed an override specifically so this would never happen.  A $2.09 million override was passed to pay for trash removal.  At a compounded 2.5% a year, that amount has increased to $4.6 million this year and the cost of this service recently re-bid is currently $2.4 million.  Where is the $2.2 million savings this year?  At a minimum the Town has gained a million dollars every previous year from this 1990 override for other purposes.

F. The 2001 so called “Roads” override $3.0 million is now valued at $5.16 million (not to mention that one year the Selectmen used this money for other purposes promising Town Meeting this was a one-time only diversion of the funds).  Belmont does not allocate the $5.16 million only the $3 million.…where is the $2,100,000?.

What about increasing revenue?

G. A commercial tax rate!  Forget the old saw that we do not have enough commercial property or that a commercial rate will drive out development.  Think Watertown!  Tons of development and a commercial tax rate three times the residential rate and further reductions for owner occupied housing.  At the same time, I would propose that ALL non-owner-occupied multi-family residential property would be considered “commercial” and taxed accordingly.  Why should a non-resident landlord or a resident renting property pay the same taxes but receive all the tax deductions and depreciation of commercial property?  Provide some relief for our home-owners!

H. Don’t close the Burbank (as threatened in by INVESTinBelmont.com) close the Chenery and sell the property to a developer.  The site would sell for tens of millions!  This windfall invested would provide $2.5 million annually.  A nice development of about 100 units of senior housing would provide options for our seniors who wish to stay in Belmont and generate more than a million dollars annually in property taxes with no impact on the schools.

I. Get rid of the CPA…the 1.5% additional tax was approved by less than 2% of voters…at a minimum let any senior opt out!  Put it on the ballot, the seniors in Belmont need a tax break!

J. Prop 2-1/2 reduced Excise Tax to $25/m of valuation from $66/m.  It also provides for restoring it to the former amount by Citizen vote.  The Town collects $3.3 million in Excise Tax…at $66/m after exempting all seniors Belmont could raise an additional $3.7 million.

K. PILOT…payment in lieu of taxes.  Remember the McLean fiasco a few years back?  Not only did they stop paying Belmont $500,000 PILOT, the Town had to actually reimburse McLean $1.5 million for costs and studies that they had they paid for after their development did not take place.  Well…their development is back and I’ve heard they are budgeting a $1.5 million PILOT for FY 24. Is that shown in any budget projection?

Let’s recap…

I am confident that there are many more proposals and issues from our citizenry which could add to this list.  Just think, NO OVERRIDE, with some effort, a little out of the box thinking and millions for the future as well.  As they say a Win-Win!

Edward A. Kazanjian, “Obiter Dictum” columnist
is a retired facilities engineer, registered educational facility planner, consultant, and expert witness. He has been a Belmont resident for over 55 years.

“The voters of Belmont have generously stepped-up time and again in recent years—$370
million in debt exclusion to fund a new high school-middle school, a new library, and a new ice
rink. But this override, an additional $8.4 million, is simply too much to ask from citizens,” said
Wayne Wild, Chairman of No Override. “Like each and every resident in Belmont, the town
must operate within its means. We urge citizens to vote NO on the override.”

No Override Belmont has created a website, www.2much2ask.org, which provides voters with
insight into the impact of the override if it were to pass.

Belmontonians will vote on the override in the town elections on Tuesday, April 2.

The individual they were looking for is alleged to be involved in a gang murder in Fall River. Police did not locate the individual as no one was home.

video credit: Paul Coradeschi

We’ve been told legal action will be taken if the Town doesn’t comply although some cities/towns have refused to comply, for example the city of Milton.

Our Town will not even consider non compliance and the MBTA Commision, chaired by Rachel Heller and Roy Epstein are trying to be finished by April.  We are required to add 1632 units of housing to our Town by law, but some on the committee are seeking to increase the number of new households to 3000. Our Town currently has 10,000 households so that is an increase in population of more than 33%.  There has been no fiscal impact study on the effects on the schools, town services, roads, pollution, or traffic. Most Belmont residents have no idea this is happening or have heard vague talk of it.  This past week’s Belmont voice had an informative article describing it but the article doesn’t address the reality of the immense changes this will make to the small Town of Belmont

There have been several options discussed on locations for this housing and 3 “final” options are being discussed. Each of the options includes a range of zoning which allows for zone 1 small scale neighborhood, zone 2 moderate scale neighborhood residential,  zone 2A same as zone 2 but can add additional floor if one floor is commercial, Zone 3 moderate scale traditional residential, zone 4 small scale mixed use, Zone 5 moderate to large scale mixed use  (can grow to 6 stories in height).

The following images are from the MBTA Committees Advisory Committee

If zone 5 is approved for Leonard Street, it will turn it into a city block. The above image shows 4 stories but the actual zoning could allow for 6.  No residential neighborhood in Belmont should be subjected to this size and density.

It is my belief that very few residents know this is coming, and fast.

There is a Public Hearing for the MBTA Committee Thursday 2/15 at 7pm, Beech Street Center.

I hope you’ll attend, listen and help to reduce the numbers back to 1620 and remove Belmont Center from zone 5. We are not a city. 

Most importantly residents should demand a fiscal impact study BEFORE anything goes to the Planning Board, Select Board or Town Meeting. This plan will greatly impact the Town of Belmont. The Town needs to start paying attention to all the taxpayers, not just a select few.

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 

www.2Much2Ask.org

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 16^th, 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 19^th the first evacuation of the Winn Brook school occurred, and the issue was allegedly fixed over the weekend. A second evacuation occurred on January 23^rd with the school then closed the 24^th and 25^th. A third evacuation occurred on January 30^th. 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 8^th, 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 8^th 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.      

Cheers, 

PJ Looney

Townie Talk 02478

“AMDG” Never Forget, Never Again