Belmont Citizens Forum

Getting Smarter About Light in Belmont

Environment, Newsletter, Traffic Comments Off

Jul 192016

Pilot Project Tests LED Streetlights by Anne-Marie Lambert Can you see me now? The Belmont Light Department is working to improve the efficiency of our streetlights. A grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources funded the replacement of 100 of today’s 2,400 high-pressure sodium bulbs with LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. This pilot project replaces 98 100-watt bulbs and two 250-watt bulbs with a variety of LED products. The pilot project alone is expected to save 26 megawatt hours (MWh) per year, with a payback period of just over four years. In the coming year, Belmont Light will evaluate the [READ MORE]

Bicycles on Public Transit

Air Quality, Bike Paths, Environment, Newsletter, Traffic, Transit Comments Off

Jul 182016

Ride More, See More by Jeff Roth Choosing public transit over driving makes ecological sense. When you combine bicycling and transit, you’re helping the environment and getting a bonus of fun and healthy activity. Bringing your bicycle on public transit opens many green options for getting around Boston and beyond. You can use transit to cover long distances and then have your bike at your destination to explore less traveled roads. In my experience, biking and transit excursions, either with your family or solo, are healthy, fun, and green, and won’t get you stuck in car traffic. Start here. Go [READ MORE]

Lone Tree Hill Cleanup

Environment, Historic Preservation, Newsletter Comments Off

Jul 172016

Fourth Annual Event Draws 30 Volunteers by Radha Iyengar On a sunny, warm May 14, volunteers met at the Belmont Citizens Forum (BCF) green-and-white awning at the Mill Street Lone Tree Hill parking lot to conduct two projects. Energetic volunteers collected 12 large bags of trash and two boxes of recyclables. At the Pine Allee, a separate team hauled in wheelbarrows full of wood chips, raking them into place along the entire length of the trail to help prevent soil erosion, and making it more comfortable for walking. Roger Wrubel, director of Mass Audubon’s Habitat Sanctuary, lent wheelbarrows, shovels, and [READ MORE]

Environmental Events Jul/Aug

Air Quality, Environment, Newsletter Comments Off

Jul 152016

Fresh Pond Monarch Butterfly Project July & August The beautiful and ecologically significant monarch butterfly has been in decline worldwide in recent years and its annual migration down the eastern seaboard is believed to be under threat. This raise-and-release project is a combination of volunteer stewardship, invasive plant management, native re-vegetation, and public education all aimed at encouraging a monarch population at Fresh Pond. July 30, August 6, August 13: Caterpillar checkups: Come see how they are growing. Aug. 17: Pod Patrol for black swallowwort Aug. 22: Butterfly release! To learn more: http://bit.ly/29ElT3Y Fresh Pond Reservation, Cambridge. July Boston Sustainability [READ MORE]

Belmont Citizens Forum Newsletter July-August 2016 PDF

Air Quality, Bike Paths, donations, Environment, Historic Preservation, Newsletter, Parking, Traffic Comments Off

Jul 152016

View or download the July-August 2016 20-page issue here: BCF Jul-Aug2016 FINAL

Belmont “Staycation” Needs You.

Environment, Newsletter, Staycation Comments Off

Jun 282016

by Shodai Inose In order to reduce our carbon footprint, the Belmont Citizens Forum is creating a Belmont “Staycation,” a vacation in our own town which will be safer for the environment and your wallet. As a summer intern at BCF, I’m collecting ideas to create family friendly and fun experiences, and I need your help. Do you know of any locations (preferably in Belmont) that you think people would enjoy? Are there any local businesses you would like to share with the rest of the community? How does a family like yours spend time in town? We’re looking for [READ MORE]

Update on the Belmont Community Path

Bike Paths, Historic Preservation, Newsletter, Traffic, Transit Comments Off

May 202016

by John Dieckmann As reported previously, the town of Belmont has set aside $100,000 from its capital budget, and the state of Massachusetts has also allocated $100,000 for an in-depth engineering feasibility study of the routes outlined in the report from the Community Path Advisory Committee (CPAC). This is a key step in construction of a bicycle and pedestrian path through Belmont, from Brighton Street to Waltham, as part of the Mass Central Rail Trail from Boston to Northampton. In essence there are two primary route alternatives, one on each side of the commuter rail tracks. On the south side [READ MORE]

Environmental Events

Environment, May 2016, Newsletter, Uncategorized Comments Off

May 202016

Gardeners on the Esplanade May 3-June 21, 10:00 AM-Noon The Esplanade Association will begin its Gardener Assistant Program, which is an 8-week program to get volunteers out during the months of May and June to help the Esplanade Association’s Horticulture staff. Tasks will include weeding, mulching, dead-heading, and more. The association will hold in-person interviews to gauge volunteer commitment. Prior gardening experience is preferred. If you are interested please reach out to Kyle Richard, the volunteer and program manager, at krichard@esplanadeassociation. org or call 617-227-0365 for more details. Boston Esplanade Nature Poetry Walk Sunday, May 22 1:30-3:30 PM Anne-Marie Lambert [READ MORE]

Electric Vehicles: What You Need To Know

Air Quality, Environment, May 2016, Traffic, Transit Comments Off

May 202016

Electric Vehicles: What You Need To Know

by Kim Slack At a recent meeting of Sustainable Belmont, Kim Slack was part of a panel discussing the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs). The following is his summary of that discussion. Of the many reasons to consider an all-electric car, two key factors are low operating costs and the health of the planet. Low operating costs. Electric vehicles (EVs) are more energy-efficient than gas-powered automobiles. Electric cars can travel up to 115 miles on the energy contained in a gallon of gas, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) miles-per-gallon-equivalent measure (MPGe), which is the average distance traveled per unit [READ MORE]

Hello. Goodbye. And Thank You.

May 2016, Newsletter, Uncategorized Comments Off

May 202016

by Sue Bass With this issue, the Belmont Citizens Forum Newsletter welcomes its third editor (in 16½ years of publication), John DiCocco. Though now a resident of West Medford, John and his wife, Connie, lived in Belmont for more than 30 years and sent three children through the Belmont school system. He is a graduate of Union College and the Boston University College of Communication, and he was for nearly 20 years the publications manager and chief editor for BU’s School of Management. John has read the Newsletter for many years, since his wife was added to the mailing list [READ MORE]

Belmont Farmers’ Market Opens June 9

May 2016, Newsletter, Uncategorized Comments Off

May 202016

It must be spring. The farmers’ market is coming. The Belmont Farmers’ Market opens on Thursday, June 9, 2-6:30 pm, in the Belmont Center municipal parking lot, rain or shine. Now celebrating its 11th year, the Market offers a variety of organic and conventionally grown and produced food in a range of prices. You’ll find old favorites like Kimball Fruit Farms, Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery, and Stillman’s Quality Meats, along with newcomers like Belmont’s own Vintage Tea and Cakes, Warren Farm and Sugarhouse, and Julia Cooks. Find everything you need for a healthful and satisfying dinner, including wine from Massachusetts vintners. [READ MORE]

Seven Community Benefits of Bikeways

Bike Paths, May 2016, Traffic, Transit, Uncategorized Comments Off

May 202016

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council passed along this article to our office recently. It was written in 2014 by Taz Loomans, addressing congestion in her native Phoenix. Points of it apply to Belmont and our surrounding communities as well. We have edited it considerably; but you may read the full article at BloomingRock.com. 1. Bikeways make places more valuable. A 2006 study found that in Minneapolis, median home values rose $510 for every quarter-mile they were located closer to an off-street bikeway. In Washington DC,, 85% of nearby residents say the 15th Street bike lane is a valuable community asset. [READ MORE]

Clay Pit Pond Walking Path Gets Funded

Historic Preservation, May 2016, Open Space Comments Off

May 202016

By Jim Roth, Mary Trudeau, and Margaret Velie On May 2, the Belmont Community Preservation Committee (CPC) approved the application by the Belmont Conservation Commission for $228,350 for the construction of the Intergenerational Walking Path and its entrances. Town Meeting approved the funds on May 4. Golf is often described as “a good walk spoiled.” Those traversing the often muddy path around Clay Pit Pond in front of Belmont High School echo a similar sentiment. Recreational walkers, joggers, dog walkers, cross-country skiers, and the high school crosscountry teams all use the well-worn earthen trail, even though it is often impassible due to [READ MORE]

“Belmont Goes Solar” Sails Past Initial Goal

May 2016, Solar Power Comments Off

May 202016

"Belmont Goes Solar" Sails Past Initial Goal

Campaign Extended Until June 30. by John DiCocco In our November-December 2015 issue, we ran a story by Roger Wrubel, “The Sun Rises for Belmont Solar Customers.” (Wrubel is the director of Mass Audubon’s Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, and lives in Belmont.) His story focused on the long-running issues that have hindered solar development in Belmont, including policies and objections raised by Belmont Light. He provided information on the benefits of solar and listed several vendors. He also introduced the Belmont Goes Solar campaign to our readers. This is an update. Let the sun shine in. Belmont Goes [READ MORE]

80 Natural Gas Leaks in Belmont

Air Quality, May 2016 Comments Off

May 202016

by John DiCocco “If the fumes were purple, we’d have action a lot quicker. Because we can’t see them, we don’t realize they’re there.” So said Ania Camargo, a manager at Case Associates and a volunteer for Mothers Out Front, describing the plumes of methane gas leaking into the air all around Greater Boston, including 80 spots in Belmont. “Gas companies began adding a ‘rotten egg’ smell decades ago, because methane is colorless and odorless,” says Camargo. “But apparently even that bad smell isn’t enough to spur corrective action. This is far more serious than people realize.” She was addressing an April 21 meeting of concerned citizens from Belmont and surrounding towns sponsored [READ MORE]

Lone Tree Hill Cleanup–Volunteers Needed May 14

Newsletter, Uncategorized Comments Off

Apr 082016

Belmont Citizens Forum 4th Annual Lone Tree Hill Volunteer Day Rain or Shine! Saturday, May 14, 9 am–1 pm On Saturday, May 14, from 9 am–1 pm, the Belmont Citizens Forum is sponsoring our fourth annual Lone Tree Hill Volunteer Day, and we invite you to participate—rain or shine! This year, we are having two different work sites, one to spread wood chips along the Pine Allee, and a second to clean up the trash along South Pleasant Street, in the area across from Star Market and Artefact Home and Garden. Pine Allee Work If you’d like to work on [READ MORE]

Let’s talk about Belmont gas leaks.

Uncategorized Comments Off

Mar 282016

Did you know that within its 4.6 square miles Belmont has 80 gas leaks, with the oldest dating back to 1996? Of these, only 7 are scheduled to be fixed within the next 12 months. Here is a link to a map showing Belmont’s gas leaks as of December 2015, when there were 90 leaks: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z0qdj8hs9BsE.kQB_bhOI6Dtg Gas leaks are a threat to health – they exacerbate asthma and other respiratory illnesses – and the methane they leak is 84 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide over a 20 year period, contributing to climate change. And who pays [READ MORE]

Fernald Site Update

March 2016, Newsletter, Uncategorized Comments Off

Mar 152016

by George A. Darcy III On October 26, 2015, the Waltham City Council approved a $1.2 million appropriation for the demolition of 20 non-historic buildings in the northwest quadrant of the 196-acre recently acquired Fernald property. Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy submitted the CPA application for demolition to the Community Preservation Committee. The buildings that will come down include four Malone Park structures, 11 cottages, Site 5, Site 7, Activity Center, Woodside, and Brookside. The cottages were constructed as a result of Judge Joseph Tauro’s decree for the state to build residential-like structures for the residents of Fernald. Unfortunately, these homes [READ MORE]

Construction Continues on the Uplands

March 2016, Newsletter Comments Off

Mar 152016

By Anne-Marie Lambert The first red-winged blackbirds now returning to the fields by Little River may not think much of the “wildlife habitat replication area” alongside the newly constructed buildings at the Uplands. This newly seeded replication area sits between the former Little River, now a large drainage ditch next to Frontage Road, and one of the four-story Tyvek-wrapped buildings that comprise The Royal, formerly named The Residences at Acorn Park. In a contested 2014 ruling, the Massachusetts Superior Court determined that this replication area (next to what amounts to a Route 2 drainage ditch running under Acorn Park Drive) [READ MORE]

Drought-Resistant Gardens Are Within Reach

March 2016, Newsletter, Stormwater Comments Off

Mar 152016

Drought-Resistant Gardens Are Within Reach

By Irene Fairley When I moved to Winn Street in the early 1970s, the property was mostly covered in lawn, especially the back yard. This neighborhood has a high water table as the Winn Brook goes underground here and weaves over to Little Pond. I think everyone on the street has at least one sump pump. It was not unusual to have water in basements with heavy rainfall or to see water standing above ground. My goal was to replace a large portion of the lawn with plantings that would absorb more of the rainwater and enhance habitat for birds [READ MORE]

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