Environmental Events

 Air Quality, Environment, Newsletter, September 2016, Uncategorized, Water Quality  Comments Off on Environmental Events
Sep 142016
 
Environmental Events

Board of Surveyors Hearing–Postponed The Board of Surveyors will hold their hearing of the proposed road adjacent to Habitat at 178 Marsh Street. Homer Art Gallery, Town Hall, 19 Moore Street, Belmont. NOTE: The September 19 meeting has been postponed to a future date. The town engineer is asking the applicant to first apply for a hearing before the Belmont Conservation Commission to resolve any wetland issues. We will update this post when we have more information. 350 Mass Cambridge Node Meeting, Tuesday, September 20, 6:30–8:30 PM Join discussions with a grassroots climate network in Massachusetts. Newcomers welcome. First Church Cambridge, 11 [READ MORE]

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Staycation 2016: A Successful Experiment

 Newsletter  Comments Off on Staycation 2016: A Successful Experiment
Sep 142016
 
Staycation 2016: A Successful Experiment

A Student’s Citizens Forum Project by Shodai Inose When I announced the concept of the Belmont Staycation, some people snickered at the name and doubted that we would have any success. Well, that didn’t stop me. When we first began this project in June, during my internship with Anne-Marie Lambert, a director of the Belmont Citizens Forum (BCF), to lay out we laid out a few major goals. We wanted to learn how to increase interest in local Belmont sights and businesses, and how to reduce energy use from vacation travel by substituting a family “staycation” in Belmont. We were [READ MORE]

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Lower Speeds for Belmont?

 Newsletter  Comments Off on Lower Speeds for Belmont?
Sep 142016
 
Lower Speeds for Belmont?

My Long, Long, Long, Short Journey Across Town by Sumner Brown In a July 14, 2016, post on his website, state Senator Will Brownsberger alerted citizens to a proposed law, since passed, that makes it easier for local communities to lower speed limits. The motivation is improved safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Belmont seems to be a relatively safe place for pedestrians and bicyclists. Data available from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, for example, show that more serious bicycle accidents occur in Waltham. This is why the Waltham segment of the Central Massachusetts Rail Trail has a higher priority for [READ MORE]

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Can “Small-Town” Belmont Add Housing?

 Newsletter  Comments Off on Can “Small-Town” Belmont Add Housing?
Sep 142016
 

Current and Former Town Officials Comment by John DiCocco In our last issue, (BCF apage 1), we addressed the need for more housing in Greater Boston and the state legislature’s proposal of state-wide zoning requirements. If such a law passed, it would require more housing—and more affordable housing—in almost every community inside Route 495. What would that mean for Belmont? We asked several town residents who have served or are still currently serving on various committees and boards to share some brief thoughts on the following question:  “Can Belmont increase housing without altering our small town feeling?” Judy Feins, co-chair, Belmont Housing [READ MORE]

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Conservation Land and Development

 Environment, Newsletter, Open Space, September 2016  Comments Off on Conservation Land and Development
Sep 142016
 
Conservation Land and Development

Habitat Wetlands at Risk by Vincent Stanton Jr and Roger Wrubel Notice: the Board of Surveyors meeting originally scheduled for September 19 to discuss the Chiofaro property has been postponed. The town engineer is asking the applicant to first apply for a hearing before the Belmont Conservation Commission to resolve any wetland issues. In densely settled communities like Belmont, few real estate marketing pitches ring a louder bell than “abuts conservation land.” Indeed, what could be more salable than guaranteed backyard tranquility in perpetuity? Unfortunately, as the perimeter of conservation land becomes densely settled, the value of the land for conservation [READ MORE]

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Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Monday

 Environment, Plants, Staycation  Comments Off on Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Monday
Aug 212016
 
Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Monday

Hi, On the Monday of my trial Staycation I enjoyed walks and bike rides around my neighborhood, then I tried two new activities and one old favorite: It was hot, but I rode my bike from the Winn Brook neighborhood past the Beech Street Center to Trapelo Road and checked out the gourmet food shop Art’s Specialities.  I met the owner, Artur, who tempted me with their jugs of specialty vinegars and oils.  He decanted some black walnut vinegar for me, which I look forward to drizzling on locally grown lettuce.  I bought a bar of chocolate, some cranberry crackers for [READ MORE]

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 Posted by at 12:20 am

Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Tuesday

 Bike Paths, Environment, Open Space, Staycation, Stormwater  Comments Off on Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Tuesday
Aug 122016
 
Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Tuesday

Hi, On the Tuesday of my trial Staycation, I went to several favorites I hadn’t visited in a while, including Belmont Acres Farm and Fresh Pond, where Shodai also went on his Staycation (see his Facebook postcard below): I took the 74 bus down Concord Avenue to Smith Place in order to get to Black’s Nook, a part of Fresh Pond which was part of Belmont between 1859 and 1880.  Another hot day, there was welcome shade from the trees, and lovely butterflies to enjoy.  In the pond, I saw small fish, not sure what they were. I also walked some of the [READ MORE]

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 Posted by at 1:43 am

Belmont Staycation Picnic and Postcards

 Environment, Staycation  Comments Off on Belmont Staycation Picnic and Postcards
Aug 092016
 
Belmont Staycation Picnic and Postcards

It’s been great to see new Staycation postcards coming into the Belmont Citizens Forum Facebook Page — see below for one of a series of postcards from some young Belmont Superheroes! Now it’s time to get your picnic basket ready to join us for the Staycation community picnic from 12:00-2:00 Saturday August 13 on the Town Green by Wellington Station (Common Street and Concord Ave). Please bring your own picnic and blanket. We will supply popsicles from an historic Underwood family ice chest, and tell Belmont stories about the history of the ice industry and food preservation. We hope to have something for everyone: frisbees aplenty, [READ MORE]

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 Posted by at 2:00 pm

Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Saturday

 Environment, Open Space, Staycation, Transit  Comments Off on Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Saturday
Aug 052016
 
Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Saturday

Another postcard from my trial Staycation  —  Check out the shorter postcards on our Facebook page; post your own there! Hi, This was a day with friends. I took a nature walk (check out our Maps section for local trail maps), and took a bus and subway to get to an event in Boston  (check MBTA.com or a public transport app for schedules): Habitat: We had an out-of-town guest, and brought her to the Habitat in the morning to enjoy a longer walk. We took a very long route to Turtle Pond, passing through the Fern Trail and Red Maple Swamp trail and Border trail.  It [READ MORE]

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A Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Thursday

 Historic Preservation, Open Space, Staycation  Comments Off on A Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Thursday
Aug 042016
 
A Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Thursday

This is a postcard from my trial Staycation in July —  Check out the shorter postcards on our Facebook page, and post your own there! Hi, Today I was really looking forward to visiting two old favorites: Belmont Farmer’s Market: I picked up some salad fixings from several different vendors, enjoyed cheese offered at State Senator Will Brownsberger’s table, and listened to a brass band.  I chatted with the manager and a couple of neighbors.  I heard vendors talking about the drought.  I always feel a sense of community at the Farmer’s Market, as well as a greater connection with [READ MORE]

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Zoning: Re-drawing Between the Lines

 Newsletter, Parking, Traffic  Comments Off on Zoning: Re-drawing Between the Lines
Jul 202016
 
Zoning: Re-drawing Between the Lines

Housing Availability Affects Business Climate By Vincent Stanton Jr. Last month the Massachusetts Senate, for the first time in over two decades, passed legislation that would significantly alter state zoning law. The proposed legislation (which will not become law this year as there is not yet a corresponding bill in the House) would superimpose on local zoning a new set of rules designed to encourage greater housing density, particularly near jobs and mass transit. The new law would reduce the considerable freedom that cities and towns currently have to formulate their own zoning laws in three ways. One is providing [READ MORE]

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Getting Smarter About Light in Belmont

 Environment, Newsletter, Traffic  Comments Off on Getting Smarter About Light in Belmont
Jul 192016
 
Getting Smarter About Light in Belmont

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]

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Bicycles on Public Transit

 Air Quality, Bike Paths, Environment, Newsletter, Traffic, Transit  Comments Off on Bicycles on Public Transit
Jul 182016
 
Bicycles on Public Transit

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]

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Lone Tree Hill Cleanup

 Environment, Historic Preservation, Newsletter  Comments Off on Lone Tree Hill Cleanup
Jul 172016
 
Lone Tree Hill Cleanup

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]

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Environmental Events Jul/Aug

 Air Quality, Environment, Newsletter  Comments Off on Environmental Events Jul/Aug
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]

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Belmont “Staycation” Needs You.

 Environment, Newsletter, Staycation  Comments Off on Belmont “Staycation” Needs You.
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]

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Update on the Belmont Community Path

 Bike Paths, Historic Preservation, Newsletter, Traffic, Transit  Comments Off on Update on the Belmont Community Path
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]

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Environmental Events

 Environment, May 2016, Newsletter, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Environmental Events
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]

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