Porous Pavement Can Drain Sloped Sites

 May 2015, Newsletter, Stormwater  Comments Off on Porous Pavement Can Drain Sloped Sites
May 122015
 
Porous Pavement Can Drain Sloped Sites

by Kristopher Houle, P.E. A longer version of this article, including several references, originally appeared on the Ecological Landscape Alliance’s blog. Many green infrastructure alternatives exist for reducing stormwater runoff. Porous asphalt is one that has clear benefits. In New England, porous asphalt has been used successfully in sidewalks, parking lots, subdivision roads, and highways. Research has demonstrated its function for  stormwater attenuation, recharging local waterways, runoff treatment, and chloride source control. As an engineer and practitioner, I commonly see projects that would benefit from its use, but porous asphalt has been excluded from the final design for reasons relating [READ MORE]

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Path Neighbors Can Choose Trees For Privacy

 Bike Paths, May 2015, Newsletter, Open Space  Comments Off on Path Neighbors Can Choose Trees For Privacy
May 122015
 
Path Neighbors Can Choose Trees For Privacy

By Meg Muckenhoupt Community paths allow more people to travel without using cars—and a lot of people want to do just that. It is estimated that more than 2 million people walk, run, and bike the Minuteman Bikeway in Cambridge, Arlington, Lexington, and Bedford each year. Understandably, neighbors living in homes abutting new paths are often concerned about the effects of having so many visitors passing by their yards. Different communities have varying approaches to living with bike trails. Today, 22 years after the Minuteman Bikeway officially opened, about a quarter of properties abutting the Bikeway in Arlington have no [READ MORE]

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Belmont Farmers’ Market Begins 10th Season June 11

 May 2015, Newsletter  Comments Off on Belmont Farmers’ Market Begins 10th Season June 11
May 122015
 
Belmont Farmers' Market Begins 10th Season June 11

The Belmont Farmers’ Market opens on Thursday, June 11, 2-6:30 pm, in the Belmont Center municipal parking lot, rain or shine. An all-volunteer organization celebrating its 10th year, the Market offers a variety of organic and conventionally produced food in a range of prices. Find everything you need for a healthful and satisfying dinner. Visit www.belmontfarmersmarket.org for vendors and updates. Food Assistance Programs Benefit the Community The Market accepts SNAP benefits (food stamps) and matches up to $25 for each SNAP shopper each week, thanks to generous donations to the Market. Benefits are processed quickly and easily at the blue [READ MORE]

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What Will Our Future Commutes Look Like?

 May 2015, Newsletter, Traffic  Comments Off on What Will Our Future Commutes Look Like?
May 122015
 
What Will Our Future Commutes Look Like?

By Meg Muckenhoupt Where will residents of Belmont and neighboring towns travel in 2030, and how will they get there? Last winter provoked massive debate about the MBTA’s failure to transport hundreds of thousands of commuters to jobs and schools. But in January, before the snows started, Waltham mayor Jeannette McCarthy raised some eyebrows by announcing that she supports building an elevated electric monorail to run from Burlington through Waltham to the Fitchburg/South Acton commuter rail and beyond to Westwood. Will our future hold decrepit, decaying subways and clogged roads, futuristic transport fit for Epcot Center, or some mix of [READ MORE]

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