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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Electric Vehicles: What You Need To Know

 Air Quality, Environment, May 2016, Traffic, Transit  Comments Off on Electric Vehicles: What You Need To Know
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]

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Hello. Goodbye. And Thank You.

 May 2016, Newsletter, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Hello. Goodbye. And Thank You.
May 202016
 
Hello. Goodbye. And Thank You.

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]

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Belmont Farmers’ Market Opens June 9

 May 2016, Newsletter, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Belmont Farmers’ Market Opens June 9
May 202016
 
Belmont Farmers’ Market Opens June 9

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]

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Seven Community Benefits of Bikeways

 Bike Paths, May 2016, Traffic, Transit, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Seven Community Benefits of Bikeways
May 202016
 
Seven Community Benefits of Bikeways

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]

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Clay Pit Pond Walking Path Gets Funded

 Historic Preservation, May 2016, Open Space  Comments Off on Clay Pit Pond Walking Path Gets Funded
May 202016
 
Clay Pit Pond Walking Path Gets Funded

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]

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“Belmont Goes Solar” Sails Past Initial Goal

 May 2016, Solar Power  Comments Off on “Belmont Goes Solar” Sails Past Initial Goal
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]

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80 Natural Gas Leaks in Belmont

 Air Quality, May 2016  Comments Off on 80 Natural Gas Leaks in Belmont
May 202016
 
80 Natural Gas Leaks in Belmont

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]

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