November 2022 – Belmont Citizens Forum

Events November 22

November 2022 Comments Off

Oct 312022

Reforming the Utility Business Model for Resilient Reliable Renewables Thursday, November 10, 7–8:30 PM Online Mark Sandeen, Lexington Select Board member, and Audrey Shulman, cofounder and president of the Home Energy Efficiency Team, talk about utility reform and how we can move toward a greener, more resilient grid. Sponsored by the Lexington Climate Action Network. Register for link at lexcan.org/events/reforming-the-utility-business-model-for-resilient-reliable-renewables/ Bittersweet Removal at Riverbend Park Saturday, November 12, 9–11 AM Riverbend Park Freedom Way, Medford Volunteers will tackle bittersweet, an invasive vine that can kill trees, impairs habitat value, and degrades park aesthetics. Meet next to the Medford Dog Park. [READ MORE]

Letters to the Editor: Belmont Hill Plans, Bike Trails

Bicycles and bike paths, Bike Paths, Climate Change, Environment, November 2022, Open Space, Parking, Plants Comments Off

Oct 312022

To the Editor: New England in the fall is renowned for its beauty—the trees are blazes of color, birds, squirrels, and other animals are busily preparing for winter, and the occasional whiff of woodsmoke floats in the air. Driving up Prospect Street, one is met with the pleasant sight of the pristine lawns and stately brick buildings of the Belmont Hill School—a self-described educator of “men of good character,” where “boys are expected to collaborate and become part of something larger than themselves.” Which is why it’s such a shame that the Belmont Hill School is apparently ignoring its own [READ MORE]

We Need to Enforce Waste Bans

Environment, November 2022, Recycling Comments Off

Oct 312022

By Janet Domenitz and Morgan Molloy Creating positive change for our climate in everyday life can be daunting, but there are ways we in the Commonwealth can make progress in the here and now. Reducing the waste we discard in landfills and incinerators reduces pollution and climate emissions. One key to reducing waste disposal is enforcing our decades-old waste ban regulations. Of the 5.6 million tons of waste we dispose of in Massachusetts each year, approximately two million tons (~40%) are banned from landfills and incinerators by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations. Some examples of banned materials are [READ MORE]

How to Reduce Your Risk from PFAS

Environment, Newsletter, November 2022 Comments Off

Oct 312022

By Adrienne S. Allen, MD PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) seem to be all around us. In August, the city of Cambridge switched its water supply, which flows from the Stony Brook Watershed into a reservoir at Fresh Pond, to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) due to high levels of PFAS in the water. This switch is costing the city $2 million per month. In July, local news reported on PFAS contamination near the Wachusett Reservoir, likely from compost made from sewage sludge. Firefighting foam used on military bases on Cape Cod has exposed residents to PFAS toxicity. Boston Mayor Michelle [READ MORE]

Why Care About Removing Invasive Plants?

Environment, November 2022, Open Space, Plants Comments Off

Oct 312022

Why Care About Removing Invasive Plants?

By Joseph Hibbard and Jeffrey North The Belmont Citizens Forum Newsletter has been printing articles about the perils and poisons of non-native invasive plant species on these pages for years. Readers have learned that garlic mustard changes the chemistry of the soil to gain an advantage over other plant species in forest and edge areas. Our article on black swallowwort described that plant’s deadly toxicity to Monarch butterfly larvae that mistakenly consume it instead of nourishing native milkweed. We have described how Asiatic bittersweet rapidly climbs native trees, blocks the sunlight, and eventually topples the tree while changing our viewsheds. [READ MORE]

Have You Read the Collins Center Report?

Newsletter, November 2022, Town Committee Meetings Comments Off

Oct 312022

By Jeffrey North Belmont is a relatively affluent community. Massachusetts Department of Revenue figures in FY2022 show that Belmont’s income per capita was $98,942. This figure is very close to the average income for residents of six comparable towns and significantly higher than the Massachusetts per capita income of $46,062. Yet Belmont is the 10th most expensive place in Massachusetts to own a home, while per-capita incomes ranked only 22nd in the state. The average Belmont homeowner can expect to pay $15,568 annually in property taxes, or approximately 15.73% of Belmont’s per-capita income. Among 12 comparable towns, Belmont has the [READ MORE]

MBTA Zoning May Change Belmont

Construction and Housing, Newsletter, November 2022 Comments Off

Oct 312022

By David Chase Belmont is an MBTA community. A new state law (Section 3A of MGL c. 40A) requires MBTA communities to have at least one zoning district of “reasonable size” and a minimum gross density of at least 15 units per acre within half a mile of commuter rail, subway, ferry, or bus station. The law specifies various formulas based on population and area that attempt to quantify “reasonable.” The zoning district must not have any restrictions that would make it unsuitable for families with children. Belmont must have an Action Plan complete by January 31, 2023, and submit [READ MORE]

Electric Buses Are Coming to Belmont

Climate Change, Newsletter, November 2022 Comments Off

Oct 272022

By Brian Kopperl and Roger Wrubel With the right conditions, electric school buses (EV) can replace the familiar diesel school bus at a cost that is both financially and environmentally attractive. EV buses are quieter than diesel and healthier, too, and all the major bus manufacturers, from Thomas and Bluebird to Lion, now make them. Other Massachusetts towns like Beverly, Dracut, and Acton already have their electric fleets in operation or on order; Belmont should too. The Energy Committee has encouraged Belmont schools to start a phased transition by including three EV buses (out of 10 expected total buses) [READ MORE]

Belmont Goes Electric! Will You?

November 2022, Solar Power Comments Off

Oct 272022

By Claire Hlotyak I had the chance to attend the Belmont Goes Electric Home & Garden Event in September. Presented by Belmont Light, the Belmont Energy Committee, and Sustainable Belmont, this event showcased options including electric vehicles, heat pump systems, and native plant gardens, and the Stihl company presented battery-operated yard equipment. I spoke with a few members of Healthy Lawns Belmont about the importance of biodiversity in our lawns and gardens. One of the main issues with lawns is that they are a monoculture, meaning there is only one type of plant in a particular area. Healthy Lawns Belmont [READ MORE]

How Belmont Can Switch to Electric Vehicles

Climate Change, Newsletter, November 2022 Comments Off

Oct 272022

How Belmont Can Switch to Electric Vehicles

By Roger Wrubel and Brian Kopperl If Belmont is to reach its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80% of 2007 levels by 2050, all sectors of the community must do their part. The Belmont Energy Committee has proposed an “EV First” policy requiring the town to consider electric vehicles (EVs) for all lightweight vehicle purchases. The policy allows for exemption requests by departments if EVs do not meet their needs or are too expensive. We collected data on the concerns of town staff in transitioning to EVs. We analyzed each of these concerns: lack of EV charging infrastructure, [READ MORE]

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