An Update On The Bradford

 Air Quality, Construction and Housing, Historic Preservation, Newsletter, Nov-Dec 2017, Parking, Traffic, Transit, Uncategorized  Comments Off on An Update On The Bradford
Nov 092017
 
An Update On The Bradford

Multiple Activities On- and Off-site by John DiCocco Excavation and foundation work continues at the Bradford, the apartment and retail complex in Cushing Square, previously known as Cushing Village. However, the contaminated soil remaining from the demolished Tops Cleaners continues to be a problem and has not yet been treated to a level that allows it to be handled as non-hazardous waste. A new round of tests is pending. A Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) site visit in early October found a new area of potential contamination. Since DEP visits infrequently, and Toll/Nauset Construction (the primary contractor) hadn’t flagged this area [READ MORE]

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Environmental Events, Nov-Dec 2017

 Air Quality, Environment, Newsletter, Nov-Dec 2017, Open Space, Recycling, Solar Power, Uncategorized, Volunteer, Water Quality  Comments Off on Environmental Events, Nov-Dec 2017
Nov 092017
 

Big Woods Hike Sunday, November 19, 11:30 AM–3 PM There’s a walk in the woods…and then there’s a walk in the woods with a naturalist to discover what is happening in the world of nature as plants and animals prepare for winter. Sanctuary naturalists will lead small groups as they venture out to the “Big Woods” on Averill’s Island. Stop along the way to hear stories of the original settlers and learn about the fascinating cultural history of the sanctuary. Look for animal signs as we hike through the woodlands and marshes. Dress warmly and wear comfortable footwear. Warm up [READ MORE]

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The Future of the Incinerator Site

 Air Quality, Bicycles and bike paths, Bike Paths, Construction and Housing, Environment, July 2017, July 2017, Newsletter, Open Space, Parking, Solar Power, Stormwater, Uncategorized  Comments Off on The Future of the Incinerator Site
Jul 102017
 
The Future of the Incinerator Site

Athletic Fields? Police Station? Solar Farm? Bike Park? by Lucia Wille Belmont’s former trash incinerator facility occupies 25 acres on Concord Avenue, close to the Lexington town line. About two-thirds of the site was owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts until May 2017, when it was conveyed to Belmont. The conveyance represents a windfall for a town often struggling with space constraints. As Belmont balances its municipal and recreational needs, the incinerator site presents a valuable opportunity for the community to either ease municipal space constraints or add to its portfolio of recreational assets, with the potential to further Belmont’s [READ MORE]

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Cushing Village Makeover Begins

 Air Quality, Construction and Housing, Environment, Historic Preservation, March 2017, Newsletter, Parking, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Cushing Village Makeover Begins
Mar 152017
 
Cushing Village Makeover Begins

Hoping The Cleanup Is Clean by Virginia Jordan and John DiCocco “The CVS has come down.” Or for Belmont residents of a certain age, “Highland Farms,” or even “the A&P” has come down. Each of these businesses once occupied the building at 527 Common Street (at the corner of Belmont Street). But that 6,200 square foot space in Cushing Square has been left vacant for years. Acton resident and developer Chris Starr, operating as Smith Legacy Partners LLC, owned that parcel, and with it and other parcels he acquired, created the initial proposal for the Cushing Village development in 2012. [READ MORE]

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How to Save Money and Reduce Trash

 Environment, November-December 2016, Recycling, Uncategorized  Comments Off on How to Save Money and Reduce Trash
Nov 032016
 
How to Save Money and Reduce Trash

Pay As You Throw Program By Kim Slack One hundred and forty-three Massachusetts communities meter trash the same way they meter water or electricity, creating an equitable system where those who generate more, pay more, and those who generate less, pay less. These programs are called Pay As You Throw (PAYT), or Save Money And Reduce Trash (SMART). As Belmont considers renewing its trash collection contract, it is worth exploring this approach to help the town financially and environmentally. Massachusetts PAYT programs on average have reduced trash by 44% in their communities. When we are charged for the trash we [READ MORE]

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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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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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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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Lone Tree Hill Cleanup–Volunteers Needed May 14

 Newsletter, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Lone Tree Hill Cleanup–Volunteers Needed May 14
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]

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Let’s talk about Belmont gas leaks.

 Uncategorized  Comments Off on Let’s talk about Belmont gas leaks.
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]

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Fernald Site Update

 March 2016, Newsletter, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Fernald Site Update
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]

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Selectman Candidates Answer BCF Questions

 Uncategorized  Comments Off on Selectman Candidates Answer BCF Questions
Mar 142016
 

The Belmont Citizens Forum Newsletter sent questionnaires and received responses via email from candidates for Belmont selectman. Below are the responses from incumbent Mark Paolillo, running for reelection to his third term on the board, and Alexandra Ruban, running for the first time. The election is scheduled for April 5. Commuter Rail Belmont Citizens Forum: The MBTA recently abandoned the idea of a new station on South Pleasant Street. However, the future of Waverley Station is still in question. While Belmont has no authority over how the MBTA addresses accessibility at Waverley and Belmont Center Stations, the town certainly has [READ MORE]

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 Posted by at 8:18 pm

BCF Wants YOU as an Intern

 Uncategorized  Comments Off on BCF Wants YOU as an Intern
Mar 142016
 

The Belmont Citizens Forum is seeking high school and college interns to work with board members and volunteers during spring and summer vacations. Specific areas of current interest include the use of water quality monitoring, GIS, and social media tools to educate citizens about local stormwater issues, historical analysis of impervious surfaces in Belmont, and research related to the economics of bike path alternatives. Please send a description of your availability, interests, and background to bcfprogramdirector@gmail.com by April 1 for a one-week spring internship and by May 1 for a summer internship. Interns typically work one-to-one with a mentor to define a [READ MORE]

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