Category: discussion

Is Moderator Widmer really fair? I asked the experts.

A hand on a scale holding people

Mike Widmer’s running for Moderator on the basis of being fair and balanced. His decision to declare criticism of Town Officials ‘out of order’ suggests otherwise.

Opinion: Belmont’s Broken Zoning Is Making All Of Us Poorer.

two small children standing in front of a suburban home

Will your kids be able to buy a house in Belmont? 8 of 10 Belmontonians say it’s “very unlikely.” The MBTA Communities Act may change that- but not if NIMBY gets its way.

Belmont Educators: Speak Up To Save Our Public Schools

Belmont Middle School

Editor’s note: the following blog post was submitted to Blogging Belmont by Belmont Public School educators. In it, the educators update readers about the financial challenges facing the school, identify some important, upcoming meetings where those challenges facing the school…

Tonight: Help Shape Belmont’s Housing Future

Boston Elevated Rail Map 1920s

A meeting tonight (Dec 7) at 5:30 will hash out the plan for public participation as Belmont develops its proposal for multifamily districts in Town, ahead of the 2024 Town Meeting vote to approve the new zoning and comply with State law.

We’re Voting “NO” On Leaving Civil Service. Here’s Why.

thumbs down

Our research into Article 8 convinces us that the arguments made by the Town Administrator, Police Chief and Select Board for exiting the Civil Service are not supported by the facts. We’ve listed our main reasons for voting “NO” here, with further explanation provided below.

If I May: Civil Service Redux

Puck Civil Service

In her latest “If I May” opinion piece, Town Meeting Member Judith Feinleib argues that the Town’s proposal to have Town Meeting withdraw the Belmont PD from the State’s Civil Service program leaves lots of questions unanswered.

Thursday Evening: Speak Up For Civil Service

The Civil Service Cerberus and the Hercules of spoils by George Yost Coffin. Courtesy of The Library of Congress

A hearing Thursday evening September 7th at 7PM seeks public input on a proposal to withdraw the Town from Massachusetts’ Civil Service. Turn up and be ready to ask hard questions about what will replace the Civil Service protections we all enjoy.

Vote Local: Two Ballot Questions, One Answer: YES.

ballot box

Voters are being asked to weigh in on two ballot questions in this year’s local election: on rebuilding the Viglirolo skating rink and switching from an elected- to an appointed Town Treasurer. Here’s how I’m planning to vote on Questions 1 and 2.

Vote Local! My picks for this year’s Town Election

Voting Illustration

Belmont voters go to the polls April 4th to elect their town government. Here are my picks for Town Meeting and town-wide offices!

Resolved to get involved? Check out One Love One Belmont this Saturday!

Heart Ties

There’s a growing body of research that shows that human connection – to family, friends and our communities – is the key to a happy (or at least happier) life. The latest example of this comes in the form of…