In 1857, as it looked to separate from Cambridge, Waltham and Watertown, Belmont’s lack of a commercial center (“village”) was a major issue. More than 160 years later, the town is looking to revitalize its “village” by modernizing its zoning regulations. In this opinion piece, Town Meeting Member Mary Lewis writes that the proposed Belmont Center Overlay will boost local business, provide accessible housing, and improve residents’ quality of life, fostering a vibrant, 21st century community.
Remember that cartoon bill in the Schoolhouse Rock! video? Sitting up on Capitol Hill, singing about the long, long journey to reach Congress? Belmont doesn’t have Congress. But it does have its own legislative body: Town Meeting. Town Meeting is…
Belmont Moderator Michael Crowley details a new citizens petition asking Town Meeting to authorize the Select Board to seek special state legislation that would allow Belmont to hold hybrid and remote Town Meetings on a permanent basis.
The needlessly long and toxic debate over the rededication of the ice rink is sowing anger, discontent and distrust in the Town’s leadership when they can least afford it. The solution to the rink problem? Skip it!
Now that Belmont has approved its plan for the State’s MBTA Communities Act, it faces a critical issue: how to increase commercial development even as it obeys the requirements imposed by the state’s one size fits all law.
In a blatant display of the dangers inherent in concentrating power in the executive, the Select Board eliminated hybrid town meetings for both the May and June sessions citing misleading information, and silenced one of its members, writes Town Meeting Member Judith Feinleib.
For the first time in years, voters have the opportunity to enact big changes to Belmont’s leadership. It’s not an opportunity we should pass up. Change is on the ballot, Belmont. Let’s make it happen! Here are my picks for the April 2nd 2024 Town Election.
On April 2nd, residents will be asked to approve Question 1, which raises our property tax levy to fund critical Town- and school operations. Check out the top 3 reasons that I am going to vote YES.
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.
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.