At the end of the day: putting the question to voters costs the Town of Belmont nothing. Not giving the voters a choice to throw a lifeline to the Town, on the other hand, has very high costs associated with it.
Open Letter: Belmont Needs a Bailout
Category: public meeting
A Poll: How Technology Could Help Town Government Serve Us Better
Hey Blogging Belmont readers and ‘Happy Monday’! I’m writing you in my capacity as the Chairman of Belmont’s IT Advisory Committee and asking you a big favor: five minutes of your time to take this important survey, which assesses how …
You to the Rescue: Critical Selectmen’s Meeting Monday to support Belmont Community Path
The Selectmen will have a tough vote on the Community Path again Monday evening. Once again Community Path supporters need to turn out in force to the Selectmen’s Hearing Room at Belmont Town Hall on Monday to voice support for a safe, off road route connecting Belmont to the Minuteman Path and Alewife MBTA station.
Invest in Belmont’s Future: Vote YES on 4!
The proposed 7-12 school is an elegant and cost saving solution to a myriad of complex and expensive problems facing our school district. Vote YES tomorrow on Question #4 to invest in Belmont’s students and our collective future.
We Saved The Farmers’ Market (For Now)
Public outcry over an effort by Locatelli properties to relocate the Belmont Farmers’ Market saved the day…for now. (Image courtesy of Jessie Bennett.)
Summary: Overwhelming public outcry sunk effort by Locatelli Properties to oust the Market from Belmont Center. But the battle’s probably not over.
Update2: First They Came for the Farmers: Foodie’s landlord opposes Farmers’ Market
Locatelli is objecting to part of the Town’s municipal lot being given over to the Belmont Farmer’s Market, which has dutifully served the community from that location for 11 years. Apparently, Mr. Foley and his employer banked on public resources (a small number of spaces at the back of the Town’s municipal lot) being there to boost the prospects for his private tenant (and the private property owner) despite an 11 year history. If he made any assurances to Foodies about the Market not being there in 2017 and those spots being opened, he was bargaining with an asset he didn’t own or control – always a risky business.
Important Budget Goings On – Don’t Sleep Through ‘Em!
Just a heads up, y’all, that there are a slew of important budget meetings looming, starting this Tuesday evening, January 11, when School Superintendent, Dr. Entwistle will present the proposed FY 2012 budget to the School Committee. This meeting is in the Community Room at Chenery Middle School and will be the public’s first look at the budget for next year. From what I’ve heard, this is a “make the best of a bad situation” budget with some sobering numbers. We’ll need your help and involvement to win the funding our teachers and administrators need to preserve critical programming. Here are some dates to put on your calendar.
How we get over(ride)…meeting tonight
With a vote on a proposition 2 1/2 override due on the ballot on June 14, its time to get organized and make sure that the override passes. There’s an important meeting of the Warrant Committee, School Committee and Board of Selectman on Wednesday and an organizational meeting tonight for those interested in joining the campaign in support of a Proposition 2 1/2 override vote. Check it out!
Progress on P.I.L.O.Ts Monday Evening
The Board of Selectmen will hear a proposal from the Board of Assessors tomorrow night (Sept. 14) at 7:45pm regarding the Town’s tentative plans to seek Payment in lieu of Taxes (P.I.L.O.T) agreements from the many, large non profits that are located in Belmont.
Next week: Meeting on Belmont 2.0
Ready for Belmont 2.0? Mapping Belmont’s Renewal is a forum on Wed, April 16th. Sponsored by the Planning Committee and Office of Community Development, it will solicit residents’ input on important development considerations such as the need for economic development, building sustainable neighborhoods, quality of life issues, as well as parking, transportation, land use and open space/recreation.