Category: Select Board

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.

Abutters want to slash Children’s Room hours over parking, traffic.

Benton Branch Library

Abutters to Belmont’s Benton Branch are up in arms that the nearly century old library might again be used as a library. They’re pressuring the Select Board to cut the operating hours by more than half: from 50 hours a week to just 20. Sign a petition supporting more hours for our kids and turn up Monday night to the Select Board meeting to voice your support for more Children’s Room hours.

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!

This We Agree On: Vote Epstein To Prevent Crippling Cuts To Belmont’s Schools

Paul Roberts and Ralph Jones

Closing an elementary school? Laying off 120 teachers? Those are the choices we’d face if a Select Board candidate makes good on his promise to cut $10 million from the Schools’ budget. Don’t let that happen.

Select Board Should Act On Remote Meetings

remote meeting

COVID special orders will eventually end. Our Select Board should vote now to allow Belmont committee members to deliberate remotely.