Proposed amendments seek to gut a sought-after zoning update for Belmont Center for reasons that aren’t clear. That could complicate an already heated discussion at Belmont Town Meeting.
Poison Pill Amendments: The Challenge Facing Town Meeting
Tag: Belmont
Six Citizen Proposals to Strengthen Belmont’s Democracy
Town Meeting member Paul Joy explains the six, citizens petitions he submitted for consideration at the annual Town Meeting in an effort to make Belmont’s government more “democratic, responsive, and forward-thinking.“
“Till Belmont Gets a Village” – The Case For Overlay Zoning
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.
I’m Just A (Belmont) Bill! A Simple Change To Make Town Meeting Work Better.
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…
Make Hybrid Town Meetings Permanent in Belmont
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.
Want a Skate Park For Belmont? Take This Survey!
Got ideas about how to improve parks and open space in town? Take a survey that will help inform the town’s next 10 year Open Space and Recreation Plan! (The survey runs through January 31st 2026.)
A Tiered Override Won In Melrose. What About Belmont?
Melrose’s successful $13.5 million override vote in November holds valuable lessons for Belmont, which – commercial development or not – will need to keep passing overrides to fund our Town.
Fair Teacher Negotiations: Addressing Class Sizes and Compensation
In an open letter to residents, the Belmont Education Association (our teachers’ union) looks to set the record straight about ongoing negotiations: expressing their commitment to students, and their concerns over ongoing contract negotiations with the Town. The teachers’ priorities? Reducing class sizes, increasing collaboration time, and providing fair compensation (so: not ‘more work for less pay’). Unfortunately, the BEA writes that our School Committee has been rejecting fair proposals, putting the onus on the community to support teachers and ensure a productive bargaining that seeks to maintain Belmont’s quality educational environment.
FixIt Clinic Coming to Belmont: Give Your Broken Items a Second Life
Belmont’s Beech Street Center and the Belmont Public Library are teaming up to host a FixIt Clinic on October 25th. Register now.
IF I MAY: Keeping Belmont’s Democracy Alive
In her latest If I May opinion piece, Judith Feinleib calls out the town’s political leadership for what she describes as efforts to dismiss contrary voices and opinions. Feinleib calls on residents to speak up.