Tag: Belmont

School Committee meeting Tuesday is opportunity to speak out against cuts

Federal stimulus money may not avert staffing cuts. The School Committee meeting at Chenery Middle School Tuesday at 7:30 PM may be your best opportunity to speak out against cuts to teaching and support staff in Belmont’s Public Schools.

State’s fiscal freefall could jeopardize local aid

A precipitous drop in State revenues could jeopardize local aid payments and eviscerate funding for social services and education. Suddenly “Read my lips: No new taxes!” doesn’t sound so cool.

Survey asks for ideas on Belmont’s future

A new survey from the Belmont Planning Board asks about residents hopes and visions for a future Belmont. Make your voice heard!

More Town Meeting Notes (Now Even Notesier)

I’m sitting here listening to Don Mercier grill Tim Richardson of BMLD about easements like he’s Clarence Darrow at the Scopes Monkey Trial. Yep — you guessed it — its another night at Town Meeting.

Crazy Idea bubbles up at Town Meeting

One that caught my eye in the Warrant for the meeting, however, harkened back to one of the crazy ideas that B2 floated in 2008, namely: a PILOT agreement with the Belmont Hill School.

Get your vote on! Join the town wide canvas for Wellington on May 2nd!

Get involved! Volunteers will hit the pavement in Belmont next week to raise awareness about the need to replace the aged and faltering Wellington Elementary School, and about the June 8 special election to approve the project. If you’re interested in helping canvas in your neighborhood, contact me!

Fed $ means no Prop 2 1/2 override this year

An estimated $1.3m in stimulus money will help stave off cuts to staffing and materials on the school side and, coupled with some savings from attrition, let the town squeak by for one more year without needing to raise property taxes.

News without Newspapers

An article in the New York Times talks about the growth of hyperlocal news, led by community and neighborhood blogs. In Belmont, the Citizen Herald says it will do a revamp of its print edition in the coming months to modernize the look and coverage of the paper and BloggingBelmont is planning changes as it nears its second anniversary!

Thanks!

I take heart that more than 900 of you cast a vote for me, beating out a smattering of write ins and that tenacious character Mr. Blanks, who also came within 300 or so votes of unseating Selectman Firenze!