Waltham Solicits Bids for Design of Rail Trail

 Bike Paths, Environment, Newsletter, November-December 2016, Traffic, Transit  Comments Off on Waltham Solicits Bids for Design of Rail Trail
Nov 032016
 
Waltham Solicits Bids for Design of Rail Trail

Will Belmont Follow Suit? By Vince Stanton Jr. In September, the city of Waltham issued a request for proposal (RFP) for 100% design of a community path extending approximately three miles from the Waltham-Belmont border (about 1,000 feet west of Waverley Square) to the Weston border (about 1,500 feet west of Route 128, just south of Main Street). (“100% design” refers to a fully specified set of construction drawings.) Proposals were due on October 20. At a bidder’s conference on October 5, city officials expressed the hope that design work could be completed this winter, allowing construction to begin in [READ MORE]

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Belmont Community Path Orientation Walk

 Bike Paths, Environment, November-December 2016, Traffic  Comments Off on Belmont Community Path Orientation Walk
Nov 032016
 
Belmont Community Path Orientation Walk

Photos by David Chase On Saturday, October 15, members of the Community Path Implementation Advisory Committee and consultants led a walk of about two dozen citizens to educate them about route possibilities for the western end of the community path in Belmont. Above, the group stops on Olmsted Drive, uphill from Pleasant Street. Behind the police station, the group examines grades and pinch points. The path could follow the Fitchburg commuter rail line at several locations. Above is near Cityside Subaru on Pleasant Street. The path may continue north of the railroad tracks off Pleasant Street, near Snake Hill Road. [READ MORE]

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Goodbye and Thank You to EK Khalsa

 Air Quality, Environment, November-December 2016, Water Quality  Comments Off on Goodbye and Thank You to EK Khalsa
Nov 032016
 
Goodbye and Thank You to EK Khalsa

Interview with an Environmental Change Agent by Julia Blatt EK (EkOngKar) Khalsa was executive director of Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) from 2008 until this September. His leadership has resulted in a dramatic improvement in the environment and water quality in a vital Greater Boston natural resource. We asked Belmont resident Julia Blatt, executive director of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance and longtime colleague of Khalsa, to speak with him about his accomplishments in the region. Julia Blatt: What brought you to the Mystic River Watershed Association? EK Khalsa: I was introduced to MyRWA by an inspiring, very dynamic member of [READ MORE]

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How to Save Money and Reduce Trash

 Environment, November-December 2016, Recycling, Uncategorized  Comments Off on How to Save Money and Reduce Trash
Nov 032016
 
How to Save Money and Reduce Trash

Pay As You Throw Program By Kim Slack One hundred and forty-three Massachusetts communities meter trash the same way they meter water or electricity, creating an equitable system where those who generate more, pay more, and those who generate less, pay less. These programs are called Pay As You Throw (PAYT), or Save Money And Reduce Trash (SMART). As Belmont considers renewing its trash collection contract, it is worth exploring this approach to help the town financially and environmentally. Massachusetts PAYT programs on average have reduced trash by 44% in their communities. When we are charged for the trash we [READ MORE]

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Environmental Events Nov-Dec 2016

 Air Quality, Environment, Newsletter, November-December 2016, Water Quality  Comments Off on Environmental Events Nov-Dec 2016
Nov 032016
 

Belmont Drives Electric Ride & Drive Day Saturday, November 12, 1:30-4:30 PM Come test drive and learn about several models of electric vehicles, as well as incentives by local dealers and tax benefits. Learn more at: belmontdriveselectric.org  or email info@bostoncommittee.org for more information. Belmont High School parking lot and cafeteria. MIT Water Summit 2016 Thursday & Friday, November 17, 8 AM to November 18, 3:30 PM The MIT Water Club and its sponsors are thrilled to announce the fifth edition of the MIT Water Summit, a gathering of not only students and faculty from MIT and the greater Boston area, [READ MORE]

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Solar Shines Brightly in Belmont

 Air Quality, Environment, September 2016, Solar Power  Comments Off on Solar Shines Brightly in Belmont
Sep 142016
 
Solar Shines Brightly in Belmont

Now Up To 250 Installations Plus: Electric Vehicle Campaign Starts in October by Jan Kruse In our May/June 2016 issue, we covered the initial success of the Belmont Goes Solar campaign, at which time more than 170 Belmont residents added solar panels to their homes (“Belmont Goes Solar Sails Past Initial Goal”). This is an update. The Town of Homes might be ready for a new name: the Town of Solar Homes. About 250 homeowners opted to purchase rooftop solar during the Belmont Goes Solar (BGS) six-month campaign that ended June 30. More Belmontonians purchased solar for their homes than [READ MORE]

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Environmental Events

 Air Quality, Environment, Newsletter, September 2016, Uncategorized, Water Quality  Comments Off on Environmental Events
Sep 142016
 
Environmental Events

Board of Surveyors Hearing–Postponed The Board of Surveyors will hold their hearing of the proposed road adjacent to Habitat at 178 Marsh Street. Homer Art Gallery, Town Hall, 19 Moore Street, Belmont. NOTE: The September 19 meeting has been postponed to a future date. The town engineer is asking the applicant to first apply for a hearing before the Belmont Conservation Commission to resolve any wetland issues. We will update this post when we have more information. 350 Mass Cambridge Node Meeting, Tuesday, September 20, 6:30–8:30 PM Join discussions with a grassroots climate network in Massachusetts. Newcomers welcome. First Church Cambridge, 11 [READ MORE]

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Conservation Land and Development

 Environment, Newsletter, Open Space, September 2016  Comments Off on Conservation Land and Development
Sep 142016
 
Conservation Land and Development

Habitat Wetlands at Risk by Vincent Stanton Jr and Roger Wrubel Notice: the Board of Surveyors meeting originally scheduled for September 19 to discuss the Chiofaro property has been postponed. The town engineer is asking the applicant to first apply for a hearing before the Belmont Conservation Commission to resolve any wetland issues. In densely settled communities like Belmont, few real estate marketing pitches ring a louder bell than “abuts conservation land.” Indeed, what could be more salable than guaranteed backyard tranquility in perpetuity? Unfortunately, as the perimeter of conservation land becomes densely settled, the value of the land for conservation [READ MORE]

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Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Monday

 Environment, Plants, Staycation  Comments Off on Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Monday
Aug 212016
 
Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Monday

Hi, On the Monday of my trial Staycation I enjoyed walks and bike rides around my neighborhood, then I tried two new activities and one old favorite: It was hot, but I rode my bike from the Winn Brook neighborhood past the Beech Street Center to Trapelo Road and checked out the gourmet food shop Art’s Specialities.  I met the owner, Artur, who tempted me with their jugs of specialty vinegars and oils.  He decanted some black walnut vinegar for me, which I look forward to drizzling on locally grown lettuce.  I bought a bar of chocolate, some cranberry crackers for [READ MORE]

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 Posted by at 12:20 am

Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Tuesday

 Bike Paths, Environment, Open Space, Staycation, Stormwater  Comments Off on Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Tuesday
Aug 122016
 
Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Tuesday

Hi, On the Tuesday of my trial Staycation, I went to several favorites I hadn’t visited in a while, including Belmont Acres Farm and Fresh Pond, where Shodai also went on his Staycation (see his Facebook postcard below): I took the 74 bus down Concord Avenue to Smith Place in order to get to Black’s Nook, a part of Fresh Pond which was part of Belmont between 1859 and 1880.  Another hot day, there was welcome shade from the trees, and lovely butterflies to enjoy.  In the pond, I saw small fish, not sure what they were. I also walked some of the [READ MORE]

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 Posted by at 1:43 am

Belmont Staycation Picnic and Postcards

 Environment, Staycation  Comments Off on Belmont Staycation Picnic and Postcards
Aug 092016
 
Belmont Staycation Picnic and Postcards

It’s been great to see new Staycation postcards coming into the Belmont Citizens Forum Facebook Page — see below for one of a series of postcards from some young Belmont Superheroes! Now it’s time to get your picnic basket ready to join us for the Staycation community picnic from 12:00-2:00 Saturday August 13 on the Town Green by Wellington Station (Common Street and Concord Ave). Please bring your own picnic and blanket. We will supply popsicles from an historic Underwood family ice chest, and tell Belmont stories about the history of the ice industry and food preservation. We hope to have something for everyone: frisbees aplenty, [READ MORE]

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 Posted by at 2:00 pm

Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Saturday

 Environment, Open Space, Staycation, Transit  Comments Off on Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Saturday
Aug 052016
 
Belmont Staycation Postcard from a Saturday

Another postcard from my trial Staycation  —  Check out the shorter postcards on our Facebook page; post your own there! Hi, This was a day with friends. I took a nature walk (check out our Maps section for local trail maps), and took a bus and subway to get to an event in Boston  (check MBTA.com or a public transport app for schedules): Habitat: We had an out-of-town guest, and brought her to the Habitat in the morning to enjoy a longer walk. We took a very long route to Turtle Pond, passing through the Fern Trail and Red Maple Swamp trail and Border trail.  It [READ MORE]

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Getting Smarter About Light in Belmont

 Environment, Newsletter, Traffic  Comments Off on Getting Smarter About Light in Belmont
Jul 192016
 
Getting Smarter About Light in Belmont

Pilot Project Tests LED Streetlights by Anne-Marie Lambert Can you see me now? The Belmont Light Department is working to improve the efficiency of our streetlights. A grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources funded the replacement of 100 of today’s 2,400 high-pressure sodium bulbs with LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. This pilot project replaces 98 100-watt bulbs and two 250-watt bulbs with a variety of LED products. The pilot project alone is expected to save 26 megawatt hours (MWh) per year, with a payback period of just over four years. In the coming year, Belmont Light will evaluate the [READ MORE]

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Bicycles on Public Transit

 Air Quality, Bike Paths, Environment, Newsletter, Traffic, Transit  Comments Off on Bicycles on Public Transit
Jul 182016
 
Bicycles on Public Transit

Ride More, See More by Jeff Roth Choosing public transit over driving makes ecological sense. When you combine bicycling and transit, you’re helping the environment and getting a bonus of fun and healthy activity. Bringing your bicycle on public transit opens many green options for getting around Boston and beyond. You can use transit to cover long distances and then have your bike at your destination to explore less traveled roads. In my experience, biking and transit excursions, either with your family or solo, are healthy, fun, and green, and won’t get you stuck in car traffic. Start here. Go [READ MORE]

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Lone Tree Hill Cleanup

 Environment, Historic Preservation, Newsletter  Comments Off on Lone Tree Hill Cleanup
Jul 172016
 
Lone Tree Hill Cleanup

Fourth Annual Event Draws 30 Volunteers by Radha Iyengar On a sunny, warm May 14, volunteers met at the Belmont Citizens Forum (BCF) green-and-white awning at the Mill Street Lone Tree Hill parking lot to conduct two projects. Energetic volunteers collected 12 large bags of trash and two boxes of recyclables. At the Pine Allee, a separate team hauled in wheelbarrows full of wood chips, raking them into place along the entire length of the trail to help prevent soil erosion, and making it more comfortable for walking. Roger Wrubel, director of Mass Audubon’s Habitat Sanctuary, lent wheelbarrows, shovels, and [READ MORE]

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Environmental Events Jul/Aug

 Air Quality, Environment, Newsletter  Comments Off on Environmental Events Jul/Aug
Jul 152016
 

Fresh Pond Monarch Butterfly Project July & August The beautiful and ecologically significant monarch butterfly has been in decline worldwide in recent years and its annual migration down the eastern seaboard is believed to be under threat. This raise-and-release project is a combination of volunteer stewardship, invasive plant management, native re-vegetation, and public education all aimed at encouraging a monarch population at Fresh Pond. July 30, August 6, August 13: Caterpillar checkups: Come see how they are growing. Aug. 17: Pod Patrol for black swallowwort Aug. 22: Butterfly release! To learn more: http://bit.ly/29ElT3Y Fresh Pond Reservation, Cambridge. July Boston Sustainability [READ MORE]

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Belmont “Staycation” Needs You.

 Environment, Newsletter, Staycation  Comments Off on Belmont “Staycation” Needs You.
Jun 282016
 

by Shodai Inose In order to reduce our carbon footprint, the Belmont Citizens Forum is creating a Belmont “Staycation,” a vacation in our own town which will be safer for the environment and your wallet. As a summer intern at BCF, I’m collecting ideas to create family­ friendly and fun experiences, and I need your help. Do you know of any locations (preferably in Belmont) that you think people would enjoy? Are there any local businesses you would like to share with the rest of the community? How does a family like yours spend time in town? We’re looking for [READ MORE]

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Environmental Events

 Environment, May 2016, Newsletter, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Environmental Events
May 202016
 

Gardeners on the Esplanade May 3-June 21, 10:00 AM-Noon The Esplanade Association will begin its Gardener Assistant Program, which is an 8-week program to get volunteers out during the months of May and June to help the Esplanade Association’s Horticulture staff. Tasks will include weeding, mulching, dead-heading, and more. The association will hold in-person interviews to gauge volunteer commitment. Prior gardening experience is preferred. If you are interested please reach out to Kyle Richard, the volunteer and program manager, at krichard@esplanadeassociation. org or call 617-227-0365 for more details. Boston Esplanade Nature Poetry Walk Sunday, May 22 1:30-3:30 PM Anne-Marie Lambert [READ MORE]

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Electric Vehicles: What You Need To Know

 Air Quality, Environment, May 2016, Traffic, Transit  Comments Off on Electric Vehicles: What You Need To Know
May 202016
 
Electric Vehicles: What You Need To Know

by Kim Slack At a recent meeting of Sustainable Belmont, Kim Slack was part of a panel discussing the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs). The following is his summary of that discussion. Of the many reasons to consider an all-electric car, two key factors are low operating costs and the health of the planet. Low operating costs. Electric vehicles (EVs) are more energy-efficient than gas-powered automobiles. Electric cars can travel up to 115 miles on the energy contained in a gallon of gas, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) miles-per-gallon-equivalent measure (MPGe), which is the average distance traveled per unit [READ MORE]

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