2003 was a busy year for the Board of Selectmen. At the annual town election in April, Anne Marie Mahoney was re-elected to the Board. William Brownsberger was re-elected as Chair of the Board, Anne Marie Mahoney was elected Vice-Chair and Paul Solomon continued his service as Selectman.
There were a significant number of Town employee arrivals, and shifting roles and responsibilities. In February, Diane Jenkins came on board as the Town’s Human Resources Director, bringing more than fifteen years of municipal human resources experience to the town. Acting Chief Andrew O’Malley was appointed Chief of Police in October following a comprehensive application and evaluation process. The Town also welcomed Karen Martin into its newly-created position as Information Technology Manager in September. Within the Office of the Board of Selectmen, our administrative assistant, Rita Richard, retired in June following more than 13 years of dedicated service. Helene Sandor was hired in August and brings a new level of computer expertise to the Selectmen’s Office.
Another significant transformation which took place this year involving Town employees was the creation of a Public Works department. As its appointed Director, Peter Castanino oversees the management and operations of several public works functions, including all functions of the Highway Department, Water Department and Cemetery Department, as well as the parks and athletic facilities of the Buildings and Facilities Department.
The Town witnessed the opening of two new restaurants, Patou and Kashish, both with beer and wine licenses. These restaurants are expected to contribute to the economic vibrancy of Belmont Center.
While we celebrated new faces in town, in July we also said goodbye to a long-standing neighbor—a World War I vintage German artillery cannon formerly displayed in front of Town Hall. As part of the Town Hall complex renovation plans, the cannon needed to find a new home. Luckily, the Worcester Military Museum offered a proposal to relocate and restore the cannon for display. Immediately following the cannon removal, extensive excavation efforts were underway in and around the Town Hall Complex. Extensive roof renovations were implemented in Town Hall including its cupola and steeple. Offices from the Annex Building were relocated to new temporary locations. The Health Department, Recreation Department, and Youth Commission relocated into modular units behind Belmont High School. Administration for the School Department
also found a new home there after moving from the School Administration Building, part of the complex renovations. The Office of Community Development, Credit Union, Retirement and Human Resources offices relocated to Town Hall. The Public Works administrative offices moved to municipal light building on Prince Street. The Assessor, Accounting, Treasurer and Parking Clerk offices are presently located in the former Municipal Light Building on 450 Concord Avenue. All relocated departments shall remain in their current location until renovation efforts are completed in 2005.
Other necessary structural changes in Town included the consolidation and relocation of the Town’s Fire stations. This project, along with the purchase of a new fire truck in April, will cost-effectively maintain the Fire Department’s ability to respond to emergencies in both the short- and long-term.
Another large scale capital project picking up some momentum is the building of a new senior center at the Kendall site. For many years the Town’s senior community has longed for a permanent Senior Center and soon this will become reality.
New temporary committees were formed to address these aforementioned large-scale projects, namely the Town Hall Complex Building Committee (temporary – appointed by Town Moderator), the Fire Stations Building Committee (temporary - appointed by Town Moderator) and the Senior Center Building Committee (temporary – appointed by Town Moderator). Other newly-created committees include the Local Emergency Planning Committee (permanent – appointed by Board of Selectmen), Belmont Center Parking Study Committee (temporary – appointed by Board of Selectmen), and the Electricity Supply Study Committee (temporary – appointed by Town Moderator).
The Belmont Uplands project continues to be an uncertainty. During the Annual Town Meeting, representatives of O’Neill Properties announced their intention to seek a zoning change to the property to residential. This follows the Town Meeting’s recent approval to rezone the property from residential to commercial use.
The Board of Selectmen has been particularly active this year on a variety of fronts. It established goals and objectives for itself and staff and has seen the fruitful results of these in 2003. The Town implemented changes to the Town’s health insurance providers yielding significant cost savings for both the Town and a majority of employee and retiree subscribers. The Board, along with the Town Administrator, sought and achieved Town Meeting approval for the consolidation of the town’s public works functions. A consolidation has been recommended numerous times in the Town’s history and finally, after nearly 30 years of study and review, the Town Meeting approved this consolidation. The Board also successfully implemented a targeted early retirement program that will enable the Town to more quickly
effect organizational change in the newly consolidated Public Works department and to yield salary cost savings to the Town.
The November Special Town Meeting had a discussion of affordable housing opportunities within the Town of Belmont. The Belmont Housing Trust had proposed that two town-owned house lots be utilized for the construction of affordable housing units; one lot on Brighton Street and one lot on B Street. The lot on Brighton Street would be turned over to Habitat for Humanity, who would construct the units. The Board of the Selectmen approved the proposal, as did the Town Meeting.
In December, there was a heating oil spill from the underground tank system at the Burbank School which ultimately flowed into the Clay Pit pond. Several proactive measures were quickly put in place by the Oil Release Response Team to help mitigate the impact of this spill.
Another accomplishment for the Town is continued enhancements to the Town’s website. Since its launch back in January 2003 utilizing a new format, site usage has more than doubled. The Town web site (www.town.belmont.ma.us) continues to enjoy growing popularity as word spreads among residents about the increasing services that it offers (online forms, local and statewide laws and regulations, on-line tax payments, bulletin board notices, meeting calendars, committee agendas and minutes and more!).
And finally, our congratulations to our Boston Red Sox. While not giving us a World Series win, their valiant efforts in winning the Wild Card slot and race for the pennant made for a very exciting and uplifting fall season!
Board of Selectmen
Town of Belmont
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