It’s time to talk about strategy and leadership. We have heard that the Center Overlay is a shining example of “good government” – thoughtful compromises, best practices, and expert-led progress that we should all cheer for.
But let’s call this process for what it really is—one of the most divisive examples of policymaking in Belmont in the past 50 years—with spin that utterly ignores the wreckage it’s causing.
Here’s what I’ve unfortunately come to conclude—this entire process is tearing our town in half—neighbors against neighbors, customers against business owners, and volunteer against volunteer. We have seen litmus tests deciding who’s “loyal” enough to serve, bullying and threats silencing dissent, and real concerns (traffic, historic impacts, businesses not invited to weigh in to either the select or planning board process) completely dismissed.
We’ve seen Town Meeting members publicly attacked and smeared, long-time leaders ignored and dismissed, and for what? Has anyone actually answered the question about what “vibrancy” means? Is Belmont prepared for the complete reconstruction of the entire Locatelli block from CVS to Champions? Everything our local merchants and property owners have built is at risk.
And the line we’ve heard that rejection or pause tells volunteers “not to bother”? Pure, manipulative fearmongering. It betrays residents who want sustainable growth, who have good ideas, and who want to be listened to!
Take-it-or-leave-it ultimatums aren’t democratic. They’re degrading and divisive. Good government brings good people who disagree to the table—without personal attacks, railroading, dismissal, or replacement. Belmont is too small and too connected for the exclusion we have seen and experienced.
We should all be unhappy about the division this project has generated. But we cannot give up on Belmont. We deserve leaders who unite us, who articulate real strategy and engagement—not division.
Paul Joy, Harvard Road