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Mary Byrne

Mary Byrne

Mary Byrne is a member of The Belmont Voice staff. Mary can be contacted at mbyrne@belmontvoice.org.

Belmont Opts Into State’s Summer Liquor Pilot

June 16, 2026
Between the World Cup and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, there’s much to celebrate in Massachusetts this summer. In recognition of that, Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill last week authorizing municipalities to opt in to a temporary pilot…

Study: Permitting a Constraint in Belmont

June 15, 2026
In a study by a group of Harvard Kennedy School graduate students, developers highlighted permitting as a “critical constraint” in Belmont. “The cost essentially increases because the permitting is unpredictable,” grad student Josh Young told the Select Board earlier this month. On…

Belmont Resident to Build Community Fridge, Food Pantry

June 12, 2026
When the federal government shut down last fall, resulting in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Amber Porter began wondering how it would impact her fellow Belmont residents. From a Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance report, she learned that more…

Sidewalks, Roads, Top Town Meeting Night 5

June 4, 2026
Turns out, it’s not always enough just to check your email’s spam folder. On Wednesday night, Town Meeting authorized the town to pay an unpaid invoice from fiscal year 2025 totaling $1,316 for water bottles at the Fire Department. How did such…
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Despite Fewer SNAP recipients, Food Insecurity Persists

June 2, 2026
Compared to the same time last year, fewer Belmont households are enrolled in the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP — but local food assistance advocates say the numbers don’t capture the reality of what’s happening in town.…

Budget Increases Driven By Health Insurance Costs

June 1, 2026
In the coming weeks, Town Meeting will be asked to consider the town’s $171.7 million operating budget, representing a $2.1 million, or 1.3%, increase over the current fiscal year budget. That $171.7 million funds schools, the municipal department, and shared services, among…
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Mint Cannabis License Transferred for $1 Million Fee

May 28, 2026
The cannabis retailer that planned to open on Pleasant Street has transferred its license to another retailer, according to Town Administrator Patrice Garvin. Mint Cannabis, LLC, which had signed two different host community agreements with Belmont, sold its license to a group…
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Belmont Rink Generates $270K In Inaugural Season

May 26, 2026
Word is spreading about the new rink in Belmont. “We’re getting people from all over the place,” said Barb Taylor of the Belmont Women’s Hockey program, which welcomes beginner hockey players of all ages. “For the women who play hockey, it’s a…

Belmont Native Climbs Beyond Her Injuries

May 16, 2026
Growing up in Belmont, Melissa Strong dreaded gym class. It didn’t help, of course, that she had a teacher she didn’t particularly like, and the feeling—she believed—was mutual. She described running laps during the school day as “torture.” Now, years later, Strong…
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