Mary Byrne, Author at The Belmont Voice

Faye Boomhower, 9, hangs a bug hotel on the grounds of the United Universalist Church in Belmont. (Mary Byrne/Belmont Voice)

News

Helping Life to Find a Way

March 14, 2025

As town officials debate the merits of zoning for hotel developments in town, a few new lodgings have already opened for business. For bugs, at least. Yes, you read that correctly. Bug hotels, which are exactly what they sound like—miniature “homes” that…

News

After Delay, Town Outlines Schedule for Road Work, Traffic Calming on White Street

March 12, 2025

For the past 20 years, town officials and committee volunteers have sought ways to mitigate residents’ concerns about speeding and traffic volume on White Street, which includes one of Belmont’s neighborhood elementary schools. “There are limited things we can do,” Select Board…

Elections

Abid-Woods Highlights Expertise in Strategic Organization

March 11, 2025

A parent of two boys at Chenery Upper Elementary School, Zehra Abid-Wood, realized about a year ago that it wouldn’t come with an invitation if she wanted to get more involved in the school community. “I was sitting around waiting for permission…

News

Advisory Group Centralizes Information on Tax Exemption Options

March 10, 2025

Not sure which, if any, property tax exemptions you qualify for? A recently published brochure on the town website may have the answer for you. “There was a semblance of a document that was on the assessor’s website, but I think it…

News

Solar Panels Proposed for Municipal Ice Rink

March 10, 2025

Since voters approved a $29.9 million debt exclusion in April 2023 to build a new ice rink and later supported an additional $1.5 million appropriation to cover a budget shortfall, one constant has remained—the voters’ plea to erect a building that furthers…

News

Shooting Investigation Continues; Housing Authority Defends Cambridge Partnership

March 8, 2025

Police in three communities, Belmont included, responded to reports of gun violence last week. Investigations into the shooting that took place in the area of Clark Lane on Feb. 24 are ongoing. According to a press release from the Middlesex District Attorney’s…

News

Updated: Select Board Amends Contract, Retains Garvin as Town Administrator

March 6, 2025

A revised employment contract, negotiated in a swift move to retain her as town administrator, offers Patrice Garvin an increase of roughly $8,500 to her base pay. Select Board members who approved the revised contract Wednesday evening said the amended compensation package…

News

Woman’s Club Cancels Dancing with the Belmont Stars Fundraiser

March 6, 2025

For the second time in its short history, one of the community’s best known fundraising events has been canceled. Wendy Murphy, president of the Belmont Woman’s Club, said the club is “devastated” the Dancing with the Belmont Stars had to be canceled,…

News

‘Dramatically’ Changing Streetscape As Library Project Moves Forward

March 5, 2025

Between progress on both the town’s major construction projects, the streetscape will change “dramatically” in the coming months for passersby on Concord Avenue. As of this month, the structure of the new library is entirely framed, concrete is being poured, and brick…

News

Town Meeting Passes ADU Bylaw Amendment, Clerical MBTA Act Changes

March 4, 2025

After four hours of discussion, Town Meeting members approved amendments to the accessory dwelling unit bylaw, officially bringing the town into compliance with a new state law. That law, signed by Gov. Maura Healey in August as part of the $5.1 billion…