In May, I will have spent 23 years living in Belmont. Both Belmont and I have changed over those years.
I got married and had two kids. I opened a tutoring business with another Belmont mom. I moved from one side of the street to another.
I used to sit in Starbucks and watch the construction at the old firehouse, not knowing that when Il Casale opened, it would become my favorite restaurant and my go-to spot to celebrate my birthday.
I used to take my kids to the old Underwood pool. But that pool had a scratchy bottom, a decrepit single bathroom, and it was 102 years old when it closed in 2014. A year later, the new pool opened and now I do more than just cool off – I actually swim laps.
I watched Macy’s replace Filene’s, only to close in 2013 and become a construction site for years before the wonderful Belmont Books opened in 2017. Now my teenage daughter works there.
Today, I drink my coffee at Butternut Bakehouse and look at where CVS and Bank of America used to be — knowing that Belmont’s current zoning limits how those spaces can be reimagined.
As a Town Meeting member, I support thoughtful rezoning to allow more space for commercial development, while increased housing would expand the customer base. Both would be good for Belmont business and its tax revenue.
As scary as change can be, it also can be good. I remind myself of that as my youngest is waiting to hear back from colleges. I know my life will change when she leaves, but I intend to stay in Belmont. Maybe someday I’ll downsize and move into an apartment in the Center and I won’t have to walk as far to celebrate my birthday.
Laura Caputo, Oliver Road
Editor’s Note: Laura Caputo is the sister-in-law of Belmont Voice Board Chair Sarah Caputo.