I’ve lived in Belmont for 15 years and spent 12 of those on Town Meeting, our legislative body, creating forward momentum in Belmont. Much has been accomplished. Other things remain to be done. Most importantly, we need to shift away from stalling as a legislative practice due to fear of change. Some people in Belmont consider the town totally separate from its neighboring communities, based on maintaining a lifestyle for the wealthy at the expense of working and middle-class residents, students and teachers in our public school system, and the town’s administrative employees.
Belmont has foreclosed change through zoning. That’s also why our budget outlook and ability to adapt does not change. Belmont may continue preventing well-thought-out development, and in the process reject good growth opportunities through zoning. Belmont has been under the thumb of a small group of largely aging, almost exclusively male leadership for decades, and in fact since it incorporated in 1859. Belmont’s vision is truncated by our unwillingness to address zoning as a tool used to perpetuate exclusion. Instead, we promote the myth that Belmont is an exceptional place for exceptional people exclusively. I believe we have become exceptional at ignoring the needs of our seniors, families, civil servants, and students. Instead, we could adopt the modest change in zoning proposed for Belmont Center and embrace a more inclusive outlook.
The refusal to participate in minimizing the housing crisis in Massachusetts is Belmont’s responsibility, too. Our capacity to serve residents depends on changing our mindsets. It requires a recognition that expanding access benefits everyone. So, I suggest that instead of counting your blessings, try sharing your blessings. The benefits accrue to us all.
Karen Bauerle, Hurd Road