Beech Tree Removal Set
Removal of the copper beech tree in front of the First Church in Belmont Unitarian Universalist on Concord Avenue is scheduled for Monday, July 20.
In an email on Thursday, Department of Public Works Director Jay Marcotte said the work will begin sometime between 9 and 10 a.m. It is unclear how long the work will take, but it could continue into Tuesday.
The tree is dying of beech tree leaf disease.
Police Recruiting
Chief Shane Smith told the board that the police department is set to welcome six new officers in August.
Two already hold police certification in Massachusetts and will start in August. The other four are not certified and will attend the police academy before starting their careers in Belmont, Smith said.
The six new officers come from a pool of 53 applicants, the result of a successful recruitment drive, Smith said. During interviews, Smith said he identified candidates he would consider for future vacancies in the department.
“I’m beyond pleased with the people who came in for interviews,” Smith said.
Yard Waste
During public comment, several residents expressed concern about reduced yard waste collections in the summer.
“We can’t hire a yard service,” said Claire DeVore Weick. “I don’t know what we’re supposed to do with the rotting yard waste.”
Beginning this month and continuing through October, yard waste will be picked up once a month rather than twice. Yard waste pickup will be weekly in November and twice per month in December, April, May and June. There will be no yard waste pickup in January, February, and March.
The $100,000 budget cut was voted on at Town Meeting in the spring.
Resident Lisa Pargoli questioned the town’s budget priorities, citing concerns about health and safety.
“It’s disturbing to know this is such a health hazard and such an inconvenience for every member of the community,” she said. “At Town Meeting, we were asked to give all that money back to the commuter path and back to the schools. I really think there is a big problem with priorities in this town.”
On social media and in communications with town officials, residents have expressed frustration with the apparent suddenness of the schedule change. Town Administrator Patrice Garvin pointed out the cuts had been discussed in previous meetings, in Warrant Committee reports, and in various budget summits. It was also discussed and voted on at Town Meeting.
“We’re competing for a finite amount of people’s attention,” said Chair Taylor Yates. “Unfortunately, we’re always going to miss people.”
That may well be the case, but member Carol Berberian pointed out she was not the only Town Meeting member caught off guard when the reduction was discussed on the Town Meeting floor. Just a few weeks later, the impact of that cut was clear when the yard waste wasn’t picked up, she said.
“This is something that hit a lot of people on a personal level,” she said. “This is a good opportunity to look at how something that affects many people could be communicated a little more clearly.”
According to Department of Public Works Director Jay Marcotte, the short time between the Town Meeting vote and the mailing of utility bills has created headaches twice.
“That late in the season has hurt us twice. Last year with bulk items and mattresses and this year with yard waste,” he said.
The discussion on yard waste isn’t over. The board asked Marcotte to look over the autumn schedule to see if there is flexibility within the schedule.
“I hope something can be done,” said resident Jeanne Mooney during public comment.