Letters- Page 2

The Rezoning Belmont Center “brown-bag lunch meeting” today was a bust from my point of view! It started with former town Moderator Mike Widmer and current Planning Board Chair Thayer Donham making presentations in opposition to one another, and setting the tone…

I’m a great fan of Belmont Center and enjoy patronizing its charming selection of shops and fun food spots, as well as the outstanding farmer’s market. It’s a wonderful community, where “buying local” is a pleasure. Yet the fact is, small business…

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…

I’ve lived in Belmont since 1977, and I’ve frequently seen folks resist change – over libraries, alcohol licenses, and more. The rationale has always been the same: it would “change the character” of the town and “jeopardize what we have.” Yet if…

How important it is for Belmont residents to come together and end the polarization within our town that the current overlay proposals have brought!  I encourage our elected officials to unite and fully engage with residents and business owners to expand our…

The public conversation around rezoning Belmont Center shows that we all care deeply about this great town. It’s easy to see why. Belmont has fantastic restaurants and shops, excellent schools, easy access to Boston, and a real sense of community. Unfortunately, the…

The most recent report from the Warrant Committee concluded that, even with very conservative assumptions, the proposed Belmont Center Overlay would yield, at full buildout, between $230,000 and $940,000 annual revenue to the town. The committee also concluded that, with a hotel,…

Since my family moved to Belmont in 1991, Belmont Center has been through cycles, and I fear we’re on a downward trend again. Many recent business closures and persistent vacancies tell a clear story. Belmont Center doesn’t generate enough foot traffic or…

As a member of the Planning Board, as well as an entrepreneur, venture capital investor, and small business owner I am strongly supportive of passing the zoning overlays at Belmont Center and on Concord Avenue. Belmont has a structural deficit that grows…

It’s time to talk about strategy and leadership. We have heard that the Center Overlay is a shining example of “good government” – thoughtful compromises, best practices, and expert-led progress that we should all cheer for. But let’s call this process for…