Clay Pit Pond Deforestation Damages Wetland - Belmont Citizens Forum
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Belmont Citizens Forum
Clay Pit Pond Deforestation Damages Wetland
By Judy Singler
In September 2020, several Belmont
residents removed more than 80 trees
and shrubs from the south side of
Clay Pit Pond. In an unauthorized
action taken ostensibly to “enhance”
the view of the pond, individuals
visited the site on at least three
occasions that month, cutting down
50-foot-tall trees, shrubs, vines, and
other vegetation. The remaining trees
at the edge of the pond were pruned
of side branches to a height of 20 feet
and more. Town officials eventually
ordered a halt to the illegal tree
cutting after calls from several
concerned citizens.
Environmental Laws Exist to
Protect our Wetlands
Cutting vegetation within 100 feet
of a protected body of water is subject
to state wetlands laws and requires a
permit from the town’s Conservation
Commission (ConCom). In this case,
no permit was requested or granted.
In October, when the ConCom
JUDY SINGLER
became aware of this activity,
members began discussing options
for the town. The contractor origi-
nally hired for management of Bare ground, erosion, and cut stumps after illegal tree
invasive species around the pond had removal at Clay Pit Pond.
been unable to perform the work due
to the Covid-19 crisis. He will inspect the pond due to large areas without soil-stabi-
the site to assess current needs. lizing vegetation near the shoreline.
Because many tree and shrub stumps
remained near the pond, creating a hazard
The Conservation Commission’s Role
to visitors, the Department of Public Works This activity at Clay Pit Pond reveals the need
arranged for a contractor to remove the larger for greater understanding in the community
stumps in December, even as citizens raised of our wetland areas and the regulations that
concerns about possible erosion and siltation at protect them. In 1964, Massachusetts passed its
May/June 2021 Preserving Belmont’s Small-Town Atmosphere Vol. 22, No.3
Wetland Protection Act, Massachusetts General Michael Santoro from the Department of Public
Belmont Citizens Forum Laws (MGL) Chapter 131, Section 40. This law Works, as well as some concerned citizens.
provides specific protections to wetlands and the The site showed a great deal of exposed
Officers public interest, including flood and pollution land, with many small stumps from shrubs
Grant Monahon, President control, as well as groundwater supplies and protruding from loose soil, with exposed roots
John Dieckmann, Vice President wildlife habitat. It requires a thorough review lining the banks. Some siltation was evident as
Evanthia Malliris, Secretary of all proposed work that may impact any well as several locations with minor erosion.
wetlands. Concerns were voiced over coming spring
Radha Iyengar, Treasurer
At the local level, Belmont’s ConCom admin- rains and the need for actions to mitigate
isters the Wetlands Protection Act. This seven- the extensive loss of trees and shrubs. Initial
Directors member volunteer board is appointed by the plans include hiring a consultant to survey the
Sumner Brown Select Board and works with conservation agent area and provide recommendations. The land
David Chase Mary Trudeau to review and approve applica- between the path and the pond banks needs to
Vincent Stanton, Jr. tions for work covered by the act. be stabilized immediately.
At the state level, the Department of
Environmental Protection (MassDEP) provides A Path Forward
Newsletter
technical training to local conservation commis- The ongoing situation at Clay Pit Pond
Meg Muckenhoupt, Executive Editor sions and oversees administration of the law demonstrates the need for citizens to be
Jeffrey North, Managing Editor and develops policies and regulations, including aware of activity taking place in the town
Sue Bass, Newsletter Committee, fines for violations. Violators of the Wetlands and to speak out when unusual actions are
Director Emerita Protection Act may be ordered to restore the occurring. Meanwhile, advocating for appro-
Virginia Jordan, Evanthia Malliris, property to its original condition and take other priate follow-up to this unauthorized work at
Vincent Stanton, Jr. actions to mitigate the effects of the violation. Clay Pit Pond could show how the town and
In addition, they may incur criminal fines up community can work together to resolve a
to $25,000, imprisonment of up to two years, serious environmental problem.
JUDY SINGLER
Belmont Citizens Forum Inc. is a not-for-
or both, or a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for The unlawful and ecologically damaging
profit organization that strives to maintain
each violation. Each day a violation continues is assault on the pond has created broader
the small-town atmosphere of Belmont, considered a separate offense. awareness of the need to stabilize the bank and
Massachusetts, by preserving its natural and Anyone wanting to work in a wetland resource manage the vegetation, especially the invasive
historical resources, limiting traffic growth, area or within 100 feet of a wetland (the buffer Shoreline damage at Clay Pit Pond. plant species, around the entire pond. As a
and enhancing pedestrian safety. We do this zone) must obtain prior approval from the part of Belmont’s stormwater system, Clay Pit
by keeping residents informed about planning ConCom. Wetlands protection regulations are specifies any special requirements needed to Pond is a significant resource, though one which
and zoning issues, by participating actively in quite specific about the extent and type of work protect the public interests. Permits are denied requires regular assessment and care.
public hearings, and by organizing forums. allowed. Activities covered include vegetation if the impacts to the resource areas cannot be At the March 30 ConCom meeting Trudeau
removal, regrading, and home construction, avoided or mitigated. These decisions may be indicated her intent to seek funding to support
including additions, decks, and driveways. appealed to MassDEP. a study of the needs of the pond. Town admin-
The BCF Newsletter is published six times a
Commercial and industrial areas are also covered istrator Garvin has said that she will look for
year, in January, March, May, July, September, Surveying the Damage
and November. Published material represents by the regulations. federal and state grants and other funding
Obtaining a permit from the ConCom Meanwhile, the land around Clay Pit Pond to support this effort. In this, she will follow
the views of the authors and not necessarily has suffered a considerable injury. Permits
requires filing of a Notice of Intent which guidance from Trudeau and the ConCom.
those of the Belmont Citizens Forum. were never requested by citizens, who assumed
includes the details of the proposed project, A review of the broader ecological health
location of wetland resource areas and buffer their actions would be helpful to the town. of the pond and a plan for its sustainability is
Letters to the editor may be sent to zones, and steps that will be taken to protect Town officials must decide how to mitigate this essential to an effective action plan to assure
P. O. Box 609, Belmont MA 02478 or to them. ConCom representatives might visit the damage and restore the soil around the pond that Clay Pit Pond will continue to be a valuable
bcfprogramdirector@gmail.com site to verify the boundaries of the protected before erosion and siltation affect water quality. asset to Belmont and its residents.
areas, and typically a public hearing is held to On March 8, the ConCom visited Clay Pit
belmontcitizensforum.org allow abutters and other community members to Pond to view the site and discuss planning for
© 2021 Belmont Citizens Forum. All rights reserved. ask questions or voice concerns. mitigation and restoration. Also in attendance Judy Singler is a member of the Council on Aging
Following the hearing, the ConCom will issue were Patrice Garvin, town administrator; Roy and the Housing Trust and a Town Meeting member
a permit known as an Order of Conditions, that Epstein, Select Board chair; and Jay Marcotte and for Precinct 6.
2 belmontcitizensforum.org May/June 2021 3
Belmont Has One Year to Clean up Waterways Pollution upstream doesn’t always make it to the downstream outlet
By Anne-Marie Lambert Route 2, for example, outlet 15A by Frontage
Road near Radcliffe Road went from over 14,900
A 2017 consent order from the US
E. coli MPN/100 ml in 2017 to under 100 MPN
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave
after a 2020 project to reline and repair mains
Belmont five years to stop underground sewage
under Knox, Herman, and Bellington Streets.
from leaking into our waterways. We made a lot
The EPA threshold is 235 E. coli MPN/100 ml.
of progress in 2020, but there could be a long
In other areas of town, water quality improved
way to go before all our outlets run clean.
after significant rehabilitation, but still not
In 2020, the town undertook a $550,000
enough to meet EPA requirements. Work in the
sewer system rehabilitation construction project
Oliver Road neighborhood should address water
(SSRCP). More work is planned in 2021 under
quality issues at outlets 11, 11A, and 12. In other
a sump pump removal and sewer rehabilitation
areas, there is no more construction or inves-
contract. The SSRCP included significant work
tigative work planned. The hope is that after
such as:
● Repairing and lining several sewer mains
recent repair work, the system will eventually
● Lining many sewer service laterals
run clean.
● Removing a few sewer service laterals from the
Rehabilitation work is planned on Hoitt and
Westlund Roads in the lower part of catchment Pollution (E.coli MPN/100 ml)
drain system
● Replacing several sewer and drain segments
10. More investigation is planned in 2021 to Sub-catchment Location Before (2017) After (2020)
discover additional upstream sources of sewage 1-4A Fairview and Van Ness from easment 7,000 12,300
that are beyond repair
infiltration. Techniques may include sending
Good News CCTV cameras down the drains, going door- Outlet at 9 Oxford Circle, near Belmont
1 1,900 20,000 2,600 from our drains and outlets in the early morning Survival rates vary based on temperature, avail-
12 Oliver Road 1,600 200 and also measure levels of E. coli during wet ability of nutrients, pH, and solar radiation.
weather. The reason for this timing is that a Depending on the weather conditions, a single
Upstream Project 6 (planned): measurement at an outlet may not detect a
11,11A,12 Oliver Road point of service replacement, single good measurement at a downstream outlet
is not necessarily a reliable indicator that all is problem far enough upstream for E. coli to have
lateral liners decayed or dissipated into the soil.
well upstream. Sewage enters the drain system
15 Park Rd @ Grove St North 10,200 700 sporadically, with each flush or laundry load, so
any given measurement may miss E. coli leaking
8-6 Outlet 8-6: Pearson and Gordon Terrace 14,400 1,300 into the drain system. Standard practice is to MPN Measurements
8-6-6 Creeley @ Leslie from easement >20,000 5,000 take measurements in the early morning as
residents are waking up so that there is a better The concentration of E. coli bacteria in
8-6-22 Trapelo from TD Bank pipe N/A 4,300 chance of detecting waste leaking into the drain water is measured in terms of MPN per
system. 100 ml. MPN stands for “most probable
Upstream Project 5: Relining of mains and Another reason for making several measure- number.” Several samples of the liquid
8-6
laterals on Maple, Bartlett, Trapelo ments is that the E. coli bacteria being measured are cultured and checked for signs of E.
in the drain or waterways decay over time. E. coli growth. The pattern of growth across
Table 1. Some areas showed significant improvement, but are still above EPA’s E. coli threshold of coli can survive on dry surfaces for about a day, samples is used to estimate the concentra-
235 MPN/100 ml. Source: Town of Belmont Order on Consent Docket No. CWA-AO-R01-FY17-11 Report in still or culverted water for up to two months tion of bacteria in the water source.
On Compliance, January 31 2021.
4 belmontcitizensforum.org May/June 2021 5
Sub-catchment Location Project Time to Fix the Town’s Historic Clock
By Michael Flamang
1-4, 1-4A Fairview Ave @ Van Ness Road IDDE investigation
Since the invention of mechanical clocks in
Replace 2 service connections (plastic baseball bat),
2 Woods Road Renaissance Europe, town governments have
investigate suspicious services
installed clocks in prominent buildings in
Remeasure after lining main and laterals and town centers to standardize time in support of
8-6-1, 8-6-2, 8-6-3 Maple/Bartlett/Trapelo commerce. In New England, many of the clocks
capping on Maple
that we see in historic churches on town greens
8-5 (?) Pearson @ Garden Investigate were purchased and maintained by town select
boards.
Creeley @ Leslie from Creeley, In Belmont, in 1889, Town Meeting voted
8-6-5, 8-6-6 Take more samples
from easement “that the selectmen be authorized to place a
clock in the new Unitarian Church to be erected
8-1 Upstream of Bow @ Lincoln Inspect, dye water test, repair this year and the sum of $500 be appropriated
for the same.”
Table 3: Belmont’s 2021 sewer rehabilitation projects. When the church was dedicated in 1890, the
clock was in its tower. Manufactured by the E.
All this makes me wonder how valuable the outlet measurements improve before investing in Howard Watch and Clock Company of Boston,
town’s sporadic measurements of the Winn significant investigations downstream. the clock rang the bronze bell for decades.
Brook outlet are. Luckily, there is another group The clock still sits in the tower of that church,
measuring this outlet monthly: the Mystic River More Work to Do
overlooking the historic Wellington train depot,
Watershed Association. Table 3 lists a handful of additional projects a magnificent copper beech tree, and the town
planned for the 2021 sump pump and sewer green on Concord Avenue.
Clearing the Upstream first rehabilitation contract as well as some sampling Unfortunately, the clock hasn’t functioned
In some locations, the town’s 2020 upstream and investigation projects. since 2006.
measurements showed improved water quality The goal of all this work is simple: all outlets
after major repairs and relining activities, should have E. coli measurements below the EPA History Since Belmont Began
JEFFREY NORTH
but downstream measurements at the outlet threshold. Estimating how much work remains The clock rings a 1,200-pound bronze bell
were even worse than in 2017. For example, to get there is very difficult. Because of the inter- that was cast in 1857 in Boston by the Henry H.
Catchment Area 2 results show improved water mittent nature of the leakage and the uncer- Hooper Company. Hooper was an apprentice of
quality measurements upstream after rehabili- tainty of exactly what any given measurement Paul Revere. On March 18, 1859, the bell rang
tation, yet measurements at the downstream signifies, we have no idea if we are halfway there, out the news of the incorporation of the new gears began to interfere with the movement, and
outlet for the entire area are worse. The results at 10% of the way, or 90%. Until all the outlets run town of Belmont from the original church, in 2006, the clock stopped.
the outlet may improve with time, or there may clear, we won’t know whether we will meet the which was located on the site of the current post
be yet another problem to find and fix. 2022 target set by the EPA in 2017 of 235 E. coli The Jewel in the Town
office until it was destroyed by fire on February
This is consistent with the town’s “outside- MPN/100 ml of water. What we do know is that 12, 1890. Tower clocks need a source of power to turn
in” approach, which involves fixing problems there are still quite a few places well above the The separation of church and state was the gears of the movement and to ring the bell.
upstream first, on the periphery of the drainage EPA threshold. observed differently in the mid-19th century. That power source is gravity, acting on weights,
system. The town plans to wait and see if the Despite the pandemic, the town did an The original church building, the spire of which through cables and pulleys that descend slowly
impressive amount of sewer rehabilitation work appears on the town seal, served as the location to do the work of turning the hands and ringing
in 2020. The town will need to continue to show the bell. Once a week, the clock winder climbs a
Human or Animal Waste? the grit and persistence it has pursued in 2020
of town meetings until 1867. It also housed
ladder inside the tower to the platform where the
the town’s library and the Farmers Exchange.
to find and fix all leaky mains and laterals and The church was originally called the Belmont clock movement is located and winds the clock
How does the EPA tell if the E. coli is from
illegal connections between the sewer and drain Congregational Society. It was later renamed the by raising the weights with a hand crank and
animal or human waste? In 2017, the EPA
system. First Church in Belmont Unitarian Universalist lots of muscle effort.
included measurements of pharmaceuti-
(FCBUU). Over the decades, the church sexton has been
cals unique to humans to verify the E. coli
Anne-Marie Lambert is a former director of the The clock ran dependably until the early the clock winder. The town compensated the
were coming from human waste and not
Belmont Citizens Forum. 2000s, but years of accumulated dust on the sexton for this effort with an annual stipend
from dogs, geese, or other animals.
of $36 per year in 1890, which grew to $150 in
6 belmontcitizensforum.org May/June 2021 7
Four Projects Proposed for CPA Funds
work that would be done to the church building
itself. The grant application received a negative
recommendation from the Warrant Committee,
and FCBUU withdrew the application By Elizabeth Harmer Dionne CPA Category: Recreation
There is precedent, however, for CPA funds Amount requested: $200,000
Belmont’s Community Preservation Committee
granted to repair clocks in church buildings. The (CPC) has recommended the following projects
Community Preservation Coalition, a state clear- This project will assess the right-of-way acquisi-
to Town Meeting for Community Preservation
inghouse of information, maintains a database tions necessary for the construction of Phases
Act (CPA) funding in FY2022.
of CPA-funded projects. The database includes 1a and 1b of the Community Path project,
many projects in other towns that funded the Phase I Consulting Services for Payson including the Alexander Avenue underpass
JEFFREY NORTH
repair of tower clocks in church buildings, often Park Renovation and Brighton Street to Clark Street Bridge, and
with funds routed through an intermediary calculate the associated costs for such rights
Organization:Friends of Payson Park (Linda
organization like a historical society. of way. (Design work for Phases 1a and 1b is
Oates, Susanne Croy, Jay Marcotte)
Gearage inside the Belmont Town Clock. Following the withdrawal of the grant being funded with previously appropriated CPA
CPA Category: Recreation
application, the FCBUU Property Committee funds.) The town needs to acquire temporary
Amount requested: $35,000
recent years. In 2006, the church administrator reviewed its options as stewards of this historic easements for the construction of the path. In
stopped requesting the stipend because the clock town artifact and decided that the church could some instances, the town may need to acquire
This is the first step in renovating Payson Park,
had stopped running. pay for a new tower ladder using operating permanent easements or make outright land
which suffers from inadequate access, crumbling
Until December 2020, access to the clock funds. purchases.
infrastructure, and haphazard layout. Phase I
movement meant a daunting climb up a long, Today, thanks to the ladder replacement, all
wobbly ladder. The ladder was showing its age, work remaining to restore the clock to operation
involves an assessment of existing site condi- Tennis Court Expansion—Winn Brook
tions, neighborhood consultation and feedback,
and eventually, clock repair craftspeople refused can be performed by clock repair craftspeople. Organization: Select Board, School Committee
a conceptual design, and a proposed budget for
to service the clock because of the condition FCBUU has received proposals from three craft (Jon Marshall)
construction costs. Due to changes implemented
of the ladder. In December 2020, the church horologist workshops. The clock repair work will CPA Category: Recreation
by the CPC in 2019, sponsors of town-approved
replaced the rickety ladder with a new set of cost about $30,000. Amount requested: $190,000
projects involving public assets no longer need to
stairs that reached the upper level of the tower
Antique Timepiece is a Community raise private funds to cover part of the project’s
for access to the clock movement. Clock service Construction of the new high school and the
overall cost.
people can now climb safely to the movement. Heirloom addition of the 7-8 school on the high school
Since the clock was first installed, our world Visitors and residents of Belmont should Preparation for Community Path Right- site eliminated space for the high school’s tennis
has created electric and electronic clocks. be able to see the correct time on this tower courts. With the anticipated construction of the
of-Way Acquisition Alexander Avenue underpass, Winn Brook is the
The Church Property Committee considered clock when they walk, bicycle, or drive into
replacing the entire timekeeping mechanism Organization: Community Path Project closest set of tennis courts to the high school.
the center. An operating historic clock makes a
with an electric movement. The cost and benefits Committee (Russ Leino, Patrice Garvin) Varsity tennis teams need at least five courts
proud statement about stewardship of the town’s
of that approach are being considered. A hybrid historic treasures.
solution is also being considered which involves
restoring the historic weight-driven movement Michael Flamang is co-chair of the Property Care
and electrifying the winding. Committee of the First Church in Belmont Unitarian
Universalist.
Historic Preservation Funds Needed
In September 2018, FCBUU applied for a
Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant for
$66,250 to repair the town’s old tower clock.
In January 2019, the Community Preservation
Committee voted to advance the application
NITSCH ENGINEERING
with a recommendation that it be approved.
A substantial part of the project cost estimate
in the first grant application, however, was to pay
for the replacement of the decrepit ladder. As the
JEFFREY NORTH
grant application was reviewed by various town
committees, the ladder portion of the project
drew the most comments because it consisted of Map of the proposed Phase 1 Belmont Community Path.
8 belmontcitizensforum.org May/June 2021 9
to host home meets, and Winn Brook requires
an additional court to meet this threshold.
money to qualify Belmont for affordable housing
construction grants at the state and federal level Mass Central Rail Trail Comes Closer
Some tennis community members wanted two ($1 to $2 million). The CPC can allocate up to
additional courts to accommodate junior varsity 5% of its annual revenue for administrative costs By John Dieckmann to the Manhan Rail Trail and the Northampton
matches while some neighbors wanted no including funding studies or design work related Trail and to a robust network of trails in this
When completed, the Mass Central Rail Trail
additional courts. The Recreation Commission to CPA-eligible projects. I have reached out to region, including partially completed trails
(MCRT) will run from North Point Park in
endorsed one additional court as a compromise both the Recreation Commission and Historic running along the Connecticut River Valley into
Cambridge to downtown Northampton, a
solution. District Commission and invited them to submit Connecticut.
distance of 104 miles, following the abandoned
right of way (ROW) of the former Mass Central Belchertown
Railroad. The MCRT has been a long-time work
The ROW next passes through Belchertown.
in progress, with some segments completed,
Seven miles of the ROW are owned by the town,
others in the works, and others yet to be pursued
and two miles of the ROW are privately owned.
seriously.
About a half-mile of privately owned ROW
The Massachusetts Department of
separates the publicly owned corridor from the
Transportation (MassDOT) recently completed
Norwottuck Trail.
a feasibility study of the western part of the
While not developed as a path, the town-
MCRT (bit.ly/BCF-MCRT-study) covering 68.5
owned portion is open and passable on foot
miles from the Amherst-Belchertown border
or mountain bike. The Belchertown Board
to Hudson. The area east of Hudson through
of Selectmen and an active friends group are
to Waltham has been leased to the Division
seeking funding and examining options to
of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) by the
bypass the privately owned ROW.
TOWN OF BELMONT
MBTA. The former rail bed continues through
Belmont, Cambridge, and Somerville to North Palmer
Point Park in Cambridge. (See “Bikeway
From Amherst to Palmer, the ROW runs
Building Booms Beyond Belmont,” Belmont
southeast around the Quabbin Reservoir before
Citizens Forum Newsletter, January 2021.) The
The proposed tennis court location. turning northeast. The first one-and-a-half mile
Belmont Community Path is part of the MCRT,
section of the corridor is intact, while the next
comprising a bit more than two miles of the 104
applications for studies to create inventories of three-mile stretch of the ROW is blocked by
miles.
Transfer to Belmont Housing Trust current and future CPA-eligible projects. The feasibility study entailed a detailed survey
active railroad use.
Organization: Belmont Housing Trust (Betsy A member of the CPC serves on Belmont’s of the ROW, identifying ownership status and
Lipson, Rachel Heller) Long-Term Capital Planning Committee (LTCPC) physical condition. Where the ROW is blocked,
CPA Category: Community Housing which is creating a master list of Belmont’s the study identified options to bypass the
Amount requested: $250,000 capital needs. Studies by the Recreation Belmont Path Comments
blockage and assessed how difficult it would be
Commission and Historic District Commission to complete the trail.
These funds would enable the Belmont Housing The Belmont Community Path design
could be a valuable addition to the LTCPC’s Overall, about 75% to 80% of the MCRT
Trust to identify and move quickly on real estate team has responded to comments and
work. Careful stewardship of CPA funds can ROW is intact. The rest is compromised by
opportunities to increase the town’s affordable questions submitted about the path last
ensure the preservation of current assets, while issues ranging from private ownership to being
housing stock. This project would replenish year. Read the entire 11-page document
simultaneously facilitating valuable aspects of completely blocked or obliterated. Below is the
funds previously approved and appropriated by at bit.ly/BCF-Bike-Comments.
Belmont’s future. status of the MCRT segments from west to east.
Town Meeting for FY2019. In June 2020, Town For more information about the history
Meeting approved the use of the FY2019 funds Norwottuck Rail Trail Issues addressed include
and current operations of the Community
for an emergency rental assistance program for • Widening the Alexander Avenue
Preservation Act in Belmont, see “How the The Norwottuck Rail Trail is the westernmost
Belmont residents. culvert
Community Preservation Act Works,” Belmont section of the MCRT. It is owned and operated • Providing privacy for abutters
Citizens Forum Newsletter, May/June 2020. by the DCR and opened in 1992. It covers 11
Looking Ahead • Stormwater flow and winter freezes
miles from downtown Northampton to the • Connections to Leonard Street
As chair of the CPC, I am concerned about Elizabeth Harmer Dionne has served as chair of Amherst-Belchertown line. The trail features a • Emergency vehicle access
reserving sufficient funds to meet the costs of Belmont’s Community Preservation Committee since spectacular crossing of the Connecticut River
future, high-impact projects, such as funding January 2020. Any opinions expressed in this article about a mile east of downtown Northampton. ... and many more.
the design of Phase 2 of the Community Path are personal and do not necessarily reflect the view In downtown Northampton, it connects directly
(up to $2 million), or ensuring sufficient seed of the entire committee.
10 belmontcitizensforum.org May/June 2021 11
East Quabbin Land Trust Region tributaries needs to be built before this section unsuccessful, construction of this section of the
could be opened. MCRT will probably take two years. Letters Support Belmont Path
The East Quabbin Land Trust (EQLT) is
advancing the MCRT as it passes through Ware, The ROW, which is leased by the DCR from
Clinton-Berlin the MBTA, continues into Berlin. Separate In March, the Metropolitan Planning Orga-
Hardwick, New Braintree, and Barre. About 10
There is a gap between the Wachusetts funding will be required to complete this short nization (MPO) received 232 comment
years ago, the land trust acquired three miles
Greenways section and the Berlin-to-Waltham section. letters. An MPO representative stated,
of the MCRT ROW in Hardwick and New
DCR lease. In Clinton, the Central Massachusetts In Waltham, the detailed design of the middle “Collectively, these letters state high
Braintree. With volunteer labor, the ROW was
Railroad crossed the Nashua River below the three-mile section is essentially complete. levels of support in the town and across
converted into a stone-dust surface shared-use
Wachusett Reservoir dam on a high trestle and The city has stated it intends to fund path the region for funding of the Belmont
path that has been open to the public since
then passed through a 1,300-foot tunnel before construction with Community Preservation Community Path as soon as is feasible.”
2015. Two truss bridges across the Ware River
were also reconditioned and decked by volun- continuing east toward Berlin. Unfortunately, in Act funds. It is not clear when the city will
1979, the high trestle was demolished, leaving issue a request for proposal for construction. Commenters cited benefits including
teers. The EQLT has gotten funding from the
only the concrete piers. The half-mile section connecting Waltham increased safety for students, connections
DCR’s MassTrails grant program to build another
The town of Clinton has acquired the tunnel to Weston and the three-quarter mile section to Belmont Center, the library, and the
half-mile section in town, and the town of Ware
and the one-and-a-half miles of ROW east of the connecting the city to Belmont have not been regional path system, new commuting
has also constructed two miles of trail.
tunnel and intends to develop it into a shared- designed. options, recreation, stormwater upgrades,
Wachusett Greenways Region use path and part of the MCRT. Massachusetts and greenhouse gas emissions.
Representative Jake Auchincloss is attempting Belmont to North Point Park
Wachusett Greenways has been slowly
to get funding in the upcoming infrastructure The detailed design of Phase I of the Belmont View the video where the MPO summa-
building out its section of the MCRT whose
bill to recreate the high trestle across the Nashua Community Path segment of the MCRT has been rizes the comments at bit.ly/BCF-MPO-
total length is 30 miles. To date, 20 miles of
River, an exciting possibility with spectacular delayed for the past several months pending an Bike-Letters. The Belmont segment starts
stone-dust surface trail have been constructed
views. MBTA permit to allow borings for soil samples at 2:13:00.
and opened to the public, including a 100-foot
bridge across the Quinopoxet River and two road in the area around the proposed pedestrian
Berlin to Waltham underpass. The 25% design is otherwise ready for The MCRT has been open for several years
underpass tunnels. While the remaining parts of
About five and a half miles of the MCRT in approval by MassDOT. After that approval, work from Brighton Street in Belmont past Alewife
the ROW are compromised in places, Wachusett
Weston and Wayland have been open to the on the 75%-level design could get underway, and Station to Davis Square and Lowell Street in
Greenways continues to chip away at it a mile at
public for more than a year. The electric utility an application for construction funding could be Somerville. At Lowell Street, the MCRT joins the
a time.
Eversource built an access road for their trans- submitted. ROW of the Green Line Extension (GLX) ROW
The eastern section along the north side of the
mission line which shares the ROW with the which runs to North Point Park. This MCRT
Wachusett Reservoir has not been completed.
MCRT. The access road was paved with funding section is expected to be completed this autumn.
A major bridge project over one of the reservoir
provided by the DCR and From North Point Park there is a connection over
doubles as the shared-use the Charles River lock to Boston.
path.
To the west in Wayland, Future Progress and Funding
Sudbury, and Hudson, a According to Craig Della Penna, a long-time
similar arrangement with MCRT advocate, the MCRT is the signature
Eversource and DCR will shared-use trail project in the state, and
result in nine miles of paved Governor Charlie Baker wants to see significant
path. The plan is to place progress. As a result, MCRT projects are likely
the transmission line in to receive funding in a timely fashion. The
an underground concrete proposed federal infrastructure bill also is likely
trench alongside an access to provide significant funding. The impetus for
road/shared-use path. The projects will still be local. Fortunately, there
town of Sudbury and a are active friends groups and town support for
WACHUSETTS GREENWAYS
JOHN DIECKMANN
local environmental group, moving trail development forward all along the
Protect Sudbury, are seeking MCRT.
to stop that construction
by pursuing litigation. As John Dieckmann is a director of the Belmont Citizens
of press time, litigation is Forum.
still ongoing. If the suits are Summer 2020 MCRT construction in Wayland.
12 belmontcitizensforum.org May/June 2021 13
The Roadmap Climate and Clean Energy Law experts, and legislators realized more conse-
quential action was needed.
commercial hot-food holding cabinets as well
as sinks, faucets, showerheads, and handheld
shower wands. The state will prohibit the sale,
By Representative Dave M. Rogers lease, or rental of these appliances unless they
Rather than achieving a target 80% meet the new efficiency standards.
While policy makers are confronted by a wide below 1990 emissions level by 2050, Buildings are one of the largest sources of GHG
variety of pressing policy issues, few if any
compare to the complexity and scale presented
the Roadmap legislation requires emissions. The Roadmap directs the Department
of Energy Resources (DOER) to develop a
by our changing climate. Most of us are long net-zero emissions by 2050.
municipal opt-in specialized energy stretch code
since familiar with the worrisome data, but two that includes a definition of a net-zero building.
recent comprehensive reports thoroughly define The new law also allows DOER to plan, develop,
Rather than achieving a target 80% below
the challenge. oversee, and operate the commercial sustainable
1990 emissions level by 2050 as required by
The most recent National Climate Assessment, energy program, along with the Massachusetts
the GWSA, the new standard established in
a quadrennial publication of the US Global Development Finance Agency.
the Roadmap legislation requires us to achieve
Change Research Program, and the October 2018 We also established key new standards for our
net-zero emissions by 2050.
report of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on state’s 41 municipal light plants (munis), which
Climate Change (IPCC) presents a wide array of The Roadmap serve 50 Massachusetts communities, including
troubling findings. The IPCC report concluded Belmont. The Roadmap requires the munis
The Roadmap builds on our previous efforts.
KIRA L.ARNOTT
that limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C to achieve escalating targets for non-carbon-
Following the 2018 law that substantially raised
(2.7°F) to prevent drastic impacts on global emitting energy: 50% by 2030, 75% by 2040,
the rate of increase in the RPS standard, the
ecosystems was possible, but would require and 100% (net-zero) by 2050. Municipal light
Roadmap escalates the RPS yet again. Specifically,
dramatic action to reduce emissions to net- zero plants had previously been exempt from carbon
Representative Dave M. Rogers starting in 2025, the RPS will go from its current
emissions by 2050. emissions rules that apply to the larger investor-
2% annual increase to a 3% annual increase
Confronted by this daunting landscape, the owned utilities. Now, plants must either demon-
through December 31, 2029.
Massachusetts state legislature has passed An that must come from renewable energy sources; strate compliance or else pay to fund emissions
We also upped the authorization for offshore
Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for in 2018, the RPS was 13% of our electrical reductions.
wind procurement by 2,400 Mw, bringing
Massachusetts Climate Policy (the Roadmap). energy. The 2018 law doubled the annual The natural gas explosions that rocked the
Massachusetts’s total to 5,600 Mw. To put this
The new law puts the Commonwealth on a path required increase in the RPS from 1% to 2% Merrimack Valley in 2018 should never happen
number in perspective, 800 Mw is enough to
to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by from December 31, 2019, to December 31, 2029.
power 400,000 homes; the
2050 (the IPCC report standard) and specifies When coupled with Connecticut’s RPS increase
total authorized offshore wind
enforceable targets at five-year intervals. in 2018, this action is likely to result in over
could power up to 3.2 million
While the actions of one state will never be 20,000 in-region jobs and nearly 2,000 Mw of
homes. The 800 Mw Vineyard
adequate, and Massachusetts still needs to do additional Class I renewable energy by 2030.
Wind project is well on its
more, the new law truly is a landmark break- The 2018 law also created a first-in-the-nation
way to becoming the first
through. Many of you wrote, called, submitted program known as the Clean Peak Standard to
large-scale wind energy devel-
testimony, or just generally let it be known to pair energy storage with renewable energy with
opment off our shores, having
me that addressing climate change is highly the goal of making renewable energy available
received its final federal
important to you. I appreciate and applaud your during our most expensive and highest-emitting
approval. After a difficult
activism which helped drive this effort. hours of electricity consumption. According
PHILIP HOLLMAN / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
start, the offshore wind
to the Massachusetts Department of Energy
Past Legislation on Climate and Energy sector is poised for a boom in
Resources’ (DOER) 2015 State of Charge report,
Massachusetts.
The legislature has taken several actions over peak hours only happen 10% of the year
The Roadmap also enhances
the years to address climate and energy policy. and yet result in 40% of electricity costs for
energy- and water-efficiency
In 2016, we passed An Act to Promote Energy Massachusetts.
standards for many consumer
Diversity which, among other policy innova- As important as the 2016 and 2018 laws are,
goods and appliances via
tions, addressed gas leaks and authorized 1,600 the action of the legislature most relevant to
the Massachusetts Appliance
megawatts (Mw) of offshore wind. the new Roadmap law is the Global Warming
Efficiency Act. Products
In 2018, we passed An Act to Advance Clean Solutions Act (GWSA) passed in 2008. The
subject to the act include
Energy to change our state’s Renewable Energy GWSA required a reduction of GHG emissions
commercial dishwashers,
Portfolio Standard (RPS). The RPS defines the in the state to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
amount of the Commonwealth’s electrical power
commercial fryers, and Offshore wind turbine, Kent, UK.
However, given worsening data, activists,
14 belmontcitizensforum.org May/June 2021 15
again. The Roadmap sets out
more stringent gas infrastructure Restoration Projects Approved for LTH
safety requirements with increased
penalties for violations. Penalties
Belmont’s Lone Tree Hill projects planned for 2021
for violating gas safety regulations By Jeffrey North annual cover crop of Canada wild rye (Elymus
include fines of $500,000 for each canadensis) to cover exposed soils for soil
The Land Management Committee for Lone Tree
violation and up to $10 million stability, and cut-and-dab herbicide application
Hill approved plans and funding for three 2021
for a related series of violations. to remaining vines and invasive shrubs. The cut
forest restoration and meadow management
These limits can be doubled if the material will be left on site stacked in small piles
projects for Lone Tree Hill at a March 3 meeting.
Department of Public Utilities deter- to provide food, nesting, and shelter for wildlife.
The Judy Record Conservation Fund is providing
mines that the violator has engaged Trained horticulturalists will return to Area
matching funds for the projects, for a total of
in a similar violation during the A1 in mid-summer to continue the treatment
$22,000 for these initiatives.
previous three years of invasive plant species in the A1 woodland
The Roadmap also defines Area A1 Restoration Continues when they will again apply foliar herbicide to
environmental justice commu- all invasive shrubs, resprouting vines, and black
In early spring, licensed field technicians
nities based on income and other swallow-wort on the woodland edge. They will
trained in identifying invasive plant species will
factors and requires the Secretary of return in later summer to treat invasive species
cut, mow, and apply plant-specific herbicide in
NTSB
Energy and Environmental Affairs once again, specifically Japanese knotweed, black
the Area A1 woodland. They will combat Asian
to provide these communities with Home damaged by the 2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions. bittersweet, buckthorn, garlic mustard, black
swallow-wort, and any resprouting plants that
advance notice and an opportunity do not belong and which overrun native plant
swallow-wort (Cynanchum louiseae), and lesser
to be heard regarding the environ- affordability to low-income households. We species. An autumn treatment of remaining and
celandine, and at least one isolated patch of
mental, health, and safety impact of proposed established a grant program to support solar resprouting invasive plants should conclude
Japanese knotweed. This two-and-a-half-acre
projects. Agencies acting under the authority adoption by nonprofits, and new solar incentive activities for 2021 on this parcel.
parcel was treated aggressively in early November
of the secretary must consider environmental programs must address solar access and afford-
2020 (see “Committee Battles Invasives at Lone Invasive Plant Management in the Great
justice to reduce unfair or inequitable impacts. ability for low-income communities.
Tree Hill,” Belmont Citizens Forum Newsletter,
The Roadmap requires environmental impact To ensure more equality in our state’s environ- Meadow
January 2021). Weed removal in Area A1 will be
reports for projects located within one mile of an mental policy, our new law establishes a clean To maintain the ecological health of the
combined with two other programs: seeding an
environmental justice population or within five energy equity workforce and market devel- Great Meadow at the heart of the Lone Tree Hill
miles of an environmental justice population if opment program within the Massachusetts
the project is likely to damage air quality. Clean Energy Technology Center. This new
The Roadmap also requires the current SMART program will maximize employment opportu-
solar program to provide equitable access and nities for historically disadvantaged populations
in the clean energy industry.
Your Name Could Be Here The new policies and standards described
above are only some of what our new climate
The Belmont Citizens Forum is looking and clean energy law will establish in the
for writers, photographers, artists, and Commonwealth. The Roadmap includes smaller,
researchers to contribute to the BCF less dramatic changes that will help grow and
Newsletter—no experience necessary! It’s expand our green energy portfolio for years to
a great opportunity to learn about jour- come.
nalism and contribute to your community. Building from the new sweeping law here in
Massachusetts, we must make sure it is imple-
PARTERRE ECOLOGICAL SERVICES
We welcome contributions from Belmont mented effectively. Working with all of you, I
and beyond on preserving natural and will continue to advocate for new, innovative
historical resources, limiting traffic growth, approaches to climate and energy policy and to
and enhancing pedestrian safety. urge my colleagues in the house to do the same.
For more information, contact Dave Rogers represents the communities of
bcfprogramdirector@gmail.com. Arlington, Belmont, and Cambridge in the 24th
Middlesex District of the Massachusetts House of Aerial view of Area A1.
Representatives.
16 belmontcitizensforum.org May/June 2021 17
the black swallow-wort and treat it in meadow
areas, and midsummer will see follow-up Belmont’s Invasive Plants: Asian Bittersweet
treatment.
Black swallow-wort is particularly concerning By Carolyn Bishop trees and break branches, especially when ice
and snow add weight to the mass of suffocating
as it can crowd out native vegetation including Asian bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), also
vines. Asian bittersweet can change the compo-
native milkweed, goldenrod, and other field known as Oriental bittersweet, is one of the
sition and structure and appearance of forested
grasses and wildflowers. Loss of native plant most beautiful and problematic invasive plant
areas as it gradually kills and brings down trees
species reduces biodiversity and compromises the species in our area. In the past, bittersweet was
large and small. This change is occurring in
value of habitat to wildlife. Monarch butterflies commonly sold in wreaths and floral arrange-
Belmont, as evidenced by tree death at Lone Tree
lay eggs on swallow-wort, which their caterpillars ments, which were especially popular in the
Hill, Rock Meadow, Beaver Brook Reservation,
cannot eat, leading to the caterpillars’ death and fall due to bittersweet’s brilliant yellow-shelled
along roads, and in the area between the high
threatening the species’ survival. orange berries. Little did we know we were
school and the railroad tracks.
helping to spread a very invasive, damaging,
New Pollinator Meadow at Mill Street non-native plant.
The American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)
A new pollinator meadow will be cultivated is not as aggressive and has red berries clustered
Asian bittersweet was brought to the United
near the parking lot on Mill Street. The 6,400 at the end of branches. It is rare, succumbing to
States in the 1860s as an ornamental and for
square foot area near the bicycle rack just north the more aggressive Asian bittersweet that can
erosion control. Now it is found from Ontario
of the parking lot will become a cafeteria for bees have orange berries growing at the leaf axils
and Quebec south through the Great Lakes
and birds. anywhere along the stems. Unfortunately, these
states, from New England to Florida, Louisiana,
After careful mowing, invasive plant species plants can hybridize, making American bitter-
and the southeastern edge of the Great Plains.
will be removed via hand-pulling and a foliar sweet even rarer.
Asian bittersweet smothers plants with its
herbicide. Targeted species include Queen Anne’s Controlling Asian bittersweet is challenging.
dense foliage as it strangles stems and trunks.
lace, garlic mustard, burdock, and mugwort. In The vine can grow to six inches in diameter and
In some areas, it blankets entire stretches of
the fall, the area will be seeded with a mix of as long as 50 feet. Cutting vines down to relieve
woodlands. For years, it was planted along
pollinator-supporting native wildflower seeds, the weight on trees does not control the plant.
roadways and highways for erosion control. Now
including anise hyssop, purple coneflower, Complete control requires different treatments
you can see thick banks of Asian bittersweet
blazing star, foxglove beardtongue, black-eyed and continued vigilance to manage regrowth.
all along major highways: for example, Route 2
Susan, smooth aster, and others. heading west from Belmont. Its yellow leaves are Digging
This new mini-meadow will improve the notable in the fall.
Digging up the young plants requires care to
visual aesthetics of the entrance and the area The glossy, rounded leaves with finely serrated
get out the rootlets that can sprout all along the
opposite Rock Meadow as it supports pollen- edges alternate on a
spreading flower- and vegetable-friendly flying twining vine which is
assistants for the area including the victory often ignored because it
gardens across the street. is so attractive. The pretty
The Land Management Committee for vine turns into a thick,
PARTERRE ECOLOGICAL SERVICES
Lone Tree Hill and visitors to the conservation twining plant that climbs
land are once again grateful for the continued large trees and flourishes
financial support and sage guidance from the in the tree canopy, cutting
board members of the Judy Record Conservation off the sunlight to the
Fund: Roger Wrubel, executive director; Eugene host tree. The female
Record, treasurer; and Gary Clayton, former plant’s beautiful berries
president, Mass Audubon. are enjoyed and spread by
birds and animals. This
Lone Tree hill priority areas. Jeffrey North is managing editor of the Belmont plant seems to thrive in
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Citizens Forum Newsletter and the ex-officio any soil, in sun or shade,
property, field technicians will combat a host of Belmont Conservation Commission representative and spreads by roots and
invasive plants. Later in the season, when plants on the Land Management Committee for Lone Tree berries.
can be identified but have not yet produced Hill. Undisturbed, Asian
mature seeds, field technicians will treat the
bittersweet can grow
meadow, optimizing for the control of black
large enough to strangle Asian bittersweet berries.
swallow-wort. In late spring, they will identify
18 belmontcitizensforum.org May/June 2021 19to other plants compared to using Fast forward two months: in early April it was
a broadcast foliar spray. Glyphosate
(commercially known as Roundup)
Letters to the Editor revealed that the long-awaited written proposal
for the fuel tank installation had been submitted
with a water base is commonly used. To the Editor: and that the proposed cost had nearly doubled,
Tanks…tanks…tanks. The Select Board voted from the $540,000 approved by Town Meeting
Slash and Treat unanimously on February 8, 2021, to grant a last spring, to $1.033 million.
Depending on the diameter of the license to replace the current underground fuel Moreover, at the Capital Budget Committee
vine, a single slash is made for every tanks with two 6,000 gallon above-ground tanks (CBC) meeting on Thursday, April 8, two days
inch in diameter and then treated to be located between two existing DPW garages after the $6.4 million property tax override,
with the herbicide. A two-inch- approximately 75 feet from our neighboring described by officials as critical for maintaining
diameter vine would get two cuts residential properties. even a minimal level of town and school
on the vertical vine which are then At the time this vote was taken, no detailed services, had failed, Marcotte and assistant
treated with herbicide. The cuts must cost-benefit analyses had been provided for town administrator Jon Marshall suggested that
not girdle or sever the vine. This either the proposed tank installation or for there might be a way to fund this additional
treatment can be done year-round any alternate tank configurations or sites. half-million dollars by using Enterprise Funds.
as sap and other liquids flow up and Several alternatives had been suggested by (Imagine my surprise that the Select Board
down the vine seasonally. concerned residents, including my suggestion would not need to hold a bake sale to raise the
of (1) installing one smaller dual-compartment needed half-million-dollar funding.)
Basal Bark underground tank at either the same site or Once again, we residents have asked for
This is a treatment with an another more remote location in the DPW Yard; additional detail. As of this writing, we are
oil-based herbicide “painted” on (2) consolidating our fueling operations with waiting for Marcotte to obtain written proposals
the vine and probably best done one of Belmont’s neighboring communities, for both two underground tanks and one dual
by a professional. It is for vines up for example, Watertown, which maintains a compartment underground tank.
to 6 inches in diameter and is best fueling station less than two miles away; and Assuming the CBC approves the additional
applied in the fall in temperatures (3) contracting with a Belmont gas station to funding, Town Meeting will again be voting
higher than 50F. It takes up to six provide fuel for all town vehicles. on this project at the June Town Meeting. Last
JEFFREY NORTH
months to take effect. Besides possibly being more cost-effective for year, Town Meeting members were mistakenly
When disposing of bittersweet the town, such alternatives would likely be more told that underground tanks were no longer
plant parts, do not compost them or environmentally friendly by reducing our carbon permitted; in fact, that is not the case. This
Asian bittersweet choking trees at Lone Tree Hill. put them in yard waste; you could footprint and providing greater flexibility as we year’s vote should provide an opportunity for a
spread viable seeds and stems. Instead, wrap or transition to the use of more electric vehicles. more thorough and fact-based discussion of the
vine and vigilance to catch regrowth. Established bag them and put them in the trash. Nevertheless, such alternatives were rejected, issue.
vines are probably beyond the stage where Controlling Asian bittersweet is a major seemingly out of hand. This is not over.
digging can achieve control, and care must be project, but it is worthwhile to save the mature When the suggestion came up prior to the Judith Ananian Sarno,
taken not to damage the roots of the host tree. trees that are threatened by this sturdy invasive. vote at the February 8 meeting to consider a Town Meeting Member, Precinct 3
There are several sites on Belmont properties, suitable alternate site on the DPW property
Cutting with Herbicide Treatment such as Lone Tree Hill, where Asian bitter- further away from the neighborhood, Jay To the Editor:
The best time for this method is after July 1 sweet is flourishing. Control programs would Marcotte, the DPW director, stated that the I just read the article in Belmont Citizen
so that the Asiatic bittersweet will internalize be challenging but rewarding projects (see decision had already been made in July to install Forum about replacing the underground tanks
the herbicide during a season of active growth. ”Restoration Projects Approved” in this issue the two above-ground tanks at the selected “Local Residents Challenge Tank Location,
The challenge is not harming the host tree of the Belmont Citizens Forum Newsletter and location and that it would be cost-prohibitive Planning,” BCF Newsletter, March/April 2021.)
while sawing through the vine and treating the “Committee Battles Invasives at Lone Tree to install them anywhere else. Given that the As an alternative can we consider switching all
cut surface with herbicide. Trained field techni- Hill,”January/February 2021 BCF Newsletter.) public had never been informed about this Belmont vehicles to electric types and eliminate
cians usually cut Asian bittersweet vines about decision, at either the August 2020 or any subse- the need for storage tanks. I am sure this would
shoulder height for convenience and then cut Caroline Bishop has served on multiple town quent hearing or discussions, it is difficult not to be a lot more expensive in the short run but
them again lower to the ground to speed the committees, including the Conservation Commission, conclude that those public hearings and discus- could save the town money over time. If feasible
chemical’s progress to the roots. The herbicide and on a State Advisory Committee on Pesticides. sions were held merely to comply with existing the best alternative would be for Belmont to
can be dyed to mark the treated vine. While legal requirements and were not actual oppor- issue a long-term municipal bond at today’s very
herbicides are not generally recommended if tunities to provide meaningful input to the fuel favorable rates to fund such activity.
alternatives exist, this approach minimizes risk tank decision. Shashi Rajpal
Oak Avenue, Belmont
20 belmontcitizensforum.org May/June 2021 21You can also read
