Lee Adams
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On the article The Belmont Special: Selectmen OK Special Town Meeting Warrant
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On the article The Belmont Special: Selectmen OK Special Town Meeting Warrant
Lee Adams
9:40 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
ReplyI was given a $300 citation, the maximum permissible fine under MA General Law for Bylaw Violation of throwing snow onto a public way, 2 years ago with the never ending snow we had. I live on the bump-out and the town had me on Trapelo Road. Not near but on the drive lane of Trapelo Road. I was forced to throw the snow back onto Trapelo Road just to be able to eneter and leave my driveway. The DPW plow trucks had the snow 18-inches over the white drive lane of Trapelo Road. This was not the fault of the DPW since there was no place to plow the snow to. The Belmont Police Officer who issued this $300 citation felt the my personal risk and harm of being struck by a vehicle in Trapelo Road was justifiable for such a fine. I argued with the various town departments and addressed the Board of Selectmen of this grave situation. Ultimately this was matter resolved. I’ve yet to have my court date to challenge this $300 citation and to address before the court the true public risk of these bump-outs. No one should ever face a real risk of personal harm for their life or the stress of dealing with such a situation. This is just bad Leadership with bad Bylaws.
What about my safety Selectman Jones?
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On the article The Belmont Special: Selectmen OK Special Town Meeting Warrant
Lee Adams
9:39 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
ReplySelectman Jones states: “this is not about punishing [homeowner] but for the town to have a policy to increase public safety for everyone.” Not true and another blatant LIE from Selectman Jones !!!!
1. There’s a real fine of a yet-to-be determined amount for each offense, and each day constitute a separate offense. Issuing a fine is punishing the homeowner. That’s what fines are meant to do.
2. Nowhere in Article 11 does it stipulates what constitutes snow accumulation requiring for its removal.
3. Would the homeowner be fined is he/she fails to shovel 1-inch of snow?
4. Would the homeowner be fined if he/she fails to remove ¼-inch of snow accumulation or a dusting?
5. Where the public safety concern of forcing people to walk in the streets if sidewalks are not shoveled or treated for ice in front of the homes of elderly or disabled homeowners who have exempt from this requirement?
6. Will these seniors and disable homeowners eventually be force to hire contractors or face fines? -
On the article The Belmont Special: Selectmen OK Special Town Meeting Warrant
Lee Adams
9:35 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
ReplySelectman Ralph Jones support on Article 11 (Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance) is bad for Belmont and should be voted down for a 3rd time. This bylaw was defeated twice before for good reasons.
I live at 171-173 Trapelo Road, across from Poplar Street and on the ill-conceived bump-out. I do plow the PUBLIC sidewalk in front of my house. My immediate neighbors to my left and right likewise do the same. We do this for ourselves, our families, our postal carrier and the community without being asked and without thanks.
Article 11 is another law burdening with threat to fine the homeowner to do what the Town refuses to do. I’ve rarely seen, if ever, the town plow the sidewalk in front of my house. Never in my 23 years in Belmont has the town ever treated this same sidewalk so ice doesn’t form. Should Article 11 pass the homeowner MUST within 12 hours of a snow fall remove the snow from all portions of PUBLIC sidewalks to the width of 48-inches wide and treat the sidewalks so ice doesn’t form. This is to be done on the homeowner’s time and at his/her expense for the ice melts, or he/she will be fined. Furthermore, the height of the snow on the sidewalk and the outer bank abutting the roadway is to be the an average kindergartner (about 36-inches). This will require the homeowner to monitor this height, and if needed, remove this snow. What would happen if we get another snow as we did 2 years ago, where is all this snow going to be placed?
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On the article Letter to the Editor: Belmont's Need for Leadership
Lee Adams
6:54 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2013
ReplyI’m disappointed too that BelmontPatch published this Letter to the Editor. Ms. Kimberly Becker is upset there is no “town” plan to build a new Library which no one asked for other than a few vocal Special Interests. The Special Interests took it upon themselves to have drawings of the new library done, seek $7-million from the state, are trying to push this $20-million library down the TAXPAYERS throats and are willing to move an athletic field to the other side of town for their self-serving agenda. Our Elected leaders never approved or authorized a new library. In fact, the Citizens of Belmont already said “NO” to a new library several years back.
The Selectmen and the Town’s focus should be how to manage and reduce its $200-million staggering debt obligations; lack of fiscal responsibilities; poorly negotiated Town contracts that make no sense; streamline operations and reduce overall operating expenses. These are just a few of the serious problems our town faces.
So I ask Kimberly what do you want, spend money the Town doesn’t have and leave a legacy of debt to future generations; or live within the Town’s means, reduce its debt and leave a healthier financial Town to future generations?
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On the article Up, Up and Away: Class Sizes Increase But Funds Lacking To Bring Them Down
Lee Adams
2:52 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Point taken Joe.
It’s not a matter of being “political incorrect” or uncaring, but in these financial times difficult, at times painful and unpleasant decisions/cuts must be made. A reality we must face. The Town of Belmont is unable to provide levels services as expected, may have trouble financing out current educational excellence as this article mentioned, and no plans in place to address the more than $180-million Debt Obligations. These are just a few of the Town’s financial problems.
Belmont Taxpayers have a responsibility to their community first. Asking the Taxpayers to burden the additional educational costs for students who don’t reside here in these times is wrong. Our responsibility should be for the Belmont students first which I have no complaints with.
On a side note. Why doesn’t the City of Boston open slots in their exam schools (such as Boston Latin) for students from METCO sponsored towns? Shouldn’t diversity be a 2-way street?
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On the article Up, Up and Away: Class Sizes Increase But Funds Lacking To Bring Them Down
Lee Adams
9:57 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
ReplyI ask for Dr. Thomas Kingston and Janet Carey (and Class Size Advisory Group) to provide the Belmont Taxpayers the following information:
1. How many METCO students are currently enrolled in Belmont School System?
2. How many METCO students are enrolled per grade?
3. What are the financial contributions the City of Boston and/or the Commonwealth provide Belmont to host the METCO Program?
4. What is the educational cost to the Belmont Taxpayers to support the METCO Program?
5. If Belmont were to withdraw from the METCO Program, would the current METCO contribution provide resources directly benefiting Belmont students and their education – small classes, no cuts to teachers and so forth?
6. What is the current cost per student in Belmont (it’s not $12,500)?
7. What cost saving measures have been taken to cut cost from Dr. Kinston’s office (the Central Office)?These are fair and straight forward questions the Belmont Taxpayers have a right to know. Openness and transparency are a reasonable requests. Please provide all the facts before sounding the alarms of "there isn't the resources to move on (on the problem)," or "it will make a dire situation more so."
I look forward to the answers and welcome comments for fellow Belmont Taxpayers. Thank you.
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On the article Woodfall Fail: No Bids For Controversial Belmont Parcel
Lee Adams
12:56 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
ReplyLife can be funny. The Hillcrest Community felt Hospice Care was wrong for their neighborhood. They should be ashamed of themselves. These Elitist’s are not only an embarrassment to the Belmont Hill Community but Belmont as a whole. They’ve shown their true Elitist’s colors and lack of compassion for fellow man in their hours of need. Then again, what can we expected from a community in which Tagg Romney lives in who’s known nothing else in life. I do hope the Hillcrest Community and Mr Special Interest Selectman Chair Mark Paolillo enjoy the 45-65 decibels noise as passenger jets passing over head. The FAA will alter the routes taken by planes departing from Boston's Logan International Airport effective March 7th. 2,600 Belmont Hill residents nearest Route 2 between Pleasant and Prospect Street will be impacted. The good news is the Hillcrest Community and Mark’s Pilgrim Street home will be in the new flight plan.
See Mark’s support for the Hillcrest Community as report in BelmontPatch August 16, 2012 --- http://belmont.patch.com/articles/selectmen-cripples-hospice-project
Quiet Skies Over Belmont No More as reported in the BelmontPatch February 1, 2013 -- http://belmont.patch.com/articles/proposal-will-put-more-of-belmont-under
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On the article Patrick's Budget: Can The State Afford It Right Now?
Lee Adams
8:33 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
ReplyWhy don't our Political Leaders give up their Pensions and have 401K like the rest of us. That should free up some money.
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On the article Belmont Legislators React to Governor's $34.8 Billion Budget Proposal
Lee Adams
2:13 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013
ReplyHow about cutting State and Local Pensions and provide 401K Plans like the rest of us?
Lee Adams
9:40 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Commercial property have always been required to remove snow within specified time. This is in their best interest to attract customers and to protect themselves from being liability should someone fall. Not to mentioned the DPW removes the snow from commercial zones but not residential areas. We all pay the same taxes yet we don't get this service.
Article 11 is a bad Bylaw which is both punitive and punishes the homeowner contrary what Selectman Jones said. Homeowners will be fine if the Bylaw is not followed.
Please call you Precinct Representative and have them VOTE NO on Article 11.