New Belmont Commuter Station Study Not Yet Funded

The Board of Selectmen heard this week a brief report from Planning and Economic DevelopmentManager Jay Szklut on a feasibility study for the consolidation of Belmont's two commuter rail stations.

Szklut met with MBTA representatives in April to discuss a study to combine the stations at Belmont Center and Waverley Square into a new one on Pleasant Street. Belmont secured a $142,500 federal grant to fund the study but must provide $28,500 in matching funds by September for it to go forward.

"I'm here tonight to ask if you will commit to the $28,500," Szklut asked the selectmen, who said they support the idea but must look further into the town's finances before approving that size of a expenditure

Szklut said the consolidation of stations into one is a good idea as the number of commuters at both stations is considered low.

For Belmont to insure it remains a transit location, he said, ridership needs to increase and a new location on Pleasant Street at the vacant car dealership could provide commuter parking, eliminate a vacant property, add to the town's tax base and free up parking spaces in the Belmont Center and Waverley Square commercial districts currently occupied by commuters which shoppers could use.

The study would look at the design of a station on Pleasant Street, environmental impact, finances and what else might be in the space such as another development if the station is built slightly below ground level.

"This is a great opportunity to take control of the process before it starts," saidAssistant Town Administrator Jeff Conti.

"This may be one of the most important issues the town will look at in the next 10 to15 years. We need to be proactive rather than hear from the MBTA when it has a plan," Conti noted.

The board also decided to hold off on reviewing town committee appointments until its June 21 meeting.

Chairman Ralph Jones said he'd "like to get out of the business" of appointing some committee members, recommending that the board appoint people on major committees.

Rather, he hoped the board would approve a measure that would leave those decisions to Town Administrator Tom Younger. Jones said he doesn't feel he has the knowledge to select the best candidate for some of the smaller committees and the job might be best suited for Younger.

Selectman Angelo Firenze also said the board should begin looking to eliminate some of the committees.