Its history and conditions, legal status and present preservation efforts

Presenters: Anne Marie Lambert and Idith Haber Kisin, in behalf of preserving the Belmont Uplands

Article by Ellen Mass

The Sustainable Belmont organization held a meeting featuring speakers from the Coalition to Preserve Belmont Uplands, President, Idith Haber Kisin; and Belmont Citizens Forum Board member and Town Meeting member, Anne Marie Lambert to share fresh, well researched information and history of the Belmont Uplands and Alewife area abutting Belmont and its direct history of the larger economic picture Massachusetts farming, industrial and modern sprawl development from early settlement days of the 1600's to the present densely populated area. Emphasis was also placed on water levels rising with graphic government maps and with impeccable renderings of the development and changes to the Uplands through King Charles and the Hill family farm, and the area's present significance for flooding and natural resources protection for the Winn Brook neighborhood. A deeply troubled question arose concerning the cost to the town for flooding damages to the High School. Three years ago a flood from the Alewife area closed the High School. Anne Marie pointed out that greater storms and water rise are expected in the future. Her new slide show depicts a detailed history and hydrological presenation, and she gives walks at Alewife this spring with other guides from Friends of Alewife Reservation.

Idith was able to show that the storm water by-law will prevent the type of ground water penetration holding tank design which the developer has submitted several years ago to Belmont's Community Development which will prevent water absorption. She was able to show the exact location of the FEMA floodway that the develoepr was encroaching upon, and which is forbidden by federal regulations, despite a 40 B exception to a number of restrictions. Even a 40 B cannot supersede the Wetlands Protection Act.

Both speakers were extremely effective in conveying this needed information. And were able to take the professional findings presented during DEP Hearings in 2009 and 2010 and give the residents a laymen's understanding and rejuvenation of the fascinating facts of historical Belmont and its highly valued waterways, which need to continue to fully function in order to mitigate the sea rise and surges that are surely to come our way.

(Requested slide shows from Coalition to Preserve Belmont Uplands and Belmont Citizen Forum)