Town Election, 2012

To Belmont Voters: 'I Have an Open Mind and Listen to All Points of View'

A final election statement to voters from School Committee candidate Matt Sullivan.

During my campaign for School Committee I have talked to numerous residents of Belmont. I have enjoyed talking to old friends and making new acquaintences while campaigning throughout town. All citizens have raised issues important to them. Class size is important to parents of young school aged children. User fees and class electives are important to parents with students in the middle and high school. Belmont schools offer a great education to all students. We rank among the highest districts in the state.  Having gone through the Belmont schools and also serving on several committees I feel that I have a knowledge and understanding of how the town works. I have demonstrated my commitment over the years as a Town Meeting member for …

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Town Election, 2012

Rojas Doubles Up Scharfman in Campaign Money

First-time candidate dominates large donations, out-of-town contributions.

In his first run for public office, Selectmen's candidate Andy Rojas used his business connections and fund-raising skills to bring in more than double the amount of campaign funds of his rival, Dan Scharfman. According to campaign finance documents filed with Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman yesterday, March 26, Rojas has raised $22,935 from Jan. 1 until the middle of March from a mix of residents and out-of-town contributions. Scharfman reported just under $11,000 from fund raising and funds carried over from the previous year. Along with out raising the current School Committee member, the vice-chairman of the Planning Board has spent more than twice what Scharfman has; $15,376 to $6,843. Just how great the disparity is between the two…

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Franklin Tucker

2:39 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012

OK, I think everyone has had their say on contributions as an incentive to or not to run for an elected position. Let's move on to other issues related to contributions.   more ›

The Candidate's Question of the Week

Question of the Week: School Committee Candidates on Teaching Levels

Pascha Griffith, Anne Lougee and Matt Sullivan answer questions related to Schools.

The Question of the Week is a weekly round of questions related to issues and concerns in races for town-wide office. How would you determine if the Belmont School District has an adequate number of teachers and how would you fill any gaps in need? An adequate number of teachers at the elementary level is different than high school; therefore I’ll explore the question as it applies to our three school levels.  For elementary grades, research has shown that small class sizes improve student achievement, and may even have lasting achievement affects that last beyond the elementary years, even if students are no longer in small class sizes. The U.S. Department of Education website archives these studies, including the Tennessee STAR and Long-…

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Griffiths Pulls Papers for School Committee Race

Seats remain in a number of precincts. "You have until Monday," says Town Clerk Cushman.

It's now a race for the Belmont School Committee. Pascha Griffiths of Bradford Street, one of four finalist to fill a vacant position on the School Committee in October, has pulled nomination papers to win one of the two seats being contested at Town Election. The Winn Brook parent hopes to join incumbent Anne Lougee – who was picked in October by a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and School Committee to occupy the position – and Board of Library Trustees' Matt Sullivan on the ballot. The election will be held Monday, April 2. An applicant to the doctoral program in education at Harvard University, Griffiths said she wants a career in educational leadership and being on the School Committee would allow her a chance to learn more. “…

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Franklin Tucker

2:35 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Dear Ms. Oates: Thanks so much for the explanation on 'open' seats. The best solution is not using the term in this articles and the future. Thanks   more ›

Matt Sullivan Now Running For School Seat

There will be a contested race for assessors' seat as Natoli, Millane take out nomination papers.

Same candidate, different race. Board of Library Trustee member Matt Sullivan returned to Town Hall today, Jan. 27, to once again to see Town Clerk Ellen Cushman, this time to take out nomination papers for the open seat on the Belmont School Committee left vacant after the resignation of Becky Vose. This is Sullivan's second try for the school committee, having run in 2003. Anne Lougee is seeking her first full-term on the committee seeking re-election for the second seat up this election cycle. In addition to Sullivan's candidacy, there will be a contested race for a seat on the Board of Assessors as incumbent Martin Millane Jr. of Radcliffe Road will be seeking his first full three-year term against Oliver Road challenger Gerald Natoli…

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Town Election, 2012

Sullivan Drops Out of Selectmen's Race

Hammond Road resident departure leaves two running for full-term position.

Days after being the first candidate to submit the necessary paperwork to the Town Clerk's Office, Matt Sullivan official withdrew from the race to replace Angelo Firenze on the Belmont Board of Selectmen. The letter, signed and delivered Jan. 10 to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman, said he "was no longer a candidate" for the three-year term to be decided at the April 2 town election.  Sullivan is currently a member of the Board of Library Trustees, winning a seat on that board in last year's town election.  Sullivan's departure leaves two potential candidates – the Planning Board's Andy Rojas and Dan Scharfman of the School Committee – in the race. They, and anyone else, interested in filling the full-term Selectmen's position or any other …

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Matt Sullivan Takes Out Selectmen Papers

Library Trustee seeks a possible move up in town government.

Matt Sullivan, who was elected to his first-term in government in last April's town election, took out nomination papers today for a seat on the Board of Selectmen. David Alper, a current Board of Health member, took out nomination papers to retain his position. Nomination papers need to be returned to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman on Monday, Feb. 13. Town elections will be held Monday, April 2. Sullivan, a Hammond Road resident, will be hoping to fill the open position on the three-member board after current selectman Angelo Firenze announced he will not be seeking re-election earlier this month. There is reportedly two other potential candidates who have expressed interest in running to replace Firenze. Sullivan starts with $1,400 he retained…

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