Beautiful Belmont Winners Announced

Congratulations to our Beautiful Belmont 2022 Award Winners.

MidPen Housing was recognized for its new addition to Belmont's skyline: Firehouse Square - Phase One. Ladera Garden & Gifts was recognized for its commitment to making our City even more beautiful with its inviting premises.

Three homeowners who have made improvements to their properties were recognized with nominations. 

Each winner helped to put Belmont on the map in 2022. Congratulations! Learn more about each winner by clicking on the button below. 

Construction Allowed in Holiday Week

Please note that the City has approved construction work on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.

In Belmont, construction is not permitted on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, nor on New Years Day, Jan. 1. 

Santa Parade on Wednesday
Route is Ready to View

Santa's making his list and he's checking it twice to see who he will visit on his annual trip through town. No, not that trip, his parade on Dec. 21, starting at 5 p.m.

Click on the link below to find the planned route and to be ready when Santa comes through your neighborhood. 

Wednesday, Dec. 21
Starts at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Caltrain Riders Alert
Temporary Schedule Change

Caltrain’s Electrification Project, which will replace the 30-year-old diesel trains with state-of the art electric trains and install electrification infrastructure requires significant construction on the corridor.

To accommodate the construction and ensure the new electrified service is available for passengers in 2024, Caltrain will be temporarily reducing service levels until Sunday, Dec.18, 2022.

Both weekday and weekend service will be affected. Click on the link below for the revised schedule. 

Community Generosity Shines Through
Children in Need Can Enjoy Holidays

Last week, our Parks and Recreation Department hosted its annual Santa at the Firehouse and Toy Drive event, where over 700 attendees visited Belmont Firehouse 14 and donated toys to children in need.

Attendees enjoyed a festive evening that included a snow slide created by our very own Parks crew, refreshments, crafts, and a visit with Santa himself.

Huge thank you to San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, our generous volunteers (VOICES, YAC, CERT), the Parks crew, and the community for coming together to help give back to children in need this holiday season.

Senior Center Extended December Hours

The Twin Pines Senior and Community Center will remain open until Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.

Join the Parks and Recreation Department staff and volunteers for the lunch program, a movie, various programs and activities, or just drop into the center to hang out.

Some helpful links: December Menu, December Movie Schedule, December Activity Schedule.

Belmont Talks Presents: How Congress Really Works

Meet Eric Saund, Ph.D, 2020-2021 Congressional Fellow, who will explain how the Senate and the House get along, the significance of Committees, what happens when you call your representative, and much more. Come prepared with your own questions about myth versus reality on how Washington works.

Thursday, Jan. 12,
6:30 p.m.
Belmont Library

Countywide Rain Barrel Program 

Take advantage of the rainy season with a rain barrel that can keep your gardens beautiful during drier months.

San Mateo County residents and business owners can purchase up to two high-quality 50-gallon barrels for $80 each, with rebates that could cover up to 100 percent for qualifying applicants. Get them while supplies last. 

Upcoming Creative Kids Contest
Special Poetry & Essay Contest inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Jan. 3, 2023, we will begin accepting entries for Belmont’s inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Poetry & Essay Contest. The contest is open to all Belmont-Redwood Shores School District youth in grades three through twelve. Entry deadline is Feb. 1, 2023. 

Students may submit either their own poem or essay. The contest accepts written entries, no photos or images should be included in the submission.

Where Does Change Begin?

Contestants are asked to reflect on their own personal experiences and role in addressing forms of injustice and consider what steps can be taken toward building a stronger community.

Original poems or essays should creatively respond to the above question in context with Dr. King's famous quote:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." Excerpt from “Strength to Love,” 1963.

To learn more about submitting an entry, click on the button below. 

Holiday Shopping in Full Swing

Now is a great time to show your support for Belmont’s small business community. Get to know your local retailers, they might have just what you're looking for. You can see on this map of nearby businesses the many choices to shop local. 

Try the latest treats at your favorite Belmont restaurant or bakery, or to pop into a local store to find a great gift.

Belmont is home to many small businesses who are continuing to navigate, retool and pivot from the uncertainty of the past few years. Please join us in supporting our local small businesses.

Employers: Minimum Wage Updates
New Rules Effective in the New Year

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, all employers of employees who perform at least two (2) hours of work per week within the geographical boundary of Belmont must pay those employees minimum wages of not less than $16.75 per hour.

More information available at www.belmont.gov/minwage

Staying Healthy for the Holidays

As we approach a third pandemic winter, our overall COVID outlook is different from the prior two years, as stronger community immunity and the availability of effective treatments should result in fewer hospitalizations and deaths.

At the same time, with multiple respiratory viruses now circulating widely in San Mateo County, getting the vaccines to protect against COVID and Influenza and taking extra precautions can make a difference. This is especially important for older adults, people with disabilities, and those with underlying medical conditions who remain at higher risk.

Read the full message from San Mateo County Health Chief Louise Rogers

Just as with COVID, we tend to see increases following holiday gatherings, so please take precautions to keep your household healthy. Here is what the county recommends:

• Get the vaccines that are available to you, based on your age and other risk factors
• Wear a well-fitting, good-quality mask indoors or in crowded spaces
• Wash hands thoroughly and often
• Stay home if you’re contagious
• Clean commonly touched surfaces

By helping to keep yourselves and your families healthy, you also help limit spread in our community as a whole. Thank you for doing your part!

Help us Reduce Storm Risks
Limit the impacts of flooding

Your help in limiting our city's flood risk during winter storms is vital. Be proactive in preparing now for the winter season to help reduce the impacts of flooding.

Here are some tips on ways you can help minimize property damage:

Clear Leaves From Storm Drains
The changing of seasons from autumn to winter comes littering of tree leaves. We sweep residential streets every other week to remove leaves and debris.

Fallen leaves can make their way down to storm drains, where they gather and block inlets, and create localized flooding. Here are some ways you can help reduce the impact of localized flooding by following these simple steps:

• Move your vehicle from the street the night before your scheduled sweeping day.
• Do not blow yard debris into the roadway or gutter.
• Do not sweep leaves into piles taller than one foot.
• Place branches in the compost bin.
• Trim trees and vegetation back behind the curb, and be sure there is a vertical clearance of 14" over the roadway so the sweeper can clean to the gutter.

If you see a storm drain blocked/covered with leaves, or localized flooding is occurring due to blockage, rake the leaves away (if you are able) and notify Public Works at 650-595-7425.

Clean Property Valley Gutters
Valley gutters lie within a drainage easement, which are established on property plats to provide designated areas for surface run-off from private or public land to culverts and pipes, which empty into San Francisco Bay. 

Over time, if they are neglected, storm water exiting broken or blocked gutters could erode these areas, causing instability, creating potential mudslides.

Welcome New Sweeper

We recently acquired a new Tymco sweeper with a more environmentally friendly tier 4 engine that will keep it in compliance with the California Air Resources Board for many years to come. 

This machine replaces it’s 9-year-old predecessor (which is, in sweeper years, about 70) that was much less efficient and had reached the end of its useful life. It features a regenerative air system that helps our sweeper operator, Chris, perform his duties to better effect. 

Be sure to wave as you see him pass by!