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School is Back in Session Next Week
 Yes, it IS already school season again.
On Monday, Aug. 14, Notre Dame Schools on Ralston Avenue will start, followed by most other schools in the city on Wednesday, Aug. 16.
This means drop off and pick up zones will see heavy traffic again next week, and many more students will be walking, biking, skating on our sidewalks and roads soon.
Drivers, please slow your roll approaching school zones, be patient with new drivers near the High School and cooperative with kids crossing at crosswalks. Wait until all of the kids have crossed to proceed.
Pedestrians and bicyclists, remember drivers are getting used to seeing you on their commutes again, so be extra mindful and aware before crossing roads or when riding your bike.
With everyone's cooperation, we can make this school year a safe one for everyone.
Missing Persons Cold Case Update
Paul Farmer’s Remains Found
On Aug. 26, 2019, 84-year-old Paul Farmer left his home in Belmont for an evening walk. When Mr. Farmer did not return home soon thereafter, he was reported missing to the Belmont Police Department. It was quickly learned that Mr. Farmer suffered from memory loss and an expansive search was set in motion. Several agencies including CERT, San Mateo County Search & Rescue, Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit and K9 tracking teams were used to search areas across Belmont and San Mateo County.
Over the course of the next three years, multiple searches were conducted, and dozens of tips were investigated.
In March of 2023, Paul Farmer’s identification card was found in a waterway in lower San Mateo which was later reported to the department in May. This discovery led Belmont Police Investigators upstream to a heavily forested area just south of Highway 92 near Hillsdale Boulevard.
On June 25, 2023, Belmont PD partnered with San Mateo County Search and Rescue and the Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit to conduct an exhaustive search through the hillsides and dense brush where they ultimately discovered human remains. The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the discovery were the remains of Paul Farmer.
Although we are deeply saddened by this tragic case, we are very thankful for the agencies that assisted us with locating Mr. Farmer and helping us bring closure to this investigation.
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County Announces New Health Officer
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Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana this week began her tenure as San Mateo County’s Health Officer. She succeeds Dr. Scott Morrow, who retired after 31 years of service, and is the first woman to hold the post in the County’s history.
Appointed by the Board of Supervisors, the pick vaults Baldwin-Santana into a role with broad authority under California law to prevent disease and the authority to issue health orders. Her vision includes addressing the opioid epidemic, improving disaster preparedness and expanding health equity, she said.
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Composting - It's the Law
Join us in the effort Toward a Cleaner World
We're working on making soil, not waste and we're encouraging our residents to join us. State and local laws now require that all residents compost their organic waste. You might recall that State Bill 1383 became law in January of 2022.
Organic waste includes food scraps, soiled paper products, coffee grinds, and yard waste. Residents are required to put all organic waste into green composting bins, NOT black trash bins.
The law also requires you to subscribe to and participate in a organics (green bin) curbside collection service, if you don't already have one.
We need your help to eliminate the organic waste that end up in landfills and creates potent methane gas emissions and contributes significantly to climate change. This is low-hanging fruit, the peels and rinds of which will all be composted.
Get your green bin today and start living greener. Call Recology at 650-595-3900, or click the button below for more information.
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Caltrain Service Reduction Starts Monday
Weekday Schedule Returns to Normal Aug. 25
Caltrain has reduced its weekday service until Friday, Aug. 25, to accommodate Caltrain electrification construction and testing.
Construction crews will install and test signal systems in San Francisco and continue to install poles and wires along the corridor.
Caltrain will be running 90 trains per weekday, as opposed to the standard 104.
Peak hour service will be reduced to three trains per hour per direction, and Baby Bullet service will be suspended. Regular weekday service will resume on Monday, Aug. 28.
Many trains will depart a few minutes earlier than the current schedule, so please refer to the temporary schedule to see how your train might be affected.
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 The nominations for both Community Service Awards and our Beautiful Belmont Awards are now open.
What are these awards?
Every December, we honor the people and businesses who have made Belmont a better place to live. Anyone can be nominated, and anyone can nominate. There are no fees.
Have a business or person in mind to recognize? Just complete the forms for either category to submit your nomination.
Winners will be announced in advance of our final City Council meeting of the year.
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Be a part of our History
Our boards and committees seek new members, some more immediately than others.
Want to serve your City by joining a board or a committee and having a say about decisions that affect your town?
Applications are open now. Click on the link below to learn more.
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Welcome New Staff
Please welcome our new Recreation Specialist II Jerry Nguyen.
A graduate of San Jose State University with a bachelor's degree in Recreation Management, Jerry will be working on the Youth and Teen section of our Parks and Recreation Department.
He'll be responsible for the Hideout program and assisting with special events and Barrett Community Center daily operations. Jerry starts Aug. 21.
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Vector Control Re-Opens Open House
San Mateo County Vector Control is re-opening its annual Open House. This year's Open House will be held Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 from 12-4 p.m. at the District headquarters at 1351 Rollins Road in Burlingame.
This year's Open House will include:
- Kid-friendly activities including bubbles, face painting, and more.
- Equipment displays and information (including airboat and drone)
- Insect displays, including mosquito colony and live stick insects
- Behind-the-scenes look at our mosquitofish breeding and holding tanks
- Tick-bite prevention tips and tick-removal tools
- Information about rats and mice - how to keep them out of your home
- Informational displays about a variety of other vectors, including yellowjackets
- Light refreshments (popsicles and other options)
Saturday, Aug. 12
Noon - 4 p.m.
1351 Rollins Road
Burlingame, CA
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History Room sets Fall Hours
Though the concerts in the park may be done for the season, Belmont's History Room will remain open on the second and fourth Sunday from 1-4 p.m. throughout August and September.
Find the room in the Manor House in Twin Pines Park, 10 Twin Pines Lanes, Belmont, CA. Admission is free.
Second and Fourth Sunday
1 - 4 p.m.
August and September
Manor House
Twin Pines Park
10 Twin Pines Lanes
Belmont, CA
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Movies in the Parks Starts Aug. 25
Movies in the Parks is back for another season of cinema under the stars.
Join our Parks and Recreation team on Friday, Aug. 25 in the Twin Pines Meadow for "Ratatouille" the 2007 Disney/Pixar comedy about a rat who dreams of becoming a great French chef despite his family's wishes and the obvious problem of being a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession.
Movie begins at sundown.
Friday, Aug. 25
Sundown (around 8 p.m.)
Twin Pines Park Meadow
1 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA
Click the button below for the complete Movies in the Parks 2023 schedule.
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Registration Opens for Response Team Training
 SMC Fire is seeking its next trainees for our local Community Emergency Response Team training. Above are our Belmont CERTs who completed their training in 2022.
Local CERTs help in the event of major emergencies and assist local authorities when as many trained responders as possible are needed.
Training begins Aug. 29.
Learn more and register for the free training by clicking the button below.
How to Keep You and Your Loved Ones Safe
A Free Adult and Senior Seminar
Mark Tuesday, Aug. 29 on your calendar to hear from the County of San Mateo’s Adult Protective Services. Staff will give an overview of Aging & Adult services and programs that support older and dependent adults living independently. Attendees of this seminar will learn the signs and symptoms of what are often very hidden crimes against dependent or older adults, as well as the most effective ways to report suspected abuse.
Tuesday, Aug. 29
10:30 a.m.
Twin Pines Senior and Community Center
20 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA
RSVP at 650-595-7444 or in person at the Senior Center.
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End of Summer Learning
Summer is winding down, but there’s still time to complete the Summer Learning Challenge.
Visit summerlearners.org to immerse yourself in captivating events, multicultural celebrations and more.
Submit your reading log by Aug. 31 for a chance to win fun prizes.
Still looking for titles to complete the challenge? Dive into our Everybody Belongs! reading list curated by library staff.
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Artist Studio Available for Rent
Are you an artist looking for a private space to paint, draw, sculpt, or get inspired? We have an available studio space at the historic Manor Building located within beautiful Twin Pines Park. The studio is on the second floor with a window that receives plenty of natural light. The studio is approximately 100 sq feet and rents for $194 per month.
If interested, please contact the Recreation Manager, Cody George, at cgeorge@belmont.gov
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Home Sharing Program
Hip Housing's Home Sharing Program helps match individuals seeking housing with people who have a room or Accessory Dwelling Unit to rent.
Go to the program's Monthly Rooms Available list to find your perfect match.
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 Affordable Housing Interest List
Development is happening in Belmont. Join the Affordable Housing Interest List to receive updates from the City on preleasing opportunities and more.
Housing Resources Available
Our growing list of resources can help locate affordable housing, build self-sufficiency, fund energy-efficient upgrades, and more.
Planning Commission Meetings
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month
7 p.m.
Council Chambers
1 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont
PROJECT UPDATE
Corridor Project Benefits from 2022 Community Workshops
 We’re working to improve transportation along the Alameda de las Pulgas corridor, commonly referred to as ADLP, between Ralston Avenue and Cranfield Avenue.
Thank you, Belmont – and our neighbors in City of San Carlos – for joining us in 2022 for our summer and fall Community Workshops. Turnout was great and your input and ideas helped us as we worked with the BKF Engineering design team to complete the preliminary 65 percent project design by this fall.
The project design will include construction level details for roadway layout, intersection improvements, traffic signal, drainage, utilities, stormwater treatment, grading design, and striping plans.
After 65 percent design review and comments, we will move toward 100 percent design and preparing construction and bid documents by 2024.
Phase 1 of construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 or 2026, depending on the success of future grant applications.
Silicon Valley Bike Summit on Aug. 24
Learn all about the active transportation work going on in San Mateo County and Silicon Valley.
Click on the button below for full details.
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Have a Say about Caltrain
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, the entity that manages Caltrain, is seeking volunteers from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to apply for its Citizens Advisory Committee.
The CAC currently has four openings available, two each for representatives from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
In San Mateo County, one vacancy is for a regular seat, full-term, ending in 2026. The other vacant regular seat is for a partial-term ending in 2024.
The CAC is comprised of nine community members who serve in an advisory capacity to the Caltrain board of directors, providing input on the needs of current and potential rail customers.
Residents interested in joining the advisory committee can find an application on the CAC web page on the button below, or by calling 650-508-6347.
Applications for the CAC are due by Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.
The CAC meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:40 p.m. at the Caltrain headquarters at 1250 San Carlos Avenue, about one block from the San Carlos Caltrain Station. All meetings are open to the public.
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