Belmont Rink Closes Temporarily Over Humidity, DPW Begins Hydrant Flushing

BELMONT — Belmont's skating rink closed temporarily Monday because of ongoing humidity and environmental-control problems inside the facility, the town announced, as the Department of Public Works began its annual hydrant-flushing program the same evening.

TOWN HALL

The Belmont Skating Rink is temporarily closed due to ongoing humidity and environmental-control issues within the facility, according to a town announcement posted Monday. The town did not give a target reopening date.

Separately, the Department of Public Works began its annual hydrant-flushing schedule Monday evening, targeting "Orange & Red Top" hydrants from 7 p.m. to midnight, the town said. The flushing program, which the town had previewed earlier this month, is expected to continue in phases through the summer.

SCHOOLS

Belmont's School Committee has approved ratified contracts with the Belmont Education Association, closing out more than 19 months of negotiations, collaboration, compromise and mediation, according to the town's website. No further detail on contract terms was provided.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"🌱 Patch AM: What big zoning and library decisions loom at November's Town Meeting?" Belmont Patch's morning roundup previewed that zoning changes and library-related questions are shaping up to be prominent items on the warrant when Town Meeting convenes in November, the outlet reported (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/belmont).

COMING UP

The Municipal Skating Rink Building Committee meets remotely Friday, July 17 — its first session since the rink's closure. The Select Board meets in hybrid format Monday, July 20, alongside a Shade Tree Committee bylaw subcommittee session the same day. The Planning Board holds a hybrid meeting Tuesday, July 21.