Belmont business owners say an annual tree lighting ceremony on Arthur Avenue has been canceled, apparently due to panhandlers plaguing the neighborhood.

They say there is word that the money that typically funds the event at the Vincent Chiccarone Playground is going toward a security guard that the Belmont Business Improvement District has hired to combat the panhandlers.

Business owners like Roseanne Leidemer of Tino's Deli says that canceling the event on Christmas is hurting business.

"The event that happens that day, there will be crowds of people and not only that, but it's a disgrace to take out the spirit of Christmas for the holiday, for the business owner and especially for the children," Leidemer says.