MassVoter.com← BelmontMunicipal votes · 2019–2020 Board
Belmont Select Board
How the Belmont Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 3 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. Roy Epstein joined the board after the April 2019 town election, succeeding Mark Paolillo. On April 3, 2019 the board endorsed, under its operational rules, Tom Caputo as Chair and Adam Dash as Vice Chair (each 3-0). The minutes are headed Board of Selectmen through August 2019 and Select Board from July and September 2019 on. Covers 40 meetings, April 3 to April 6, 2020.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetBoard years
Coming up
From the agendas Belmont posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
What Town Meeting decided
In Belmont, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Town Meeting members are elected by precinct; counts are from the town’s electronic voting.
Special Town Meeting · October 20, 2025 16 votes: 13 passed, 1 failed, 2 no action
Sessions: October 20 and October 22, 2025
- Art. 1 Accept the reports of the Select Board, town officers and committees Passed “The Motion: Was approved by unanimous consent”
- Art. 2 Amend general bylaws to make the Board of Assessors and Treasurer/Collector appointed positions Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 229 ; No 3 ; Abstain 7”
- Art. 3 Amend general bylaws to rename the Office of Community Development Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 239 ; No 0 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 4 Amend general bylaw section 60-205 (kennels) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 240 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 5 Authorize the Select Board to acquire easements and other property rights for Community Path Phase 1 Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 210 ; No 15 ; Abstain 5”
- Art. 6 Dedicate parts of the Middle School land at 221 Concord Ave. for Community Path Phase 1 Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 220 ; No 6 ; Abstain 4”
- Art. 7 Zoning Section 4 change on retaining walls (motion to dismiss) No action “The Motion: To dismiss was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 223 ; No 1 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 8 Zoning Section 4 change on solar energy systems (motion to dismiss) No action “The Motion: To dismiss was approved_utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 227 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 9A State aid: appropriate $255,000 for a school elementary literacy program Passed “Motion A: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 237 ; No 4 ; Abstain 4”
- Art. 9B State aid: appropriate $101,507 for new building and permitting software Passed “Motion B: Was approved_ utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 237 ; No 5 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 10 Amend general bylaw section 50-220 (municipal revolving funds) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 229 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 11 Transfer $300,000 to the Override Mitigation Stabilization Fund Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 238 ; No 4; Abstain 2”
- Art. 12 Accept state law letting the Select Board set up parking benefit districts Failed “The Motion: Was defeated utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 44 ; No 163 ; Abstain 19”
- Art. 13 Appropriate $135,000 from capital stabilization for Chenery roof feasibility and schematic design (MSBA grant) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 245 ; No 2 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 14 Accept Carleton Circle as a public way Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 222 ; No 1;Abstain 3”
- Art. 15 Adopt a 6% local hotel room occupancy tax Passed “The Motion: Was approved_ utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 219 ; No 19 ; Abstain1”
Special Town Meeting · July 23, 2025 3 votes: 3 passed
Sessions: July 23, 2025 (held by remote access)
- Art. 1 Accept the reports of the Select Board, town officers and committees Passed “The Motion: Was approved by unanimous consent”
- Art. 2 Citizen petition: seek home rule law and rule changes on restaurant alcohol license seating requirements and numbers Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices by roll call vote · Yes 189 ; No 6; Abstain 5”
- Art. 3 Citizen petition: keep the name James P. "Skip" Viglirolo Rink for the new municipal rink and sports facility Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices by roll call vote · Yes 128 ; No 56; Abstain 44”
Special Town Meeting · May 21, 2025 4 votes: 2 passed, 1 indefinitely postponed, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Accept town reports No action “No motion was made, no action was taken on Article 1”
- Art. 2 Accept and adjust senior and veteran property tax exemptions (7 parts, incl. lowering Clause 41C age from 70 to 65) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices by roll call vote · Yes 226 ; No 3; Abstain 1”
- Art. 3 Overlay release: $100,000 Rock Meadow conservation restriction, $225,000 field maintenance, $275,000 to capital stabilization Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices by roll call vote · Yes 208 ; No 4; Abstain 2”
- Art. 4 Citizen petition: require a 2/3 Town Meeting vote to approve town department use of space in the Beech Street Center Indefinitely postponed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices by roll call vote · Yes 174 ; No 70; Abstain 4”
Annual Town Meeting · May 5, 2025 43 votes: 39 passed, 3 indefinitely postponed, 1 no action
Sessions: May 5, 7, 12, 19 and 21, 2025 (session dates as stated in the record)
- Art. 1 Accept the reports of the Select Board, town officers and committees Passed “The Motion: Was approved by unanimous consent”
- Art. 2 Authorize the Select Board to bring, defend and settle legal actions for the Town Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 236 ; No 3 Abstain 4”
- Art. 3 Amend the floodplain district zoning bylaw to meet national flood insurance requirements Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 234 ; No 0; Abstain 1”
- Art. 4 Citizen petition: seek home rule law letting Belmont restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 222 ; No 5 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 5 Reserve FY2026 Community Preservation Act receipts ($2,000,000) for open space, historic, housing, reserve and admin Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 233 ; No 8 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 5A Community Preservation: $2,200,000 for Chenery Park Renovation Phase 2 Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 222 ; No 5 ;”
- Art. 5B Community Preservation: Clay Pit Pond walking path (motion to dismiss) No action “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 214 ; No 2 ; Abstain 4”
- Art. 5C Community Preservation: $472,338 for West of Harris softball field improvements Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 149 ; No 29 Abstain 8”
- Art. 5D Community Preservation: $650,000 for predevelopment planning for redevelopment of Belmont Village Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 222 ; No 6; Abstain 3”
- Art. 5E Community Preservation: $60,000 for design of the restoration of Burial Hill (Original Cemetery) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 218 ; No 10 Abstain 8”
- Art. 5F Community Preservation: $605,396 for the Homer Building (Town Hall Annex) restoration Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 222 ; No 7 ; Abstain 6”
- Art. 5G Community Preservation: $825,000 to restore the failed retaining wall at Town Hall Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 231 ; No 6 ; Abstain 4”
- Art. 6 Add two revolving funds: municipal rink and sports facility; solid waste and recycling fees Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 223 ; No 18 Abstain 2”
- Art. 7 Disband the DPW and Police Department Building Committee Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 239 ; No 1 Abstain 1”
- Art. 8 Appropriate for prior year bills (motion to indefinitely postpone) Indefinitely postponed “The Motion: Was approved by unanimous consent”
- Art. 9 Amend FY2025 operating, enterprise and Community Preservation budgets (motion to indefinitely postpone) Indefinitely postponed “The Motion: Was approved by unanimous consent”
- Art. 10 Appropriate for authorized capital improvements (motion to indefinitely postpone) Indefinitely postponed “The Motion: Was approved by unanimous consent”
- Art. 11 Set FY2026 salaries of elected officials (including Town Clerk $110,861) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 244 ; No 1; Abstain 1”
- Art. 12 Appropriate $3,133,000 (borrowing) for water main replacement under the MWRA program, Phase IV Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 242 ; No 0; Abstain 0”
- Art. 13A Water enterprise fund FY2026 budget ($7,997,841) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 241 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 13B Sewer and stormwater enterprise fund FY2026 budget ($10,476,666) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 237 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 14 Set FY2026 spending limits for revolving funds Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 223 ; No 3 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 15 Transfer $3,324,701 in free cash to the General Stabilization Fund Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 222 ; No 1 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 16 Allow the School Department a four-year lease-to-own contract for iPads Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 231 ; No 3; Abstain 0”
- 17A-DPW FY2026 capital: Department of Public Works items ($135,000) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 241 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- 17A-FIRE FY2026 capital: Fire Department items ($208,000) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 239 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- 17A-IT FY2026 capital: Information Technology items ($250,000) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 213 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- 17A-COA FY2026 capital: Council on Aging accessible van ($75,000) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 217 No 0; Abstain 0”
- 17A-FUND FY2026 capital: fund the $668,000 total from the Capital Endowment Fund and taxation Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 222 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 17B Raise $2,000,617 for road paving and $512,266 for sidewalks Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 218 ; No 1 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 18 Appropriate $3,700,000 to replace Chenery Upper Elementary School rooftop air handling units (and roof with any remainder) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 207 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 19 Appropriate $472,494 to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Stabilization Fund Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 224 ; No 1 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 20A FY2026 budget: General Government ($6,068,213) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 227 ; No 0; Abstain 6”
- Art. 20B FY2026 budget: Employee Benefits, Retirement Expenses ($10,128,274) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 215 ; No 3 ; Abstain 6”
- Art. 20C FY2026 budget: Employee Benefits, Other Reserves ($18,166,680) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 220 ; No 1; Abstain 3”
- Art. 20D FY2026 budget: Public Facilities ($7,898,460) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 226 ; No 0 ; Abstain 3”
- Art. 20E FY2026 budget: Public Safety ($14,696,297) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 224 ; No 1; Abstain 2”
- Art. 20F FY2026 budget: Belmont Public Schools ($70,618,619) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 210 ; No 2 ;”
- Art. 20G FY2026 budget: Vocational Education ($234,580) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 204 ; No 0; Abstain 2”
- Art. 20H FY2026 budget: Public Services ($9,455,457) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 201 ; No 0 ; Abstain 5”
- Art. 20I FY2026 budget: Human Services ($3,954,408) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 206 ; No 0 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 20J FY2026 budget: Principal Debt and Interest ($17,684,656) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 209 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- 20-T FY2026 budget: transfer listed sums (light department payment, $2,559,636 free cash and others) to help fund the budget Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 211 ; No 1 ; Abstain 0”
Special Town Meeting · March 3, 2025 3 votes: 1 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 no action
Sessions: March 3, 2025 (held by remote access)
- Art. 1 Accept town reports No action “No Action under Article 1”
- Art. 2 Amend zoning for accessory dwelling units (new Section 6.14) in response to state law Passed as amended “The Motion: Was approved, as amended, utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 179 ; No 32 ; Abstain 4”
- Art. 3 Technical corrections to the MBTA Communities multi-family zoning overlay (Sections 2.1 and 9.5.A) Passed “The Motion: was adopted utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 177 ; No 2 ; Abstain 8”
Special Town Meeting · November 18, 2024 11 votes: 9 passed, 1 passed as amended, 1 indefinitely postponed
Sessions: Opened November 18, 2024; session dates after the first are not listed in the record
- Art. 1 Accept the reports of the Select Board, town officers and committees Passed “The Motion: Was approved by unanimous consent”
- Art. 2 Adopt MBTA Communities multi-family housing overlay zoning (new Section 9) and zoning map change Passed as amended “The Motion: Was approved as amended utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 213 ; No 8; Abstain 7”
- Art. 3 Amend zoning Section 6.10 (inclusionary housing) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 205 ; No 4 ; Abstain 4”
- Art. 4 Amend zoning Section 7.3 (design and site plan review) Passed “The Motion: Was approved unanimously utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 207 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 5 Raise $165,000 to replace the schools' student information system; allow a contract of up to 6 years Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 217 ; No 1 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 6A Raise and transfer $1,425,000 to the Capital Stabilization Fund Passed “Motion A: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 216 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 6B Raise and transfer $366,244 to the Override Mitigation Stabilization Fund Passed “Motion B: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 208; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 7 Allow the Select Board to lease town land at 780 Concord Ave. (cell tower) for up to 20 years Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 207; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 8 Accept G.L. c.200A s.9A (process for the Treasurer to handle uncashed "stale" checks) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 209 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 9 Accept G.L. c.60 s.3D (tax bill check-off donation fund for low-income seniors and people with disabilities) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 204; No 1 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 10 Citizen petition: change the Select Board from 3 to 5 members Indefinitely postponed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 151 ; No 61 ; Abstain 2”
Special Town Meeting · June 26, 2024 2 votes: 1 passed, 1 no action
Sessions: June 26, 2024 (held by remote access)
- Art. 1 Accept the reports of town officers No action “No Action under Article 1”
- Art. 2 Ratify the Select Board vote to change the traffic management agreement for the McLean Phase II development Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 192 ; No 25 ; Abstain 5”
Special Town Meeting · June 5, 2024 3 votes: 2 passed, 1 no action
- Art. 1 Accept the reports of the Select Board, town officers and committees Passed “The Motion: Was approved by unanimous consent”
- Art. 2 Ratify Select Board approval of a revised transportation plan for the McLean development (motion to dismiss) No action “The Motion: Was approved by Unanimous Consent”
- Art. 3 Supplemental $1,500,000 for the municipal skating rink project ($550,000 investment income, $950,000 Kendall Fund) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 201 ; No 27 ; Abstain 10”
Annual Town Meeting · April 29, 2024 48 votes: 44 passed, 2 passed as amended, 2 no action
Sessions: Opened April 29, 2024 (Segment A) with a later budget segment (Segment B); session dates are not listed in the record
- Art. 1 Accept the reports of the Select Board, town officers and committees Passed “The Motion: Was approved by unanimous consent”
- Art. 2 Authorize the Select Board to bring, defend and settle legal actions for the Town Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 222; No 5; Abstain 2”
- Art. 3 Amend the stormwater management and erosion control bylaw to name the department that administers it Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 242 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 4 Amend zoning: restaurant parking (1 space per 4 seats; up to 20 outdoor seasonal seats not counted) Passed as amended “The Motion: Was approved, as amended, utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 242 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 5 Amend zoning Section 4 (intensity regulations), including rules for steps, porches and entry coverings Passed as amended “The Motion: Was approved, as amended, utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 242 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 6 Amend zoning Sections 1.4 and 1.5 (definitions, including grade and floor area ratio; nonconforming uses) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 242 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 7 Reserve FY2025 Community Preservation Act receipts ($2,000,000) for open space, historic, housing, reserve and admin Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 222 ; No 5 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 7A Community Preservation: appropriate $300,000 for Chenery Park design and engineering Passed “Motion A: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 224 ; No 8 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 7B Community Preservation: appropriate $1,000,000 for Chenery Park Passed “Motion B: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 221 ; No 5 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 7C Community Preservation: appropriate $275,000 to the fund to support new affordable housing Passed “Motion C: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 185 ; No 48 ; Abstain 3”
- Art. 7D Community Preservation: $99,000 plus a $21,000 bid reserve for Homer House exterior paint restoration Passed “Motion D: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 151 ; No 59 ; Abstain 11”
- Art. 7E Community Preservation: $160,000 plus a $32,000 bid reserve for Community Path Phase 1 right-of-way acquisition Passed “Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 194 ; No 13 ; Abstain 4”
- Art. 8 Appropriate $1,266.38 for a prior-year Facilities Department utility bill Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 220 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 9 Amend FY2024 operating, enterprise and Community Preservation budgets (motion to dismiss) No action “The Motion: Was approved by Unanimous Consent”
- Art. 10 Appropriate for authorized capital improvements (motion to dismiss) No action “The Motion: Was approved by Unanimous Consent”
- Art. 11 Set FY2025 salaries of elected officials (including Town Clerk $108,687) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 198 ; No 0 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 12 Appropriate $260,000 (borrowing) for the MWRA sewer infiltration/inflow program, Phase 11 Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 195 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 13A Water enterprise fund FY2025 budget ($7,742,221) Passed “Motion A: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 204 ; No 1; Abstain 0”
- Art. 13B Sewer and stormwater enterprise fund FY2025 budget ($10,171,378) Passed “Motion B: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 198 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 14 Set FY2025 spending limits for revolving funds Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 201 ; No 1; Abstain 0”
- Art. 16 Establish an Override Mitigation General Stabilization Fund Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by more than two- thirds · Yes 187 ; No 5 ; Abstain 4”
- Art. 17A Transfer $3,129,439 in free cash and raise $930,000 for the Override Mitigation General Stabilization Fund Passed “Motion A: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 176 ; No 5 ; Abstain 3”
- Art. 17B Raise and appropriate $578,842 for the Capital Stabilization Fund Passed “Motion B: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 183 ; No 1; Abstain 1”
- Art. 18A Revoke the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund created in 2023 Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by more than two- thirds · Yes 170 ; No 1 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 18B Appropriate $107,020.37 in FY2023 opioid settlement receipts (free cash) to an opioid settlement special revenue fund Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 171 ; No 0; Abstain 0”
- Art. 19A Accept G.L. c.40 s.13 to create a municipal buildings insurance fund for insurance deductibles Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 213 ; No 7 ; Abstain 6”
- Art. 19B Appropriate $25,968.50 in insurance proceeds to the municipal buildings insurance fund Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 213 ; No 3 ; Abstain 6”
- Art. 20 Allow the Police Department a five-year lease for tasers Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 196 ; No 9 ; Abstain 5”
- 21A-DPW FY2025 capital: Department of Public Works items ($211,308) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 201 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- 21A-FFP FY2025 capital: Facilities ($697,000), Fire ($110,000) and Police ($155,000) items Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote”
- 21A-IT FY2025 capital: Information Technology items ($225,000) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 187 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
- 21A-ASR FY2025 capital: Board of Assessors CAMA database replacement ($125,000) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 229 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- 21A-CCBC FY2025 capital: project bid reserve ($50,000) Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 224 ; No 3 ; Abstain 1”
- 21A-FUND FY2025 capital: fund the $1,573,308 total from the Capital Endowment Fund, turnbacks and taxation Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 227; No 0 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 21B Raise $1,951,821 for road paving and $499,770 for sidewalks Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 228 ; No 2; Abstain 0”
- Art. 22 Appropriate $1,600,000 to replace the Chenery Upper Elementary School boilers Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 208 ; No 2 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 23 Appropriate $472,494 to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Stabilization Fund Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 209 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 24A FY2025 budget: General Government ($5,708,750) Passed “Motion A: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 224; No 0 ; Abstain 4”
- Art. 24B FY2025 budget: Employee Benefits, Retirement Expenses ($9,873,396) Passed “Motion B: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 223; No 1; Abstain 4”
- Art. 24C FY2025 budget: Employee Benefits, Other Reserves ($17,392,662) Passed “Motion C: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 220; No 0”
- Art. 24D FY2025 budget: Public Facilities ($7,573,801) Passed “Motion D: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 226 ; No 0 ; Abstain 2”
- Art. 24E FY2025 budget: Public Safety ($14,482,995) Passed “Motion E: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 220 ; No 1; Abstain 2”
- Art. 24F FY2025 budget: Belmont Public Schools ($66,885,704) Passed “Motion F: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 207 ; No 4 ; Abstain 5”
- Art. 24G FY2025 budget: Vocational Education ($234,580) Passed “Motion G: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 208 ; No 4 ; Abstain 1”
- Art. 24H FY2025 budget: Public Services ($9,753,750) Passed “Motion H: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 210 ; No 0 ; Abstain 0”
- Art. 24I FY2025 budget: Human Services ($3,430,649) Passed “Motion I: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 210 ; No 1; Abstain 0”
- Art. 24J FY2025 budget: Principal Debt and Interest ($15,511,944) Passed “Motion J: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 208 ; No 0 ; Abstain 2”
- 24-T FY2025 budget: transfer listed sums (light department payment, free cash and others) to help fund the budget Passed “The Motion: Was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 206 ; No 0 ; Abstain 1”
Special Town Meeting · January 22, 2024 2 votes: 2 passed
Sessions: January 22, 2024 (held by remote access)
- Art. 1 Accept the reports of town officers Passed “The Motion: was approved by unanimous consent”
- Art. 2 Convert the Board of Assessors from elected to appointed, subject to a question on the 2024 town election ballot Passed “The Motion: was approved utilizing electronic voting devices, by roll call vote · Yes 156; No 87; Abstain 2”
Not here yet: Belmont's 2026 meetings (March 4 Special, May 4 Annual and May 18 Special Town Meetings) are not here because the Town Clerk has posted only electronic roll-call tallies for them, which do not say whether each motion passed; the November 16, 2026 Special Town Meeting has not happened yet.
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
Members
"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Belmont Select Board minutes from January 8, 2018 through September 21, 2026: 400 meetings and 3,612 votes. The town’s Agenda Center holds the board’s minutes back to 2012; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. The board was the Board of Selectmen; the minutes switch to the name Select Board in the fall of 2019 (first on September 16, 2019), with both names used until the end of that year. Minutes from 2022 on are typed documents with searchable text; the 2018 to 2021 minutes are copier scans, and 219 of them had little or no text, so MassVoter read them with text recognition and checked where names or counts were unclear. Joint meetings with the School Committee, Warrant Committee, Board of Assessors and other boards are loaded when the Select Board voted as a board; only the Select Board’s votes are shown, and joint meetings where it took no vote of its own are left out. Not here: executive-session minutes; cancelled meetings and meetings without a quorum; site visits; meetings with an agenda but no posted minutes, among them May 11, June 3 and June 8, 2026; dates where the file posted belongs to another meeting or board (several 2018 Belmont High School Building Committee files, the April 30, 2018 evening slot, and repeated 2024 postings, each loaded once under its own date); and meetings after September 21, 2026 other than that one: the July 13, July 20, August 10, August 12 (with the Board of Assessors), August 31, September 9, September 28 and October 5, 2026 minutes are not posted yet. Belmont’s minutes usually say a motion “was seconded and passed unanimously” or “unanimously by roll call vote,” with an attendance list at the top (present, remote, absent); split votes give a count and name the member voting no or abstaining (“passed 2-1 with Ms. Berberian voting in opposition”). On a three-member board, a named no or abstention with the others voting yes names every vote. A count equal to the members present, or unanimous wording, is shown as every member present voting yes. Where the count and the names in the minutes disagree, or a split count names no one, we show the count only (17 votes), and where the minutes give no count or names (mostly 2018’s “The BOS voted in favor”) we show the result only (68 votes). Members who recused themselves or were out of the room are not shown in that vote; members who arrived late or left early are shown only in the votes they were there for. A motion with no recorded outcome is not counted as a vote. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Apr 6Accept and execute amendment one to the contract between…Motion: Motion: To accept and execute amendment one to the contract between…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
April 6, 2020: Accept and execute amendment one to the contract between the Town of Belmont and Waste Management of MA, Inc., regarding the contract dated July 1, 2018, as presented tonight
Motion: To accept and execute amendment one to the contract between the Town of Belmont and Waste Management of MA, Inc., regarding the contract dated July 1, 2018, as presented tonight. (Vote passed 3-0; roll-call vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion: To accept and execute amendment one to the contract between the Town of Belmont and Waste Management of MA, Inc., regarding the contract dated July 1, 2018, as presented tonight. (Vote passed 3-0; roll-call vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein).”
Apr 6Approve the Common Victualler License for Bakehaus by CLC,…Motion: Motion: To approve the Common Victualler License for Bakehaus by CLC,…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
April 6, 2020: Approve the Common Victualler License for Bakehaus by CLC, 442 Common Street, Belmont
Motion: To approve the Common Victualler License for Bakehaus by CLC, 442 Common Street, Belmont. (Vote passed 3-0; roll-call vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion: To approve the Common Victualler License for Bakehaus by CLC, 442 Common Street, Belmont. (Vote passed 3-0; roll-call vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein).”
Apr 6Approve the March 16, 2020 regular session minutesMotion: The process to train chairs on how to conduct remote meetings…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
April 6, 2020: Approve the March 16, 2020 regular session minutes
The process to train chairs on how to conduct remote meetings : was ongoing, and currently still limited to critical business. i APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: e March 16, 2020 regular session: : Motion: To approve the March 16, 2020 regular session minutes. (Vote passed 3-0; roll-call i vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“The process to train chairs on how to conduct remote meetings : was ongoing, and currently still limited to critical business. i APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: e March 16, 2020 regular session: : Motion: To approve the March 16, 2020 regular session minutes. (Vote passed 3-0; roll-call i vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein).”
Apr 6Approve the March 26, 2020 regular session minutesMotion: e March 26, 2020 regular session: : Motion: To approve the…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
April 6, 2020: Approve the March 26, 2020 regular session minutes
E March 26, 2020 regular session: : Motion: To approve the March 26, 2020 regular session minutes. (Vote passed 3-0; roll-call ; , vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“e March 26, 2020 regular session: : Motion: To approve the March 26, 2020 regular session minutes. (Vote passed 3-0; roll-call ; , vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein).”
Mar 26Postpone the Annual Town Election for Belmont, currently scheduled…Motion: To reschedule the Annual Town Election for Belmont to June 23,…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
March 26, 2020: Postpone the Annual Town Election for Belmont, currently scheduled for April 7, 2020, to be held on June 23, 2020, and to make full use of all possible voting alternatives,…
To reschedule the Annual Town Election for Belmont to June 23, 2020. i - Seconded by Epstein, with the proviso to make full use of all possible voting alternatives, including absentee ballot. : - Cushman explained that it was necessary in the motion to formally postpone the currently scheduled election. - Amended motion: To postpone the Annual Town Election for Belmont, currently scheduled for April 7, 2020, to be held on June 23, 2020, and to make full use of all possible voting alternatives, including absentee ballot, for the rescheduled election; and, to instruct the Town Clerk to make all : necessary public notices to this effect. ( - (Motion, as amended, passed 3-0; Roll-call vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein.)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“To reschedule the Annual Town Election for Belmont to June 23, 2020. i - Seconded by Epstein, with the proviso to make full use of all possible voting alternatives, including absentee ballot. : - Cushman explained that it was necessary in the motion to formally postpone the currently scheduled election. - Amended motion: To postpone the Annual Town Election for Belmont, currently scheduled for April 7, 2020, to be held on June 23, 2020, and to make full use of all possible voting alternatives, including absentee ballot, for the rescheduled election; and, to instruct the Town Clerk to make all : necessary public notices to this effect. ( - (Motion, as amended, passed 3-0; Roll-call vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein.).” (second: Epstein)
Mar 26Adopt the declaration of local emergency as read by…Motion: There were no specific powers granted to the Town that were…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
March 26, 2020: Adopt the declaration of local emergency as read by Select Board Member Epstein
There were no specific powers granted to the Town that were not otherwise in place under an emergency declaration by the Governor. : Epstein read the declaration into the record - see below, Appendix A. Motion: To adopt the declaration of local emergency as read by Select Board Member Epstein. (Vote passed 3-0; Roll-call vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein.)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“There were no specific powers granted to the Town that were not otherwise in place under an emergency declaration by the Governor. : Epstein read the declaration into the record - see below, Appendix A. Motion: To adopt the declaration of local emergency as read by Select Board Member Epstein. (Vote passed 3-0; Roll-call vote: Tom Caputo, Adam Dash, Roy Epstein.).”
Mar 16Sign the Warrant for the Annual Town Election, to…Motion: Caputo acknowledged and thanked Town and School employees for their response…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
March 16, 2020: Sign the Warrant for the Annual Town Election, to be held on April 7, 2020
Caputo acknowledged and thanked Town and School employees for their response to this challenging and rapidly evolving situation. : Vote and sign Warrant to hold Annual Town Election, April 7, 2020 Ellen O'Brien Cushman (Town Clerk) explained that it was not the intention to actually hold the election i on this date, however it was necessary to call the election first in order to subsequently have it postponed. : Motion: To sign the Warrant for the Annual Town Election, to be held on April 7, 2020. (Vote passed 3-0)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Caputo acknowledged and thanked Town and School employees for their response to this challenging and rapidly evolving situation. : Vote and sign Warrant to hold Annual Town Election, April 7, 2020 Ellen O'Brien Cushman (Town Clerk) explained that it was not the intention to actually hold the election i on this date, however it was necessary to call the election first in order to subsequently have it postponed. : Motion: To sign the Warrant for the Annual Town Election, to be held on April 7, 2020. (Vote passed 3-0).”
Mar 16Approve the Website Renewal Committee charge as drafted, with…Motion: Following a public comment from Wendy Etkind, who had been a…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
March 16, 2020: Approve the Website Renewal Committee charge as drafted, with changes as discussed, namely, to increase the number of members from seven to nine by adding one resident slot and one…
Following a public comment from Wendy Etkind, who had been a member of the Belmont : Business Study Committee, it was agreed that one of the proposed resident slots should instead be allocated to a business owner, to improve the usability of the website by businesses. : Motion: To approve the Website Renewal Committee charge as drafted, with changes as discussed, namely, to increase the number of members from seven to nine by adding one resident slot and one : Belmont business owner slot. (Vote passed 3-0)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Following a public comment from Wendy Etkind, who had been a member of the Belmont : Business Study Committee, it was agreed that one of the proposed resident slots should instead be allocated to a business owner, to improve the usability of the website by businesses. : Motion: To approve the Website Renewal Committee charge as drafted, with changes as discussed, namely, to increase the number of members from seven to nine by adding one resident slot and one : Belmont business owner slot. (Vote passed 3-0).”
Mar 16Accept the Nursing Services Agreement between the towns of…Motion: Epstein agreed to move forward as long as there was the…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
March 16, 2020: Accept the Nursing Services Agreement between the towns of Lexington and Belmont
Epstein agreed to move forward as long as there was the explicit acknowledgement of what the proposed change entailed. : Motion: To accept the Nursing Services Agreement between the towns of Lexington and Belmont. (Vote : passed 3-0)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Epstein agreed to move forward as long as there was the explicit acknowledgement of what the proposed change entailed. : Motion: To accept the Nursing Services Agreement between the towns of Lexington and Belmont. (Vote : passed 3-0).”
Mar 16Authorize the Town Administrator to sign the joint letter…Motion: The letter was a follow-up to a previous request, signed by…Passed Unanimous, 3 present · see note
March 16, 2020: Authorize the Town Administrator to sign the joint letter to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Massachusetts Port Authority, regarding the Massport CAC and MIT/RNAV study, which requests...
The letter was a follow-up to a previous request, signed by representatives from Cambridge, Medford, Arlington and Somerville, for the FAA and Massport to provide necessary feedback/input required to evaluate potential dispersion options. ; Motion: To authorize the Town Administrator to sign the joint letter to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Massachusetts Port Authority, regarding the Massport CAC and MIT/RNAV study, which requests is a dispersion solution for 33L departures. (Vote passed 3-0)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“The letter was a follow-up to a previous request, signed by representatives from Cambridge, Medford, Arlington and Somerville, for the FAA and Massport to provide necessary feedback/input required to evaluate potential dispersion options. ; Motion: To authorize the Town Administrator to sign the joint letter to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Massachusetts Port Authority, regarding the Massport CAC and MIT/RNAV study, which requests is a dispersion solution for 33L departures. (Vote passed 3-0).”
From the Belmont Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (Select Board). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): The Belmontonian — Matthew Taylor and Carol Berberian (April 2026); Yates for Belmont campaign website — Taylor Yates. Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →