If I May: Belmont’s Word
On Wednesday Town Meeting will vote on Article 4 and the future of Belmont’s Senior Center. Perhaps even more important, Article 4 will determine whether or not Belmont is a town that keeps its word to its citizens. You are urged to call or email your elected Town Meeting members
Read on to learn the history of the Beech Street Center and more on this current controversy.
Town Still Hangs From ‘Fiscal Cliff’
Do you ever wonder what happened to the recommendations of the 2022 Collins Center Report? Allison Lenk, CFRB Director of Communications and Town Meeting Member, Precinct 8, with Robie White, former Warrant Committee member, authored an update. (recently published in the Belmont Citizens Forum).
The 2022 report, produced by the Edwards J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management, stresses the urgency of acting on their recommendations which were initially made in 2018. The earlier report included a warning that Belmont would be falling off a “fiscal cliff” in the future if changes weren’t pursued.
Tax Abatement Process - How-to Video
Many Belmontonians believe that their real estate taxes are “unfairly” high — that is, the assessed value of their property (land plus buildings) is too high — higher than the valuation of similar homes (comparables). This 19 minute video was recorded in 2022 and is narrated by William (Bill) Anderson, TMM, Precinct 2; member of the Warrant Committee; and CFRB Officer. Anderson leads us through his tax abatement story, from understanding the Belmont tax bill through the process of applying (and fighting!) for an abatement, and to consequently lower his tax bill.
MBTA Act - 3A Maps and Amendments
Carol Berberian, Planning Board and Town Meeting Member shares her insights into the MBTA Housing Act, also known as 3A. Listen to learn more about the proposed maps and amendments.
Advancing the Belmont Compact
Citizens for a Fiscally Responsible Belmont is focusing on three initiatives to further our goal of working to increase accountability, responsibility and transparency in all aspects of town government. The first of these is Advancing the Town Compact.