Belmont meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Belmont boards weigh land deals, zoning changes; no votes recorded yet

This week's Belmont government meetings were largely agenda-based, with no votes recorded in the published agendas and minutes pending. The most significant items under discussion included Community Path land acquisitions, a host community agreement, and proposed zoning changes for a new Hill's Crossing Overlay District.

Select Board: Land, water, and agreements

The Select Board met Aug. 10 to discuss Community Path right-of-way acquisitions, including an MBTA lease and private property easements. The board also considered the FY2026 Water Main Replacements Project, a Host Community Agreement with Clover Partners, LLC, and an RFP for advertising and sponsorship at the Belmont Sports Complex. Two Home Rule Petitions were on the agenda: one on senior tax abatement ceilings and one on remote participation. No votes were taken.

Zoning and planning

The Planning Board will meet Aug. 25 to continue hearings on a special permit amendment at 45 Chestnut Street and proposed zoning by-law amendments. These include a new Section 5.6 on Transportation Demand Management, changes to Section 6.10 on Inclusionary Housing, modifications to the Belmont Center Overlay District, and a new Hill's Crossing Overlay District. The Economic Development Committee met Aug. 20 to discuss marketing for the Belmont Center and Center Gateway Overlay Districts, an update on the Collins Center project, and outreach for the Hill's Crossing Overlay District.

Elections and voting

The Board of Registrars of Voters began testing vote tabulators Aug. 19 for the Sept. 1 state primary. The Town Clerk has scheduled advance processing sessions for early vote-by-mail ballots from Aug. 25–31 at Town Hall, 455 Concord Avenue. No results will be released until after polls close at 8 p.m. on Sept. 1.

Other boards and committees

The Belmont Municipal Light Board discussed a possible electrification fund and cost-of-service methodology. The School Committee held a retreat to draft goals for 2026–2027 and consider subcommittee assignments. The Cemetery Commission discussed pavement repairs and stormwater improvements at Belmont Cemetery, a GIS update, and a lot purchase request. The Housing Authority received a Sherman Gardens update. The Council on Aging welcomed Police Chief Shane Smith and reviewed its strategic plan. The Energy Committee reviewed battery options and an EV bus update. The Community Path Project Committee heard about possible Waltham connector routes.

Cancellations and procedural meetings

The Age Friendly Action Plan Committee meeting scheduled for Aug. 11 was cancelled. Several boards held executive sessions, including the Select Board and Board of Assessors on Belmont Country Club litigation, and the Select Board on a Claflin MOU and union bargaining. The Capital Endowment Committee reviewed its portfolio. The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee approved minutes. The Moderator's Advisory Council interviewed committee candidates.

Coming up

• **Aug. 24:** Belmont Contributory Retirement Board – police stipends, COLA warrant article, assistant director interviews.
• **Aug. 25:** Planning Board — zoning amendments, including Hill's Crossing Overlay District.
• **Aug. 25–31:** Town Clerk advance ballot processing for Sept. 1 primary.
• **Aug. 31:** Next regular Select Board meeting.

Belmont boards weigh development, path acquisitions; primary ballot processing set

Belmont's boards and committees met on a range of topics this week, from a proposed mixed-use building on White Street to land acquisitions for the Community Path. No final decisions have been published yet, as minutes from these meetings are not yet available. The week also saw a cancelled meeting and several upcoming sessions on the Sept. 1 state primary.

Development proposals

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing Aug. 3 on Case 26-15, a proposed two-story mixed-use building at 23 White Street. The applicant seeks three special permits: mixed-use with ground-floor commercial, a reduced front setback from 5.0 feet to 1.3 feet, and an increased floor area ratio from 1.25 to 1.49. The meeting was held in hybrid format at the Homer Building and via Zoom.

The Planning Board met Aug. 4 to review three development cases: a design and site plan review for 23 White Street, a special permit for 62 Vernon Road, and a design and site plan review plus two special permits for 131-135 Sycamore Street. The board also discussed proposed zoning amendments, including a new Hill's Crossing Overlay District and changes to inclusionary housing rules. The Housing Trust met the same day to discuss those amendments with the Planning Board.

Select Board and town property

The Select Board met Aug. 10 to discuss Community Path right-of-way acquisitions, including an MBTA lease and private property easements. The agenda also included the FY2026 Water Main Replacements Project, a host community agreement with Clover Partners, LLC, a sports complex advertising and sponsorship RFP, and two home rule petitions on senior tax abatement ceilings and remote participation. The board entered executive session later that day to discuss a Claflin Memorandum of Understanding and collective bargaining with public safety unions.

On Aug. 12, the Select Board and Board of Assessors held a joint meeting, then closed it for executive session on litigation strategy regarding the Belmont Country Club. The Board of Assessors also met separately that day for the same purpose.

Other boards and committees

The Conservation Commission held a public hearing Aug. 3 on a Notice of Intent for a house addition at 31 Greensbrook Way, which involves removing one tree and building within the 100-foot wetland buffer. The Moderator's Advisory Council met Aug. 4 to develop interview questions for committee appointments. The Lone Tree Hill committee met Aug. 5 to review invoices, invasive species treatment, trail maps, and a boundary survey vendor.

The Belmont Municipal Light Board met Aug. 13 to discuss a possible vote on an electrification fund and follow up on cost-of-service methodology. The School Committee held a retreat Aug. 13 to draft goals for the 2026-2027 school year and consider subcommittee assignments. The Cemetery Commissioners met Aug. 13 to discuss lot sales, perpetual care, and anti-vandalism steps. The Housing Authority met Aug. 13 with a Sherman Gardens update and deferred minutes to September.

The Age Friendly Action Plan Committee meeting scheduled for Aug. 11 was cancelled.

Coming up

The Town Clerk will hold advance ballot processing sessions Aug. 25-31 at 10 a.m. daily at Town Hall, 455 Concord Avenue, for the Sept. 1 state primary. No results will be released until polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Other upcoming meetings include the Energy Committee on Aug. 19 to review battery options and an EV bus update, the Community Path Project Committee on Aug. 19 to hear about possible Waltham connector routes, and the Moderator's Advisory Council on Aug. 19 to interview committee candidates. The Board of Assessors meets Aug. 17 for an executive session on Belmont Country Club litigation, and the Council on Aging meets Aug. 17 to welcome Police Chief Shane Smith and review its strategic plan.

Belmont boards weigh housing, zoning, and land deals; no decisions reported

Belmont's boards and committees met frequently over the past two weeks, but none have published minutes, so no votes or decisions are available to report. The most consequential items on the docket include a proposed mixed-use building at 23 White Street, zoning changes for Hill's Crossing, and a property tax appeal involving the Belmont Country Club.

Zoning and housing

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on a continued case (Case 26-15) for a two-story mixed-use building at 23 White Street. The applicant seeks three special permits: mixed-use with ground-floor commercial, a reduced front setback from 5.0 to 1.3 feet, and an increased floor area ratio from 1.25 to 1.49.

The Planning Board reviewed three development cases: design and site plan review for 23 White Street (Frank Valentino), a special permit for 62 Vernon Road (Nicholas Colavito), and design review and two special permits for 131-135 Sycamore Street (Belmont Housing Authority). The board also discussed proposed zoning by-law amendments, including a new Hill's Crossing Overlay District and changes to sections on definitions, transportation demand management, inclusionary housing, and the Belmont Center Overlay District.

The Housing Trust discussed proposed amendments to Zoning Bylaw §6.10 and a new §10A for a Hill's Crossing Overlay District.

The Conservation Commission held a public hearing on a Notice of Intent for a house addition at 31 Greensbrook Way, involving removal of one tree and construction within the 100-foot buffer zone to wetlands.

Other recent meetings

The Board of Health held public hearings on two tobacco sales violations at 328 Food Mart and Pleasant Street Star K Gas, and discussed a DEP air monitoring device presentation and a FOG interceptor variance request from Godsend Chocolate.

The Historic District Commission held a new public hearing for 480 Pleasant Street and discussed the Belmont Center Horse Trough, budget, and application fees.

The Recreation Commission discussed permits for Porchfest and the Russian School of Math, and received a summer programs update.

The Contributory Retirement Board reviewed financial reports and a Segal 2026 system valuation.

The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee discussed consultant selection and project updates.

The Board of Assessors discussed litigation strategy for the Belmont Country Club property tax appeal.

The Moderator's Advisory Council developed interview questions for committee appointments.

The Land Management Committee for Lone Tree Hill reviewed invoices, invasive species treatment, and trail maps.

The Public Library Building Committee reviewed budget and design updates.

Coming up

The Select Board meets Aug. 10 to discuss community path right-of-way acquisitions, the FY2026 Water Main Replacements Project, a host community agreement with Clover Partners, LLC, a sports complex advertising RFP, and two home rule petitions. The board also enters executive session on a Claflin MOU and union bargaining.

The Board of Assessors meets Aug. 12 for litigation strategy on the Belmont Country Club.

The Belmont Municipal Light Board meets Aug. 13 to discuss an electrification fund and cost-of-service methodology.

The School Committee holds a retreat Aug. 13 to draft goals for 2026-2027 and assign subcommittees.

The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee meets Aug. 13 for minutes approval only.

The Moderator's Advisory Council meets Aug. 19 to interview committee appointment candidates.

Belmont roundup: Recent board outcomes pending as ZBA, Conservation Commission set key hearings

Minutes have not yet been published for any of Belmont's recent board and committee meetings held between July 20 and July 30, 2026, so no votes or decisions from those sessions can be confirmed at this time. The agendas, however, signal several consequential items now moving into public hearings and votes in early August.

Recent meetings — agendas only

The Select Board scheduled a public hearing and possible vote on a liquor license for Belmont Wine & Beer at 32 Leonard Street, along with discussions on the Community Path Phase I MBTA lease, a building committee transition plan, and a draft rink management policy. The agenda also included a vote to accept the resignation of E. Sullivan from the Council on Aging.

The Planning Board set public hearings for 131-135 Sycamore Street (Belmont Housing Authority) and continued hearings on 7 Broad Street, 45 Chestnut Street, and the proposed Hill's Crossing Overlay District zoning amendment.

The Board of Health listed public hearings on tobacco sales violations at 328 Food Mart and Pleasant Street Star K Gas, a DEP air monitoring device presentation by resident Carl Dahlberg, and a FOG interceptor variance request from Godsend Chocolate at 697 Belmont Street.

The Board of Assessors scheduled an executive session on litigation strategy for the Belmont Country Club property tax appeal and coordination with the Select Board on the matter.

Other bodies meeting during this period included the Shade Tree Committee (proposed Shade Tree Bylaw discussion), Recreation Commission (Porchfest and Russian School of Math permit discussions), Historic District Commission (new hearing HDC-26-11 for 480 Pleasant Street), Public Library Building Committee, Comprehensive Plan Update Advisory Committee, and Belmont Contributory Retirement Board (Segal 2026 System Valuation presentation). None of these meetings have published minutes yet.

Coming up

Conservation Commission — Monday, August 3, 7:00 pm, Selectboard Conference Room, Belmont Town Hall. A public hearing on a Notice of Intent for a single-family house addition at 31 Greensbrook Way. The project involves removing one tree and building within the 100-foot buffer zone to wetlands under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Applicants are Xinying Liu and Yueying Liu.

Zoning Board of Appeals — Monday, August 3, hybrid (Homer Building and Zoom). Continued public hearing on Case 26-15 for a proposed two-story mixed-use building at 23 White Street in the LBI district. The applicant seeks three special permits: mixed-use with first-floor commercial and residential use per §3.3, a reduced front setback from 5.0 feet to 1.3 feet, and an increased floor area ratio from 1.25 to 1.49 per §4.2(3).

Housing Trust — Tuesday, August 4, hybrid. Discussion of proposed zoning bylaw amendments to §6.10 (Inclusionary Housing) and a new §10A for the Hill's Crossing Overlay District with the Planning Board.

Planning Board — Tuesday, August 4, hybrid. Review of Case #26-18 (23 White Street), Case #26-14 (62 Vernon Road), and Case #26-17 (131-135 Sycamore Street), plus continued discussion of proposed zoning amendments covering Sections 1.4, 5.6, 6.10, 10, and new Section 10B (Hill's Crossing Overlay District). A proposed amendment to Planning Board rules and regulations is continued to September 8, 2026.

Moderator's Advisory Committee — Tuesday, August 4. Discussion of the council's charge and development of questions for committee appointment interviews.

Residents can attend upcoming meetings in person or via Zoom where noted. Official agendas and any future minutes are the authoritative source for outcomes.