To avoid meeting during Thanksgiving week, the Town Meeting schedule has been revised to occur on consecutive days during the week of Nov. 18.
According to an email from Town Moderator Michael Widmer, the three dates scheduled for the Town Meeting are now Nov. 18, 19, and 20.
Initially, Town Meeting was expected to be held on Nov. 18, 20, and 25.
Town Administrator Patrice Garvin said during a recent Select Board meeting that because of travel plans, the inability to have a hybrid option at Chenery Upper Elementary School — where the evening of Nov. 25 was to take place — and the “aggressive agenda for the warrant,” the town was considering moving the third night to the week prior. Pushing to December poses a challenge due to deadlines for setting a tax rate, she added.
A survey was sent to Town Meeting members to gauge availability. According to Widmer, 77 respondents preferred meeting on consecutive nights, compared to 61 who preferred the original plan.
“Given the complexity of the issues coming before Town Meeting, I hope you will make every effort to attend one or more of the public information sessions which have been scheduled,” Widmer wrote in an email to Town Meeting members.
Among the issues expected to come before Town Meeting next month is the new zoning map, or maps, to bring Belmont into compliance with the MBTA Communities Law.
New Town Meeting Members Elected
Three precincts held caucuses of Town Meeting members last week to fill vacancies.
Roger Diebold of Fairmont Street was elected to represent Precinct 1, filling the vacancy left by Matt Taylor, who was elected in April to serve on the Select Board.
Ray Lemeiux of Common Street was elected to represent Precinct 3, in the seat which was previously occupied by Vera Iskandarian.
Finally, a quorum of members did not attend the Precinct 4 caucus, so no new member was elected to fill the seat vacated by David Powelstock. At least 18 members needed to be in attendance for action to be taken.
All members elected by caucus will serve until April 1, 2025.