Select Board member Roy Epstein has decided not to seek reelection to a third term on the board this spring.
In an email sent Monday night, Epstein wrote, “This has honestly been one of the greatest privileges and one of the most interesting jobs I’ve ever had. As those of you know who have been there, it’s hard to give it up. I thank everyone who asked me to run again. It’s very rewarding to have served and to feel that people believe I’ve done a good job.”
“Roy has been a good public servant; he truly loves Belmont and has put the town first,” said Select Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne.
Epstein was first elected in 2019, outpolling Jessica Bennett in a close race. In 2022, he defeated Jefferey Lasseter, 3,138-1,530 to win a second term.
In his email, Epstein writes that he was reluctant to decide until he was comfortable with the candidate vying to replace him. Earlier this month, Planning Board Chair Taylor Yates filed paperwork to form a committee supporting his bid for the seat.
In his email, Epstein said he was impressed by Yates’ work on the MBTA Communities Act, which gave him the confidence to announce his plans for the town election.
“I said in 2019 that good government doesn’t just happen. It takes constant work. And you are key partners in helping to make it happen,” he wrote.
Epstein previously served on the Warrant Committee, including a stint as chair.