With one election just barely in the rearview, some Belmont residents are beginning to shift their attention to the upcoming local one.
Planning Board Chair Taylor Yates announced late last week his intention to run for a Select Board seat in the April 2025 election. On Oct. 31, he formed a campaign committee to run for the position, allowing him to raise and spend money by opening a bank account.
Nomination papers, meanwhile, won’t be available at the clerk’s office until Nov. 18, according to Town Clerk Ellen O’Brien Cushman. She said while there have been a couple of inquiries from people over the years to get a jump on fundraising at this time, it’s not typical.
“I see two very different Belmonts in 10 years,” said Yates. “One that’s doing really well, and one that’s not doing so well. The decisions that shape that future are going to be made over the next three years, especially by the Select Board. I feel like we need to work as neighbors … and I want to bring the energy and community skills I’ve demonstrated as chair of the Planning Board and Vision 21 Committee to shape that future.”
Select Board member Roy Epstein’s seat is up for re-election. Epstein was elected to serve a three-year term in 2022.
Joining Yates on his campaign committee is former Select Board member Adam Dash, who will serve as the committee chair, and Cabell Eames, who will serve as its treasurer.
“I was impressed by Taylor’s qualifications and appointed him to the Vision 21 Implementation Committee to shepherd the town’s comprehensive planning process,” Dash said in a statement. “I have been pleased with his work on the Planning Board and think he would bring a new, dynamic perspective to the Select Board.”
Yates, who moved to town in 2018, said his experience on the Planning Board and dealing with zoning issues in town would demonstrate an important contribution to the Select Board. As chair of the Planning Board, he has been heavily involved in the work related to the MBTA Communities, or 3A, zoning.
“I think having a voice like that on the Select Board would give us a lot of momentum,” he said.
Beyond planning and zoning, Yates also has a vested interest in the schools, as the father of three children.
“Housing and commercial zoning are both important to me,” he added. “Commercial, for the fiscal reason, but also housing – I’m a real estate agent by day, so I live the housing shortage every day. It’s just not sustainable … which is one of the reasons I’m supportive of the MBTA Communities Act.”
In general, Yates said he supports government reform. He considers one of his first contributions to Belmont to be chairing the 2023 “Yes” campaign for an appointed treasurer.
“I feel like whatever people want the government to do … we should all agree it should be run well and make the most of our tax dollars.”