Lubien Named CFO
The town hired Geoffrey Lubien as its new chief financial officer.
“We had 30 applicants for the position; we then narrowed it down to eight, we interviewed six,” said Town Administrator Patrice Garvin. “[The position received] a lot of good, strong applicants, which was very nice considering some years we saw the applicant pool decrease a little bit.”
According to Garvin, she was assisted in the search by three community members, in addition to a representative of the Human Resources Department. Lubien will start on April 27.
Lubien previously served on the Warrant Committee and currently serves on the Senior Tax Relief Working Group.
“He has been instrumental in the last 10 years of municipal finance in the town, and his private sector experience made him an excellent candidate,” she said.
DPW Update
After a “more than active winter,” pothole repairs are underway, and crews will soon begin street sweeping and catchbasin clearing.
The department is also scheduled to plant 175 trees this spring, according to Department of Public Works Director Jay Marcotte. Some of these trees are paid for through the Glenn Clancy Fund.
Moderator Recommends Hybrid Town Meeting
Mike Crowley, in his role as town moderator on Monday evening, shared his recommendation to the Select Board that the annual Town Meeting in May be held in person with a remote option.
“There’s a clear benefit in hybrid Town Meeting in terms of accessibility,” he told Select Board members Monday night. “During our last two special Town Meetings, we have seen about half of Town Meeting attending remotely. I think we’ve demonstrated a hybrid Town Meeting … works well.”
The state is allowing towns the option to hold meetings with a remote component until March 2027.
License and Permit Approvals
The Select Board approved a new common victualler license for Tunami Japanese Restaurant at 30 Leonard St. This restaurant will operate in the space previously occupied by Shine Fresh Asia.
The board also approved Thomas Allan of Arlington Beer Company’s request for an agricultural wine permit to sell and sample beer or wine at the Belmont Farmers’ Market.
Finally, the Friends of the Belmont Public Library were approved for a one-day liquor license for a Books in Bloom Community Event on Friday, May 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Belmont Public Library.
New Use for Old Bus Stops
The board approved a request to convert unused bus stops in Belmont Center to parking spaces. The three unused stops are on Channing Road, Alexander Avenue, and on Leonard Street across from Quebrada.
Select Board Chair Matt Taylor estimated it would add 10 parking spaces to the town’s inventory.
Line painting will be done in the next week or two.
