Chief Financial Officer
Town Administrator Patrice Garvin is seeking to fill the position vacated by Assistant Town Administrator/Finance Director Jennifer Hewitt, who resigned in August.
“I have been holding off because it’s not the most ideal time of year to look for a position of this magnitude,” said Garvin.
Though she would like to split the role back into two positions, her plan for now is to hire a chief financial officer.
“I believe the town warrants a position of this magnitude given the size of the budget,” she said. “I’m currently drafting a job description.”
Garvin said she has asked three members of the community to help serve as part of the hiring process. Ideally, she would like to fill the position by early March.
“Municipal finances, it’s tough,” she said. “Somebody really qualified is going to potentially make more in the private sector.”
Board Responds to Open Meeting Law Complaint
According to Select Board Chair Matt Taylor, the town received an Open Meeting Law complaint on Oct. 16 regarding a June 23 meeting.
The complaint expressed concern about the lack of a public hearing process for a new bulk waste removal fee.
Speaking to board members Monday night, Attorney Paul Kominers said the Massachusetts statute only requires that the public body fix “reasonable fees,” and in the absence of a more detailed procedural requirement, there was no need for a public hearing.
“By protesting the setting of fees, it was attempting to force a different response, which is taking up town resources now,” said Taylor.
The board voted to authorize Taylor to work with Kominers on drafting a formal response to the complainant.
Board Signs Grant Letter
The Select Board voted to sign a letter of support for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council Technical Assistance Program Grant Application.
According to Director and Town Planner Chris Ryan, the application seeks technical services, rather than cash funding, to assist in developing a Parking Management Plan for the town as has been discussed in conjunction with the Belmont Center zoning project, but which would be more widely applicable in the town. If approved, it would be a six to nine month process targeted to be completed by the end of 2026.
Director and Town Planner Chris Ryan “thought it would be strongest if it was from all of us as a board,” said Chair Matt Taylor.
The grant would support the development of a parking plan centered around the town’s commercial centers.
“The thing we’ll have to problem-solve for is that we’re much more likely to get the grant if we’re willing to devote in-kind some dollars and time to match what the MAPC is putting in as well,” Taylor said.
