Chief Financial Officer Update
According to Town Administrator Patrice Garvin, there has been significant interest in the chief financial officer position.
Thirty applications have been received, she said. The first round of interviews was expected to begin this week.
The goal is to have the position filled within the next month.
Town Receives IT Grant
The town has received an information technology (IT) grant from the state for $128,085, alleviating the need to pull from the capital budget for projects related to IT.
“This is going to work toward getting all of our backlog in documents online to make the government more transparent,” saidTown Administrator Patrice Garvin. “This is really a project that [Chief Innovation Officer] Chris McClure has been excited about doing and starting since he arrived.”
Snow, Ice Budget Update
Of the roughly 60 inches of snow that’s accumulated in Belmont, 38 came in two storms, according to Department of Public Works Director Jay Marcotte.
“There’s a lot of moving parts with the snow and ice budget, meaning we could order salt and we won’t see a delivery for two weeks,” said Marcotte. “From there we usually get an invoice a week or two later. We’ve actively been … trying to tally all of our expenditures.”
Marcotte said he typically approaches the Warrant Committee mid- to late April for snow and ice overages. As for overtime, the department budgeted $134,000 and has spent $135,000.
“Right now, I can tell you we are break-even on our overtime,” he said. “But that’s not including March stipends and union obligations.”
Marcotte said the last time he had to go to the Warrant Committee was 2022.
Garvin noted the town has been able to save “tremendously” thanks to the snow farm created at the incinerator site.
In other news, Marcotte also highlighted the cardboard event on March 7, which drew 75 cars and 1.74 tons of cardboard.
Notes from the Town Clerk
Mail Back Census
The town census has been mailed to every residential address. The census provides proof of Belmont residency, protects your voting rights and supplies information for the 911 system. If your household has not received a census addressed to your family or one addressed to “Current Resident”, please contact the Town Clerk’s office to have one mailed to you by phoning 617-993-2603 or email voting@belmont-ma.gov.
Dog Licensing
Residents can still license their cats and dogs to avoid an unlicensed pet violation of $50 from the Animal Control Officer. Applications and payment may be placed in the secure green Town Clerk drop box located at the base of the steps to Town Hall, at parking lot level and your pet’s 2026 license will be mailed to you. Check out all of the options to license:belmont-ma.gov/1489/Pet-Licensing
