On the fourth night of Town Meeting, members tackled the foundational issue, establishing the fiscal year 2026 budget for the town and the schools.
The combined budget approved Monday night is $166,226,883. The school’s portion represents about 42 percent of the total.
The line item votes:
- General government: $6,068,213, passed 222-0-6
- Employee retirement benefits: $10,128,274, passed 213-3-6
- Employee benefits – other: $18,166,680, passed 218-1-3
- Public facilities: $7,898,460, passed 223-0-3
- Public safety: $14,696,297, passed 224-1-2
- Schools: $70,618,619, passed 205-2-6
- Vocational education: $234,580, passed 204-0-2
- Public service: $9,455,457, passed 201-0-5
- Human services: $3,954,408, passed 206-0-2
- Debt service: $17,684,656, passed 207-0-1
Public Safety
Police Chief James MacIsaac and Fire Chief David DeStefano were asked about staffing in their respective departments.
The police department has three new officers on the street, with four additional in the academies. According to MacIsaac, the department will be fully staffed with one more hire. The new hires include the first women added to the Belmont department since 2012.
On the fire department side, there are currently six open slots, created by one retirement and five leaving the department for other opportunities, DeStefano said. The department is actively vetting candidates, he said.
Schools
According to School Committee Chair Meg Moriarity, the school budget adheres to the required 5.6% increase set by the Select Board. Most of the budget is salaries, which roll over from year to year.
Other business
Members voted to transfer $3,324,701 from Free Cash into the stabilization fund, 222-1-2. They also voted to transfer $440,364 to a fund designated for post-employment benefits liability.