Belmont Boards Defer Vote on Shared Facilities Agreement Pending Language Fix

BELMONT — September 16, 2025 — Belmont's Select Board and School Committee agreed to revise their shared facilities memorandum of agreement but sent one key paragraph back for redrafting at a brief joint meeting September 16. School Committee Chair Jill Geiser presented four proposed changes to the facilities portion of the MOU — including a reordering of the capital budget request process so school committee members weigh in before requests reach the Capital Budget Committee, and new language permitting school-side access to shared-services funds to administer collective bargaining grievances. The collective bargaining paragraph stalled when Town Administrator Patrice Garvin raised concern that a settled custodian contract could increase salary costs in a subsequent fiscal year and "impact the town side" of the jointly funded account without advance coordination. Select Board Chair Matt Taylor suggested adding "in consultation with" language linking the superintendent and town administrator to any such access. Geiser and Garvin agreed to refine the paragraph and bring the revised document to their respective boards for separate votes. School Finance Director Tony Colleran, appearing remotely, said the benefits portion of the shared arrangement has worked "just fine" and requires no changes.