Belmont Select Board Approves Pizzeria Licenses, Names New Assessor at Busy September Meeting

BELMONT -- September 15, 2025, Belmont Select Board approves new pizzeria, names assessor, and hears sharp public criticism over overlay debate. The board unanimously approved a common victualler license and an on-premises wine and malt beverage liquor license for Brooksy's Belmont LLC, doing business as Brooksy's Pizzeria, at 57 Leonard Street, filling the former Stonehearth space; it also licensed Belmont Hills Bazaar LLC at 14 Grub Street. Four public speakers, including former 17-year town moderator Mike Widmer and former Select Board Chair Anne-Marie Mahoney, accused Vice Chair Taylor Yates of making personal attacks on resident analyst Doug Popolo at the September 8 meeting, with Warrant Committee member Suzanne Croix calling the conduct "grounds for resignation." The board accepted the resignation of Dan Barry from the Board of Assessors and unanimously appointed former nine-year Select Board member and accountant Mark Palillo as his replacement. Town Administrator Patrice Garvin received a unanimous 5-out-of-5 performance rating and a 2 percent merit increase totaling $4,681.80, which she voluntarily redirected to a new non-union employee recognition fund. Belmont Media Center Executive Director Jeff Hansel and fundraising volunteer Ellen Schreiber reported the organization has raised $130,000 of a $229,000 goal to outfit new studios at the coming Belmont Public Library and Belmont High School, with a fundraising deadline of November 1.