Belmont Select Board Calls May 18 Special Town Meeting, Votes Down Pension Cost-of-Living Increase

BELMONT -- April 27, 2026, Belmont Select Board calls a special town meeting for May 18 and votes to recommend against a retiree pension cost-of-living increase. The board, chaired by Matt Taylor and joined by Vice Chair Taylor Dates and member Carol Barbarian, voted unanimously to open and close the special town meeting warrant covering two articles: a single-character amendment to the gas-powered leaf blower bylaw that would allow landscaping companies to be removed from the town's voluntary compliance list after one written warning rather than a repeat violation, and an appropriation of FY26 funds for Community Path right-of-way acquisition. On the pension question, Barbarian stated flatly, "The town is not in a position to increase spending on anything by a half million dollars a year," citing a projected balloon payment of $7.6 million in 2032 and an estimated four-to-six-year additional cost of $4.2 million. The board also approved a $2,596,999 pavement management contract with Newport Construction Corporation, authorized the Belmont Food Collaborative's 21st Farmers Market season in the Claflin Street lot from June 4 through October 29, and deferred action on warrant articles that would have dissolved the Library and Municipal Skating Rink Building Committees after both chairs, Claire Colburn and Mark Haley, said their projects remain unfinished, with the rink facing a $9,000 shortfall against a $157,000 punch list and up to $96,000 in additional financial exposure.