Belmont Select Board Sets 3 and 4 Percent Water and Sewer Rate Hikes for FY27

BELMONT — April 6, 2026 — Belmont Select Board approves FY27 water and sewer rate increases and names a new CFO at Elizabeth Dion's final meeting. The board voted unanimously to raise water rates 3 percent and sewer rates 4 percent for fiscal year 2027, effective August 1, with DPW Director Jay Marcotte citing the need to rebuild sewer retained earnings from a low of $867,000 toward a $2.5 million target. A $50-per-month service charge was also approved for the estimated six to seven households that have refused to convert to the town's smart meter system. Town Administrator Patrice Garvin announced the appointment of Jeffrey Lumbian — a decade-long Belmont civic volunteer recruited from the private sector — as the town's new chief financial officer, starting April 27. The board unanimously approved a $616,972.48 multi-year contract with Stantec Consulting Services for years 8 through 10 of the town's 20-year EPA stormwater permit, which requires removing more than 220 pounds of phosphorus annually from Belmont's stormwater discharge. Retirement Board Chair Tom Gibson presented a proposal to raise the pension cost-of-living adjustment base from $13,000 to $15,000, which would add roughly $2.189 million to the town's $43 million unfunded pension liability; the board took no vote, directing Gibson to reformat the actuary's three funding scenarios side by side before the item goes before the May 4 annual town meeting.