Belmont Select Board Votes 2-1 to End Hybrid Town Meeting Option This Spring

BELMONT -- April 5, 2024, Belmont Select Board votes 2-1 to hold its 2024 Annual Town Meeting in person only, starting April 29. Chair Roy Epstein and Vice Chair Elizabeth Dion overruled newly elected member Matt Taylor, who had favored accepting Town Moderator Michael Widmer's recommendation to continue a hybrid trial for one more cycle. Widmer, appearing before the board, said remote participation at the fall 2023 Special Town Meeting had climbed from 25 percent on night one to 34 percent, roughly 85 members, on night three, well above what he called an acceptable ceiling of about 15 percent. Town Clerk Ellen O'Brien Cushman put the added cost at approximately $2,100 per session. Epstein also cited the burden on lean town hall staffing and warned that if Widmer does not seek reelection as moderator, a successor should not be asked to manage a hybrid format while learning the role. The board separately voted unanimously to name Dion as chair and Taylor as vice chair effective July 1 and approved the 24-article annual town meeting warrant.