Belmont Warrant Committee Debates Rethinking Its 55-Page Annual Report

BELMONT -- June 11, 2025, Belmont Warrant Committee reviews strong third-quarter finances and debates a complete overhaul of its annual report format. Finance Director Jennifer Hewitt, joining remotely, told the committee that as of March 31 property tax collections were nearly a full percentage point ahead of fiscal year 2024, local receipts had already met their full-year projection, and a $337,000 one-time building permit from a 112-unit McLean Zone 3 development padded revenues further; the Recreation revolving fund held roughly $292,000 after collecting over $600,000 in a single quarter. Select Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne reported that the board had approved memorandums of understanding with Belmont Hill School and Belmont Day School to fund rooftop solar on the new rink, Belmont Day School contributing $200,000 as a near-outright donation and Belmont Hill School prepaying two years of prime ice time under a 20-year right-of-first-refusal arrangement at market rates. Departing member Jeff Levin urged the committee to "shorten it, guys" on its 55-page report, and member Tom Caputo proposed replacing section-by-section budget narrative, which he said increasingly duplicates the town's own budget book, with focused analysis of roughly 15 critical financial topics. School Committee member Megan Moriarty said the committee was raising club and activity fees from $50 to $150 or $200 at all schools, well above most peer districts, and was absorbing significant community pushback on field rental charges.