Frequently Asked Questions

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Massachusetts law requires that all municipalities establish the full and fair cash value of all real estate as of January 1st of the prior year.

The courts have defined this phrase to mean "current market value" the price arrived at by a willing buyer and a willing seller, each with a good knowledge of the market and each acting without undue pressure or compulsion. Thus, in determining value, assessors seek to approximate what property would sell for on the open market, within an acceptable range of error.

A revaluation uses mass appraisal methods and techniques, meaning we appraise many properties at once. Mass appraisal is typically done for property tax purposes and the effective valuation date for all mass appraisals in Massachusetts is January 1st of the revaluation year. A fee appraiser appraises only one property at a time. The appraisal is done for a specific reason, such as purchase, refinance, estate valuation, etc. The date of the appraisal is typically the day it is appraised.

• Sales of vacant and improved properties are the primary source of data.
• Land values are set using all available land sales.
• Analysis of new construction is done to establish construction costs, including builder's profit.
• Analysis of older homes establish the amount of depreciation indicated by the current market.
• Costs of outbuildings from building permits and advertised prices are used to indicate outbuilding values.

Land values change at a different rate than improvement (structures) values. Since building costs and values have not changed at the same rate as land values, the bulk of any total change may be attributable to land. This makes good economic sense, as it is land that is in limited supply.

Annually, the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) performs a statistical analysis of the Town's proposed assessments. Additionally, every five years the DOR conducts a comprehensive analysis of the Town's appraisal process and reviews property values in great detail to ensure that the assessments represent full and fair market values.

To effectively and equitably allocate your portion of all Town obligations, your property's assessed value is meant to reflect the market conditions for similar properties during the recent year analyzed (not the "current" market). Please be aware that your recent tax bill may have increased even if your property's market value decreased during the year analyzed.

Nevertheless, as a Belmont property owner, you have the right to "contest" your property valuation (assessment) by filing a written and signed application for the additional review of your own local tax assessment.

Abatement applications are available in the Assessors' Office at Belmont Town Hall during the month of January and online. Filing for abatement is an option only during the 30 days after the Town has mailed your Third (Fiscal) Quarter tax bill, which property owners normally receive in early January.

If you think your property's assessed value is "incorrect" you must specify your preferred valuation method or rationale and your differing opinion of value in a timely-filed abatement application. The Belmont Board of Assessors will have three months (approximately 90 days) to review your abatement application. Following its review, the Board of Assessors will send out written notification of its action within ten days.

Filing for local abatement does not alter your obligation to pay your tax bill. Each tax bill payment must be received timely by the Belmont Collector of Taxes in order to protect your further rights to appeal.

Your abatement review obligations: You must correctly and timely file your application. Thereafter, regardless of the rationale of your application, you must allow a Town employee full access to all areas of the interior and exterior of your property during weekday business hours during the week or weeks offered.

Assessors database is "frozen" prior to January tax bill mailing: The fiscal year FY 2020 valuation of all Belmont property was determined by the Assessors Office last fall; subsequently our overall valuation methodology and our assessed values were approved by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (MA DOR). Thereafter, the approved assessment database for FY 2020 was "frozen" by our software vendor and during January 2020, the data for each property was displayed on its website. The other public faces of our frozen FY 2020 database are 1) property record cards available at our front counter and the online database 2) on our webpage and 3) in summary form as the 200 page GBC-bound "Street Listing" booklet, available online and at our front counter.

Coupled with "freezing" the FY 2020 database, we open the new FY 2019 database. In that new file, we increase or decrease individual property values as driven by newly input data (abatement reviews, permit inspections, etc.) throughout the year. The resulting assessed value during the active year - at any given time - is the confluence of contributing market factors concerning ownership, use and changing land and building factors. For 12 months, the new FY 2021 database is a "work-in-progress" file and is not a public record. Later in the calendar year, our work on this file is concluded; it is then reviewed and approved by the MA DOR after which time it becomes public record.

Your right to appeal the local Board action: If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your local abatement request, you may have the right to appeal for a courtroom hearing at the Massachusetts State Appellate Tax Board. This appeal must be prepared within three months of the Assessors action.

Interior inspections are an important part of the Town's assessment process. Just as a potential buyer of real estate inspects the interior of a home before making an offer, the Town tries to make a better determination of overall property value based upon accurate data using interior inspections. Examples of data reviewed include: dwelling type, condition, land area, living area, number of bathrooms, fireplaces and whether attics and basements are finished or unfinished.

It is the responsibility of the Assessors' Office to establish the taxable valuation of each individual piece of property in the Town. However, the Assessors do not create value. Buyers and sellers create the value via their transactions in the marketplace.

At Town Meeting each year, a budget is voted on by Town Meeting Members taking into account the limits of Proposition 2 ½, and how much money will be needed to meet all appropriations and other expenses. The difference between the amount approved and the money received from other revenue sources (i.e., state aid, local receipts and available funds) must be raised by property taxation.

Valuation assessments are developed independently from the budget and are used only in the last step of the budgeting process to distribute the Tax Levy. Changing property values do not affect the overall Tax Levy, but it may result in the redistribution of the tax levy burden among all taxable properties in town.

Every year, the Select Board establishes the fiscal year residential and commercial/industrial/personal property tax rates. Those rates represent a tax per thousand dollars of assessed value which, when applied to each properties assessed valuation, yields that property's annual tax bill.

Proposition 2 ½ pertains to the total amount of money raised by taxation, also known as the tax levy. Generally speaking, the tax levy may not increase greater than 2.5% over the prior year's levy plus a factor referred to as new growth which captures the increase in valuation and the tax levy attributable to new construction. However, this limitation does not pertain to individual tax bills. Your bills may increase or decrease by any amount in any given year. Find out more about Proposition 2 ½.

Abatement applications can be filed if one of the following:

• The owner believes the assessment is incorrect
• If the vehicle was traded
• If the vehicle was stolen
• If the vehicle was sold during the year in which it is being taxed and the registration was properly cancelled
• If the owner moved from the Town of Belmont to another city or town, before January 1
• If the owner moved to another state and registered the vehicle and cancelled the registration in Massachusetts
• If the registration is cancelled, it is most important to return the plate(s) to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and to obtain a return plate receipt

• The owner must pay the motor vehicle excise to the city or town in which he/she resided on January 1st.
• The excise for any particular year is due to the municipality in which the vehicle was registered on January 1 of that year. In the case of any person who moves during any particular registration year, the excise will be due to the city or town where the vehicle was registered on January 1 of that calendar year.

Under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) c.60A:2 as amended by Chapter 262, sections 10 through 11, of the Acts of 2004, abatement applications must be received by the assessors within three years after the excise bill was due, or one year after it was paid, whichever was later.

If the owner of a vehicle moves out of Massachusetts and registers their vehicle in another state and cancels his/her Massachusetts registration, he/she can file an application for an abatement for that portion of the year after the month in which the motor vehicle was registered in the new state. A copy of the out-of-state registration is needed to file for an abatement. The license plate needs to be returned to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), in which case the Massachusetts RMV will process a Plate Return Receipt to the owner. A copy of the Plate Return Receipt is needed to confirm to the Assessors that, by the generation of the receipt, an excise bill will not be processed for this motor vehicle to this owner with this registration in the following calendar year.

The Assessors office can then adjust the bill to reflect only the part of the year the vehicle was registered in the state, and grant the proper abatement.

Note: It is important to remember that the bill for a vehicle that is no longer registered in the state of Massachusetts should not be ignored. On unpaid excise tax bills, an owner risks incurring late fees and penalties if an abatement is not granted.

When an abatement is granted, excise bills are prorated by the month, thus the owner is responsible for the excise accrued through the month in which the car was last registered to him/her.

In no event shall the excise abatement be for less than $5, nor shall an abatement or refund under Section 1 of Chapter 60A reduce an excise tax to less than $5.

• Disabled and Blind Veterans: vehicles owned and registered by some disabled or blind veterans.
  • Have been determined by the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Medical Advisory Board (MAB) to be permanently disabled due to his/her military service as documented by the RMV MAB. A veteran with a DV plate is qualified for the exemption
  • Have permanent legal blindness in at least one eye - need VA certificate, or
  • Actually lost or have the permanent loss of use of at least one foot or hand - need VA certificate, or
  • A veteran who was honorably discharged from peacetime or wartime military service and is disabled due to that service according to the following standards
• Disabled and Blind Non-Veterans: vehicles owned and registered by some disabled or blind non-veterans.
  • Actually lost or have the permanent loss of use of both legs or both arms or the sight in both eyes - need Doctor 's certificate, or
  • Have permanent legal blindness in both eyes - need Division of Blind certificate.
• Prisoners of Wars and Surviving Spouses: vehicles owned and registered by former prisoner of war, or their surviving spouses (until remarriage).
  • The Veterans Administration, or the veteran's discharge, documents that the veteran was held as a prisoner of war.
• Massachusetts Servicemembers: vehicles owned and registered by active military personnel whose domicile is in Massachusetts and is on active duty outside the continental United State for at least 45 days of the excise calendar year.
  • As documented by the servicemember's Commanding Officer.
• Non-domiciliary Servicemembers and Their Spouses: all vehicles owned and registered by active military personnel whose domicile is in a state other than Massachusetts and is stationed in Massachusetts or elsewhere due to military orders and a spouse of a servicemember domiciled in a state other than Massachusetts if the spouse is domiciled in the same state as the servicemember and the spouse is in Massachusetts solely to reside with the servicemember.
  • As documented by the servicemember's Commanding Officer.
  • Limit 1 vehicle for personal, non-business use (applied to vehicle of choice), except for non-domiciliary servicemembers and their spouses.

Personal property is "tangible" property. That means the property physically exists. Personal property is assets, goods and material objects used in the conduct of a business and is assessed separately from real estate.

The assessment date is January 1 of each year. Any business that existed on that date is subject to personal property tax and will be billed for the entire fiscal year. This applies to businesses that have closed or relocated after the assessment date. Personal property tax is not prorated per Massachusetts General Law.

All proprietors, partnerships, associations, trusts and corporations must file a Form of List declaring items as personal property as of January 1 each calendar year. This is a state requirement.

The Form of List is to be filed with the local Board of Assessors each year before March 1 to determine its fair market value. If property has no permanent location (e.g. construction equipment), it must be listed with the assessors in the city or town where you are domiciled (legal place of residence).

The following summarizes personal property that must be listed on a Form of List:

(The type of business determines which assets will be taxed locally).

Individuals (Sole Proprietorship and Partnerships)

• Business furniture and furnishings, i.e. desks, tables, chairs, file cabinets, accessories, etc.
• Business machinery and equipment, i.e. computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, copiers, compressors, power tools, landscaping equipment, ovens, food processing equipment 
• and machinery, examination tables, x-ray equipment, etc.
• Business inventory, the dollar amount of "stock in trade" that the business carries on January 1. This inventory amount is usually included on the federal income tax form.

Business Corporations

To be considered a corporation the business must be included in the Massachusetts Domestic and Foreign Corporations Book compiled by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
Business corporations are taxable on poles, underground conduits, wires and pipes.

They are also taxable on all machinery used in the conduct of business except:

• Machines that are stock in trade. Example: Inventory for sale or lease such as copy machines from a copy machine distributor would be considered exempt.
• Machines used directly in the dry cleaning or laundering process. Example: A dry cleaning machine owned by a dry cleaner would not be taxable because it is directly involved in the cleaning process.
• Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment used by an incorporated business would not be taxable.
• Machinery used directly in the purchasing, selling, accounting or administrative function of the business. Example: Vending machines or point of sale equipment is not taxable. A computer used by a bookkeeper or accounting department of a corporation for payroll would be exempt, however a computer used to do a client's taxes would be taxable.

Note: Machinery used to provide a service or produce a product for sale or to generate income is taxable. Example: A computer and printer used by a real estate company to generate and distribute information to a prospective client would be taxable.

Manufacturing Corporations / Public Utilities

• Businesses that are classified by the Department of Revenue as "Manufacturing Corporations" and are listed as such in the Massachusetts Domestic and Foreign Corporation Book are not subject to personal property taxes. Link to Massachusetts Domestic and Foreign Corporations Book

The Department of Revenue determines values on poles, underground conduits, wires and pipes for certain landline telecommunications carriers and for gas pipelines.

• Call 617-993-2720 to report a lost animal.
• Post a picture of your lost pet on our Facebook Page.
  • Remember to include contact information and other pertinent details

For Belmont Residents Only

This is a free program for Belmont residents.

Please bring your used needles in a sharps-approved container to the Health Department. We have containers available if you don't have one. Call the Health Department at 617-993-2720 if you have any questions.

Call 617-993-2720 to report a dog that is kept outside and that is barking for more than 30 minutes at a time.

The Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee, a volunteer-appointed group of residents, has developed a letter to encourage residents to recycle.

Belmont provides residential collection for normal household items.  Any remodeling, construction materials, or plumbing supplies are construction material even if the home owner is doing the work.  Belmont  has no facility for taking construction debris.  Residents should ask their contractors or make arrangements to remove this material as part of the construction project.

The Town of Belmont and the Town contractor cannot accept non-burnable materials, such as dirt, concrete, plaster, swing sets, metal sheds or metal waste, because the facility where all Belmont’s waste is transported only accepts burnable waste.

All items for curbside pick up, whether its trash, recycling or yard waste, must be at the curb available for pick up by 7 am Please make sure all items are placed at the curbside by 7 am on your scheduled day to ensure your items will be picked up in the future.

Depending on temperature and aeration, it will be about 6 months before good soil has developed.

No, bacteria and fungi do most of the composting outdoors along with small insects.

Yes.

Please contact the Office of Community Development at 617-993-2650.

Please call the Recreation Department at 617-993-2760 or visit their website.

Please call the Fire Prevention Division at 617-993-2210.

Please call the Office of Community Development at 617-993-2650.

Please call the Town Administrator's office at 617-993-2610 or visit the Facility Rental section of our website.

Please see the Belmont Gallery of Art website.

Residents will no longer call Waste Management for a mattress or box spring bulk pick-up. Instead, residents must call the Public Works Office at 617-993-2680 before 11 am Friday for the Next Available Tuesday pick-up. This list fills up fast and these items are only picked up every other week. It is similar to the same procedure that is used for appliances, TVs and computer monitors. Since this is a pilot program there will be no fee for mattresses or box springs at this time.

Almost 95% of the components in mattresses and box springs can be recycled. Recycling mattresses will decrease Belmont’s trash tonnage and reduce our carbon footprint.

All size mattresses, including crib, and foam. All size box springs.

Air or water beds, Mattress pads and toppers, pet beds.

Yes. Pay your parking ticket online.

No they do not.

It depends on the size of the shed. All sheds must comply with the lot area requirements of Section 4.2.1 in the Belmont Zoning By-Law (PDF) relating to their particular district and the side and rear yard setback requirements of Section 4.3.5 (PDF) for location of accessory buildings.

If your shed is less than 150 square feet, only a certified plot plan is required with the location of the shed and other structures clearly marked. The certified plot plan insures that the property complies with certain zoning regulations after the installation of the shed.

If the shed is greater than 150 square feet, then a building permit and certified plot plan are required to show the location of the shed clearly marked. Additional information may be required depending on the construction of the shed.

The town does not have its own fence regulations. Belmont defers to the Massachusetts State Building Code on fencing. A fence less than 7 feet tall does not require a building permit. However, if the property is a corner lot, the corner clearance regulations of Section 4.3.7 in the Belmont Zoning By-Law must be followed.  Fences greater than 7 feet tall are considered "Spite Fences" and are prone to neighbor disputes.

No. These activities, as well as minor repairs such as replacing a few shingles on your house, are considered "ordinary repairs" by the Massachusetts State Building Code and do not require a building permit. The Code defines ordinary repairs as "Any Maintenance which does not affect the structure, egress, fire protection systems, fire ratings, energy conservation provisions, plumbing, sanitary, gas, electrical or other utilities."

Yes. Window replacement is an energy conservation matter covered in the Massachusetts State Building Code and therefore requires a building permit.

Yes, during late spring, summer, and early fall the Town will approve requests from residents looking to close their streets for neighborhood events. To request a street closure, please complete the Block Party Request form (PDF) and submit it along with the application fee to the Town Administration Office. All applications must be recieved in advance of the event so they can be reviewed by the Town Administrator, Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments. If approved, it is the applicant's responsibility to notify all abutters of the street closing in advance.

Yes, the Town of Belmont has business liquor licenses in the following categories:

• All Alcohol Retail Licenses
• Wine and Beer Retail Licenses
• All Alcohol Restaurant Licenses
• Wine and Beer Restaurant Licenses

For more information on these licenses or the requirements, please contact the Town Administration Office at 617-993-2610.

Any event at a public facility that is not regularly licensed to serve alcohol should contact the Town Administration Office about obtaining a One Day Liquor License. 

Please call the Department of Public Works at 617-993-2680 if your trash collection appears to have been missed.

View information about running for Representative Town Meeting Member or Town-wide elected official.

View a guide to campaigning for office (PDF).

See a current list of elected Town Meeting Members (PDF).

All dogs and cats over the age of four months must be licensed per Belmont's General Bylaw § 60-200. An application to license (PDF) may be obtained on the Town Clerk's webpage.

If you have previously licensed your pet in Belmont, you may renew online. Please note that an up-to-date rabies vaccination certificate is needed before you can renew. To find out if your pet's rabies certificate is current, call the Town Clerk's office at 617-993-2603.

Town Meeting Members and residents of Belmont can refer to the Town Clerk's webpage on Town Meeting Information.

Massachusetts State Law requires that the Town and City Clerks send a census form to every household in the Commonwealth. Failure to respond shall result in removal from the Active Voting List and may result in removal from the Voter Registration Rolls. Non-voters who don't respond will be removed.

More importantly, the census reports the total number of residents for State funding, determines Belmont residency for schools, and enables the 911 Emergency Response Personnel to know for whom they are looking in the event of a 911 emergency call.

Yes, campaign signs are allowed in Belmont however they must be on private property if not attended. If they're intended to be displayed temporarily on public property, they must be held by a person at all times, they may not be left unattended.

On Election Day, all campaign materials must be at least 150 feet from a polling/voting location.

Take a deep breath and dive in.

The first item on your agenda is to get sworn in by taking the oath at the Town Clerk's office. There, the Town Clerk or Assistant Town Clerk will walk you through the oath, the Open Meeting Law, and the Ethics (Conflict of Interest) laws and requirements. Resources and information are available on the Town Clerk's Posting a Public Meeting: Information for Elected & Appointed Town Officials webpage.

Belmont has both General Bylaws and Zoning By-Laws. View the General Bylaws.

All Zoning By-laws can be found on the Office of Planning and Building webpage.

The first time you register to vote in Massachusetts you do need to provide adequate ID. The voter registration form requires either the last four digits of the Social Security Number or the Massachusetts Drivers License Number. If you register to vote online, the form will require you to enter the number on your Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)-issued ID.

The deadline to register to vote or make changes to voter registration is at least 10 days before an election. The Town Clerk's office must receive new registrations or changes by 5 pm on the last day to register.

You may look up where to vote online or refer to these maps.

• Precinct Map - Town-Wide (GIS)
  To use the GIS map: Click the link and then click the "Find" tab on the left side of the page. Enter your address into the search field by street name first and number second. Once found, your property will be highlighted in yellow; click on the "Layers" tab to see what precinct corresponds to the color your property is located in.
• Precinct Map - Town-Wide (PDF)

If you have moved out of Belmont to another city/town in Massachusetts, you need to register to vote in your new community. This will automatically remove you from Belmont and add you to your new community's voting list. If you are moving out of Massachusetts and are registering to vote in your new State, you should write a letter to our office containing your name, date of birth, and Belmont address stating that you will no longer be a Massachusetts voter.

Send a Change of Voter Name Form (PDF) to the Town Clerk's office.

Send a Change of Address Form (PDF) to the Town Clerk's office.

Send a Change of Party Form (PDF) to the Town Clerk's office.

In Massachusetts, the party choices are Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Unenrolled (Unaffiliated). All others are considered Political Designations. If you are registered as an Unenrolled voter or a member of a political designation, you may choose any party in Primary Elections. See a list of Massachusetts Political Parties and Designations.

Inactive status means that the Town Clerk's office did not receive the Annual Town Census which is mailed to every household in Belmont, per Massachusetts General Laws and the voter did not return the pre-paid postcard notifying individuals of the change from active to inactive status.

Every summer, the Town Clerk's office sends Confirmation Cards to voters who have become "Inactive." If a voter signs the card and returns it to the Town Clerk's office indicating that they still live in Belmont, they will be returned to "Active" status.

Signing and returning the annual Belmont Census is the easiest way to keep your name on the active voter list.

A voter may also appear in person at the Town Clerk's office at least 10 days before Election Day and show a valid ID to be returned to "Active" status.

Yes, an "Inactive" voter may still vote but first must provide a valid ID proving the voter's identity and current place of residence. See acceptable IDs (PDF).

See what forms of ID are accepted at the polls (PDF).

Under MGL Chapter 60A, all Massachusetts residents who own and register a motor vehicle must annually pay a motor vehicle excise. Also, under MGL Chapter 59, Section 2, it is important to note that every motor vehicle, whether registered or not, is subject to taxation, either as excise or personal property, for the privilege of road use, whether actual or future. The excise is levied by the city or town where the vehicle is principally garaged.

The rate is $25 per one thousand dollars of valuation. This is the standard rate for the entire Commonwealth.

The excise tax law (M.G.L. c.60A, s.1) establishes its own formula for valuation for state tax purposes whereby only the manufacturer's list price and the age of the motor vehicle are considered. The formula is as follows:

• In the first year: 90%
• In the second year: 60%
• In the third year: 40%
• In the fourth year: 25%
• In the fifth and succeeding years: 10%

If a new car is purchased a year preceding the model year, for example, a 2012 car is purchased and registered in 2011, the vehicle is valued at 50% for 2011 excise, then 90% for 2012 excise, etc.

Excises are prorated on a monthly basis. If a motor vehicle is registered after the beginning of any calendar year, no excise will be imposed for those months, if any, which have fully elapsed before the vehicle is registered. If a vehicle is registered for any part of a month, however, the excise will be due for all of that month. The annual excise due on a car registered after January 1 will be reduced, therefore, by one twelfth of the full year's excise for every month prior to the one in which the vehicle was registered.

The owner must pay the motor vehicle excise to the city or town in which he/she resided on January 1st.

If the owner moved to another city or town within Massachusetts prior to January 1st of the taxing year, then the owner needs to supply proof of residency as of January 1st, such as a copy of a utility bill or voter registration. Submit a copy of either document with an abatement application. If the owner’s new address appears on the bill, then the owner needs to supply the date of move with an abatement application.

If the owner of a vehicle moves out of Massachusetts and registers their vehicle in another state and cancels his/her Massachusetts registration, he/she can file an application for an abatement for that portion of the year after the month in which the motor vehicle was registered in the new state. A copy of the out-of-state registration is needed to file for an abatement. The license plate needs to be returned to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, in which case the Mass. RMV will process a Plate Return Receipt to the owner. A copy of the Plate Return Receipt is needed to confirm to the Assessors that, by the generation of the receipt, an excise bill will not be processed for this motor vehicle to this owner with this registration in the following calendar year.

• Retrieve an Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (Fillable PDF Form)
• Retrieve an Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (Online Form)

You may qualify for an abatement if your vehicle has been sold, donated, traded, or junked, or if your vehicle has been totaled or stolen.

• Retrieve an Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (Fillable PDF Form)
• Retrieve an Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (Online Form)

If the vehicle was sold, donated, traded on junked: submit a bill of sale, donation or traded or junked document, and either a Plate Return Receipt or new registration if plates were transferred with an abatement application.

If vehicle was total loss or stolen: submit an insurance company settlement or plate return receipt or C-19 (affidavit of lost/stolen plate from the Registry of Motor Vehicles) with an abatement application.

• Retrieve an Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (Fillable PDF Form)
• Retrieve an Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (Online Form)

Abatements are prorated by the month. No abatement can reduce a tax to less than $5, and no abatement of less than $5 will be granted.

Under M.G.L. c.60A:2 as amended by Chapter 262, sections 10-11, of the Acts of 2004, abatement applications must be received by the assessors within three years after the excise bill was due, or one year after it was paid, whichever was later.

• Retrieve an Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (Fillable PDF Form)
• Retrieve an Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (Online Form)

• Limit: one vehicle for personal, non-business use (applied to vehicle of choice).
• Ownership: a vehicle owned jointly with his/her spouse or with some other person(s) satisfies the ownership requisite for a full exemption.
• Leased Vehicles: For each eligible taxpayer, the exemption from the excise for any excise calendar year is limited to one vehicle, owned or leased, for personal, non-business use at a time, i.e., the taxpayer cannot receive an exemption on two vehicles, whether owned or leased, at the same time in the same excise calendar year.

According to M.G.L, Chapter 60A, § 1, the following persons qualify for an exemption on motor vehicle excise tax:

Blind

1. Suffer a permanent impairment of vision in both eyes.
2. Submit either a certificate from the Division of the Blind or a physician’s letter.

Handicapped

1. Suffer a loss or permanent loss of use of both arms or both legs.
2. Submit a physician’s letter. If the exemption is being sought due to loss of use of both limbs, the letter must state that it is a permanent loss.

Veterans (with no special plate)

1. Suffer a loss or permanent loss of use of one foot, one hand, one eye, or permanent impairment of vision in at least one eye.
2. Submit a certificate from the Veteran’s Administration Office.

Veterans with Disabled Veteran Plate

The Medical Advisory Board within the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has determined that the veteran is permanently disabled and the RMV has issued a disable veteran license plate.

Prisoner of War and Surviving Spouse

1. Registers a vehicle with a POW license plate.
2. Surviving spouse may receive the exemption until remarriage.

Non-Domiciliary Military Person (50 USC. App. §571, Federal Service Members Civil Relief Act)

1. Military persons assigned to Massachusetts by the Armed Forces who are not Massachusetts domiciliaries.
2. Submit a letter from either the commanding or personnel officer certifying that s/he is a domiciliary of another state.

• Retrieve an Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (Fillable PDF Form)
• Retrieve an Application for Abatement of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (Online Form)

When you fail to pay a motor vehicle excise, a tax collector can collect the delinquent excise by placing ("marking") your vehicle registration and operating license in non-renewal status at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). You must pay the excise within 30 days of receiving the bill. If you do not pay on time penalties and interests will accrue.

If you do not fully pay a motor vehicle excise on or before its due date, you also have to pay:

• Interest (12% per year, from due date to payment date), and
• Collection costs for:
• Sending a demand for payment of the excise – Set locally, up to $30
• Issuing a warrant to collect the excise to a deputy collector, assistant collector or other officer - $10
• Sending a notice that a warrant to collect the excise has been issued to a deputy collector, assistant collector or other officer - $12
• Serving the warrant to collect the excise - $17
• “Marking” the taxpayer’s vehicle registration and operator’s license for non-renewal at the RMV - $20

If the total amount of interest and collection costs added to an overdue motor vehicle excise is $15 or less, a tax collector may (but is not required to) waive any or all accrued interest and costs. Once the total interest and costs owed is more than $15, however, the collector cannot waive any interest or costs for any reason. Visit the Motor Vehicle Excise website.

The average turnaround time for a municipal lien is five business days from the date the Treasurers office receives the request. However, periods of heavy volume could delay processing for up to, but not exceeding, ten business days.

The Town of Belmont does not, under any circumstances, place rush orders on municipal lien requests. Requests are processed strictly in the order that they are received.

No, separate municipal lien certificates are required for each unique parcel id requested, and all of which are subject to separate $25 processing fees.

If requested ahead of time, municipal liens can be scheduled for pick up rather than delivery. Hours for pick up are 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

The Treasurer’s office post receipts daily and municipal lien certificates are calculated to the day they are printed.

The municipal lien certificate includes per diem data for all outstanding amounts.

Please call the Water Division at 617-993-2700 during normal business hours 8 am to 4 pm or after hours weekends and Holidays at 617-993-2501 and a service person from the Water Division will determine the cause of the leak and take appropriate action.

The replacement of meters is required due to their age and serviceability. Water meters have a useful life of 12 to 15 years after which the accuracy may diminish.

There is no charge to replace the existing residential meters however if a larger meter is requested an additional charge will be incurred.

Yes, please contact the DPW Water Division at 617-993-2700 for details.

Red water, named after the red or black rust specks you asked about, sometimes occurs when there is an increase or change in water flow, largely caused by water main breaks, fire hydrant activations, and flow direction changes.  These occurrences knock off small particles of rust and stir up sediments in the pipes. It is a temporary condition that usually clears up in a couple of hours.  If possible, you should refrain from using water - for laundry, dishes, cooking and drinking - until the condition clears up.

Cloudy water, also known as white water, is caused by air bubbles in the water. It usually happens when it is very cold outside and air gets mixed in with the water supply. It is completely harmless. The best thing to do is let it sit in an open container until the bubbles naturally disappear.

Belmont receives its water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). MWRA treats its drinking water so that it has a pH of approximately 9.3, a slightly alkaline measurement. This pH level helps prevent water from picking up any metal particles that might be in your household plumbing.

Untreated, ""raw"" water in MWRA's Quabbin Reservoir has a pH of approximately 6.8, close to neutral.

pH measures the amount of hydrogen ion activity in a substance. The pH scale is relative and runs from 0 to 14. 0 is the lowest, and most acidic, pH level. 7 is neutral. 14 is the highest and most alkaline pH level.

Belmont’s water is considered soft.  Belmont water has hardness of about 15 to 20 mg/l (milligrams per liter) or about 1 grain/gallon (1 grain/gallon = 17.1 mg/l).  For comparison, hard water would have greater than 75 mg/l hardness.

Yes, Belmont's water contains fluoride. Fluoride is added after disinfection. The MWRA fluoride dose is 1.0 mg/l with a desired range of 0.8 to 1.2 mg/l. Belmont water contains a fluoride residual of 0.9 to 1.0 mg/l.

To request paid tax statement please fill out the Tax Information Request Form (PDF) and email the treasurer or send the request by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Typically paid tax statement requests will be completed within 1-3 business days. The Treasurer's Office staff will not perform tax payment research while customers wait at the cashier window.

Tax Title is a term referring to a delinquent Real Estate account where a lien has been filed against the property to protect the Town's interest in the past due balance. The Treasurer Collector is tasked with keeping properties on the tax rolls to maximize collections; the tax taking process is a tool to bring accounts back into good standing and to keep the overall tax rate as low as possible. A Tax Title is a lien placed on a property for nonpayment of property taxes. The Tax Title gives the Town the right to foreclose on the delinquent property and so claim right to ownership as well as the right to sell the tax lien on the property in a public auction to a winning bidder.

After the 4th Qtr Real Estate bill is due May 1st, $15 demands are sent for all past due balances and are due in 14 days. Once a demand has been issued and remains unpaid the following steps are taken:  notification of lien letter, letter of intent to advertise in newspaper, then Newspaper advertisement, tax taking, and filing with registry of deeds.  Interest accrues on tax title accounts at 16%. Massachusetts General Laws allows the Treasurer Collector to begin the tax taking process at this time, which involves advertising the past due balance and intent to take in the local newspaper, and finally filing an instrument of taking at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds. The cost of this process is added to the property's tax bill. When a property is taken, the lien that is filed secures the Town's interest in all taxes, interest, and fees due, and the tax account is moved into what we call "tax title." The property owner is still the owner of record and is still able to live or do business in the property. If the property is sold, this lien ensures the Town receives payment out of the sale proceeds. 

Six months after the tax taking, the Town is authorized to begin the foreclosure process. All legal fees incurred by the Town are added to the tax title account. This process can often take more than a year to complete, so there is still ample time for the property owner to "redeem the property," or pay off the tax bill. 

Payment plans are available for all delinquent accounts, and adherence to the agreement will put a pause on the foreclosure process.

For the list of Tax Title properties, please contact the Treasurer/Tax Collector's Office via email.

The Open Meeting Law requires 48 hours' notice prior to the meeting, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. For example, a meeting held on a Monday needs to be posted on the Thursday before the meeting.

Each meeting posting must be sent to the Town Clerk's office to be accepted and then posted on the Town's online calendar.

A "quorum" is defined as "a simple majority of the members of the public body, unless otherwise provided in a general or special law, executive order or other authorizing provision."

Thus, when less than a quorum meets (that is not a subcommittee of the public body), it is not considered a "meeting" under the law.

Belmont's boards, committees, and commissions require at least half of the committee members, plus one, to be present to have a quorum. This is based on the number of seats defined in the charge of the public body, regardless of any vacancies.

Local Commissions on Disability may meet without a quorum physically present in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 20(e), where additional members participate remotely in order to reach the quorum.

No. The Open Meeting Law requires that any communication between or among a quorum of a public body on any matter within its jurisdiction must be conducted during a noticed public meeting. This includes any substantive information that the body will later decide on in a public meeting.

See Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 18 and Section 20.

The Attorney General recommends that a public body that does not achieve a quorum for a particular meeting consider postponing the meeting until a quorum is present, rather than proceeding with an informal discussion.

The Open Meeting Law prohibits serial communication between or among members of a public body that reach a quorum of members outside of a noticed meeting. Thus, when a sub-quorum discusses a topic, which is then shared with a quorum outside of a meeting, it may be considered improper deliberation. See District Attorney for the Northern District versus School Committee of Wayland, 451 Massachusetts 561, 570-571 (2009) ("Governmental bodies may not circumvent the requirements of the open meeting law by conducting deliberations via private messages, whether electronically, in person, over the telephone, or in any other form").

A public body may discuss logistics (date, time, location) for meetings. Members can also request items to be added to an agenda, but should refrain from deliberation or discussion.

While the Open Meeting Law is silent with regard to holding public meetings on Sundays, Belmont's standard practice is not to hold public meetings on Sundays or holidays when access to public buildings may be limited and when the public does not normally anticipate the scheduling of a public meeting. It is also not recommended to hold public meetings on election days.

The current Belmont High School lacks sufficient space for the existing number of students and enrollment is projected to significantly increase in coming years. Between 2010 and 2019, it is projected that Belmont's enrollment will have increased by 1,000 students. By 2024, there will be more than 4,900 students in Belmont's schools with class sizes of close to 400 across the District. This impacts the educational experience of the students and the ability of the school's faculty and staff to provide a proper learning environment. Most of the Belmont High School building's utilities are original to the building, have reached the end of their useful life, and are not energy efficient. There have been no additions or major renovations of the building since it opened and building is not Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. In addition, the building lacks many of the spaces and technologies required to fulfill modern educational requirements and goals.

This determination has not yet been made. A study of both renovation and new construction options are required by the MSBA’s Feasibility Study Phase.

Virtually all components of the high school's mechanical and electrical systems are original to the building and have been utilized beyond their expected "useful life design." No major renovations, aside from an update to the fire alarm system, have occurred since the building was opened in 1970.

The Belmont High School (BHS) building has been well-maintained but is heavily used. Throughout the building, signs of severe wear and tear are evident. Many windows throughout the building leak and have caused damage throughout the lobby and 1st floor classrooms. In addition, there have been leaks in the small theatre, and even with remediation this is a recurring issue. The current public address (PA) system is inadequate, unreliable, and does not sufficiently reach all students and the building does not contain modern security systems such as security cameras or adequately secured doors. In addition, the building is not Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, there is not a wheelchair accessible elevator, and access to several classrooms, offices, and restrooms is limited.

In 2013, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) identified the limited space at BHS as negatively impacting the delivery of instruction and curriculum. Because of this and multiple building infrastructure issues, BHS is currently on warning for facilities. In addition, space constraints have resulted in limited flexibility for instruction throughout the building. Many spaces have been repurposed and modified in an attempt to accommodate programmatic needs. For example, the building's garage space has been converted to an orchestra and chorus rooms, science labs are being conducted in general classrooms-not designed as science labs, office spaces have been converted into English Language Learner (ELL) classrooms, and lecture halls have been converted to wellness classrooms. Every space in the high school is being used at maximum capacity.

Belmont is experiencing skyrocketing enrollment. In the past six years, enrollment has increased by 631 students. Furthermore, the MSBA's demographers and an independently contracted demographer, retained by Belmont, both project a steady upward trend of an additional 100 plus students a year with a projected overall increase of 1,000 students between 2011 and 2024. In 2024, there will be close to 4,900 students in Belmont's schools.

In 2016, the BHSBC contracted with McKibben Demographics to conduct a comprehensive analysis and forecast of Belmont's demographics, including population and school enrollment forecasts.

This process was run parallel to the MSBA Demographic study for Belmont, and collectively the design enrollment numbers were confirmed for the Project. The design enrollment numbers are the basis for the layout of core classroom spaces in a new building. In addition to these numbers, there are enrollment numbers for special classrooms such as LABBB (Lexington, Arlington, Burlington, Bedford, Belmont Program for Special Education) which are incorporated into the design numbers by the MSBA. The design enrollment numbers for the 7 through 12 school, excluding LABBB, are 2,215.

The MSBA would not allow Belmont to build a fifth elementary school as part of the Belmont High School Building Project. The idea has, however, been researched extensively by the Belmont School Committee. Building a fifth elementary school in Belmont was not deemed feasible as there is no site available for a new school and there is no funding vehicle in place to fund a new elementary school.

The school department has researched this option and has determined that it is not viable. The Chenery building would have a disproportionally large number of students, while smaller schools, like Burbank and Butler, would have only two classes per grade. Neither of these scenarios support Belmont's educational vision. In addition, there is no vehicle in place to fund the renovations necessary to make Chenery an elementary school and to alter the four elementary schools so they could accommodate older students.

Belmont's educational vision reflects the changing way that students are educated and emphasizes the need to create an environment that fosters 21st century learning and prepares students to be creative problem solvers, critical thinkers, effective communicators, and skilled collaborators.

Collaborative learning activities, including project-based activities, joint problem solving, debates, and more, re-define the traditional student-teacher relationship in the classroom. Students learn not only from their teacher but also from fellow students. Classrooms must be flexible and foster group work. In a 21st century learning environment, the classroom itself becomes a teaching device. Students become drivers in the learning process, actively working together to solve problems, inquire, and discover. The need for an environment that supports and enhances the learning process, encourages innovation, and fosters positive relationships is imperative in today's climate.

The partners for the project include the Belmont High School Building Committee (representing the Town of Belmont and the Belmont Public Schools), the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the Owner's Project Manager (Daedalus Projects), the Architect/Designer (Perkins+Will), and the Construction Manager (Skanska).

The Belmont Middle and High School Building Committee members are:

• Kate Bowen, School Committee Member
• Patricia Brusch, Committee Vice Chair, Permanent Building Committee Chair, Capital Budget Committee
• Thomas Caputo, Selectman, Space Task Force, CMS parent
• Joseph DeStefano, Planning Board, construction experience, CMS and BHS parent
• Stephen Dorrance, Director of Facilities
• Patrice Garvin, Town Administrator, MCPPO Certified
• Bill Lovallo, Committee Chair, Permanent Building Committee, engineering experience, CMS parent
• Michael McAllister, Principal, Chenery Middle School
• Robert McLaughlin, Permanent Building Committee, Warrant Committee
• Christopher Messer, Committee Secretary, operations and real estate experience, BHS parent
• Diane Miller, architecture experience, CMS and BHS parent
• Joel Mooney, Permanent Building Committee, engineering experience
• John Phelan, Superintendent of Schools
• Ellen Schrieber, Warrant Committee Member, CMS Parent
• Jamie Shea, Foundation for Belmont Education, BHS teacher, Burbank, CMS, and BHS parent
• Emma Thurston, Committee Treasurer, business experience, BHS Parent

The Belmont High School Building Committee is an independent committee appointed by the Town Moderator that was approved by the Town of Belmont at the February 2016 Town Meeting. The Committee is a requirement of the MSBA and representatives appointed to the Belmont High School Building Committee must include: a member who is MCPPO certified, a local Chief Executive Officer Administrator or Manager, a School Committee Member (minimum of one), the Superintendent of Schools, a local official responsible for building maintenance, a Representative of Office authorized by law to construct school buildings, the School Principal, a member knowledgeable in Belmont's educational mission and the function of a school facility, a local budget official or member of a local finance committee, and one or more members of the community with architecture, engineering, and/or construction experience.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is a quasi-independent government authority created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth's public schools. The MSBA strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient schools across Massachusetts. The MSBA, which has a dedicated revenue stream of one penny of the state's 6.25% sales tax, collaborates with municipalities to equitably invest in finding the right-sized, most fiscally responsible, and educationally appropriate solutions to create safe, sound, and sustainable learning environments.

The Belmont High School Building Committee (BHSBC) selected Daedalus Projects, Inc. to serve as the Owner's Projects Manager for the Belmont High School Building Project and the MSBA approved the selection in April 2017. The Owner's Project Manager (OPM) provides project management guidance throughout the life of a public-school project. Massachusetts General Law (MGL) requires that an OPM is contracted for any public building project where services are estimated to exceed $1.5 million. The duties of the OPM include, but are not limited to: providing advice and consultation with respect to design, value engineering, scope of work, and cost estimating; general contractor and subcontractor prequalification; scheduling, construction, and the selection and negotiation with, and oversight of, a designer and a general contractor for the project; and ensuring the preparation of time schedules, and assisting in project evaluations.

The BHSBC and the Owners Project Manager (Daedalus Projects), in collaboration with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), selected Perkins&Will as the Belmont High School Project Design Team. The Perkins&Will team includes consultants in 29 different areas of specialization including educational programming, engineering, cost estimating, site analysis, sustainable/green design, security, and traffic, among other areas. Perkins+Will will collaborate with the OPM and the BHSBC to complete the Feasibility Study, with the goal of creating an academic model that is forward-looking and supports Belmont's increased student enrollment and evolving educational needs.

The Belmont High School Building Committee selected Skanska as the construction management firm for the Belmont 7 through 12 school project. The construction management team works with the BHSBC, the OPM, and the architecture firm to form plans for delivery of a project based on construction documents and specifications. As consultants to the project, the construction management firm is instrumental in outlining logistics, design development, and construction phasing.

The “delivery method” for the construction of the Belmont High School Building Project is yet to be determined and will be based on the size and scope of the project. A General Contractor (GC) or Construction Manager (CM) will be responsible for the construction contract. The GC or CM contract will be bid in accordance with Massachusetts Public Bidding laws (M.G.L. c. 149/149A).

Grades 7 through 12 will be at the new school.

The Belmont School Committee chose a 7 through 12 grade configuration as a comprehensive, district-wide solution to ameliorate overcrowding problems throughout the District. With a 7 through 12 building, Belmont will be able to properly implement its educational vision and will be able to address current enrollment, space, and operations issues. A 7 through 12 school provides a long-term solution for the town. Extensive research and information gathering for the grade configuration decision included:

• Educational Visioning Workshops
• Grade configuration and District-Wide space analysis
• Building Systems Assessment
• Site Constraint Study
• Educational Programming Analysis
• Community Design Workshops
• Enrollment Trend analysis
• Teacher, School Administration and Community Input
• Traffic Pattern and Options Analysis
• Social-Emotional-Learning Analysis
• Environmental and Sustainable Design Study

With lower grades on the Belmont 7 through 12 School campus, careful work will be done to ensure adequate separation between younger and older students. Some strategies that may be employed to achieve this include: physical separation of classroom wings; adjusting school schedules such that older and younger students arrive and depart at different times; and carefully controlling the flow of students through communal areas.

Additionally, there are many exciting educational opportunities that exist when 7th and 8th grades are included on a high school campus. The opportunities for thoughtful educational connections between grades could include mentoring programs and other cross-grade learning opportunities as well as access to shared robotics labs, maker spaces, and other educational areas.

Yes, afterschool will be available for 7th and 8th graders at the school. The School Committee will work with BASEC (Belmont After School Enrichment Collaborative) to determine the needs of the 7th and 8th graders in the 7 through 12 building. Afterschool needs were taken into consideration during the feasibility phase of the project.

The Belmont High School Building Project has received approval from the MSBA to study options for multiple grade configurations: 9 through 12, 8 through 12, and 7 through 12.

Should the Town decide to include lower grades on the Belmont High School campus, careful work will be done to ensure adequate separation between younger and older students. Some strategies that may be employed to achieve this include: physical separation of classroom wings; adjusting school schedules such that older and younger students arrive and depart at different times; and carefully controlling the flow of students through communal areas.

Additionally, there are many exciting educational opportunities that exist when 7th and 8th grades are included on a high school campus. The opportunities for thoughtful educational connections between grades could include mentoring programs and other cross-grade learning opportunities as well as access to a shared robotics lab or maker space. Including lower grades on the new Belmont High School campus would alleviate crowding throughout the district.

The decision to go forward with a major addition with minor renovation design scheme that will maintain, with upgrades, the existing fieldhouse and pool, was based on extensive research and information gathering, including:

• Educational Visioning Workshops
• Grade Configuration and District-Wide Space Analysis
• Building Systems Assessments
• Site Constraint Study
• Educational Programming Analysis
• Community Design Workshops
• Enrollment Trend Analysis
• Teacher, School Administration, and Community Input
• Traffic Pattern and Options Analysis
• Social-Emotional-Learning Analysis
• Environmental and Sustainable Design Study

After examining the design options, including new construction, renovation, and renovation with addition, it was determined that a renovation with major addition would most adequately address the town's needs.

The school will be a 7 through 12 lower and upper-school building. The school, which will be situated on the current Belmont High School (BHS) site, although with a different building orientation, will include minor renovation and a major addition. Both the fieldhouse and the pool will remain in their current locations, with upgrades.

For multiple views, both exterior and interior, of the proposed school, please visit the "Site Design" section of the website under "Presentation Materials."

The size of the 7 through 12 building is dictated by a design enrollment of 2,215 students, Belmont's educational program, and the MSBA's space allotment for various classroom uses. This comes out to a building square footage of 451,575 SF. This is considerably larger than the current 257,120 SF high school building due to drastically increased enrollment and the incorporation of two additional grades (7th and 8th).

Multiple views of classrooms and other interior school areas are available in the "Site Design" section of the "Presentation Materials" section of the website.

All Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) projects are required to design for the most recent version of LEED-S (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or NE-CHPS (Northeast Collaborative for High Performance Schools) and exceed Massachusetts Energy base code by 10%. Furthermore, the MSBA's Green Schools Program provides incentives to districts to increase the energy efficiency and sustainability of new construction and major renovation/addition projects by exceeding Massachusetts Energy base code by 20% for two additional reimbursement percentage points.

The MSBA has established several sustainable green programs for all MSBA-funded projects, with an increased emphasis on reducing energy and water consumption. These programs include updated standards for new and major renovation/addition projects. The Belmont High School Building Committee is working closely with Sustainable Belmont and is pursuing efficient alternative energy sources which will realize a life cycle cost benefit. In addition, exploring the goal of Zero Net Energy is a project objective.

The location of the proposed community path and the possible tunnel under the railroad tracks is still being worked on by the Community Path Implementation Advisory Committee (CPIAC). The location of the path, tunnel, and the Belmont High School Project will be coordinated when more is known about the high school's size and location.

The White Field House will be removed to accommodate the new 7 through 12 school. Renovations of the school field house will be made to accommodate locker rooms for the football team, as well as the other BHS teams. The BHSBS is working closely with the Belmont High School Athletic Director to ensure that the needs of all BHS's sports teams are taken into consideration during construction and that disruptions will be minimized as much as possible.

Access to the track and Harris Field will be accessible during all phases of construction via a designated pedestrian path.

The BHSBC is working closely with the Brendan Grant Foundation and the Belmont Public School to ensure that all features of the current field will be included in the relocated field along with some improvements made in collaboration with the Foundation.

Belmont High School was completed in 1970, before current standards regarding use of materials in construction and environmental regulations were put in place. In anticipation of work inside the existing building and across the Belmont High School property, data has been obtained, studied and evaluated for environmental concerns that may impact design, construction, and future use of the Project. The environmental study concluded that there are no exposure risks above EPA standards at the current high school site. In addition, Belmont High School's asbestos containing material survey has been updated so that it will be managed appropriately during construction, and the Belmont High School site has been investigated to evaluate whether historical site usage will impact the Belmont 7 through 12 school. All costs related to these concerns are factored into project costs.

The CM's (Construction Manager) construction contract will be bid in accordance with Massachusetts Public Bidding laws (Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) chapter 149A). While Skanska will manage the construction process, the subcontractors performing the work will be determined following the State's public bid process.

MSBA regulations require that the Belmont High School Building Committee consider various construction and site options during the Feasibility Study Phase, including addition/renovation of the existing school and new construction on the existing site.

The current schedule for the 7 through 12 project is:

• Completion of Feasibility Study - Spring 2018
• Completion of Preferred Schematic Design - Summer 2018
• Secure Project Funding - Town-Wide Vote - November 2018
• Completion of Building Design - April 2019
• High School (9-12) Construction - June 2019 to July 2021
• High School Occupancy - September 2021
• Middle School (7-8) Construction - July 2021 to May 2023
• Middle School Occupancy - September 2023

The Construction Manager will develop a strategy for phased construction and occupancy of the 7 through 12 school. New construction will be done first, such that 9 through 12 students can remain in the existing structure until they can occupy new areas of the school. Once the 9 through 12 area of the school is finalized, high school students will utilize the 9 through 12 portion of the school. At this time, construction will commence on the 7 through 8 portion of the school. All efforts will be made to minimize disruption to school operations and to maintain safety and security for students, faculty, and staff. This may include utilization of temporary walls and partitions, as well as temporary student drop-off areas and traffic patterns.

If the town votes positively in November to fund the Project, construction of the high school portion of the school will begin in June 2019 and doors will open to students in September 2021.

Construction of the middle school (7 to 8) portion of the project will begin in July 2021 with an occupancy date of September 2023.

• Estimated Project Cost: $295 million
• Estimated Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Reimbursement: $80 million
• Estimated Belmont Cost: $215 million

Based upon the completed Feasibility Study, the District and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) establish and document the project scope, budget, schedule, and MSBA financial participation. The MSBA will fund 40.66% of eligible project costs. On November 6th, voters will decide whether to accept the MSBA's $80 million in funding towards the total project costs of $295,159,189 and approve a debt exclusion to fund the balance of the project, an amount for which Belmont's taxpayers will be responsible. If the town votes in favor of the debt exclusion, the project will move ahead.

The MSBA has approved a reimbursement rate of 40.66% of eligible costs for the Project. The total reimbursement amount covered by the MSBA for the Belmont High School Project is confirmed at a cap of $80.64 million.

Submitting a Statement of Interest (SOI) was the critical first step in the MSBA's program to partially fund the construction, renovation, addition, or repair of municipally or regionally owned school facilities located in cities, towns, and regional school districts. The SOI submitted every year by Belmont during the past 10 years allowed Belmont to inform the MSBA about deficiencies that exist in the High School facility and how those deficiencies inhibit the delivery of Belmont's educational program. In 2016, the MSBA invited Belmont into the first phase of their grant program. The MSBA's grant program is a non-entitlement, competitive program, and grants are distributed by the MSBA Board of Directors based on need and urgency, as expressed by the District and validated by the MSBA. Moving forward in the MSBA's grant program requires continued collaboration between Belmont and the MSBA.

Based on the project cost estimates, the real estate tax burden to Belmont's homeowners, based on a 30-year debt exclusion, will be $184 per $100,000 of assessed home value.

The town voted November 6, 2018.

In May of 2016, Town Meeting approved $1,750,000 for the Feasibility Study. 40.66% of the eligible costs of the study will be reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). These funds (40.66% of eligible expenses) also cover payment of the OPM (Owner's Project Manager), development of a Schematic Design by the Architect/Designer, and an environmental and site investigation of the Belmont High School property.

For a detailed description of the unique factors of the BHSBC Project, please view Chairman Bill Lovallo’s meeting notes from the January 23rd BHSBC meeting (PDF).

Project costs at this stage are based primarily on a formula for cost/square footage. Current square footage costs are consistent with other high school building projects in the Boston area, increased by an escalation cost for 2020 construction dollars. The BHSBP number is currently $532 per square foot for construction costs.

View detailed information on project costs for Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) building projects.

The Project is now in the final section of the Schematic Design Phase. During this phase, the District and the BHSBC collaborate with the MSBA to develop a robust schematic design to more fully establish the scope, budget, and schedule for the project. In addition, during this phase, approval for multiple aspects of the project must be secured by the MSBA board and approval by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must be secured for the delivery of Belmont's special education program. Lastly, the project must obtain local authorization and financial support.

If Belmont voters do not vote to fund the 7 through 12 school on November 6th, Belmont will not be eligible to receive the $80.64 million in state aid offered by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). While the MSBA will spend the days following the failed vote reviewing options with the Town, the Town will be required to withdraw from the MSBA Grant program if it does not come up with the funding. If Belmont chooses to request to re-enter the Grant program, it will be required to submit a new Statement of Interest and await a second invitation from the MSBA to enter the Feasibility Study Phase of the MSBA's process. An invitation that took more than ten years for the initial round.

In May of 2016, the Town Meeting approved $1,750,000 for the Feasibility Study. Approximately 36% of the eligible costs will be reimbursed by the MSBA. These funds cover payment of the OPM (Owner's Project Manager), development of a Schematic Design by the Architect/Designer, and an environmental and site investigation of the Belmont High School property.

The MSBA’s schedule to complete the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design phases and secure funding for the full project must be completed by May 2019. The Belmont High School Building Committee is scheduling to meet that deadline with a vote in November 2018 or in April 2019.  

The total project cost estimate, including construction costs, will be developed during the Feasibility Study. A project budget will be established after decisions are made regarding grade configurations, site/location, construction type, and design elements.

Attend community meetings.

All BHSBC meetings are open to the public and the community is always welcome. For a full listing of meetings, visit the calendar section of this site. Community members will receive notification of all upcoming meetings through postings on the BHSBC website, through various communication methods at each school in the district, and through emails from district and community listservs. Public notices will be posted and meetings will be conducted in accordance to Commonwealth of Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.

Absolutely! If you are interested in a tour of the Belmont High School, please contact the BHSBC via email.

Meeting dates are posted on the calendar section of this site and on the Town of Belmont website.

Highland Meadow Cemetery is located at 700 Concord Avenue. Going up Concord Avenue from the Police Station/Town Hall, the cemetery land begins on your left. The entrance is opposite Somerset Street.

Displays are located at the Belmont Cemetery on Grove Street, the Department of Public Works in the Homer Building (Annex), and at the main library on Concord Avenue.

Only current Belmont residents and Belmont taxpayers may purchase lots.

You may purchase your lot(s) at 

Belmont Cemetery Office
121 Grove Street
Belmont, MA 02478

Staffed office hours are generally: Monday through Friday from 8 am to Noon. 
Please call the Grove Street Office at 617-993-2711 for more information.

Your check should be made payable to the Town of Belmont.

Only one flat marker per grave will be allowed (more than one name can go on the marker). No upright headstones or monuments will be allowed. Markers are subject to the approval of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners.

• On a single lot, the marker may be 30 inches by 15 inches by 6 inches. 
• On a double lot, the marker may be 42 inches by 15 inches by 6 inches. 
• On a cremation lot, the marker may be 24 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches.

No lots will be allowed to have any plantings. Flowers arriving with the deceased will be left on the lot until they become unsightly or for up to one week.

No section has been designated for Veterans at this time. We still have a designated Veterans area available in the Belmont Cemetery.

Yes, at the discretion of the Cemetery Commissioners during specified times.

Yes, you may have a flat marker and a Government marker at the foot of the lot.
Allowed flat marker sizes are:

• Single lot - 30 inches by 15 inches by 6 inches
• Double lot - 42 inches by 15 inches by 6 inches
• Cremation lot - 24 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches

We have only been authorized to develop the first four acres of the fourteen-acre site. There is no guarantee that Town Meetings of the future will authorize additional development for a cemetery.

There is no limit at this time. However, the purchaser of the burial rights to the lot must be a Belmont resident or a Belmont taxpayer. We will only sell lots to the end user.

• The Meadow Zone ($4,000) is in the center and will be maintained as a spring meadow open and peaceful. A cremation lot in this zone costs $1,300.
• The Woodland Zone ($6,000) is at the rear of the cemetery (near the Belmont Day School) and has a dense canopy of trees. A cremation lot in this zone costs $2,000.
• The Orchard Zone ($8,000) is at the entrance to the cemetery and will have flowering trees and shrubs. A cremation lot in this zone costs $2,600.

There are fewer lots available in the Orchard zone and the Woodland zone. Each zone has a different requirement for maintenance and perpetual care.

No, because the Town loses money and has to pay a percentage for your purchase.

No.

No. The Belmont Cemetery can accommodate the indigent once verification of finances has been made on an individual case basis.

Yes. This advance purchase of lots may last only a set amount of time. The Cemetery Commissioners may return to the policy of only on an "as needed" basis.

Yes. There will be charges to open a grave for regular depth, to open a grave deep, to open a cremation grave, as well as additional charges for non-residents and for Saturday openings.

Yes.

This has not been authorized at the present time.

Responses to the bid are due on Friday, September 27th.

Responses to the bid are due on Friday, September 27th.

Returning gardeners who want to switch plots have seniority and are granted first choice of any available gardens in the spring. This is done in the order in which requests to swap were received.

After the swaps are complete, new gardeners from the top of the wait list select from the remaining available plots.

Garden fees are decided each Spring but have remained at $75 for a number of years.

Yes, water taps are spaced throughout the gardens where hoses can be attached. Water is turned on in early May and turned off in early October. Water usage is paid out of the garden fees.

Because we have a reciprocal arrangement with all towns in Massachusetts, you do not have to be a Belmont resident to attend programs at the Belmont Council on Aging. However, some programs are restricted to Belmont residents, such as transportation services and the fitness room program.

You may sign up for all programs and activities by phone at 617-993-2970 or in person at the center during operating hours.

The monthly newsletter, "Senior Notes", lists all activities and is available at various drop-off points around town including the Beech Street Center. Also, a calendar of events is on the Town website and on the Center's website.

For homebound seniors, "Senior Notes" can be sent by mail. In addition, participants can sign up to be on the email distribution list, and will be informed on a weekly basis regarding activities.

All Adults are welcome to attend all classes, performances, recreational activities, trips, social assistance, and general use of the Beech Street Center.  Transportation services are restricted to adults age 60 and over, or the disabled, as space permits.  Lunch is for anyone 60 and over or persons of any age who may accompany them.

The MBTA Communities law. or Section 3A. requires that 177 communities in eastern MA with access to MBTA service, including Belmont, amend their zoning to allow multi-family housing. The goal is to address the  housing  crisis  by  encouraging  new  housing  production  in  close  proximity  to  public transportation. Informed by community input and existing Town priorities. volunteer residents in the MBTA Communities Advisory Committee, with assistance from staff and MAPC, are in the process of developing a proposed zoning overlay plan in appropriate areas of the community and encourages multi-family housing in a variety of sizes and price points, near transit, retail. and other services.

On one hand, this is a simple example of supply and demand. On the other, it's a perfect example of embracing being exclusionary. Since the 1980s, municipalities in eastern Massachusetts's near-universal practice of adopting zoning that prohibited nearly every housing type except large-lot single-family homes, have prevented any type of housing from two-families to large apartment buildings or complexes from being built. Initially, this wasn't a problem because at that time, a building boom had just concluded and there were plenty of apartments and other types of units available. The stricter zoning, while prohibiting any multifamily, at least led to a boom in single-family home development in many price ranges. However, as the 1980s and 1990s ended, land available for even single-family development started to become more scarce and much of the available land was steep, rocky, or wet. While the extreme tightening of zoning in the 1970s and 1980s was the contemporary crimp on housing supply, it was preceded by early zoning enabling legislation that granted municipalities the power to restrict housing and other developments. This article in the Globe provides a lot more background on how zoning contributed to the housing shortage, but the bottom line is that since the 1980s, very little non-single-family housing has been built and most of that "little" has been in Boston and the few cities surrounding Boston. It just so happened that just as housing was getting harder to build, Massachusetts economy started exploding with healthcare, tech, biotech, and other cutting-edge industries fueled by a large concentration of institutions of higher learning, which led to a huge number of jobs being created, particularly in the Boston metropolitan region. So it's pretty easy to see the connection between choking off the pipeline of building new housing and an ever-expanding economy with new households. Housing becomes more scarce and prices rise. So yes there is a clearly significant housing crisis. See additional reporting on this side of it:

• Report: Mass. building 100,000 fewer homes than needed each year
• Exclusionary zoning in Mass. led to housing shortage, segregation, report says
• Massachusetts housing crisis testimony reveals complexity of issue
• Mass. housing crisis persists with inventory low and prices high

On the exclusionary side of the equation, while many communities with restrictive zoning would point to their concern over higher taxes, school children, traffic, and environmental degradation, typically the underlying reason communities are exclusionary is that they do not want the people that new multifamily housing construction would bring. It probably isn't a coincidence that restrictive zoning in Massachusetts coincided with forced busing. What isn't more widely known is that many if not most of the prospective tenants and buyers for multifamily housing are public employees like teachers, conservation agents, and fire fighters; administrative personnel like receptionists and clerks; service workers like home health care aides, store managers, bus drivers, or maintenance and landscaping workers. These are the people that are the most housing-marginalized, forced to accept substandard housing, drive long distances to find an affordable home, or make some other even less palatable compromise. The worst case scenario for Massachusetts is that they give up on the state and move elsewhere, which they are doing now more than ever which ironically somewhat softens the deficit and extends the crisis.

The last point to be made is that up to the time when the MBTA Communities zoning law was passed, the state had mostly used incentives to try to get suburban communities to encourage building more multifamily housing. Programs like Housing Choice were intended to incentivize building needed additional housing units. But clearly either the incentives weren't sufficient or more likely, they never would be. It became clear that the state, in order to compete economically and provide sufficient housing for its residents, had to act more forcefully, and did so with MBTA Communities, all within its statutory authority.

Belmont is a "Commuter Rail" Community as per the EOHLC Compliance Guidelines site. Specifically, the state defines such a community as follows, "Commuter rail community means an MBTA community that (i) does not meet the criteria for a rapid transit community, and (ii) has within its borders at least 100 acres of developable station area associated with one or more commuter rail stations." Compliance requirements for Belmont, as a Commuter Rail Community, are provided below. Belmont may not be reclassified unless it decommissions its commuter rail stations. Not likely.

In general, MBTA communities shall have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right (by-right) and meets other criteria set forth in the statute (1) Minimum gross density of 15 units per acre; (2) Located not more than 0.5 miles from a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal or bus station, if applicable; and (3) No age restrictions and suitable for families with children. Belmont, as an MBTA Commuter Rail Community, must have a minimum land area of the multi-family zoning district of 28 acres, which is 1.5% of the developable land in Belmont as per EOHLC formula. Commuter rail communities must also zone for a capacity of 15% of total housing units in Belmont. Belmont has 10,882 housing units, so it must zone for 1,632 multifamily units.

Belmont must have zoning in place by December 31, 2024 and the plan is currently to take this to a Special Town Meeting in September of 2024. At this point, there are no options for an extension and if it fails at Town Meeting, the Town will be out of compliance after the deadline.

The MBTA Communities / Section 3A law requires Belmont to have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing (any residential property containing three or more housing units) is permitted by right. By-right means that a discretionary special permit is not part of the process of project approval. Construction of any new development will still require applying for a building permit, submitting plans, completing inspections, and may require site plan review. Individual property owners will have the option to decide if they want to redevelop their property under the new zoning. No property owner is required to change their property or develop new housing.

Belmont's current zoning has a sliding scale that requires that 10% of new units be affordable (i.e. income restricted) if the project has 6-12 units, 12% for 13 to 20 units, and 15% of dwellings be affordable in projects of more than 20 units. Under the current bylaw, a special permit is required to trigger the inclusionary provision. As such, it would not be applicable to MBTA Communities as this is a discretionary approval. Belmont will need to amend Section 6.10 to eliminate the special permit provision. Note that under Section 3A's guidance, municipalities must provide justification for affordability requirements greater than a rate of 10%. The Committee has contracted for the necessary feasibility analysis showing that our current rates above 10% are economically viable, and we expect that our 12% and 15% inclusionary thresholds will be acceptable to the State.

While MBTA Communities Zoning does not require that communities include an affordable housing component (a certain amount set aside for affordable units), the Town already has an inclusionary zoning (IZ) bylaw (Section 6.10 of the Zoning Bylaw). This requires that housing development projects of a certain size (sliding scale starting at a minimum of 6 units) provide either 10%, 12%, or 15% of the units as affordable. This should be seen as a positive since the Town is short of meeting its 10% requirement on the Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) which means that the Town is still open to 40B developments until it reaches that 10%. Right now we are at 6.21% and every market rate home built increases the denominator and lowers the Town's SHI. If all MBTA units were at market rate, our SHI would drop down to 5.4% or lower. By using our existing IZ bylaw with a minor amendment, we can make sure we do not drop further in SHI percentage and hopefully gain some ground.

There will be additional traffic and need for parking generated by any new development but the project team is aware of these and other potential impacts. There will likely be some minimum parking requirements developed as part of the bylaws but this number hasn't been determined yet. Parking issues are not solely solved through zoning and we'll need to think about parking issues more holistically beyond just the scope of the MBTA program. Walkability, biking, ebikes, van and car pools, car sharing (Zip Cars), paratransit, and mass transit will also be important components of a mobility solution for Belmont. Even with parking minimums, developers and real estate management companies will provide the parking that they feel their customers want and need. Finally, trends for car ownership are diminishing generationally and it may be forward thinking to calibrate looking to the future rather than past trends.

One of the general principles of the MBTA Communities law is to "minimize impacts to sensitive land." The law does not override state or local environmental regulations. New development that may occur within multi-family districts still will need to comply with all applicable state and local provisions. More specifically, there is no public open space included in the proposed zoning changes. Denser, walkable development is actually the most sustainable type of development that there is. Encouraging proximity to workplaces, being walkable to shops and services, minimizing single-occupant vehicle use, and encouraging green public transit are all positive metrics of sustainability. But sustainability also involves two other "e's" including economy and equity, so this program also may be beneficial in those realms as well.

Pending

Building multi-family housing near public transit makes housing more accessible to those who may not be able to afford a car or prefer not to use one. It also encourages walkable and bikeable neighborhoods where residents can access daily needs, like local shops, jobs, schools, restaurants, parks, etc. Housing near transit reduces the need to use a car for short trips, which can reduce traffic congestion, decrease carbon emissions, and improve air quality. It also stimulates economic activity by creating more opportunities for people to shop in Belmont’s local businesses.

Actually, since Belmont passed the Opt-In Specialized Energy Code in the fall, all multifamily buildings over 12,000 square feet must be built to passive house standards, which is as strict as there is currently.

No. Multi-family in 3A is defined as “a building with 3 or more residential dwelling units, or 2 or more buildings on the same lot with more than 1 residential dwelling unit in each building.” A variety of building types, including townhomes, triple-deckers, single-family cluster developments and townhouses could all meet this definition. These are often referred to as the “missing middle” or “workforce” housing types. 

The lack of zoning for multi-family housing is a barrier to developing new housing, particularly "the missing middle" or "workforce" housing.

• Massachusetts has among the highest, and fastest-growing, home prices and rents of any state in the nation.
• Rising costs have dramatically increased financial pressures on low- and middle-income families, young families, single-income households, and our aging population, often forcing sacrifice of other priorities to pay for housing costs.
• Lack of available housing and high housing costs are a primary driver of homelessness.
• This may put our economy and businesses at a disadvantage as we compete economically against peer states. The risk of future job growth moving outside Massachusetts is rising due to the high living costs.

There is no mandate to build any new housing. Belmont is only required to adopt a multi-family zoning district that would allow the development of multi-family units by right. The zoning must allow 15 units per acre average throughout the entire district(s) and the district(s) area must accommodate for 1,632 multi-family units. Once again, there is no mandate to build even a single unit. The Committee and the Town’s consultant are currently working hard to develop districts and subdistricts that will meet the law's requirements that are in the best interests of Belmont. Also note that in some cases, districts will be mapped over existing residential areas where there already is housing. Change in these areas may not occur or may be very slow and any net gain of units will be the sum of new units less old units.

Any projects are created under this zoning, will be constructed and financed by developers and property owners. The Law does not require a municipality to install new water or wastewater infrastructure or add to capacity of existing infrastructure to accommodate future multi-family housing within the district. New development will generate new tax revenue of varying levels based on the type of use and for residential, the number of bedrooms. The expectation is that rather than revenue negative or neutral, that MBTA Communities can be revenue positive for Belmont if done right.

A more detailed answer is that the fiscal impact of MBTA Communities Zoning is not yet known but it is one of the goals of the Committee to achieve a zoning scenario that is not only revenue neutral but could be revenue positive. Currently, Belmont is considering a town-wide market and fiscal impact analysis project that would include MBTA Communities Zoning as one revenue scenario. This data may be available before a Special Town Meeting in the fall of 2024 when the zoning would be considered. Additionally, the Town of Milton engaged with RKG Associates to answer the same question for Milton residents: see the report (PDF).

A MBTA community that does not comply is not eligible for funding from three Massachusetts programs:

• The Housing Choice Initiative-Belmont is not a Housing Choice Community as of January 2024
• The Local Capital Projects Fund
• The MassWorks Infrastructure Program-12 programs focused on housing and economic development, infrastructure, and community. This program funds many things including water and sewer work, sidewalk and road improvement, housing, and much more.
• The State has indicated compliance with the Law will be taken into account for many other discretionary grants from the Commonwealth. The following discretionary grant programs will take compliance with Section 3A into consideration when making grant award recommendations:
  • Community Planning Grants, EOHLC
  • Massachusetts Downtown Initiative, EOED
  • Urban Agenda, EOED
  • Rural and Small Town Development Fund, EOED
  • Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, MassDevelopment
  • Site Readiness Program, MassDevelopment
  • Underutilized Properties Program, MassDevelopment
  • Collaborative Workspace Program, MassDevelopment
  • Real Estate Services Technical Assistance, MassDevelopment
  • Commonwealth Places Programs, MassDevelopment
  • Land Use Planning Grants, EOEEA
  • Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grants, EOEEA, and
  • Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Planning and Project Grants, EOEEA

Additionally, The State's Attorney General issued an advisory dated 3-15-23 (PDF) indicating that:

• All MBTA Communities must comply with the Law.
• Non-compliant communities may be subject to civil enforcement action and risk liability under federal and state fair housing laws and anti-discrimination Laws. The Town of Milton may serve as a good example of non-compliance. They have already lost a grant and have been sued.

The State EOHLC has recently come out with revisions to the 3A MBTA Communities guidelines that do allow for a (mandatory) mixed-use district to be created in existing village centers/downtown areas that wish to retain the mixed-use development. This district can offset up to 25% of the required capacity for units for the municipality but the land zoned in this smaller district is excluded from the overall acre requirement for MBTA zoning. Think of it like a donut, the donut portion counts toward our total needed acreage, but the hole in the donut would be cut out and excluded from the total needed acreage count. This district cannot have requirements for minimum parking for non-residential uses, there is a percentage cap on floor area for non-residential uses, and is only allowed on the ground floor, the districts must be pre-approved by the State.

A mandatory mixed-use (MMU) district, referred to as a "mixed-use development zoning district" in the 3A Guidelines, is a zoning district where multiple residential units are allowed as of right if, but only if, combined with non-residential uses, including, without limitation, commercial, institutional, industrial or other uses. A mandatory mixed-use district is not a 3A-compliant district. Section 3A of the Massachusetts Zoning Act ("Chapter 40A") requires compliant districts to allow multi-family housing as of right (by right). Mixed-use development does not qualify as multi-family housing because of the non-residential uses. However, a mandatory mixed-use district can affect the reasonable size requirement by offsetting a portion of the required multi-family unit capacity. In summary, MMU does not contribute to zoned area or percent of contiguity (but does allow contribute to contiguity, if that makes sense). It also only contributes 25% of the number of unit zones in these areas as part of the compliance model. Read more about mandatory mixed-use districts (PDF).

No, MBTA Communities zoning is the same type of zoning that authorizes local governments to conduct local reviews, either administratively or through the Planning Board via site plan review. The only thing it does not allow is applying a Special Permit to a project. The zoning is fully applicable and does not have any workarounds like MGL 40B or Dover Amendment projects.

The law was created because the greater Boston region and Massachusetts generally, for some time now, has been going through a housing crisis. The State's Future of Work study estimated a shortage of up to 200,000 housing units. Municipalities play a key role through zoning and permitting in determining whether or not housing is built. To relieve our housing crisis, the law requires communities to amend their zoning and permitting to encourage greater housing production. Additionally, the state notes that:

• Before COVID-19, Massachusetts faced a core challenge in creating enough housing to support young families, workers, and an aging population. The pandemic has further highlighted these needs.
• Massachusetts has among the highest, and fastest-growing, home prices and rents of any state in the nation.
• Rising costs have dramatically increased financial pressures on low- and middle-income families, forcing them to sacrifice other priorities to pay housing costs. High housing costs are a primary driver of homelessness.
• The lack of housing production is a significant impediment to community and economic development.
• These high costs are a disadvantage as we compete economically against peer states. The high cost of living risks future job growth moving outside Massachusetts.

Every community in Massachusetts is responsible for addressing this problem. The law ensures that Belmont, along with 176 other communities, are working to address it together and not leaving this to others to shoulder the load.

For Belmont as a "Commuter Rail" designated community, Belmont must site at least 50% of the land area of the district and the unit count within 1/2 mile of one, other, or both of the commuter rail stations. Belmont must also comply with the contiguity requirement which states that at least 50% of the required area of the district must be in one contiguous piece. This severely limits the land area that the Town may designate outside of commuter rail 1/2 radii. However, we can and may locate some district areas on bus lines, for example:

• Waverly is served by the 73 and 554.
• Belmont Center is served by the 74 and 75.
• Concord Avenue is served by the 78 which also runs through Brighton/Blanchard.

Actually, the way that 3A is being implemented, it may actually have substantial environmental and sustainability benefits. Denser, more compact development is more walkable and bikeable, it takes up a smaller development footprint, often has less pavement and parking, and encourages carbon-neutral transit use. Much of MBTA-designated zoning area already has a development footprint and any new development is not likely to take much additional land area. The new units will be energy efficient and may integrate other sustainable practices into development standards. 

Full Question: Can Belmont use restrictive dimensional requirements and high open space percentages to lower the number of units to be zoned for? Is there anything else we can do to reduce numbers, particularly of new units that could be built?

The state EOHLC and Attorney General's Office are both very aware of local communities considering these strategies and such measures are likely to be flagged during the pre-review process as unacceptable. The law intends for multi-family housing construction to be not only feasible but unimpeded by local protective actions and laws. Some communities are trying to zone land that already contains the required minimum densities as a way to limit new development. While that is permitted, it is likely that such areas will be scrutinized closely. The bottom line is that any effort to try to circumvent the intent and purpose of the law and guidelines is almost certainly going to be rejected.

We had been advised by our zoning consultant (Utile) that in the current development environment, 3-story mixed use was not financially feasible and that a minimum of three stories of residential over one story of commercial was needed to make the numbers work. Adapted from their work in Watertown, Utile provided the following rationale: 

There often is a trade-off between allowing additional height (which makes buildings more economically feasible and other considerations, such as transition to lower heights in residential neighborhoods. The tiered approach to building height in the Plan is designed to make this trade-off in a logical way.

A key factor in establishing the maximum heights in the [Bylaw] was to identify where additional height is necessary i[n order to make it feasible to develop certain sites that otherwise wouldn't be practical or feasible to develop]. Sites are more difficult to transform if they have substantial new infrastructure costs, requirements for inclusionary housing, the new opt-in energy building code, and stormwater control that add additional costs to new housing development. That can partly be mitigated by allowing additional building height.

Potential redevelopment of the MMU parcels is particularly challenging for a variety of reasons, including:

• The need to aggregate smaller parcels and/or deal with a multi-tenant site can add complexity and cost (e.g., because of complex ownership structures, outstanding leases, and old easements)
• Older infrastructure and utility networks that must be updated for new development
• The need for upper-story residential development to cross-subsidize ground floor retail rather than rely on retail rents to help drive the financial returns, both because of larger structural changes in the retail real estate market and because subsidized retail will give developers more flexibility to curate the mix of tenants"

To reiterate, the reason that Belmont's proposed zoning includes the requirement for either a pitched or step-back roof is to soften the impact of a 4 story building, even in areas where there is not a direct abutting to a low-density residential parcel.

The Select Board can be contacted by emailing the Select Board; or individually by emailing the first initial of their first name and the entire last name @belmont-ma.gov (ex. Mark Paolillo; mpaolillo@belmont-ma.gov). However, once a Select Board member is no longer in office, they can no longer be reached by this email

Members of the Select Board are elected by and therefore represent the whole Town.

Yes, the Select Board does issue proclamations to recognize major achievements in accordance with their proclamation policy. If you would like to see an individual or organization recognized with a proclamation please contact the Town Administration Office for more information. You can also send an email to the Select Board.

The Select Board typically meets two Monday evenings each month at 7 pm in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall. Frequency of these meetings varies based on the time of year and the amount of business the Board needs to conduct. The location and meeting time can also vary based on holidays, Town events, and other conflicts. All meetings are posted in advance with the Town Clerk in compliance with the Open Meeting Law.

The owners of residential and commercial property pay the Community Preservation Act (CPA) surcharge.

For residential property owners, the surcharge is calculated as 1.5% of the product of the net assessed property value and the tax rate. The net assessed property value is the total property value annually established by the Board of Assessors less the $100,000 exemption in value adopted by the Town. Commercial properties are not eligible for the $100,000 exemption.

The surcharge was imposed on the actual tax bills for Fiscal Year 2012. It was displayed as a separate item on the last two tax bills, with due dates of February 1 and May 1.

With the CPA surcharge being effective FY2012, the amount shown on each of the 3rd and 4th quarter tax bills (issued December 2011 and March 2012, respectively) reflected the actual surcharge. The actual surcharge was based on the FY2012 tax rate and FY2012 assessed values which were established in the fall of 2011.

The surcharge, subsequently, will be imposed on all preliminary and actual tax bills, in other words effective FY2013. The 1st and 2nd quarter tax bills will be based on 50% of the previous year's CPA surcharge. For example, the surcharge on the 1st and 2nd quarter tax bills for FY2013 will reflect 50% of the FY2012 surcharge. The 3rd and 4th quarter tax bills will reflect the actual surcharge net of estimated 1st and 2nd quarter payments. For example, the actual surcharge on the 3rd and 4th quarter tax bills for FY2013 will be based on the FY2013 tax rate and the FY2013 assessed values which will be established in the fall of 2012.

The CPA remains in effect for a minimum of five years from the date of voter approval in a municipality. After five years, it can be revoked in the same manner to approve the CPA originally - by a majority vote of the legislative body and by referendum. The surcharge continues to be assessed, however, until all obligations incurred and funded by the city/town from Community Preservation Fund revenues are paid.

A city/town may amend the surcharge percentage and exemptions. Amendment is by a majority vote of the legislative body and by referendum.

A Community Preservation Committee, consisting of five to nine members and composed of representatives from the Conservation Commission, Historical Commission, Planning Board, Board of Park Commissioners, and the Housing Authority, is responsible for evaluating the community preservation needs of the city or town and making recommendations to the community's legislative body as part of the annual budget process. A recommendation by the Community Preservation Committee and an appropriation by the legislative body of the city or town are both required to spend any monies belonging to the fund for particular community preservation purposes.

• All property classified as residential: $100,000 of the value of the property (the CPA residential exemption).
• Mixed-use properties: $100,000 of the residential value of the property or the total residential value of the property if it is lower than $100,000 (the CPA residential exemption).
• Commercial/Industrial properties: there are no exemptions.
• Property owned and occupied by person(s) who qualify for the low/moderate income CPA exemption: a full exemption from the surcharge. To receive this exemption, a taxpayer must submit the CPA Low/Moderate Income Exemption Application and must meet the income guidelines established by the State for the size and type of household.

To qualify for this exemption in Fiscal Year 2020, you must meet certain income thresholds as prescribed by state law. The thresholds for FY2021 are based on 2019 income. An application must be completed and filed with the Assessor's Office.

Supporting documentation is required which will help the Board of Assessors make a determination of your eligibility for this exemption. A birth certificate or current driver's license must be included with your initial application. Copies of your 2018 federal and state income tax returns may be requested to verify income for each household member.

For FY2021, age and residence requirements must be met as of January 1, 2020. The income limits for those 60 years and older and those under 60 years are shown on the linked table. To see the Annual Income Limit Chart for FY2021, please see the CPA Exemption Chart (PDF).

Income limits will be revised each year based on the Area-Wide Median Income determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The figures in the FY2020 charts are based on the median income amount issued by HUD effective April 24, 2020. The Annual Income Limits are subject to change once the new median income is issued in March/April 2020, to be used for FY2021 filing.

A qualified taxpayer receives an exemption of the entire surcharge attributable to the real estate tax assessed on the Class One, Residential, assessed valuation of the parcel, regardless of ownership share or number of residential dwellings.

Note: the filing of an exemption application does not relieve a taxpayer from paying the surcharge while the application is being reviewed. If an application is approved, you will be refunded amounts already paid.

Important: An application for exemption from the CPA surcharge must be filed annually with the Assessors' Office.

No. The CPA surcharge cannot be deferred.

No. Amounts generated by the surcharge are not subject to the levy limitations of Proposition 2 1/2.

Please call the Select Board Office at 617-993-2610. The Select Board Office is located in the Main Town Hall at 450 Concord Avenue, First Floor, Belmont, MA 02478. 

There are two likely reasons:

1. The Town Meeting Member (TMM) is logged in as a GUEST. If they do not see “Welcome, [TMM NAME]” when the app or webpage opened, they must sign-in using the email that the Town Clerk's office has on file.
2. The TMM is using a different email than what the Town Clerk's office has on file. If the TMM sees “Welcome, [TMM NAME]”, but votes are not getting counted, this is the likely reason. TMMs should check the email against the list sent by the Town Clerk’s office by contacting the available Tech Support phone number.

The device was likely bumped out of the session if the phone went to sleep. We recommend closing the app completely, then re-open, sign-in and enter the Session ID again. If this does not work, try restarting your phone.

The best way to avoid this is to keep the device in the “awake” status when the PointSolutions app is running. Town Meeting Members can do this from the Settings menu in the PointSolutions app:

Android Devices:

1. Tap on the three lines in the top left
2. Tap on Settings
3. Toggle “Keep Device Awake” 

Apple Devices:

1. Tap on the three dots in the bottom right
2. Tap on Settings
3. Toggle “Prevent Auto-Lock”

To change the PointSolutions password, open the app or webpage and enter the email on file with the Town Clerk’s office; click NEXT. Under the text box for the password is clickable text “Forgot Your Password”; this will send a password reset request to that email address. YOU MUST HAVE ACCESS TO THAT EMAIL IN ORDER TO RESET YOUR PASSWORD!

Once the email is received, click on the link to open the webpage to change the PointSolutions password.

If you cannot access the email associated with your PointSolutions account anymore, you can create a new account using a different email address. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST PROVIDE THIS EMAIL ADDRESS TO THE TOWNCLERK'S OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! The Town Clerk's office will add your new email to the current list and send a link for you to create your new account with PointSolutions.

The new email address must be added to the protected list in at least one day BEFORE Town Meeting in order for your votes to count. New email addresses cannot be added on the night of Town Meeting.

The Town Clerk’s office sends an email, typically the week before Town Meeting, directly to all Town Meeting Members. Check for the email sent by townclerk@belmont-ma.gov. 

Please note, the Zoom link is not public, do NOT share the email with the Zoom link or Session ID; it’s only provided to Town Meeting Members.