Joint Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance Meeting – November 25, 2025

This combined meeting began with the Board of Selectmen at 6:33 PM and later transitioned to the Board of Finance at 7:01 PM. Key topics included approval of previous minutes, public comments on FOIA requests and property assessments, reappointments to town commissions, a discussion on the recent property reevaluation and its impact on mill rates, updates on the Heat Smart program and town building projects, and a detailed review of the 2025-2026 budget by the Finance Board. A proposal for a before-and-after school program through Parks and Recreation was tabled for further discussion at a special meeting scheduled for December 10, 2025.

Consent Calendar

• Board of Selectmen: Approved minutes from October 14, 2025. Tabled approval of October 28, 2025 minutes to next meeting.
• Board of Finance: Approved minutes from October 28, 2025 (with one abstention), November 10, 2025, and November 18, 2025 (both with one abstention).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bobby Game Nerd (137 Kirkland Street): Expressed frustration with a FOIA request submitted over three months ago to the zoning department. He stated that he has not received all requested documentation and that emails to the First Selectman, Amy (likely Town Clerk), and Sully have gone unanswered. He requested the Board follow up to ensure timely compliance with state law, noting that some files may be held off-site by former employee Kathy Jefferson.
• Jonathan Lambert (5 Doe Drive): Raised concerns about the recent property reassessments, noting that his own assessment increased by $140,000. He asked if the mill rate would be lowered to offset the higher assessments. He also questioned the accuracy of GIS data, citing that outbuildings previously removed from his property record had reappeared five years later.

Discussion Items

• Property Reevaluation (Board of Selectmen): First Selectman Carol reported that Vision Appraisal Government Solutions completed the reevaluation. Residential assessments increased by approximately 60% (70% for condos), while motor vehicles decreased and commercial properties dropped 20%. She stated that historically the mill rate decreases after a reevaluation, but the rate will be set by the Board of Finance during the spring budget process. Residents were urged to schedule informal hearings with the assessor to contest their assessments.
• Heat Smart Program (Board of Selectmen): First Selectman Carol promoted the town's Heat Smart program, which provides free home energy assessments. She reassured that elderly residents would not be harassed, and that interested parties should contact the Sustainable Committee or her office.
• Region 4 Security Project (Board of Selectmen): Update on the elevator installation at John Winthrop School – it arrived and installation began, with a Certificate of Occupancy expected in 4-5 weeks (pending masonry work). The project is in close-out stages for mold remediation, aiming for completion by year end.
• Town Hall Updates (Board of Selectmen): Meeting times for the Board of Selectmen will move to 6:00 PM starting January to allow the Board of Finance to meet at 7:00 PM. The town holiday tree will be installed December 3, with the parade and tree lighting on December 6. Town Hall will close early on November 26 at 12:30 PM and be closed November 28. The large conference room remains closed for public meetings due to boxes from HVAC water damage. There is no heat on the south side of the building. A drain line was cleared on Main Street to address kitchen flooding at the school.
• Temporary Staffing for Finance Department (Board of Finance): Discussion on whether to hire a temporary part-time position (via agency, not exceeding 12 months) to support the accounting needs of the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA), fully funded by WPCA at up to $55,000. The Board of Finance approved a motion for a temporary hire, but the Board of Selectmen had previously favored a permanent position. The Board of Finance agreed to have the chair reach out to WPCA to confirm funding in writing before proceeding. A town meeting may be required for transparency.
• 2025-2026 Budget Review (Board of Finance): A detailed line-by-line review of actuals vs. budget for the first 4.5 months (38% of the fiscal year). Overall revenues were at 53.5% (ahead due to property tax collections), expenses at 37% (favorable). Notable items: building official expenses were at 70% of budget (but this has been historically under-budgeted; actual spending consistent with prior years). Computer support projected to exceed budget by $7,000. A recommendation was made to move unspent town aid road funds from the general fund into a capital fund to avoid timing issues. Street lighting costs were discussed; Jackie will research the 28 bills, and consideration was given to using a consulting firm (Schooley Mitchell) to audit costs.
• Before & After School Program Proposal (Board of Finance): Parks and Recreation Director Kaylee Anderson proposed a self-funded before-and-after school program starting January 2026. She estimated monthly profit of about $7,000 and requested seed funding for January ($5,019) and February ($5,727) until registration fees come in. Staff would be paid $21-$21.50/hr for lead, $18.50 for assistants. The Board tabled the discussion to a special meeting on December 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM to allow time to review details and invite the director.

Key Outcomes

• Board of Selectmen: Approved minutes of Oct 14; reappointed Jeremy D. Chase and Jennifer Gray Roberts to Economic Development Commission (terms to 12/1/2028); reappointed Kayla A. Howard, Christopher Mara, and Suzanne Such to Parks and Recreation Commission (terms to 12/1/2028); approved a $213 refund (50% of building permit fee) to a Belmont resident; agreed to move regular meetings to 6:00 PM starting January.
• Board of Finance: Elected Tim Puglielli as chairman and Carmela Balducci as vice chair; approved the $213 building permit fee refund; voted to engage a temporary staffing agency for a part-time position (funded by WPCA) pending written agreement; set special meeting for December 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM to discuss budget process and the before/after school program proposal.