Town Meeting is made up of 36 members from each of the Town’s eight precincts, with each member serving overlapping, 3 year terms. That means each year, twelve Representative Town Meeting Members from each of our eight voting precincts are elected. Should a Town Meeting member resign before their three year term is complete, a replacement Town Meeting member will be elected for a one, or two year period to replace them.
Three year position (vote for not more than 12)
Click on the links below to view the candidate’s survey. A check mark (✓ ) indicates candidates who have submitted surveys. You will be asked to vote for no more than 12 candidates.
One year position (vote for not more than 1)
Eileen Lizette Hanson
Rachel M. Watson ✓
Rola M. Baghdady | 14 Loring St. | Candidate for Re-election
Survey Response
Roni S. Baghdady | 14 Loring St. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Catherine AC Bowen | 67 Bartlett Ave. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Kenroy R. Cayetano | 426 Trapelo Rd. #3 | Candidate for Re-election
| Name | Kenroy Cayetano |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 4 |
| Candidate’s Statement | Transparency is the thread that ties everything together. Oftentimes, the town’s financial commitments are framed as being in competition with each other. As a result, our town has repeatedly had difficulty funding our most important priorities, as evidenced by the debt exclusions for the library and skating rink. My primary goal continues to be communicating those priorities to voters in our precinct to avoid these false dichotomies and making more informed choices. As a committee member, I also aim to play a role in identifying proactive solutions to sustain Belmont’s financial health rather than taking a more passive, reactive course. |
| Accomplishments | I voted to put the library on the ballot last year. I also voted to put Question 1 and Question 2 on the upcoming ballot. |
| Government reform | Initially misgivings regarding the opportunity for corruption and possible conflicts of interest have given way yo support for the professionalization of the Town Treasurer position and the Board of Assessors. We have been very fortunate in the past to have competent people in place. However, as Belmont’s needs grow increasingly complicated, I believe that it is in the best interest of the Town that these positions not be tied to the whims of politics, but instead be performed by vetted professionals. |
William Joseph Chemelli | 11 Ripley Rd. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Brian Keefe | 195 Lexington St. | Candidate for Re-election
| Name | Brian Keefe |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 4 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Coaching of various youth Belmont sports teams |
| Candidate’s Statement | Other than the schools I do not think there is another building in town that has more visits (well over 30,000 in just 4.5 months) than the rink. I would argue that the rink drives more community involvement than any other building. Now that our current rink has failed and it is not going to open next November we must act now. There is never a good time for an override vote and I am well aware of the fiscal state of the town. We have known for 20 years that this was going to fail and now that it has we have to replace it or lose part of our identity and what makes us great. My mission is to inform voters of the cost / benefit analysis as I think an informed voter would certainly vote yes. |
| Accomplishments | N/A |
| Your Precinct (optional) | I would like to see the development of Waverly Square to help drive commercial revenue all while enhancing the square. I would also like to revisit some of the building by-laws that seem to discriminate against the “general districts” when it comes to minor additions. |
| Government reform | I have not read the report. I do agree though that the Treasurer should be an appointed professional and not an elected official. |
Rose E. O’Neil | 77 Maple St. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Lisa A. Pargoli | 223B White St. | Candidate for Re-election
| Name | Lisa Pargoli |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 4 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | During my 36 years as a Belmont resident I have continually been involved in town affairs of every kind. I attend as many meetings as possible especially those that are financially based. I’ve been an active member at St.Lukes parish, teaching CCD classes for 25 years and started their youth ministry. I love to volunteer at town events anything that brings the community together in a fun and caring way. In the past I have coached my kids athletic teams and volunteered my services as a athletic trainer and massage therapist at certain events like the Brendan Grant race. |
| Candidate’s Statement | As a town meeting member I plan to continue to hold all town committee’s, boards and administration accountable for their actions and inactions. I will continue to seek the truth and transparency in all town affairs and fight for those who can’t, especially our seniors. I will work hard so that the eyes of all residents are open to the truth so we may work together for the fairness of all residents not just a few Elitis groups, who don’t care about those who have paid and paid and now are dismissed with the only choice to sell their homes. Belmont has fallen from Grace and we need to get her back!! Unfortunately the people in charge have failed miserably. Year after year since they ignored the first Collins report Belmont has gone further into the abyss and instead of doing what the Collins report suggested they did the opposite and put a 300 million dollar debt exclusion on the ballot, the town took a huge leap into the abyss, so what do they do ? put a 40 million and a 30+ debt exclusions on the ballot with a 10 million dollar or more override to come. Who runs their home or business like that? Our administration needs a good examination!! The new school has robbed us blind and need to be investigated and audited! I have bee attending their meetings before they broke ground and I’m appalled that out administrator and select board continue to feed them millions of our operating money and whatever they ask for while the roads still haven’t gotten done. Remember we paid for the roads and sidewalks in the 2015 override!! just like most of what we pay for we don’t get even the basics but the high schools get all the the bells and whistles the grown ups want! I will fight to stop allowing the school dept a blank check with no oversite. Our problems are obvious but still ignored by those in charge while they continue to spend millions of dollars on bailing out the school building committee without question and bully us if you dare question them. It’s impossible to examine our situation and honestly believe those in charge have been competent in their decision making. If we don’t get honest with how we got in such a financial and structural mess, it will continue till Belmont is no longer Belmont and under state authority. My hope is to bring back some of the great qualities of Belmont that attracted me to raise my family here. We need a united community that includes all residents when making decisions and not just a few. Namaste, Lisa Pargoli |
| Accomplishments | While being a town meeting member over the years I have been active in many groups, committees and events. |
| Government reform | Yes, I have read it as well as the 1st one they ignored. I believe they have identified several issues we need to change except the administrator and select board only seem to be focused on giving themselves more power!! That would be a disaster, as it is they have too much power and have brought Belmont to a state of receivership. The most obvious is to make cuts, cut spending and bring in revenue, nothing of which they even mention. This is very telling about the town administrator and select board. They shouldn’t be the ones to implement anything, they are to self centered and power hungry and it has cost Belmont and it’s residents financial and emotional distress!!! |
David Powelstock | 23 Alma Ave. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Kevin W. Smith | 18 Frederick St. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Jordan Grace Hampton | 52 Agassiz Ave.
| Name | Jordan Hampton |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | First-time candidate |
| I live in: | Precinct 4 |
| Candidate’s Statement | I have lived in Belmont for over a decade, and I have a school-aged child. I am committed to a thriving, inclusive and equitable Belmont. I support efforts to secure our town’s future and make it a better place to work, learn, and live for all. Our plans should enable us to fund public services that support all generations. I believe in thoughtful investment in Belmont such as fully funding our schools to maintain quality and addressing long-term capital needs. I want to encourage small business growth, increase commercial tax revenue streams, and revitalize our existing business centers. |
| Government reform | As a new Town Meeting member, I believe that it will be important for me to spend time in the beginning learning about the issues relating to our town government and developing a more informed opinion regarding reform. |
Kathy A. Posey | 20 King St. | Candidate for Re-election
| Name | Kathy Posey |
|---|---|
| Campaign website/Facebook page/ Etc. (optional) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyposey/ |
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | First-time candidate |
| I live in: | Precinct 4 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Butler PTA Board Member – Four years Butler Extended Day Program Board Member – Three years Belmont Dolphins Swim Team volunteer – One year Belmont Girl Scouts Troop Co-leader- One year Belmont Helps Volunteer – One year |
| Candidate’s Statement | I have a keen interest in supporting our public schools and teachers as well as ensuring safety for our citizens. As a Butler School PTA board member for four years and a Butler Extended Day Program board member for three years, I have gained knowledge of the challenges that teachers, and families face each day in managing the education experience. Safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers also needs attention. With the ongoing challenges that Belmont faces with the budget, our commercial tax base needs to grow so that we can maintain and enhance public education as well as improve safety. |
| Your Precinct (optional) | Precinct |
| Government reform | Having earned a Master of Science in Public Affairs from the University at University of Massachusetts Boston, I was heartened to learn that The Collins Center and Belmont worked together to examine the myriad crucial issues that Belmont faces. It is concerning that The Collins Center clearly indicates that for a town such as Belmont to have all five issues related to the organizational structure of government is “unusual for a town of Belmont’s size and complexity to have all of them.” The Summary of Findings clearly indicate opportunities for addressing and improving the concerns and issues. I am hopeful that progress can be made. However, collaboration is going to be key to seeing success and improvement happen. I do believe that reforms to Belmont’s government need to be considered. A more centralized operation would be key in making progress. In addition, fiscal best practices need to be put into place. Defining the duties and responsibilities of the Select Board and Town Administrator is also critical to improving the function of the town government. Although it is difficult to read through and learn of the challenges, it is also a great opportunity to work together to make improvements that will benefit the community. |
Comments/Notes
Eileen Lizette Hanson | 238 White St.
No response received.
No response received.
Rachel M. Watson | 73 Hull St.
| Name | Rachel Watson |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | First-time candidate |
| I live in: | Precinct 4 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Special Education Parent Advisory Council co-chair Superintendent Screening Committee chair |
| Candidate’s Statement | I am running for town meeting to support education in Belmont and to support finding new ways to generate revenue for the town. I want to preserve a great quality of life in Belmont without making it any less affordable than it is boss. |
| Government reform | I have not read the report yet. I have only read a few articles mentioning it. However, I can say from the information I have learned so far I would support appointing a professional Town Treasurer. The position is too important to the solvency of our town to risk electing someone inexperienced and potentially incompetent. |