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.
Angus James Benedict Abercrombie ✓
David J. DeMarco
Sharon L. DeMarco
Kate Dilawari
Rogelio “Roger” Fussa ✓
Three year position (vote for not more than 12)
David J. DeMarco | 36 Lodge Rd. | Candidate for Re-election
Survey Response
Sharon L. DeMarco | 36 Lodge Rd. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Rogelio “Roger” Fussa | 153 Channing Rd. | Candidate for Re-election
| Name | Roger Fussa |
|---|---|
| Campaign website/Facebook page/ Etc. (optional) | http://www.linkedin.com/in/rfussa |
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 8 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Previously, I served as vice chair of the Town of Belmont’s Vision 21 Implementation Committee, a member of the Town’s Diversity Task Force, a board member and fundraising chair for the Chenery Middle School PTO, a board member for Winn Brook Child Care, and the board vice president for Harvard Square’s Brattle Film Foundation (brattlefilm.org). Some years ago, I was also a coach for my son’s Belmont baseball team. Currently, I serve on the Development Committee and Finance Council for New Roads Catholic Community (www.newroadscatholic.org) and on the Executive Board for the Planned Giving Group of New England (www.pggne.org) as its vice president for programming. |
| Candidate’s Statement | As a BPS supporter, I wrote an op-ed (rfussa.com/oped) backing the 2021 override. I discussed special education services and said pandemic-traumatized students will need mental health help. I am running for reelection as a Town Meeting Member because issues I care about include supporting Belmont’s schools and all its essentials services, promoting business development in Belmont, and advancing the “Sense Of Community” goal specified in “A Working Vision for Belmont’s Future” adopted by Town Meeting in 2001 — i.e. “We will welcome newcomers and value diversity, while caring for our neighbors and for the needs of children, youth and seniors.” I also wish to continue to advocate that Belmont needs to prioritize creating a new master plan to replace the one that expired in 2020. The Town’s urgent need to increase business development relies on taking some fundamental and strategic steps such as creating a new master plan and hiring a dedicated person to coordinate economic development. |
| Accomplishments | In my first term as a Town Meeting Member (2022-2023), I carefully prepared for meetings, did not miss any of the meetings, and always spoke when I had something consequential to add to the discussion. |
| Your Precinct (optional) | As need be, I would certainly want to address a problem that the precinct has previously had — rats. At least on one occasion pre-pandemic, Joey’s Park had to be closed temporarily because of rat issues. |
| Government reform | I have read the Collins Center report and expressed my opinion that it would be useful for Town Meeting Members to receive it in advance of the November 29, 2022 Town Meeting. I fully support the report’s recommendations that Belmont, among other things, create a more centralized governmental organization, formalize a financial management team, and replace elected positions with appointed ones. I believe the overarching priority should be creating a more centralized governmental organization. Belmont’s residents need to understand that the Town is in a financial crisis. In a very ideal world, every voter would read the report. |
Heather H. Ivester | 23 Stearns Rd. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Karl A. Ivester | 23 Stearns Rd. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Allison Voorhees Lenk | 145 Sherman Rd. | Candidate for Re-election
| Name | Allison Lenk |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 8 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | I serve on the following boards: Belmont Historical Society, Belmont Land Trust, Belmont Dramatic Club I am also the Director of Communications for CFRB (Citizens for a Fiscally Responsible Belmont) I’m a Belmont Citizens’ Forum member – we’re forming a group that will address the issue of raptors (owls, hawks, eagles) and other wildlife being sickened or dying from the unnecessary use of SGAR (Second Generation Anti-coagulant Rodenticide) to control rodents. We’ll be holding a forum on April 13th. |
| Candidate’s Statement | Our most crucial issue to address is the fiscal crisis. Other concerned residents and I work to increase accountability, responsibility and transparency in all aspects of town government. Beside 100% attendance at Town Meetings, I attend numerous additional meetings (SB, School/Warrant Committee, CPPC etc.) to ensure that I remain informed and can share events/decision-making with others. For Belmont to remain diverse, it needs to welcome residents of varied economic status – residents presently pay the 2nd highest taxes relative to income compared to surrounding towns and this is sadly becoming unsustainable for many, some long-term residents, particularly those on fixed incomes. Residents express concern that we’re becoming a transient town where residents move in for the years that their children are in school (NOTE: schools = 63% of the town budget) and then move out afterwards. As a THIRD generation Belmontonian, I have a deep commitment to the town we love and will continue working towards meeting the needs of all residents! |
| Accomplishments | At a SB meeting, I raised the issue of an increase in overflowing trash cans at Joey’s Park (at the Winn Brook School) which were unslightly and may attract rodents. We discussed whether the park could become “carry in/carry out” and/or signs could be posted stating that those using the park are responsible for their own trash, particularly if there’s large items such as pizza boxes etc. that don’t fit in the cans. Ultimately, the SB voted to increase the frequency of trash pick-ups, and this seems to have improved the situation – I continue to monitor this. |
| Your Precinct (optional) | Prior to becoming a TMM, I met with neighbors who were concerned about “cut-through” traffic by commuters traveling through Belmont to/from work. While signs were posted stating that trucks over a certain weight aren’t allowed on Brighton St., it’s still an ongoing issue which I’d like to resume actively addressing in my next term. |
| Government reform | Yes, CFRB Officers were interviewed by representatives of the Collins Center, so I’m very familiar with the content of the report. In 2018 the Collins Center warned of Belmont “falling off a fiscal cliff” if structural changes weren’t made. The recommendations it included years ago unfortunately weren’t acted on – as one current SB member put it, “…they went by the wayside”. These recommendations included more actively seeking PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) payments from “non-profits” (some with $150M endowments), considering a change in our retirement system, and yes, trying to make our town government more centralized – much is dependent upon volunteers on myriad committees. Many residents have expressed that they would be more open to the switch from elected to appointed if the hire reported to the SB, but that wouldn’t be the case. Floyd Carman, our retiring Treasurer, voted to keep the position elected rather than appointed – I agree with him. |
Caitlin Anna Madevu-Matson | 32 Frost Rd. | Candidate for Re-election
| Name | Caitlin Madevu-Matson |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 8 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | I serve on the Family Advisory Council for the Winn Brook Extended Learning program (WBExL, the afterschool group), and for the non-profit parent company of WBExL, called Schools for Children, I serve as the chair of the Governance Committee for the Board of Trustees. I also sing and play bells for the Belmont Watertown United Methodist Church on Common Street. |
| Candidate’s Statement | As a graduate of Belmont High, a mother, a public health professional, and a Town Meeting Member for precinct 8, I believe strongly in smart investments in the people and infrastructure of our town. Critical engagement by Town Meeting is needed to identify priority projects, to persistently ensure efficiency, and to hold officials accountable. We urgently need to continue funding crucial staff positions and IT improvements initiated during the pandemic to maintain Belmont’s reputation for excellent schools. This is especially important as we transition to the new Middle School, and as we attract a top-notch district superintendent and Winn Brook principal. |
| Accomplishments | With perfect attendance at Town Meeting last year, I am proud to have been part of those voting for revitalization of Payson Park and for the new library development. I also questioned the School Committee on declining school enrollment during the pandemic and what actions they are taking to reverse the decline. |
| Government reform | Given Belmont’s difficult financial situation that have required onerous debt exclusion overrides on the ballot, I listened with interest as the results of the Collins report were presented to Town Meeting. I voted in support of the move to an appointed Treasurer and believe that many other reforms recommended by the Collins Center require strong consideration by Town leadership. Top priorities are standardizing the budgeting process and developing additional sources of revenue. |
Connor Maguire | 17 Hurley St. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Kara Morin | 153 Channing Rd. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Deborah Marie Rosales | 48 Farnham St. | Candidate for Re-election
No response received.
Lisa Sonia Starobin | 54 Cross St. | Candidate for Re-election
| Name | Lisa Starobin |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 8 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Town Meeting Member BHS Covid Parent Advisory Committee |
| Candidate’s Statement | As a physician and the mother of three Belmont Public School students, I believe that we need to invest in- and support the services that make Belmont such a desirable community to live in. In recent years, I have campaigned in support of Proposition 2 1/2 overrides to shore up our school budget, fund construction of the new High School and win funding for the new Library. Belmont faces big challenges in the near future. If re-elected, I will support our efforts to diversify Belmont’s tax base and prevent cuts to the public services we all rely on. |
| Accomplishments | I was honored to be involved in the campaign for the new Belmont Public Library. |
| Government reform | Yes, I have read the Collins report. The future of Belmont hinges on clear evidence-based decision making aided by professional opinions. I do believe reforming the structure of Belmont’s government will lead us towards that future. |
Comments/Notes
Angus James Benedict Abercrombie | 79 Winn St.
| Name | Angus Abercrombie |
|---|---|
| Campaign website/Facebook page/ Etc. (optional) | https://www.angusabercrombie.com |
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | First-time candidate |
| I live in: | Precinct 8 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Volunteered for years and worked at Mass Audubon’s Habitat Sanctuary I currently sit on the Belmont Democratic Town Committee I’ve volunteered on a number of political and advocacy campaigns in the town and beyond |
| Candidate’s Statement | I’m running because to me Belmont is home. It always has been. Over the past few years, we’ve become less able to provide the services that make the town such a great place to live. At the same time, we’re making it harder to own a home in town with sky-high housing costs and property taxes perpetually rising. We’re also seeing our environmental resources under attack; this year it’s Belmont Hill School, but next year, who knows. The top issue facing the town is our fiscal situation; it has been since I first volunteered on an override campaign as a student at Chenery Middle School. Overrides help immediate budget shortfalls, but that strategy is more of a short-term band-aid. For long-term stability, I support zoning for “mixed-use” in areas like Trapelo Road. This would expand residential and commercial tax bases, ensuring lower individual tax burdens. Beyond that, I care deeply about environmental conservation; I’ve worked at Mass Audubon’s Habitat sanctuary and will work to preserve existing green space and encourage walking and biking to reduce transportation emissions. |
| Your Precinct (optional) | Precinct 8 desperately needs to see two traffic issues resolved. 1) Our students at BHS see the largest detours due to the commuter rail tracks, so completing an underpass that will allow cyclists traveling to the new school to not have to traverse the dangerous intersections at Hittinger or Leonard & Concord Ave is a top priority. 2) Brighton is a mess of traffic, much of it not originating or terminating in Belmont. We need to take steps to cut down on this cut-through traffic to improve travel times, make roads safer for all users, improve road quality, and improve air quality. To this end, I want to examine traffic calming and other discouraging measures. |
| Government reform | I have reviewed the recommendations in the Collins report and hope to enact them where possible. I do not plan to vote against any of the recommendations if they should come before the town meeting. Personally, my focus is more on development as a solution to Belmont’s fiscal situation and wider issues facing the town, but I look forward to collaborating to promote transparency and engagement, and streamlining our budget process. In terms of immediate reforms to town government, I am supporting question 2 to move to an appointed treasurer. I would love to see work to increase opportunities for people with less free time to get involved, and to reduce the April/November turnout gap. |
Kate Dilawari |55 Munroe St.
No response received.
Alexandra B. Houck | 345 Cross St.
| Name | Alexandra Houck |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | First-time candidate |
| I live in: | Precinct 8 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Yes for Belmont (2021) Library book sale volunteer |
| Candidate’s Statement | As a 16 year Belmont resident, parent of 2 BHS students and a local physician, I am strongly committed to our town and its future. We need to maintain adequate funding for our schools and public services and work to encourage thoughtful and sustainable development to expand our commercial base and address our long-term financial stability. We must support small business development. We also need to maintain our roads, making them safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers while encouraging environmentally sound decisions. I hope to advocate for all members of the Belmont community and our bright future together. |
| Your Precinct (optional) | 8 |
| Government reform | I have read the recommendations and agree that we desperately need reforms. We should adopt best practices in our budgetary process and should work to develop alternate sources of revenue. Exploring ways to expand our commercial and/or industrial tax base is critical to alleviating the tax burden on residents. |
Ted Tieken | 105 Farnham St.
No response received.