Candidates’ Survey: Town Meeting Precinct 8

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.

Though only 12 members of each precinct’s 36 member delegation are up for re-election in any year, this year is different. That’s because the recent decennial census has resulted in changes to the boundaries of 4 of Belmont’s 8 precincts: 1, 2, 6 and 8. For those precincts, including Precinct 8, all 36 Town Meeting members in affected precincts are required to stand for re-election.

Three year position (vote for not more than 36)

Click on the links below to view the candidate’s survey. A check mark (✓ ) indicates candidates who have submitted surveys.

Kathleen M. Baskin
Brian W. Brady
Julie Monahan Brady
Kevin P. Brosnan ✓
Carolyn A. Bunyon
Brian C. Caputo ✓
Laura S. Caputo ✓
Cosmo Caterino
Paul Coradeschi
Alexander E. Corbett, III
Kathleen “Fitzie” Cowing ✓
Michael F. Crowley ✓
David J. DeMarco ✓
Sharon L. DeMarco ✓
Anthony A. Ferrante ✓
Rogelio A.P. Fussa ✓

Guanghua “Michael” Gao ✓
Melissa Ann Irion ✓
Heather H. Ivester
Karl A. Ivester
Radha Iyengar ✓
Mark Kagan ✓
Stephen Michael Kerins
Amy Cohen Kirsch ✓
Natalie MacLean Leino ✓
Allison V. Lenk ✓
Maria Aleida Leza
Melissa MacIntyre ✓
Caitlin Anna Madevu-Matson ✓
Hilton Madevu-Matson ✓
Connor Maguire
Donald Hugh Mercier
Kara Annfussa Morin ✓

Kathleen M. Baskin | 73 Munroe St | Candidate for re-election

No survey received.

Name	Kevin Brosnan
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	6th
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Various sports (baseball & soccer) teams when my children were in elementary/middle school as well as being an assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 304…
Candidate’s Statement	Some of the important issues that Belmont faces are education (particularly as we emerge from the pandemic) and the poor state of the roads in town.
Your Precinct	Precinct 8

Name	Brian Caputo
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	2nd
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	First Church of Belmont, Finance Committee (past) Coach, Belmont Soccer
Candidate’s Statement	To maintain Belmont’s strong community and schools, we need to actively confront the looming structural deficit. Among other solutions, I will support any steps we can take to increase the commercial tax base in town. I also believe increased transparency around taxes is needed so community members understand what their taxes pay for and why they change.

Name	Laura Caputo
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	3rd
Candidate’s Statement	We need more affordable housing in Belmont. Last year the State adopted changes to zoning laws to encourage the creation of more housing – in particular multi-family housing near transit centers like Belmont Center. Due to the new law, we will see more proposed zoning changes coming before Town Meeting. I see opportunities around town to put more housing above retail and to allow by right units like inlaw apartments. We need to actively encourage the development we want or we will continue to leave ourselves open to hostile 40B projects like we saw at Beatrice Circle.

Name	Kathleen “Fitzie” Cowing
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	5th
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	I am a member of the DPW/BPD Building Committee, which as it winds to a close I am immensely proud of the product we were able to create for the town without a debt exclusion. I am also the current co-president of the Winn Brook PTA, I coach second soccer and volunteer whenever I can with Belmont Youth Lacrosse.
Candidate’s Statement	This will mark my 14th year in town meeting and I think it is just as critical now as it was when I joined that town meeting have representative members of the whole of the town. When I first joined I felt that the youngest adult residents of the town and new homeowners were sorely underrepresented. Now I feel that I bring several viewpoints that remain often in the minority. I run to represent the moms who can rarely find a sitter in order to be a part of town governance. To represent the working class of town (my husband and I are a current civil servant and a former public school teacher turned current preschool teacher). To represent people who were raised by “old Belmont” and can see both its value as well as the avenues for progress, both of which deserve equal footing. To represent parents of young school children, as well as sons and daughters of retired residents still in town. I believe strongly that there is not one singular answer to any of the challenges facing Belmont and that the only way to move forward is to hear and represent as many voices as I can.
Your Precinct	I think Precinct 8 faces the same challenges as the rest of town, but that as a precinct filled with both brand new families and retirees attempting to remain in their homes, we need to find a balance between progress and undue burden. We cannot move forward at the expense of the working class and senior population, but we can no longer tolerate stagnation. I hope to always remain available to all precinct 8 constituents to hear their concerns and attempt to be their voices in the difficult discussions we face as a town in the coming years.

Name	Michael Crowley
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	Early 3rd term due to reprecincting
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Belmont School Committee, 2019+ Long Term Capital Planning Committee, 2021+ Committee to Study the Number of Selectmen, 2017-2018 Warrant Committee, 2016-2021 Town Meeting Member Pct 8, 2016+
Candidate’s Statement	We have to do more to advance the quality of our schools (bottom 5th of Massachusetts schools for funding), library (the building is failing), and town services. But Belmont’s revenue stream is really constrained. To fix this, we have to make development a real priority in our limited commercial districts. We also need to be looking at land use on tax rate favored parcels such as the Belmont Country Club, which contributes to our town’s revenue shortfall. Further, we need an override to forestall the massive layoffs of school and town employees that will take place in FY25 when temporary federal assistance (ARPA and ESSER grants) are used up. This is the kind of financial planning that has to be done now—it can’t wait.

Name	David DeMarco
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	2nd
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Belmont Soccer Association – coached for many years
Candidate’s Statement	I am running for re-election because I want to see the town become more fiscally responsible. As a first responder for the town and father of two I am committed to all citizens of this town making sure their voices are heard and their needs are met.
Your Precinct	I have been a Precinct 8 member for 58 years – no issues that I can think of at this time.

Name	Sharon DeMarco
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	2nd
Candidate’s Statement	My choice to be a town meeting member is mainly because I want to see the town be the town that I grew up in. My husband and I both were born and raised in Belmont and we have many fond memories. The first term was a learning experience and I was happy to be a part of it. If I’m re-elected to a second term I’m hoping to be more involved and speak up. I want to see the town take care of its people, of all kinds, especially the first responders who in the pandemic never stopped, who had to report to work and take care of the community in a crisis. This town needs to support them.
Your Precinct	Precinct 8 has been my precinct for 57 years! No issues that I can think of at this time.

Name	Anthony Ferrante
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	I served one year of my 4th term.
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Vice Chair, DPW-BPD Building Committee Rec Commission
Candidate’s Statement	I am currently Vice Chair of the DPW-BPD Building Committee. With the help of a creative architect, we preserved the historic police station and added a modern addition at far lower cost than estimates and without requiring a debt exclusion. I am interested in exploring ways to complete additional capital projects without requiring a debt exclusion. Those projects include a new rink, library, and eventually replacement of the DPW facility.

Name	Roger Fussa
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	First-time candidate
I live in:	Precinct 8
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Vice Chair of the Town of Belmont’s Vision 21 Implementation Committee. Member of the Town of Belmont’s Diversity Task Force. Board member and fundraising chair for the Chenery Middle School PTO. Member of the Development Committee and Finance Council for New Roads Catholic Community (www.newroadscatholic.org). On the Executive Board of the Planned Giving Group of New England (www.pggne.org). Formerly on the board of Winn Brook Child Care and the board of Harvard Square’s Brattle Film Foundation (brattlefilm.org).
Candidate’s Statement	As a BPS supporter, I wrote an op-ed (https://bit.ly/3qkuD5a) backing the 2021 override. I discussed special education services and said pandemic-traumatized students will need mental health help. To support CMS students, staff, and teachers, I joined its PTO board last summer as the fundraising chair — our team exceeded the fundraising goal. I have also served on the CMS PTO diversity and inclusion committee, which helped to prepare me for joining Belmont’s Diversity Task Force in March 2021 as a representative of the town’s Vision 21 Implementation Committee. Looking forward, I want to help Belmont update its master plan. I am running for 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.”

Name	Guanghua “Michael” Gao
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	First-time candidate
I live in:	Precinct 8
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Co-President, Belmont Chinese American Association (BCAA) (Since 2021) Member, Board of Directors, Foundation for Belmont Education (FBE) (Since 2020) Volunteer Coordinator, Yes for Belmont Campaign (2021) Volunteer Coordinator, FBE Apple Run (2019, 2020, 2021)
Candidate’s Statement	Belmont is a great place to live and raise a family. However, there is a lack of long-term and strategic planning that threatens our ability to keep it that way. The real danger of losing our beloved library serves as a perfect example: as community hubs, libraries are so much more than the books. It is a disservice to residents if we allow it to fail, so I have been raising funds for a new library. If elected, I will advocate for essential capital projects such as the library and support the development of sustainable plans at Town Meeting. Another issue I care most about is our public schools. We now have new classrooms in a state-of-the-art school, but not enough educators to teach in them. We should focus on excellence and equity, and we can have both through parent/educator partnership. There is extensive research confirming the link between per-pupil spending and student outcomes. I’ll support providing adequate school funding at Town Meeting.

Name	Mark Kagan
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	2nd
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	I am a member of the Community Path committee to help plan and build the bicycle path.
Candidate’s Statement	I have been living in Belmont for two years with my wife Yulia, 4 year old daughter Maya, and 1 year old son Boris. Having been a Town Meeting member for 1 year, I am now prepared to steer town by-laws in budgets on the following key priorities: Education: As a father of two young kids, improving secondary education is a personal matter – our children will need the best education they can get to succeed in the knowledge economy. My top priority is increasing funding to our schools specifically investing in STEM education. Climate Change: Having written a PhD thesis on the Economics of Climate Change, I can attest to the urgency of taking climate change action to secure the future for our children. I will work with the Energy Committee and Municipal Light Board, to shift our energy consumption to renewable energy, increase renewable energy generation from municipal properties (i.e. the High School) Cycling Infrastructure: Having lived in Amsterdam and experienced cycling infrastructure done right, I want to bring it to Belmont, for the safety of commuters, and our kids. I am on the Community Path committee doing everything in my power to build it as fast as possible.
Your Precinct	Our precinct will benefit the most from the new community path as it will create a safe way to get to the High school and Cambridge, avoiding the highly trafficked Belmont st, and Concord St. We need the Bicycle path built ASAP for our safety (as I know full well having recently been hit while cycling home from Alewife along Brighton st).

Name	Stephen Rosales
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	11th (or more)
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Town Meeting member for Precinct 8 since 1988; Belmont Board of Selectmen, former member; Town Hall Complex Building Committee, former member; Belmont Police Station-Department of Public Works Building Committee- current member; Belmont Traffic Advisory Committee- former Chair and member; Belmont Veterans Memorial Committee, Inc.- current Director; Belmont Youth Services & D.A.R.E., Inc.-current Director; Belmont Historical Society-current Director; Belmont Lions Club-member And many more volunteer and charitable activities over these many years.
Candidate’s Statement	Belmont’s residential taxpayers need some help. To increase revenue for needed services and thrive, Belmont must actively expand its commercial tax base. Our Town must proactively recruit, encourage and assist commercial development and streamline its permitting process to fill the many empty storefronts in our commercial districts. Promote wider variety of retail and service businesses to locate here. Belmont has $7.8 Million in one-time federal American Rescue Plan funds. Use these one-time finds for one-time capital needs, rather than ongoing operational costs that don’t address or fix Belmont’s desperate capital needs. Fix our crumbling roads, sidewalks and infrastructure, the Town assets everyone uses. Don’t miss this one-time opportunity.
Your Precinct	As a longtime Winn Brooker, I ask for your vote for Town Meeting April 5th! I am a proud Winn Brooker to my core having spent more than 50 of my 61 years to date in Belmont here in Precinct 8. Growing up on Brighton St, I attended the Winn Brook School and played on the Winn Brook playground and fields virtually every day and developed a special love of that patch of open recreational green space. I have maintained my Winn Brook roots as an adult having lived on Claflin Street and since 1986 on Farnham Street. My three daughters attended the Winn Brook School and played on its fields. Sadly, over the years, I have witnessed the green space at the Winn Brook be whittled away, piece by piece, most recently by the Town’s decision to pave over and fence in a large piece of green field space for an additional tennis court. The Winn Brook playground and fields are a neighborhood gem and is a major reason why people are drawn to live in the Winn Brook area. Thousands of children and adults have used this area over the years and thousands more will continue to do so. The remaining green space MUST be preserved! The neighborhood and its present and future children need and use that space. Every inch is a precious resource. The playground and field space has already shrunk over the years. Green space lost cannot be replaced. We must work hard to keep and maintain our neighborhood gem in top condition and prevent any further loss of space.

Name	Melissa Irion
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	5th
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Past Fellowship co-chair First Church of Belmont Co-chair Winn Brook 4th grade bake sale Joey’s Park Rebuild Steering Committee
Candidate’s Statement	I have two middle school and one high school students in the Belmont Public School system, and am highly invested in ensuring the high quality of our public schools. I am a strong supporter of the Belmont Community Path, and have consistently advocated for the tunnel at Alexander Avenue for our precinct to have access to the middle and high schools, library, and post office. This will also result in reduced traffic when our precinct is more walkable to town services. I try to respond to all emails I receive from constituents and keep these concerns as a priority.
Your Precinct	8

Name	Radha Iyengar
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	3rd
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Co-chair Land Management Committee for Lone Tree Hill; Treasurer and Board member Belmont Citizens Forum. I have organized eight annual Volunteer Days at the Lone Tree Hill open space property near McLean Hospital, sponsored by the Belmont Citizens Forum and JKR Conservation Fund. We are joined by many town residents to replant white pine saplings along the Pine Allee, remove invasive plants, clear brush, and pick up trash. Formerly a Powers Music School Board Member and Chenery After-School Parent Committee member.
Candidate’s Statement	I value our excellent public-school system and understand the challenges the town faces in managing the upcoming development projects that could impact the nature of Belmont, such as, Belmont Public Library, Viglirolo Skating Rink, McLean property rezoning. I also support the Community Path and other initiatives that improve the quality of life of Belmont residents. In this era of global warming, Belmont should prepare for increasingly intense storms and manage its storm water to reduce pollution in its waterways. Environmental stewardship is my top priority.
Your Precinct	I support the Community Path. The Community Path from Brighton Street to the Clark Street Bridge just beyond Belmont Center, including a spur to the Belmont High School and Middle School via a tunnel under the MBTA Fitchburg line will alleviate some of the traffic issues in our precinct while being good for the environment. Please contact me if you have any concerns about the Community Path and/or any Town related matters.

Name	Amy Kirsch
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	First-time candidate
I live in:	Precinct 8
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Founder and Co-Chair Belmont Helps, Member Belmont Vision 21 Committee, Administrator of the Belmont Massachusetts Parents Facebook Group, Chenery Middle School PTO Communications team
Candidate’s Statement	I’m a REALTOR® at Leading Edge, a town resident for over a decade, a proud parent raising 2 Belmont Public Schoolers & an avid volunteer including Founding and Co-Chairing Belmont Helps, Admin of the Belmont Massachusetts Parents Group on Facebook, & Member of the Belmont Vision 21 Town Committee. I am passionate about school quality and have served as Winn Brook PTA President. As an advocate of town resources for all generations, my priorities include more town-planned affordable housing, a new library and ice rink, and increasing commercial tax revenue streams. I love Belmont and am committed to helping our community!
Your Precinct	8

Name	Natalie Leino
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	First-time candidate
I live in:	Precinct 8
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	In-town volunteer/community activities: Town Meeting Member (2016-2020) – resigned due to temporary move out of state Past Chair/Member, Belmont Vision 21 Implementation Committee (2013-2019) Founding (Past) Member, Meet Belmont Committee (2018-2019) Chenery PTO DEI Co-Chair (2021-present) Member, Winn Brook Extended Learning Family Advisory Council (2016-present) Assistant Coach, Belmont Soccer Association (2016-present)
Candidate’s Statement	I am passionate about bringing Belmont together and helping residents stay informed and become involved in local government. I spent several years working on town committees pursuing these goals and as a Town Meeting Member spearheaded the effort to rename the “Board of Selectmen” the “Select Board”, which passed overwhelmingly. As Chenery PTO Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Co-Chair, I work to help make schools more equitable and inclusive. In addition to maintaining our excellent school system, my priorities include welcoming businesses and encouraging smart growth, thoughtful and environmentally responsible planning for capital projects, and completing the community path and underpass.

Name	Allison Lenk
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	2nd
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	I attend myriad meetings (Select Board, Warrant/School Committee, CPPC etc.) each month and read/respond to media to ensure that I’m up to date on important issues in town, and work to represent residents’ concerns. I’m a board member of the Belmont Historical Society, Belmont Land Trust, and the Belmont Dramatic Club. Last, but not least, I’m the Communications Director for CFRB, a non-partisan group of concerned citizens working to increase accountability, responsibility, and transparency in all aspects of town government.
Candidate’s Statement	A third generation Belmontonian, I care deeply about our town, working with residents to address their concerns including: increased traffic; needed balance of smart growth with preservation of open space; and rising property taxes that threaten residents’ ability to remain in the town we love.
Your Precinct	The concerns of abutters to the proposed Community Path have been ignored. The town has already spent $1.8M on this project and is asking TMM’s to approve another $200k in CPA funds this spring. Last spring, 48 abutters signed a petition stating that they wouldn’t allow encroachment on their property. Our own Town Attorney warned years ago that if this project moves forward it’s likely to be in litigation for years. The Alexander Underpass is desperately needed with the higher population of the (7-12) new school and the controversial decision to move tennis teams to the Winn Brook courts. The plan for the tunnel should never have been combined with the path – it should have stayed separate as it was initially. Other options for the path’s location ARE available, despite the insistence of proponents (who will not be directly impacted) that the present plan is the only plan.

Name	Melissa MacIntyre
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	3rd
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	I began attending meetings in town within the first few months of living here, when there was a push to move from having two commuter rail stops to having one, “centralized” stop, which would have placed the stop in a neighborhood that did not want it and taken away stops from two neighborhoods whose residents relied upon it. That is what eventually let me toward running to be a Town Meeting Member the first time. Since then, I have volunteered for the Yes for Belmont campaign, for the campaigns for several members of the Select Board, and for the Belmont Middle/High School Building campaign. I have volunteered for the Belmont food pantry, and at both Winn Brook Elementary and Chenery Middle School in various capacities. I am a frequent attendee at a number of Town committee meetings, including: the Library, the Planning Board, the Community Path Project, the Transportation Board, and the Select Board. I strongly believe that the strength of the community is seen in the actions of members of the community, and that we will all be better, and more connected, if we take an active role in our community.
Candidate’s Statement	I’ve included my LWV statement below, but I want to add: I am a very strong believer in the education that our public schools can provide, if they are adequately funded. The Yes for Belmont! campaign was unfortunately voted down, and as a result, our schools lost important personnel, services, and features, all of which helped to make them part of a strong educational system. I will work to help ensure that the system regains its strength, and remains well-funded for all of Belmont’s students’ benefit — we can accomplish this through voting, and importantly, through focused communication with town residents. ***** Hello! I consistently voted for increased Town Meeting transparency. I worked on the BHS/MS building project through group discussions and canvassing in Precinct 8. I support, and will vote for important, ecologically sustainable and economically sound Town building projects, including the library, skating rink, and affordable housing initiatives, all of which will contribute to Belmont. I favor safe, energy efficient, and business, resident, & commuter friendly transportation and parking options & measures, and enthusiastically support the Community Path. I value my commitment to service, evidenced by my TM attendance. Contact me for any reason, and thanks for your consideration!
Your Precinct	Precinct 8 is home to the area that will someday include the part of the Community Path that will connect to the Fitchburg Cutoff Bikepath, which leads directly to Alewife Station. There remains a wide communication gap between those who are in favor of the path, myself included, and those who are very concerned about how the path will impact the “abutters” — those whose back yards will be closest to the Path. As a former resident of a house in Arlington which directly abutted the very popular Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, I feel that I have the empathy and experience to address this issue with abutters. I have done so whenever the opportunity has presented itself, and whether or not I am re-elected, I will continue to work toward the goal of having a safe, well-planned and well-executed Community Path that will serve the needs of a huge variety of people while also allowing privacy for those property owners who live adjacent to the Path.

Name	Caitlin Madevu-Matson
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	First-time candidate
I live in:	Precinct 8
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	I serve on the Family Advisory Council for Winn Brook Extended Learning and as a Trustee of the Board for it’s parent non-profit, Schools for Children. I also sing in the choir and play handbells for the Belmont Watertown United Methodist Church.
Candidate’s Statement	As a graduate of Belmont High, a mother, and a public health professional, I believe strongly in smart investments in the people and infrastructure of our town. Responsible management of town funds involves ensuring efficiency but also appropriately funding and fully spending according to needs. I have been impressed by the resilience and resourcefulness of town administrators, teachers, and other staff and volunteers who showed up and maintained a strong sense of community throughout the pandemic. I hope to work to continue to invest in making Belmont the best place to live and raise our children.

Name	Hilton Madevu-Matson
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	First-time candidate
I live in:	Precinct 8
Candidate’s Statement	Funding major projects like the new middle and high school has required drawing on our diverse backgrounds and skill sets. We need creative solutions to our budget issues like broadening our tax base by supporting business growth, tapping into state and federal funds, and/or the financial markets. I envisage a Belmont that works for the young and for seniors, and for people in all income brackets, through upcoming achievements like the new library project. I hope to contribute my experience from a career in banking and consulting. We can do this!
Your Precinct	Funding major projects like the new middle and high school has required drawing on our diverse backgrounds and skillsets. We need creative solutions to our budget issues like broadening our tax base by supporting business growth, tapping into state and federal funds, and/or the financial markets. I envisage a Belmont that works for the young and for seniors, and for people in all income brackets, through upcoming achievements like the new library project. I hope to contribute my experience from a career in banking and consulting. We can do this!

Name	Kara Morin
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	First-time candidate
I live in:	Precinct 8
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Former chair of the WBExL (Winn Brook childcare) parents advisory committee. Volunteer for Belmont Helps (sewed masks). Kid’s church volunteer, New Roads Catholic Community.
Candidate’s Statement	As a 20 year fundraising professional, I’m interested in investigating ways that private fundraising can help defray capital project costs.
Your Precinct	8

Name	Lynn Read
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	5th
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	I’m currently serving my second term on the Warrant Committee. I’m also a member of the Parish Board of the First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist, and in past years I volunteered in the Winn Brook school.
Candidate’s Statement	On the Warrant Committee and Town Meeting, I examine the proposed Town budget, with focus on Human Services (Council on Aging, Health Department, Library) and Public Safety (Police, Fire, and Emergency Response). During the pandemic the Library reached out to our community with curbside service, enhanced WiFi in outdoor spaces, and digital books, programs and events. But the Library needs capital investment because its building is in dire condition. Belmont residents recently funded investments like the new middle and high school, and I want to approach upcoming needs like the Library with an eye to helping Belmont be affordable and have great quality of life. Please vote for me so I can continue to work for you and for our town.
Your Precinct	I want to preserve the walkable streets of Precinct 8. I will work on traffic management to keep Precinct 8 safe and fun for our residents.

Candidates’ Survey: Town Meeting Precinct 8

Three year position (vote for not more than 36)

Kathleen M. Baskin | 73 Munroe St | Candidate for re-election

Brian W. Brady | 219 Cross St

Julie Monahan Brady | 219 Cross St

Kevin P. Brosnan | 31 Tobey Rd | Candidate for re-election

Carolyn A. Bunyon | 50 Albert Ave | Candidate for re-election

Brian C. Caputo | 75 Oliver Rd | Candidate for re-election

Laura S. Caputo | 75 Oliver Rd | Candidate for re-election

Cosmo Caterino | 241 Channing Rd

Paul Coradeschi | 3 Cross St

Alexander E. Corbett, III | 114 Alexander Ave | Candidate for re-election

Kathleen “Fitzie” Cowing | 278 Cross St, #1 | Candidate for re-election

Michael F. Crowley | 119 Farnham St | Candidate for re-election

David J. DeMarco | 36 Lodge Rd | Candidate for re-election

Sharon L. DeMarco | 36 Lodge Rd | Candidate for re-election

Anthony A. Ferrante | 15 Westlund Rd | Candidate for re-election

Rogelio A.P. Fussa | 153 Channing Rd

Guanghua “Michael” Gao | 9 Plymouth Ave

Melissa Ann Irion | 132 Dean St | Candidate for re-election

Heather H. Ivester | 23 Stearns Rd

Karl A. Ivester | 23 Stearns Rd

Radha Iyengar | 76 Dean St | Candidate for re-election

Mark Kagan | 160 Claflin St | Candidate for re-election

Stephen Michael Kerins | 27 Sandrick Rd | Candidate for re-election

Amy Cohen Kirsch | 8 Jason Rd

Natalie MacLean Leino | 27 Sherman St

Allison V. Lenk | 145 Sherman St | Candidate for re-election

Maria Aleida Leza | 91 Channing Rd

Melissa MacIntyre | 94 Winn St | Candidate for re-election

Caitlin Anna Madevu-Matson | 32 Frost Rd

Hilton Madevu-Matson | 32 Frost Rd

Comments/Notes

Connor Maguire | 17 Hurley St

Donald Hugh Mercier | 96 Cross St | Candidate for re-election

Kara Annfussa Morin | 153 Channing Rd

Lynn Peterson Read | 62 Munroe St | Candidate for re-election

Roger H. Read | 62 Munroe St | Candidate for re-election

Paul C. Rickter | 119 Cross St | Candidate for re-election

Ann M. Rittenburg | 42 Farnham St | Candidate for re-election

Paul F. Roberts | 54 Cross St | Candidate for re-election

Deborah Marie Rosales | 48 Farnham St | Candidate for re-election

Stephen B. Rosales | 48 Farnham St | Candidate for re-election

Ellen Schreiber | 49 Sandrick Rd | Candidate for re-election

Lisa Sonia Starobin | 54 Cross St

Ellen J. Sugarman | 119 Cross St | Candidate for re-election

Jin Chang Xu | 84 Claflin St

Gi Yoon-Huang | 107 Winn St | Candidate for re-election

Erica Zidel | 105 Farnham St

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Name	Roger Read
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	4th
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	* Two years as head coach in Belmont Youth Soccer * Volunteer at Belmont Food Pantry * Volunteer for new high school/middle school campaign * 3 Years as Board Member, and 3 Years as Chair of Annual Fund Drive, at First Church in Belmont * 12 Years as Board Member at Powers Music School, Belmont
Candidate’s Statement	In running for re-election in Precinct 8, I intend to draw on your input while making decisions on the challenging budget and infrastructure issues facing our town. Infrastructure projects in Belmont proceed best when residents can voice concerns and offer creative ideas that are taken into account. Challenging key assumptions produces better designs and can lead to reduced costs. Creative, thoughtful action by residents last year led to a fresh look at the DPW fuel tank replacement. If re-elected to Town Meeting, I will work to ensure that residents continue to have input to improve projects such as the new Rink, the Community Path, the new Winn Book tennis court, the Library, and Payson Park Revitalization. Please vote for me on April 5. Thank you.
Your Precinct	My particular areas of interest in Precinct 8 are: 1. Winn Brook Tennis Courts: Closely follow construction of new Winn Brook court to minimize loss of soccer fields and open space, manage traffic and parking near courts, and maintain good pedestrian access to the playing fields. 2. Cut-through and speeding traffic: Advocate on behalf of residents to reduce cut-through and speeding traffic. 3. Making sure all neighborhoods in Precinct 8 are well served.

Name	Paul Rickter
Campaign Website (optional)	https://www.facebook.com/rickter4belmont
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	4th
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Warrant Committee Structural Change Impact Group Housing Trust
Candidate’s Statement	I’m a three-term Town Meeting member and currently serve on multiple town committees. On the Warrant Committee, I’ve provided helpful information about town finances to residents and analyzed the town budget. On the Structural Change Impact Group I’ve found ways to provide town services more efficiently and reduce costs. On the Housing Trust, I helped improve the McLean project so it takes a huge step toward our affordable housing goals. We need a new library and a new rink and we need more commercial development. I ask you for your vote to continue working to make Belmont better.
Your Precinct	We really need to complete the community path and the Alexander Ave tunnel, which will both connect our precinct with the rest of the town in good ways. I spend lots of time walking around our precinct and cut-through drivers going too fasts is a huge problem — more people are walking around during COVID times and pedestrian safety seems like an issue we need to address.

Name	Ann Rittenburg
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	7th
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Have been active in town government since arriving in Belmont in 2001. Former Belmont School Committee member, including 2 years as chair. Very active in various PTA/O organizations when my children were in the Belmont Public Schools, including service on the Winn Brook PTA board. Have been a Pct 8 TMM for the past two decades. Life-long advocate for education, social justice, and the environment. I teach at a local preschool and am actively involved in the field of early childhood education.
Candidate’s Statement	The perennial challenge for Belmont is delivering an excellent public education to our children, providing high quality services to our citizens, maintaining our buildings and infrastructure, and preserving our small town appeal, in as efficient and effective a manner, as possible, given our limited resources. This can only happen through collaborative problem-solving. My commitment to grappling with the challenges facing Belmont remains unwavering. It has been a privilege to represent and serve Precinct 8 for the past 18 years and I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday April 5th.

Name	Paul Roberts
Campaign Website (optional)	https://www.bloggingbelmont.com
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	5th
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	I am the Chairman of the Town’s Information Technology Advisory Committee, and have advised the Town on a number of issues related to technology including, most recently, cybersecurity and ransomware as well as remote meeting technology. I am a former 2 term Board member of the Foundation for Belmont Education and helped start and served as race director for the FBE’s Apple Run, which has raised close to $200,000 for the Belmont Public Schools.
Candidate’s Statement	I’m a Cross Street resident; five term Town Meeting member; father of three; and Chair of the Town’s Information Technology Advisory Committee. I believe Belmont’s best days are ahead of us and strongly support construction of a new Library and rink, which bring our community together, create joy, reduce inequality and increase civic engagement. If re-elected, I will push for reforms to Town government that streamline decision making, increase accountability and transparency and facilitate better long-term planning. We run a ‘horse and buggy’-era government in an age of Teslas. We can do better. I hope you will vote for me!
Your Precinct	Precinct 8 is particularly prone to cut through traffic and speeding. In the past, I organized Cross Street residents to push for the addition of speed bumps, which have greatly reduced speeding on Cross. More traffic calming measures would help. The bigger solution is to increase non-car options for residents. The Community Path will be critical to that: providing safe, car free transportation for Belmont residents and a easy pass through from the Winn Brook neighborhood to he 7-12 School, Library and beyond. I will work to support the Path and speed the ponderous planning and construction process along so that our community can benefit from this critical piece of 21st century infrastructure.

Name	DEBORAH ROSALES
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	9th
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Town Meeting Member for Precinct 8 since 1997 Friends of Belmont Council of Aging- current Director Belmont Historical Society-current Director and weekly volunteer working in the Library’s Claflin Room Volunteer at Belmont’s Beech Street Center (aka Senior Center) running the weekly blood pressure clinic Belmont Youth Basketball Association (BYBA)-former Treasurer and Coach
Candidate’s Statement	Belmont must encourage commercial development to expand tax base while preserving Belmont’s small town character. Empty storefronts and buildings create blight in our commercial districts. Must encourage wider variety of businesses to locate here and balance “walkability” with plentiful parking to make commercial areas thrive. Large-scale development needs practical analysis and compromise to balance neighborhood interests with Belmont’s revenue needs. Crumbling roads must be repaired and given higher budget priority.
Your Precinct	I have lived in Winn Brook/Precinct 8 for forty years and, with luck, will continue to live here for many years to come. As such, I know the pulse of the neighborhood and ask for your vote on April 5th.

Name	Lisa Starobin
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	First-time candidate
I live in:	Precinct 8
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	I participated in the Belmont High COVID Advisory Committee.
Candidate’s Statement	I am a 17-year resident of Belmont and the proud mother of two BHS graduates and one BHS junior. As a practicing physician, I see every day how important a supportive community and strong public services are to our health and well being as individuals.If elected to Town Meeting, I will work to maintain strong support of our public schools and library, and to expand essential Town services like recreation, public health and senior services. Belmont’s government should work for all residents. As a Town Meeting member, I will work to make sure it does.
Your Precinct	I am a strong supporter of The Community Path and believe that it will reduce traffic congestion in the Winn Brook area and promote walking/cycling vs. driving. I am a loyal customer and supporter of the Belmont’s Farmer’s Market and want to see that great Belmont institution continue to grow. I also support our locally businesses in Belmont Center and want to make sure that, as we emerge from the pandemic, they have the support they need to thrive.

Name	Ellen Sugarman
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	4th
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Community Path Project Committee Belmont Library Foundation Town Meeting Member
Candidate’s Statement	I look for creative ways to build community, be fiscally responsible, and move Belmont’s capital projects forward. As a member of the Community Path Project Committee I help design the path and search for funding sources. I’m a member of the Belmont Library Foundation whose mission is private fundraising so, when the time is right, the town will be able to afford a new library. I worked on the ‘yes’ campaign for the new 7-12 school that allowed the town to accept a state grant toward construction costs. Re-elect me toTown Meeting and I will continue to work for you.
Your Precinct	Precinct 8

Name	Gi Yoon-Huang
I’m a candidate for:	Town Meeting
I am running as a:	Candidate for re-election
I live in:	Precinct 8
I am seeking my ___ term in office:	3rd
Volunteer & community activities? (optional)	Belmont Police Chief Search Committee Return to In-Person Learning Working Group Safe Routes to School Program (Winn Brook) co-chair Winn Brook PTA volunteer (Enrichment program coordinator) Asian-American and Pacific Islanders Heritage month co-coordinator at Winn Brook Belmont Middle and High school building fundraising campaign for Winn Brook area co-coordinator
Candidate’s Statement	I seek for Belmont to be a green, walkable community where residents feel welcome and safe. On the Safe Routes to School Program, I have worked to improve crosswalks, decrease vehicular idling, and educate drivers around schools. I have served on the Police Chief Search Committee and the Return to In Person Learning Working Group. I voted to increase transparency in our local government which made available the Town Meeting members’ voting record. We should work together to continue to support our schools, local businesses, and environment.