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.
Click on the links below to view the candidate’s survey. A check mark (✓ ) indicates candidates who have submitted surveys.
Two year position (vote for not more than 2)
Only one individual is running for one of two open spots, meaning that one spot will be filled by write in candidates or at a Precinct caucus following the election.
Three year position (vote for not more than 12)
Kathryn Stclair Colburn | 34 Centre Ave
| Name | Kathryn Colburn |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | First-time candidate |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Library Building Committee – Chair Belmont Library Foundation |
| Candidate’s Statement | I feel passionate about having a public library that serves everyone in Belmont and our current building does not. While the library programs are amazing (over 300 a year) and while we are currently 10th in the Commonwealth for usage, the building and the building systems are in disrepair. We have an opportunity to create a sustainable, accessible, fiscally responsible library that serves everyone in Belmont. I support sustainability, the public school system, affordable housing, the community path and many other projects that are financially sound and promote wellness and community. |
| Your Precinct | Most of the issues that I am focused on are Town-wide issues and are not specific to Precinct 3. Increasing housing options however, is one issue that we need to address so that our town can increase its tax base while providing housing, specifically affordable housing, on a broader scale. |
John T. Dieckmann | 47 Lorimer Rd | Candidate for re-election
| Name | John Dieckmann |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| I am seeking my ___ term in office: | 11th (or more) |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Vice president Belmont Citizens Forum Waltham Land Trust Board member Friends of the Western Greenway Friends of the Belmont Community Path In the past — Community Path Advisory Committee, Community Preservation Act Study Committee, Community Preservation Act Ballot Committee |
| Candidate’s Statement | I am pleased that Phase 1 of the Community Path is moving forward, and I will support future CPA funding for detailed design of Community Path Phase 2. While I will support debt exclusion overrides to finance a new library and skating rink, when they come up, it is essential that the significant investments we have made in major town facilities — the high school, police station, public works, light dept HQ, Wellington school — not be squandered due to poor maintenance. After the library and skating rink have been addressed, the taxpayers really need a break from additional major capital projects. |
Jolanta K. Eckert | 68 South Cottage Rd
| Name | Jolanta Eckert |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | First-time candidate |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Over the period of six years on the Sheborn Advisory Committee (equivalent to Belmont’s Warrant Committee), I served as the liaison to local and regional school committes, town departments and various community groups. I also served on the search committee for a new School superintendent. |
| Candidate’s Statement | As a two-year Belmont resident, I bring many years of experience in balancing town financial and capital challenges. I served for six years as a member and Vice Chair of the Sherborn Advisory (equivalent to Warrant) Committee, when the community was struggling with already high tax bills while financial demands required addressing operational and capital overrides (number of aging town/school infrastructure and growing population). This necessitated building consensus on priorities while developing strategies for longer term solutions. I subsequently served as Chair of Capital Budget Committee for a period of five years and worked with proponents to develop private/public partnerships to support projects such as a library renovation. |
| Your Precinct | I am concerned about the volume of traffic and the poor conditions of the roads. |
Ariane Elizabeth Goodman-Belkadi | 12 Woodland St | Candidate for re-election
No survey received.
Vera L. Iskandarian | 338 Waverley St | Candidate for re-election
| Name | VERA L ISKANDARIAN |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| I am seeking my ___ term in office: | 3rd |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | I was the Wellington school treasurer for 7 years, and was also on the recycling committee. I have been involved with Belmont Solar for manyhh by years. I am currently the Treasurer of the Belmont Democratic Town Committee |
| Candidate’s Statement | I am a long time Belmont resident with 2 boys in the school system. I have been a long time supporter of safe walking and biking routes. Rooftop solar, retail net metering, electric vehicles and ZNE buildings. I am dedicated to supporting public schools, teachers and students. I want a more affordable and diverse Belmont where everyone feels welcome. |
Raffi M. Manjikian | 35 Summit Rd | Candidate for re-election
| Name | Raffi Manjikian |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| I am seeking my ___ term in office: | 6th |
| Candidate’s Statement | A lifelong resident and parent of four students that have attended our school system, financial management of our budget has been a focus since 2004 as TMM. The next two fiscal years relies on nearly $10MM of one-time money from free cash and federal pandemic aide, which will force critical decisions on leadership ahead. Balancing the burden on residents and preserving services will be important for me and the residents of our “Town of Homes.” How we decide is as important as what we decide, to manage our budget. Listening to both sides of the issues will inform my deliberations. |
| Your Precinct | Precinct 3 – as one of the most densely populated precincts in Belmont, quality of life and neighborhood concerns is my #1 priority. The impact of a dynamic real-estate market, traffic and revitalization places competing interests for the community to consider. Careful evaluation of initiatives have fiscal impact for decades – how we decide is as important on what course of action we take to meet our obligations for the residents. It is with that focus I will continue to weigh in on the issues before Precinct 3 residents and for the town as a whole. I look forward to those discussions and to engage on those issues. I thank you in advance for your vote. |
Christina Anita Marsh | 218 Orchard St
| Name | Christina Marsh |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | First-time candidate |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Belmont Library Foundation – Board Member and Clerk – Communication Committee: Develop communication materials, graphics, and the website Belmont Middle and High School campaign – Co-organizer of the visibility effort for the vote Boston Society of Architects – Co-chair of the Small Practices Network, which facilitates presentations and round table discussions on business and design topics for small firm owners – Mentorship – Have volunteered mentorship through the Women in Design and the Emerging Professionals Network |
| Candidate’s Statement | Our town isn’t a static entity, and as it evolves, we must consistently plan for the ongoing and future needs of our community. I am so often impressed by how involved our residents are in giving their expertise, time, and efforts to our town. It is we the residents who create our community, and I am happy to be a part of that effort. I supported the new Belmont Middle and High School project, participating in workshops and co-organizing the visibility effort for the campaign. I have been on the Belmont Library Foundation board for several years and am a key contributor to the current fundraising effort. Making strategic investments in our built environment is one of the ways we enable a thriving and sustainable community. As a Town Meeting Member, I intend to look at the many interrelated decisions we need to make as a town in a thoughtful and holistic manner. I am a parent, a small business owner, and an architect, and hope to represent you at Town Meeting. |
Ella Miller | 80 Clark St
| Name | Ella Miller |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | First-time candidate |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | I greatly enjoy being involved in the Belmont community. have volunteered at the Belmont Public Library, Belmont Food Pantry, and Belmont Public Schools. |
| Candidate’s Statement | As a 2020 graduate of Belmont High School, I am running for town meeting because I want to give back. I am grateful for the education I received here and I am committed to ensuring continued high quality education for the children of Belmont. I also feel passionately that we need to do better in terms of implementing proactive, strategic processes and policies that address environmental issues and meet our climate action goals. |
| Your Precinct | I am a strong supporter of the Belmont Community Path. |
Jill Souza Norton 96 Clark St Candidate for re-election
| Name | Jill Norton |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| I am seeking my ___ term in office: | 2nd |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | In addition to serving as a TMM, I’m a member of Wellington School’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, the Grade 1 enrichment coordinator, and a room parent. In 2020, I co-founded a districtwide family engagement group called the Belmont Family Engagement Network to bring families into the conversation about our vision of teaching and learning in Belmont. In 2018-2019, I was appointed to a one-year school committee term. I am active in my church community where I currently serve on a Task Force for Justice and Reparations. I also serve on the boards of two Boston-based nonprofit organizations focused on education. |
| Candidate’s Statement | I’m running for another term as a town meeting member because there is so much untapped potential in Belmont. My main focus is improving our public schools, drawing on my professional experience as a teacher, researcher and policy adviser in Massachusetts. Only 31 of the 300+ districts in Massachusetts spend LESS than Belmont spends per student. While the high achievement of some of our students is cause for celebration, our limited investment in our schools creates an overreliance on Belmont families to advocate for and bear additional costs to support their students – which further disadvantages families with limited resources. Last year, I worked with a group of other Belmont parents to launch a districtwide family engagement group to help strengthen the alignment between the school district and the families of Belmont and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the needs of families as a town meeting member. I also support Belmont’s continued investment in community spaces – like our town rink and library – spaces that are so important to the vibrant culture of our town. Finally, I’m interested in exploring additional sources of income (beyond property taxes) to offset increased spending on schools and community spaces. |
| Your Precinct | Precinct 3 |
Lisa A. Oteri 31 Waverley Ter Candidate for re-election
| Name | Lisa Oteri |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| I am seeking my ___ term in office: | 4th |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | SEPAC volunteer Decoding Dyslexia Belmont Soccer mom roles Butler PTO, committees Guatemala Family Network co-chair Non-profit board membership Professional memberships and volunteer roles Workplace ID&E initiatives volunteer |
| Candidate’s Statement | Current Town Meeting Member, Information Technology professional and educator. Parent of recent BHS graduate. Past and present volunteer for SEPAC, Decoding Dyslexia-Belmont, and workplace Inclusion, Diversity & Equity initiatives. Co-sponsor of 2021 amendment to town warrant in support of clean energy future for Belmont neighborhoods. Supporter of education, smart economic and residential development, environmental initiatives, and long-term economic and infrastructure planning for Belmont. |
| Your Precinct | All issues coming before Town Meeting are important to Precinct 3. However, Precinct 3 is one of the densest areas of Belmont, and key areas also include redevelopment, traffic, transportation, green space, and health and safety. |
Martin Plass 10 Stanley Rd Candidate for re-election
| Name | Martin Plass |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| I am seeking my ___ term in office: | 3rd |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | First Church Belmont Green C’te and Energy Manager |
| Candidate’s Statement | I am deeply concerned about a healthy environment for Belmont and have been very engaged in the Belmont Goes Solar campaign (as solar coach) and the Belmont Drives Electric campaign. Belmont’s parks and recreational opportunities are also high on my agenda, i.e. preserving and improving Rock Meadow, Lonetree Hill, and creating a better recreational program. I further support traffic calming measures and improving pedestrian and bicycle pathways as well as public transportation options. Regarding financial management, I feel that we must strive to minimize tax burdens on citizens, while ensuring that we have a working library and skating rink. |
| Your Precinct | Traffic on Mill Street and through Waverley Square is horrendous, traffic calming measures are urgently required, such as narrowing the street by creating bike lanes, rotaries, raised cross-walks, etc. I would love to see a community path next to Mill Street in the DCR Conservation land to connect Waverley to Kendall Gardens and Rock Meadow. I also support more commercial development in Belmont to reduce the tax burden on homeowners. This could happen around Waverley Square, in Belmont Center, areas close to Route 2 and Brighton Street. |
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Judith Ananian Sarno 30 Waverley Ter Candidate for re-election
| Name | Judith Ananian Sarno |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| I am seeking my ___ term in office: | 7th |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | ~2021, Successfully fought to prevent the town from spending over a million $$$ to install two 6000 gallon above ground gas and diesel fuel tanks 125 ft from our residential neighborhood. ~Currently serving as Treasurer of the DPW/Police Building Committee. ~2013, Successfully Co-sponsored the Demolition Moratorium to halt replacement of single-family homes with multiple-unit dwellings on small lots in the GR District. Successfully passed at Special Town Meeting. ~2003, Served as Chairperson on Belmont Kennel & Dog Noise Regulation Committee; Developed By-Law that successfully passed Town Meeting. ~in 2009, successfully helped the Harris St. neighborhood remove a 150 KW Diesel Generator installed at Sr. Center only 5 ft. from neighborhoods’ backyard. |
| Candidate’s Statement | My priorities continue to be issues that most critically affect our neighborhoods. I co-sponsored the Demolition Moratorium to halt replacement of single-family homes with multiple-unit dwellings in the General Residence (GR) District; helped remove a 150kw diesel generator at the Senior Center; chaired the Kennel and Dog Noise Regulation Committee; helped to prevent the demolition of the Grove Street Tennis Courts; and, most recently, fought to prevent the town from spending over a $1million to install two 6,000 gallon above-ground gasoline and diesel fuel tanks 125 feet from our residential neighborhood. I currently serve on the DPW/Police Building Committee. |
| Your Precinct | Precinct 3: ~We must continue to work to stop the town from returning with their proposal to spend over $1 million dollars to install gas and diesel fuel tanks above ground in a residential neighborhood abutting DPW when they should be focusing on converting much of the fleet to either hybrid or electric vehicles. Our successful efforts in 2021 resulted in the town currently conducting a trial of using WEX-cards (credit cards) to purchase gas for town vehicles at Belmont’s gas stations which would be both more environmentally sound and also more cost effective in the long run. ~So Pleasant St. development: We approved a zoning overlay to encourage more commercial development along So Pleasant St and generate more revenue opportunities for the town. We already approved two licenses for retail marijuana and those are both scheduled to open soon. ~ Waverley Square: New mixed use development is about to be finalized with more opportunities in the works. |
Robert L. Sarno 30 Waverley Ter Candidate for re-election
| Name | Robert Sarno |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| I am seeking my ___ term in office: | 5th |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Served on Warrant Committee from 2010-2016 and as Chair of the Education Subcommittee, 2012-2015 |
| Candidate’s Statement | As a Town Meeting Member and former Warrant Committee member, I have consistently supported efforts to conserve the town’s limited financial resources. Belmont faces a structural budget deficit and, although we clearly want high quality town and school services, we are a small residential town and already pay a larger percentage of our household incomes on property taxes or rents than most of our peer communities. Addressing these facts requires careful financial management that prioritizes the most critical programs and services, reduces operating costs where possible, and is creative in developing alternate revenue sources to lessen the burden on taxpayers. |
| Your Precinct | I will look to represent neighborhood interests in the ongoing efforts to develop commercial and residential properties in Waverley Square and along South Pleasant Street. In addition, I will continue my efforts to influence the town’s decision regarding new fuel tanks at the DPW yard toward a solution that addresses neighborhood concerns and is more forward-looking with respect to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels in the next 5-10 years. |
Heli Tomford 72 Pinehurst Rd Candidate for re-election
| Name | Heli Tomford |
|---|---|
| I’m a candidate for: | Town Meeting |
| I am running as a: | Candidate for re-election |
| I live in: | Precinct 3 |
| I am seeking my ___ term in office: | 11th (or more) |
| Volunteer & community activities? (optional) | Long ago: 2nd Soccer coach; Shade Tree & Benches for Belmont Committees; Powers Music School (Chair during 25th anniversary name change from Belmont Music School and move to Concord Avenue); volunteer at Winn Brook; Chenery, and BHS. More recently: Library Trustee (6 terms); FBE (nominating); Belmont Walks/Bikes (co-organized with then Rep. Anne Paulsen to advocate for and promote ways to increase safe walking and bicycling, a group that created the Farmers’ Market); Judith K. Record Memorial Conservation Fund trustee. Current: Library Building Committee; Belmont Food Collaborative & Food Pantry Boards. Always: LWV Voter Service Committee. |
| Candidate’s Statement | In the Commonwealth’s library circulation statistics, Belmont continues to be in the top ten. Our Town, however, also continues with a “way overdue” item—its public library building. For example, ADA has been law for over three decades and our library, used by residents of all ages, is woefully incompliant. There are recurring and increasingly serious building problems, and the present footage and layout configuration do not meet the needs of a 21st century public library. I support the commendable collaboration among Library Trustees, the Friends, and the Foundation advocating for a new library with public-private funding to create it. For more information, please see: https://belmontpubliclibrary.net/about/building-committee/. Covid brought greater appreciation and use of local outdoor spaces. Belmont’s parks, playgrounds, playing fields, tennis courts, and conservation areas, and yes, its sidewalks and streets, allowed its residents to enjoy exercise or simply see one another (albeit masked for months!). Our streets and sidewalks continue to need attention. A community path from Brighton Street to Belmont Center would provide important recreational and practical uses (commuters to Alewife station; Fresh Pond residents to Belmont Center’s businesses). Public spaces —indoors and outdoors—available to all residents are critical to a strong, vibrant, healthy community. |
| Your Precinct | Two town-owned sites on Concord Avenue—the former Belmont Light Department building next to the BPD building and the incinerator area at the western end of Precinct 3—as well as the former McLean Barn parcel deserve careful planning for their reuse, possibly as potential sources of revenue. |