Dear Town Meeting Members,
I am seeking applicants for a number of Moderator-appointed committees including:
- Bylaw Review Committee (4 of 5 members)
- Comprehensive Capital Budget Committee (5 of 9 members)
- Permanent Building Advisory Committee (6 of 7 members)
- Warrant Committee (15 of 17 members)
These are staggered three year term appointments, so about one third of the positions are eligible for appointment or reappointment each year.
As you may know, Belmont’s many town committees, whether appointed by the Moderator or the Select Board, are staffed by residents who through their voluntary service play an important role in Belmont’s town government. If you have any interest in serving on one of these committees, please apply. If you know of anyone who might be interested in serving on a committee, please pass this along and encourage them to apply.
I am committed to attempting to balance these appointments, encouraging residents from all precincts to apply including: younger residents, older residents, parents, as well as groups of residents who are underrepresented on our committees.
- Who is Eligible to Serve on the Committees?
All Belmont residents are eligible to serve on these committees. There is no requirement to be a Town Meeting Member, a registered voter, or even a U.S. Citizen.
- How to Apply?
Interested residents should visit the Town’s Volunteer Portal to apply to serve on a committee. The Portal’s website can be found here. Be sure to click on the committee you are interested in before following the instructions to submit any information.
- Where Can I Find More Information About These Committees?
See the Attachment for more information about each of the committees.
- What Are the Qualifications?
For most of the committees, there are no mandatory qualifications, except as noted below. Other helpful skills, while not necessarily mandatory, are also listed below. Regardless of particular skills or qualifications, you are encouraged to apply for appointment if you are interested.
- Bylaw Review Committee: A background in law is helpful, but not mandatory.
- Comprehensive Capital Budget Committee: A background in budgeting, capital purchases, infrastructure maintenance, and/or planning is helpful, but not mandatory.
- Permanent Building Advisory Committee: Per Town Bylaw § 40-420, members should “have experience in architecture, engineering, building construction, law or finance” to the extent possible.
- Warrant Committee: A background in budgeting, finance, and/or data analysis is helpful, but not mandatory.
Again, while certain skills are deeply helpful for some committees, I encourage anyone who has an interest to apply. Please feel free to reach out to me for more information, as well.
Thank you!
Mike Crowley
Moderator
moderator@belmont-ma.gov
(617) 752-2250
Attachment
Brief Information About Moderator-Appointed Committees with 3-Year Terms
The information below is intended to provide you with a starting point and includes a brief description of each committee (excerpted from the 2024 Annual Town Report and other sources), the name and email for the committee chair, a link to the Town Bylaw authorizing the committee, and a link to the committee’s page on the town website where you also can find agendas, minutes, and committee reports.
Bylaw Review Committee
The Bylaw Review Committee reviews proposals for amendments to Belmont’s General Bylaws to ensure consistency with the form and content of existing Bylaws. Members of the committee also assist citizens in reviewing and making suggestions about proposed amendments to the General Bylaws. In addition, amendments to the proposed language, offered by Town Meeting Members, are also reviewed by the committee. The Committee’s responsibilities do not include Belmont’s Zoning By-Laws.
Comprehensive Capital Budget Committee
The Comprehensive Capital Budget Committee prepares a long-term capital improvement plan and report to Town Meeting each year, with funding recommendations for the next fiscal year. Capital improvements include spending to acquire, lease, construct, rehabilitate, or upgrade long-lived assets such as buildings, infrastructure, vehicles, major pieces of equipment, and technology, and the acquisition of land, easements, and other long-term interests in real estate.
Permanent Building Advisory Committee
The Permanent Building Advisory Committee oversees all projects for the design, construction, reconstruction, alteration or enlargement of any building or other facilities owned by the Town, or undertaken on land owned, leased or operated by the Town, with an expected construction value of $50,000 or more, except when Town Meeting authorizes a building or project committee for a particular project. The Committee may also review projects with an expected value of less than $50,000.
Warrant Committee
Town Bylaws give the Warrant Committee responsibility for reporting and making recommendations to Town Meeting on any article that involves the appropriation of money. The most significant is the annual Town budget where the Warrant Committee presents its annual operating budget and capital budget recommendations to Town Meeting. The Warrant Committee also reports on matters that significantly impact the Town’s financial interest. In addition, the Warrant Committee reviews and approves all requests for transfers from the Reserve Fund. Established by Town Meeting, the $500,000 Reserve Fund is designed for unbudgeted, emergency expenditures that arise during the year.
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