Select Board Candidate Answers BCF Questions

Each year, the Belmont Citizens Forum asks candidates for town-wide office questions about issues facing Belmont. As of this publication Carol Berberian is the sole candidate running for Select Board. If another candidate emerges, see BelmontCitizensForum.org for their answers.

BCF

How do you propose to address Belmont’s structural fiscal challenges, and what specific budget or revenue strategies would you champion as a Select Board member?

Berberian

Belmont can build on the work of the Multi-Year Budget Advisory Committee to strengthen its financial future through realistic long-term planning and spending decisions that align with sustainable revenue. I will work to expand shared services, increase energy efficiency, and evaluate new initiatives based on long-term operating impact. I will continue to advocate for analysis of increased spending, review of town-owned assets, and strategic economic development.

BCF

Belmont’s tax base is roughly 95% residential and 5% commercial, a ratio that has changed little for decades. Do you believe that it is realistic to attempt to materially increase the commercial portion?

Berberian

We absolutely can materially increase our commercial tax base in Belmont. Our goals need to be focused on value, not just volume. Belmont needs a comprehensive, long-term strategy to manage traffic and parking effectively. I will work to attract high-quality uses that generate stable tax revenue, support existing local businesses, and encourage positive activity in our town. Small shifts can make a meaningful difference over time. Reducing outdated restrictions on businesses through zoning changes is essential. As the vice chair of the Planning Board, I spoke on numerous initiatives that support this objective. These proposals will help increase our commercial tax base while preserving the value of our community.

BCF

What is your vision for Belmont’s future look, feel, atmosphere, and quality of life—how residents live, learn, work, and connect, and what two or three concrete policy decisions would you prioritize in your first term to move the town toward that vision?

Berberian

My vision for Belmont is a town that embraces and celebrates the many cultures, backgrounds, and identities that make up our community, while fostering an environment where everyone feels respected and valued. By working together, we can address the diverse needs of our town and achieve a thoughtful balance of commercial development, environmental protection, and continued support for our Housing Production Plan. Belmont can advance its Climate Action Plan by integrating climate goals into capital planning, prioritizing energy efficiency, and strengthening sustainability for future generations. I am committed to transparency, balanced representation, and respectful communication that brings our community together.

BCF

Zoning reform and compliance with state housing laws, including the MBTA Communities Act, are reshaping development patterns in town. How would you balance requirements for additional housing and economic development with preserving Belmont’s small-town feel, natural resources, and historic character?

Berberian

Belmont will soon see our first project approved under the MBTA zoning built in Waverley Square. I am grateful for the work of the MBTA Communities Advisory Committee and all who worked on this zoning. I am proud of my work on these initiatives in my time on the Planning Board. I maintained a commitment to accuracy and transparency, advocated for the inclusion of Belmont Corner, and helped create the map that Town Meeting agreed was the best option for our town.

For our Accessory Dwelling Unit zoning, I did extensive research on neighboring communities, worked with the Age Friendly Action Committee, and provided significant direction for the creation of the new regulations. I believe another key to balancing the needs of the community is age restricted zoning. I advocated for two lots zoned for 55+ zoning to be included in the Belmont Center Overlay, yet this was not embraced by others. We have a higher population of seniors, combined with a higher concentration of larger housing units, and this creates an opportunity to consider including this in future plans.

BCF

Large private and institutional developments, such as those related to McLean Hospital or commercial centers, can strain traffic, infrastructure, and neighborhood quality of life. What principles would guide your decision-making on major development proposals, and how would you ensure that benefits and impacts are fairly shared across the community?

Berberian

Large private and institutional developments can bring real benefits to Belmont when they are planned thoughtfully, reviewed transparently, and focused on long-term community benefit. As an alternate member of the Planning Board in 2023, I was one of the “NO” votes on the Belmont Hill School parking lot and advocated for a more collaborative approach that would better serve the community. Concerns regarding pedestrian safety and environmental impact were not fully addressed in that proposal, and I felt we missed an opportunity. Public safety, traffic problems, parking, and potential environmental impacts always need to be considered.

As the vice chair of the Planning Board that reviewed the most recent McLean proposal, I was part of this more positive conversation that addressed community concerns while encouraging collaboration on this tax-positive development. We listened to feedback from residents, the police and fire departments, DPW, and other department heads to identify all potential impacts of the project. Proposals must be evaluated for true economic impact, infrastructure capacity, and overall impact on the residents.

BCF

Belmont has invested significant time and effort in the Belmont Community Path and safer bicycle and pedestrian networks. How do you view the role of these projects in the town’s transportation and climate strategy, and what would be your priorities for completing and connecting them?

Berberian

The investment in the Belmont Community Path and safer walking and biking networks plays an important role in our transportation and climate strategy. The Belmont Community Path Project Committee continues to demonstrate exceptional dedication and perseverance in advancing this complex project. Belmont students in grades 4-12 start their school day at the same time in the morning and this high level of volume creates a challenge that should be reviewed. Belmont has experienced a troubling number of pedestrian and bicycle accidents highlighting the need for improving safety.

BCF

The Belmont Citizens Forum emphasizes preserving natural and historical resources such as Lone Tree Hill and Rock Meadow. What are the most important environmental or open-space decisions facing the town in the next few years, and how would you approach funding and managing these areas as a Select Board member?

Berberian

As a Select Board member, I would work with the Conservation Commission, Energy Committee, Open Space & Recreation Plan Advisory Committee, and others to align long-term goals with realistic funding plans. I will support reviewing zoning, pursuing state and federal grants and working towards decisions to benefit future generations. It is important to balance increased public use and enjoyment while protecting Belmont’s open spaces.

BCF

Looking ahead to the end of your first term on the Select Board, what concrete outcomes or measurable changes, whether in finances, development, transportation, or environmental protection, would you hope residents could point to as evidence that your leadership has improved Belmont?

Berberian

My goal is for residents to have greater confidence and trust in the Select Board. We need to respect the independence of our committees, encourage thoughtful debate, and value differing perspectives. Clear, transparent, and consistent leadership will build trust. That trust is essential to earning broad community support for future initiatives that will benefit Belmont. I am committed to strengthening our finances, supporting local businesses, encouraging responsible development, and protecting neighborhood character to make Belmont more vibrant, welcoming, and resilient for the next generation.