Elizabeth4Belmont

10/12/2025

If you want to know why my Select Board colleagues and I are promoting a pro-growth overlay for Belmont Center, watch this video beginning at 1:40. Watertown City Council President Mark Sideris explains how Watertown could build a $200MM high school WITHIN the existing City budget (i.e., no debt exclusion): "We were able to do it, because we had a significant amount of commercial growth over the last several years." Belmont counts pennies, nickels, and dimes. A small fraction of Watertown's commercial growth would still make a huge difference to our cash-strapped Town.

The new school building will give more energy back to the grid than it uses, setting a new standard for sustainability and student living.

09/29/2025

On July 10, Jeff Hansell (Executive Director, Belmont Media Center) and I testified on Beacon Hill about the critical role BMC plays in hosting and broadcasting Belmont's various government meetings. (You can view our testimony here: https://vimeo.com/1100706303/a0c17ddd0a) Town Meeting, the Select Board, the Warrant Committee, the Comprehensive Capital Budget Committee, the Planning Board, the Community Preservation Committee... The list goes on and on!

Now BMC needs your help. In December, BMC is moving from Waverley Square to custom-built space in both the new library and high school, which will save approximately $100,000/year in rent. However, BMC needs to cover over $225,000 in one-time capital costs associated with that move. Please consider making a donation today. Your support is critical to maintaining open and transparent government in Belmont. Thank you! https://www.belmontmedia.org/donate

09/14/2025

Today was Town Day in Belmont Center, an annual event that brings Belmontonians together as a kind, caring community that values each of its members. It was a welcome reminder of all that unites us here--and everywhere.

In the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder, I look over my shoulder a little more often. As one of Belmont's three Select Board Members, I sometimes fear what I might encounter from angry residents.

So I am grateful that both Republican Governor Spencer Cox (UT) and Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom (CA) strongly condemned Kirk's assassation, as did Governor Maura Healey (MA). Michigan's bipartisan reaction to the murder bears special significance, in the wake of the assassination of neighboring State Representative Melissa Hortman (D) on June 14. Minnesota's House Republican leader, Speaker Lisa Demuth wrote of Hortman: "We worked together... to build a strong relationship based on our shared values and our commitment to making our state better."

This is what it means to be a true public servant, to disagree respectfully when we must, to reach across the aisle when we can, and always to honor one another's sincere efforts. Thank you, Utah. Thank you, California. Thank you, Michigan. Thank you, Massachusetts. And thank you, Belmont.

The shooting and death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk compelled condemnations of political violence from members of Michigan’s congressional delegation, on both sides of the aisle, as well as state officials and candidates for office in 2026. Each spoke out against recent politically-mot...

09/05/2025

Kudos to Belmont for landing at #26 on the list of safest municipalities in the United States. This is a tribute to our hard-working and upstanding police officers (despite recent, tough reductions in head-count) and to a welcoming community that is serious about taking care of each one of its members.

I do quibble with the "richest" portion of the list, as we have significant economic diversity in Town (35% renters, and more multi-family units than single-family homes). According to the June edition of Money, Inc., Belmont doesn't rank in the top 30 wealthiest cities/towns in Massachusetts, let alone the nation...

Eight other Massachusetts communities were in the top 50 nationwide.

08/01/2024

This morning the Select Board unanimously voted to forward two MBTA Communities Act maps, as approved by the Planning Board on July 30, to the EOHLC for pre-compliance review

https://www.belmont-ma.gov/planning-board/pages/mbta-communities-zoning-project

The final maps are in excellent shape, reflecting countless hours of work by the MBTA Advisory Committee, the Planning Board, and Select Board Member Roy Epstein. I thank them for their exemplary service.

The maps are identical, with the exception of inclusion of the Purecoat North site (39 Hittinger St) and F.E. French Construction (40 Brighton St) in Map 2. I have grave concerns about the inclusion of Purecoat, related to environmental remediation, increased traffic, addressing our identified housing gaps (specifically housing for young professionals and seniors), and inclusion of sufficient commercial space. I believe that my Select Board colleagues share many of these concerns. However, we also believe in an open and comprehensive public process, hence we voted to forward both maps for review.

Inclusion in an MBTA Communities map allows developers to build as-of-right, limited only by state statute. Including the Purecoat site in the MBTA Communities map substantially reduces Belmont's ability to guide the development of the site. Belmont must maintain zoning control over this property, because the current proposal (which is both amorphous and evolving) falls short in several ways.

Specifically, it:

1. Does not adequately address the contamination issues on site: The Purecoat site is badly contaminated from metal finishing processes, and the development process must not spread contamination to surrounding parts of the community. (The site is a half-mile from the new Middle and High School.) On the one hand, we need to contain contamination during construction. On the other hand, capping contamination by leaving the current cement slab in place leaves dangerous chemicals on-site. Regardless, Belmont needs to retain zoning control to work out an acceptable environmental clean-up agreement.

2. Provides too much parking, without traffic mitigation: Belmont's efforts to create a livable, walkable community will be undercut by the 200 parking spaces (both underground and surface) included in the current development proposal. Such parking may be necessary to make a residential development financially viable. However, that must be offset by negotiating with the developer to implement traffic mitigation efforts to help Belmont become a more diverse, walkable, and livable community.

3. Does not address our current housing gaps: Belmont is working with real estate consultants RKG Associates to identify our housing market needs and commercial development opportunities. You can find their preliminary analysis here: https://www.belmont-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif12826/f/uploads/belmont_market_analysis_presentation_deck_6-14-24.pdf. Right now, our biggest housing gap is affordable studio and one-bedroom apartments, which provide entry points for young professionals and seniors wishing to downsize. The vast majority of the proposed 225 units at Purecoat are for two-plus bedroom units. These are more profitable for the developer, but they do not diversify either our housing options or our current demographic distribution.

4. Does not maximize the opportunity for new commercial taxes: By retaining current commercial zoning and keeping the site out of the MBTA Communities map, Belmont can require more commercial space, while maintaining the residential component of the project that is financially attractive to the developer (and which will increase foot traffic to our shopping areas). In addition to the residential component (which I support), I have specifically requested a second floor of commercial space (preferably for medical services), but the developer has not yet agreed.

As Select Board Chair, my overarching goals are to ensure a vibrant community and a financially sustainable future for Belmont. Belmont recently avoided drastic cuts to school and town services by passing an $8.4 million tax override. As a champion for that override, I promised to support reasonable steps to increase our commercial tax base, in order to 1) increase the number of years the town can go without seeking another override, and 2) reduce the size of the next override request.

Increasing our commercial tax base is essential for Belmont’s long-term financial stability. Currently, less than 5% of Belmont property taxes come from commercial sources. Including the site in the compliance map means that Belmont will lose a one-time opportunity to maximize commercial revenue. Select Board Vice Chair Matt Taylor and I have both pledged to work toward a 10% threshold of commercial property tax revenue. Converting one of our largest parcels from commercial to residential zoning runs directly contrary to this promise to Belmont’s taxpayers.

5. Forces us to rezone F.E. French Construction from commercial to residential: Due to the technical requirements of the MBTA Communities Act, Purecoat can’t stand alone as a residential site. As a result, the MBTA Communities map must also rezone F.E. French Construction (40 Brighton St) to meet a five-acre threshold. This means that Belmont would rezone even more of its already limited commercial zoning to residential (with no commercial component). Given the Town’s pressing need for commercial development, this takes us in the wrong direction!

My opposition to inclusion of the Purecoat site has been mischaracterized as opposition to affordable housing as a whole. On the contrary, I have repeatedly and publicly stated that two of my top priorities are the redevelopment and significant expansion of both Sherman Gardens and Belmont Village. Increased unit count is why I strongly advocated the inclusion of all Belmont Housing Authority properties in Belmont’s MBTA Communities Map.

As long-time Chair of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), I championed efforts to provide over $1MM in development funding that will allow Belmont to leverage tens of millions of dollars in state and federal grants to redevelop Sherman Gardens. This redevelopment is well underway and will increase the current unit count from 80 to approximately 125 units (including additional family units). The CPC has also funded preliminary plans for Belmont Village, which we hope will result in a similar 50% increase in the unit count there.

I strongly supported the McLean Zone 3 development, which will result in a substantial increase in affordable housing units in Belmont. This happened only because Belmont had the right to negotiate a favorable deal with the Zone 3 developer.

Given our need for commercial development and environmental remediation, Belmont must be thoughtful in our approach to developing the Purecoat site. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get this development right. For these reasons, I strongly advocate excluding it from the MBTA Communities Act map that Town Meeting will ultimately adopt.

This page provides up-to-date information and resources in regard to the MBTA Communities Multifamily Zoning Project.

07/23/2024

Last night's Select Board meeting was tough for several reasons, including a vote by my two colleagues against the reappointment of Jeff Birenbaum, the most pro-growth Chair that Belmont's Planning Board has ever had.

However, another low point came during consideration of appointments to the Economic Development Committee. Matt Taylor expressed concerns about the spread of conspiracy theories and misinformation by certain members of the EDC. Genuinely perplexed, I asked him to be more specific. I was shocked when he launched a direct attack against Marie Warner, who happened to be in the room. I promptly recognized Marie, so that she could speak in her own defense. Paul Joy, Mike Widmer, and Sue Croy also rose to defend Marie, citing her exemplary service on multiple town committees.

As Select Board Chair, I want to apologize publicly to Marie for what she experienced during last night's meeting. I am deeply sorry. No member of the public should be subjected to such rhetoric when appearing before the Select Board, especially not a volunteer who has served the Town diligently and well. Marie and I have disagreed on any number of issues, but I defend her right--and everyone's right--to free association, thought, and speech.

I have two criteria in making committee appointments. First, will the person prioritize Belmont's general interests over narrow special interests? Second, do I trust the person to act with integrity and good will? If those two criteria are in place, then I am comfortable with a wide range of views on our various committees. In fact, such diversity of opinion results in more carefully considered decision-making and better overall results for the Town. We are stronger together.

I want to end with a shout-out to Belmont's hundreds of volunteers, past and present, for all that you have done--and continue to do--to make our community a wonderful place to live!

07/19/2024

Last Friday, Maximillian Dionne led me on a private tour of the U.S. Capitol Building. This is sacred ground, dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, equality under the law, and justice for all.

The next day, a deranged shooter attempted to assassinate Donald J. Trump. I was deeply shocked by the assassination attempt and enormously relieved that, by the grace of God, the shooter failed. (I am also appalled by the inexcusable failure of the Secret Service to secure a roof with a direct sight-line to Mr. Trump.)

Several Belmont voters have requested that the Select Board officially condemn this act of violence. I unequivocally decry political violence in any form. However, Belmont's Select Board focuses on our many local challenges, not the national or international issues that our duly elected state and national leaders are fully qualified to address.

We have ballots so that we don't need to to use bullets. George Washington willingly relinquished power in 1797, a founding moment in American history. But John Adams did something equally great in 1801, when he left the President's office to Thomas Jefferson. A peaceful transition of power between rival parties was unprecedented in world history. That was the first of many such peaceful transitions in our nation's history. I hope and expect that, whatever the outcome of the November 5 vote, we will all honor the democratic will of the voters, and another such transition will occur on January 20.

God bless America!

10/31/2023

This is yet another helpful article from Belmont Voice, the impactful non-profit that is filling the gap in Belmont's local news coverage. Thanks to Molly Farrar (a journalism student at BU) and to the many dedicated volunteers who are making local news in Belmont a reality! You can sign up on the Belmont Voice website to receive occasional updates in your inbox.

by Molly Farrar, Belmont Voice Contributor Elizabeth Dionne — sworn in this year as Belmont’s fourth ever woman on the Select Board, and the first woman in 17 years — hit the ground running when she was elected in April. Starting with a Town Meeting warrant article in November, Dionne said she

10/24/2023

https://www.familybikeride.org/halloween

Sunday morning I was back at the Belmont Middle and High School, this time as a marshall for Belmont's Third Annual Halloween Family Bike Ride. Kukos to Paul Morgan and his crew of volunteers for a safe and fun family biking event. My "costume" was being a bike rider! State Representative David Rogers had a bit more holiday spirit...

10/24/2023

https://www.belmontvoice.org/news/bmhs-dedication-shines-light-on-volunteers

On Saturday, I had the honor of speaking at the dedication ceremony of the new Belmont Middle and High School on behalf of Belmont's Select Board. So many people volunteered countless hours to bring this massive and important project to fruition:

“'For the next 50 years, this temple of learning will open the gates of opportunity to tens of thousands of students. They may not know you, but we do. And today we honor your service,” Select Board Vice Chair Elizabeth Dionne said.'"

by Kevin Sullivan, Belmont Voice board member More than 100 people turned out Saturday for the dedication ceremony of the recently-completed Belmont Middle and High School (BMHS). The day began in the 700-seat, three-story auditorium with state and local officials praising the dedication of

10/16/2023

On Friday, October 13, I had the privilege of attending an evening Shabbat service at Beth El Temple Center as a non-Jewish representative of Belmont's Select Board. This was part of a multi-day celebration of the rededication of their Torah scrolls.

It was a harsh coincidence that the first day of celebrations fell on the "Day of Rage" called by Hamas, a terrorist organization that seeks the complete destruction of the State of Israel. However, the rabbi and congregants of Beth El Temple turned the "Day of Rage" into exuberant resistance. They freely sang and prayed for Hamas's Israeli victims AND for the Palestinian people, likewise victims of Hamas's calculated decision to derail the ongoing peace process between Israel and governments of the Middle East.

Then they danced. Israeli soldiers had asked Jews around the world to dance for Shabbat, in defiance of the fear that is the ultimate goal of all terrorist acts. As I watched congregants hold hands and joyfully dance in a giant circle around the sanctuary, I wept.

It was sobering to pass a Belmont Police Department police cruiser when entering the Temple. (Thank you, BPD!) I have long been aware of the ugly anti-semitism that marks both the far left and the far right, but it was the first time that I have felt personally vulnerable as a result. I seek sufficient imagination to empathize with others, regardless of race or creed, but this was different. Being a potential target of terror suddenly became immediate and personal.

Thank you to the congregants of Belmont's Beth El Temple for welcoming my husband and me to their beautiful Shabbat service.
Worshipping with those who had the courage and faith to show up Friday night was healing. I am grateful.

06/07/2023

For those you who aren't familiar with the term "Town Meeting", it's a form of New England government dating back to the 17th century. At its best, it is deliberative democracy by local citizens, who pass town legislation. Last night represented the best of Town Meeting in Belmont. In debating a last-minute budget amendment, Belmont's 288 Town Meeting Members were respectful and open minded--and they ultimately responded to data about current funding options. It made me proud to be a Belmontonian! (If you want to hear my prepared remarks, start at 1:02 in this video from the Belmont Media Center.) https://www.belmontmedia.org/watch/town-meeting-06052023

Minutes after our Select Board meeting ended, I walked into Town Meeting expecting that the budget amendment would pass (despite my personal opposition). I was the deciding vote against a compromise that would have withdrawn the amendment, because I felt that Town Meeting should debate two important issues: in-district special education options and the budget process. I didn't want to short-change that process, even if it meant our side "lost".

If Town Meeting is more than a rubber stamp, then we need to let the deliberative process play out--which it did last night. The School Committee and incoming administration received a very clear message that in-district special education options are a high priority. There is also substantial unity around the importance of in-district options and a successful override campaign. Last night was a huge win for Belmont--not just because we maintained budget discipline but because we did so in a way that upholds the best traditions of deliberative, local democracy.