Town Meeting Tentatively Set: Nov. 8

Belmont's Fall Town Meeting is tentatively set for Monday, Nov. 8.

Town Clerk Ellen O'Brien Cushman will present to the Board of Selectmen the proposed dates for the general election and Town Meeting. The dates require Selectmen approval to be made official.

While Town Meeting is expected to discuss several financial issues, the Selectmen have said the main article facing residents will be financing with a bond issue for a new Belmont Municipal Light Department electrical substation to be located at the Purecoat North plant on Hittinger Road.

In the past two weeks, it was revealed that the proposed substation will cost between $45 to $47 million, a significant increase from the initial $39 million price tag first set forth in June due to an engineering error by the consultant and additional requirements from the town's electrical supplier, NSTAR.

It also came out that BMLD General Manager did not tell the Municipal Light Advisory Board or the Light Board – made up of the Board of Selectmen – of the added costs for three months. 

The Town Meeting will need to pass a bond by a two-thirds vote.