Just as with previous public forums, noncompliance was barred as a topic for discussion, (photo below) which was especially noteworthy since it was the day after Milton voted to not comply with the MBTA Communities Act. It’s also puzzling since a recent poll showed that a whopping 83% want a town vote on if Belmont should comply with the MBTA Communities Act. 

It has been widely claimed that it is not the responsibility of the MBTA communities advisory committee to evaluate noncompliance. While I disagree with that premise, let’s look at other venues for discussion. If the MBTA communities advisory committee is the wrong venue for discussions around non-compliance, why then won’t the select board and/or the planning board hold their own separate public forms to allow residents to weigh in on non compliance? Why won’t the Planning Board specifically look at the cost of noncompliance versus a fiscal impact statement, and economic impact statement, etc? 

As you can see from the photos below, the biggest theme from the public forum was residents making clear (via stickers since questions weren’t allowed on noncompliance during the Q&A) that we need a townwide vote. 

Another big concern expressed from residents is the lack of consultation and the lack of a fiscal impact study, etc.. It is important that a fiscal impact study is put together before plans are presented, and not after. An economic development survey has also not been done, this is especially concerning as Belmont is already a town troubled with a lack of commercial business. This is driven by the highest vacancy rate in Belmont Center’s history. 

My big takeaway is that the discussions around non compliance are occurring regardless of if they are endorsed by the town government. It’s now town officials who are lagging behind.