June 28, 2024

Ellen O’Brien Cushman,
Town Clerk 
Town of Belmont 
455 Concord Avenue 
Belmont, MA 02478

Dear Town Clerk O’Brien Cushman,

Given the recent changes in the way the Town of Belmont will constitute the Board of Assessors I felt it important to think about my future and my role. For the last 37 years I have been directly connected with the Belmont Board of Assessors. My tenure first began in 1987 when I was appointed to the position of Assessing Administrator. I held the Assessing Administrator position until 2005 when I resigned and ultimately sought election to the Board. Since 2005 I have earned the support of the voters seven times, most recently in 2023. Over the years I have seen many changes in the Town and the best practices for how the Board operates. While the membership has changed, our elected Board of Assessors has consistently been made up of skilled and knowledgeable individuals whom I have been honored to serve alongside. 

In recent time the Board of Assessors has found itself at the center of political debate. While debates and informed discussions about the future of our Town are necessary, these discussions have taken a decidedly negative tone. I’ve been troubled by the number of inaccuracies that have been pushed forward in furtherance of a political agenda, notably the many false statements during the Special Town Meeting which gave a very misleading view of the Board of Assessors. The recent action by the Chair of the Select Board to falsely characterize Assessor Patrick Murphy as “unqualified for reappointment” was character assassination at its worst. Since the voters deemed Assessor Murphy to be qualified, he has been dedicated to his role. Professionally Patrick Murphy meets or exceeds all qualifications necessary for the role as verified by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Whether Chair Epstein’s comments were ill informed or malicious, the damage Chair Epstein has done to Mr. Murphy’s reputation cannot be undone. 

To maintain transparency in government it is necessary to ensure appropriate checks and balances are in place. The structure of an elected Board of Assessors and an appointed full-time Assessing Administrator was set forth for just that purpose. It is similar to how the Select Board appoints the Town Administrator and how the School Committee appoints the Superintendent. The Select Board’s recent action to appoint the Assessing Administrator as a member of the Board of Assessors removes a level of oversight. Prior to this restructuring the Town Administrator had become involved with some legal matters affecting the Assessors Office, a move that in time proved to be financially costly and has hampered Belmont’s ability to obtain the assistance of outside Robert P. Reardon experts in the field. Without the appropriate layers of accountability and oversight brought by an independent board I fear that we are a risk for more issues of this nature. 

The Board of Assessors authored and presented to the Select Board potential Home Rule legislation to increase exemptions to those income qualified for the consideration at recent Town Meetings. The Select Board has postponed consideration of the Home Rule petitions after making public comments that the Board of Assessors needed to provide the language. It is disappointing that the Select Board can find time to schedule Special Town Meetings to remove the elected Board of Assessors and act on requests by for profit developers but cannot find time to discuss the Home Rule legislation. Many long time residents of Belmont are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Postponing action on consideration of the Home Rule petition is quite puzzling after the Select Board criticized the Board of Assessors for not providing an updated potential petition. 

My reasons for serving are many, Belmont has been a great place to live and raise a family so this has been one of the ways I’ve been able to give back to our community. I’ve have always put forth the best interests of the Town and am proud of the work the Board of Assessors has accomplished. By a hair thin margin the voters of Belmont have opted for a change, and after much consideration and discussion with my family I believe that is in my best interest to resign my position as member of the Board of Assessors effective at midnight on June 30, 2024. I have chosen the June 30th date to coincide with the end of the Fiscal Year 2024. This will allow the Select Board the opportunity to appointed a new Board member at the beginning of the Fiscal Year and will give a clear delineation for establishing the assessed values and setting of the tax rate for FY25. Sincerely, Robert P. Reardon, CAE, FIAAO Member, Board of Assessors 

Signed by Robert P. Reardon