Carol Kennedy Berberian officially announces her candidacy for the Belmont Select Board and will appear on the ballot in the Tuesday, April 7th town election.Berberian is a lifelong Belmont resident, small business owner, longtime civic volunteer, and parent of two Belmont Public Schools students who will bring experienced, steady, and inclusive leadership to the town's executive branch.

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Kelly FanningTown Meeting MemberPrecinct 1

Brian KeefeTown Meeting Member, Precinct 4Moderator's Advisory CoMMITTEE

GAIL VIGLIROLO HARRINGTONTOWN MEETING MEMBER, PRECINCT 8

Mike WIDMER Town Meeting MEMBER, PrecinCt 5FORMER TOWN MODERATOR

Becca PizziSmall Business Owner

Jeff BirenbaumPlanning Board, Former Chair

Susanne CroyTown Meeting Member, Precinct 6 Warrant Committee Member

JUSTIN REBOLOTOWN MEETING MEMBER, PRECINCT 3

Martha LoftusCo-President Belmont High School PTSOFoundation for BElmont EDUCATION DIRECTOR

Elliot DanielsZoning Board Of Appeals

Alison LenkTown Meeting Member, Precinct 8

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Every dollar helps. Your generous contributions will help provide lawn signs, postcards, and digital media initiatives to communicate with Belmont voters.Thank you for your support! The Committee to Elect Carol Kennedy Berberian Gail Viglirolo Harrington, Chair Brian Keefe, Treasurer

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WE ARE SUPPORTING CAROL KENNEDY BERBERIAN FOR BELMONT SELECT BOARD

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Belmont Historical Society Board Member, Carol Berberian, serves on the Library Working Group's transition team. She worked with the Library Trustees to help facilitate the organization's move to the new Claflin Room.

Library Opens to Joyous Community Celebration

After four hours of discussion, Town Meeting members approved amendments to the accessory dwelling unit bylaw, officially bringing the town into compliance with a new state law.That law, signed by Gov. Maura Healey in August as part of the $5.1 billion housing bond bill, allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right in districts that allow for single-family zoning. According to the state, the new law aims to jumpstart housing production and make it easier for families to find affordable places to live.

Town Meeting Passes ADU Bylaw Amendment, Clerical MBTA Act Changes

The vote was three-to-two, with Lowrie, Thayer Donham, and Karl Haglund voting to approve the proposal, while Carol Berberian and Jeff Birenbaum voted no at the meeting held virtually on Tuesday, April 11.In a prologue to what was a swift review of the proposal, Lowrie presented the legal next steps for critics if they choose to challenge the board’s decision.

Planning Board OKs Belmont Hill School Parking Plan

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I will continue to support the dedicated and highly skilled professionals who serve Belmont each day in our schools, town offices, public works, and Police and Fire Departments. Preserving strong, reliable municipal services is essential to the town’s long-term success and quality of life. The experience and institutional knowledge of our municipal employees are critical to our community. We must stand behind the workforce that ensures our community operates safely, efficiently, and effectively.

Town Services and Employees

The review of the town’s policy follows a Town Meeting vote in July 2025 authorizing the Select Board to file a Home Rule petition with the state that would allow the town to ease its seating capacity requirements for establishments that wish to obtain a liquor license. The proposal initially came in the form of a citizen petition, filed by residents Carol Berberian and Max Colice.

Alcoholic Beverage Policy Amended to Expand Business Potential

Lifelong Belmont resident, Carol Ann Kennedy, was elected to Town Meeting as a representative of Precinct Five.

Carol Ann Kennedy Elected to Town Meeting

You are invited to join Carol for open office hours to share ideas, ask questions, and discuss the future of Belmont.

Office Hours at the Library March 4th

Office Hours at the Library

According to the state, the new law aims to jumpstart housing production and make it easier for families to find affordable places to live.“You can have an ADU that is strictly rental,” Planning Board member Carol Berberian said at a recent Planning Board meeting. “From meeting with the Age Friendly Action Committee, they do feel that’s a really viable option for seniors who are looking to stay in their homes.”“The biggest challenge … [is] it’s too restrictive to do based on what we have here, and there would be very few instances where you’d actually be able to have them outside the envelope of the structure,” Berberian said.

Planners Grapple with New ADU Law

Effectively, the article authorizes the Select Board to file a Home Rule petition with the Massachusetts Legislature “so as to expand eligibility for restaurants and simplify the application process for restaurants, the Select Board, and the staff,” according to Carol Berberian, who filed the citizen petition along with resident Max Colice.

Navigating Next Steps in Liquor License Home Rule Petition

In addition to offering existing businesses a way to grow their bottom line, Berberian said easing the seating capacity might encourage prospective restaurants to open in town.“We do have smaller spaces available, and if you can only have a certain number of seats … you’ll most likely choose another town,” she said.According to Colice and Berberian, the petitions grew from recent conversations around economic development.“There is an immediate interest and really a need for some of these people,” Berberian told Select Board members on April 7. “They’ve talked about how tight their margins are and how this could move the needle and change things.”

Two Citizen Petitions Would Alter Liquor License Rules

Up until Feb. 2, when the law went into effect, Belmont only allowed ADUs by special permit in historic accessory buildings, such as a carriage house, according to Planning Board member Carol Berberian. However, those restrictions are no longer enforceable.In the meantime, the town is, however, protected in the sense that underlying zoning — such as setback requirements and linear and dimensional requirements — remains in place.

Planning Officials Refine ADU Bylaw Amendment

Belmont High School Senior Carol Kennedy delivers food being donated to the Belmont Food Pantry.

Seniors Leaving Their Mark on Belmont 

The board will want restrictions on&nbsp;any&nbsp;“by-right” hotels in the overlay district. “Hotels, in general, have been a very popular point of discussion.&nbsp;But there’s been a lot of conservation&nbsp;about,&nbsp;should they&nbsp;be&nbsp;boutique?&nbsp;Should we have 200 rooms”&nbsp;said&nbsp;the&nbsp;board’s&nbsp;Carol Berberian.&nbsp;“I think that as long as there are some standards in place, it’ll just give us an idea of what to expect.”&nbsp;

First Look: Hotels in Belmont Center? Well, It Could In Latest Overlay District Draft

On Tuesday, the Planning Board agreed to have Yates and Vice Chair Carol Ann Berberian meet with Epstein and Town Planner Chris Ryan to finalize the map before sending it to Utile for a final check. If it clears those hurdles, it will be submitted an application to the state for a pre-compliance check.On Monday, Town Administrator Patrice Garvin explained that initially, the now-disbanded MBTA Advisory Committee received a grant from the Massachusetts Area Planning Council.“As the committee was wrapping up, the Planning Board was well-equipped to take the ball and start running with it,” she said. “We tried to carve out some money we found in the budget to give to the Planning Board … to [spend] using Utile to get us to a map we could present to Town Meeting. Unfortunately, some of those funds have been nearly exhausted.”Of roughly $50,000, about $6,400 remains, she said. The Planning Board originally requested roughly $12,800 to fund about 80 hours of consulting work.

Planning Board Inches Closer to Final MBTA Map, Preps for Pre-Compliance

As a proud graduate of Belmont High, I have consistently demonstrated my support for our schools. Our family is one of the many in Belmont navigating a child's IEP. I served on the Wellington PTO and am currently on the Board of the BHS PTSO where I focuses on fundraising. I have a sincere appreciation for the work of our educators and the value that our schools bring to our community.

Belmont Public Schools

Strengthening Belmont’s financial stability is critical to sustaining essential services and maintaining long-term fiscal health. We must expand opportunities for strategic economic development, streamline processes to make it easier for businesses to open and succeed in Belmont, and responsibly evaluate all potential sources of revenue. A broader and more resilient tax base will help offset rising costs, reduce reliance on residential property taxes, and provide predictable funding for schools, public safety, infrastructure, and municipal operations. Careful fiscal planning and disciplined growth will allow Belmont to meet current obligations while preparing for future challenges without compromising the character of our community.

Economic Development

“I think we’re all committed to an open and fair process and regardless of our views on [individual maps], I think we go through a fair open process and so it makes sense to vet these both,” said Select Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne.Planning Board Vice Chair Carol Berberian echoed a similar sentiment.“The more information we have, the better we are going to be,” she said.

Town Submits Two MBTA Rezoning Maps 

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Office Hours at the Library March 18th

Change is on the ballot, Belmont – new faces and new ideas. Join me in voting for them!With that, here are my recommendations for the contested races in this April’s Town Election.

Vote For Change: My Picks For The April 2nd Town Election

“After Feb. 2, if someone comes to the building department in Belmont, with a permit application for an accessory dwelling unit that is consistent with the new laws, that application should be generally approved by the Town of Belmont, even though it will not be in compliance with our bylaw.”“Like many other towns, we have accessory dwelling units in existence that were either in place before the bylaw was in place or just have not been permitted,” Berberian said.

Planning Officials to Hold Public Hearing on ADU Bylaw Changes

In addition to my work on numerous zoning initiatives, I proposed the expansion of our zoning to allow more development in every Business District in Belmont in June of 2025. These small changes would retain community engagement while providing a “Path To YES” for positive development. This initiative was not embraced by the current Select Board. I have identified multiple opportunities for changes to our zoning that can bring big results. Our neighborhoods and lot sizes are unique. Our traffic and parking concerns are real. One size fits all does not fit Belmont. I will continue to advocate for strategic zoning changes that will protect our town and expand opportunities to increase revenue.

Zoning

Truth, transparency, and clear communication are essential to effective leadership. I have demonstrated a strong commitment to presenting accurate information, making data-driven decisions and respectfully listening to differing opinions.The Select Board is elected to represent the residents.I am committed to serving and representing all members of our community. I will advocate for diverse representation on our boards and committees and will always welcome differing viewpoints. Collaboration and respectful dialogue are essential to finding the best solutions for Belmont.

Transparency

Ms. Berberian is widely respected throughout Belmont.The current Moderator, Michael Crowley, passed over two extremely qualified Warrant Committee candidates, Jeff Birenbaum, the former Planning Board Chair, and Carol Berberian, now a former Planning Board Vice Chair, both of whom had overwhelming support from his newly created Moderator’s Advisory Committee (MAC).

Keeping Belmont's Democracy Alive (If I May via Blogging Belmont)

Office Hours at the Library March 18th

Office Hours at the Library March 11th

Carol Berberian, a former planning board member, has pulled nomination papers to run for the Select Board seat currently held by Dionne.Nomination papers are now available from Cushman’s office. The last day to file signed papers is Feb 17, 2026. The last day to register to vote in Belmont’s town election is March 28, 2026.

Races Develop

“We are heavily residential … I feel like we’ve done our share for the region, and we could try to do more, but we can’t stretch ourselves too thin,” said Planning Board member Renee Guo.The town is looking to submit its pre-compliance report by either June 13 or June 28, with one timeline allowing for a bit more room for public input. The state would then have 90 days to review the map before the zoning change can be brought to Town Meeting for a vote. Faced with tight deadlines, Carol Ann Berberian, a member of the subcommittee, asked last week whether additional options were being considered in the event the submitted map fails to meet compliance.

Subcommittee Tunes Zoning Map for MBTA Compliance

Berberian wanted some guarantee the canopies would be installed once the occupancy permit has been issued, and asked if $20,000 could be set aside to ensure this would happen.Lovallo assured her the building committee would install the canopies.

Belmont Library Clears Critical Hurdle and BMHS Building Permit Seeks Closure

A second citizen petition passed Wednesday night with no discussion. That petition sought to eliminate the seating capacity requirement for all-alcohol licenses, increase the number of licenses available, and modify policies to simplify eligibility requirements.“As times have continued to change, we’ve seen towns take steps to expand their licensing standards … to encourage new restaurants to come to their town,” said Precinct 7 Town Meeting member Carol Berberian, who filed the petition with Max Colice.That article also passed, 189-6, with 5 abstentions, authorizing the Select Board to file a Home Rule petition with the Legislature “so as to expand eligibility for restaurants and simplify the application process for restaurants, the Select Board, and the staff.”

 News Updated: Town Meeting

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/8d96a6f1-82c3-45f7-b0d0-3003762098e6/2674afcd-cd8a-45ab-b7e1-8ac7c126b2bf/2674afcd-cd8a-45ab-b7e1-8ac7c126b2bf.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C37%2C744%2C884&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="32.5" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Carol Kennedy Berberian officially announces her candidacy for the Belmont Select Board and will appear on the ballot in the Tuesday, April 7th town election.Berberian is a lifelong Belmont resident, small business owner, longtime civic volunteer, and parent of two Belmont Public Schools students who will bring experienced, steady, and inclusive leadership to the town's executive branch.Berberian’s decision to run was encouraged by residents, town employees and town leaders who urged her to step forward based on her record of leadership and deep understanding of Belmont’s needs. Campaign Committee Chair and Town Meeting Member Gail Viglirolo Harrington said, “Carol’s depth of community knowledge matters - especially as Belmont faces difficult choices about services, capital investments, and long-term planning.”Carol started volunteering in Belmont as a student and currently serves as a Town Meeting Member and on the Zoning Board of Appeals. She is the former Vice Chair of the Planning Board and served as the Planning Board Liaison to the Community Preservation Committee. She is a longtime Youth Softball Coach and PTO Volunteer and can often be found organizing community events to support youth programs in Belmont. She currently serves on the boards of the Belmont Woman’s Club, Belmont Historical Society and the Belmont High School PTSO.Carol’s long record of civic involvement, professional expertise, and commitment to Belmont’s well-being make her exceptionally well-suited to represent the community on the Select Board,” said Campaign Committee Treasurer and Town Meeting Member Brian Keefe.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/8d96a6f1-82c3-45f7-b0d0-3003762098e6/7eafa97b-36ee-430b-9411-52077b1397ed/7eafa97b-36ee-430b-9411-52077b1397ed.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=42%2C197%2C999%2C1365&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed">As a Select Board member, Berberian will strengthen public trust in local government through clear communication, open decision-making, and thoughtful, accountable leadership.Residents interested in supporting the campaign are invited to join the growing list of supporters, request a lawn sign, make a donation, or volunteer with the campaign by visiting <a href="http://www.CarolforBelmont.com">www.CarolforBelmont.com</a>.Provided by: The Committee to Elect Carol Kennedy Berberian

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Carol Kennedy Berberian Announces Candidacy for Belmont Select Board

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