Belmont names Steve as next police chief as department warns of staffing, wage and equipment shortfalls

The Belmont budget committee heard that Chief Mark will retire in March and that the selectmen have appointed Steve as the department’s next police chief.

Chair opened the police section and noted the leadership transition before the department walked through its proposed budget. Presenters said the department currently operates with roughly six officers and flagged persistent recruitment and retention problems. Committee discussion emphasized that neighboring agencies are offering higher starting pay and bonuses, making it difficult for Belmont to compete.

The police presentation identified several operational pressures: elevated overtime, difficulty staffing directed patrols, aging cruisers (12 vehicles with varying mileage) and communications upgrades needed to improve coverage. Committee members asked about training, the court system backlog, holding facilities and offsetting revenues for enforcement activity.

Speakers framed the wage issue as a retention problem. One committee member noted that recent contract votes and broader national debates over policing had affected morale and recruitment in the region.

After discussion, the committee reviewed and approved multiple police budget line items by voice vote. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.

The committee asked staff and department leaders to provide clearer payroll comparisons and a recruitment timetable; members also discussed whether to phase in additional hires if grant positions lapse in coming years. The budget changes discussed will be incorporated into the town’s warrant for the March vote.