Photo: Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano

The Belmont Select Board approved a two percent merit pay increase to Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano as part of his annual performance review at its Aug. 25 meeting. The board also extended DeStefano’s contract for an additional year to 2028. DeStefano’s salary as of October 2024 is $168,642.79.

I just like to thank the Select Board for their past support,” said DeStefano. “I look forward to working with [the Select Board] continuing in the future, [with] the town administrator and town staff as well.”

DeStefano began his career in 1989 at the North Providence (R.I.) Fire Department, becoming Belmont’s top firefighter in March 2021.

Before the board’s vote, Belmont Human Resources Director Kelli King discussed the results of DeStefano’s performance review, collated from comments by the Board and Patrice Garvin, the town administrator. In what she called a “little executive summary, the overall assessment is that [DeStefano] provides a steady professional leadership during a period of fiscal constraints and staffing challenges.”

“The theme amongst all of your comments is that the chief is a strong leader. He has great financial discipline, great financial aptitude in working within the constraints of the budget. He’s very active in engaging with the community, and he’s working on deepening the relationships internal to the department, and … being open to constructive feedback and willing to make changes, something that’s hard for a lot of other folks to do,” said King.

“He has strengthened the Fire Department through fiscal discipline, long term planning and active community engagement, while opportunities remain to deepen internal relationships and guide the department through the evolving EMS Focus model, his commitment adaptability and integrity have made him a valuable leader for the department and the town,” read the summary.

DeStefano said while the review relates directly to him, “anything that’s accomplished with the Fire Department is a team effort. I’m fortunate as chief in the town to have the dedicated firefighters that we have working hard, training hard, and putting together all the elements to make fire and life safety services happen in the town of Belmont.”