Select Board Names Hurley As Interim Belmont Police Chief As Job Search For MacIsaac’s Replacement Begins

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Photo: Mark Hurley, Belmont’s interim Police Chief

Assistant Belmont Police Chief Mark Hurley was named the department’s interim head by the Belmont Select Board on Thursday, Aug. 21.

After meeting with Hurley in exective session in Town Hall, the board voted unanimously to elevate the life-long Belmont resident to the department’s top spot as the town begins the search to replace current Chief James MacIsaac who announced his retirement in July.

Acknowledging that Hurley is undertaking two jobs moving forward and will be a critical piece of the transition to a new chief, “we’re really grateful for [Hurley] to step up and help our community, both at this time and going forward,” said Board Chair Matt Taylor.

The board approved an interim annual salary of $205,000 for Hurley’s tenure as chief. Board member Elizabeth Dionne said “there’s always a lot of public attention” when it comes to paying top line salaries.

Besides the market realities for an experienced public safety leader, “I believe … Hurley has some unique skills at a time when it is difficult to hire qualified chiefs,” said Dionne. “We have a lot of issues on the town’s right now, and we are very grateful that he is going to step forward in this transition time.”

A 1989 graduate of Belmont High School, Hurley holds a Bachelor of Arts from UMass/Boston and Master’s Degree from Western New England College.

Hurley began his career with the Belmont Police Department in 1998. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2007 and Lieutenant in 2014. MacIsaac appointed Hurley to second in charge of the department in May 2020.

After his appointment, Hurley said he will continue the current direction of the department.

“I think we do a good job of being up the community. I think that the vast majority of people are very satisfied and happy with us,” said Hurley.

“I wanted to have a very professional police department that treats people with dignity, and with respect, and that does its job. [Public Safety] is a tricky job nowadays: some people want severe enforcement done, and other people don’t want so much. So we kind of walk a tightrope. But I think [Belmont] does a very good job of trying to treat people fairly. And that’s the name of the game.”

Breaking: In Unexpected Move, Police Chief MacIsaac Announces Retirement

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Photo: Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac

In a surprise move, Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac announced his retirement from his post effective Aug. 25.

“After much reflection, I have decided that the time has come to move on,” MacIsaac said in a one-page letter dated Aug. 6 to the town’s Select Board.

“Serving Belmont has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am deeply grateful for the trust, support, and friendships I have experienced along the way,” he said.

“Chief MacIsaac has served our community with honor, dedication, and integrity since 1999, and has been an invaluable part of our police department’s leadership. Chief MacIsaac is also a proud resident of our community, making his commitment even more personal and impactful,” said Patrice Garvin, Belmont Town Administrator reacting to the announcement.

Hired as a police officer in 1999, the lifelong Belmont resident was appointed by the Select Board in December 2019 after many years as Assistant Chief under Richard McLaughlin. Right off the bat, MacIsaac faced the COVID shutdown and the impact on police/public relations of the George Floyd murder a few months later.

“The most effective way we can build trust between the police and the community is for us to get to know one another. I, and the members of the Belmont Police Department, will always make ourselves available to anyone who has concerns or questions regarding operations, tactics and how we interact with the public,” said MacIsaac in a letter to the community in May 2020.

MacIsaac was outfront as the public face of law enforcement in the racially-based murder of Henry Tapia on Upland Street in January 2021, winning praise for his willingness to engage with the affect communities.

Also under MacIsaac’s watch saw the Police Department in 2023 depart from Civil Service, something he had advocated for many years. In recent months, a series of violent gun incidents – including one which a man was wounded by gunfire – and other incidents have increased concerns from residents on being safe in Belmont.

MacIsaac was in the first year of a new three-year contract approved last year which began Jan. 1, 2025 and ran through Dec. 31. 2027. His base salary was $225,000 under the contract with annual cost of living adjustments and merit pay reviews.

MacIsaac is Belmont’s 12th full-time chief since David Chenery, Jr. was named Superintendent of Highways and Police Chief in 1877.

“I have been truly fortunate to call Belmont both my home and my place of work,” said MacIsaac.

Following past precedent, the Select Board will appoint a Police Chief Screening Committee which will whittle down candidates to a pair of finalists. After a public interview, the Board will vote on a new police chief.

Belmont Opens Beech Street Center As Cooling Station Through Thursday During Heat Wave

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Photo: It’s hot out there

The National Weather Service has issued a Moderate Heat Advisory for much of Southern New England – including Belmont – from 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 15 until 7 p.m., Thursday, July 17. With the Heat Index Values – a combination of high heat and humidity – reaching 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit, the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., will be open to provide an air conditioned respite from 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. through Thursday.

All residents are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. The combination of heat and humidity may cause heat related illnesses and can be deadly.

Multiple Shots Fired On Channing Road In Monday Night Incident; Second Significant Shooting In ’25

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Photo: Channing Road

Belmont Police is seeking the publics help as it investigates a shooting on Channing Road Monday night, July 7, which left a house riddled with bullets.

In a press release from Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac, multiple shots were heard in the area of Channing Road near Belmont Center at approximatley 10:57 p.m. After arriving, officers discovered someone or some people had fired off at least 15 rounds, with multiple gunshots striking a residence. MacIsaac said no one was injured during the incident.

At this time, the Belmont Police believes this was an isolated event. Police are working with the
Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney and Belmont resident Marian Ryan, in the investigation.

This marks the second significant shooting in Belmont in 2025.  On Feb. 24, gunfire in the vicinity of Clark Lane, a dead-end road off Royal Road, resulted in one person wounded and a suspect on the run. The victim later drove himself to a local hospital.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has any information is asked to contact the
Belmont Police Department Detective Division at 617-993-2550.

Two-Alarm Fire Damages Pleasant Street House [VIDEO]

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Photo: The fire at the corner of Pleasant Street and Alexander Avenue seriously damaged a historic house.

A historic 19th-century structure at the corner of Pleasant Street and Alexander Avenue was seriously damaged by a two-alarm fire that brought out multiple fire departments to Belmont on Sunday afternoon, March 2.

According to Belmont Fire Capt. Robert Wollner, the town’s dispatch center, received a 911 call at 1:48 p.m. from an unknown caller about a fire at 592 Pleasant St. When fire engines arrived from the nearby Belmont Center Firehouse, “smoke and fire were showing from the second floor,” said Wollner. Firefighters discovered that the two occupants in the house had escaped and were not injured.

A second alarm was soon made, bringing all of Belmont’s equipment to the site and mutual aid from Cambridge, Arlington, and Waltham, which covered both of Belmont’s firehouses.

Wollner said the fire left the dwelling “with a lot of smoke and water damage” and will force the five residents to find other accommodations “for a while” as the house – a 13-room Colonial built in 1850 and remodeled in 2001 – must undergo significant repairs.

Suspect In Clark Lane Shooting Remains At Large, Victim Hospitalized

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Photo: Clark Lane in Belmont

A suspect in the Monday night shooting of a man on Clark Lane remains at large as Belmont Police continues its investigation into the incident that left a victim hospitalized.

In a press release from Belmont Polie dated Feb. 25, at 9:12 p.m. Monday, the Belmont Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots as well as a person shot in the vicinity of Clark Lane, a dead-end road off of Royal Road lined by multi-unit dwellings that end near Pearson Road.
When officers arrived, both the suspected shooter and the victim had fled the scene. Belmont Police and officers from Watertown, Waltham, and Arlington collected evidence at the scene while searching for the individuals. Soon afterward, the police learned the wounded man had driven himself to Mt. Auburn Hospital. 

The suspect remains a fugitive as of Wednesday. Belmont Police have yet to identify either the victim or shooter but have reassured residents “that this was not a random act of violence, and there is no immediate threat to the community,” noted the press release. 

The investigation remains active, and anyone with information is urged to contact Belmont Police Detectives at 617-993-2550.

Select Board OK Merit Pay Increases For Public Safety Chiefs

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Photo:

Belmont’s public safety chiefs received merit pay increases after the Belmont Select Board conducted its annual performance review during the board’s Aug. 26 meeting.

Police Chief James MacIsaac and Fire Chief David DeStefano received two percent merit increases effective July 1, 2024. Each also collected a two percent cost-of-living adjustment on July 1. MacIssac’s annual salary increases to $218,676.14, while DeStefano’s pay is now $184,671, according to Director of Human Resources Kelli King.

Both men received high overall scores – 4.75 out of a top score of 5 – in their merit review by the three-member Select Board and Town Administrator Patrice Garvin. King summarized the comments and totaled the scores in eight categories highlighting the chief strengths, various opportunities and the board’s statements.

DeStefano was described as a “consensus builder [who] has provided much needed direction to the department, making it more innovative and successful.” His expertise is viewed as crucial in helping Belmont’s drive to stimulate new growth and increased density. While facing budget and staffing constraints, DeStefano move towards promoting department-wide paramedic training as “a promising step for addressing these challenge.”

“Chief DeStefano is seen as a strong, balanced leader who has a cohesive team and has proven to be the right person for both Belmont and the entire department,” said King.

MacIssac is “recognized as an articulate and clear sighted leader” who “takes challenges head on, regardless of their difficulty.” His commitment to modern policing is evident in his focus on promoting de-escalation techniques, the use of a social worker to resolve domestic disputes as alternative to deadly force. The board noted his leadership was “instrumental in the decision to leave civil service” which the board praised and has resulted in a substantial increase of new hires this year.

“The [police] department is a source of pride for Belmont, a reflection of Chief McIssac’s leadership and the effort of every member of the team. His exemplary performance especially over the past year and its various challenges, underscores his effectiveness,” said King paraphasing the comments of the Select Board.

With Civil Service No Longer In The Mix, Belmont Police Readies Job Offers To Fill Long-standing Shortfall

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Photo: Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac

For the first time since leaving the Massachusetts Civil Service hiring system in 2023, the Belmont Police Department is close to hiring three new officers to close a chronic decade-long shortfall.

“It’s a new era. We’re excited about it, and we think it’s going to help us in the long run,” said Belmont Police Chief James MacIsaac.

In the past five years under Civil Service, “we’ve had a tremendous amount of trouble trying to find candidates to fill these positions,” said Patrice Garvin, town administrator, at a meeting of the Select Board .

Over the past four years, the number of acceptable applicants coming from the state’s list was limited: four candidates in 2020, three in 2021, two in 2022, and just a single candidate in 2023. The resulting impact was undermanned and continuous large budget payouts in overtime.

“There was a hiring problem that we felt was becoming a crisis,” said Roy Epstein, select board chair. “And the only real solution was to withdraw from Civil Service.”

And since leaving Civil Service and creating its own hiring policy, MacIsaac has been freed to venture out into an open market of potential personnel. He also didn’t have to wait until July for civil service to release a list the candidates who successfully passed its test and were available to communities; he can post positions the moment they become open.

“Over the last month, we’ve entered a new era in both retaining and hiring police officers, and … it’s a new experience for me,” said MacIsaac.

“We posted an opening on May 7, and we’ve had 15 candidates apply, so far. We have conducted six interviews and will be conducting more interviews next week,” said MacIsaac. As of the last week in June, “the department has made four conditional offers of employment,” he said.

Of the four candidates, one has already completed the background checks and MacIsaacs hope to have the applicant in the Police Academy in September, while two of the four are post-certified officers, which means if they accept the position and pass the background process, would be able to start immediately. MacIsaac said two of the candidates identify as Hispanic and speak Spanish, which would increase diversity on the police force.

But until they sign on the dotted line, Belmont is in competition with neighboring communities, including Watertown, for the prospective candidates, a situation MacIsaac said was “unthinkable” just a decade ago.

“We’re hoping that they’re going to choose to work here,” said MacIsaac.

With The State-Wide ‘9-1-1’ System Down, Use These Numbers For Emergencies In Belmont

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Photo: Belmont Police

With the Massachusetts ‘9-1-1’ system down and out as of Tuesday, June 18, the Belmont Police Dept. is advising Belmont residents who have police, fire, or medical emergencies to call Belmont Police on these alternate phone numbers:

  • 617-484-1212
  • 617-484-1300

Residents should not use 911 until the system is restored.

If there is an emergency outside of Belmont, contact the Massachusetts State Police at 508-820-2121.

Belmont Declares Snow Emergency Parking Ban; Town Offices, Schools Closed Tuesday; Trash Pickup Delayed A Day

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Photo: Tuesday will be a snow day

Due to the approaching winter storm, the Town Hall and Belmont Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

A snow emergency parking ban on all roadways, as well as in municipal lots and Belmont Public School parking lots, effective at 11:45 p.m. and continuing until further notice. All vehicles parked in violation of the ban will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Trash, recycling, bulk pickups, scheduled cart repairs, and appliance pickups will be delayed a day due to the storm. The town is asking residents to remove carts, appliances, and bulky items from the public way on Tuesday to allow the plows to clear the roadways.

The last day for candidates to submit papers for town office remains Tuesday. Candidates must deliver their nomination papers to the Belmont Police Station, 460 Concord Ave., instead of Town Hall. Those picking up blank nomination forms may collect them from the Police Department. The deadline to submit all signed nomination papers is 5 p.m. Feb. 13.

The Town’s residential snow removal bylaw requires sidewalks along residential property to be cleared of snow and ice by 8 p.m. the day after the storm ends. Snow and ice should be cleared or treated from sidewalks to a width of at least 36 inches. We appreciate your attention to this very important public safety matter.

Please refer to the Town’s website for further information regarding winter weather, trash removal, and the Town’s snow removal bylaw.