Belmont Heritage Commission and Selectboard give out community awards

BELMONT — Since 2011, individuals, groups, businesses and organizations have been recognized by the Heritage Commission and the Selectboard for contributing to the heritage, history and well-being of the town. 

During a recent Selectboard’s meeting Heritage Commission members, Jack and Vicki Donovan presented the Exceptional Commitment to Community Award to Belmont High School and the Preservation of Town History and Heritage Award to Bill and Nancy Naughton.

The Exceptional Commitment to Community was awarded to a unique group of volunteers of students and staff at Belmont High School. For several years on Earth Day, a spring clean-up event was organized around the school and town.  

Edith Takantjas led the way by organizing other staff members such as Elizabeth Tardugno, Scott Seaton, Michael Foley, Kevin Charleston, Kristen Korek,Tonya Angwin, Alex Takantjas, Lauren Fontaine, Snezhina Dimitrova Haskell, Sharon Hampton, Brian McNabb, Charles Tautkus, and Nancy Bourdeau to name a few that have supported this cause every year. 

Edith Takantjas started off the Earth Day Event assigning students and staff members to clean-up designated areas. Some notable spots were Sargent Park, the Belmont Mill, the Tioga Trail, as well as the Belmont High School campus.

Bill and Nancy Naughton were chosen to receive the Preservation of Town History and Heritage Award. It was noted they were nominated by two different committees in town. 

The Naughtons have worked diligently to inventory artifacts and documents donated to the Town of Belmont by prominent well-known townspeople who left their footprint and legacy such as Sue Roberts, Wallace Rhodes, Diane Marden and Linda Frawley. All four were known for the way they shaped the town in their quest to preserve its history. 

Bill and Nancy, both retired teachers, know the value and importance of safeguarding historical information. They have cataloged items such as photos from Belmont’s train station, paperwork from the Historical Belmont Mill and donated items found in homes dating back to the 1800’s. The Naughtons were thanked for being the unsung heroes of Belmont’s past.

For more information, visit belmontnh.gov/boards/heritage-commission.