Nugent seeks Belmont state rep seat on platform of mental health

BELMONT — Kevin Nugent has worn many hats working in public safety over the years, and now he’s throwing his hat in the ring for the state Legislature.

Nugent is running as a Republican in District 4 for Belmont state representative. He faces Dana Silcock on the Sept. 8 primary ballot.

Get to know Nugent

Nugent is a familiar face in public safety, having worked at Lakes Region Mutual Fire Aid for years. He moved to Belmont from Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1998, launching his career as a dispatcher and firefighter for Belmont, Gilmanton and Winnisquam.

He graduated from Lakes Region Community College with an associate's degree in fire science, which he followed with a bachelor’s degree in public service management from Granite State College, and a master’s degree in emergency management from University of New Haven.

He’s run ambulances alongside his wife, answered countless 911 calls, and assisted at numerous emergency scenes. He believes his background will help him in Concord.

“I have that ability to communicate with people, despite what your thoughts or feelings are, even our differing opinions," Nugent said. "I've worked with many people over the years that we didn't quite see eye to eye with everything, but we're always able to work together and come to a compromise, you know, find that middle ground.”

In addition to serving as a first responder, Nugent has volunteered multiple terms on the Shaker Regional School District Advisory Budget Committee, and was previous member of the Belmont Master Plan Committee.

He’s also a proud parent, having coached his son’s T-ball and hockey teams. Many can find him at Belmont events like Old Home Day.

Mental health

One of the biggest issues he sees today centers around youth mental health.

“As a first responder, I've seen the pluses and the minuses. As a person, I've seen it. Where I'm worried about it is some of the stories I'm hearing about from parents about their kids,” Nugent said. “Not just social media, but kids who need help, that are having a mental health crisis, and the doors keep getting slammed in their parents' faces.”

He referenced a situation involved a friend whose son was experiencing anger issues. No matter where they turned for help, “the doors would close.”

“We need to try and make sure that those doors are open, especially for the kids, you know, whether it's bullying issues, any of that kind of stuff. But especially, when they're having issues like that, where it could potentially lead to violence, you know, we need to be able to make sure that those parents” get the support they need. “When you could hear the desperation in what she was saying, you could see it in the written word. When I talked to her about it, I could hear it in her voice. And no parent should have to go through that.”

He’s worried the generation who grew up during the COVID-19 pandemic is at a disadvantage, due to limited socialization. As a result, he believes the younger generation is heavily dependent on social media.

Nugent wants to promote legislation that would better support mental health for everyone, and remove barriers to access.

Winnipesaukee River Basin Program

If elected, Nugent said he thinks he can be an advocate for Belmont when it comes to the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program.

“The biggest thing when you present something to the taxpayers, you've got to be able to justify it. Yes, there may be an impact on your taxes now, but these are what the long-term benefits are. I've got to consider the long-term and short-term ramifications. Wants versus needs, you know, and that's in every major piece of legislation that's going to cost big money: it's wants versus needs.”

Currently, Belmont is a member community of the WRBP, a state-owned wastewater collection and treatment system.

At a recent Belmont selectboard meeting, the board voted 4-0, with Sharon Ciampi abstaining, to transition to a new, regional wastewater authority. The move would remove New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services staff as sole controllers of the program, and give member communities a direct voice. The WRBP serves Belmont, Center Harbor, Franklin, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough, Northfield, Sanbornton and Tilton.

In July, Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed SB 592, which created a commission to study transitioning ownership to an “alternative authority.” The commission is currently hearing presentations before moving into the decision-making process.

State representatives will be critical in moving this along in Concord.

“What is the benefit to Belmont by us doing this? You have the numbers and everything and you show [taxpayers], but also point out that this is why this is important, because 50 years from now, 20 years from now, 10 years from now, this is the benefit we're still going to be seeing from this investment now,” he said.

The NH Advantage

Nugent believes, very simply, New Hampshire needs to stay free.

“I believe in protecting the New Hampshire Advantage. You know, when it comes to sales and income tax, I very much believe in protecting our rights,” he said. “I do believe, like I've said before, in accountability ... holding us accountable for our actions as representatives.”

He wants transparency in Concord, and believes he can improve things and make a difference.

Belmont “went what, three, two, three years in a row on a default budget. That's the taxpayer saying we need a break,” he said. “In today's world and today's economy, you can't blame people for having that. They're seeing their savings dwindle. They're seeing their wallets getting thinner when they used to be decent.”

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.