$12M Belmont budget passes by 4 votes

BELMONT — For the first time in two years, Belmont voters approved the town’s operating budget on Town Meeting Tuesday — and by only four votes.

“We’re all on Cloud 9 right now,” said Town Administrator Alicia Jipson via phone on Wednesday. “It’s been a rough two years.

"We’re very grateful. This means a lot for the town moving forward.”

Total ballots cast for the $12 million operating budget, Article 4, were 477 in favor, and 473 against. A recount is not automatically triggered by close margins. Rather, it has to be requested. Residents have up to seven days to file for one.

Jipson confirmed no recount had been requested as of Wednesday afternoon.

Selectboard

The contested selectboard races were won by incumbent Travis O’Hara with 524 votes, and Mark Lewandoski with 609 votes. Both candidates were pleased to see the budget pass, and chalked it up to their efforts, along with town leaders, in getting the word out.

“The slim margin means we still have a lot of work to do when it comes to showing the value of the taxes to the voters. Also there was a higher turnout than last year, so I think more people are getting involved and not taking a budget for granted,” O’Hara wrote in a text message.

He ran on a platform of commonsense spending that maintained town services. With the approved budget, he thinks the town is in a much better, forward-thinking position than it has been.

“Getting this budget passed feels good, we were extremely worried about having to cut services to the town,” O’Hara said. “I am not taking it for granted, there is plenty of work to do to make sure we can continue this momentum.”

Lewandoski looks forward to his three-year term on the selectboard.

“I’m truly honored and grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me by electing me as your selectman. I look forward to serving our community,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Fire department needs

Voters approved Article 13, asking to approve matching funds for a new fire truck, in order to access a $500,000 Granite State Clean Fleet grant. Voters overwhelmingly approved: 712 for; 216 against. The $364,823 is payable over five years, and will update the rig to align with National Fire Protection Association guidelines.

“We’re very grateful that the article for the fire truck passed,” Jipson said. It’s a “huge win to have $500,000 in grant funds available for us.”

The fire department will also purchase a new ambulance thanks to voters who supported Article 15, 762-201. A down payment for the vehicle was already made in 2023, as part of the Capital Improvement Plan, and monies would have been lost if rejected.

Article 21, which asked for $123,666 to fund the replacement of critical life-safety equipment for the department, passed 571-367.

A phone call to Fire Chief Donald Pickowicz was not returned on Wednesday. 

Future of Belmont Mill

Renovations for the Belmont Mill remain in the air, as voters defeated Article 18, 428-514, which asked for $300,000 for the remaining finishes to relocate Town Hall to the mill. Roughly $700,000 has already been funneled into the structure, and leaders pushed for taxpayer support, which fell short.

Taxpayers also said no to adding $200,000 to the Municipal Facilities Capital Reserve Fund in Article 20, with a vote of 425-513. The intended funds were for the Belmont Mill and Town Hall’s interior and exterior maintenance, including like heating and air conditioning, plumbing and security.

“It’s unfortunate, because both municipal articles failed, which is funds to fix all of our buildings,” Jipson said. “The mill one specifically hurts us, because it's our intention to not have to do a bond. A bond would be multiple million dollars, spread out over 20 to 30 years.”

An example she gave was if the heating system failed, and was not covered by insurance. The proposed funds would have covered the issue, but without them, town leaders will have to get creative.

Article 41, which was submitted by petition and asked for the sale of the Belmont Mill, did not pass, 428-514.