Belmont Budget Committee approves park & rec, welfare proposals

BELMONT — The Belmont Budget Committee approved proposals from the parks and recreation and welfare departments on Nov. 5, the first evaluation of several over the course of the month meant to scour the town’s anticipated expenses for waste before seeking voter approval next year.

Department budgets together compile the town’s overall operating budget, approved by taxpayers at Town Meeting Day. For Belmont voters, Town Meeting Day will take place on Tuesday, March 9.

Donna Cilley, welfare director for the Town of Belmont, presented an increased budget over last year largely due to cost-of-living increases and an uptick in mental healthcare and an unhoused population. The proposed budget was $123,741.

“What people are seeing with heat and oil and rents and the amount of evictions that we're seeing, it’s creating such havoc with individuals that we would never ever expect to be servicing,” Cilley said. “There's so many changes going on with food stamps and Medicaid. They're all federal monies and the work requirements that they put underneath them; it's terrific that there's parameters. The problem is there are so many challenges behind that, and we're not quite sure that the state is prepared. People sitting in our seats are prepared to be able to handle the influx and try to stay ahead of it.”

Nonprofits have stepped up to fill gaps, but the state needs to do more to help, she said. Because so much is falling on communities, it’s no wonder her budget increased.

“We're in a crisis, but the whole state is. So, it's not just our area, but of course, we're [biased to] our area,” she said. “So, the impacts you'll see in my budget very soon reflect everything I said.”

A separate discussion on vendor payments — expenses largely around temporary housing solutions for critical situations — was also held. Cilley requested $239,350, which was approved unanimously by the committee.

The general assistance budget total of $363,091 was approved and is now officially part of the 2027 operating budget.

The parks & rec budget was approved next, at $183,119. An additional $10,280 was approved for the town beach, bringing a total approved department budget of $193,399 to taxpayers.

It was a solid year for the department, and Danielle Cook, parks & rec director, presented a budget lower than last year, even with the addition of new opportunities for residents.

“For 2027, I look forward to extending programs and providing additional programs for our community,” Cook said. “We are currently looking at adding an ice rink up to Sargent Park. We've been steady on that project for the last couple weeks and planning that out.”

The rink would use the pre-existing rollerskating rink and simply need a plastic liner.

“I love the idea of adding something that's free to our residents, the skating,” said Tracey LeClair, who was again voted as chair of the budget committee.

Finally, the Heritage Commission’s budget request was unanimously approved at $250, which supports established programs including the Valentine's Day Food Drive.

“Our goal each year is to add a voice telling the town's people about Belmont's history, heritage, and its community,” said Vicki Donovan, commission chair. “If you take a look at the heritage sheet that shows our accomplishments in 2026, I'd like to highlight three successes. The new banners in the village. The second one that is a huge success is our ‘We love our senior citizens Valentine's Day Food Drive.’ That was another great turnout. And the Old Home Day and the 250th American celebration, which involved the elementary and middle school students, also proved to be a great community event.”

Other department budgets approved at the Nov. 5 budget committee meeting were Patriotic Purposes at $14,101, and legal at $50,000.

The committee opened the meeting by electing officers. LeClair is joined by Vice Chair Jessica Fleck.

“Our task here is to review the budgets that have already come from our department heads and gone through the selectboard process. We are the last stop before it goes to the voters. We are here to listen to the department heads explain why they submitted their budgets, learn what has already been ... talked about between them and the selectboard, and approve and or change those items,” LeClair said. “We are the ones that send it to the voters. With that being said, comments about how the department has performed their jobs is not what we're here for.”

Town Administrator Alicia Jipson provided a review of 2026 figures, and defined the current proposed operating budget for 2027 at $13 million, a 5.5% increase.

Several factors for the rise include health insurance cost increases, as well as the cost of oil and propane. Additionally, the library is proposing an expansion, which would require a taxpayer-approved bond.

“This year, we did have a slight increase in our health insurance, not as bad as the year before. Our health insurance increased by 4.8% for ‘27. Last year it had increased 8.4%,” Jipson said.

The budget committee meets next at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Belmont Mill. For more information, visit belmontnh.gov.

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