Belmont budget recount slated for Saturday

BELMONT — The Town Meeting budget vote recount will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, at the Belmont Mill. The $12 million operating budget passed by a narrow margin of 4 votes during the election on March 10.

Article 4 on the warrant asked Belmont taxpayers to raise and appropriate $12 million, and the recount is only for this one item. The Town of Belmont has operated in a default budget for the past two years. If the recount comes back to show the vote failed, an $11 million default budget will be set, thrusting the town into its third year of operating on a shoestring.

Jennifer Cashman, town clerk, will lead Saturday’s recount, and shared the rules and procedures in an interview. The selectboard, along with the town moderator, will join Cashman for the official recount, and comprise the Board of Recount. Teams of two will conduct ballot counting, and the recount requesters can designate an observer. No pens or pencils may be used by the observers, and no food or drink is allowed at the table.

Challenges are permitted, but must be requested verbally immediately during the recount. Lastly, if the petitioners wish to cancel the recount at anytime, they can move for that.

A petition for a recount was filed on Friday, by Susan Pilliod, with the required 10 signatures and $10 filing fee.

“This is simply part of the process that helps ensure transparency and confidence in our local elections,” Pilliod wrote in a Facebook post. “This request is not about taking sides on the budget — it's simply about confirming the accuracy of a very close vote so everyone can have confidence in the outcome.”

For more information, visit belmontnh.gov.