Belmont finally gets state clearance to cross railroad tracks to replace sewer pump station

BELMONT — After months of wrangling, Town Administrator Jeanne Beaudin said the town, its insurance company, Primex, and the state Department of Transportation have reached an agreement to allow access to crews replacing the "Sandy Beach" sewer pump station access over the railroad tracks.

Beaudin told selectmen at last night's meeting that the agreement requires the town of Belmont to assume all liability for any damage that may be incurred to the Plymouth-Lincoln Railroad during the replacement of the pump station.

She said the town went through a similar process with the DOT when it built the Leslie Roberts Town Beach.

"It's been a long time getting this language approved," she told selectmen.

In March of 2012 Belmont voters approved spending up to $1.5-million to replace five aging pump stations. Since the okay, the town gained approval from the N.H. Department of Environment Services to use funds from the State Revolving Fund.

In other action, selectmen unanimously approved paying new code enforcement officer Steven J. Paquin a six-month probation period salary based on an annual rate of $50,055.65, to go to $51,056.76 after a successful completion of the probationary period.

Beaudin said Paquin, who she said is from the southern portion of New Hampshire, accepted the town's officer of employment on July 24, pending a criminal background and motor vehicle check. She told selectmen his anticipated starting date is yet to be determined but should be within a few weeks.

Selectmen also appointed Alyce Jewell to a two-year term on the Heritage Commission and appointed Kelly Rolfe to a one-year term. Voters approved expanding the size of the commission from five members — one of whom is a selectman — to seven members at the March 2012 Town Meeting. Both terms will expire in March — Jewell in 2014 and Rolfe in 2013.

Fire Chief David Parenti said tickets for the Belmont fire Association's annual chicken barbecue are on sale at the Belmont Fire Department. They are $9 each and the proceeds go to benefit the Fire Association Fund that assists families in need.

In other Fire Department related news, selectmen said they received a letter from the Sanbornton Selectmen telling them that while they appreciate being contacted, because of budget constraints the board had decided it will not contribute to the purchase of a platform firefighting boat for Lake Winnipesaukee.

Belmont Selectmen have reached out to Meredith, Laconia, Tilton-Northfield Fire District and Sanbornton for possible assistance. Belmont has the only firefighting platform boat on Lake Winnisquam and Parenti, with the agreement of the selectmen, have decided it needs to be replaced and had hoped the other communities on the lake would contribute.

Meredith Selectmen mentioned the request last evening but said it would be an agenda topic for a future selectman's workshop.

Selectmen also wanted to remind residents that there will be public information forum Tuesday, August 14 at 6 p.m. at the Corner Meeting house so concern residents can learn more about the Village Revitalization project slated to begin any day now.

The also wanted to remind voters that the special Town Meeting ballot vote to determine whether or not the town can spend up to $250,000 to purchase the former Northway Bank Building and to discontinue Mill St. Extension in the village is August 21. Polling will be at the Belmont High School from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.