Belmont leaders to adopt priorities at Wednesday selectboard meeting

BELMONT — Town leaders are tasked with renewing municipal priorities over the next 10 years, particularly for transportation projects and one of the town’s designated economic revitalization zones.

The Belmont Selectboard will meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Belmont Mill, to renew support for local projects in the New Hampshire Department of Transportation’s Ten Year Plan, as well as for the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs Economic Revitalization Zone designation.

Local projects in the state’s 2025-34 plan, found on the Lakes Region Planning Commission’s website, include two in Belmont.

This includes the area of Route 140 and Main Street, where leaders hope to improve the intersection’s safety and congestion. The cost is slated at almost $1 million.

The second project is a bridge replacement on Union Road over Durgin Brook, and is estimated to cost $1.9 million.

The reprioritization and commitment by the selectboard will then be funneled to bodies like planning commissions, who pass the projects along to the state. Then, the projects will be considered for federal and state funding, and incorporated into the plan.

“The purpose of the Ten Year Plan is to develop and implement a plan allowing New Hampshire to fully participate in federally supported transportation improvement projects as well as to outline projects and programs funded with State transportation dollars,” reads the NHDOT website.

Right now, transportation leaders and government heads are in the information-gathering phase of the draft plan, which will eventually be signed, or not, by Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).

An economic revitalization designation renewal needed through the state BEA pertains to an area of Route 106, north of Lamprey Road. The zone was first approved in February 2021.

The ERZ tax credit program offers short-term business tax credits for projects that improve infrastructure and create jobs in designated areas. The ERZ must be renewed every five years.

A few public works projects and items for consideration will also be discussed, including solid waste collection by Casella on Sawicki Lane, a state revolving fund loan for lead water line service inventory, and the parking lot paving project at Village Rail Spur Trail.

Property tax exemptions due for renewal in 2027 will be considered by the board, particularly for those on commercial and industrial properties.

Finally, the Belmont Conservation Commission submitted a sign policy request to the selectboard on behalf of commissioner Pauline Tessier. In recent months, solicitations have been placed on town property, and the commission would like the board to make a townwide policy to thwart sign-posters.

In old business, Fire Chief Donald Pickowicz will give an update on a SAFER grant through FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.

According to its website, “The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, 'front line' firefighters available in their communities.”

Finally, Brian Jackes, of public works, will provide a road construction update.

In other news, a selectboard budget workshop will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Belmont Mill.

During this meeting, board members will listen to proposed budgets for the following areas:

• Parks & recreation and the town beach
• Patriotic purposes
• Highway and street lights
• Highways, buildings and grounds
• Water
• Sewer
• General government buildings
• Town clerk
• Elections and registrations
• Tax collector and finance
• Property taxation

A second selectboard budget workshop will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 19.

Beginning in November, the Budget Committee will begin holding regular meetings through the end of the year, with the Budget Hearing slated for Jan. 7.

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