Belmont library director resigns, trustees proposing nearly $5M library expansion

BELMONT — After 10 years with the Belmont Public Library, Director Eileen Gilbert submitted her letter of resignation earlier this month.

Town Administrator Alicia Jipson told the Belmont Selectboard about the staffing change at their Nov. 5 meeting.

“I'm just updating the board that I did receive a letter of resignation from the library director,” said Jipson. “I do not have any news from the trustees as far as their next steps in advertising for that vacancy. If they do, I will let you know.”

Jipson deferred further comment to the library Board of Trustees. Library Trustee Mary Charnley did not return several requests for comment about transition plans.

Gilbert also had no comment about her resignation.

The selectboard has been considering a $4.85 million library expansion project. The scope includes construction costs, furniture, fixtures and equipment, final design and engineering, and a $495,000 contingency fund, at the recommendation of SMP Architects, a Concord-based firm specializing in municipal projects.

Charnley and fellow library trustee Shela Cunningham gave a presentation to the board on Sept. 17. Jipson was tasked with researching bond and loan options.

In other business, the Town of Belmont is holding a food drive in direct response to interruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, during the federal government shutdown.

A donation box is available at Town Hall, 14 Mill St., for household items like toilet paper and paper towels, as well as non-perishable foods like canned goods, pasta and cereal. All donated items will be given to local residents in need, as well as the St. Joseph Parish Food Pantry.

Selectboard member Sharon Ciampi shared information that 6.7% of town residents participate in SNAP, according to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute.

According to NHFPI, to qualify for SNAP, residents must have household incomes of 200% or less of federal poverty guidelines, or $31,300 for an individual, and $64,300 for a household of four in 2025, and have incomes that fall below the poverty threshold after accounting for certain expenses.

The food drive comes at a time of major uncertainty for some households about putting food on the table.

“It sounds like there's going to be a lot of need for that,” said Board Chair Ruth Mooney. “I know that the St. Joseph's food pantry, the last two to three weeks, has increased immensely.”

Donations can be delivered to the Town Hall, 143 Main St., between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Also during the meeting, Assistant Fire Chief Donald Pickowicz introduced the newest member of the fire department, retired Army veteran Kyle Behan.

“I’m very proud to work for the Town of Belmont,” Behan said while introducing himself to the selectboard.

After two weeks of working day shifts, Behan will transition to shift 2 with Lt. Randy Danforth and his team.

The initial two weeks “allows them to become familiar with department operations, equipment, policies, and procedures, as well as to get acclimated with the members of the department. It’s an important part of helping new firefighters integrate safely and effectively into our team before they begin their normal rotation,” Pickowicz wrote in an email to The Daily Sun.

The next selectboard meeting is at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 14 Mill St. To view the Nov. 5 meeting recording, visit belmontnh.gov.

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