Belmont’s $12 million budget passes by 4 votes, first time out of default in 2 years

BELMONT — For the first time in two years, Belmont voters approved the town’s operating budget on Town Meeting Tuesday — and by only four votes.

“We’re all on Cloud 9 right now,” said Town Administrator Alicia Jipson via phone on Wednesday. “It’s been a rough two years.

"We’re very grateful. This means a lot for the town moving forward.”

Total ballots cast for the $12 million operating budget, Article 4, were 477 in favor, and 473 against. A recount is not automatically triggered by close margins. Rather, it has to be requested. Residents have up to seven days to file for one.

Jipson confirmed no recount had been requested as of Wednesday afternoon.

Selectboard race

The contested selectboard races were won by incumbent Travis O’Hara with 524 votes, and Mark Lewandoski with 609 votes. Both candidates were pleased to see the budget pass, and chalked it up to their efforts, along with town leaders, in getting the word out.

“The slim margin means we still have a lot of work to do when it comes to showing the value of the taxes to the voters. Also there was a higher turnout than last year, so I think more people are getting involved and not taking a budget for granted,” O’Hara wrote in a text message.

He ran on a platform of commonsense spending that maintained town services. With the approved budget, he thinks the town is in a much better, forward-thinking position than it has been.

“Getting this budget passed feels good, we were extremely worried about having to cut services to the town,” O’Hara said. “I am not taking it for granted, there is plenty of work to do to make sure we can continue this momentum.”

Lewandoski looks forward to his three-year term on the selectboard.

“I’m truly honored and grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me by electing me as your selectman. I look forward to serving our community,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

Fire department needs

Voters approved Article 13, asking to approve matching funds for a new fire truck, in order to access a $500,000 Granite State Clean Fleet grant. Voters overwhelmingly approved: 712 for; 216 against. The $364,823 is payable over five years, and will update the rig to align with National Fire Protection Association guidelines.

“We’re very grateful that the article for the fire truck passed,” Jipson said. It’s a “huge win to have $500,000 in grant funds available for us.”

The fire department will also purchase a new ambulance thanks to voters who supported Article 15, 762-201. A down payment for the vehicle was already made in 2023, as part of the Capital Improvement Plan, and monies would have been lost if rejected.

Article 21, which asked for $123,666 to fund the replacement of critical life-safety equipment for the department, passed 571-367.

A phone call to Fire Chief Donald Pickowicz was not returned on Wednesday. 

Future of Belmont Mill

Renovations for the Belmont Mill remain in the air, as voters defeated Article 18, 428-514, which asked for $300,000 for the remaining finishes to relocate Town Hall to the mill. Roughly $700,000 has already been funneled into the structure, and leaders pushed for taxpayer support, which fell short.

Taxpayers also said no to adding $200,000 to the Municipal Facilities Capital Reserve Fund in Article 20, with a vote of 425-513. The intended funds were for the Belmont Mill and Town Hall’s interior and exterior maintenance, like heating and air conditioning, plumbing and security.

“It’s unfortunate, because both municipal articles failed, which is funds to fix all of our buildings,” Jipson said. “The mill one specifically hurts us, because it's our intention to not have to do a bond. A bond would be multiple million dollars, spread out over 20 to 30 years.”

An example she gave was if the heating system failed, and was not covered by insurance. The proposed funds would have covered the issue, but without them, town leaders will have to get creative.

Article 41, which was submitted by petition and asked for the sale of the Belmont Mill, did not pass, 428-514.

Full results

The majority of the warrant articles passed.

Article 2 asking for a zoning ordinance amendment passed 616-342, along with Article 3, 685-245, for a zoning amendment related to solar energy.

Collective bargaining agreements for the fire (561-402) and police (567-386) departments, along with public works (562-404), all passed. This will help retain the town’s talented and long-time employees, Jipson said.

Article 11, which asked for $800,026 to operate and maintain the sewer system and its fees to the state Department of Environmental Services and the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program, passed by a landslide, 676-286.

Voters also approved $435,616 for the town’s water distribution and treatment system, 553-399. Additionally, taxpayers supported an amendment to the Fire/Ambulance Equipment and Apparatus Special Revenue Fund with a vote of 710-246.

Article 16 asking to raise $68,561 for the first year’s payment toward the fire department tanker was approved, 701-241. Road improvements will continue through 2026, thanks to the passage of Article 17, 528-406, which asked for $750,000 for the Highway Reconstruction and Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund.

The Department of Public Works requested infrastructure support for its aging systems, and received it. The town will appropriate $203,905 for reconstruction of highways, with no funds to come from taxation, thanks to support from residents. This will come from Highway Block Grant funds provided by the state.

Article 22, which asked for $100,000 for the Sewer System Repair and Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund, was approved 576-358. Article 23 requested the same amount of money for the Water System Repair and Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund, and was passed 569-359.

Taxpayers rejected $80,000 to be placed in the Property Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund for yearly installments needed to fund the 2029 revaluation. The vote was 415-521. However, taxpayers did support $60,000 to fund the orderly replacement of public works vehicles, with a vote of 513-421.

Town employees set to retire in 2026 will receive their earned time balances through the passage of Article 26, 588-339, which will put $50,000 in the Accrued Benefits Liability Expendable Trust Fund. No funds will come from taxation.

Article 27, asking for voters to put $50,000 in the Information Technology Non-Capital Reserve Trust Fund, was denied. The article was intended for IT maintenance. Article 28 was approved 570-363, which asked for $50,000 for the Town Bridge Repair and Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund, eventually funding replacement of the Church Street bridge.

The Belmont Public Library also received a lot of community support at the polls. Article 29 asked for $25,000 to fund improvements including Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, which passed 524-419. Article 40 was approved 822-119, and asked the town to consider allowing the library to retain money from income-generating equipment like lost book fines, photocopies and faxes.

Town leaders will not use $20,000 to create a contingency fund in case of unanticipated expenses, since voters rejected Article 30, 408-550.

Article 31, supported 552-393, adds $10,000 to the General Cemetery Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund.

The Durrell Mountain Road Capital Reserve Fund will receive $5,000 for maintenance due to wear and tear of large trucks traveling to the gravel pit. Voters passed this article 581-372.

Voting materials will be purchased as needed through the Election Equipment Expendable Trust Fund thanks to an additional $3,000 approved by voters, 561-391.

Historical buildings and landmarks have the funds needed in case of unanticipated repairs thanks to the passage of Article 34, 524-404.

The John M. Sargent Trust Fund will once again support 19 organizations at a value of $23,420. Article 35 was passed overwhelmingly, 806-142.

Article 36 was about accounting for police special details, and now, any excess funds will be set aside for replacement of police cruisers and equipment. The article passed 637-325.

As members of the Concord Regional Solid Waste Resource/Recovery Cooperative, Belmont is eventually responsible for paying a portion of the maintenance and monitoring fees for a closed landfill. Article 37, which asked to raise and appropriate $70,821, was passed 635-324.

Finally, veterans were fully backed by the community in a strong show of support for tax credits. Article 38 asked to increase the Veterans Service-Connected Total and Permanent Disability credit from $1,400 to $2,000, which passed 786-153. Article 39 was similar, which asked to increase the All-Veteran’s Tax Credit from $500 to $600, which passed 784-152.

Other results:

• Budget Committee: Douglas Trottier, 667; Scott Bell, 627; Marsha Campbell, 653; and Donald Hurd, 627
• Trustee of the Trust Funds: Thomas Garfield, 814
• Library Trustee: Samantha LeClair was voted in with 524 votes, replacing Shela Cunningham, and joins incumbent Mary Louise-Charnley, 515 votes
• Cemetery Trustee: Katie Eaton, 800
• Planning Board: Peter Harris, 757; and Richard Pickwick, 665
• Zoning Board of Adjustment: Peter Harris, 613, and Susan Bouthiette, 450, defeated Dennis R. Grimes, 411
• Town Moderator: Alvin Nix Jr., 822
• Supervisor of the Checklist: Donna Shepherd, 837

To view the election results in entirety, visit belmontnh.gov. 

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