Belmont Selectboard accepts grant money, updates sewer ordinance

BELMONT — A slew of public hearings gathered public input about accepting grant money, easement renewals, unanticipated revenue, and an update to the water and sewer ordinance at the Aug. 19 selectboard meeting. All proposals were moved forward on affirmative votes by the five-member board.

A public hearing about an update to the town’s water and sewer ordinances kicked off the meeting.

The selectboard heard a presentation by Brian Jackes, director of public works, on Aug. 5, about updates to the ordinances, particularly around language and definitions.

“Most of the changes were just housekeeping stuff, taking out obsolete things, definitions or actually defining things,” Jackes said at the Aug. 19 hearing. “The biggest thing I see with the water moving forward, the most notable, is actually how we bill for our multi-use properties.”

Jackes said there are often multi-use properties with several units inside, so having a per-unit billing process would make the most sense. The town’s sewer billing already follows this model.

Resident Pauline Tessier asked about seasonal properties and the sewer line.

“There’s never been anywhere someone ‘seasonal’ has paid less than everyone else for the sewer,” said Town Administrator Alicia Jipson, relaying how a billing issue had excluded 55 properties from being properly charged for sewer use. That problem will be rectified on the next billing cycle. “It’s very hard to keep track of, and follow who changes from seasonal to full-time.”

Letters sent by town staff encouraged homeowners who need to change their housing status to notify Town Hall, saying many bring their properties up to full-time use for Airbnb, but often don’t update the town.

A list of 29 current seasonal properties, particularly around Silver Lake, will be made available at Tessier's request. The board approved the ordinance changes 5-0, with Travis O’Hara making the motion and Mark Lewandoski providing a second.

A local landmark from the 1820s, a barn and silo on Union Road owned by Joyce Keegal and the White Silo 2025 Revocable Trust received approval for a preservation easement. This will allow for tax benefits while owners work to preserve the historical, agricultural property.

“It’s giving them essentially a tax break on that structure and the land it sits on,” Jipson said. “In this case, it’s the silo and the whole barn, so we’re giving a discount — you can discount between 25%-75% — they’ll receive a discount. If the taxes go up, you have to preserve that assessment at that price.”

The board voted 4-0, with Sharon Ciampi abstaining due to her professional relationship with Keegal as cemetery trustees. Selectboard member Jon Pike made the motion, which was seconded by Lewandoski.

Another property easement was approved by the board, with no public comment, for a property on Province Road owned by Marshall Ford. The property has had an easement for 20 years, and the request was for a third term of 10 years. Pike made the motion, which was seconded by Lewandoski.

Hearings then turned to public safety, including the recent sale of four police cruisers. Police Chief Stephen Akerstrom requested the board accept the unanticipated revenue.

The sale garnered $10,225, and is earmarked for new technology for current patrol cars, particularly lights and sirens.

There was no public comment. Lewandoski made a motion to accept the funds, which was second by Ciampi.

An amended grant from the New Hampshire Department of Public Safety for a $36,508.50 Highway Safety Grant was also considered. The annual grant is used for speed limit and DUI enforcement.

With no public comment, a motion was made by O’Hara and seconded by Lewandoski.

Finally, a request to accept Stanton K-9 Grant Foundation grant money to the tune of $33,650 was approved, which will allow police to build back up their K9 unit.

The grant covers start-up costs for veterinarian care, housing, food, cruiser modifications, and training.

“We had applied for and were granted a grant through the Stanton Foundation, which is going to be used to purchase a canine,” said Akerstrom, who said the two separate funds — a K9 replacement fund and maintenance fund — are generated through private donations.

Those funds will complement the Stanton Foundation grant.

This will be the town’s fourth police dog, reinvigorating the program now there’s an officer on the force with interest in the commitment.

“We now have an officer who is really well qualified” to be a K9 officer, said Board Chair Ruth Mooney.

A motion was made by Lewandoski and seconded by Pike.

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