Belmont Selectboard approves '27-28 funding for local health agencies

BELMONT — The public’s growing reliance on local and state health agencies was evident at the Oct. 13 budget workshop, as a handful of organizations sought increased funding from the selectboard.

All told, the board voted 5-0 to support an increase of 6.6%, or or $73,881, to the health agency budget to be analyzed by the Belmont Budget Committee. However, they did lend a watchful eye to the requests and impact to the community at-large before whittling down some numbers, and rejecting one.

The increases reflect a higher need for services for unhoused people and mental health resources, as well as family crisis support and intervention services.

At least 24 residents in town are being assisted by Waypoint NH, said Ruth Morrissette, a grant writer for the organization, who appeared via video. The organization serves 11,000 Granite Staters every year.

“At this time, we are providing, to residents of Belmont, our healthcare coordination programming. Healthcare coordination helps children from birth to age 21 with chronic health conditions and their families. Conditions might include cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, heart conditions, muscular dystrophy, and others, but conditions will last more than 12 months and impact daily life,” Morrissette said.

The organization also offers Kinship Navigation and Community-Based Voluntary Supports programs to Belmont residents.

“Our request is for $4,000, but we understand that there have been challenges with budgets, and we would just appreciate any support that we're able to receive,” Morrissette said.

After some discussion, the board approved $2,000 for Waypoint.

Lakes Region Mental Health Center, one of 10 New Hampshire designated mental health centers, was also represented at the budget workshop. Beth Vachon, chief development and public relations officer, told the board how much the organization supports Belknap County residents, and those in Belmont.

“[We] served 223 Belmont residents, and absorbed the cost of $67,000 and some change in charity care for Belmont,” Vachon said.

Some of their services are reimbursable through insurance, while others — like transportation — are not.

“Our purpose and terms of our contract with the state Department of Health and Human Services is to serve the most vulnerable people in our communities who require the highest levels of care,” Vachon said. “They're often the furthest from socioeconomic opportunity, low-income, disabled, and depend on Medicaid to access needed services, including transportation to and from their appointments, not only at our center, but others.”

LMRH requested a total of $19,921, which was approved by the board.

Despite assisting with seven emergencies and 19 citizens in Belmont this year, the American Red Cross’ request for $2,000 was denied by the board.

“These funds will directly benefit the families right here in our community, and it's a free benefit for those who require these unique services,” said Sara Beaudry, community disaster program manager for the American Red Cross for Northern New Northern New England.

Other Lakes Region organizations requesting funds include:

• New Beginnings, a local domestic and sexual assault crisis center serving Belknap County and located in Laconia, requested $1,460; which was approved
• Granite VNA, which provides home health, hospice and community wellness services, requested $16,000; the board approved $11,000
• Lakes Region VNA, which provides home care and hospice services, requested $7,500; the board approved $5,000
• Community Action Program, which works to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income families and individuals, requested $15,000; which was approved
• CASA, whose volunteers stand up for used and neglected children in the court system, requested $500; which was approved
• Franklin VNA, which provides home care and hospice services, requested $4,000; which was approved
• Partnership for Public Health, a coordinated hub that unites agencies, healthcare providers, and community partners to improve health and well-being, requested $3,000; which was approved
• Family Promise of the Lakes Region, a new nonprofit whose mission is to prevent and end family homelessness, requested $5,000; the board approved $2,000
• Community Wellness Center, a nonprofit exercise facility for seniors, requested $2,000; the board approved $1,000
• South Road Cemetery, while private, fulfills the town’s requirement to have an active cemetery, and requested $9,000; selectboard Chair Ruth Mooney presented the request, which was approved

On the topic of cemeteries, the Belmont cemetery trustees were in attendance to present a request for $30,000, mostly for maintenance.

“We are trying to play catch-up a little bit on what we're doing, but we have to consider that most of our budget is maintenance. And the maintenance cost now, because of the increase in fuel and oil and diesel and everything, is going to have a big impact on what we do,” said Sharon Ciampi, who stepped away from the selectboard table to present. “The rest of it is for emergency tree falls, supplies, training, and conferences that we have.”

After some discussion, the request was reduced by $2,000, and approved, 4-0, at $28,000. Travis O’Hara made the motion and Mark Lewandoski seconded.

The library’s budget came in at a 9% decrease, largely due to a partially unfilled library director position following the departure of Eileen Gilbert in 2025. New Library Director Tricia Sturm requested $236,352, unanimously approved following a motion by O’Hara, seconded by Ciampi.

In a workshop Oct. 19, the selectboard also heard preliminary budget requests from the police and fire departments, along with the Conservation Commission and land use. Jon Pike was absent from the meeting, and Ciampi appeared on video.

The fire department requested a 3.5% budget increase, largely due to the need to upgrade a chassis on one ambulance, and the medical equipment on two. Upgrades are less expensive than purchasing new ones.

While waiting for final insurance numbers, the board approved the budget request 3-0, with O’Hara making the motion and a second by Lewandoski.

The police department’s budget seeks a 8%-12% wage increase for non-union employees, which the board reduced to 4%, keeping the increase the same across all departments. Concern over an open sergeant position and officer burnout was discussed.

Chief Stephen Akerstrom requested an additional salary in the hopes of hiring a full-time employee to help save on overtime expenses. The board will revisit the budget at their next meeting. 

During the wage increase discussion, the board talked about merit increases for staff in town clerk’s office. At the Oct. 13 workshop, the board verbally agreed to maintain raises at 4%, and not approve the 6% request. Town Clerk Jen Cashman was not present.

Cashman originally cited a long list of accolades by her team. The discussion will continue at a future board meeting.

Finally, the board supported the addition of a public works supervisor, after hearing the need outlined by Director Brian Jackes.

The selectboard will hold its final discussion on preliminary budget proposals at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at the Belmont Mill. 

The Belmont Budget Committee, which holds its first meeting at 6 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 5, will then comb through the budget before it comes before voters at Town Meeting.

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