Belmont Selectboard considers penalties for trash violations, approves hiring police officer

BELMONT — Trash was the talk of the town at Wednesday’s selectboard meeting, and changes to handling of trash pick-up violations are in discussion, with the ultimate goal of revising the town’s Solid Waste Management Ordinance for clarity, transparency and consistency.

The ordinance, adopted March 11, 2005, expresses the importance of the town's contracted hauler — Casella — and its relationship with the Town of Belmont. The document allows the public to understand the role Casella plays in trash pick-up and the rules and fees associated with said service.

View the current Solid Waste Management Ordinance by reading this article at laconiadailysun.com.

These rules and fees are currently enforced twofold: By the department of public works and Casella, who may make town employees aware of repeat ordinance offenders after placing a sticker on a trash cart for violations.

Town leaders acknowledged the majority of residents abide by the ordinance, but were concerned with a lack of clarity around violations.

“Everything is fairly ambiguous. There are certain things people can get violations for, like leaving carts on the curb, or in the right-of-way,” said Colleen Akerman, assessing administrator and executive assistant. “It will be a good idea to have it written all out, so every single instance gets treated exactly the same. I marked up some suggestions, like a 'three strikes you’re out' situation.”

A lengthy discussion on the severity of the three strikes followed, with a termination of services being strike three for those who fail to handle their bill or abide by the rules as listed in the ordinance.

Now, 25.5 years following its adoption, Akerman is looking to update and modernize the ordinance for consistency’s sake.

“Ninety-nine percent of people get that first notice and they comply. Most people are complying with a first notice. It’s not a huge thing,” she said. “But there are some people that have to be bumped up to the next level, so how do we navigate that and make it consistent for people?”

Additionally, Akerman proposed increasing the cost of carts by $50 to reflect the time-intensive administrative responsibilities each transaction includes.

“I’m requesting the board consider allowing an increase of those rates effective immediately, or when we can update the ordinance,” Akerman said. “We have to create an invoice for the end of the year and pay for the postage for the invoice. There’s a lot of administrative type stuff that’s involved there.”

Finally, the qualifying factors for an additional trash cart will be reviewed by town leaders, with consideration given to folks with a second or seasonal home often filled with extended family, or those with multiple family members in residence.

“A lot of people are moving in with parents because of the cost of housing,” said Selectboard Chair Ruth Mooney.

The number of assigned carts per residence may change to reflect the occupancy of said home. Selectboard members will continue consulting on updates to the Solid Waste Management Ordinance before bringing forth the changes in a to-be-announced public hearing.

In other news, the Belmont Police Department regretfully said goodbye to Patrol Officer Scott Corbett, who resigned Aug. 30. Police Chief Stephen Akerstrom requested permission from the board to hire a new officer effective Monday, Sept. 15.

“I am also looking to see if the board will allow us to hire a new officer,” said Akerstrom. “He has one thing left to do Friday, which is a psychological exam, and then his application will be complete. We’d like to get him started.”

The board approved this motion with no opposition.

One firefighter, Sean McCarty, also tendered his resignation in August, with an additional two resigning in September. All resignations were accepted by the board.

A public hearing will be held to change the intersection of Middle Route and Hoadley Road from a two-way stop, to a four-way stop, as proposed by Public Works Director Craig Clairmont.

While leaders couldn’t confirm it was a high-accident area, they believe the limited sight distance is dangerous to the well-being of drivers on the road. Additionally, the road is seeing more traffic from Gilmanton than ever before.

“I’m trying to be proactive and preventative,” said Clairmont. “It’s completely common sense and I’d like your consideration for it.”

“I live in that area and it would be a very good idea,” said Sharon Ciampi, member of the selectboard. “It has become extremely busy. Pulling to that intersection is a wing and prayer.”

The motion was passed with no opposition, and while a public hearing isn’t needed, the town will host one at an upcoming selectboard meeting.

And if you’re in need of pet food — whether it’s dog, cat or rat food — the Town of Belmont was the lucky recipient of two pallets' worth of pet supplies, including food, litter and toys.

“[There is] food for all kinds of animals,” said Town Administrator Alicia Jipson. “If you can utilize free pet supplies, we have them.”

Free supplies are available for pickup from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and also from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Belmont Mill. This will be the last opportunity to pick-up supplies, while they last.

The next selectboard meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Belmont Mill. Agendas and meeting minutes can be found at belmontnh.org/Pages/Index/50750/meeting-agendas-minutes.