Belmont Selectboard to take up FEMA issues at Wednesday meeting

BELMONT — A town property that’s been flagged with a FEMA violation will be discussed at Wednesday’s selectboard meeting, according to the agenda.

The selectboard meetings at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, at Belmont Mill.

A property on Gardners Grove Road was recently issued a FEMA violation, leaving town staff’s hands tied on how to proceed, and residents at risk of losing the option to obtain flood insurance.

The homeowner was sent letters last year from the town asking them to bring the property up to code, by moving mechanical equipment upstairs and installing breakout flood panels on the basement and garage, but they didn't open them. 

FEMA representatives are encouraging the town to pursue legal recourse with the homeowner if they choose not to remediate. Not wanting to accrue any further expenses, the selectboard at a previous meeting tabled the conversation, until Town Planner Karen Santoro and Town Administrator Alicia Jipson could meet with FEMA representatives and the homeowner.

That meeting was held Monday, where information was relayed to the homeowner. Attempts to contact Santoro for more information were unsuccessful. 

At the core of this issue is the fact outdated flood zone maps relative to Tilton were used by the surveyor to evaluate the zone on Gardners Grove Road, creating an unstable foundation for FEMA to base their evaluation on in the first place. 

Funding for FEMA has been drastically reduced throughout the Trump administration, slashing jobs, budgets, infrastructure and programs. According to the Center for American Progress, since January 2025, there has been a 14% workforce reduction at FEMA. Backlogs are immense.

Other items to be discussed at Wednesday’s selectboard meeting include the auction of a decommissioned Department of Public Works truck, and an update on an auction that occurred at 200 Daniel Webster Hwy earlier this year, where the China Garden restaurant is located. 

Lastly, a 2026 budget update will be provided by town leaders.

To view the meeting agenda, visit belmontnh.org.

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