Belmont to vote on union increases at Town Meeting

BELMONT — Voters casting ballots on Tuesday, March 12, will be deciding on several union contracts that have been renegotiated two years ahead of their expiration dates.

The selectboard noted the current union contracts do not expire until 2026, but a wage study conducted by the town found that “Belmont employees were underpaid compared to other municipalities” and the parties reopened negotiations to bring local wages closer those in surrounding communities.

The first article addresses the cost items in a collective bargaining agreement between the town and the Public Safety Employees Union-Fire Unit B of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. The agreement, running from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026, increases the salaries and benefits by $145,532 in 2024 and $31,097 in 2025, based on current staffing levels.

If the article fails, the current agreement would remain in place, but a followup article would allow a special Town Meeting to address the cost items.

A similar article asks for approval of the cost items in the town’s collective bargaining agreement with the Public Safety Employees Union-Police Unit A that would provide a $319,033 increase in 2024 and $60,717 in 2025. If the article fails, the current agreement, that ends March 31, 2026, would remain in place, but a followup article would allow a special Town Meeting to address the cost items.

Still another article addresses the collective bargaining agreement with the Public Works Employees Union which would grant a $54,208 increase in 2024 and $19,776 in 2025. The current agreement, that ends March 31, 2026, would remain in place if the article fails, but a followup article would allow a special town meeting to address the cost items.

Also on the ballot is a $10,673,153 operating budget which, if defeated, would be replaced by a $10,275,715 default budget.

Voters will be choosing between two incumbent selectboard members and two challengers for three-year seats on the selectboard. Current Chair Ruth Mooney and Sharon Ciampi are facing competition from Brian Gardiner and Douglas Trottier.

The only other contested race is for cemetery trustee for three years, with Fred Wells and Sharon Ciampi seeking the single seat.

Jennifer Cashman is the lone candidate for town clerk/tax collector for one year. There are four three-year seats on the budget committee with only three candidates running: Jessica Flack, Don House and Mark Roberts. Marc Zimmerman and Donald Hurd have filed for two two-year budget committee seats. Alvin Nix is uncontested to serve as moderator for two years. David Caron is seeking the three-year seat for trustee of trust funds. Hillary Horn and Teresa Elliott are running for the two seats for library trustee for three years. Kevin Sturgeon and Gary Grant are running for the two three-year planning board seats, Elizabeth Stewart and Reese Gray are seeking the two three-year seats on the zoning board of adjustment, and Brenda Paquette is the only candidate for supervisor of the checklist for six years.

The ballot also has seven proposed zoning amendments.

The first would allow alternative treatment centers by special exception in the commercial zone and by a conditional use permit in the industrial zone. It defines “alternative treatment centers” as nonprofits dispensing cannabis.

The second zoning amendment would allow two to six shipping containers on 640-1,920 square feet of space, depending upon the size of the lot, and allow storage vehicles and trailers in residential multifamily, residential single-family, and rural zones where they previously required conditional use permits.

Amendment 3 would allow the planning board to make changes required by law after two public hearings, rather than having to place the changes on the ballot for a vote at Town Meeting.

Amendment 4 would incorporate the statutory definition of “cultivation locations: a locked and enclosed site, under the control of an alternative treatment center where cannabis is cultivated, secured with one or more locks or other security devices” — under conditional use permits in the commercial and industrial zones.

Amendment 5 would add the statutory definition of “agritourism: attracting visitors to a farm to attend events or activities that are accessory uses to the primary farm operation” — and allow it in all zones.

Amendment 6 would add a definition to “retail sales” which currently is undefined in the zoning ordinance.

Amendment 7 would allow contractors’ yards in the commercial zone without having to apply for a special exemption, but a site plan still would be required.

Other articles include one to discontinue a portion of Old Route 140 (“the road leading from Belmont Village to Gilmanton Academy”) bordering property owned by the Susan Condodemetraky Trust.

Because withdrawals from the Fire/Ambulance Equipment and Apparatus Special Revenue Fund need voter approval, there are articles to spend $60,776 to cover the lease-purchase payment for the fire department’s pumper truck and $105,000 for the first lease-purchase payment for the new ambulance approved last year.

Another article seeks to amend the 1999 Town Meeting decision that requires all revenues from ambulance billings to be placed into the Fire/Ambulance Equipment and Apparatus Special Revenue Fund. The amendment would allow the first $124,500 collected to cover general-fund expenditures of $3,000 for training, $30,000 in medical and supply expenses, $20,000 in ambulance billing fees, $40,000 for overtime, $2,000 for telephone, $1,500 for conferences and dues, $12,000 for office expenses, $8,000 for vehicle repair and parts, and $8,000 for dues.

Article 20 seeks $60,000 for the replacement if an air compressor for the fire department’s Cascade system, with the money coming from the Fire/Ambulance Equipment and Apparatus Special Revenue Fund.

Article 21 seeks $654,298 for sewage collection and disposal, with a default figure of $640,323 if the article fails.

Article 22 seeks $273,481 for the water distribution and treatment system, with a default figure of $261,500.

The town also is looking to place $750,000 into the Highway Reconstruction and Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund; $500,000 in the the Municipal Facilities Capital Reserve Fund; $100,000 in the the Accrued Benefits Liability Expendable Trust Fund; $100,000 in the Water System Repair and Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund; $30,000 in the Sewer System Repair and Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund and $60,000 in the Highway Department Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve Fund.

Other articles seek to use $194,234 in highway block grant money for the reconstruction of highways; place $41,267 into the Town Bridge Repair and Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund; $75,000 in the Property Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund; $25,000 in the Library Building Improvements Capital Reserve Fund; $10,000 in the Technology Non-Capital Reserve Fund; $5,000 in the Durrell Mountain Road Capital Reserve Fund; $5,000 in the General Cemetery Maintenance Fund; $4,500 in the Heritage Fund; $2,500 in the Dry Hydrant and Cistern Repairs and Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund; and $10,000 in the Election Equipment Expendable Trust Fund Non-Capital Reserve Fund.

A final article proposes distribution of income from the John M. Sargent Trust Fund to several local organizations.