NH DES secures $2M grant for Belmont sewer line project

BELMONT — The $10 million price tag for the Route 140 force main replacement project got $2 million smaller, thanks to a grant secured by New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services staff, on the town's behalf.

The amount was the maximum award the town could receive.

“What we have done is secure some grant funding from Northern Borders [Regional Commission] for what we’re calling phase I, which runs from the pump station just over the Belmont border into Northfield,” said Sharon McMillin, environmental program administrator for the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program in the NH DES Water Division. “We were looking at this because our pipe is deteriorating right into the ground. The way it was installed, it’s like 45 years old. It’s deteriorating, that pipe couldn’t live up to the soil conditions. We’ve been doing emergency responses for a number of years.

“There is a history of holes in this pipeline. It's not getting any better, only worse.”

News of the Northern Borders grant award was delivered by Town Administrator Alicia Jipson at the selectboard meeting June 17. There are some stipulations with the grant, according to McMillin and town leaders.

“This grant is for construction only and will reduce the estimated $10 million cost of the project,” read the meeting minutes.

A vote by taxpayers to accept the funds is not needed, since staff of NH DES applied for the grant on the town's behalf. The state will phase the project.

“Phase I is estimated between $5-$6 million, and the financial responsibility is going to be 98% Belmont and 2% Northfield,” McMillin said.

“WRBP has tried to do this all along ... grants, [American Rescue Plan Act] funds, anything we’re eligible for, we try to get the funding for the members, because we realize they are paying the bills,” McMillin said.

The WRBP, a state-owned sewer system, was formed in 1972 as a way to clean up and protect water in the Lakes Region. As a result, a wastewater treatment facility was erected in Franklin and since, member communities have dealt with double-digit increases in costs and maintenance.

Today, the 10 member communities, which are Center Harbor, Franklin, Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough, Northfield, Sanbornton and Tilton, are pushing for a regional authority versus a state-owned authority. Throughout August, majority of member communities held votes to reinforce their support for a new governing body.

In July, Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed SB 592, which created a commission to study transiting ownership to an “alternative authority.”

Those studies are currently in the works.

To read meeting minutes and upcoming agendas, visit belmontnh.gov.