All towns · belmont

2026-09-02 Selectmen’s Meeting — BOSMinutes-260902

Document

Office of Board of Selectmen

143 Main Street, P.O. Box 310, Belmont, New Hampshire 03220-0310
Telephone: (603) 267-8300 Fax: (603) 267-8327

Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 10:00 am
Belmont Mill, Tioga Meeting Room

Present were Chairman Ruth P. Mooney, Selectman Travis O’Hara, Selectman Jon Pike,
Selectman Sharon Ciampi, Selectman Mark Lewandoski, TA Alicia Jipson, Executive
Assistant/Assessing Administrator Colleen Akerman, Town Planner Karen Santoro, Town
Clerk/Tax Collector Jennifer Cashman, Police Chief Steve Akerstrom, DPW Director Brian Jackes,
General Assistance Director Donna Cilley, and Library Director Tricia Sturm. Also present were
Conservation Commission Members Pauline Tessier and Tyson Morrill; Andrew Bernstein of
Kearsarge Energy; Barry Beauregard of Bonnette, Page & Stone; and Jason Lacombe of SMP.
Architecture. Via Zoom was Town Clerk/Tax Collector Assistant Devon Tibbetts.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 10:00 am and those present stood for the Pledge of
Allegiance. Attendees were requested to refrain from whispering during the meeting because the
acoustics are not good in this room.

Review & Approve Minutes:
Minutes of Meeting 08/19/2026:

Selectman Travis O’Hara moved to approve the minutes of the meeting held 08/19/2026;
seconded by Selectman Mark Lewandoski. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).

New Business:
Police Department New Hire — Seth Jalbert:

Police Chief Steve Akerstrom reported that Seth Jalbert has completed the background
process and will go to the academy for certification. If he is hired now, he can get field training
completed before the academy in January. All other patrol positions are filled but there is a
Sergeant position open. We also have a new K-9 officer in training that is 14 months old.

Selectman O’Hara moved to approve hiring Seth Jalbert to the Police Department;
seconded by Selectman Lewandoski. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Kearsarge Energy — Solar PILOT Discussion — Map/Lot 232-007 — Off Jamestown Road:

Andrew Bernstein of Kearsarge Energy presented information about a solar project off
Jamestown Road. They are one of the larger independent power producers in New Hampshire
and have worked on 110 projects with municipalities. They are long-term owners and they do not
“flip” their projects. They typically work out a long-term PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes)
agreement for 20 years with municipalities. The land for the panel installation will come out of
current use and be taxed at the full assessed land value, while the taxes for the panels would be
handled through a PILOT agreement. Having a PILOT agreement helps with financing projects like

Selectmen’s Minutes 1 September 2, 2026


this because all of the expenses are built-in. This presentation is to determine if the Board would
be agreeable to working out a PILOT if the project received land use board approval.

There was discussion about tax implications, area land values, equipment ownership, net
metering benefits, savings to the Town, use of local contractors, safety features, and an annual
escalation percentage for the PILOT. The company would lease about 22 acres of land from the
current owner for a 4.9-megawatt fixed tilt system and estimated completion would be late 2027
to early 2028. A bond or letter of credit would be put in place for decommissioning the project
and the panels would always be owned by Kearsarge Energy. They use top quality recyclable
panels.

Some residents had questions about the project that are not appropriate for this
discussion. The Zoning and Planning Boards are the appropriate forums for questions about the
specifics of the project because the Board of Selectmen is only reviewing whether they would be
amenable to a PILOT program if the land use boards approve the project.

Selectman O’Hara moved that if approved by the Land Use Boards, the Selectmen agree to
enter into a mutually agreed upon Solar PILOT agreement with terms to be agreed upon prior to
construction; seconded by Selectman Ciampi. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Consideration of Land Donation — Dutile Road — Map/Lot 218-101:

A property owner on Dutile Road is interested in donating a landlocked parcel valued at
$100 to the Town. If the Board is interested, staff will work with the owner and start the process
to accept the parcel.

Selectman Lewandoski moved to move forward with the process to accept a land donation
of parcel 218-101-000-000 on Dutile Road under the provisions of RSA 41:14-a; seconded by
Selectman Mooney. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).

The Board suggested the Town send letters to other owners of similar parcels to see if
anyone else is interested in donating a landlocked parcel.

Town-Owned Properties Review:

TA Alicia Jipson reported that Land Use Technician Rod Cameron has been reviewing the
list of Town-owned properties. The Board was provided with a color-coded listing detailing the
uses of all of the Town-owned parcels such as Town facilities and buildings, water and sewer,
cemeteries, or conservation land. There are about 29 parcels that could potentially be considered
for sale or development, and some properties could be offered to abutters. The Board should
review the list, and additional research will be done if there is interest in trying to sell any of the
parcels. Other departments may have a use for some parcels, but some of them are swamp, and
some of them are ledge. There was a request to include the additional descriptions with the
Annual Report. Selectman Ciampi questioned the assessed value of some of the cemetery parcels
so we will get clarification from LU Tech Rod Cameron.

Selectmen’s Minutes 2 September 2, 2026


BPS — Library Expansion Update:

The Belmont Public Library has been largely unchanged for nearly a century despite the
Town's growth. Jason Lacombe from SMP Architecture presented a design concept for a new two-
story addition featuring an offset floor plan to maintain the historic building while meeting ADA
compliance and community needs. Some of the design features include outdoor space, a meeting
room, staff space, an elevator and improved security and sightlines for different areas. The
proposed project has an estimated total cost of $5.5 million, including $500,000 in contingency
and 3.5% escalation, with annual bond payments projected at $400,000-$425,000. There is a
future opportunity to add solar panels but this budget does not include solar. The front of the
building would remain as is and the new entry would be optimal for security and compliance while
allowing for good flow and functionality.

Resident Liz Charlwood of Cotton Hill asked about the proposed size compared to our
town’s size, and the design did take into consideration comparables in other communities.
Selectman O’Hara commented that the building is overutilized, but it will be hard to sell a bond
for this. Ms. Charlwood inquired about grant opportunities and Library Director Tricia Sturm
responded that they are searching for all grants but some of the federal ones have no funds left
available so they are looking at other options and anticipate some fundraising.

Other New Business:
Conservation Commission Alternate Member Appointment:

Selectman O’Hara moved to appoint Frances Gage as an alternate member of the
Conservation Commission with a term ending 3/31/2028; seconded by Selectman Lewandoski.
Motion passed unopposed (5-0).

Winnisquam Watershed Network (WWN) 319 Grant — Beach:

OPW Director Brian Jackes and Conservation Commission member Tyson Morril presented
a grant opportunity for the Town beach relative to stormwater runoff improvements. The grant
will require a match of labor and equipment from DPW, and Board support is necessary to proceed
with the next stages of the grant process. This will assist with permitting needed for the work.
The grant is through the WWN, not through the Town, but it is on Town-owned property and we
will benefit.

Selectman Lewandoski moved to authorize the Chairman of the Board to sign a letter of
support for the Winnisquam Watershed Network Based Plan 319 Grant; seconded by Selectman
O’Hara. Motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Shaker Regional School District Advisory Budget Committee Members Needed:
The school district is looking for advisory budget committee members. Applicants must
be registered voters and submit a letter of interest to the district.

Old Business:
Karen Drive Solid Waste Violation:

Executive Assistant Colleen Akerman updated the Board on a solid waste violation issue
that started a year ago. A property owner on Karen Drive failed to comply with the Town’s
ordinance despite multiple warnings and opportunities for compliance. The property owner was

Selectmen’s Minutes 3 September 2, 2026


fined $250 and did not pay the violation and we had to go to court. The judge ruled in our favor
but adjusted the fine to $100. It was recommended that we develop a more detailed violation
fine schedule.

Other Old Business: None
Public Comment: None
BOS Future Agenda Items: None

Board & Committee Reports:
The Planning Board met Monday and voted 3-1 to support the recommendation to
demolish the bank building.

Next Meeting: September 16, 2026 @ 6:00 pm

Non-Public Session:

Those present and voting were Chairman Ruth P. Mooney, Selectman Travis O’Hara,
Selectman Jon Pike, Selectman Sharon Ciampi and Selectman Mark Lewandoski. Also present
were TA Alicia Jipson, Executive Assistant Colleen Akerman and TC/TC Jennifer Cashman.

Chairman Mooney moved to enter non-public session in accordance with RSA 91-A:3 Il c at
11:23 am; seconded by Selectman O’Hara. Roll Call 1: J. Pike - aye, M. Lewandoski—aye, T. O’Hara
— aye, S. Ciampi - aye, R. Mooney - aye. Motion passed (5-0).

TC/TC Cashman reported on the 2026 tax deeding process that started with 34 properties.
12 waivers were allowed for active payment payers, 5 waivers for undesirable properties and 15
paid off their 2024 liens. There is 1 property to be deeded on Dutile Road who chose not to pay.

One tax deed has been delayed due to some legal complications, but they will proceed
with the process when appropriate.

Selectman O’Hara moved to exit non-public session at 11:45 am; seconded by Selectman
Pike. Roll Call 2: S. Ciampi — aye, T. O’Hara — aye, M. Lewandoski — aye, J. Pike — aye, R. Mooney
—aye. Motion passed (5-0).
Adjournment:

Selectman O’Hara moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 am; seconded by Selectman Pike.
Motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Respectfully Submitted By: fatter Ahern
‘olleen Akerman, Executive Assistant

Selectmen’s Minutes 4 September 2, 2026


Approved by the Board 04 jl 6 /2026:

Ruth P. Mooney, Chairman Sharon Ciampi, Selectman

Travis lara, Vicg Chairman

lofki, Selectman

Selectmen’s Minutes | September 2, 2026