TOWN OF BELMONT NEW HAMPSHIRE Annual Report 2011 Celebrating Autumn Belmont, New Hampshire Annual Town Report 2011 CELEBRATING AUTUMN The four seasons help define our New Hampshire town. Fall marks the transition from summer to winter, with a brilliant foliage fanfare over our region's lakes, mountains, and winding roads. The autumn months herald the start of school, fall festivals, farmer’s markets, homecoming, Halloween, and Thanksgiving’s harvest bounty. New England’s fall flavors are distinct, local, and fresh. For many, a perfect afternoon combines a trip to the apple orchard, an outdoor sporting event, a walk down a dappled, sunlit lane... capped off with homemade pie and hand- pressed cider! Local autumn sights feature the contemplative beauty of Canterbury Shaker Village, the Belknap mountain range aglow with color, and the simple, everyday beauty of our stone walls, barns, and back roads framed with stunning foliage for those few fleeting weeks. It’s button -up-the-house and move-things-to-the-shed-season, while hats, gloves, and blaze orange vests are retrieved, yards are raked, and wood is stacked. Frosty mornings turn to glorious, warm autumn days, then back to crisp, chilly evenings. This season’s gift is golden, and shines brightest through the colorful canopy of a blue-sky day, sparkling on Lake Winnisquam, Silver Lake, and the meandering Tioga River. Hardy mums and pumpkins offer the last splash of color to the season. We treasure those bright, warm October afternoons, as Old Man Winter lurks just around the corner. White Tail Outpost on Shaker Road is one of only a handful of locations in the state where elk are raised ― with care, by Bo Gilbert. The third generation at Weeks Farm continues to take pride in its annual pumpkin crop. The 1792 Province Road Meeting House was the first regional place of worship and awaits restoration by the Belmont Historical Society. Apple picking at Smith Orchard offers numerous varieties including Macintosh, Red Delicious, Cortland, and Ginger Gold. Town of Belmont New Hampshire Best Town by a Dam Site ANNUAL REPORT 2011 The Belmont Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator’s Office would like to thank all of the contributors to this year’s Annual Report. A special thank you is extended to Shayne Duggan once again for her hard work on the layout and design of the cover. T 1 Annual Town Report 2011 2 U Town of Belmont Annual Report Index 2012 Voter’s Guide (Orange Pages) ..................................................................................... 5 Telephone Directory and Town Information ................................................................... 15 Budget & Warrant 2012 (Pale Yellow Pages) 2012 Budget & Warrant ................................................................................................... 19 Conservation Belknap Range Conservation Coalition ............................................................................ 59 Conservation Commission Report ................................................................................... 61 Heritage Commission Report ........................................................................................... 63 Culture & Recreation American Legion Annual Report ..................................................................................... 67 Librarian’s Report ............................................................................................................. 68 Old Home Day Report ..................................................................................................... 70 Parks & Recreation .......................................................................................................... 71 Financial Reports Audit Report .................................................................................................................... 75 Comparative Statement of Appropriations & Expenditures .......................................... 119 Statement of Bonded Debt ............................................................................................ 120 Statement of Estimated vs. Actual Revenues ................................................................ 121 Town Treasurer’s Report ................................................................................................ 122 Trustees of Trust Funds Report ...................................................................................... 123 Wages Paid by the Town ............................................................................................................. 124 General Government Cemetery Trustees Report ............................................................................................ 126 Planning Board Report ................................................................................................... 127 Lakes Region Planning Commission Report .................................................................. 130 Report to the Citizens of Council District One ............................................................... 134 Schedule of Town Property ............................................................................................ 135 Selectmen’s Corner ........................................................................................................ 137 Town Clerk’s Report ....................................................................................................... 139 Deliberative Session Minutes 2011 ................................................................................ 141 Ballot 2011 Official Tally ................................................................................................. 189 Town Officials ................................................................................................................. 193 Vital Statistics – Births .................................................................................................... 195 Vital Statistics – Deaths .................................................................................................. 197 Vital Statistics – Marriages ............................................................................................. 199 Zoning Board of Adjustment Report .............................................................................. 201 T 3 Annual Town Report 2011 Table of Contents Health & Welfare General Assistance Report ......................................................................................................... 203 Genesis Report .......................................................................................................................... 204 Highways, Streets, & Utilities Public Works Department Report ............................................................................................................ 205 Public Safety Code Enforcement Report ........................................................................................................................ 206 Fire Department Report .......................................................................................................................... 207 Emergency Management Report ............................................................................................................. 213 Report of Forest Fire Warden .................................................................................................................. 214 Police Department Report ....................................................................................................................... 216 Sanitation Concord Regional Solid Waste .................................................................................................................. 218 Household Hazardous Waste Day Report ................................................................................................. 219 Tax Assessment & Collection Belmont Tax Rate History ........................................................................................................................ 221 Summay of Inventory of Valuation .......................................................................................................... 222 Summary of Lands in Current Use ............................................................................................................ 223 Tax Collector’s Accounts MS61 (including Utility) .................................................................................... 224 Tax Exempt Properties .............................................................................................................................. 227 Tax Rates .................................................................................................................................................. 229 Veteran’s List ............................................................................................................................................ 230 4 U Town of Belmont Voter’s Guide TOWN OF BELMONT VOTER’S GUIDE Guide to the Second Session of the Town Meeting in accordance with Senate Bill 2 Belmont High School Tuesday, March 13, 2012 Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. You may register to vote at the polls with proper ID. This handout has been prepared to assist you in making informed voting decisions, prior to walking into the voting booth on March 13. PLEASE BRING THE HANDOUT WITH YOU ON ELECTION DAY. BALLOT QUESTIONS READ EXACTLY AS THE ARTICLES IN THE HANDOUT. If you have any questions or need additional information, please