Town of Belvidere

The meeting included an update on the Village Trust Initiative, including funding for technical assistance and the potential use of the building space for child care, early childhood education, or a co-working space. The board discussed the progress of legal representation for a lease agreement and coordination with the Preservation Trust of Vermont. There was also discussion regarding a new grant opportunity for facility security upgrades, such as locks for dedicated entrances and accessibility improvements on the building's exterior. Additionally, representatives from the Preservation Trust of Vermont were recognized for their recent visit and guidance on the project.

The meeting focused on the status of the Belvadier School property, the formation of a project team for the recreational trails program, and the progress of municipal grant awards. The commission reviewed building maintenance needs, specifically plans by Northern Basement Systems to encapsulate and repair the building foundation due to excessive moisture and structural rot, with estimated costs for the project discussed. Additionally, the committee established a standardized schedule for LCPC attendance at future board meetings and briefly discussed the long-term timeline for updating flood maps.

The Board discussed the development of the 2026 proposed town budget, which included reviews of the payroll summary, the community services list, and various departmental expense reports. Key topics included adjustments to insurance costs, fire department coverage contracts, supplies, and website expenses. Additionally, the Board reviewed funding for town road maintenance, including the establishment of a new paving fund utilizing surplus funds from the previous year.

The board reviewed several administrative and operational items, including invoices and board orders, and discussed the status of projects involving encapsulation work. Key topics included the evaluation of a town-wide reappraisal contract with the Vermont Appraisal Company, telephone and internet service options for a school building, an ambulance services agreement, and a right-of-way permit application related to a logging operation on Basin Road.

The meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming town meeting, including the development of the budget, drafting the message from the Selectboard, and the printing and posting of town reports. Key discussions included a review of community service donation requests, the impact of the election year on payroll and election-related expenses, and adjustments to the Solid Waste District representative's reporting and Listers' training requirements.