Belmont Planning Board Reports Master Plan Progress

November 2^nd Community Update Set

Belmont, NH – Some 50 citizen volunteers have effectively “jump started” the process of updating Belmont’s master plan since June work began, according to Peter Harris, chairman of the Belmont Planning Board. 

“We are truly encouraged by the diligent efforts to date,” Harris continued. “At best, this can be an arduous task, another inventorying project required by state regulations. This fully energized group, however, has nearly completed its first step – a comprehensive review of previous plans. As a result of this earlier than expected progress, we want to begin community reporting before year’s end, and will meet November 2^nd at the Belmont High School,” Harris said.

 Like other communities statewide, master plans require updating every 10 years.  Their purpose, as described, in part, under state law is for “guiding and accomplishing coordinated and harmonious development which will, in accordance with existing and probable future needs, promote health, safety, order, convenience, prosperity, or the general welfare as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development …”  Creating a plan is a tall order for any town: particularly one that has more than doubled its population  in three decades: from 2493 in 1970 to 6716 based on last year’s census.

 “While master plan work continues over the next several seasons, it is important to communicate throughout the project, on as many avenues as possible,” according to Harris. “All Belmont residents – full-time and seasonal – are welcome to join us on Friday, November 2^nd from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Belmont High School, for an evening that’s been organized to be as much an informal community gathering as a chance to learn what’s been worked on by eight very task-oriented working groups in the past five months.”

Community host partner and site is the Belmont High School, which has scheduled a welcoming jazz band concert, performed by their award-winning music department, and directed by Raymond Craigie.  Refreshments for the dialogue continue a town theme featuring local purveyors Jordan’s Ice Creamery, Food for Thought Café, Smith Orchards and Weeks Farm.

Besides Harris, members of the Belmont Planning Board include vice chairman Gary Flack, Gary Bolduc, William Brunkhardt, Jeffrey Marden, Claude Patten, Jonathan Pike, Clayton Shibles and Ward Peterson, Belmont Selectman.