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Belgrade hearing reviews and advances secret‑ballot funding questions for local nonprofits
Summary
The public hearing presented warrant articles seeking modest appropriations by secret ballot for local nonprofits: Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center ($1,138), Belgrade Lakes‑area lake associations ($60,000 total), Spectrum Generations ($1,641) and Hospice Volunteers of Waterville ($1,500). Speakers described services; secret‑ballot votes were scheduled and the results are not recorded on the public transcript.
At the start of the public hearing the Select Board read several warrant questions that will be decided by secret ballot.
Article 3 asked whether the town should "raise and appropriate" $1,138 for the Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Center. Jamie Mloud, fundraising and communications coordinator, told the board the center serves Knox, Somerset and nearby counties, answers the statewide hotline for those counties, and last year provided forensic interviews for two children and services for eight adults. Mloud said administrative costs are 11% of the center's roughly $1 million annual budget.
Article 4 proposed using $10,000 from the town's water‑quality capital account plus $50,000 raised from taxation to distribute $60,000 among local lake associations (Belgrade Lakes Association $24,000; Friends of Messalonskee $19,650; Seven Lakes Alliance $12,600; McGrath Pond/Salmon Lake Association $3,750). Richard Bell, president of the Belgrade Lakes Association, thanked voters for prior support and offered to answer questions.
Article 5 asked for $1,641 to help fund Spectrum Generations' services to Belgrade residents. Sarah Leski, a Spectrum Generation staffer and Belgrade resident, described Meals on Wheels, adult day programs, caregiver services, Medicare counseling and other offerings.
Article 6 asked for $1,500 for Hospice Volunteers of Waterville; the warrant was read and no questions were raised.
The Select Board announced that these questions would be decided by secret ballot. The public hearing record shows the questions were presented and speakers gave statements, but the transcript does not record the outcome of the secret‑ballot votes.
