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Belmont board debates reusing old bank building, moving planning into town hall and road-safety stripe projects
Summary
Select Board discussed moving planning and code enforcement into the municipal building to centralize services, raised concerns about the deteriorating old bank building and vaults, and asked staff to cost floor-by-floor work; the board also asked for striping cost estimates after a near-miss with e-bikes.
Members of the Belmont Select Board debated short-term, low-cost steps to make municipal services more accessible by moving the planning and code-enforcement offices into the municipal building. Several selectmen said the third-floor layout in the municipal building could accommodate planning with limited partition work and wiring; board members asked staff to solicit floor-by-floor quotes and a plan from BPS for phased implementation.
The meeting included an extended discussion of the town—ank building, which members said is deteriorating and not temperature-controlled. The historical society had moved artifacts out because of extremes of heat and cold; members described leaks, mold risks and the absence of sprinkler systems. Several members said renovation could be expensive and suggested exploring grants or starting with modest cleanup, painting and wiring to test the planning move before committing larger funds.
A selectman reported a traffic safety incident involving four youths on e-bikes and an aggressive passing maneuver by a motorist, prompting discussion about road striping on roads such as Union Road. Staff said double-yellow striping can be applied but enforcement is limited; the board asked staff to obtain cost estimates for stripe painting to consider in next year—udget planning.
Board members directed staff to return with floor plans, cost estimates for initial cleanup and demolition/repair options for the bank building, and striping cost estimates for busy roads.
