Claremont City Council Meeting – September 24, 2025

The Claremont City Council met on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included agenda changes, approval of minutes, public comments, and several discussion items ranging from an urgent property safety issue to grant funding, fee schedule updates, and park improvements. Key votes were taken on the lead service line inventory grant, building inspection fees, and tax deed refusals. A special meeting was scheduled for September 30, 2025, to continue discussion on 13 Edgewood Street.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of September 2 and September 10, 2025: Approved unanimously on separate motions. (Motion by Assistant Mayor Matto, second by Councilor Hemingway for Sept 2; motion by Councilor Hemingway, second by Councilor Zuter for Sept 10.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Luther (Ward 1): Commended the Town Cloud 311 program for reporting graffiti and other issues, noting he had submitted about 30-40 reports. He pointed out that spray cans used for tagging were still visible near a property. He encouraged use of the system.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Changes: The Amtrak train station presentation was moved to later in October. A motion to suspend rules to add a discussion on 13 Edgewood Street under new business passed 8-1 (Councilor O'Hearn opposed).
• 13 Edgewood Street (Emergency Discussion): City Manager Bates and Chief Building Inspector Thibodeau reported that an inspection on September 23 revealed an imminent hazard due to improper excavation, unsupported structures, and hazardous plumbing. The property is owner-occupied, so the city cannot simply vacate the premises. The attorney recommended authorizing a court order to force compliance. After extensive debate about process, timing, and potential liability, the council voted to table the item and schedule a special meeting on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM to allow the owner to receive official notice and to have the city attorney present. The motion to table was made by Councilor Zuter, seconded by Councilor Hearn, and passed overwhelmingly.
• Whitewater Dam Update: Engineer Jason Galant (Wright-Pierce) presented findings from a May 2025 inspection. The dam, built in the 1960s, is classified as high-hazard but is not in imminent danger. Maintenance-level repairs are recommended for concrete abutments and spillway, with an estimated cost of $1,095,000. The city is already self-performing some work. Council received the report without action.
• Resolution 2026-17 – Lead Service Line Inventory Grant: Director Gleeson presented a $60,000 state grant (no match required) to identify unknown service line materials. After a public hearing with no speakers, the resolution passed unanimously (9-0).
• Claremont Youth Baseball and Softball Association (CYBSA): Valerie (CYBSA secretary) presented a request to convert Field 2 to a 50/70 convertible field to meet Babe Ruth League requirements by 2027. The project costs $10,350, funded by a $5,000 grant (Burns Foundation) and a $5,000 CYBSA match. Discussion focused on the urgency (only 8 of 42 NH Babe Ruth leagues are non-compliant), safety concerns (fencing, batting cages), and potential impact on other sports. Council took no action, asking for more information on prioritization of safety repairs.
• Arts, History, and Cultural Resource Preservation Commission: Chair Felicia Dolke presented the first version of a city-owned artifact inventory with 95 items. She also discussed the commission's budget of $6,000 for restoration of the historic eagle statue and other projects. Council generally supported the commission's fundraising and preservation efforts, with guidance to work closely with the city manager on financial controls.
• Fee Schedule: Building inspection fees were updated to reflect inflation (22% since 2020). The motion to adopt the new building inspection fee schedule passed unanimously (9-0). Water fees for metered hydrant connections were discussed but deferred; council asked for further research on rates and backflow prevention equipment. The building inspection fees were adopted, and the water fee discussion was tabled.
• Tax Deeded Properties: Tax Collector Melcher presented a list of properties for which the council could refuse a tax deed due to payment agreements or other considerations. The motion to refuse tax deed for the listed parcels passed 8-1 (Assistant Mayor Matto voted no). The list included 27 Chase Street, 132 Chestnut Street, 132 Brayman Place, 92 Riverwater Brook Road, 17 Stewart Avenue, 17 Madison Place, 9 McCusker Place, and two mobile home park properties (UP-Place 1596-12-14 and 1596-56-20). The property at 49-51 Prospect Street was removed because it had been paid.
• LWCF Residuals – Veterans Park Improvements: Director Murray presented options for using approximately $150,000 in remaining Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and ARPA funds. The preferred option is an upgraded bathroom house with storage and shade, estimated at $150,000. Council requested more detailed cost breakdowns, design concepts, and operational plans before making a decision.
• Claremont Development Authority (CDA) – Northern Borders Grant: Ms. Mackey sought guidance on cash flow for the $500,000 roof project at 56 Opera House Square. The grant requires 20% match and reimburses after invoices are paid. Council favored an internal appropriation of up to $200,000 from city funds, to be formalized as a resolution. The transfer would be made when the CDA is ready to pay invoices. A resolution will be brought back at a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of September 2 and 10 approved.
• Resolution 2026-17 (Lead Service Line Inventory Grant) adopted unanimously.
• Building inspection fee schedule adopted unanimously.
• Tax deed refusal list approved (8-1).
• Special meeting scheduled for September 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM to continue 13 Edgewood Street discussion.
• Whitewater Dam maintenance and water fee schedule deferred for further study.
• CYBSA request for field conversion tabled pending more information.
• Council supported CDA roof project funding via city appropriation; resolution to follow.

Committee Reports

• Energy Committee: Met recently; discussed tax rebate opt-out program and need to recruit a new member.
• Historic Committee: Meeting scheduled for September 25, 2025.
• CDA: Demolition at 56 Opera House Square has begun.
• Planning Board: Did not meet.
• Conservation Commission: Met.
• Airport: Will close October 1, 2025, for a few weeks to complete taxiway project.

Adjournment

• Motion to adjourn made by Assistant Mayor Matto, seconded by Councilor Lamoges, passed unanimously.