Claremont City Council Meeting – October 6, 2025

The Claremont City Council met on October 6, 2025, to address routine approvals, hear public comments, receive a federal funding update, and act on several ordinances and resolutions. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (September 24, 2025): Approved as amended, with corrections including a clarification on the Energy Advisory Committee report and a spelling correction requested by Councilor O’Hearn. Motion by Assistant Mayor Matto, seconded by Councilor Hemingway.
• Board/Committee Appointments:
  • Chiara Tossi Nelson reappointed to Fiske Free Library alternate seat A1 (exp. 9/30/2028).
  • Arthur Vito reappointed to Fiske Free Library seat 5 (exp. 9/30/2028).
  • Sheila Rook appointed to Parks and Recreation at-large seat 4 (exp. 5/31/2028).
  • Michael True appointed to Parks and Recreation alternate Ward 2 seat (exp. 5/31/2026).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sean McCarthy (Ward 1): Urged council to raise the veterans deduction from $500 to $700, calling it an election-year opportunity. Expressed accessibility concerns at Monadnock Park for scooter users, requesting smoother trail access and solar lights at park openings. Criticized the school board for tabling a motion to fill a vacancy after a tie vote instead of following RSA 671:35 to send the matter to the city council. He noted he had contacted the state attorney general’s office and the county attorney without resolution.
• Chris Cogswell (Ward 3): Announced his candidacy for an at-large council seat. Outlined a platform focused on promoting Claremont, retaining local talent, protecting taxpayer money, and modernizing city systems. Committed to holding weekly office hours and emphasized transparency and communication.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Mayor Gerard read a proclamation designating October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Representatives from Turning Point Network accepted and thanked the council.
• Community Announcements: Upcoming events included the Eastern States Cup downhill bike race (Oct 11–12), Claremont Food Truck Festival (Oct 11–12, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.), Rail Trail Rendezvous (Oct 18), Claremont Schools Benefit Softball Tournament (Oct 18–19), and the Fireman’s Parade (Oct 10). Manager Bates noted the police bike auction (Oct 11, 9 a.m. at Broad Street Park), new Monday community center video clips, and several recently posted RFPs (Sullivan Street sidewalk, Fiske Free Library roof, visitor center structural engineering, Shot Creek dam, water/sewer rate analysis, and 127 Sullivan Street asbestos/demolition). She introduced new Planning and Development Director Annie Steed, who began work that Monday and expressed enthusiasm for the city.
• Federal Funding Update – Merchant McIntyre: Tristan Suther and Yasmin Sadudi presented. They reported securing $3.7 million since the partnership began, with $3.3 million currently pending. They described adapting to the new administration by proactively forecasting federal opportunities, engaging congressional leaders, and tracking legal actions. Specific opportunities included: a Riverwalk renovation application to the Northern Borders Regional Commission (NBRC), pending appropriations for the Sugar River project ($850,000 secured by Congresswoman Goodlander), a small business development center, and $1.5 million for Sullivan County’s child care center (Senator Shaheen). Other areas covered: public safety (police mental health, fire apparatus), transportation (Charlestown Road redevelopment, Safe Streets implementation up to $25 million, Trestle Bridge and Wall Street trail connections). They noted that one more year of Infrastructure Bill funding remains.
• Ordinance 641 – Veterans Tax Credit (First Reading): City Assessor Hamilton proposed increasing the total and permanent disabled veterans tax credit from $1,400 to $1,900 to offset a state law change that no longer allows stacking of the standard veterans credit ($500) and the disability credit. Of 375 veterans receiving the standard credit, 74 receive the disability credit. The change has a nominal fiscal impact. Council approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 642 – Elderly Tax Exemption (First Reading): Proposed inflationary adjustments: single income limit from $27,560 to $28,400; married income limit from $36,400 to $37,500; asset limit from $75,400 to $77,600, effective April 1, 2025. Assessor Hamilton noted few residents are affected by the changes. Council approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 643 – Disabled Tax Exemption (First Reading): Similar inflationary adjustments: single income from $24,700 to $25,400; married income from $33,300 to $34,300; assets from $44,000 to $45,300. Assessor Hamilton clarified that a person cannot receive both the disabled and elderly exemptions, and that Social Security disability payments convert to retirement at age 65. Council discussed outreach and encouraged residents to contact the assessing department for information on deferral programs. Council approved unanimously.
• Conduit License Agreement – Valley Regional Hospital: Manager Bates requested authorization to sign a license allowing Valley Regional Hospital to install conduit under Elm Street for communication and fiber optic cables. The license is contingent on planning board approval and DPW oversight, with the requirement to restore the road to pre-construction condition. Councilor O’Hearn raised concerns about past restoration quality, and Councilor Lamoge noted that DPW now requires longer replacement sections to avoid dips. Council approved unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-18 – NBRC Grant for Sugar River Revitalization (Public Hearing): Manager Bates presented an application for up to $430,000 in grant funds from the Northern Borders Regional Commission for the Sugar River revitalization and brownfields redevelopment project. A 20% city match (up to $100,000) would be a mix of cash and in-kind contributions. The funds would complement a pending $850,000 earmark from Congresswoman Goodlander. Merchant McIntyre explained that the request was reduced from $500,000 to remain within the federal 80% cost share cap with planned HUD funding. Council held a public hearing with no speakers. Council approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of September 24, 2025 as amended.
• Approved all board and committee appointments listed above.
• Adopted Ordinance 641 (disabled veterans tax credit increase to $1,900) on first reading.
• Adopted Ordinance 642 (elderly tax exemption inflation adjustments) on first reading.
• Adopted Ordinance 643 (disabled tax exemption inflation adjustments) on first reading.
• Authorized the city manager to sign a conduit license agreement with Valley Regional Hospital.
• Authorized application for an NBRC grant of up to $430,000 with a 20% city match for the Sugar River revitalization project.
• Discussed future agenda items: Broad Street Cemetery gate and wall repairs, cleanup of the Board of Assessors ordinance (565), climate control in council chambers, Boston Post Cane condition, rail trail railing insurance claim, the school board vacancy process (RSA 671:35), Main and North Street construction traffic concerns, outdated contact information on the planning department website, EPA steering committee quorum issues, and exhaust noise complaints. Council sought legal clarification on the school board vacancy matter.

Committee Reports

• Councilor Kaloski noted the Arts committee meets next.
• Councilor Greenrose reported the Energy committee will present on community power next week.
• Councilor Lamoge (CDA) reported rent at Renter 56 is up to date, Bailey is proceeding, and the committee will discuss an RFP to sell industrial park land; the solar project is moving forward despite wetland concerns.
• Assistant Mayor Matto noted the Planning board meets Monday.
• Councilor Zuter reported on CCTV’s video-on-demand metrics: a 75% increase in shows aired, 66% increase in viewers, and 64% increase in viewer seconds from 2023 to 2024.
• Councilor Hayden noted the Conservation committee meets next week.
• Councilor O’Hearn noted the Airport committee meets at the end of the month.

The meeting adjourned following a motion by Councilor O’Hearn, seconded by Councilor Lamoge.