Claremont City Council Meeting – January 14, 2026

The Claremont City Council met on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The meeting included agenda changes, approval of minutes, reports from the mayor and city manager, appointments to boards and committees, public hearings on resolutions for sewer fund balance and capital reserve use, discussions on a right-of-way request, a collaboration with the Upper Valley Aquatic Center, licensing board ordinance changes, a CDBG planning study update, and a recruitment tool proposal. Several items were voted on, and consensus was reached on moving forward with key initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of December 10, 2025 – Approved unanimously (Councilors Irish and Cogswell abstained).
• Minutes of December 17, 2025 – Approved unanimously (Councilors Irish and Cogswell abstained).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during Citizens Forum or during public hearings on resolutions 2026-26 and 2026-27.
• During the right-of-way discussion, a representative of the property owner (Mr. Ward via Zoom) expressed support for granting a 50-foot right-of-way across city property to access a landlocked parcel, stating it would increase tax base and potential for solar farm or industrial use. Several councilors expressed concerns about historical context, impact on adjacent city/Claremont Development Authority land, and priorities. The council agreed to allow the applicant to return with a detailed presentation, but no city funds would be expended.
• During the CDBG public hearing, Ms. Graham presented the feasibility study for 227 Broad Street (four affordable housing units for domestic violence survivors). No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• City Manager’s Report:
  • Eversource/PSNH tax abatement settlement order issued; refund estimated at ~$100,000 (including interest), substantially lower than anticipated. Appeal period 60–90 days.
  • 17 Water Street – awaiting final legal costs to report net profit.
  • Vacancy for Director of Planning and Development announced.
  • City Manager will be on pre-planned vacation for the next meeting; Chief Chamberlain will represent.
• Councilor Comments:
  • Councilor Kaloski thanked staff for completing the cemetery pillars and gate plaque project.
  • Raised concern about cracked pavement and settling storm drain in the municipal parking lot across from city hall; asked about maintenance plan.
• Appointments to Boards and Committees:
  • Climate Development Authority: Reappointed Martha Mackey (seat 4), David Finerty (seat 5), and appointed Felicia Breich Dalke (seat 6) – all unanimously approved.
  • Licensing Board: Reappointed Ian Carswell (seat 3) – unanimously approved.
  • Police Commission: Bernard Duby Sr. appointed (8-1 over Chris Chaban).
  • Council Liaison Appointments:
    • Tolls Home: Councilor O’Hearn (unanimous).
    • Arts Commission: Councilor Kaloski (unanimous; conditional on meeting date not conflicting).
    • CCTV: Councilor Cogswell (unanimous).
• Resolution 2026-26 – Use of Sewer Department Fund Balance: Authorized $57,576.46 from unrestricted fund balance to pay for transmission repair on a 2005 Volvo loader at the wastewater treatment plant. Passed 8-1 (Councilor Kaloski opposed).
• Non-Public Sessions: Motion to enter non-public under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) (reputation) and (a) (personnel) passed 9-0. After returning to public, council suspended rules to add a recruitment discussion item at the end of the meeting (passed 8-1).
• Resolution 2026-27 – Use of Capital Reserve for City Hall Clock Tower Repairs: Authorized $14,610 from the city facility repair capital reserve fund and a budget transfer of $13,300 from the regular pay line to cover repairs to the clock tower at 58 Opera Square. Passed 9-0.
• Upper Valley Aquatic Center (UVAC) Collaboration: Parks and Recreation Director Jessica Martin presented a proposal to rent lap lanes at the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center to UVAC for swim lessons, swim team, and meets, projected to generate $40,000–$50,000 annually. Council expressed strong support; formal agreement and fee schedule adjustment to be presented at the January 28 meeting.
• Licensing Board Ordinance Change (Claremont Speedway): Police Chief Wilmot explained that the current ordinance does not give the licensing board authority to regulate race schedules, operating hours, or number of events. Recommended modifying Chapter 8 of the city code to align with RSA 3141A, allowing the board to set conditions (e.g., season, hours, events) and impose sanctions. Council consensus to move forward with ordinance change; first reading expected at next meeting.
• CDBG Turning Points Planning Study Update: Ms. Graham presented a feasibility study for four ADA-accessible housing units at 227 Broad Street for survivors of domestic violence. Stick-build cost was prohibitive; modular option estimated at $1.8 million. Study concluded; no further action requested.
• Recruitment Tool (LinkedIn): HR Director Tibodeau reported successful use of LinkedIn over a six-month trial (three hires at ~$2,000 each, 35,000 impressions). Proposed one-year subscription at $21,000 or three-year at $20,000/year. Council consensus to proceed with one-year plan, subject to procurement policy (three quotes) and council approval of a budget transfer at a later meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Minutes approved (Dec 10 and Dec 17) with abstentions.
  • All appointments approved (unanimous except Police Commission 8-1).
  • Resolution 2026-26 passed 8-1.
  • Resolution 2026-27 passed 9-0.
  • Motion to enter non-public passed 9-0.
  • Motion to add recruitment item to agenda passed 8-1.
• Decisions:
  • Right-of-way request for Grissom Lane – applicant to return with detailed presentation; no city funds to be used.
  • UVAC collaboration – staff directed to develop formal agreement for January 28 meeting.
  • Licensing board ordinance – chief directed to draft amendments for first reading.
  • LinkedIn recruitment – city manager authorized to obtain three quotes and proceed; council will approve budget transfer later.
• Next Steps:
  • City Manager to report on Eversource refund after appeal period.
  • Policy committee (ad hoc for procurement policy review) formally established with Councilors O’Hearn, Greenrose, and Cogswell plus city staff; template for future committees to be developed.
  • Future agenda items: downtown image/banners, repair of square lights.
  • Next regular meeting scheduled for January 28, 2026 (City Manager absent; Chief Chamberlain to represent).