Claremont City Council Meeting - February 11, 2026

The Claremont City Council met on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The meeting included a presentation of the FY24 audit, a lengthy discussion about the Community Development Authority (CDA)’s financial issues, approval of annual policies, and a vote to disband the Policy Committee. A strategic planning workshop and a facility tour were proposed for upcoming budget work.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved: The minutes of January 28, 2026, were approved as presented by a voice vote.
• Appointment: Misty Hook was appointed to the Claremont Energy Advisory Committee (seat 1, term expiring March 31, 2027) by unanimous vote (8–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during Citizens Forum.

Discussion Items

FY24 Audit Presentation

• Tammy Webb of Ashon Kuke presented the city’s audit for the year ended June 30, 2024. The city received an unmodified (“clean”) opinion for all reporting units.
• Financial Highlights: Revenues exceeded the budget by approximately $177,000 (less than 1%). Total expenditures were $2.1 million (11%) below appropriations. The total budgetary fund balance was $8.6 million, with $7.7 million unassigned.
• Internal Controls: A material weakness was reported. Issues included missing inventory counts for water and sewer, missing receipts for credit card purchases, payroll discrepancies (incorrect hourly rate, missing registers), and items shipped to an employee’s home. City Manager Bates stated all issues have been corrected, noting that the staff involved no longer work for the city. The FY25 audit is in progress and expected by early to mid-spring.
• Councillor Kaloski clarified that the unassigned fund balance on the balance sheet (modified accrual) differs from the budget-basis figure due to capital reserves and the 60-day tax collection rule.

FY27 Budget Hearing Schedule

• City Manager Bates proposed a Saturday budget hearing to reduce late nights. The draft schedule included a public hearing on June 24 with a contingency on June 17.
• Councillors requested avoiding conflicts with school board meetings (first and third Wednesdays). Bates agreed to revise the dates (possibly Tuesdays) and bring back a revised proposal at the next meeting.
• Councillor Kaloski suggested a facility tour for council members before budget discussions; Bates offered to organize one.

Community Development Authority (CDA) Discussion

• City Manager Bates reported concerns: misapplication of funds, a tenant approximately $8,000 in arrears, unauthorized transfers from a savings account, monthly operating deficits, and use of the city’s EIN number for grants, which creates liability and restricts the city from competing for the same grant funds.
• The CDA board members (volunteers) were described as trying their best without full staff support. Councillors expressed reluctance to suspend members, instead favoring a joint meeting to address structural and financial issues. The mayor confirmed the CDA chair agreed to cancel the next two meetings.
• A motion to suspend individual CDA members was withdrawn. Council agreed to have the city manager set up a joint meeting with the CDA board to discuss solutions.

Department Goals & Objectives (Strategic Planning Workshop)

• A deputy city manager from another New Hampshire city offered a free half-day facilitated workshop to help the council set goals for the upcoming FY27 budget. Council unanimously accepted the offer. A business day or Saturday morning was preferred, with advance notice.

Water Sewer Study Rate Committee Report

• The ad hoc committee (formed to review RFPs for a water rate study) selected RAF Tellus as the vendor, based on qualifications, community fit, and client references. The other finalist, NewGen, was not chosen due to concerns about deliverables. The decision was reported to council for information; no vote was required.

Policy Committee Discussion

• Councillor Irish advocated for reactivating a standing Policy Committee to systematically review city ordinances and codes. Other councillors expressed support for ad hoc committees instead, citing past inefficiencies and limited staff capacity.
• A motion to disband the Policy Committee (which had no active members) initially failed (4–5). A subsequent motion to reconsider passed (5–4), and then the original motion to disband passed on a second roll call (5–4; vote breakdown: O’Hearn, Matto, Lamosh, Hemingway, Gerard in favor; Cogswell, Greenrose, Kaloski, Irish opposed). The Policy Committee is now disbanded. Council agreed to use ad hoc committees and full council discussions for future policy reviews.

Policy Adoptions (Annual)

• The following policies were adopted unanimously by roll call votes:
  • Identity Theft Prevention Program
  • Fund Balance Policy (as revised, per GASB 54)
  • Investment Policy

Committee Reports

• EPA Grant Committee (Councillor Cogswell): Weston & Samson presented a risk assessment approach for future use of the former landfill site; public comment period will follow.
• Energy Advisory Committee (Councillor Greenrose): Next meeting Thursday, February 19, 6:00 p.m., with Freedom Energy Logistics presenting on community power.
• Planning Board (Asst. Mayor Matto): Approved site plan for Aroma Joe’s (drive-thru and retail) on Winter/Washington Street; launched the master plan update process.
• Arts Committee (Councillor Kaloski): Eagle restoration fundraiser launched; winter exhibit at Visitor Center through March; new Facebook page: “Claremont New Hampshire Arts Commission.”
• Other Committees: CDA, Zoning, Policy, Airport – no meetings or new items.

Key Outcomes

• FY24 audit accepted; management letter items addressed.
• Budget hearing schedule to be revised and brought back for approval.
• CDA joint meeting to be scheduled; CDA meetings paused until then.
• Free workshop for council goals and objectives accepted; date to be determined.
• RAF Tellus awarded water rate study (administrative decision).
• Annual policies (Identity Theft, Fund Balance, Investment) adopted unanimously.
• Policy Committee disbanded (5–4 vote).
• Facility tour for council members planned.