Claremont City Council Meeting - March 11, 2026

The Claremont City Council met on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting covered consent items, appointments, public comments, several resolutions, a Safe Streets for All presentation, a fitness equipment discussion, and a City Hall repairs update. Key votes and decisions were made on funding grants, equipment leases, park improvements, and budget transfers.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from February 25, 2026, were approved unanimously (Councilor O'Hearn motion, seconded by Councilor Lemoge; Mayor Gerard recused himself as he was absent at that meeting).
• City Manager's Report:
  • Celebrate Claremont: Planning for July 3rd event (1-5 PM) and a Saturday morning family event; seeking volunteers and businesses.
  • Visitor Center: Preliminary engineer report found no structural damage but significant brickwork and interior finish damage; options to be presented to council. Building is safe.
  • Facility Tour: Planned for a Saturday coinciding with budget hearing; stops include Whitewater Dam, wastewater plant, DPW, fire and police departments.
  • Eversource Abatement: Appeal denied; abatement of ~$100,000 will be issued, returning funds to fund balance.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elizabeth Graham (Ward 1): Invited the public to a March 25th event featuring Duncan Watson, author and retired Keene DPW employee, speaking about recycling and trash.
• Heather Irish (Ward 3): Addressed the need for volunteers for summer events; applications available via QR code or at the rec center. Noted that insufficient volunteers cause some events to be scaled back.

Appointments

• Claremont Community Television Board: Zachary Haynes appointed to seat #4 (expires May 31, 2026). Unanimous.
• EPA Multi-Purpose Grant Steering Committee: Greg Adams appointed to seat #4 (expires Dec 31, 2026). Unanimous.
• Fiske Free Library Board of Trustees: Annette Dauphines appointed to seat #4 (expires Sep 30, 2028). Councilor Koloski raised a residency concern; the mailing address is in Lebanon but the street address is on Centennial Street in Claremont. Appointment approved unanimously.
• Claremont Parks and Rec Commission – Seat #5 (At-Large): Three applicants: Tina Bergeron, Ken Burke (current alternate), and Gary Dickerman. Via ranked vote, Ken Burke was selected (7 votes).
• Parks and Rec – Seat #7 (Alternate): Heather Irish appointed (expires May 31, 2027); Councilor Irish abstained.
• Parks and Rec – Alternate Seat #3: Gary Dickerman appointed.
• Parks and Rec – Alternate Seat #4: Tina Bergeron appointed.

Discussion Items

• Safe Streets for All Presentation (Dave Derrick, AECOM):
  • Presentation on a countywide safety action plan for Sullivan County, including Claremont.
  • Key statistics: 37% of county crashes occur in Claremont; 28% of injury crashes in Claremont. A High Injury Network was developed; 20-25% of the county network is in Claremont.
  • Six of 18 priority locations identified countywide are in Claremont: Washington Street Corridor, North Street, Elm Street, and others. Many locations already have city-initiated safety improvements.
  • Countermeasures include commercial corridor improvements, intersection upgrades, pedestrian crossings, and rumble strips.
  • A Vision Zero resolution is needed to apply for implementation grants (80/20 split, 20% local match). The city has until mid-June to apply for funding.
  • Council discussion: Councilor Greenrose noted behavioral issues (speeding, cell phone use) may not be fully addressed by engineering; Derrick cited education and enforcement. Councilor Cogswell asked about transit and grant reporting requirements. Councilor Irish highlighted turning and U-turn issues on Washington Street and expressed interest in roundabouts or barriers. Councilor Koloski asked about life expectancy of improvements and maintenance costs.
  • City Manager Bates suggested presenting a resolution to council to target reduction of fatalities and serious injuries.
• CSBC Fitness Equipment Replacement Discussion (Director Martin):
  • Proposal to replace 11 pieces of cardiovascular equipment (Cybex arc trainers, seated ellipticals, Expresso bikes) that are out of warranty and costly to repair. Equipment dates from 2019.
  • Service calls cost $180/hour; monitor replacements cost $2,500-3,500. Some models no longer supported.
  • The fitness center serves ~1,300 membership units plus daily users. A capital reserve fund holds ~$300,000.
  • Council comments: Councilor Lemoge suggested considering a Jacob’s Ladder unit for differentiation. Councilor Koloski emphasized warranty periods and soliciting member input. Councilor Irish supported replacing equipment and noted the fund was established for this purpose. Councilor Cogswell asked for usage data in hours/days rather than minutes and highlighted long-term value. City Manager Bates noted a broader conversation about the community center is coming.
  • Director Martin will bring back an RFP with options: outright purchase, lease-to-own, or rolling lease. The council directed to include member feedback and explore resale of old equipment via Municibid.
• City Hall Repairs Discussion (City Manager Bates):
  • Critical repairs identified for 58 Opera House Square: front entrance steps ($15,200), balcony ceiling plaster ($55,000 – safety issue), two masonry chimneys, alleyway gutter and insulation ($15,800). Total critical: $101,650.
  • Additional items: Copper dome coating (1/4-1/3 the cost of replacement at $1.2M), weather vane reattachment, clock face restoration (only one original), balcony railing for safety.
  • Council consensus to move forward with immediate water infiltration and safety repairs using fund balance; longer-term items to be explored via grants (e.g., NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program). Councilor Irish stressed avoiding deferred maintenance that led to the Goodwin CC loss. Councilor Koloski asked about grant conditions. Councilor Cogswell suggested applying for historic preservation grants. Councilor Irish requested preserving the original clock mechanics if possible.
  • City Manager will bring a resolution for the critical repairs.
• Naming City Property Contest: Plan to have children name two new DPW plow trucks as part of Celebrate Claremont/250th anniversary. Magnetic decals will be used. Councilor Koloski noted the city’s naming policy must be followed; City Manager confirmed. Councilor Cogswell jokingly suggested “Plowey McPlowface”. Unanimous support to proceed.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2026-34 (Wastewater Facility Study Grant): Passed unanimously (9-0). Accepts $100,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with full forgiveness, no match required.
• Resolution 2026-35 (DPW Vehicle Lift Lease-Purchase): Passed unanimously (9-0) with an amendment correcting the first annual payment to $11,473.62 (four-year lease at 5.7% interest).
• License Agreement for Map Lot 152-7: Authorized a two-year agricultural use license for Gary LeClair on a 71-acre city-owned parcel east of River Road. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-36 (Moody Park Dog Park Walkway): Passed 8-1 (Councilor Hemingway opposed) to transfer $6,121.91 from the dog park trust fund for a concrete walkway and water fountain pad. The fund will be closed after transfer.
• Resolution 2026-37 (Primex Workers' Comp Budget Transfers): Passed unanimously (9-0). Authorizes transfers between department budgets to account for rate increases; overall invoice ($215,365) is under the budgeted $217,154.
• City Hall Repairs: Council directed the City Manager to prepare a resolution for immediate critical repairs using fund balance. Longer-term items to be explored with grants.
• Fitness Equipment: Director Martin will return with an RFP including various purchase/lease options and member input. Council emphasized warranty, life-cycle costs, and differentiation from competitors.
• Safe Streets for All: The City Manager will present a Vision Zero resolution to council to enable future grant applications.
• Naming Contest: Council approved proceeding with a public contest to name two DPW trucks, subject to the city’s naming policy.
• Future Agenda Items: Councilor Koloski suggested planting a tree in the former tank location outside City Hall. Councilor O'Hearn asked about Burr construction timing on Main Street and pothole filling responsibility on North Street.