Claremont City Council Meeting – March 25, 2026

The Claremont City Council met on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7:00 PM (estimated) to conduct routine business, consider three resolutions, receive community updates, and hear citizen comments. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the March 11, 2026, council meeting as presented (motion by Assistant Mayor Mattow, seconded by Councilor Lamoges).
• Removed agenda item D (FY2027 fee schedule) from the evening’s agenda and rescheduled it to the April 8, 2026, meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Candace Crawford (Ward 2) – Newly elected school board chair provided an update on school district finances: the February budget-to-actual report showed a current balance of approximately $4 million, which will be reconciled after the audit. A $4 million loan from Claremont Savings Bank will be paid off April 15, 2026. Stated that a forensic audit contract has been signed and a separate law firm hired due to a perceived conflict of interest. Legal costs for Right-to-Know requests totaled over $12,400 in the past month. Announced school reconfiguration: Disnard School (K–2), Maple Avenue (3–5).
• Judith Coster (Ward 2) – Reintroduced “A Better Claremont” (ABC), a citizen group opposing Acuity Management’s proposal to site a construction and demolition debris facility in Claremont. Urged council and public to oppose the project, noting that the Department of Environmental Services (DES) denied the permit in May 2025, but Acuity appealed and the Department of Justice accepted the appeal. A pre-hearing conference was scheduled for March 25, 2026.
• Reb McKenzie (Ward 2) – Read an ABC press release detailing concerns: Acuity seeks to import up to 500 tons of toxic C&D debris per day (approximately 3,000 tons per week) to a site near Meadow Brook, Industrial Boulevard, and residential neighborhoods. The DES denial was supported by hundreds at a March 2025 public hearing. ABC urged residents and officials to oppose the appeal.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 2026-38 – Drinking Water Infrastructure Project Application – Director Gleason presented a request to apply for a $1.8 million Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan from DES, with 40% loan forgiveness ($720,000). The loan will fund completion of the Clay Hill Water Project Phase 2 and preventive maintenance on the Bible Hill and Moody Hill water storage tanks. Estimated repayment: $120,500/year (10-year), $92,500/year (15-year), or $77,000/year (20-year), with no tax impact—only water users. The resolution was read by Councilor Lamoges, seconded by Assistant Mayor Mattow. After a public hearing with no comment, it passed unanimously via roll call.
• Resolution 2026-40 – City Hall Repair Funding – Ms. Parks presented a more detailed list of critical repairs at 58 Opera House Square (City Hall), totaling $136,650 from the general fund balance with no tax impact. Repairs include: main brownstone entrance stairs ($15,200), Opera House balcony rear aisle ceilings ($55,500), balcony railing ($25,000), masonry chimney ($15,650), alley gutter and front roof corner ($15,800), generator repair/upgrade ($5,000), and roof AC unit repair ($4,500). The resolution was read by Councilor Hemingway, seconded by Councilor Greenrose. No public comment; passed unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-41 – Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Adoption – Ms. Parks presented a resolution to adopt Vision Zero principles and the Safe Systems Approach, committing to a goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. The resolution cites 3 fatal and 26 serious injury crashes among 1,417 total crashes in Claremont (2019–2023). Councilor Cogswell read the resolution, seconded by Assistant Mayor Mattow. Councilor Hemingway asked whether adoption obligates the city to specific projects like roundabouts; Ms. Parks confirmed it does not—it is a policy commitment. No public comment; passed unanimously.

Committee Reports

• Councilor O’Hearn – Tulsome Committee met but had no noteworthy items.
• Councilor Cogswell – EPA committee lacked quorum; encouraged citizens to join. CCTV committee discussed programming and options. Conservation Commission discussed tree planting at Broad Street Park; noted free Styrofoam processing at Lebanon High School on April 11, 2026, and a tree ID walk on June 13, 2026.
• Councilor Greenrose – Historic District Committee meeting canceled. Energy Advisory Committee reviewed its charter, discussed due diligence on consulting groups for community power, and reported multiple offers for group net metering (e.g., a 20-year lock-in rate from CURSARG Energy); more analysis needed before recommendations to council.
• Assistant Mayor Mattow – Planning Board meeting was canceled.
• Councilor Lamoges – CDA (Community Development Authority) meets March 26 at 7:30 AM.
• Councilor Hemingway – ZBA does not meet until early April.
• Councilor Irish – Procurement committee viewed a two‑hour demonstration of the OpenGov software module for contract management; recommended a three-year contract for transparency and efficiency, noting potential cost savings.

Key Outcomes

• Item D (FY2027 fee schedule) removed from agenda and moved to April 8, 2026.
• Resolution 2026-38 (drinking water loan application) – Adopted unanimously (8 yes votes). Authorizes city manager to submit final application for $1.8 million SRF loan.
• Resolution 2026-40 (city hall repairs) – Adopted unanimously (8 yes votes). Appropriates $136,650 from fund balance for critical repairs.
• Resolution 2026-41 (Safe Streets for All adoption) – Adopted unanimously (8 yes votes). Commits city to Vision Zero with goal of eliminating traffic fatalities by 2030.
• Meeting adjourned (motion by Councilor O’Hearn, seconded by Councilor Lamoges) at approximately 8:30 PM.