Claremont City Council Meeting Summary – April 8, 2026

The Claremont City Council met on April 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting covered a range of topics including routine approvals, public comments, proclamations, appointments, fee schedule adjustments, a fire apparatus lease purchase, multiple grant resolutions, and discussions on the city website and downtown strategy. Several resolutions were approved, while one major funding request for the North and Main Street project failed.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of March 13, 17, and 25, 2026 were approved, with a correction to the March 17 date (Tuesday, not Wednesday).
• Agenda changes: Resolution 2026-47 (additional audit funding) and items E and F were removed from the agenda.

Proclamation

• The council adopted a proclamation honoring Michael Grace for 21 years of service as City Library director, effective April 17, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ernest Montenegro (Ward 1) presented a portrait of former City Manager Guy Sandigate (2001–2016) as a gift to the city, requesting it be hung in the council chamber. He highlighted Sandigate's accomplishments including the Mill Project, Common Man complex, bridge, industrial park, makerspace, parking garage, track, and community center.
• Charlene Lovett (Ward 2) promoted the annual Earth Day litter cleanup organized by the Rotary Club, inviting participation from April 18–26. She noted 57 bags collected last year and mentioned two events on May 2nd (walk and breakfast).

Appointments to Boards and Committees

• Aaron Groff Greenrose reappointed to Conservation Committee alternate seat A2 (exp. March 31, 2029).
• Gary Dickman reappointed to Conservation Committee seat 5 (exp. March 31, 2029).
• Bruce Calenda reappointed to Planning Board seat 5 (exp. March 31, 2029).
• Maxine J. Gannell DeFrance reappointed to Planning Board seat 6 (exp. March 31, 2029).
• Jill Chastony reappointed to Historic District Commission seat 3 (exp. March 31, 2029).
• Wayne Hemingway reappointed to Zoning Board seat 4 (exp. March 31, 2029).
• Michael You reappointed to Zoning Board seat 5 (exp. March 31, 2029).
• Councillor Kaloski noted quorum issues on several boards and encouraged public to apply.

Discussion Items

Fiscal Year 2026 Fee Schedule Adjustment

• Public hearing held. Proposed changes: lane line rental fees at community center pool ($15/lane/hour for swim lessons, $10 for swim team) and bulk water sales fee ($7.80 per 100 cubic feet plus $150 daily connection fee). Councillor Kaloski argued to reduce the connection fee to $100 to match Lebanon, which was accepted. The Arrowhead Lodge reservation fee will be removed due to existing operating agreements. The schedule, including the $100 fee amendment, was approved unanimously.

Fiscal Year 2027 Fee Schedule

• Police Chief Wilmot proposed changes: elimination of flat fees, removal of firearm sales permit fee (law repealed), removal of pre-employment polygraph fee, removal of restitution collection fee, increase in cruiser for outside details ($15/hour with 4-hour minimum), and graduated false alarm billing (third false alarm $50, subsequent $100). The health inspection fee increases were postponed pending a new chief building inspector. The council approved the police fee changes unanimously.

Resolution 2026-39: North and Main Street Additional Funding

• Project engineer Brian Colburn explained the need for $59,400 additional city funding (20% of $297,000 change order) due to heavier pavement, a third construction season, and fuel/asphalt volatility. The resolution proposed using unassigned fund balance. After debate, the resolution failed 5-4 (Councillors O'Hearn, Lamoges, Hemingway, and Mayor Gerard opposed; Councillors Cogswell, Greenrose, Assistant Mayor Mattau, Kaloski, and Irish in favor). Staff was directed to find alternative funding from planning department vacancies or other sources.

Resolution 2026-42: Green Stormwater Infrastructure Grant

• No-cost grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation via Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission for shovel-ready design at Park Avenue site. The council approved unanimously.

Resolution 2026-45: Fire Apparatus Lease Purchase

• Chief Chamberlain presented the need for a new fire engine (E1 apparatus) at $948,364, with a 36-month lead time. Treasurer Parks presented three financing options. After discussion, the council approved a modified version of Option 1: purchase/lease authorization with funding mechanism to be determined at a future date, including a non-appropriation clause. The vote was unanimous (9-0).

Resolution 2026-46: CRDC Asbestos Mitigation Grant

• $31,740 grant for asbestos abatement at 56 Opera House Square, no match required. Unanimously approved.

Website Discussion

• City Manager Bates announced plans to develop a new city website, as the current provider is a single individual with poor service. A project manager will develop a timeline including council, department, and public input. Target implementation around January 2027. The old "Millie" chatbot will be discontinued. Council expressed support for a user-friendly, ADA-compliant, searchable site.

Main Street Strategy Development Project Discussion

• Discussion revealed a tangled grant history: a $50,000 grant for downtown strategy had $23–24k remaining, but a $44,000 contract was awarded and not executed. A second phase $465,000 congressional directed spending (CDA side) requires phase one completion. The council agreed to bring back a resolution for $20,000 to complete phase one, using alternative funding sources (planning vacancies, downtown accounts). The importance of not jeopardizing federal relationships was emphasized.

Key Outcomes

• Approved FY26 fee schedule with $100 bulk water connection fee (unanimous).
• Approved FY27 police fee schedule changes (unanimous).
• Failed Resolution 2026-39 for North and Main Street additional funding (5-4). Staff directed to find alternative funding.
• Approved Resolution 2026-42 (Green Stormwater Infrastructure Grant) unanimously.
• Approved Resolution 2026-45 (Fire Apparatus) with funding mechanism to be determined, unanimously.
• Approved Resolution 2026-46 (CRDC Asbestos Grant) unanimously.
• City Manager to develop website project plan with target January 2027.
• City Manager to bring resolution for $20,000 to complete Main Street phase one grant.
• Portrait of Guy Sandigate accepted as gift; location for display to be determined.
• Councillor Kaloski offered to donate four lights for the Soldiers' Monument flagpole; a local electrician offered free installation.