Claremont City Council Meeting – June 10, 2026

The Claremont City Council convened on June 10, 2026, at 4:00 PM UTC (evening local time) to address a full agenda including proclamations, public comments, multiple resolutions, and tentative approval of several departmental budgets. Key actions included approval of a firefighters' collective bargaining agreement, tax relief for a major downtown rehabilitation project, first reading of water and sewer rate ordinances, and grant applications for infrastructure and safety projects.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Change: Item C (Broad Street Park Tree Planting Plan) was removed and will return later.
• Minutes: Minutes from May 27, 2026, were approved unanimously (voice vote).
• Appointments: The Council approved reappointments to multiple boards and committees: Zachary Haynes to CCTV (seat 4, exp. 2029); Markle Fontaine (seat 7), Joshua Nelson (seat 5), and Carla Schaeffer (alternate A2) to the Claremont Arts, History and Cultural Resource Preservation Commission; Jeffrey Chase to Parks and Recreation Commission (seat 6, exp. 2029); Erica Sweetzer to Personnel Advisory Board (seat 3, exp. 2029) with Councilor Kaloski recusing; and Gina Gavin to Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Region Planning Commission (seat 3, exp. 2029). All appointments passed by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pedro Lachance (Ward 2): Expressed concern over veteran footstones in cemeteries covered by grass and debris, noting many flags were missed on Memorial Day. He announced plans for a volunteer veteran cleanup day and requested council participation. He also criticized Councilor O'Hearn for not responding to his emails.
• Valerie Deloya (Ward 2, CYBSA): Requested that the council place a proposal to modify Field 2 at Monadnock Park (to accommodate 50/70 baseball dimensions) on a future agenda for a vote. She stated the project would be funded by CYBSA at no cost to taxpayers and that delays increased costs by approximately $5,000. She noted 38 of 42 NH Cal Ripken leagues already use 50/70 dimensions and that Claremont's charter may be at risk by 2027.
• Ken Burke (Ward 2): Supported the CYBSA request, emphasizing that the 50/70 field would better prepare youth for middle school baseball and attract tournaments that benefit local businesses.

Proclamation

• The Council recognized June as Pride Month and proclaimed Clarmont Pride 2025, authorizing the rainbow flag to be displayed on the bandstand in Broad Street Park from June 15–20, 2026.

Resolutions and Ordinances

• Resolution 2026-52 – Firefighters IAFF Local 1571 Collective Bargaining Agreement: The Council approved a new three-year contract (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029) with a 4% general wage increase beginning July 1, 2026. Fiscal impacts: FY2027 $46,298; FY2028 $48,150; FY2029 $50,076. The public hearing had no opposition; the resolution passed 9-0 (roll call).
• Resolution 2026-53 – RSA 79-E Tax Relief for 17 Water Street: The Council approved an 11-year community revitalization tax relief incentive for a $4.827 million rehabilitation of the historic building into approximately 25 residential units. The applicant, 1852 MB Claremont LLC, expects to complete the project by April 1, 2028. The covenant will run 22 years (double the exemption). Passed 9-0.
• Ordinance 645 – Water Rates (First Reading): The Council debated two options: a level 4% annual increase (water) and 2% (sewer) versus a minimum increase of 4% for two years then 2% for three years (water) and 0% year one then 2% years two to five (sewer). After discussion, a motion for the minimum option with a "shall review annually" (changed from "may") passed 6-3 (Councillors Cogswell, Greenrose, Assistant Mayor Matto, Irish, Mayor Gerard in favor; Councillors O'Hearn, Kaloski, Lamothe opposed). The second reading is scheduled for June 24.
• Ordinance 646 – Sewer Rates (First Reading): The Council approved the level option (2% annual increase for five years) with the same "shall review annually" language. Passed 8-1 (Councillor O'Hearn opposed).
• Resolution 2026-54 – Washington Street Twin Culvert Grant Application: Approved application to HSEM for FEMA BRIC funding ($4 million project, 25% city match $150,800). Two-thirds vote required; passed 9-0.
• Resolution 2026-55 – CSBCC Building M&R Capital Reserve: Approved transfer of $11,348 from the building maintenance and repair capital reserve to replace the teaching pool pump and lap pool filter covers. No tax impact. Passed 9-0.
• Resolution 2026-56 – CSBCC Equipment Non-Capital Reserve Fund: Placed a hold on deposits to the equipment reserve (currently ~$250,000) until it drops to $50,000; then deposits will resume at 5% of revenues (not to exceed $30,000/year). Two-thirds vote required; passed 9-0.
• Resolution 2026-57 – CSBCC Building M&R Non-Capital Reserve Fund: Increased the transfer to the building fund from 5% to 10% of revenues (not to exceed $60,000/year) to address aging infrastructure. Passed 8-1 (Councillor O'Hearn opposed).
• Resolution 2026-58 – Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Implementation Grant: Approved application for up to $754,000 in federal funds with a 20% city match ($150,800). The grant will implement traffic safety improvements identified in the county's action plan, including rapid flashing beacons on Broad Street. Two-thirds vote required; passed 9-0.
• Resolution 2026-60 – FY2027 Health Benefit Strategy: Approved a new approach offering a high-deductible Luminose plan with an HSA funded by the city at 50% of the deductible ($1,250 single/$2,500 family) and a premium credit for employees who switch from the AB20 HMO plan. The savings from the premium difference will offset the HSA contributions with no tax rate impact. Two-thirds vote required; passed 9-0.
• TIF District Budget: Approved unanimously with revenues and appropriations of $772,946.

Budgetary Approvals (Tentative)

• Parks & Recreation Budget: Tentatively approved with revenues $78,500 and appropriations $456,161. Unanimous.
• Police Department Budget (Fund 421): Tentatively approved with revenues $146,808 and appropriations $3,773,140 (reduced by $4,761 at the chief's request to absorb a Teamster salary increase). Unanimous.
• Fire Department Budget (Fund 422): Tentatively approved with revenues $52,000 and appropriations $2,796,748.85. This included $50,000 for apparatus replacement capital reserve and $20,000 for traffic signal capital reserve. Unanimous.
• Other budgets with Teamster positions (planning, finance, IT, HR, executive, general services) will be presented on June 24 after the Teamster contract ratification.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Firefighters CBA (9-0), 79-E tax relief for 17 Water Street (9-0), water/sewer rate first readings (minimum option for water, level for sewer), Washington Street culvert grant application (9-0), CSBCC capital reserve changes (both 9-0 and 8-1), SS4A grant application (9-0), health benefit strategy (9-0), and TIF district budget (unanimous).
• Tentatively Approved: Parks, Police, and Fire budgets.
• Adjourned: Meeting adjourned after committee reports and future agenda items.