Claremont City Council Meeting - July 22, 2026

The Claremont City Council met on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM. The meeting included approval of minutes, city manager updates, public comments, discussions on tax-deeded properties, a grant update from Merchant McIntyre, capital improvement plan, ordinances on the merit system (pay scales and classification), resolutions for highway safety and airport weather system grants, a traffic advisory committee update, and a discussion on selling city parking spaces with retained vertical rights.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes from June 30, 2026, and July 8, 2026 (motions by Councilor Kaloski and Hemingway, seconded).
• Highway Safety Grant: Approved Resolution 2027-11 accepting $9,700 from the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety for enforcement activities, with no tax rate impact (unanimous roll call).
• Airport Weather System Grant: Approved Resolution 2027-12 accepting $552,484 from the FAA for an automated weather observing system, with a city match of $18,472 from the airport reserve account (unanimous roll call).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gary Dickerman (Ward 3, Conservation Commission): Reported on Stevensbrook Conservation Easement trail development with Upper Valley Trails Alliance; expressed concern that the Conservation Commission has received no land use change tax revenue since 2022 despite the council lifting the cap; also noted the Parks and Recreation Commission has not been allowed to meet due to lack of a director.
• Eric Dean Ruleau (Ward 2, Vice Chair of Trustees of the Tolls Home): Presented a second copy of amended bylaws for council approval, noting the original submission in June 2025 had not been placed on the calendar.
• CYBSA Representative (Ms. Dayola): Requested council approval to convert field #2 at Monadnock Park to accommodate 50/70 dimensions, funded by a $5,000 Byrne Foundation grant and $8,500 raised by the association, with no city financial impact. Highlighted competitive disadvantages and the need for proper field dimensions for youth development.

Discussion Items

• Tax-Deeded Properties: City Manager Bates recommended accepting deed for 11 Warren Street but holding on 93 Sullivan Street pending legal counsel due to concerns about the building (Roy's funeral home). Two properties (62 McCusker Place and 96 Chestnut Street) were removed because they were paid off. The council voted to accept 11 Warren Street and hold 93 Sullivan Street for legal review (unanimous).
• Merchant McIntyre Grant Update: Tristan Sutland reported securing $3.3 million in new federal funding since October, bringing total to $7.1 million. Projects include riverwalk renovation ($430,000 NBRC, $850,000 congressional), child care center for Sullivan County, fire engine application ($948,000), Safe Streets implementation ($603,000), and pending wastewater treatment plant upgrade ($2.4 million). Expanded services now include grant management support.
• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): City Manager Bates presented a preliminary CIP recommending $3.4 million in projects, funded by drawing $2.985 million from fund balance and using capital reserves. Priority projects: paving ($732,000), Pleasant Street sidewalk/paving ($299,000), Belden/Freedom Street infrastructure (sewer, water, drainage), municipal facilities including Opera House clock tower and gutter work ($1M), Fiske Free Library roof replacement with synthetic slate ($316,000), police department bathroom renovation ($191,000), and fire apparatus capital reserve ($250,000). Council discussed waiting for final FY25 audit but expressed support for moving forward with Belden/Freedom Street and library roof. Also discussed historic district commission review for city projects and need for warranty tracking.
• City Hall Clock Tower & Gutter Repairs: Paul Rastiance of Valley Restoration presented an assessment recommending scaffolding for bell tower, hybrid copper repair (25-50 year fix), roof repointing (40%), clock replacement with backlighting, and Bluetooth-controlled lighting system. Council noted this is more substantial than other CIP items.
• Ordinance 647 - Merit System Pay Scale (Attachment C): First reading. Director of Human Resources presented a comprehensive update to the merit system, including creating 12A and 12B grade levels, market-based adjustments, a three-year 4% increase pool distributed based on compa-ratio, and part-time benefits. Supporters (Councilors Irish, Cogswell, Greenrose, Assistant Mayor Mattau) argued it provides a modern compensation structure, improves recruitment/retention, and is cost-neutral this year. Opponents (Councilors O'Hearn, Lamoges, Hemingway) cited concerns about large range increases (up to 35% for top grades), lack of classification for 12A/B positions, and that lower-level workers received smaller increases. The motion to approve failed on a 4-4 roll call (Mayor Gerard broke the tie, voting no).
• Ordinance 648 - Job Classification Plan (Attachment B): First reading. Updated job titles, removed obsolete positions, added part-time roles (health officer, building inspector), and defined temporary vs. part-time classifications. Passed on a 6-2 roll call (Councilors O'Hearn and Hemingway opposed).
• Traffic Advisory Committee Update: Chair reported on U-turn restriction at Washington & Winter Street (signs to be installed), pending ordinance for weight restrictions (proposed change from 10,000 to 12,001 lbs), and future work on School/Franklin Street one-way traffic. Council also discussed enforcement of muffler noise and speeding on Winter Street and Cat Hole.
• Community Center Roof: City Manager Bates reported condensation and delamination issues; recommended seeking three quotes for repairs (estimated under $30,000) to extend roof life 5-8 years. Council agreed to proceed with quotes and check for warranty coverage.
• Water Street/Crescent Street Parking: Developer of 17 Water Street proposed purchasing parking spaces. City Manager recommended selling with the city retaining vertical rights to allow future parking deck construction. Council directed staff to draft a purchase and sale agreement with attorney involvement, retaining vertical rights.

Key Outcomes

• Tax-Deeded Properties: Accepted deed for 11 Warren Street; held 93 Sullivan Street pending legal counsel. Two properties removed from list due to payment.
• Merit System Pay Scale (Ordinance 647): Motion to approve failed 4-4 (Mayor Gerard voted no). Ordinance did not pass first reading.
• Job Classification Plan (Ordinance 648): Approved 6-2. Will proceed to second reading.
• Highway Safety Grant: Unanimously approved.
• Airport Weather System Grant: Unanimously approved.
• Field #2 Renovation (CYBSA): Approved unanimously to accept the donation of work and allow the project to move forward with Parks and Rec Department.
• Traffic Advisory Committee: Council consented to installing no-U-turn signs at Washington & Winter Street; weight limit ordinance to be drafted.
• Community Center Roof: Council directed staff to obtain three quotes for repairs and explore warranty.
• Water Street Parking: Council directed staff to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement with the developer, retaining vertical rights.
• Future Agenda Items: Tolls Home bylaws, noise ordinance review, Parks and Rec Commission meeting status, residual pickleball grant funds, ad hoc committee for Claremont Speedway, and updated council goals/objectives.