Claremont City Council Meeting – August 26, 2026

The Claremont City Council met on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. No agenda or minutes were available, so this summary is based on the raw transcript. The council approved prior minutes, issued a proclamation for Micros Technologies, approved an AARP grant, increased the interim city manager's authorized hours, and discussed governance concerns at the Tolls Home.

Opening & Announcements

• The council approved the August 12, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote on a motion by Councilor Hemingway, seconded by Councilor Greenrose.
• The council observed a moment of silence for former Assistant Mayor, City Councilor, and Assistant Fire Chief Vic Bergeron; Councilor Lemojah's mother; and Arlene Marrow.
• Interim City Manager Bergeron introduced Jim Allen as the new library director and reported a tentative new finance director and a new deputy building inspector/health officer, both expected to start September 14. The first choice for parks and recreation director declined; an offer was made to the second choice. He also read a thank-you note from the Claremont Soup Kitchen.

Proclamation & Presentation: Micros Technologies Day

• The mayor read a proclamation declaring August 26, 2026 as Micros Technologies Day in Claremont, noting the company's 35 years in New Hampshire, its designation as 2026 New Hampshire Business of the Year in manufacturing technology, two advanced manufacturing facilities in Claremont, nearly 100 employees, and a doubling of its workforce in less than two years.
• CEO Drew Matter presented an overview of the company's history and growth, including 26 years in Claremont, 50 new jobs, global expansion after being acquired by Jable, and its mission to add value to the world, community, customers, and employees.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Eric Dean Ruleau, Ward 2 and vice chair of the Tolls Home Board of Trustees, asked for clarification on whether the Tolls Home board answers to the City Council, whether a single board member or less than a quorum may distribute funds, what removal authority exists and which body holds it, and how often board officers should be elected. He said there was an accountability vacuum and provided the council with a packet of emails and related materials.

Resolution 2027-17 – AARP Community Challenge Grant

• Mr. Leplant requested acceptance of a $15,000 AARP Community Challenge Grant for construction of a 16 by 24-foot wooden pavilion at Monadnock Park, located between the concession stand and playground. Because the grant will not cover the full cost, a local club pledged the remaining funds, resulting in no impact on the tax rate.
• Councilor Irish read the resolution. Councilors Hearn and Irish disclosed that they are AARP members. Councilor Hearn asked whether the grant covers the entire project cost; Mr. Leplant confirmed additional costs will be covered by the club pledge.
• A public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. The resolution passed 7-0 on a roll-call vote, with O'Hearn, Cogswell, Greenrose, Kaloski, Hemingway, Irish, and Mayor Gerard voting yes.

Interim City Manager Compensation

• The interim city manager was initially expected to work about 30 hours per week but has actually been working 37 to 40 hours. Councilors discussed raising his authorized compensation to 40 hours per week at the agreed $60-per-hour rate.
• Mr. Bergeron said he does not expect to reach the state's annual retirement hour limit and is willing to fill out time cards, but councilors expressed trust in him and did not require time cards.
• Councilor Kaloski moved to compensate the interim city manager up to 40 hours per week at $60 per hour; Councilor Hearn seconded. The motion passed 7-0 on a roll-call vote.

Tolls Home Board Governance & Board Training

• Councilor Hearn reported continuing concerns about the Tolls Home board chair, including: calling an emergency meeting that did not meet emergency requirements; disclosing non-public information; negotiating with a person outside the board without board approval; authorizing a $6,066 check to a tenant without board approval; changing a hire's employment status contrary to board direction; and attempting to change the site manager's job description.
• Councilor Hearn said all the incidents are documented and he was not optimistic that behavior would change. He also noted he had been left off some email communications.
• Councilors discussed the situation in the context of broader board and committee training. Councilor Hemingway opposed anonymous information requests and proposed training followed by a probationary period. Councilor Irish said removing anyone would be inappropriate before expectations are communicated. Councilor Kaloski asked the mayor and city manager to gather detailed facts and ensure Tolls Home board members receive training, possibly through the New Hampshire Municipal Association. Councilor Cogswell supported information gathering to determine whether actions were improper or illegal. Councilor Greenrose suggested separating the specific Tolls Home issue from a future agenda item on general board training.
• No formal action was taken on the Tolls Home allegations.

Committee & Board Updates

• Energy Committee: met, heard another community power vendor, completed due diligence, and expects to bring a report to the council within the next month or two.
• Planning Board: two projects were presented — a coffee shop on Washington Street and an adaptive reuse at 21 Water Street above Common Man, with third-floor office space and 27 residential units on floors four through six.
• Arts: the Eagle restoration contractor may need to move up the timeline, which could lead to a request to front-load funds; Councilor Kaloski said he did not believe front-loading funds would be proper.
• Other boards and committees, including the CDA, procurement, and airport, had no new updates.

Future Agenda Items & Directives

• Councilor Kaloski asked for a permanent fix for the unlit flagpole at the park, status of the Owl teleconference device for council chambers, repair of a sidewalk on West Pleasant Street by Draper's Corners that has been blocked by cones for over a month, a list of available TIF district funds and consideration of a TIF-funded police/parking enforcement position, a reporting method for light pole outages and fixes for poles that stay on 24/7, and status of cameras and damaged lights at the sculpture behind the visitor center.
• Councilor Hearn requested that flags be lowered to half-staff until September 1 following the death of Dolly Parton, asked for an update on lighting repairs in the bullpen area near the coffee shop, and raised broken granite caused by a car counter installation on Pleasant Street plus buckling granite nearby.
• Councilor Irish proposed renaming future agenda items to future agenda items/directives, creating a master list of outstanding council directives, researching downtown landlords for occupancy and code compliance, increasing enforcement of downtown and Broad Street Park issues, addressing Winter Street speed and muffler violations, addressing e-bike and e-scooter safety, and requiring training for board and committee chairs.
• Councilor Cogswell recommended reviewing charter and ordinance gaps with legal counsel before the new city manager starts.

The meeting adjourned by a motion from Councilor Hearn, seconded by Councilor Greenrose.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the August 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote.
• Proclaimed August 26, 2026 as Micros Technologies Day.
• Approved Resolution 2027-17 accepting the $15,000 AARP grant for the Monadnock Park pavilion, 7-0.
• Approved compensation for the interim city manager at up to 40 hours per week at $60 per hour, 7-0.
• Agreed to address Tolls Home governance and broader board/committee training at a future meeting, with the city manager and mayor asked to gather additional information.