CLAREMONT, N.H. – The Claremont City Council met on Wednesday, May 27. City Manager Nancy Bates requested the city councilors’ thoughts on granting an easement to the new owners of 17 Water Street, for a space next to their building for heating and cooling equipment. The council asked for Bates to bring more information to them before discussing the matter. Bates also explained that the North and Main Street improvements project has been delayed because of weather and other factors.
The council voted to accept Golden Cross Ambulance Service’s bid for a five-year period. The city will pay $5,000 each month for a total of $60,000 each year for their ambulance service.
Director of Public Works Alex Gleeson introduced John Byatt, of Beta Group, to discuss his firm’s recommendation to remedy the twin culvert deterioration near the entrance to Walmart on Washington Street. Although “band-aid” fixes could be applied, installation of two precast concrete culverts at a cost of $4 million would assure a safe, sturdy roadbed and stable twin culverts for approximately 75 years. With a federal grant from Homeland Security Emergency Management, this project would cost the city $1 million, saving Claremont $3 million. This was a preliminary information session. No action was taken by the council.
The council accepted a multiyear contract with the Upper Valley Aquatic Center for the use of the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center pools.
The remainder of the meeting was comprised of discussions about budgets for the assessing department, the IT department, the finance department, and the planning and development department. Council members requested answers to many questions about these budgets, including specific line items. Budget discussions will continue during the next council meeting on Wednesday, June 10.
The Claremont City Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, at 6:30 p.m., in the Claremont City Hall Council Chambers.