CLAREMONT, N.H. – During citizens forum at the Aug. 26 Claremont City Council meeting, Eric Rouleau, vice chair of the Tolles Home Board, addressed the council with a number of questions: “Who does the Tolles Home board answer to? Do we answer to the city council concerning behaviors and actions taken by individuals on this board? Does the city council have authority over this board?” Rouleau described a board meeting that did not meet the quorum requirement, which made the decision to distribute funds with which the board was entrusted. Rouleau also asked, “Are we able to remove someone from the board completely?”
Council member Andrew O’Hearn, who is on the Tolles Home Board, also spoke about this board’s noncompliance with established board rules. He told of an emergency meeting that was called that did not meet the quorum requirements. This meeting proceeded anyway. Decisions by individuals on the board were carried out without the board’s approval. Some of his examples included dispensing funds to a renter, changing a contract worker’s status to an employee, and changing the job description of the site manager. All of these steps were taken without the board’s approval, according to O’Hearn. As a member of this board and also as a city council member, O’Hearn explained to the Tolles Board that these actions should not have happened, and are examples of how a board should not operate. At a recent Tolles Board meeting, Police Chief Wilmott was in attendance to discuss these inconsistencies with proper board behavior.
Several suggestions were made by council members: Fact collection and accurate reporting about what actually happened at the Tolles Board meetings should be shared in order for the council to act further, and the importance of proper training on how boards operate should be offered to all city board members, especially the board chairs. Another suggestion was offered that the Tolles Board members should all be trained, and afterward, the board should be placed on probation for a period of time.
Mayor Dale Girard asked for a moment of silence for the recent passing of three people important to Claremont: Assistant Fire Chief Vic Bergeron, council member William Limoges’ mother, and Arlene Merill. A written proclamation of appreciation was given to Mikros Technologies, of Claremont, for its designation as the 2026 New Hampshire Business of the Year. CEO Drew Matter gave a brief presentation of Mikros’ work and history.
On Sept. 11, the Claremont Parks and Recreation Department will host a 9/11 Remembrance Memorial Stair Climb, beginning at 8:30 a.m., behind the visitors center. The Claremont Kiwanis Club will hold its annual Brew Fest behind the visitors center on Sept. 19. Tickets are available online.
City Manager Rick Bergeron introduced Fiske Free Library’s new director, Jim Allen. Bergeron noted that the city has tentatively hired a new finance director. The planning and zoning board has tentatively hired a new deputy building inspector/health officer. Background checks for both positions will be completed soon, with a starting date for both of Sept. 14. Bergeron stated that a new director for the parks and recreation department should soon be on board as well. He read a note of thanks from the Claremont Soup Kitchen for the council’s generous gift and ongoing support of its work.
Shaun Le Plante, of Claremont Parks and Recreation, requested that the council accept the $15,000 offered through an AARP Community Challenge grant. The funds will be used to construct a 16-by-24-foot pavilion at Monadnock Park, located between the concession stand and the playground. Le Plante secured a pledge from the Claremont Kiwanis Club to supply any additional funds needed to complete the project, with no impact on the tax rate. The council voted to accept the $15,000.
Bergeron explained to the council that the 30 hours he was originally assigned as interim city manager are not sufficient to fulfill his duties. He requested additional weekly hours. The council voted to allow him to work up to 40 hours per week at the established rate of $60 per hour.
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.