CLAREMONT, N.H. – The Claremont City Council meeting of March 11 opened with Mayor Dale Gerard stating that the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center is working on its eighth annual scholarship golf tournament, which will take place on Wednesday, May 20. The tournament is looking for sponsorships as well as volunteers. More information is available on the Claremont Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
City Manager Nancy Bates reported on a number of topics. She explained that Celebrate Claremont activities are scheduled for July 3, from 1-5 p.m. This will lead up to the fireworks at Monadnock Park. There will be a small family event on Saturday morning, July 4, as well. The city is looking for volunteers and businesses to participate. More information will be posted in the city newsletter and on the city website.
Bates also reviewed the preliminary draft report from the engineers on the visitors center. There is no structural damage due to settling, but there is significant damage to the brickwork. They will be speaking to the council about these issues, although they gave reassurance that the building is safe.
The council voted to approve various appointments. Zachary Haines was appointed to Seat 4 on the Claremont Community Television board. Greg Adams was appointed to Seat 4 of the steering committee for the EPA multiple purpose grant. Annette Daines was appointed to Seat 4 of the Fiske Free Library board of directors. Gary Dickerson was appointed to Seat 3, Tina Bergeron to Seat 4 at large, Ken Burke to Seat 5, and Heather Irish to Seat 7 on the parks and recreation board.
Dave Derek, a representative from AECOM, gave a presentation on a safety action plan for Claremont. AECOM has collected data about crash frequency and crash severity across the State of New Hampshire. Derek reported that 37% of the total crashes in New Hampshire occurred in Claremont, and that 28% of the total crashes involving injuries happened in Claremont. The data was extracted from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. AECOM has created a safety action plan for Claremont that can be referred to or drawn on for future plans. Derek also mentioned a number of grant opportunities to create a safer Claremont.
Alex Gleason, director of the department of public works, requested approval for the completion of the final application for the wastewater treatment facility study, which the council approved. Gleason also requested approval for acceptance of a $100,000 grant from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Sciences to assist in the funding of the wastewater treatment facility study. The council approved.
The council authorized the department of public works to enter into a four-year lease agreement for a replacement vehicle lift for the highway garage.
Gary LaClair has had a license for growing corn on approximately 20 acres of a 71-acre city-owned parcel for the last 14 years. He’d like to renew this license for another two years. This parcel is east of River Road on Tax Map 152, Lot 7. The council agreed to renew.
Justin Martin, the director of parks and recreation, expressed his interest in installing a concrete walkway in the entrance to the city’s dog park. His reasons included winter maintenance, accessibility, safety, and overall usability. Funds would be taken from the Dog Park Trust Fund to pay for this project. The council approved the transfer of funds from the trust fund to cover the costs.
Martin also introduced the idea of replacing 11 pieces of cardiovascular gym equipment at the community center, using funds from the center’s noncapital reserve for fitness equipment. The council members asked for more information and more community input before they could come to a decision about this.
Bates brought up a number of problems with the Claremont Opera House, not including the atrium or the police department. Repairs that are most urgent are those related to water infiltration. She stated, “We do have a fund balance that could be used to stop rot and water infiltration from further deteriorating the building.” Th council agreed that having a watertight building was important, and asked that Bates write up a resolution for next month that they could sign.