CLAREMONT, N.H. – At the July 8 Claremont City Council meeting, Mayor Dale Girard announced that the Claremont Police will host the annual National Night Out on Aug. 4, from 4-7 p.m. City Manager Nancy Bates thanked all the volunteers who helped make the July 3 events a success. She also stated that the search for a director of the Parks and Recreation Department is going well.
During citizens’ forum, Charles Lovell, treasurer of Claremont’s Train Station Host Association, explained why a secure door was installed at the train station. According to Lovell, unauthorized users were charging their e-bikes and phones there, which blew the breakers. On some days when volunteers were readying the station for travelers, they found homeless individuals sleeping inside. Evidence of drug and alcohol use were also found. It was Lovell’s understanding that the council had agreed to allocate $2,500 per year to pay for the portable toilet and any incidental expenses. It is the Host Association’s hope that this annual allocation will continue, Lovell said.
The elevator improvements at the Claremont Housing Authority Marion Phillips Building, at 243 Broad Street, are complete. All of its 96 apartments are occupied by the elderly disabled of low or extremely low income.
The council next heard from the Claremont Learning Partnership, which was established in 2012 as a coalition to increase literacy, and educational attainment and access in Claremont. It is presently in pursuit of a Community Development Block Grant of up to $750,000. Awarded funds could be used to acquire and rehabilitate the property at 143-147 Main Street, for the purpose of establishing transitional supportive housing for youth exiting homelessness through the Oasis Teen Shelter program. This seven-unit property could provide affordable housing and supportive services for low- and moderate-income youth as they work toward stability and independent living. The Claremont Living Partnership requested that the city council review the completed application and that the mayor sign it if the council approves. This copartnership is required of any Community Development Block Grant. The council agreed to review and consider signing if the proposal meets its approval.
The council also heard that Claremont Makerspace is in the process of writing a grant application for a National Endowment for the Arts/Our Town Grant totaling $62,000. This money would fund projects such as crosswalk art or outdoor staircase art in the downtown area. The guidelines for this grant require the Makerspace to match the awarding amount of $62,000 within a year’s time. The City of Claremont will be under no financial obligations. Makerspace is requesting a letter of support from the city council.
Finally, the council reviewed properties with delinquent tax status. There are 10 to 12 properties in Claremont that could be auctioned due to unpaid back taxes. There are also a number of city-owned properties that could be added to an auction list. The council decided to table this discussion until their next meeting, when legal questions could be addressed.
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.