CLAREMONT, N.H. – At the Oct. 14 Claremont City Council meeting, Director of Human Resources Shannon Thibodeau presented a new outline for a merit system modernization plan. This plan reflects the goals of mirroring the current market value of nonunion salaries within five years, attracting new employees, and retaining current employees. Thibodeau and her team updated the range of positions, their job descriptions, and pay ranges. During the first year, salaries would be raised by an average of 5%, which would move salary ranges toward a midpoint that was requested by the city manager. The second-year plan would bring more employees’ salaries up to or above the midpoint. Year three would be dedicated to completing this transition. Year four would begin the process of introducing salaries that reflect work performance. By year five, this new merit system should be fully in place. Thibodeau stated that this is only a plan. The council has 30 days to review it, at which time it is free to reject or accept it.
Council member Wayne Hemingway announced that Stevens High School student Gene Gagnon was recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Inc. for his exceptional academic promise and scholastic excellence.
The council approved the appointments of Heather Irish to Seat 1 on the Claremont Development Board. Doreen Kusselow was appointed to Seat 2, and Sharon Wood to Seat 3 on the Fiske Free Library Board.
There was a first reading of an ordinance which allows the elderly to apply for a 3.7% reduction to their income and assets – not including their home – as an exemption when paying their taxes. An identical ordinance allows for a reduction of taxes for the disabled. There will be two more readings of these ordinances before they are formally approved.
Director of Finance Maureen Hulslander requested the council’s approval to appropriate funds in the amount of $4,250 to the engineering firm Simpson, Gumpertz and Heger for subcontractor work on the exploratory structural work at the visitors center. This expense was not included in the fiscal year 2026 general fund budget. At that time, the firm could only state the cost would not exceed $5,000. The council approved this appropriation.
Police Chief Brett Wilmot requested the council’s approval of a five-year contract with Axon Enterprises Inc. for new conductive energy weapons, known as tasers, along with cartridges, training, and related equipment, at a cost of $155,895.40 paid in five equal payments over five years. The council approved.
Fiske Free Library Director James Allen asked the council’s approval for a $5,000 grant from the Burn Foundation, to be used for a local author series held at the library planned for early 2027. The council approved.
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.