CLAREMONT, N.H. – At the July 22 Claremont City Council meeting, outgoing City Manager Nancy Bates expressed appreciation to the council for hiring her and its confidence in her. She said she was “humbled and honored to have worked alongside such a hard working and tremendous team.” Bates then introduced interim City Manager Rick Bergeron.
Gary Dickerson of the Claremont Conservation Committee thanked the department of public works and Alex Gleason, its director, for help obtaining the Steven Brooks conservation easement.
Concerning properties with tax liens, the council has decided not to “execute a deed of real estate” for properties on Plains Road, Beacon Street, Ridge Avenue, Mobile Homes and Parks, and Upham Place. The council’s acceptance of these properties would subject the city to undesirable obligations and risks. State and federal law imposes strict liability on owners for environmental impact of the real estate involved. The council instructed the tax collector to enforce all tax liens on said properties.
Tristan Sutherland from Merchant McIntyre, the city’s grant consultant in Washington, D.C., stated that since last October, the firm had secured $3.3 million in federal funds for city projects and submitted applications for an additional $5 million. Most of the grant funds received were used for the development of the Sugar River Walk Renovation, the Small Business Development Center, and the Sullivan County Child Care Center. In addition, funds were used for the Safe Street Action Plan and the opera house sprinkler system.
Bates stated that the city is currently in a strong financial position, with $6.16 million in undesignated funds. She recommended that the city retain approximately 13% of this amount, and spend the rest on capital improvements such as completing the opera house tower and gutter, chimney, and brick work. She also listed replacement of the Fiske Free Library roof as a priority. Bates presented a list of all her specific recommendations, which totaled approximately $3.4 million, with $275,00 left over.
Human Resource Director Shannon Thibodeau reviewed the new proposal for collective bargaining agreements for non-union employees. There would be a city-wide review of all positions. Obsolete positions would be removed, benefits for part-time staff would be added, and job descriptions would be updated or added. Additionally, a 4% increase of overall staff pay would be instituted, instead of a flat 4% increase for everyone. The goal of this five-year plan would be to get 100% of staff to the midpoint in their pay scale range. Instead of everyone getting a bump up, the employees who are furthest behind in their pay range would get more than a 4% increase, so they can get to where they need to be. This plan does not ask for additional appropriations from the city. The council vote on the proposal was tied, meaning it failed.
Police Chief Brent Wilmott received a $97,000 grant from the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety. These funds are earmarked for enforcement of speed, distracted driving, seat belt mobilization, DUI enforcement, and impaired driving mobilization. A small matching fund from the police department will be supplied with in-kind services. Council accepted the receipt of this grant.
As a member of the traffic advisory committee, Wilmott requested that a sign for U-turn restriction be placed at the intersection of Washinton and Winter streets. The council approved this.
Fire Chief Jim Chamberlain asked for the council to accept a grant of $552,484 for an automated weather observing system at the Claremont Municipal Airport. He also requested approval to use $18,472 from the Airport Special Reserve Fund to make up the difference for the cost of the system. There would be no impact on the tax rate. The council approved both requests.
Bates said there have been some concerns about the community center’s roof. Municipal complex facilities personnel determined that there is a problem with the ventilation. There is not proper air flow, which causes condensation to be trapped under the surface of the roof. The council agreed that quotes should be sought in order to repair the roof and ventilation issues.
1852MB Claremont LLC, which purchased 17 Water Street, has offered two proposals for the purchase of adequate parking for their development. One option would outright purchase those parking spaces. The other proposal would purchase the lot with the city retaining the right to build a parking deck over it. Area businesses expressed interest in a cost-sharing with the city if a parking deck is built. The council agreed to having lawyers from the city and the owners write up a proposal.
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.