By GLYNIS HART
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CLAREMONT — The city council changed the makeup of the city manager search committee after receiving public and private criticism for leaving out women.
Tuesday night, the council held a special meeting to select the search committee’s citizen members. They chose four men: Lloyd Smrkovski, Mark Limoges, Philip “Joe” Osgood, and Raymond Gagnon.
On Wednesday, Assistant Mayor Allen Damren said his wife took him to task when she heard how they voted. Councilor Scott Pope said he’d received criticism from constituents.
“My wife said, ‘You should be ashamed of yourself,’” said Damren. He suggested adding two alternates to the search committee, who would not be able to vote unless one of the committee members bowed out.
Councilor Abigail Kier, who was absent on Tuesday night (as was Mayor Charlene Lovett) said, “I like the thought, but it feels like a consolation prize.”
“I tend to agree,” said Pope. “This time we may have dropped the ball.”
Pope made a motion to increase the search committee by two members: the next two highest vote getters. The council voted to do so.
Kristin Kenniston received three votes, while both Deb Matteau and Marlene Boisclair received two votes. However, the council lacked a clear record of the vote and said they would check the record before moving forward.
Two city department heads — Police Chief Mark Chase and Director of Parks and Recreation Mark Brislin — were also appointed to the search committee, as were Councilors Claire Lessard, Jon Stone and Damren.
Damren said, “I want to make it clear the search committee is not doing the hiring. The council reserves the right to review all the applicants, and it’s the council’s responsibility to do the hiring.”
New board of assessment review
City Assessor Stephen Hamilton announced the city is seeking applicants for the Board of Assessment Review, a citizen’s advisory group created by the city after last year’s public uproar over the Topstone tax abatement.
Hamilton said while special knowledge, such as a background in taxes or real estate, is desirable, the character of the applicants is extremely important. “They must be eager to learn, careful readers, firm but also kind, able to be discreet and to read and interpret the law. They will be looking at abatement requests or other private information. They should also be able to come together as a team.”
The position also requires at least one year of residence in Claremont.
Solar-powered sign
Police Chief Mark Chase asked the council to approve his application for a grant to buy a solar-powered sign. He’s been borrowing one from the fire department, and occasionally borrows one from Sunapee.
The Highway Safety grant, which he applied for last year, offers a 50/50 match. Initially, his application was turned down, but the grant has been reopened. Chase had already put aside the money last year from unused funds.
The total cost of the sign would be $16,495. After applying $8,000 from last year, the city would only have to put in $256 from this year’s budget.
The council approved the grant application.
139 Main Street
Interim City Manager John MacLean said the Fiscal Year 2020 budget went to the printers Wednesday. He predicted it will be enjoyable bedtime reading for the council.
The decrepit building at 139 Main Street has posed a dilemma for the city since the city’s engineers said pulling it down will also pull down the wall of the adjacent building, 147 Main, which is privately owned.
“The common wall will also come down,” said MacLean. “There’s no way for it not to happen.”
The city is negotiating with the neighbor and may have a workable deal. MacLean said by establishing a new value for number 147 and “then using that for the next five years, it would be enough for the adjacent property owner to recover some of the cost associated with restoring the wall.”
“I think it’s a good deal for the city and I will be bringing it forward at the May 8 meeting,” said MacLean.
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