By CHRIS FROST
Eagle Times News Editor
CLAREMONT, NH — As one of his last official acts, outgoing Councilor Jonathan Stone made sure his tenure on the City Council will have an impact after he is gone.
During the Wednesday, Dec. 13, City Council meeting, Stone brought forward a successful motion to indefinitely suspend the Claremont Development Authority (CDA) and to authorize an investigation into the group’s purpose, structure and management.
“The [city] manager shall also develop a report and recommendations for the council to address any perceived needs for updating, amending and create new legislation within the City Code and the bylaws of the CDA to assist the body with achieving its declared purpose and charge,” said Stone.
Councilor Andrew O’Hearne seconded the motion that was approved on a five to two vote. Councilors Nicholas Koloski and Matthew Mooshian voted no and Councilor James Cantois was not present.
Stone said the City Council created the Industrial Development Authority and established its purpose, structure and management.
“The Claremont City Council, in concert with the city manager in 2003, proposed several changes to the Industrial Development Authority, which includes renaming the body to the Claremont Development Authority and adopting an entirely new set of bylaws for the municipality entity,” he said.
The council recently compared the city code and the Claremont Development Authority ‘s bylaws.
“There appears to be a number of inconsistencies and possible contradictions between these two foundational sources of the Claremont Development Authority,” Stone said. “The council is of the firm belief that a comprehensive review of this situation is necessary to ensure that the Claremont Development Authority is operating properly within the confines of the city code and the organization’s bylaws.”
Stone wants the investigation to include the number of directors required; the city council’s role, if any, in supervising the Authority; any revisions of the city code and bylaws to address statutory provisions, and the necessity to amend the city code or bylaws for current operational goals.
Councilor Koloski expressed concerns the motion wasn’t on the council’s present agenda and he didn’t have information on the motion to review.
“It’s a lot to digest suddenly right in front of us right now,” Koloski said.
Mayor Dale Girard asked Stone to clarify that the motion is designed to help the city stay within code.
“As we’ve discussed on this council before, we have a lack of councilors serving on this board, and that issue has been brought up,” said Stone. “The CDA failed to change their bylaws to allow for a councilor to serve on this board, which is one issue, and there are a lot of collateral issues that we can get into. We can go forward with this and let the city manager come back with the proper structure.”
Councilor Bill Limoges noted the action suspends the CDA and does not disband the group.
“Have the city manager look at everything and hopefully come back in January with something for the new council,” Stone said. “I didn’t see any value in rehashing what’s been done and hasn’t been done; but putting us in compliance with our ordinances is important.”
Koloski agreed with looking into the Authority, but didn’t like how the motion was brought forward. The item was brought to the city manager “a couple of days ago,” and the city attorney drafted the motion.
“It comes to us tonight to act upon,” he said. “I don’t know that I have the authority as a councilor to ask you directly to use taxpayer money to have someone draft something.
Manale said he made sure the motion was legally compliant.
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