By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — The Claremont City Council briefly discussed the removal of a planning board member due to a lack of attendance, and while a motion was made during Wednesday’s meeting, nobody would offer a second.
Assistant Mayor Deb Matteau said that many attempts have been made to reach out to Planning Board Member John Woods-Giosi, and that he has missed about 80% of his meetings. Matteau said he often says he is coming, but then doesn’t show up.
“We have a member of the planning board who’s missed the majority of his meetings since he was elected,” Matteau said. “John Woods-Giosi, and I want to make a motion to remove him from the board. There have been many attempts to reach out to him and I don’t believe he’s returned any of the messages or calls.”
Councilor Nick Koloski said he was not in favor of having this on the agenda, as he wants it on a “publicly posted agenda.” The item was not on the official agenda, and was a late add, coming after a public hearing and vote on the Frances J. Tolles Home bylaws on Nov. 7.
“The individual can have a final say to be able to come in and speak if they like,” Koloski said. “Do I agree that attendance is an issue? Absolutely.”
He continued, “He does still weigh in on emails that are sent out to the planning board of either cancellation notes and things like that. I’d like to afford the proper process of placing it on a public agenda and not just backdoor, throwing it on last minute.”
Councilor Wayne Hemingway agreed, saying that he should have the opportunity to weigh in. Hemingway said that while he hasn’t returned the calls, responding to emails has shown some participation.
While Matteau made the motion and councilors held a brief discussion, that would be all for the agenda item, as there was no “second” made.
The agenda has already been released for the next meeting, so this item is expected to be included at a city council meeting in December.
Woods-Giosi’s term runs until May 31, 2027. An email was left with Woods-Giosi but not returned by deadline.
