Claremont Council, residents discuss 2025 street, utility project

A public hearing on plans for Claremont’s 2025 street and utility improvements led to a decision to downsize it at the request of residents.
The project as originally presented included reconstruction of 3rd and Oak Streets; reclamation and pavement of Oakview, Julia 3rd Place and Church Streets; sanitary service repairs and miscellaneous items. Total projected costs for the project were $1,025,650.
The public hearing was primarily attended by those property owners who would be directly affected by assessments to their property. Seventy percent of the costs of such projects are paid by the city with the remaining 30 percent assessed to the properties on the affected streets. The assessment rate for those residents where their streets would be reconstructed was $0.46 per square foot; for those on the reclaimed and repaved streets, $0.21 per square foot and for sanitary sewer repairs, $3,375. The assessments can either be paid at one time or added to the property tax.
Comments made during the hearing showed that while residents agreed that reconstruction of 3rd and Oak Streets is necessary, rather than doing major work on Oakview, Julia, 3rd Place and Church Streets, patching the bad spots was a better option at this time. A major concern of residents was the economy, The economy has not recovered and people are struggling to pay for necessities, residents said. Add in the uncertainty of what federal help will be available in the new administration, it makes sense to hold back on the project, residents said.
Several speakers said that Claremont needed to do more to bring businesses into the community and it would make sense to hold off on some of the improvements for another year or so. Other speakers also questioned whether the improvements would really improve the value of their property.
Jim Baier, who lives on Wheat Street, said he has been a Claremont resident for 53 years and has seen many businesses close in that time. Also taxes and water bills have gone higher and he would prefer the city spend more time and money on getting businesses back in town.
Mike Stupka, who lives on Front Street said he questioned how much the work would benefit the property owners. According to state statute, he said, assessments cannot exceed the amount an improvement benefits the property. Several other homeowners also questioned how much of a benefit their property would see because of the work.
Other residents brought up the topic of Paukert Street. The concern was that if more houses are built in the RK&T Development the big trucks and equipment will cause damage to the new streets. It was suggested to improve Paukert Street for the trucks rather than do major work on Julia Street.
With public sentiment in favor of changing the project council members decided to go with street reconstruction on 3rd and Oak Streets but to reduce the project to patch work on Julia and manhole cover repairs. The council also asked for an alternate bid to establish Paukert as a gravel road up to 20 feet wide. No assessments will be assessed for the work on Paukert.
Olinger will make the changes to the project and rerun the numbers.
In other actions, the council approved the purchase of a 20’ x 40’ shipping container for Fire Department training. Dodge Center has used a shipping container for that purpose. The container can be reconfigured to add walls and it can simulate a real fire and demonstrate how a fire grows. Claremont has used the facility in Dodge Center, but department members said they would rather have their own facility. The $2,100 container will be paid for out of Fire Department funds.
The liquor license for the Claremont Pub was also renewed.
Mayor Tasha Dahl reported that there has been no further activity on the EMS Special Taxing District, but discussions will begin in the new year.
The council also certified the results of the Nov. 5 election. There were 254 votes cast.
As a write-in candidate received the most votes for mayor, the council requested that City Attorney Mark Rahrick contact the candidate and confirm his qualifications. As a write-in candidate the individual had not filled out the Affidavit of Candidacy required by the state by those filing for office.