Voting for City Council candidates is on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ward I and Ward II will vote at Claremont Middle School on South Street; Ward III will vote at Disnard Elementary School on Hanover Street.
CLAREMONT — James Contois and David Pacetti will face off for the Ward II seat now held by Scott Pope, who is not seeking re-election, in the Nov. 5 City Council election.
Contois, 71, is the director of the Claremont Senior Center, serves on the Planning Board and is treasurer of the Claremont Historical Society.
Most recently, he was active in the citizens’ campaign to oppose a waste transfer station on Industrial Boulevard, which led to the formation of the group known as ABC, short for “A Better Claremont.”
“There are three things I want to run on: fairness, transparency and civility,” Contois said.
On the issue of fairness, Contois said the recent discussion on wages for merit-plan employees shows workers in the four lowest pay grades are making only minimum wage.
“This is unconscionable,” Contois said.
Transparency and openness is particularly important on issues that can directly affect residents, Contois said. He said many residents learned of the proposed waste transfer station just a day before the Planning Board was to hear a preliminary presentation.
“That is a lack of transparency as far as I’m concerned,” he said.
Finally, Contois said during the controversy over the presentation of the city’s holiday display in Broad Street Park, another council member acted inappropriately by harassing people online for their divergent views.
“That is not acceptable,” said Contois. “People need to know that the council seat belongs to the people and councilors must be held accountable.”
Contois said he thinks the city reached an acceptable compromise over the way the religious and secular symbols are to be displayed. He said Sam Killay, who objected to the religious displays on city property, was within his rights to raise the issue, and Contois understands his view.
But as a Christian, he said, “I also need to celebrate the Christmas holiday,” adding the law allows for the presence of religious symbols on public property under certain circumstances.
Contois does not think allowing sports betting in the city is a good idea because it won’t be run by the state, but instead by a private company. He also pointed to social ills and criminal elements sometimes associated with betting.
Pacetti, 53, is employed by Whelen Engineering in Charlestown. He serves on the Planning Board and previously ran unsuccessfully for City Council and School Board.
“Everyone is concerned about taxes,” Pacetti said. “For me, it is about getting spending under control and finding ways to bring more business to Claremont.”
As an example, Pacetti said the city’s welfare department runs short of money and has had to seek authority to overspend its budget.
“I want to focus on income for the city like the recent solar project,” he said. The council this monthly approved a lease agreement and payment in lieu of taxes for the project that is planned for industrial property off Grissom Lane.
Pacetti wants to try to bring smaller manufacturers to Claremont so the city is not dependent on any large manufacturer whose departure would have a devastating effect on the city’s economy.
Pacetti also said he opposes plans for sober housing in the city, which the county commissioners are hoping to establish so people who were incarcerated for drug offenses and have completed treatment programs will have a place to live as they re-enter society.
Pacetti said he favors allowing sports betting in the city in approved retail locations.
“I do think it would generate more revenue for the city. If there is more money for education, I am in favor of it,” he said.
Revenue from sports betting will go into a state education fund for distribution to school districts.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com
