Manchester meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Manchester aldermen approve $30M wastewater pump station upgrade, advance $45M in bond proposals

Manchester's Board of Mayor and Aldermen moved forward on a range of budget authorizations, property decisions, and personnel changes in early July, while setting up more than $45 million in bond votes for fiscal year 2027 capital projects.

Budget amendments and capital projects

The Committee on Community Improvement approved multiple budget authorizations on July 6, including $30 million for the WWTP Pump Station Upgrade Construction and a $1,100,000 transfer for the Canal St Multi-Modal Trail (TAP 4). Other approved items included $81,000 for the Weston Tower Site Radio System Upgrade/Repairs, $33,000 for a Hazardous Materials Grant, and $23,605.99 for the Oral Health Program.

The committee also approved permission for the Fire Chief to apply for the FY25 Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $337,399, and to apply for GO-NORTH funding for Mobile Integrated Health Care.

Several Capital Improvement Plan timelines were extended: the Independent City Auditor CIP to September 1, 2026; the Dilapidated Building Demolition CIP to June 30, 2027; and the Munis ERP Financial System CIP to June 30, 2034.

Land, property, and licenses

The Committee on Lands and Buildings approved a conservation easement for 70 acres near Lake Shore and Candia Roads for Water Works. The committee approved naming the Livingston Park tennis courts after Mark Telge.

The committee approved waiving building permit fees in exchange for transfer of the 281 Lincoln Street property, and declared the Pearl Street and Hartnett Lots as surplus city property. It approved disposal of tax-deeded property at 311 Spruce Street via public auction.

Three revocable license agreements were approved: Aranco Oil Company for landscaping and flags near 1265 South Willow Street, New Hampshire Group, LLC for a pylon sign near 1279 South Willow Street, and 32 Jane Street LLC for a concrete retaining wall encroachment on South Street. An inquiry regarding purchase of city-owned lot 866-23 on Broadhead Avenue was received and filed.

Traffic changes and street closures

The Public Safety, Health & Traffic Committee unanimously approved traffic changes near Beech Street Elementary School, including a one-way street, bus stop, loading zone, and rescinding certain parking and stop sign regulations. The committee unanimously approved street closures for the GLENDI festival on Kenney and Amherst Streets. A petition to reduce on-street parking on Pine Street was received and filed unanimously, with direction to work with the Department of Public Works.

Utility billing and purchasing cards

On July 7, a committee approved a submerchant agreement with NIC Services, LLC to handle credit card payments for Water Works and EPD utility bills, replacing the current processor to integrate with new city financial software. The committee also approved renewal of the city's purchasing card contract with Bank of America. Both items were expedited to the full Board for final approval.

New city positions

A committee approved adding one Attorney I and one Legal Assistant I to the city solicitor's complement, and one Assistant Water Works Director. The committee voted 3-2 to remove from the table and approve a Purchasing Manager position, with Aldermen Sapienza and O'Neil opposed. The committee report was expedited to the full Board.

Youth-serving ecosystem assessment

The Health Department presented findings from a community convening on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing local youth. The presentation focused on improving coordination between existing organizations to address barriers such as transportation, mental health, and service navigation.

Items awaiting final action

The Board held a special road hearing on July 7 to receive public testimony on two petitions: one to discontinue a portion of North Church Street, with Fire Department communication attached, and one to discontinue the Caron Street turn-around. Minutes for this hearing have not yet been published.

The Board was scheduled to consider bond resolutions totaling over $45 million for FY2027 capital projects, including a $20.8 million bond for the DPW Highway Raise project, a $5 million bond for the FY27 Roadway Program, a $4.525 million bond for the Munis ERP Financial System, a $3.55 million bond for the Deferred Maintenance Program, and a $1.4 million bond for the Public Safety Communication System Upgrade. Minutes for these items have not yet been published, so final vote outcomes are not available in the record.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days, according to the available agenda data.

Manchester board ratifies police union contracts, approves new city positions and utility billing changes

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen ratified tentative agreements with both Manchester police unions in a 14-1 vote on June 30, with Alderman Sapienza opposed. The contracts with the Manchester Police Patrolman's Association and the Manchester Association of Police Supervisors were laid over for formal adoption at the July 7 regular meeting.

Police union contracts

The board suspended its rules to consider the contracts at a special meeting (unanimous), then ratified the tentative agreements 14-1. The contracts cover patrol officers and supervisors. Formal adoption was scheduled for the July 7 meeting.

New city positions approved

On July 7, a committee approved adding three positions to the city workforce: one Attorney I and one Legal Assistant I in the city solicitor's office, and one Assistant Water Works Director. The committee also voted 3-2 to remove from the table and approve a Purchasing Manager position, reversing earlier opposition. Aldermen Sapienza and O'Neil voted against the Purchasing Manager. The full report was expedited to the full Board for final action.

Utility billing and purchasing cards

A committee approved a contract with NIC Services, LLC to process credit card payments for Water Works and Environmental Protection Division utility bills, replacing the current processor to integrate with new city financial software. The committee also voted to renew the city's purchasing card agreement with Bank of America. Both items were expedited to the full Board for final approval. The changes affect how residents pay utility bills online or by phone and update the cards city staff use for official purchases.

Traffic changes near Beech Street Elementary

The Public Safety, Health & Traffic Committee unanimously approved traffic changes near Beech Street Elementary School, including a one-way street, a bus stop, a loading zone, and the rescission of certain parking and stop sign regulations. The committee also unanimously approved street closures on Kenney and Amherst Streets for the GLENDI festival. A petition to reduce on-street parking on Pine Street was received and filed unanimously, with direction to work with the Department of Public Works.

Items still pending — not yet decided

Several significant items appeared on July 6 and July 7 agendas, but minutes have not yet been published, meaning no final action can be confirmed:

• **Capital projects:** The Community Improvement Committee was scheduled to consider a $30,000,000 wastewater pump station upgrade, a $9,700,000 WWTP emergency power upgrade, a $6,500,000 CMOM C-6 construction project, a $5,300,000 MS4 DCMOM construction project, and a $1,100,000 Canal Street Multi-Modal Trail.
• **Bond resolutions:** The Board was set to vote on more than $45 million in bonds for fiscal year 2027 capital projects, including a $20,800,000 bond for the DPW Highway RAISE project, a $5,000,000 roadway program bond, a $4,525,000 Munis ERP financial system bond, a $3,550,000 deferred maintenance bond, and a $1,400,000 public safety communication system upgrade.
• **Land matters:** The Committee on Lands and Buildings was scheduled to consider a conservation easement on roughly 70 acres along Lake Shore and Candia Roads, naming Livingston Park tennis courts after coach Mark Telge, waiving building permit fees in exchange for transfer of 281 Lincoln Street, declaring Pearl Street and Hartnett lots as surplus, and disposing of a tax-deeded property at 311 Spruce Street via public auction.
• **Road hearings:** The Board held a special road hearing on two petitions to discontinue portions of North Church Street and the Caron Street turn-around. A Fire Department communication was attached to the North Church Street petition.
• **Youth services:** The Special Committee on Alcohol, Other Drugs & Youth Services was scheduled to hear a Health Department presentation on Manchester's youth-serving ecosystem.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official meeting calendar for any newly posted sessions.