ALDERMAN HAVE approved extending the lease for the city’s shelter at 39 Beech St. and a professional services agreement at the site until March 31, 2025.
Board members approved the lease extension and the professional services agreement extension for the shelter, with $306,000 coming from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Manchester is working against a fast-approaching deadline to allocate, and obligate, all $43.2 million of its federal COVID-19 relief funds by the end of the year or lose the money.
In 2021, Manchester was handed $43.2 million from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA).
The one-time grant from the federal government came with two deadlines — all of the money must be obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Whatever money remains when those deadlines pass will be returned to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Aldermen approved a request from Mayor Jay Ruais to transfer $306,096.93 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AFHT) to continue operations at the Beech Street Shelter and Engagement Center through March 31, coupled with $100,947.79 requested ARPA dollars.
Ruais said since June the Engagement Center has achieved the following:
• Housing placements: 33 guests housed.
• Vital documents acquired: 30 guests obtained IDs, birth certificates or social security cards.
• Employment opportunities: 10 guests gained employment.
• Detox and recovery services: Eight guests entered and completed programs.
• Bus passes provided: 27 guests received bus passes for work and appointments.
• Total provider-guest connections: 710.
The Beech Street Shelter and Engagement Center is where the city will house its winter warming station this year. East Coast Evolution Leadership will manage the station.
Other requests
Aldermen also approved several other ARPA-related requests from Ruais, allocating the remaining $1,779,220 ahead of the end-of-year deadline.
“After months of work with our department heads, conversations with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and community partners, I presented a package of recommendations to the BMA with a focus on addressing community needs like homelessness, public safety, and further increasing the quality of life in our city,” Ruais. “I believe these final ARPA allocations reflect where our focus as a city needs to be regarding our most pressing needs, as well as future initiatives that will impact our residents in so many positive ways.”
Summary of ARPA Obligations Approved on Nov. 19, 2024:
In addition to the Beech Street Shelter and warming station programs, aldermen approved the following ARPA obligations:
• City-wide Grant Coordinator $207,418
• Manchester Community College Tuition Support Program $200,000
• Manchester Economic Development Office: StreetPlus Cleaning $200,000
• Winter Warming Station: Beech Street Shelter $150,000
• Independent City Auditor $135,000
• MPD: Recruiting Bonuses for 10 Officers $100,000
• DPW: Neighborhood Environmental Improvement/Trash Removal $80,000
• Welfare Department: General Assistance Support $80,000
• Manchester Police Athletic League — General Assistance $60,000
• Hope City Capital Improvements $53,900
• Domestic Violence Victim — Witness Coordinator $49,437
Aldenberg honored in U.S. House
With Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg retiring after 27 years as a law enforcement officer (including four as the city’s top cop), Congressman Chris Pappas, D-N.H., delivered remarks on the House floor recently honoring him.
In his remarks, Pappas highlighted Aldenberg’s military experience, including deploying overseas to combat terrorism in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, for which he received a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq.
“Throughout his life, Chief Aldenberg has dedicated himself to serving others,” Pappas said. “I join all Granite Staters in thanking Chief Aldenberg for his exceptional leadership and commitment to the people of Manchester and the state of New Hampshire. Congratulations, Chief Aldenberg on a job very well done.”
Parking ban starts
The city’s overnight winter on-street, odd/even parking ban goes into effect Sunday, Dec. 1 at 1 a.m. and runs through April 15th.
Where parking is normally allowed on a street, the Overnight Winter Parking Ban permits vehicles to be parked only on the odd numbered side of a street on odd numbered calendar months, and only on the even numbered side of a street on even numbered calendar months, between 1 and 6 a.m.
In simpler terms? Park on the even side of the street during the month of December (12th month of the year), then in January (first month of the year) park on the odd side of the street, and so on.
If parking is currently allowed on only one side of the street during the day, then parking will be permitted on that side of the street every night.
No overnight parking is allowed on the circle area of dead-end cul-de-sacs.
Fines can be issued for overnight winter parking violations per city ordinances, including Chapter 71.
No parking is allowed on any city street if and when a snow emergency is declared.
Free parking is available during snow emergencies at locations throughout the city. Exact start and end times vary by location and date.
The locations are:
• Arms Park
• Public Parking Lot North of Tru Hotel
• Gill Stadium (Beech Street side lot)
• Hartnett Lot
• Livingston Park (lot at end of Beech Street only)
• Pearl Street Lot
• Precourt Park Lot
• Shaw Park (formerly Brown Mitchell)
• West Side Arena (behind arena)
• Victory Parking Garage
Any vehicle parked in violation of a snow emergency declaration is subject to towing and impoundment. Vehicles that have been impounded will be stored in the city’s vehicle impound lot in the parking lot adjacent to the Bridge Street entrance to Derryfield Park.
To recover an impounded vehicle, the owner must present proof of ownership and pay $200 in cash (fees subject to change) within 24 hours of when the vehicle was towed.
Vehicles not recovered within 24 hours will be subject to additional storage charges.
Parking fines are in addition to any towing and/or storage fees. Fees are subject to change without notice.
To receive text alerts from the Public Works Department, text your zip code to 888777.
Learn more at https://www.manchesternh.gov/snow.
