Items of Note for Monday’s March 10th City Council Meeting:
Consent Agenda items:
1. During National Library Week (April 6-12), patrons can donate canned goods in lieu of overdue fines ($5/can). The canned goods will be donated to the Concord Human Services Food Pantry.
2. $52,712 of event funds has been awarded (no additional information available):
Intown Concord, $8K - First Friday
Wayfarer Coffee Roasters, $20K - Northeast Coffee Festival
recipient not listed, $20K - NH Book & Literary Festival
Concord Community Music School, $4,712 - Wagner's Women Concert
Presentations - no public comment
1. Report by Committee for Concord's Plan to End Homelessness
2. Recommendation to build a new golf clubhouse (>80% paid by taxpayers, no business plan included)
Have an idea for something new, free, and inclusive?
City Council allotted $150,000 for event funding, to be distributed to organizations holding new and free public events in Concord. www.concordnh.gov/eventartsgrant
Calling all lifeguards!
It's that time of year again when we are all dreaming of long, sunny days splashing in cool, clean, community pools with our family, friends, and neighbors. Lifeguards are the heroes of summer. Apply today!
****PUBLIC MEETING NOTICES****
Centre Street/Washington Street Intersection Improvements, March 11, 6pm, Council Chambers. This project could be funded and completed this calendar year!
Green Street Improvements, same meeting as Centre/Washington
Loudon Road Bridge Rehabilitation, March 20, 6pm, Heights Community Center, 14 Canterbury Rd
How I'm working to advance the eight City Council Priorities:
Energy and Environment Advisory Committee - planning Earth Day (April 22nd) festivities. We will be showcasing all the ways Concord is advancing our sustainability initiatives (Priorities 2, 5, 6) on April 23rd at the Heights Community Center and including other City Committees, Community groups, and local businesses with a range of interactive activities residents can participate in to celebrate Earth Day all month. We'll be posting information soon on the City website, stay tuned!
Transportation Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC) - Our committee recently ranked 18 different Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Transportation projects for the FY2026 Budget based on the criteria of Safety, Mobility & Network Significance, State of Repair, and Equity, Environmental Justice & Accessibility (Priorities 2, 4, 7). This was the first time TPAC has ranked projects in this manner, but the consensus was positive.
The top five CIP projects recommended to City Council are:
Tree Subcommittee - connecting with homeowners impacted by the upcoming paving program to select a tree to be planted in their yard, which will increase the value of their home, improve air quality, and control stormwater run-off (Priorities 5,6).
Expanding community garden opportunities to residents by connecting gardeners with property owners, Master Gardeners, and related resources. Interested? Let me know! We have our first Zoom collaboration meeting on Tuesday (Priorities 2,5,6,8).
Projects I am following closely because of their financial impact (Priority 1):
Middle School Project - More than half of the taxes collected are provided to the Concord School District, which has been paying a MA-based architect for over seven years while deferring maintenance on the existing middle school building in anticipation of relocating. There is no State Building Aid available for construction.
Beaver Meadow Golf Course Clubhouse - the Fiscal Policy Advisory Committee recommended building a new $8+ Million clubhouse with the expectation that taxpayers will fund more than 80%. There is no business plan for the clubhouse to pay for itself. The golf clubhouse is currently open year-round, 12 hours a day, and staffed by multiple, full-time golf pros, even though it consistently loses money in the winter months.
Think there should be public access to the new Legislative Garage? Ron Raynor has been following this project, gathering information, and coming up with ideas for public access. Want to know more or be involved? Email Ron at eiwm@comcast.net
Immigrant-founded downtown business of Ward 5 residents: Granite State Candy Shoppe
Concord is a sweeter City because Peter came to America from the Greek Island of Lesvos in 1909. After learning the candy making trade in Lawrence, MA, he moved to Concord and opened the shop on 13 Warren Street in 1927.
Books I am listening/reading for the Ultimate Book Nerd 2025 Challenge:
Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy. Audiobook and physical book available at the Concord Public Library.
The Racket by Matt Kennard. Available at the Concord Public Library via Interlibrary Loan from the Tarver Library, Macon, GA.
War by Bob Woodward. Available at the Concord Public Library.
Failed States by Noam Chomsky. Available at the Concord Public Library.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant!
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