Resident Ward Meeting, City Budget, Master Plan and more...

Jim4Concord
Jun 9
4 min read

Ward 7 Resident Meeting

Next Tuesday, June 17 from 7:00-8:30 PM there will be a Ward Resident meeting at the West Street Ward House (41 West St.). Bring your issues and questions. I'm hoping to have a "Miracle Question" exercise to to explore what people think it would look like in 10 years if we actually worked together to end homelessness. I'd love to have your ideas and participation. Come and bring a friend or neighbor if you can.

City Budget

Last week City Council passed the city's budget which calls for a property tax increase of 2.95%--significant but lower than the last three years. There were many difficult decisions. Given the increase salaries for police, fire and other staff any further reductions would have meant cutting staff and reduction in services. These were difficult choices.

I voted for the reduced version of the Beaver Meadow golf club house. I received many resident messages both for and against the clubhouse. I felt the the more modest proposal presented by the city manager was the best balance. This decision will not impact property taxes for at least three years. There is a promise to put Beaver Meadow in a more sustainable financial footing, which may include increasing fees for non-resident golfers.

Healy Park (US93 Exit 13 and Manchester St.) is quite a mess from homeless campers. City Council agreed to fund a cleanup, likely to occur this fall. I don't think it is right that campers leave trash our parks. We are working on a multi-step plan that will link park clean up and rules enforcement with better options for the unhoused. Any proposal may spark controversy, but I think a civil dialogue about the options (e.g. expanded shelter hours, sanctioned encampment, additional transitional housing options, better matching to available housing, etc.) will allow us to best balance safety, cost, respect for parks, and shelter. I am working on a proposal to have a Concord resident active in NH Braver Angels hold a session with us to explore community differences in a civil manner. This may help us as a community find the best path forward based on our common interests and values. More on this later this summer.

Master Plan Update

We approved funding for an update of our city's Master Plan, which was last revised in 2008! It is likely that a planning consultant will be hired this fall to begin work with the community sometime next year. This is a once in a couple decades opportunity to articulate what we envision for our city in the coming years. The Master Plan sets out the broad vision and framework for all aspects of city planning (see Table of Contents above). I just finished a small study group about the Master Plan. This was a small group that read through the current Master Plan to educate ourselves on its structure and content. I would suggest that you pick one chapter that interests you and take a look. Understanding the current policy framework will help use be informed participants in the community discussion next year. Keene, NH is a year or so ahead of this in this master plan update process. Check out what they are doing HERE.

Community Concordia

Renee West, a Ward 7 resident, has started Community Concordia. This is the beginning of a neighborhood association of the South End. She hopes Community Concordia will build a more connected and vibrant community through friendly conversation and shared activities.

Renee says "This group will hold monthly in-person gatherings where we read/watch a non-political, human-interest item, discuss it over snacks, and then break up into interest/skill-based groups to work on local projects or identify how we can help a neighbor in need.

"I dearly wish for this group to be reflective of, and responsive to, all members of this community, and everyone’s unique voice will help in identifying what’s needed and how it can be addressed. All voices and viewpoints are welcomed, all ages are respected, all abilities and experiences are valued."

They recently held a small gathering at the West Street Ward House. Please give this effort a look. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Renee at communityconcordiahub@gmail.com. Further information about this neighborhood organization may also be found at www.facebook.com/communityconcordia.

Solid Waste Reduction--Textile Diversion and Composting

Info from Adam Clark, General Services Administration Division Manager:

Textiles

Broadly: There are numerous textile diversion options available to residents in the City. The City has both Goodwill and Salvation Army stores, as well as a number of boutique type thrift stores. Further, there are a number of drop-off collection bins at locations throughout the City, often in larger parking lots.

City-Specific: Presently, there is an Apparel Impact collection bin at the City-owned Transfer Station (77 Old Turnpike Road). Note that this site is privately operated by a contractor, Casella. In the coming month or so, the City will be placing textile collection bins at the COMF (311 North State Street) and at the City Wide Community Center (14 Canterbury Road).

Compost

Broadly: Concord residents can divert food waste through a number of avenues. Lewis Farm (192 Silk Farm Road) accepts food waste drop off by appointment and Renewal Compost offers home collection as well as a drop-off program at the Concord Coop.

City-Specific: The City sells backyard compost bins for $68 (cost) at the COMF (Combined Operations and Management Facility). They are this model https://www.orbiscorporation.com/en-us/products/environmental-recycling-and-waste/compost-bins/npl-300-earth-machine#.YHXQ3HlKiM8. I am also pleased to note that we just completed the needed first step of a modification process that would allow us to have a compost drop off area for Concord residents at the transfer station. So while this is not in place yet, I do anticipate undertaking the next step in the coming months and then seeking funding in due course.