Q&A time
Tom talks Fisherville
We got a letter from a person (who would like to remain anonymous) about the work being done on Fisherville Road. She wrote:
You keep mentioning that the road work along Fisherville Road is getting its finishing touches. Is this really the best it’s going to be? There are several areas where the new pavement has been torn up by snow plows, water freezing, daily use or whatever. You can see the old road through the holes. The paving edges are rough and uneven, and let’s not even mention the breakdown lanes.
How much money was spent to pave it and then have it in such poor condition only six month later?
Love,
An perturbed resident
We thought about this letter, tried to compose an answer and came up with nothing. So we forwarded the message to City Manager Tom Aspell. Being the good guy he is, he immediately wrote back with this answer:
I suspect the reader is referring to the emergency overlay areas we did outside of the current project work areas last fall in an effort to improve the roadway surface and avoid the pothole conditions that occurred during the winter of 2007 in the older sections of the corridor.
We see in some areas that the thin overlay has unraveled and that will be repaired by staff – this was expected based on the funding available.
The project that we have been reporting on is the major corridor improvement project from Borough Road to Bog Road that is in fact going quite well and is in good repair. Major construction work is scheduled to continue through this summer south to Lake Street. Please don’t be mistaken by the two efforts along Route 3.
Your truly,
Tom
Uh . . . okay. We get it. Totally do.
Take note
Tax relief program
If you are a low to moderate-income home owner, Tom has some good news for you: “Applications for the State of New Hampshire’s Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief Program are available now through June 30. Property owners who owned their homes on April 1, 2008, may apply to the state for relief of a portion of the state education property tax.”
Huzzah! Tom continues: “There is no age requirement for this program. A single person whose total household income was $20,000 or less in 2008, and married persons or head of New Hampshire households with total household income of $40,000 or less may apply. The application is available on-line at nh.gov/revenue. Click on “forms” and select form DP-8, claim for low and moderate income homeowners property tax relief. An application may also be obtained from the City Assessing Office, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.”
Congratulations!
Police awards
The police department recently held an award ceremony, naming Detective Mark Dumas Police Officer of the Year and Administrative Assistant Carrie Duval Civilian Employee of the Year, according to Tom’s weekly memo.
Tom will now say nice things about Mark and Carrie. First, Mark: “He is considered to be one of the top law enforcement computer crime investigators in the state whose services are frequently requested by outside agencies. He laid the groundwork for the creation of a Computer Crimes Unit within the Concord Police Department. As a result, the department is now one of the few agencies leading the state in the area of investigations of high technology crimes.”
Okay, your turn to be praised, Carrie! Take it way, Tom: “In addition to her regular work load, she maintains the department’s web pages, writes and publishes the department’s newsletter and coordinates the yearly department awards ceremony. She has shown a willingness to take on any task and proactively seeks to assist others with their duties while demonstrating a positive and professional attitude.”
Way to go, guys!
Greenery
Trees at White Park
Thanks to anonymous business owner, reports Tom, the city is getting 70 trees to plant. So far, 20 have been planted by the General Services Department at White Park. As Tom points out, “The trees will greatly enhance the pastoral park setting and increase the beauty of the park.” Right on.
Where are the other 50 trees going, you ask? “The remainder of the trees will be planted by the tree crew at locations around the city,” says Tom, “as identified by Planner Becky Hebert of the Community Development Department.”
We’re looking forward to seeing even more pastoral settings – thanks anonymous business!
