Each week, City Manager Tom Aspell creeps into neighboring towns under the dark of night to see what their city memos look like. Shocked at their use of profanity and suggestive photos, he pledges to step up the shock value in his own. After this one, maybe.
Ramping things up
New stuff at ward house
The Public Properties Division of the General Services Department has been overseeing the project to replace the old ramp at the West Street Ward House, Aspell writes. Despite requests, the ramp will not be replaced with an American Ninja Warrior obstacle course.
The previous ramp no longer met handicap accessibility requirements and was not serviceable. It was also just kind of grumpy. CMA Engineers and Architect Robert Doyle designed the replacement ramp, and the city of Concord hired Guimond Construction to replace the ramp. The contractor has removed the old ramp, excavated for footings, had several cups of coffee, poured concrete footings and piers, and will begin to backfill and compact the soil to begin the construction of the ramp. Completion is scheduled for Aug. 31.
Golden Hydrant Awards
Those should be a thing
Two fire department employees each recently received the city’s Top Step Award, Aspell writes, as Fire Captain Tom Nault and Fire Lieutenant Mark Hebert were recognized
Nault provides the leadership for the fire department’s self-contained breathing apparatus maintenance and repair program. He conducts annual inspections to assure that breathing equipment remains reliable and does not fail in an emergency, which seems like a fairly important job. There is no piece of equipment more essential than breathing equipment, and, thanks to Nault’s work, all of the fire department’s frontline personnel can have full faith and confidence in their equipment.
Hebert has been an officer for two and a half years and has served the city for almost 15 years. He has established a strong reputation as a very skillful and compassionate firefighter/paramedic and, in his role as a supervisor, he serves as a model for leadership and customer service. He can also lift entire cars over his head (note: last fact entirely fabricated). Hebert has been very active in pursuing additional training and certifications in swift water rescue, hazardous materials and fire ground survival. As a leader, he is prepared for any situation that presents itself and he assures that the people working with him are also well trained and perform safely.
Island living
Construction is a thing
The roundabout at Village Street and Washington Street in Penacook has been base paved, along with Village Street just south of Coral Street, Aspell writes. Base paving is considered slightly less extreme than base jumping.
The curbing for the roundabout and the splitter islands will be installed this week, as well as the center landscape island. There are no plans for a tropical island. Brochu Landscaping has planted several more trees, bushes and plants along the corridor and will continue this week as well. Drainage work will also continue heading south. One lane of traffic will continue to be maintained through the work zone.
