Last week, City Manager Tom Aspell was so excited to turn the calendar to March that he realized how much exciting news he had to share with the residents of Concord. So like each week, he sat down and wrote out his city memo and we decided, like most weeks, to print it for your viewing pleasure
Time to pay up
Tax installments are due
Residents are reminded that fourth quarter installment payments for 2015 property taxes are due by March 31, Aspell writes. And that’s March 31 this year, not just any March 31 of your choosing.
There are several payment options available:
∎ Make your payment in person at the Collections Office located in City Hall. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with extended hours until 6 p.m. on Thursdays.
∎ Drop your payment in the mail slot at the front door of City Hall. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you will receive same day credit.
∎ Mail your payment to City of Concord, P.O. Box 9582, Manchester, N.H. 03108-9582.
∎ Pay online at concordnh.gov and follow the link to Online Bill Pay. While online, take the opportunity to sign up for future e-mail alerts to remind you when taxes are due.
Mild times
Talk about a great winter
This winter has been very mild compared with last year, which has benefited the city of Concord, Aspell writes. We sure have enjoyed the lack of snow probably as much as you have – unless you’re a winter sports enthusiast.
This year, through the end of February, Concord has had 13 winter storm events and received 24 inches of snow; compared with 24 storm events and 84 inches of snow received through the same time frame last year, Aspell writes. Yep, that’s a 5-foot difference, but who could really tell?
According to the National Weather Service, Concord has had the warmest winter on record with a mean average temperature of 30.9 degrees, breaking the previous record of 30.4 degrees in 1879-80, Aspell writes. You all remember that year – sure was balmy.
It has been so warm that the General Services Department has only responded to three frozen water services this year, compared with approximately 30 last year.
Expenses for winter operations so far this year are half of what was expensed through February 2015.
Decreased snowfall and freezing road conditions have resulted in the need for fewer services and materials, and the use of road salt is reduced from 7,025 tons used last year to 4,000 tons so far this year. There is also a noticeable decrease in wear and tear to pavement due to less use of plows.
Break out the clubs
Driving range is now open
The driving range at Beaver Meadow Golf Course opened for the season on Sunday, Aspell writes. That means no more hitting golf balls inside your garage.
The range will be open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For more information, call the pro shop at 228-8954.
More news
Your weekly bridge update
Last week’s construction activities at the Sewalls Falls Bridge included continued installation of steel piles for the north abutment footing, installation of temporary structures used to support the existing south truss and dismantling of the existing steel grid decking on the south truss, Aspell writes. It also included lots of noise right outside our office windows.
These activities will continue this week, as well as water main installation along Sewalls Falls Road on the south side of the project, and drainage installation adjacent to the N.H. Fish and Game parking lot.
