Each week, City Manager Tom Aspell sets his alarm for 4 a.m., grabs a can of spray paint and rushes to Memorial Field to be first to paint the lines on the football field. In his sleepiness, though, he winds up on his neighbors lawn instead, and later, in custody. But not before spelling out a city memo on the grass.
Leaf us alone
Bust out those rakes
The General Services Department will begin its annual residential leaf pickup program Oct. 28, Aspell writes. Workers will be picking up the city’s leaves, one at a time.
The program will run through approximately Dec. 13, dependent on winter weather. By then we should only have six or eight feet of snow. Residents may place their leaves unbagged at the curbside and the crews will pick them up. Or make them into sweet piles and gleefully jump into them.
There will be three crews. One crew will start at the Bow town line on South Street and work north; a second crew will start on Elm Street in Pena-cook and work south; and a third crew will start on Man-chester Street and work north on the east side of the Merri-mack River. No crews will work west, or be named J.
Only leaves will be picked up. Any unacceptable material which has been illegally deposited in the public right-of-way, must be removed by the abutting landowner. Examples of unacceptable material include branches, brush, your old bowling trophies, concrete, metal goods and construction demolition material.
Reaching new heights
That’s a playground pun
The Parks and Recreation Department has finished in-stalling new playground equipment and safety surfacing at the Heights Community Center, Aspell writes. These improvements were paid for by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Hot Stuff
Fire learnin’ is good
The Concord Fire Department held an open house at the central fire station last week that drew more than 150 people, Aspell writes. Most were drawn with a charcoal pencil.
The event featured interactive safety activities, a visit from Sparky the Fire Dog (not a dog on fire, but a fire prevention mascot), and a demonstration of the city’s new tower ladder. Special thanks to Concord’s Fire Explorer Post members who served as guides for the participants, and who didn’t light anything on fire. Activities continue throughout the month of October, with school visits and other events designed to promote fire safety.
Crossing that bridge
Will be safer soon
Utility infrastructure improvements and bridge repairs continue in Penacook Village, Aspell writes.
The utility contractor has completed installation of conduit duct banks through Sanders Street and will continue through Canal Street next week. Duct banks have historically low ATM fees.
Paving of trenches is expected early next week as work areas are completed, though work in the trenches on the gridiron will remain grassy. The bridge contractor has completed the placement of concrete on the northwest expansion joint and will complete the southwest expansion joint next week. Although traffic can flow through the work site, minor delays are expected from time to time.
