The weekly City Newsletter put out by City Manager Tom Aspell typically has some valuable information. Last week’s was chock full of stuff you should probably know about, so we decided to share what we figured you’d want to read.
Water mains
Warren Street, from Liberty Street to North Fruit Street, and the section of Westbourne Road adjacent to Concord High School, will be closed through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the installation of the new water main. Traffic will be detoured to Pleasant Street via Liberty Street. Portions of North Fruit, Woodman and Westbourne streets, behind the high school, will be one-way during the work day to accommodate school bus traffic. Traffic delays are expected during peak travel hours.
This week in Penacook, water main installation will begin on High Street, between Allen and Stark Streets. Traffic will be restricted to local access only. Emergency vehicles will be able to pass.
Hydrant flushing
Concord General Services’ Highway and Utilities Division will begin flushing hydrants throughout Concord starting Monday.
For the next several weeks, there will be three crews going out to scheduled areas to flush hydrants as part of required routine maintenance to remove any sediment from water distribution pipes. This process will help to sustain Concord’s water quality and also check water pressure. Residents should avoid doing laundry when hydrant flushing is occurring in their area.
Concord water consumers may experience low pressure and discolored water during their scheduled flushing time. If discoloration occurs, run your tap water on cold until the water runs clear.
Concord water customers should check flushing schedules posted on the city’s website to find when hydrant flushing will be occurring in their area. A new flushing schedule will be published online each week at concordnh.gov/springoperations to indicate upcoming flushing areas.
Bridge repairs
Washington Street in Penacook will be closed to all traffic at the bridge from 7 a.m. on April 23 until 5 p.m. on April 27 for repairs.
Work has been scheduled to occur during the school vacation week to minimize disruption. Detours will be in place to direct traffic around the road closure.
Leaf collection
The city’s spring leaf collection program will begin April 23 and will continue for six weeks through June 2. Residents with curbside trash and recycling collection may place an unlimited amount of leaves and grass clippings at the curb by 7 a.m. on their regular trash day for collection. Leaves should not be raked freely to the curb, as this collection method is only in place during Fall Leaf Collection. For spring leaf collection, leaves must be placed in biodegradable yard waste bags or labeled rigid containers. Unacceptable items, including plastic bags, will not be accepted.
Concord residents may also bring their leaves to Gelinas Excavation & Earth Recycling Center for free (with proof of residency) if the load is smaller than a non-commercial pick-up truck. Any containers, bags or miscellaneous items used to transport leaves to the center must be taken back with the resident. Gelinas Excavation & Earth Recycling Center’s hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays (weather permitting). For more information, visit concordnh.gov/leafcollection.
Load limits
As of April 12, road weight restrictions in Concord have been lifted. Weight limits were put in place at the end of February to help protect road conditions during the spring thaw. All snow had to be completely melted and all ditches dried up of any standing water before postings could be removed.
Paving program
The 2018 road paving program began last week, and the contractor, GMI Asphalt, Inc., is making good progress. Washington Street in Penacook has been base paved, and Millstream Lane has been reclaimed and will be base paved early this week. Manhole covers have been lowered on Randolph Road, in preparation for reclaiming that was scheduled for Monday, with grading and base paving occurring by the end of the week. Curb and sidewalk work will begin on Washington Street and Millstream Lane this week as well. Alternating one-lane traffic will be maintained during construction. For more information and a list of streets scheduled for paving, visit concordnh.gov/pavingplan.
Park meeting
On Thursday at 5:30 p.m., the Parks and Recreation Department will hold a neighborhood meeting at the Rollins Park Gazebo to review recent improvements to the park.
As part of the FY 2018 budget, the City Council appropriated funds to remove all diseased and dying trees affected by Red Pine Needle Scale. Funding also provided for the removal of the remaining stumps, the installation of a walking trail, creation of a natural playscape area, wildflower areas, the planting of 50 trees and shrubs native to New Hampshire, and seed for the remaining disturbed areas. At the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and city staff, City Council recently approved the purchase and installation of a shelter, using a portion of remaining funds. Any additional remaining funds will go towards the creation of a native plant educational area, as well as for the purchase and installation of more trees.
