The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights:
Election information
The New Hampshire Secretary of State has a new website with everything you need to know about voting during COVID-19. Visit their website at sos.nh.gov/ or utilize the following links:
Voting during COVID-19: https://sos.nh.gov/elections/voters/voting-during-covid-19-state-of-emergency
Absentee ballot information: https://sos.nh.gov/ elections/voters/absentee-ballots/
2020 elections information & sample ballots: https://sos.nh.gov/ elections/elections/2020-election-information
Elections information specific to the City of Concord, including ward maps, polling locations and more, is available on our Elections page at concordnh.gov/elections.
Please be sure to allow enough time to mail your ballot or hand deliver it to the City Clerk’s Office. IMPORTANT: Do not use the mail slot at City Hall.
The City Clerk’s Office is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and until 6 p.m. on Thursdays. You can also contact them at 225-8500 or cityclerk@concordnh.gov.
Volunteers are needed to help at the polls during elections on Sept. 9 and Nov 3. If you are available to help, please contact the city clerk’s office.
Due to COVID-19, City of Concord residents in Ward 9 will vote at the City Wide Community Center at 14 Canterbury Road during the New Hampshire State Primary Election on September 8, 2020 and during the general election on November 3, 2020.
More information about elections, including a link to request an absentee ballot, polling locations and hours, voter information, and ward maps, is available online at http://www.concordnh.gov/elections. You may also contact the City Clerk’s Office at (603) 225-8500 or by email at cityclerk@concordnh.gov.
Proposed mask ordinance and public hearing
The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed mask ordinance on Monday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Information available here: https://concordnh.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Parks and Rec adult schedule
The Concord Parks & Rec Fall 2020 Adult Class schedule is here! We are excited to get back into the swing of things. View the brochure on their website concordparksandrec.com.
Everett Arena reopening info
The Everett Arena reopened last weekend for a couple of events. The arena has been closed since March once COVID-19 began to surface with the majority of events this season getting canceled. Two shows from earlier this spring were rescheduled for this weekend and ice operations are scheduled to resume Sept. 8. Once other businesses in New Hampshire started to reopen, the Everett Arena also started planning to safely reopen, in accordance with all CDC, State of New Hampshire, and City of Concord guidelines.
Special precautions will be taken in the interest of public safety, including: operating at less than 50% occupancy, requiring the use of masks or facial coverings upon entering the building, guests completing a risk screening, practicing social distancing with floor markings and modified event layouts, providing hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility, increasing cleaning and disinfection, improving the ventilation and air quality with MERV 13 filtration and increased outdoor air circulation, and also closing the front entrance to improve traffic flow by utilizing only the side door to enter and exit the building.
Safety precautions will still be in place with possible modifications for the ice season. More information to come soon. Visit concordnh.gov/arena for more information about upcoming events and the ice season.
Drought conditions
As of Aug. 20, drought conditions have intensified with Concord now classified to be in a severe drought. Conditions have worsened due to continued high temperatures, a growing precipitation deficit, dry soils, and low streamflows. Precipitation levels are down 7.59 inches below average for this time of year. Water production continues to be in unprecedented territory with the City’s Water Treatment Facility pushing over 6.5 MGD+ (million gallons of water per day) each day. This is a major increase from the 5.5 MGD for a typical year and 26.9% more than the previous four years (which includes the drought of 2016). The high water use is directly correlated to outdoor water use and irrigation. Although we understand the desire for irrigation and watering, especially with these conditions, it is important for the community to remember to reduce their water use as much as possible to preserve our water source. Water levels at Penacook Lake remain decent while supplementing from the Contoocook River, but water conservation should be practiced to help maintain lake levels. Concord currently does not have any watering restrictions in place like other surrounding communities, but we do advise all residential and commercial customers to please use water wisely. It is possible that water restrictions could be instituted if high water consumption continues.
Please minimize outdoor water use as much as possible. If watering is needed, water at night or early morning so the water can be properly absorbed instead of being lost to evaporation. Plants, flowers, and lawns may need less water than you think (try watering your lawn for no more than about half an hour a few times a week). Check irrigation systems for leaks and to ensure they are directly watering the vegetation intended (and not the road or sidewalk). Consider using weather-based irrigation controllers to avoid unnecessary watering (watering is not needed if it is raining). We thank Concord residents and businesses that are doing their part to reduce the community’s water consumption. Every drop counts! Find drought updates and more water conservation tips at concordnh.gov/conservation.
Fisherville Road sewer main repair
Concord General Services’ sewer crew worked with FL Merrill this week to repair a failed sewer main on Fisherville Road at Elijah Street. The road has been temporarily paved and will be finish paved towards the end of September.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park on Tanner Street in Penacook is receiving a makeover thanks to the efforts of Penacook resident and MVHS student Connor Baldwin and his supporters. Connor is in the process of officially adopting this spot, and has secured generous material and equipment donations from Fox Hardware in Penacook and MDM Property Management of Boscawen.
The next round of work, which includes general cleanup and the placement of gravel on the walkway, will occur on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from noon to 3 p.m. Donations are being accepted through the Penacook Village Association, P.O. Box 6174, Penacook, NH 03303, note “Riverside Park,” if you wish to contribute. Thank you Connor and friends for your efforts!
Library award
Congrats to the staff at Concord Public Library, who were named “friendliest librarians” in this year’s Hippo Best of 2020!
