MANCHESTER, NH — The Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Oct. 21 voted 9–4 to advance a package of four recreation projects totaling $3.3 million to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) process, with supporters calling the plan overdue investment and critics warning about debt and competing priorities.
The projects, proposed to be funded by bond, include:
- Manchester Skate Park at Lally–Sullivan (Harvell St.) — $2.5M
- Al Lemire Field (Derryfield Park) lighting replacement — $400K
- Pony League Baseball field lighting replacement — $250K
- Livingston Park field lighting improvements — $150K
Alderman Bill Barry framed the skate park as a citywide amenity long discussed but never delivered, noting three public meetings and strong neighborhood turnout. “We finally have the opportunity to give the kids something, especially on the West Side,” he said, adding that failing lights at several fields also need attention to keep facilities usable.
Board Chair and Ward 11 Alderman Norm Vincent emphasized the package as “good for the city,” cautioning against pitting wards against each other. Parks staff said getting in the construction queue is time-sensitive.
Some aldermen had reservations based on debt capacity and process. Ward 7 Alderman Ross Terrio argued the city is already above recommended bonding levels and flagged other looming bonds. At-Large Alderman Joe Levasseur questioned the $2.5M skate park price tag and said residents put roads at the top of their list: “We’re adding to bonding while our roads are falling apart.” He supported replacing field lights but called the skate park “not a good priority … at this time.”
Ward 6 Alderman Crissy Kantor criticized the pace and transparency of the skate park project, saying her questions were curtailed at CIP and called for a full presentation, clearer bidding information, and a citywide look at park equity, including plans for Hunt Pool’s replacement.
“I’m all for parks. I’m all for the children. But this is being slammed down our throats, like, all of a sudden,” Kantor said.
Barry countered that other aldermen attended a series of planning meetings going back to 2024 and she could have as well, and refuted her characterization of the proposal as “sudden.”
In terms of bonding for the project, Finance Director Sharon Wickens told aldermen the city has maintained its bond rating but warned of a “downside scenario” if debt and liabilities increase faster than expected. She said rising rates make FY27 challenging and, at Terrio’s request, agreed to return with preliminary life-of-bond cost estimates for each project when the item comes back through CIP.
Ward 4 Alderman Christine Fajardo said the debate underscored consequences of staying below the tax cap in this year’s budget.
“We were legally allowed to realize more revenue, and we left it on the table,” she said. “No one’s getting a check back—that’s just money unspent—and now we’re forced into trade-offs between infrastructure maintenance and things that are good for our community.”
Fajardo said she supports the skate park, but called it “unfortunate that DPW was underfunded by millions,” adding that future budgets should weigh “short-term expediency against long-term investment in the city.”
The board also briefly reviewed school-project financing. Wickens said the district’s total bonding need has been reduced to about $231 million by using annual state cash flows before issuing long-term debt; interest-rate timing remains a factor.
Mayor Jay Ruais and supporters noted the board appropriated $100,000 in June 2024 for skate-park design work, arguing Monday’s vote is not the final bond authorization but a step to keep the projects moving. Opponents countered that advancing now still signals a commitment before fuller cost clarity.
The motion to advance the package to CIP passed 9 to 4 with Kantor, Terrio, Levasseur and Ed Sapienza voting no.
The package is scheduled to return to CIP on Nov. 18, with a full bond resolution expected to reach the board in December.