MANCHESTER, NH – Ward 3 Alderman Pat Long decided not to run for re-election in 2025, leading to what will be his departure from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) in 2026. However, wanted to provide his colleagues with one parting comment regarding a recent incident with a business in Ward 3.
During the new business section of the Dec. 16, 2025 BMA, just over three hours and 20 minutes into the meeting, Long told the board about recent damage at 944 Elm St., a mixed-use property just a few hundred feet away from City Hall.
In that incident, Long alleged that building owner Gary Lavullo was negligent, keeping the heat off and leaving windows to second-floor apartments open during days with freezing temperatures, leading to damage to the building’s water pipes that froze and burst.
The damage was severe enough to lead to the closure of the Bonfire Country Bar on the first floor of the building. Currently, it is unclear when or if Bonfire will reopen.
This item was relevant to the BMA due to five years of tax relief granted to Lavullo by the board, with Long reminding the rest of the board that Lavullo’s tax relief can be rescinded if agreed upon renovations are not made within a year of the granting of the tax relief.
Bonfire co-owner Pat Mills agreed with Long’s allegations, voicing his frustration at the unfairness of the situation and the loss of significant business over the holiday season.
“This has had a monumental effect on (co-owner) Jimmy (Pliakos) and my wife and my staff that’s out of work because of it. It really sucks. It’s truly devastating,” said Mills.
Fellow restaurants in the area such as the Red Arrow, Stashbox, Deadproof Pizza and Shopper’s Pub + Eatery among others have stepped up to help Bonfire recover, with Mills noting a fundraising event at Shoppers on Friday, Dec. 19.
Lavullo told Manchester Ink Link that he challenges the allegations and declined to comment on the exact cause of the damage until ongoing insurance company investigations conclude.
Below is a post made by Bonfire Country Bar on Facebook to inform the public of their closure.