Occupation: Retired Manchester Fire Chief, Part Time Police Sergeant Auburn, NH
Education: Graduated Memorial High School, Bachelor of Science Public Safety Administration, Associate Degree General Studies Granite State College, Graduate Leadership Manchester Program
How long have you lived in Manchester? Lifelong Manchester Resident.
Fun Fact: My father, a retired Manchester Police Lieutenant and former Alderman, inspired my commitment to public service. I was honored to be inducted into the Memorial High School Hall of Fame. I’ve also had the privilege of being invited to the White House to discuss the drug crisis and continue serving on boards that support at-risk youth and helping with the drug crisis. Away from community work, I love coaching and cheering on my kids in baseball, softball, and gymnastics.
If re-elected, what steps would you endorse to address the issue of homelessness in the city?
Homelessness in Manchester is complicated. It’s tied to mental illness, addiction, and the high cost of living. The city has created a Housing Trust Fund to support low-income residents, families, and people experiencing homelessness, but we know that’s only part of the solution. We need to keep working with state, federal, and local partners to expand mental health and addiction services, and we can’t forget our schools, which are serving hundreds of kids who don’t have a stable place to live. At the end of the day, this is about more than shelter — it’s about giving people the stability and support they need to get back on their feet.
If re-elected, what steps would you endorse to address the issue of housing costs?
Manchester is currently one of the hottest real estate markets in the country. The city has a housing trust fund to help developers focus on building more affordable housing, and we’re starting to see true low-income housing being built and recently occupied—but it’s still not enough. Manchester’s vacancy rate is below 1%. I support the zoning rewrite, which will allow more building on smaller lots in parts of the city, along with other common-sense changes. I also support encouraging and enabling accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and smart growth initiatives to increase housing stock, address the current shortfall, and help lower housing costs overall.
If re-elected, what steps would you endorse to address the issue of attracting and retaining quality city employees?
Recently, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen endorsed and implemented a comprehensive plan to address city employee pay, bringing it more in line with other cities of similar size in our region. The plan carefully evaluated every city job and provides both immediate pay increases and strong incentives for current and future employees to stay. Endorsed by the city’s unions and well received by non-union staff, this substantial pay and benefits package requires ongoing funding to retain our workforce and ensure job security for city employees.
What is your perspective on the city’s roads, transit system and parking? If you believe improvement is needed, how would you accomplish that?
For many budget cycles, the City of Manchester has underfunded our road and sidewalk infrastructure. What were once 5- and 10-year plans have stretched into 10- and 15-year plans because of that lack of funding. We need to play catch-up and make the necessary investments to improve this critical infrastructure. Doing so will enhance quality of life in our neighborhoods, make our city more walkable and attractive, and help us bring more businesses and people into our community. Many of the calls I receive as an Alderman are about the condition of our roads, and it is frustrating to try to address these concerns without adequate resources. On the positive side, our transit system is very well run—constantly evaluating routes and encouraging more use. With so many new housing options being built, especially downtown where many residents don’t own vehicles, I believe we will see increased reliance on public transit. At the same time, the city has made a significant investment in parking by approving a new downtown garage, which will support both local businesses and residents. These are the kinds of balanced, forward-looking infrastructure investments Manchester needs to keep growing stronger.
What is your opinion on the city’s parks, library and entertainment offerings/public events? If improvement is needed, what should be done?
I love our city parks, but we certainly need to invest more in them. If we want to attract new businesses and a high-quality workforce, we must provide the amenities that make our city more livable. In Ward 2, we’ve made some great upgrades—including at Derryfield Park, where we are particularly working to improve the outdated and costly lighting systems—with more improvements on the way. But all of our parks should be evaluated so we can put together a comprehensive plan to build upgrades into the city budget. Beyond our parks, Manchester’s nightlife, convention activity, and hotel offerings have improved significantly over the last several years. The Fisher Cats and our arena are among the best in the business, and the upgrades in the Millyard area are very exciting—they will certainly bring new business and residential opportunities. And finally, our historic library is a very well-run organization that adds tremendous value to both our educational system and our community.
What is your opinion on the city’s policies regarding property taxes and other fees (i.e. – pet licenses, parking meters, etc.)
I think the Board of Mayor and Aldermen has done a good job keeping us under the tax cap. The tax cap is a good safeguard that helps keep taxes reasonable while still keeping up with cost-of-living increases. Our parking fees, pet licenses, and business permits are also right in line with what you’d see in other cities our size.
What are your thoughts on the city’s business climate and how would you attract more businesses to come to Manchester or convince more people to start businesses in Manchester?
Manchester has a strong business climate, and the city has done a good job keeping it competitive. Staying under the tax cap keeps costs predictable, and our fees and licenses are in line with other cities our size. The Economic Development Department has done a great job welcoming new businesses, supporting entertainment venues, and helping attract residents who want to move here, stay here, and work here. Improving our schools also helps the business climate, because good schools encourage families to make Manchester their home. And we can do more to support businesses by streamlining the permitting process, making it easier for entrepreneurs and small business owners to get started. Focusing on all of these areas—taxes, schools, permits, and marketing—helps make Manchester a place where families and businesses can thrive.
What is your opinion of the state of education in Manchester and what should the relationship be between the Board of School Committee and Board of Mayor and Aldermen?
Our schools aren’t just another city department—they’re our most important tool to lift families out of poverty and set the next generation up for success. Manchester schools are under-resourced compared to the needs of the students they serve, but they’re still the cornerstone of opportunity for our kids. We educate some of the neediest children in the state, with a high demand for special education and support services that private and charter schools don’t provide. The Board of School Committee should have the lead in setting the educational direction, while the Board of Mayor and Aldermen must be a steady partner in providing the resources to meet these challenges. When both boards respect their roles and work together, our schools improve, families are supported, and the whole city benefits.
Anything else you’d like to add not mentioned here and what is the best way voters can reach you if they have more questions?
During my time as Ward 2 Alderman, it has been an honor to serve. I truly enjoy helping residents with ward and city issues and do my best to answer every question and request. I know this city inside and out, having spent my career serving Manchester—from new employee to department head. Please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime with questions or requests. Phone: 603-493-9052 Email: Dan.goonan@manchesternh.gov