This is a live non-word-for-word recap of public comment from the Dec. 17, 2024 Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting. Corrections may be made at a later date. Video of these comments will become available at manchestertv.org Anyone can email written versions of their comments to andy@manchesterinklink.com
7:00 p.m. – The meeting is underway. All Aldermen are present except Kelly Thomas (Ward 12). Prior to public comment, Manhester Mayor Jay Ruais honors the Manchester Police Department Community Policing/Park Enforcement Unit.
7:05 p.m. – Local representatives of DAV provide a donation to the city, Mayor congratulates Andrew Sylvia (author of this article) for the recent birth of his children.
7:09 p.m. – Lauren Boisvert:
7:12 p.m. – Glenn Ouellette: Let’s put up lights on Elm Street trees like we do in the Theatre District on Hanover Street. We need to plan for good schools, upset with recent renovations that will be wasted now with new Beech Street Elementary. School buildings don’t educate students by themselves
Gives Alderman Pat Long (Ward 3) and Mayor Jay Ruais gold coins, Alderman At-Large Joseph Kelly Levasseur a bag of coal (“energy prices are high!” jokes mayor)
7:16 p.m. – Erin Kerwin: upset with delay on Phase 1 of school district facilities project. Every month of delay costs taxpayers $250,000. Delays waste money, longer we wait, more expensive this project will become. This is unfair to students and taxpayers.
7:19 p.m. – Julie Turner: There were many supporters of Beech Street School at last BMA meeting and mayor said his tie-breaking no vote on land swap was temporary. Hopefully that commentary has changed the mind of those who voted against it. There will not be a new high school next to Beech Street site, taxes will not go up, community will benefit from this school, high schools are not closing, parks will be replaced near Beech Street School.
Current Beech Street cannot be renovated due to several classrooms with no windows, renovations would be more costly than new school. If we act now, we can avoid delay of spring groundbreaking.
7:22 p.m. – Jane Haigh: Upset over denial of land transfer regarding Beech Street School. Totally inappropriate. Disingenuous comments over it, plenty of time to ask questions. Phase 1 already approved, Wilson School students stuck in temporary classrooms.
Echo Julie Turner’s comments, board owes it to students of Manchester. I have grandkids in the schools, and I hope they are not still in schools once progress is made on this.
7:25 p.m. – Paul Golazzo: Worried in past about discontinuation of warming room at 1269 cafe, but then warming was put at Beech Street Shelter. Still many homeless on Manchester/Merrimack street areas, they are making the trip. Good job on part of homeless initiatives staff.
Many are making it according to information from Beech Street Shelter staff, but not all are making it. Please ask police to patrol the area at night, this weekend temperatures will go down to single digits. It could be life and death.
7:27 p.m. – Heather McGrail: As CEO of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, we support Priority 1 (Phase 1 of School Facilities project). I wanted to come and reaffirm our support. You are all champions of our city, we are hearing from ARMI, many other industries. Workforce development is dependent on education. Business leaders are uncertain and disappointment on Beech Street School pause. New school will bring economic benefit. It has been researched with due diligence.
To the chamber’s knowledge, significant funding has already been paid for new school/Phase 1, their work has been transparent. Funding for Phase 1 already approved in 2023, delays will add to costs, green space will be expanded. Please support process that was already approved.
7:31 p.m. – Christine Seibert: Reads a letter from Kathleen Kelly Turgeon who could not make it due to concert at Central High School tonight, but supports new Beech Street School.
