February 2024 City Council News
- Jim4Concord
- Feb 15, 2024
- 3 min read
A month and a half into city council and I have learned a lot (and more to learn!). I had the opportunity to be briefed by the General Services team. A tour of the Water Works helped me appreciate the work of ensuring delivery of safe drinking water to our taps. Who knew Penacook Lake holds more than 4 billion gallons of water? At the other end of the cycle the Water Treatment Plant takes our waste water and with some miracles of biology and chemistry, returns it as clean drinking water into the Merrimack River.
Both Police Chief Osgood and Fire Chief Chisholm personally briefed me on the span and scope of the work of their departments. I had the pleasure of a Police Department ride-along with Officer Karlyn Brown. I was super impressed with her professionalism and compassion as she addressed a domestic violence call and other incidents.
The Friends of the Merrimack Greenway River Greenway Trail made a wonderful presentation to the City Council this week. Slow but steady progress is being made in connecting Concord to both the north and the south bike trails.
Community Power is set for a public session next month so if you are interested please review the Energy and Environment Committee documents, especially the Community Power Input Session November 14, 2024. Community power seems to make sense–lower electricity prices and more sustainable energy. Sounds like a win-win to me.
I have been asked for input by the Complete Streets Committee about Ward 7 needs for new bike lanes, sidewalks and bus stops. I started a Ward 7 Complete Streets Needs List and welcome your input into what we need in these areas to make Ward 7 safe and sustainable.
Budget Surplus: During FY 2023 there were numerous staff vacancies (police department, general services and others) which generated a budget surplus. City Council voted in January to allocate this surplus to various reserve accounts (e.g. Highway (Paving), Equipment, Recreation, etc.) to fund future expected needs.
City Council Priority Setting Session is scheduled for March 4 in City Council Chambers
Committee assignments
Public Safety Committee–discussed Police and Fire staffing and recruitment issues. It also began to assess how to understand the scope and impacts of the city’s homeless population.
Tax Exemption Policy Committee–the committee met in January and will propose various adjustments to the property tax exemptions and credits policies.
Note: Property tax owners are advised to review the various exemptions or credits available for the elderly, disabled, Veterans and blind. There are various income and other criteria that need to be met to receive these exemptions or credits. In addition homeowners with solar panels may be eligible for a solar energy system exemption. I have had solar panels for 6 years and was unaware of the exemption. So much for me being an informed citizen!
The Deputy City Manager for Community Development shared with us a roster of housing units in the process of planning and development. The total summed to more than 3000 units. Some of these may not proceed, but it is an audacious list that may begin to address our severe housing shortage. Implications for city infrastructure and services are being evaluated.
I welcome your feedback and suggestions as this year develops.
Be sure to check out the Civic Engagement page on my website (courtesy of Meredith Cooley from Concord Greenspace). Every resident should have the SeeClickFix app to easily report issues to the city staff. I reported a dead skunk on West St. last month.
Warm regards,
Jim Schlosser
City Council Ward 7
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