Local Politics
  1. Home
  2. US
  3. New Hampshire
  4. Manchester
  5. Meetings

2026-09-01 - Board of Mayor and Aldermen

Summary

Built from the official minutes of this meeting (67 pages); no video or agenda is on file.

  • Regular meeting, 7:00 to 11:13 PM; all 14 aldermen present, Mayor Ruais presiding; the Pledge was led by Sapienza.
  • Two proclamations: Karen Sutkus, the City's healthy aging specialist since August 2023, who helped more than 300 older residents; and the late Sandra "Sandy" Wenzell, a school crossing guard at Elm Street and Queen City Avenue and a Patriot Guard Riders ride captain.
  • 17 public speakers: eight on the December 2025 police shooting and accountability (Police Return To Duty Policy), five on west side crime and federal cooperation, plus Families in Transition's finances, Southside enrollment, e-bikes, registered offenders, parking, the Cullerot Park mural, the tax office and a review of recent city projects. The Board voted to take all comments under advisement and receive and file written material (motion Terrio, second Barry).
  • Police Chief Chief Marr reported on 27 west side juvenile vehicle cases: 10 suspects aged 9 to 15, four old enough to petition, three petitioned.
  • Consent agenda approved (motion O'Neil, second Terrio) with three items pulled: the Families in Transition loan consolidation passed 12 to 2 on a roll call; the Public Health Preparedness extension and the LeftField school report passed by voice vote.
  • Elm Street shelter rent contract (November 1, 2026 to October 31, 2027), a $110,952.72 charitable gaming transfer and $50,000 in opioid abatement funds approved, with Kantor and Sapienza recorded in opposition; no overdose fatality was recorded in August, a first since tracking began in 2015.
  • Department heads may now apply for no match grants without Board approval; notice to end the Tirrell House agreement approved unanimously.
  • Finance recessed meeting enrolled 14 resolutions; $27,000 bond resolution and the Art Commission ordinance ($1,000 per project) moved; HR items, Manchester Development Corporation bylaws, the Cullerot Park mural and Elm and Chestnut Street parking changes approved.
  • Tabled items: Caron Street turn-around discontinued; Tax Collector late night set to start Tuesday, November 10; North Church Street and the $20.8 million Highway bond stayed tabled.
  • Non-public session on property (RSA 91-A:3, II(d)) by unanimous roll call; minutes sealed; adjourned.

Proclamations

  • Mayor Ruais read the resolution honoring Karen Sutkus, who works with the Manchester Health Department, for helping older residents stay safely in their homes and connect to services. He then read a resolution mourning Sandra "Sandy" Wenzell, who served as a crossing guard in Bakersville and as a flag line and ride captain with the New Hampshire Patriot Guard Riders at POW/MIA ceremonies and Honor Flight events.

Public comment

Speakers had up to three minutes each. Seventeen spoke; the Board took all comments under advisement and received and filed written documentation.

  • Accessible parking and snow: Elaine D'Allaire said that after December 2025 storms snow was piled in the only accessible space on her street, that she believes ADA obligations were not met, and that the parking office declined her request for an internal review. She also described a safety complaint to police on August 20. See Police Parking Division Transfer.
  • School Building Project: Gravel said Southside enrollment fell from 853 students when fifth grade was added in 2021-2022 to 744 now (109 fewer, nearly 13 percent) while $59.4 million is spent to expand it for 1,200; she criticized aldermen who voted for the Tax Cap Override.
  • E-bikes and registered offenders: Carswell (Ward 4) asked the Board to regulate e-bikes, which she said ride on sidewalks at 30 to 35 miles an hour, and raised the number of registered offenders living in the city, including near shelters (see School Area Crossing Safety and Elm Street Infirm Shelter). Speakers' counts are their own; the minutes record no verification.
  • Families In Transition Loans: Micklon supported receiving and filing the $2.5 million request but questioned consolidating zero interest City loans, cited reports of needles at a property and of registered offenders at the Manchester Street shelter and one listing the 200 Elm Street shelter, and asked whether the City recovers costs from other towns under state law.
  • Law enforcement and crime: Patrick Binder (Allen Street) described lawlessness downtown, urged the Board to let police work with federal law enforcement, and cited a stabbing on the rail trail and west side break-ins. Jennifer Narby and Dave Narby (Notre Dame Avenue) said vehicle break-ins on the west side have run six to eight weeks with thousands of dollars in damage; Dave Narby asked whether the Board has told police to cooperate with ICE, and Mayor Ruais answered that they regularly work with ICE. See West Side Vehicle Break-Ins and Police Cooperation With Federal Immigration Enforcement.
  • Cullerot Park mural: Ping (Putnam Street), a Girl Scout troop leader and founder of We Heart West, which manages the community garden at the park, described the troop-designed four-season mural for the park press box, which had been tagged in recent months, and thanked Lands and Buildings for sending it to the Board. See Cullerot Park Community Mural.
  • Parking: Ouellette (Chestnut Street) said new apartments have pushed parking onto the street, asked the Planning Board to grant fewer parking waivers, questioned meters moving into residential areas, and warned that a garage would cost tens of millions of dollars.
  • Police shooting and accountability: Rolf Vanbibber, Eve Arnold, Jon Blanchette, Patience Corbett, Kevin Boardman and Ellen Reed spoke about the December 2025 shooting of Nickenley Turenne. Speakers said the family waited about seven months for body camera footage, that officers drew weapons at once and chased an unarmed man, that the Attorney General's finding (described by one speaker as "suicide by cop") was wrong, and asked for crisis training, meetings with the affected community and shifting police money to mental health outreach; Boardman said the City cut every department budget by 2 percent except the police department. See Police Return To Duty Policy.
  • Bouchard (Ward 2) said he was not being heard, praised the Safe Station program begun under former Fire Chief Goonan, questioned why the Board discussed closing the tax office 30 minutes early for staff burnout but not burnout in public safety and public works, cited falling enrollment against rising school spending, and urged the Board to engage on reforms rather than only taxing or cutting.
  • A speaker identified as Leonardo R. (1000 Elm Street) reviewed developments: the Cemetery Brook drain tunnel boring machine (over two miles, begun after planning since 2010), the Pearl Street project ($70 million, 126 affordable apartments and 12 townhomes, rents $1,100 to $1,800), the 200 Elm Street shelter (over 100 veterans housed, all 47 of the original group) and the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester moving on site, and the parking division's move to the Police Department as an enterprise fund (see Elm Street Infirm Shelter, Police Parking Division Transfer).

West Side Vehicle Break-Ins

  • At Vincent's request Chief Marr described a national social media trend behind a surge in thefts of certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles. Three detectives are investigating 27 cases; 10 juvenile suspects aged 9 to 15, only four 13 or older and old enough to petition; three petitioned for more than a dozen misdemeanor and felony charges (vehicle theft, criminal mischief, conduct after an accident, transporting alcohol and marijuana). Plainclothes detectives work overnight and the 4 to 12 and midnight shifts focus on the area. Younger suspects and parents were offered the Office of Youth Services and DCYF is being asked to look at supervision.
  • Terrio asked about very young offenders who commit serious crimes; Chief Marr pointed to DCYF and possible removal from the home. Barry valued the youth services role. Bonilla asked about school social workers, resource officers and My Turn; the Chief said police are working with My Turn and will reach schools now that summer is over.
  • Mayor Ruais asked the Chief to confirm that police routinely work with DEA, ICE, ATF, U.S. Marshals and state police, and that there is no toleration of lawlessness; the Chief said yes to both (Police Cooperation With Federal Immigration Enforcement).
  • Terrio asked to discuss tax office conditions; the Mayor said that would come up when the tabled item was taken up, and the Collector later appeared (see Tabled items).

Motion O'Neil, second Terrio; approved. Items:

  • Minutes of the August 4 Committee on Finance, special Board meeting (CDBG public hearing) and regular meeting; three 50/50 sidewalk petitions (two residential, one commercial) under Highways supervision subject to funding; the Solicitor's report on lawsuits filed against the City received and filed.
  • Referred to Finance: four resolutions, $2,470,500 for the North River Road/Bicentennial Drive roundabout (CMAQ), $101,734.90 for the FY27 Highway Safety Grant Program, $150,000 for the Adverse Childhood Experience Response Team and $14,000 for the School Based Dental Program (Medicaid).
  • Accounts, Enrollment and Revenue Administration: the Revolving Loan Fund update, the Finance Department's receivables and aging reports (both unanimous except Terrio, who was late) and the monthly financial reports for the first eleven months of FY26 accepted; an ordinance raising the Art Commission's spending authorization without Board approval to $1,000 per project (Section 32.029) recommended to pass.
  • Bills on Second Reading: the Section 70.78 basic penalty ordinance updating parking and other citations, referred to Accounts.
  • Community Improvement, all unanimous: the four budget authorizations above; permission for the Fire Chief to apply for $25,000 in HSGP Hazmat funds and $277,000 in HSEM funds; closure of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection project; deadline extensions to August 31, 2028 for the FY25 ILO Program and the FY25 HSGP SWAT/SOU Equipment; and three Police grant applications under the FY26 Homeland Security Grant Program (24 clip-on thermal imagers for the twelve New Hampshire SWAT teams, the Intelligence Liaison Officer program and the New Hampshire Tactical Officer Association).
  • Human Resources: the ordinance placing the Parking Division within the Police Department (Section 70.44), passed to Bills for technical review (Police Parking Division Transfer).
  • Public Safety, Health and Traffic, unanimous: no parking anytime on Pearl Street (south side, 80 feet west of Walnut Street to Union Street), Wilson Street (west side, Laurel Street to 50 feet south) and Belmont Street (west side, Spruce Street to Massabesic Street), with the loading zone on Belmont rescinded. These came from Fajardo and Bonilla.
  • Pulled for separate action: item 15 (Families in Transition) and item 20 (Public Health Preparedness) by Kantor, and item 28 (joint school report) by Sapienza.

Families In Transition Loans

  • The Community Improvement recommendation (unanimous in committee) would consolidate four Families in Transition loans on City terms, contingent on the State awarding the organization's requested low income housing tax credit funding. Kantor asked whether the City was becoming a bank.
  • Director Belanger said the loans (from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and federal HOME money) are usually 30 year soft loans at zero percent, come due over the next 2 to 8 years, and that reconsolidation is not unusual; the City oversees finances, not buildings. If the loans cannot be repaid the matter could become a legal battle with unclear recovery.
  • Mayor Ruais said the City does not fund, own or run the building where needles were reported, that police have a key and visit about twice a week, and that evictions are under way; he said the separate $2.5 million request "died" in committee a month earlier and no tax rate increase results from the loans. Terrio confirmed it was not going forward.
  • Sapienza asked why the loans were made and what happens if they are not extended; Thomas asked what happens to the affordable housing. Kantor criticized administrators' pay and zero interest terms.
  • Motion Trisciani, second Goonan; roll call 12 yea, 2 nay (Kantor, Sapienza). Passed.
  • Kantor asked about the grant's COVID wording and whether it would help people she described as vaccine injured. Director Thomas said the State has funded preparedness for about 25 years, the COVID label is left over from the 2022 project setup, no money is used for COVID now (the department has no COVID vaccine), and it pays for 1.5 environmental health specialists and half an information technology specialist who also covers the senior center. The request only extends spending to December 31, 2027; the money was approved previously. Motion Trisciani, second O'Neil; approved.

School Building Project

  • LeftField's report for July 2026 (accepted in committee, Thomas and a School Committee member absent). Sapienza asked whether the November bond is still $290 million less roughly $55 million already spent in cash, about $235 million. Deputy Finance Director Michele Bogardus said the bond must pay off the notes and could not give an exact figure; Trisciani said yes; Mayor Ruais promised an exact number to the whole board the next morning and said the project is on time and on budget per the School Board's monthly updates. Motion Sapienza, second O'Neil; approved.

Appointments and notices

  • Resignations accepted with regret: Thomas Hickman, Resident Commissioner of the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority (motion O'Neil, second Barry); Richard Clegg, Housing Commission (Barry, Terrio); Shannon Sullivan, Arts Commission (Dexter, Bonilla).
  • Nominations laid over under Rule 23: Suzanne Riel from alternate to regular Arts Commission member (term to December 1, 2028) and Christine Leary as MHRA Resident Commissioner (term to December 31, 2031).
  • Gary Turgiss confirmed as Residential Assessor with the rules suspended (nominated by Goonan; second Trisciani). Jane Beaulieu approved as the representative on the Piscataquog River Local Advisory Committee (nominated by Chairman Barry; second Trisciani).

Tirrell House Use Agreement

  • Mayor Ruais asked to give the State written notice ending the use-of-premises agreement for the Tirrell House (15 Brook Street): the nonprofit tenant had to reduce its footprint and left, interested nonprofits could not buy it from the State, and the empty building leaves the City liable. Motion Barry, second O'Neil; O'Neil asked about City Year's past interest and the Mayor promised to follow up. Passed unanimously.

Elm Street Infirm Shelter

  • Item 36 asked for a $110,952.72 transfer from charitable gaming (Revo Casino) to shelter operations, $50,000 in opioid abatement funds, and the rent contract for November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2027. The related resolution is written $110,592.72; the minutes use both figures.
  • Mayor Ruais reported August 2026 as the first month since tracking began in 2015 with no recorded overdose fatality (overdoses down 24 percent in 2024 and 30 percent in 2025); more than 140 veterans housed since the initiative began, including all 47 in the original group; over 100 people housed through 39 Beech Street and 200 Elm Street; 13 housed through 200 Elm since March; 19 hospital discharges to the shelter since March 19 and 47 overall; 78 winter warming nights last year averaging about 58 people. He said the $500,000 once funded by ARPA for hotspot patrols is in the passed budget, with 126 arrests and 208 citations in parks since January, and that the Mental Health Center will be on site full time from December and a Granite United Way pilot (Hope for New Hampshire Recovery 20 hours a week plus Elliot Health System) would offset rent.
  • Fajardo said drug use has moved into neighborhoods near Central High School; O'Neil asked about Squad One (three days a week; $45,000 buys one more weekly shift) and invited Director Thomas to explain the August result; she credited layered programs (ROAR, the Community Response Unit within 24 to 48 hours of an overdose, Squad One, Hope for NH Recovery, the Mental Health Center) and a community effort begun around 2022 with the CDC. See Opioid Abatement Spending.
  • Kantor said 39 Beech Street failed as a one stop shop and asked for ID checks and no entry for intoxicated people; the Mayor said he would raise it with the Solicitor. Sapienza asked about the flow of the charitable gaming money; the Mayor said it goes to the Clerk first and can go anywhere the Board chooses.
  • Motion O'Neil, second Trisciani; approved with Kantor and Sapienza recorded in opposition.

Community Improvement reports (item 37)

  • Department Head Grant Authority: department heads may apply directly for grants with no City match without prior Board approval (motion Vincent, second Terrio); approved.
  • $110,592.72 for the Aged and Infirmed Shelter Project, referred to Finance (motion Burkush, second Barry); Kantor and Sapienza opposed.
  • Four transfers: $120,000 among the ARPA Community Health Worker Program, Hope Connections and the shelter; $50,000 for 1269 Cafe operations; $45,000 for Fire Squad One; $66,500 for the Community Response Unit (Burkush, Barry); Kantor and Sapienza opposed.
  • $25,000 for the Special Event Reserve Account (roll off containers; Burkush, Goonan); $1,100 for ARPA Roads and Sidewalks (Terrio, Burkush); $68,900 for ARPA Homelessness Response and Emergency Shelter Operations (Burkush, O'Neil; Kantor and Sapienza opposed); $106,395.33 for the Opioid Litigation Settlement Trust (Burkush, Goonan). All approved and referred to Finance.
  • The Board recessed (motion O'Neil, second Terrio) so the Committee on Finance could meet (2026-09-01 - Committee on Finance) and then resumed.

Finance report and enrollment

  • Finance recommended that 14 resolutions ought to pass: the four items above, plus the $106,395.33 trust acceptance, $68,900 and $1,100 ARPA transfers, $110,592.72 shelter project, $25,000 Special Event Reserve and the four transfers. Reading was waived (motion Kaw-uh, second Burkush) and the report adopted (O'Neil, Terrio).
  • The four consent resolutions were read by title only (motion Sapienza, second Barry) and ordered enrolled (O'Neil, Sapienza). The Bond Resolution for $27,000 for the Women's Locker Room Expansion (CIP C330040426) passed to be enrolled (O'Neil, Terrio). The Art Commission ordinance (Section 32.029, $1,000 per project) was ordained (motion Dexter, second Goonan).

Remaining committee reports

  • Administration/Information Systems: amended bylaws for the Manchester Development Corporation approved (motion Trisciani, second Bonilla); see Manchester Development Corporation Bylaws.
  • Lands and Buildings: Cullerot Park press box community mural approved (Trisciani, Dexter); see Cullerot Park Community Mural.
  • Human Resources/Insurance: two full-time Parking Control Officers for the Parking Division on the Assistant Chief's request (O'Neil, Burkush; Police Parking Division Transfer); a Payroll Administrator II, grade 117, with the ordinance ordained (Goonan, O'Neil); the Benefits Manager regrade from 118 to 119 with a new class specification and ordinance (Trisciani, Bonilla); and for Aviation two Accountant II positions, grade 113, replacing two Accountant I positions, grade 108 (O'Neil, Trisciani).
  • Public Safety, Health and Traffic: Elm and Chestnut Streets near Hanover Street (handicap zones, 2 hour and 10 hour meters, loading zones, and rescission of older meter and loading ordinances) approved (motion Barry, second Vincent); see Downtown Parking Regulation Changes.

New business

  • Vincent: thanked DPW for paving in Ward 11 and the Clerk for help with the grants change; announced the Rimmon Heights Block Party on Saturday, September 12, 11 AM to 3 PM.
  • Hallsville School Redevelopment: Sapienza confirmed the school was sold; Kaw-uh said the buyer's impact fee reduction (under $100,000) is before the Planning Board; Belanger said the buyer has most financing, including state low income housing tax credits.
  • Citywide Property Revaluation: Assessor Kurfehs said the contractor, Vision Government Solutions, would send preliminary notices September 15 after his review on September 8; some preliminary figures briefly appeared on a live feed on the Tax website during a data transfer and were corrected.
  • Sapienza explained that he cast the only no vote on the June 30 police contracts because the process was rushed: Chief Marr gave starting pay as about $71,300 while the Department advertised $78,869 (Tax Cap Override). He asked about the state police investigation of the Office of Youth Services, now nearly a year; Solicitor Rice said it is ongoing and the City will let the state police do their work (Office Of Youth Services Reorganization).
  • O'Neil: Stebbins Center grand opening Tuesday, September 8 at 3 PM; thanked the Assessor's office and Water Works staff for resolving utility billing on that property.
  • Terrio: trash a day late after the federal holiday; the September 8 primary runs 6 AM to 7 PM and poll workers are paid $280, but must live in the ward, which he wants changed at the State. Bonilla said he would work the polls.
  • Kantor: thanked Parks and Recreation and DPW for the Youngsville playground; Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and an October 15 Palace Theatre event.
  • Bonilla: meetings with police, NeighborWorks and community partners on suspicious activity at parks and near bodegas; a Latino festival September 12; and the Belmont and Lake crash the previous night, the third involving a child in a year (a middle school student on a bicycle, now recovering). He asked for bicycle safety clinics and infrastructure. Kaw-uh asked DPW about the Safe Streets for All grant and the City's safety action plan; Friend-Gray said consultant selection would come in a few weeks and a report could follow next month. Trisciani offered Bike Alliance New Hampshire and said e-bike classification is a state matter. See School Area Crossing Safety and E-Bike Regulation.
  • Dexter: Visit MHT launch party (tickets $25), the final Levitt AMP concert on Thursday, September 3, and a reminder to stop for school buses. Burkush: a three-alarm Main Street fire with more than 20 people rescued, illegal dumping and abandoned campers in Ward 9, and a request to invite the school based dental program (seven volunteer dentists) to a meeting. Thomas reported Office of Youth Services results: 492 students joined, 328 new referrals (97 percent opted in), 74 percent more regular attendance, 78 percent improved conduct, 67 percent improved grades, all high school seniors graduated and 32 percent began a job, college or training. Sapienza also remarked on the August overdose result and the national border policy.

Tabled items

  • North Church Street discontinuance petition (tabled July 7): remained on the table.
  • Caron Street turn-around discontinuance (tabled July 7): removed from the table and approved (motion Dexter, second Trisciani, both votes).
  • Tax Collector Office Hours (tabled August 4): Bonilla moved (second Barry) to remove it from the table and proposed keeping the office open Tuesdays until 8 PM once two new hires finish training in mid October. Tax Collector Masewic Adams said it can be done with the new staff, that training takes six weeks, that mornings would be shorthanded, and that an appointment system purchase order was signed that day for a mid October start. Questions from Fajardo, Goonan, Trisciani, Terrio (a 2.5 hour wait behind 65 people in July) and Dexter (absorbing credit card fees). The Mayor floated October 20, then October 27; the Board settled on the first Tuesday in November, moved to November 10 because November 3 is Election Day. The committee's original 4:30 PM closing report was received and filed (motion Bonilla, second Dexter). Barry said the matter should have gone to committee.
  • $20.8 million Bond Resolution for the FY2027 Raise - City Funds (DPW-Highway) project (tabled August 4): remained on the table.

Non-public session and close

  • Non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II(d) on property acquisition, sale or lease (motion Barry, second Sapienza); unanimous roll call. Minutes sealed (motion O'Neil, second Trisciani). Adjourned on motion of Sapienza, second Dexter.

Same-day committees

Sources