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Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City Hall: Aldermen sound off on Goffstown project, as hearing on plan pushed off
Mar. 7—CITY ALDERMEN continue to sound off on a proposed development in Goffstown, with one at-large member saying he would be "fully in favor" of installing gates to prevent access from Manchester streets if the project is approved in its current form. As previously reported, the Dubay Group Inc. and Allard Revocable Trust are seeking a variance from the Goffstown zoning board to subdivide a property for the purposes of building 34 lots for single-family homes within the Industrial Zone, which is not permitted per Section 3.11 of the Goffstown Zoning Ordinance. Manchester officials and residents are keeping an eye on the project because the property is located off Riverview Park Road, on the border between the city and Goffstown. Access to the proposed subdivision would be off of Phillip Street and Joseph Street Extension — streets located in the Queen City — creating a cut-through in what has historically been a very quiet Manchester neighborhood off Goffstown Road near Mount Calvary Cemetery. RSA 36:54-58 says if a project has been determined to have regional impact — which this one has — abutting communities and the regional planning commission will be given abutter status and an opportunity to weigh in on the project. At the March 4 meeting of the city's Board of Mayor and Aldermen, at-large member Dan O'Neil said he and others on the board have heard from residents in the Phillip and Joseph streets neighborhood. "Alderman (Tony) Sapienza, I think, was serious when he suggested we put a gate on it," O'Neil said. "I just think we've got to send a message to Goffstown that if, in fact, it's the only way in and out, that Manchester intends to put a gate up there, and I'd be fully in favor of that. Those people bought those homes to be in a dead-end neighborhood, and I don't think they deserve this for a project that's not even in the city limits." Kelly Thomas, alderman for Ward 12, said she spoke to the group behind the project. "I did let them know that it wouldn't go through in Manchester unless they found a different way out and in," Thomas said. "There are multiple areas to come in and out of, and they're looking into an option of creating a different road. That's kind of where they're at right now." "Are they saying then they don't need to come through Manchester?" O'Neil asked. "They're not saying any of that right now," Thomas said. "It was just some conversation on 'What else could you do besides going through that road' type of deal." City planner Jeff Belanger said the project is before the Goffstown Zoning Board of Adjustment seeking approval for a change from an industrial parcel to a residential parcel. "This is kind of the first step of a multi-step process," Belanger said. "So if the Goffstown zoning board approves this variance request, then it's going to go to their planning board and to the Manchester planning board. So there are a number of opportunities for abutters to talk about this, and also for the city of Manchester to exercise regulatory authority over what's going on. They would specifically look at the access issues like, you know, sewer, water, plowing, emergency access, a whole bunch of different issues could come up. And the Manchester planning board could either disapprove the project or approve it with conditions of approval. O'Neil asked if aldermen would have the right to put a gate up in the area. "The board does have authority over the right of way, so you could do that, but there's case law on this," Belanger said. "I've worked with the solicitor's office on this over the past week, the creation of a public right of way, which has been there for a while, that provides access to an abutting parcel. This one in Goffstown does create a private right in the abutting parcel, so that property owner has a private property right to use Phillips Street and Joseph Street as access to their property. "If that were to get taken away, it's possible that there could be damages resulting from that, so it's something to consider if you're considering putting up a gate that would be a discontinuance of a public right of way." "The plan that we're looking at in our packet, it's two dead ends from Manchester — that seems pretty rare," Sapienza said. "I don't know of any other dead ends that are going to other towns. So that means, if there's a fire in Goffstown, the fire department from Goffstown is going to have to come into Manchester, then go over there? "That's crazy talk." A public hearing on the project scheduled for March 4 before the Goffstown zoning board was pushed off to April 1 because only four members of the board could attend. "Maybe they didn't have a road to get to it," joked Alderman Joe Kelly Levasseur. Goffstown zoning board Chairperson Len Stuart said they are looking to hold the April 1 meeting in a larger venue, possibly Goffstown High School, due to interest in the project. REACH out Mayor Jay Ruais and Gov. Kelly Ayotte attended a brief ceremony in the Queen City Tuesday to announce services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence have been transitioned from YWCA-New Hampshire to REACH Crisis Services. REACH offers free and private help for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and trafficking in Greater Manchester, which includes the towns of Manchester, Deering, Weare, New Boston, Goffstown, Bedford, Auburn, Londonderry and Derry. The new office expects to serve about 2,000 — 3,000 people each year. "What better thing can we say we have done with ourselves than help another human being who needs it?" Ruais said. "Thank you so much for all the work that you do. You truly make a difference in lives and in the city of Manchester." For more information on REACH, visit Offices at 77 Sundial Ave., Suite 306W are open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. REACH's 24-hour crisis line is at 603-668-2299. All REACH services are free and confidential. Rail trail concerns A public "Local Concerns Meeting" on plans for the South Manchester Rail Trail Extension will be held March 12 at 7 p.m. in the McLaughlin Middle School cafeteria, 201 Jack Lovering Drive. The meeting will focus on a proposed multi-use path and other bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Perimeter Road, South Willow Street, Harvey Road and Bouchard Street. This project will construct the final segment of the South Manchester Rail Trail and connect to the Londonderry Rail Trail, proposed for construction in 2025. The intent of the meeting is to provide an overview of the project, including funding and schedule, and get input from the public, officials, resource agencies, and abutting property owners on their ideas and concerns relative to existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure within the project area. Data collected during this phase of the project, including insight obtained through this meeting, will help shape design alternatives, which will be presented at a future meeting. Contact City Hall reporter Paul Feely at pfeely@
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City Hall: Planning board shares concerns over Goffstown project; Lesniak loves a parade
Feb. 28—Members of Manchester's planning board have joined the growing chorus of Queen City officials concerned over a proposed development in Goffstown. As previously reported, the Dubay Group Inc. and Allard Revocable Trust are seeking a variance from the Goffstown zoning board to subdivide a property for the purposes of building 34 lots for single-family homes within the Industrial Zone, which is not permitted per Section 3.11 of the Goffstown Zoning Ordinance. Manchester officials and residents are keeping an eye on the project because the property is located off Riverview Park Road, on the border between the city and Goffstown. Access to the proposed subdivision would be off of Phillip Street and Joseph Street Extension — streets located in the Queen City — creating a cut-through in what has historically been a very quiet Manchester neighborhood off Goffstown Road near Mount Calvary Cemetery. A quick discussion on the proposal was held earlier this month at Goffstown Town Hall, with zoning board members there voting to determine that the project has regional impact — meaning the development proposal has potential impacts beyond Goffstown's boundaries. As RSA 36:54-58 explains, a determination of regional impact affords the abutting communities and the regional planning commission the status of abutter. It is also an opportunity to broaden the scope of review and in doing so, gain additional input and technical support in the review of large, complex development proposals and evaluate potential effects on inter-municipal agreements. Members of Manchester's planning board discussed the project at their last meeting, in preparation for notifying their neighbors to the northwest of their concerns via email or letter. "My concern is that in order to get to the subdivision, you have to go through a very small street in Manchester," said planning board alternate Brian Beaupre. "And how are they going to handle plowing? Police, fire, garbage pickup?" "I share your questions and concern because, like, they would be paying property taxes to Goffstown for services from Goffstown, presumably," Planning Board chairman Bryce Kaw-uh said. Former city assessor and current planning board member Bob Gagne said it appeared to him the parcel in question has frontage in Goffstown, off Riverview Park Road. "Why aren't they just accessing the subdivision off that street instead of through Manchester?" Gagne asked. "My understanding is the topography just doesn't let them get to the upper level of the site from the Goffstown side," Manchester Deputy Planning Director Nicola Strong said. "I do agree though, Bob, if they could connect that way, that would have been preferable," Kaw-uh said. "The way it is now, all the impact is on Manchester." Gagne said the lots being proposed appear to be "small." "It's gonna have to be public water and sewer," Gagne said. "Where's that coming from? They're going to hook up to Manchester there as well. I mean, say, 'OK, you can do that, but we get all the taxes from these lots.'" Board members agreed to send correspondence to Goffstown officials saying they aren't particularly concerned on residential use versus industrial use for the site — it's the connection to Manchester streets and the use of Manchester facilities and services, that is of potential concern. Manchester aldermen held a very brief discussion Feb. 18 on the possibility of putting a gate or gates on Phillip and Joseph streets, preventing access from Manchester through those neighborhoods. The Goffstown Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on the application Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. in the Mildred Stark Room (Room 106) in Goffstown Town Hall, 16 Main Street. Marshal, marshal, marshal!Erik Lesniak, business liaison for the city's Economic Development Office, has been named Grand Marshal of the 2025 Manchester St. Patrick's Parade. Described by parade organizers as a "dedicated community leader, coach, mentor, and advocate for the Queen City," Lesniak — a native of Holyoke, Mass., with "deep Irish roots" — arrived in Manchester in the early 2000s when the New Haven Ravens were sold and relocated to New Hampshire, becoming the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Lesniak served in several leadership positions in the organization, including director of group sales, executive director of sales, and vice president of business development. In 2022, he took on his current role with the Economic Development Office. Lesniak has given his time coaching with Manchester Little League (10 years and counting), St. Francis of Assisi basketball (four years), St. Joseph Jr. High basketball (current), Manchester South Jr. Soccer (eight years), and indoor soccer. He's also volunteered with many civic and community organizations including the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Caregivers, Manchester Community College Department of Business Studies Advisory Board, Pastoral Counseling Services, Queen City Rotary Club, Manchester Downtown Committee, and the Leadership Greater Manchester Steering Committee. "Erik's generosity and kindness can be seen in every corner of the community," the Manchester Saint Patrick's Parade Committee said in a statement. "Whether he's securing Christmas trees, food, clothes and decorations every year for families in need during the holidays, organizing community fundraisers, or serving meals at New Horizons/Families in Transition over the years, Erik is always ready to lend a helping hand" Lesniak lives in Manchester with his wife, Kristen, and son, Jayden. As always, the Queen City's holiday parades march to the beat of their own drum. As is tradition, the parade will not be held on the actual day that others celebrate St. Patrick's Day, March 17. The 2025 Manchester St. Patrick's Parade will take place almost two weeks later, on Sunday, March 30. . Contact City Hall reporter Paul Feely at pfeely@
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City Hall: Aldermen mull gates of wrath at Goffstown line; mayor, board call for bail reform
Feb. 21—Could gates of wrath be coming to a quiet Queen City neighborhood near Mount Calvary Cemetery in the near future? Stranger things have happened. For those unaware, the Dubay Group Inc. and Allard Revocable Trust are seeking a variance from the Goffstown zoning board to subdivide a property for the purposes of building single-family homes within the Industrial Zone, which is not permitted per Section 3.11 of the Goffstown Zoning Ordinance. The reason the project is on the radar for Manchester officials and residents is the property is located off Riverview Park Road, on the border between the city and Goffstown. Access to the proposed subdivision would be off of Phillip Street and Joseph Street Extension — streets located in the Queen City — creating a cut-through in what has historically been a very quiet Manchester neighborhood off Goffstown Road. A brief discussion on the matter was held earlier this month at Goffstown Town Hall, with zoning board members voting to determine the project has regional impact — meaning the development proposal has potential impacts beyond Goffstown's boundaries. As RSA 36:54-58 explains, a determination of regional impact affords the abutting communities and the regional planning commission the status of abutter. It is also an opportunity to broaden the scope of review and in doing so, gain additional input and technical support in the review of large, complex development proposals and evaluate potential effects on inter-municipal agreements. At the Feb. 18 meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the project was mentioned by at-large Alderman Dan O'Neil. "We received communication from the residents in Ward 12, concerned Joseph Street residents," O'Neil said. "I want to know what our options are with that, those streets are pretty, pretty tight over there to get into this development." City Planner Jeff Belanger said the project will be brought to the attention of Manchester's planning board. "This board (Manchester aldermen) will be the board that has the ability to communicate and to be considered abutters for purposes of testimony," Belanger said. So anyone representing this city, this board could go to Goffstown and testify. There could also be someone from the planning board who goes to testify, or any abutter could also testify. They wouldn't have the status as an abutter in Goffstown, so they wouldn't have the right to testify, but usually if someone wants to testify, a zoning board would allow them to do so. So neighbors can certainly do that." Belanger told aldermen they could take a position on the project as a board. "You could write a letter, you could testify there," Belanger said. "We could deliver a letter to Goffstown staff and have them include that in the ZBA agenda. Our staff has distributed the plans to the whole technical review committee that meets for every planning board application here, so we're going to look at it, and we'll provide comments." According to Belanger, the project has three access points — two through Manchester neighborhoods, and one from the south in Goffstown. Alderman Ross Terrio asked if Manchester could refuse and say, "you already have access from the south from your own town?" "I would need to look into that further, I'm not sure that we could say no, categorically," Belanger said. That's when Alderman Tony Sapienza asked if putting a gate or gates on Phillip and Joseph streets, preventing access from Manchester through those neighborhoods could be a possibility. "It's the department of public works that might want to consider that, but ultimately, this board has control over the city's rights of way," Belanger said. "So that's a yes?" Sapienza asked. "That's a definite maybe," Belanger said. "Oh, you gotta run for office," Mayor Jay Ruais said to Belanger, laughing. "That's a yes," Sapienza added. A public hearing on the project will be held Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at Goffstown Town Hall at 16 Main St., in the Mildred Stark Room (106). Bail reform revisited Mayor Ruais is leading a letter that is being sent to the state Legislature, with 14 aldermen having signed on, calling on lawmakers to revisit the topic of bail reform in the wake of a stabbing outside an Elm Street convenience store. Kyle Bisson, 25, was arrested on Bridge Street on charges of second-degree assault and two counts of falsifying evidence. At a magistrate hearing held the next day, police argued for Bisson to be held on preventive detention. But Magistrate Stephanie Johnson released him on personal recognizance bail, prompting criticism from Ruais, Manchester police and bail reform advocates. An effort to revoke Bisson's bail, sought by the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office after the outcry, failed last week, with superior court judge Michael Klass saying the prosecution did not meet its burden to prove Bisson would be a danger to the public. The Hillsborough County Attorney's Office had declined to object to the Magistrate Johnson's initial bail ruling when it was made. In the letter, Ruais and city aldermen tell state senators and representatives that "the safety and security of our citizens is non-negotiable," and asks for their support in revising the state's bail reform law. "As the recent horrific stabbing on Elm Street in Manchester demonstrates, our current law is not working," the letter states. "It is imperative that we keep violent and repeat offenders off our streets and behind bars. We understand the good intentions behind the previous changes to our bail laws. However, those good intentions have been replaced by criminal acts." The letter offers numbers to back up the city's argument. In 2024, there were 2,971 adults arrested in Manchester, accounting for 4,551 arrests, because 27% of them were arrested more than once. Of the 2,971 arrested, 715 or 24% were out on bail at the time of their arrest. The letter urges legislators to send Gov. Kelly Ayotte legislation dedicated to bail reform. 'Oui oui' for French programSchool board members have approved a proposal for a second dual-language immersion program in city schools that should launch next fall, centered around teaching French at Webster Elementary School. In dual-language immersion programs, students receive instruction in both languages. In the case of the proposed program at Webster, students would learn in French over 80% of the school day, and English the remaining 20%. The Manchester School District launched a Spanish dual-immersion program at Bakersville Elementary School this fall, the only dual-language immersion program in the state. Total startup costs of the program at Webster are pegged at $20,000, with officials saying it will be funded through grants, including one for $10,000 from the French Consulate in Boston. Manchester School District Assistant Superintendent Nicole Doherty said there are teachers currently working in the district who are fluent in French who are willing to participate in the program. Doherty said the district conducted a survey inviting caregivers and community members to share their feedback and express their interest in a dual-language French program in Manchester. "We've received a total of 47 responses from our survey," Doherty said. "Over half of the responses came from families with children in kindergarten and preschool, highlighting strong interest in a bilingual education for our youngest learners, 76% of the responders shared that they consider bilingual education to be very important to their child's academic and personal growth. This feedback showcases the community's recognition of significant benefits that bilingualism can provide, both in the classroom and beyond."
