Crystal Lake Park will be closed to all visitors until further notice due to extensive construction work on drainage and infrastructure improvements throughout the entirety of the park. In the interest of safety, the construction area will be restricted to authorized personnel only at all hours. This work is anticipated to continue through May 10, 2026.
For more information, please contact the Department of Public Works at 603-624-6444.
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Frozen, Dinosaur-Shaped, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Nuggets Due To Traces Of Lead
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-frozen-dinosaur-shaped-ready-eat-chicken-nuggets-due
April 1, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. However, FSIS is concerned that some product may still be in consumers’ freezers.
The chicken nuggets were produced on Feb. 10, 2026. The following product is subject to the public health alert [view labels]:
29-oz. plastic bags containing approx. 36 “GREAT VALUE FULLY COOKED DINO SHAPED CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS” with “BEST IF USED BY” date “FEB 10 2027,” lot code” 0416DPO1215,” and establishment number “P44164” printed on the back of the bag.
These items were shipped to Walmart locations nationwide. FSIS is continuing to investigate this issue.
Two upcoming non-concurrent road closures are planned for a portion of South Willow Street at Queen City Ave. and Cilley Rd. at South Willow St. These roadway impacts will result in lanes being partially closed for water main installation and roadway work lasting approximately four weeks.
- Road work begins: April 6, 2026
- Time: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
What to Expect:
- Queen City Ave. heading eastbound onto Cilley Rd. will be detoured around the closures.
- Expect partial lane closures and detours during construction hours.
Important Notes
- Please follow direction from posted traffic signs, police details, flaggers and allow extra travel time through the work zone.
- For lane shifts or temporary lane closures during construction, please be aware of new lane markings, barricaded routes, or traffic cones.
- Parking will be prohibited within the construction area.
- Drivers and pedestrians should use extreme caution when traveling past work zones, especially at night or in adverse weather, when visibility is limited.
- Driveway access to local businesses and homes within closures will be maintained and closely coordinated by the Contractor.
- Whenever possible, we encourage drivers to plan ahead and avoid the construction area.
A special meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen is to be held in the Auditorium of Memorial High School, One Crusader Way, Manchester, NH on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of conducting a public hearing regarding resolutions:
“Appropriating to the Parking Fund the sum of $5,142,275 from parking revenues for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
"Appropriating the sum of $33,804,234 from Sewer User Rental Charges to the Environmental Protection Division for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Appropriating to the Manchester Airport Authority the sum of $49,366,765 from Special Airport Revenue Funds for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Appropriating to the Manchester Transit Authority the sum of $1,999,838 for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Appropriating to the Manchester School District the sum of $234,981,749 for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Appropriating all Incremental Meals and Rooms Tax Revenue Received by the City in the Fiscal Year 2027 and held in the Civic Center Fund, for the payment of the City’s Obligations in Said Fiscal Year under the Financing Agreement.”
“Appropriating to the Manchester School Food and Nutrition Services Program the sum of $6,300,000 from School Food and Nutrition Services Revenues for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Raising Monies and Making Appropriations of $195,337,885 for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Appropriating to the Central Business Service District the sum of $700,000 from Central Business Service District Funds for the Fiscal Year 2027.”
“Continuation of the Central Business Service District.”
“Authorizing the Finance Officer to Make Certain Budgetary Closings for the Fiscal Year 2026.”
In accordance with the procedures established in RSA 44:10 and in satisfaction of any other local, state or federal law that may apply, resolutions will be considered relating to the budget of the City of Manchester for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, authorizing and raising funds for said budget and authorizing expenditures of Sewer User Rental Charges, Manchester Airport Authority Funds, Parking Funds, Central Business Service District Funds, School Food and Nutrition Revenue Funds, and Meals and Rooms Tax Revenues.
The meeting shall also serve as a public hearing upon the proposed Community Improvement Program for the city of Manchester covering the FY 2027 period for the purpose of receiving comment on the proposed activities and satisfying hearing and proposed use requirements of the Community Development Block Grant, the HOME Program, and any other local, state or federal law that may apply.
The proposed FY 2027 Community Improvement Program calls for the appropriation of $51,203,822. Approximately $1,167,500 of which may be requested from federal, state and private grant fund sources through various grant programs; approximately $2,451,529 in Federal Community Development Block Grant program funds and program income, HOME Funds, and HOME Program Income; $45,657,310 from the issuance of short-term notes and general obligation bonds; and $1,927,483 for projects financed through enterprises and fees.
A portion of the Incremental Meals and Rooms Tax Revenue received by the City in the Fiscal Year 2027 and held in the Civic Center Fund will be appropriated for the payment of the City’s obligations in said fiscal year in accordance with the terms of the Financing Agreement. All remaining Meals and Rooms Tax Revenue shall be transferred to the General Fund.
At the public hearing, those wishing to speak regarding any portion of the appropriations or programs will be given one opportunity to speak. Comments will be limited to three minutes to allow all participants the opportunity to be heard.
The aforementioned resolutions and other information pertaining to the FY 2027 budget are available for public inspection on the City’s website at www.manchesternh.gov. Written comments may be sent via email to cityclerk@manchesternh.gov or regular mail at Office of the City Clerk, One City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH 03101 prior to the hearing or may be submitted to the City Clerk at the hearing.
As part of the Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Project, single lanes southbound and northbound on South Willow Street near Baker St. and Queen City Ave. will be closed for an extended period of time.
- Closure begins: March 26, 2026
- Anticipated reopening: April 4, 2026
What to Expect:
- At Queen City Ave. / Willow St. intersection, access to Union St. and Baker St will be restricted and there will be potential detours via Cilley Rd.
- Driveway access to local businesses and homes within closures will be maintained and closely coordinated by the Contractor.
Important Notes
- Please follow posted detour signs and allow extra travel time. Refer to the detour figure provided below.
- Parking will be prohibited within the construction area
- For lane shifts during construction, follow new lane markings and cones and allow extra travel time.
- Whenever possible, we encourage drivers to plan ahead and avoid the construction area.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to enhance our community’s infrastructure.
Sincerely,
Environmental Protection Division
Department of Public Works
City of Manchester
Manchester, NH – Tonight, Mayor Jay Ruais introduced his proposed FY2027 City budget, outlining a plan centered on affordability, protecting core services, and structural reforms to improve efficiency and accountability for taxpayers.
The proposed plan reflects the City’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline while advancing key priorities, including maintaining a clean and safe downtown, supporting our first responders, and addressing homelessness through a structured, and balanced approach designed to strengthen the continuum from sheltering to housing.
Mayor Ruais released the following statement:
“In tonight’s address, I outlined the significant financial pressures we face, including rising contractual and operational costs, and the difficult decisions required to reduce spending. This proposal meets those challenges head-on, cutting spending in targeted areas, while preserving public safety, protecting core services, and making structural reforms to City government that will save dollars.
The last two budgets passed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen came in historically under the tax cap, saving Manchester residents millions of dollars in property tax increases. In a time of continued economic pressure our families, residents, and businesses deserve a City government that lives within its means. At the end of every line item in our budget is an individual or family thinking about filling up their car, putting money away for their future, or paying their mortgage.
Manchester residents also expect their City to deliver for them. They expect our employees to educate our kids, answer emergency calls, repair roads, maintain parks, and clear our streets and sidewalks during the winter. We have to strike a balance. We must live within our means, and live up to our responsibilities.
With those folks in mind, we are making necessary and foundational reforms to City government that will improve oversight, efficiency, and save money, while ensuring our taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. From launching centralized purchasing and payroll divisions to strengthening internal auditing and consolidating services, we are building a more efficient and accountable government that will deliver results for our taxpayers.
The plan continues the City’s commitment to public safety by prioritizing investments in our Police and Fire Departments. As we continue negotiations with our two police unions, I am committing dollars, consistent with the cost of implementing the compensation study, to the budget to help address recruitment and retention challenges. It also allocates $1.4 million in bonding for critical radio and communication upgrades, and $200,000 in bonding for fire equipment and protective gear. Additionally, $160,000 is set aside to fund the SAFER Grant, ensuring we can sustain appropriate fire staffing levels in the years ahead.
Included here is a continuation of the balanced approach to funding our schools with an allocation of $3 million. Should this number become final, the Manchester School District will have been allocated $14.0 million in combined City and State funding since I became Mayor, while requested funding was reduced by approximately $12.7 million.
We are strengthening the heart of our City by finalizing the Downtown Cleaning Program and Street Ambassador initiative as a permanent service. Funded through a dedicated downtown assessment, this program ensures a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming environment for our City, at no cost to residents. In just 20 months, the program has already removed over 125,000 pounds of trash and significantly reduced graffiti, delivering clear, visible results.
The proposal also makes targeted investments in the infrastructure residents rely on every day. Nearly $7 million is allocated to road improvements, along with $600,000 for park maintenance, modernization and paving, as well as $300,000 to advance the Hunt Pool redevelopment project and $60,000 for downtown and neighborhood lighting improvements.
Finally, we continue our structured, compassionate, and accountable approach to homelessness. We have responsibly reduced shelter capacity while focusing on the most vulnerable, veterans, the elderly and infirm, and now families and children with this proposal. We are investing our federal dollars across the full continuum of care, from emergency shelter and outreach to transitional housing and permanent solutions, to make homelessness rare, brief, and one-time. This includes support for the Aged and Infirm Shelter, winter warming efforts, and critical funding for outreach and transitional housing organizations. In partnership with community leaders, we are also advancing a transformational project to provide transitional housing for families, helping them move from instability to independence.
As this process now moves to the Board of Aldermen, I look forward to working collaboratively to deliver a final plan that balances the needs of our City, our schools, and our taxpayers.”
The City of Manchester Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Division would like to inform the community that the Sweeney Park Basketball Courts will be closed for a full replacement beginning Monday, March 30, 2026, through Friday, June 26, 2026.
During this period, the courts will be completely inaccessible while contractors remove the existing surface and construct new, upgraded basketball facilities.
Please also be advised that parking on the Walker Street side of Sweeney Park will be limited throughout construction to accommodate equipment and construction vehicles. Visitors should plan accordingly and use alternative parking areas when possible.
We appreciate the community’s patience as we complete this significant investment in Sweeney Park. The improvements will provide a safer, higher-quality playing surface and enhance long-term recreation opportunities for residents.
If you have any questions about the project, please contact the Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Division at (603) 792-5373.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
New Commission Aims to Strengthen Child Care Access, Support Early Educators, and Build a More Livable, Affordable City for Families
Manchester, NH - This morning, Mayor Jay Ruais convened the first meeting of the City of Manchester Commission on Child Care, a new cross-sector advisory body charged with evaluating childcare access, strengthening the early childhood workforce, and identifying strategies to ensure that every Manchester family can find affordable, quality early care and education.
At this organizational meeting, Members were introduced, the Commission’s charge was reviewed, a discussion was held on beginning the community listening sessions, and the Commission began outlining priority areas for the report which will be completed in Fall 2026.
Mayor Ruais Released the Following Statement:
“As a new dad, I am reminded constantly of our responsibility to give every child the strongest possible start. Child care is now the second-highest expense for families, only behind housing. Childcare isn’t just a family issue, it’s a workforce, economic and livability issue for our entire city. High-quality early care and education promote family well-being, supports our workforce, and strengthens Manchester’s economic future,” said Mayor Ruais. “As a father and as mayor, I am committed to making this vision real. Together, we can create a stronger, more vibrant future for every family in Manchester.”
Background Data:
- Licensed child care capacity for children under age five has dropped nearly 13% between 2017 and 2024, even though the population of young children has remained largely changed.
- Providers operate at just 85% of licensed capacity due to staffing shortages and financial strain.
- New Hampshire businesses lose an estimated $56 million annually, and families lose $177.9 million, due to parents reducing hours or leaving the workforce because they cannot access or afford care.
A Vision for a Family-Friendly Manchester
A Manchester where every family can access high-quality early care and learning, whether in centers, homes, or school-based settings.
- A community where early literacy, numeracy, family engagement, and school readiness are embedded into the city’s future.
- A coordinated strategy across city departments, schools, nonprofits, and neighborhoods to treat child care as essential infrastructure.
To accomplish this vision, the Commission brings together leaders from across municipal government, public health, early childhood education, business, healthcare, and workforce development, including:
- Mark Gomez, Mayor’s Designee: Chief of Parks, Recreation & Cemetery, City of Manchester
- Alderwoman Kelly Thomas, City of Manchester, Board of Aldermen
- Julie Turner, School Board Member, Manchester School District
- Dr. Jennifer Chmiel, Superintendent, Manchester School District
- Anna Thomas, Director of Public Health, City of Manchester
- Jodie Nazaka, Economic Development Director, City of Manchester
- Kitty Larochelle, Director, The Growing Years (West Side)
- Sarah Vanderhoof, MSM, RD, LD, Chief Operating Officer, Community Action Partnership of Hillsborough & Rockingham Counties
- Nichole Martin Reimer, President & CEO, Granite United Way
- Lisa Doyon, Family Provider, Lisa’s Daycare
- Michele Sheppard, Chief Executive Officer, Granite YMCA
- Shirley Tomlinson, MA, Community Engagement & Outreach Specialist, NH DHHS – Office of Health Access
- Courtney Tanner, Senior Director of Government Relations, Dartmouth Health
- Heather McGrail, President & CEO, Greater Manchester Chamber
- Dr. Jennifer MacDonald, M.D., Chief Operating Officer, ReGen Valley Consortium / ARMI
The Commission is supported by the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority and the National League of Cities. The Commission will meet regularly throughout 2026 to evaluate current childcare capacity, identify opportunities for innovation, and recommend city-level strategies to expand access, stabilize the childcare workforce, and ultimately improve readiness for school and beyond.
MANCHESTER, NH- Mayor Jay Ruais announced the following events:
Joint Meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and Board of School Committee
WHAT: Joint Meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and Board of School Committee
WHEN: 6:00 PM Wednesday, March 25, 2026
WHERE: Manchester Memorial High School, 1 Crusader Way, Manchester, NH 03103
Notes: The Manchester School District will deliver a presentation on the District’s FY27 Budget.
Mayor Ruais FY27 Budget Address
WHAT: Mayor’s FY27 Budget Address
WHEN: 6:00 PM Thursday, March 26, 2026
WHERE: Manchester City Hall, Aldermanic Chambers, 1 City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH 03101
The City of Manchester Community Improvement Program Staff will be conducting a public hearing on the HUD FY2026 and City FY2027 Community Improvement Program (CIP) which includes funds allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD). The hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 1st at 5:00 PM, at the Manchester Community Resource Center, located at 434 Lake Avenue, Manchester.
The meeting is being held in order to provide City residents an opportunity to comment on the expenditure of the federal fiscal year 2026 HUD monies to be received by the City for expenditure beginning July 2026. These HUD funds may include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG), and may also include HUD Section 108 Monies.
The City estimates FY 2026 HUD funding as follows:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Entitlement allocation & program income - $1,658,991
HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Entitlement allocation, program income & unprogrammed funds - $752,491.13
The budgets for activities supported with FY 2026 HUD Entitlement funding may be increased or decreased from the estimated funding levels to match actual allocation amounts.
Manchester Citizens, including public housing residents, public and private agencies, community groups, businesses and other interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend so they may voice their concerns and express their opinions on the priority needs of the community. This hearing will also include discussion and citizen comments about the Manchester Continuum of Care (MCoC) and the coordination between the City and the MCoC of funds spent to support homelessness needs and services. The overall discussion topics may include housing and homelessness, public infrastructure, environment, neighborhood investment and revitalization, education, public safety, recreation, economic development and social services.
The comments received at these meetings will assist CIP Staff in the development of the 2026/2027 Annual Action Plan, an element of the five-year Consolidated Plan. The Action Plan and Public Hearings are mandated by HUD as a condition of the receipt of funds from that federal agency.
For further information, please contact Grants Administration Manager, Todd Fleming, at the Manchester Planning and Community Development Department at (603) 624-6450. Individuals requiring special reasonable accommodations for access to the hearings are requested to contact this Department at the above number at least 72 hours prior to the hearing.
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The Manchester Health Department is excited to share its Annual Resource Guide for 2026. The Guide provides listings for needed resources including healthcare and prescription services, food and clothing assistance, employment and transportation needs, maternal and infant supports, mental health and substance use treatment, veteran and senior services, housing and legal assistance, winter resources, and recreational activities. The Guide can be found here and on the Health Department's website under "Services."
Thank you for subscribing to the Manchester City Library's newsletter, MCL Notes. The March/April/May issue is now available.
Manchester, NH- Following last night's votes on three budgets by the Board of School Committee, Mayor Jay Ruais issued the following statement:
“The Tax Cap this year is 3.0%. Families are already stretched thin by rising costs, and I cannot support budgets that would increase taxes by nearly 9% and 14%, respectively. As I stated last night, over the past two years the Manchester School District has received an additional $11 million in combined City and State funding. During that same period, requested funding was reduced by $12.2 million. These were not cuts, they were reductions in requests.
More broadly, ensuring we spend taxpayer dollars wisely and efficiently is paramount. That is why we reinstated the Independent City Auditor, and that is why I requested, and the Board of Aldermen approved, a plan to conduct operational and efficiency audits of the Manchester School District and our largest City Departments. The budget is an iterative process. Last night’s votes were another step ahead of my Budget Address next month, after which the proposal will move to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for consideration. Moving forward, the BOSC and the BMA must work together to produce a sustainable budget that balances the needs of the City and the Manchester School District without overburdening taxpayers.”
Manchester, NH — Last night, the Board of Aldermen voted to approve Mayor Ruais' funding and operational plan aimed at strengthening the City’s response to homelessness, supporting vulnerable residents, and transitioning away from emergency responses toward a stable, accountable, and fiscally responsible service system.
The approved plan supports the operation of the Aged and Infirmed Shelter, Winter Warming services, coordinated outreach, and housing stabilization efforts using a combination of Opioid Abatement funds, federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars, charitable gaming revenues, and American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds.
Mayor Jay Ruais emphasized that the City is seeing measurable progress:
“This plan reflects a shift away from reactive, short-term emergency responses toward a more sustainable system that supports our most vulnerable residents while protecting our community. We are making progress, but we know there is still more work to do.”
Over the past two years:
- Encampments in the city have declined by 22.3 percent
- Winter Warming utilization has decreased
- Overdoses and overdose fatalities have fallen to their lowest recorded levels
- 103 previously homeless veterans have been housed
- 90 additional individuals have secured housing
- 51 individuals have entered detoxification or rehabilitation programs
- 29 individuals have obtained employment
Mayor Ruais noted that the City’s strategy has focused on addressing root causes while maintaining public safety:
“Since 2024, we have taken important, comprehensive steps like banning public camping, increasing police presence in hot spot areas and strengthening coordination with service providers. Those actions, combined with housing and treatment pathways, are helping address homelessness and improve quality of life in Manchester for businesses, residents and visitors.”
The plan is also designed to reduce reliance on costly emergency hotel placements and temporary solutions by establishing a predictable shelter model with integrated services, creating operational stability while reducing long-term financial pressure on the City. Over the past year, we have responsibly reduced shelter capacity to focus resources on our most vulnerable residents, lowering costs and eliminating operational inefficiencies while expanding coordinated outreach. With this approval, the City now has the opportunity to permanently co-locate services on site, further reducing barriers to access and moving Manchester closer to the goal of making homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring.
Mayor Ruais thanked the Board for its support:
“I appreciate the partnership of the Board of Aldermen on this issue. Their approval allows us to keep moving forward, and build long-term infrastructure that is humane, structured, and financially sustainable. I also want to thank Chief Ryan Cashin, Fire Chief of the Manchester Fire Department, and Owen Love, Director of Homelessness Initiatives, along with our Welfare, Police, Solicitor, Health Department, Planning and Community Development, and Public Works Departments who have played such an integral role in serving those in need, and protecting our City.”