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Mayor Ruais Announces Ward 11 Town Hall

Published: 03/07/2024 8:47 AM

Mayor Ruais Announces Ward 11 Town Hall

 

Manchester NH- Mayor Jay Ruais will be holding a Ward 11 Town Hall on Wednesday, March 13th at Gossler Park Elementary School, 145 Parkside Avenue from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Aldermen and School Board Members representing Ward 11 have also been invited.

 

 

Mayor Jay Ruais Urges Immediate Legislative Action on Bail Reform to Enhance Public Safety

Published: 03/06/2024 11:38 AM

Mayor Jay Ruais Urges Immediate Legislative Action on Bail Reform to Enhance Public Safety

“The Safety Of Our Citizens is Non-Negotiable and We Can’t Continue To Allow Our Community To Face This Repeat Criminal Activity”

Manchester, 3/6/2024— Today, Mayor Jay Ruais stood alongside Fire Chief Ryan Cashin, Assistant Police Chief Peter Marr, and the Aldermen to address a critical matter affecting the safety and well-being of the community. Mayor Ruais stated the following:

“Despite an overall reduction in crime, the failure to comprehensively address bail reform is contributing to significant challenges within Manchester. With the approaching spring season, we need to be proactive in addressing these issues. The safety of our citizens is non-negotiable we cannot allow our community to experience this repeat criminal activity. 

I implore the legislature to take immediate action on two specific proposals: first, the elimination of Personal Recognizance (PR) bail for felonies, and second, the introduction of a provision requiring individuals rearrested while out on PR bail to go in front of a judge. I appreciate the legislature’s, previous efforts to find compromise on this issue and the steps they took in January. Know that the city of Manchester stands ready, willing and able to help in any way we can to find a solution to this. But the time is to act now, and I urge the legislature to consider these proposals as a crucial step, it is of utmost importance to act swiftly to ensure a safer and more secure future for the residents of Manchester.”

 

 

 

Background-

  • Year to date, there have been 817 arrests, with 306 (37%) individuals released on bail.
  • Over the past 12 months, MPD conducted 4529 arrests, and in 26% of cases, the arrestees were out on bail at the time of their new arrest.

Mayor Jay Ruais Delivers “State of the City” Address Focused on Homelessness

Published: 02/14/2024 10:04 AM

Mayor Jay Ruais Delivers “State of the City” Address Focused on Homelessness

Manchester, NH – Today, Mayor Jay Ruais delivered his first “State of the City” address. He specifically chose to address the issue of homelessness. Marrying words with action, he announced 8 new proposals that will be delivered in the coming months, on top of the 5 actions already underway since the beginning of the administration. 

Proposed:

  1. Strengthen Ordinances- Directed the City Solicitor to review all ordinances relating to congregating, sitting, sleeping or lying on city streets so that we can identify areas we can strengthen. We will move with all available haste to strengthen our ordinances.
  2. Banning Camping- The Supreme Court is set to take up this issue, with a ruling coming this summer. If this ruling is overturned, Manchester will move to outlaw camping in our city.
  3. Recovery Residences-
    1. Lobby the state to develop a licensing and certification process to ensure the highest operational standards. Creating this process will provide consistency and regulatory understanding, which will reduce the imperative of these residences being created in, and people being sent to, Manchester.
    2. Call on all recovery residences in the City of Manchester to become certified through the New Hampshire Coalition of Recovery Residences which is based on a national standard set by the National Association of Recovery Residences.
  4. Zoning Ordinance to Promote Housing Construction –
    1. Building on the success of last year’s ADU ordinance modification, we now propose further changes that would eliminate a Planning Board review entirely, making it easier for homeowners to construct various types of ADUs on their properties. The requirements regarding the ADU structure will still be in place, they will be outlined in the ordinance; this proposal simply aims to expedite the process, recognizing the importance of swift action to address our city's housing needs. 
    2. Currently, our Zoning Ordinance imposes minimum lot sizes for the construction of up to three dwelling units per property, with additional square-footage requirements for each unit beyond three. Our proposed change seeks to permit an additional unit (four) within the same lot size that was previously limited to three.
  5. Creation of Homeless Courts- Those who are experiencing homelessness, may have misdemeanor criminal quality of life charges, or citations, making it difficult to get a job, a license or a roof over their head. Thus, it will be difficult to break the cycle of homelessness. Homeless courts are special court sessions held in local shelters or community sites with a volunteer judge, typically taking a few hours per month at no cost. This meets the person where they are, and is an effective way to address crime, and divert the individual into a better life, thus breaking the cycle they are currently trapped within. 
  6. Opioid Rewrite- The City of Manchester is undertaking a crucial initiative – the update of our "2016 City of Manchester: Response to the Opioid Crisis" with the unveiling of the "2024 City of Manchester Overdose Prevention Strategy." This strategy is not merely a document; it is a comprehensive blueprint that reflects our collective determination to address the opioid epidemic head-on. Those experiencing homelessness accounted for nearly half of all overdoses last year, addiction is a major contributing factor. Therefore, addressing addiction has to be a key component to address the homeless crisis.
  7. Leveraging City Properties to Promote More Housing- The Department of Water Works and the Tax Collector identified suitable city-owned land that can be made available for development. The Department of Water Works has already deemed a parcel of land as surplus and the Board of Mayor and Alderman will take this up shortly. Our Tax Collector and Assessor have identified 14 vacant lots. Our goal is to work with reputable developers, and community partners, who share our commitment to creating housing options that cater to the diverse needs of our community. The process will involve community input, and we will prioritize developments that align with our values and meet the needs of our residents.
  8. State Grants- We are actively working with the Governor’s Office and the Legislature to secure an appropriation of $5.23 million for the Farnum and Waypoint projects over the next few months. This additional funding will have a dramatic impact on the sustainability of these programs, which do such great work in our community. 

 

Underway:

  1. Bail Reform- January 3rd- Press Conference with Aldermen and state legislators in Concord to urge the legislature to vote for the bail reform bills that were on their docket. These passed. Continue to work with the Governor and legislature on future measures as we have more work to do on this issue.   
  2. NH Council on Housing Stability -One of three mayors in the state to have a position on the council which allows us to leverage collective efforts and pool resources to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness. This position will also allow for greater communication and collaboration with other communities to help them address their challenges without having to send those in need to our city. 
  3. Continuum of Care- Expanded the Manchester Continuum of Care (CoC) by adding 15 members. This move is a crucial first step towards fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. it is a commitment to bringing together our community partners, stakeholders, and decision-makers to end homelessness in our city. The CoC will vote next month on moving forward with this process and beginning transition steps.
  4. Anti-Stigma Campaign- The city was chosen as one of one hundred cities nationally to participate in an Anti-Stigma Initiative. It is designed to increase awareness about addiction, improve helping behaviors towards those with SUD, and offer learning opportunities about evidence-based treatment options, signs and symptoms of addiction, and effective engagement strategies. This initiative is not just about combating addiction; it is about addressing one of the root causes of homelessness, demonstrating our commitment to building a healthier and more compassionate community.
  5. City Grants- Recently the city received grants totaling $1.65 million, dedicated to two crucial affordable housing projects which are poised to create 142 affordable housing units. These initiatives mark substantial progress in our mission to address the critical need for affordable housing in Manchester.

 

Mayor Ruais Announces Ward 1 Town Hall

Published: 02/05/2024 9:17 AM

Mayor Ruais Announces Ward 1 Town Hall

 

Manchester NH- Mayor Jay Ruais will be holding a Ward 1 Town Hall on Thursday, February 15th at Webster Elementary School, 2519 Elm Street at 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Aldermen and School Board Members representing Ward 1 have also been invited.

 

Mayor Jay Ruais joins Manchester’s American Medical Response Team AMR for a Ride Along

Published: 02/02/2024 1:25 PM

 

Office of Mayor Jay Ruais

NEWS RELEASE                                                                                  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    

Mayor Jay Ruais joins Manchester’s American Medical Response Team AMR for a Ride Along

Manchester NH- Mayor Jay Ruais joined in on a ride along with Manchester’s American Medical Response team (AMR). He released the following statement:

“I am deeply grateful for our first responders who are on the front lines of some of our city’s greatest challenges, namely substance use disorder, mental health crises, and homelessness. Addressing and fixing these issues will continue to be a top priority of our Administration. I am incredibly thankful for the combined efforts of our city, and community partners, whose efforts have led to the recent report of a decrease in drug overdoses, and overdose fatalities. With the recent launch of the expansion of the Continuum of Care (CoC) and the Anti Stigma Campaign, our efforts to strengthen our community response is continuing to grow.”

 

BACKGROUND:

AMR Manchester provides emergency and non-emergency medical transport service for the city of Manchester and surrounding communities and is CAAS Accredited.

 

 

Mayor Jay Ruais rides along with “Squad 1” to Witness City’s Progress in Opioid Crisis Response

Published: 01/24/2024 4:59 PM

Mayor Jay Ruais with “Squad 1” to Witness City’s Progress in Opioid Crisis Response

 

Today, Mayor Jay Ruais embarked on a ride-along with the dedicated members of "Squad 1," Manchester Fire Department's specialized unit, as they responded to calls throughout the city. The purpose of the ride-along was to gain a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced on the ground by our first responders, and see how our city is providing outreach services for those suffering from substance use disorder, mental health crises and homelessness.

 

Mayor Ruais released the following statement:

 

“I am pleased to see the recent data regarding a reduction in opioid related overdoses. As we all know, every life lost to addiction is a tragedy, and there is still much work to be done to address two of the underlying drivers of homelessness, substance use disorder and mental health.

I commend the efforts of Squad 1, and Chief Ryan Cashin in their critical role in community risk reduction and intervention services for substance misuse. This ride-along experience provided valuable insights into the efforts being made to address some of the greatest challenges in our community, and I look forward to continuing to work with our City Departments and community partners to strengthen our response and save lives.”

 

Background on Squad 1:

 

On May 1, 2020 the Manchester Fire Department took on a new role in the community, utilizing “Squad 1” to provide centralized Outreach Services for those suffering from Substance Use Disorder, Mental Health crises, and homelessness. Operating between the hours of 0900-2100, 6 days a week, the Squad handles outreach, low acuity medical emergencies, interventional services for substance use and general community risk reduction. In 2023 the Squad responded to a total of 2,065 incidents. 955 of these were outreach related and 264 were opioid related calls for service. This averages out to roughly 13 calls for service during the 12-hour shift, making it the busiest unit in the Manchester Fire Department, if not the busiest fire-based unit in the State. The unit is currently funded through the City of Manchester and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Mayor Ruais Announces the City of Manchester has been Chosen for National Anti-Stigma Pilot Program

Published: 01/24/2024 2:06 PM

Mayor Ruais Announces the City of Manchester has been Chosen for National Anti-Stigma Pilot Program

 

MANCHESTER Today, Mayor Jay Ruais is announcing that the City of Manchester has been chosen as one of one hundred cities nationally to participate in an Anti-Stigma Initiative led by the Addiction Policy Forum. The initiative is designed to increase knowledge about addiction, and improve helping behaviors towards individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD). Additionally, it will provide learning opportunities about evidence-based treatment options, signs and symptoms of addiction, and engagement strategies.

 

Research has found that individuals who experience stigma due to an SUD are more likely to continue engaging in substance misuse and manifest greater delayed treatment access and higher rates of dropout.

 

Mayor Ruais released the following statement:

 

“I am living proof that a person with a substance use disorder can get better. This initiative is designed to increase education and awareness about how we can remove barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking treatment, and reaffirms our community’s commitment to providing a supportive and compassionate environment for individuals who are impacted by addiction. Combatting the addiction epidemic has a direct correlation with tackling the homeless crisis as well, and represents our Administration’s efforts to get at one of the root causes of homelessness. I was honored to ask Alderman Pat Long to join me in this effort because we are prime examples of what people can accomplish when they find recovery.

 

As part of the campaign, residents and community leaders in Manchester are being asked to participate in a survey to measure addiction knowledge, confidence in how to respond to a substance use disorder and levels of stigma in the community. In doing so, researchers will gain a greater understanding of how the city can best position itself to offer educational resources and targeted interventions.

 

 

Alderman Pat Long released the following statement:

 

“This initiative is the first of many steps that Manchester can take toward achieving a healthier community. I ask all constituents and City leaders to come together to be part of the solution.”

 

Please view the video announcement of this release here:

 

To participate in the survey, please complete the on-line survey by following this link before February 29, 2024: Click Here

 

Once completed, pilot sites will help field test the “Responding to Addiction Intervention” developed by the Addiction Policy Forum to increase knowledge about substance use disorders, and how best to respond as an individual and community.

 

To view the video: Click Here

 

City health officials and community providers continue to urge those struggling with substance use disorder, anxiety or other mental health concerns to contact the Doorways by calling 2-1-1 or by visiting https://www.thedoorway.nh.gov/.

 

Mayor Jay Ruais joins Manchester Graffiti Removal Truck in Order to Remove Graffiti Around the City

Published: 01/18/2024 11:13 AM

 Mayor Jay Ruais joins Manchester Graffiti Removal Truck in Order to Remove Graffiti Around the City

““Thank you to the Manchester DPW Graffiti Removal Team for having me with them this morning.  I was thrilled to join them in covering up graffiti around the city with crew members Chris Belanger and Eric Clark and also a big thank you to John Clancy and John Ramos as they made their rounds in the downtown.  Removing graffiti, and other city beautification efforts, contributes to civic pride, while making our city more appealing to visitors, businesses and residents alike. We should take a great deal of pride in our Queen City, and we cannot, and should not tolerate anything less than a pristine environment.”

 

Mayor Jay Ruais Releases 15 Community Partners who will join the Manchester Continuum of Care

Published: 01/17/2024

 

Mayor Jay Ruais Releases 15 Community Partners who will join the Manchester Continuum of Care

Manchester, NH- Today, Mayor Jay Ruais released the names of 15 community partners who will join the City of Manchester’s Continuum of Care. Mayor Ruais released the following statement:

“In order to successfully address the homelessness crisis, the city needs to provide a vision and an overall coordinated effort to ensure those experiencing homelessness are not falling through the cracks because of a siloed community approach. To that end, I have asked the following the federal delegation, state agencies, Hillsborough County officials, Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the private sector and representatives from the faith community to join the CoC’s General Assembly. This effort represents an important step forward in our city’s response to break the cycle of homelessness and create a better environment for all of Manchester. We will continue to add representation from additional sectors to expand voices at the table.”

The following partners were added to Manchester’s Continuum of Care program:

  1. Office of Senator Jeanne Shaheen
  2. Office of Senator Maggie Hassan
  3. Office of Congressman Chris Pappas
  4. Katja Fox: Director, Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health
  5. Chase Hagaman, Director of the Division of Economic Development Department of Business and Economic Affairs
  6. Joseph Costanzo: Hillsborough County Superintendent of Jail
  7. Toni Pappas: Hillsborough County Commissioner
  8. Kelly Thomas: Alderman Ward 12
  9. Dan Goonan: Alderman Ward 2
  10. Crissy Kantor: Alderman Ward 6
  11. Patrick Tufts: President and CEO of Granite United Way
  12. Phil Tuttle: Pastor, Zeal Church
  13. Persephanie Lesperance: Owner, Recovery Residence
  14. Courtney Fifield: Members First Credit Union
  15. Anne Bilodeau: Brady Sullivan Properties

 

BACKGROUND:

The Manchester Continuum of Care (CoC) is the established entity to bring together our community partners, stakeholders and decision makers to end homelessness in our city.

In his Inaugural Address, Mayor Ruais called for the City of Manchester to become the lead agency for the CoC. Currently the CoC is currently run by a leadership team of non-profits whom the new partners seek to join and support.

 

 

Mayor Jay Ruais Applauds the Efforts of the State and the City Planning Departments for Securing Affordable Housing Grants

Published: 01/16/2024

Mayor Jay Ruais Applauds the Efforts of the State and the City Planning Departments for Securing Affordable Housing Grants

 

Manchester NH- Mayor Jay Ruais is pleased to announce his signature of receipt to two significant grants from the State of New Hampshire, aimed at supporting the development of affordable housing in the city of Manchester.

 

The most recent grants totaling $1.42 million, have been awarded to facilitate two essential affordable housing projects. The first project, located at 351 Chestnut Street, is set to create 98 affordable housing units, while the second project at 345 Chestnut Street will contribute an additional 44 affordable units to the community.

 

In addition to these recent grants, the state has previously awarded $230,000 for two smaller projects, demonstrating an ongoing partnership and shared commitment to improving housing affordability within the city.

 

Mayor Ruais expressed gratitude for the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ support, stating “These grants are a testament to the collaborative efforts between the State of New Hampshire and the City of Manchester to make affordable housing a realty for our residents. Within these funds, we can continue to build a stronger community and these grants are just the beginning of our work to make housing affordable for our residents.

 

I would also like to thank the Manchester Planning and Community Development Department for all of their hard work over the last year to make this project happen for the city.”

 

The combined award of $1.65 million will play a crucial role in advancing our city’s mission to provide quality, affordable housing options for our residents. The projects at 345 and 351 Chestnut Street represent significant strides toward meeting the city’s housing goals.

 

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