On Monday, May 18, 2026, MWW initiated a system wide hydrant flushing program in conjunction with a distribution system disinfectant conversion to free chlorine. This common preventative maintenance practice helps to remove nitrifying bacteria in the pipelines and improve overall water quality in the distribution system. With completion of the flushing program on June 26, 2026, MWW will convert back to its standard distribution disinfectant, chloramines, after the Independence Day holiday on Monday, July 6, 2026.
If you have any questions about the conversion, please contact the MWW laboratory at (603) 792-2855.
HB 1159, which updates the State Building Code, has been signed into law by Governor Ayotte. The effective date is July 1, 2026.
This update will formally adopt the 2024 editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Existing Building Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code and International Pool and Spa Code.
The Energy Code will remain as the 2018 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code, and the Electrical Code will remain as the 2023 edition of NFPA 70.
There is a 6-month grace period between July 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026 where an applicant can choose between the 2021 and 2024 editions of the International Codes in their entirety for construction project. In other words, utilizing individual provisions from each Code edition would not be allowed.
FREE meals will be available for all children ages 18 and under throughout the summer. Spread the word and make sure every child has access to nutritious meals when school is out. See the flyer HERE for details.
Manchester, NH - The City of Manchester has once again been recognized as one of the best-run cities in the United States, earning the No. 3 overall ranking in WalletHub’s annual Best-Run Cities in America report for the second year in a row.
The ranking evaluates how effectively local governments deliver services and produce results for residents across a broad range of categories, including financial stability, education, health, safety, economy, and infrastructure.
Manchester ranked third among more than 140 cities nationwide, continuing a trend of national recognition for the City's performance and quality of life.
"Being named one of the best-run cities in America is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of many, including our City employees, community partners, and residents who make Manchester such a special place to live, work, and raise a family," said Mayor Jay Ruais. "This recognition comes at a time when Manchester is making real progress on some of our community's biggest challenges. Crime has continued to fall, we’re expanding housing opportunities, addressing homelessness through a comprehensive response, while making our City run more effectively and efficiently, delivering results for our taxpayers among other key initiatives. While more hard work remains, this ranking is a testament to the progress our City is making and the bright future ahead for Manchester."
WalletHub's annual rankings compare cities across a variety of performance measures to identify communities that effectively deliver services and achieve strong outcomes for residents.
The full WalletHub Best-Run Cities in America report is available at: Best- & Worst-Run Cities in America in 2026
PUBLIC NOTICE TO VOTERS
Pursuant to N.H. RSA 654:27-a, the Board of Registrars shall hold session for the purpose of periodic checklist maintenance. The Board of Registrars for the City of Manchester will be in session at the Office of the City Clerk, One City Hall Plaza, on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 4:45 p.m. to take action on all requests to correct the checklist as provided in N.H. RSA 654:27-a.
Any voter who would like to register to vote is encouraged to complete a voter registration form at the Office of the City Clerk. Voters may register during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Anyone who wishes to register to vote must present proof of age, identity, domicile, and citizenship at the time of registration. For additional information, please visit the City Clerk’s Office website at manchesternh.gov/elections or call (603) 624-6455.
Board of Registrars
s/Matthew Normand
City Clerk
Community Construction Notice
Wolfe Park Softball Field & Amenities Renovation Project
The City of Manchester Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Division would like to inform residents and park users that construction activities for the Softball Field and Associated Amenities Renovation Project will begin this Saturday, May 16, 2026, and will continue through August 15, 2026.
All construction work will be contained entirely within the project footprint on the north side of Wolfe Park. The contractor will be mobilizing equipment and materials to that area, and fencing will be installed to secure the active construction zone.
What to Expect
- No traffic interruptions are anticipated during this project.
- All amenities on the south side of the park—including the basketball courts and the playground—will remain open and accessible.
- Park users are asked to remain outside the designated construction area for safety.
We appreciate the community’s patience as we complete these important upgrades to enhance the park’s facilities. If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact the Parks, Recreation & Cemetery Division at (603) 624-4444.
On Monday, May 18, 2026, the Manchester Water Works (MWW) will begin a planned six-week hydrant flushing program and chlorine conversion system-wide throughout our five-hundred (500) plus miles of water mains within the MWW water distribution system.
The flushing program will be conducted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, in order to minimize inconvenience to customers. Mark Bourque, Deputy Director, Distribution indicates that this annual program is to help improve water quality. The flushing will begin at the Lake Shore Road Water Treatment Plant in east Manchester and progress westerly over the six-week period across the city and areas of the six surrounding towns which MWW serves. Heavy Commercial users will be notified prior to work being done in their immediate area and we request that residential customers with special needs, such as in-house dialysis equipment, call our Department to make their locations known so that they also may be notified in advance of flushing in their area.
Customers may experience a slight discoloration of water during flushing due to increased velocity and reversed flow of the water in the pipelines. MWW regrets that the program may inconvenience some customers, but flushing is a necessary function of the departments’ preventive maintenance program. If you experience discoloration of your water, run cold water from a bathtub or outside spigot for ten to fifteen minutes or until the water clears. If the problem persists, please call the number below.
With questions regarding the chlorine conversion please call (603) 792-2855: flushing program, (603) 792-2807.
Effective immediately, Ward 2 residents will be voting at Smyth Road School at 245 Bruce Road.
After hearing concerns from Ward 2 residents and election officials, the decision has been made to move Ward 2’s polling location from Hillside Middle School.
The City Clerk’s Office will be mailing postcards to all registered households, spreading the word via social and print media, displaying signage on Reservoir Drive/Bridge Street the week leading up to Election Day to remind voters of the change, and displaying signage at Hillside Middle School on Election Day to remind voters who are in the wrong location of the change.
If you are a Ward 2 voter, we would encourage you to help spread the word about this change in your community.
For any questions, please reach out to the City Clerk’s Office at (603) 624-6455 or elections@manchesternh.gov.
For more information about voter registration and elections in Manchester, visit manchesternh.gov/elections.
Upcoming Elections
State Primary Election: September 8, 2026
Polling Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
State General Election: November 3, 2026
Polling Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Last year, the New Hampshire legislature passed SB221 amending RSA 654:39, requiring that the voter rolls be verified annually. This verification requires that the City Clerk’s Office and the Board of Registrars review the voter checklist and send a notice to any voters who
- have not voted in any election in the past 5 years AND
- registered to vote prior to the 2024 State General Election.
Any voter who registered to vote after the 2024 State General Election but has not yet voted in an election will not receive a notice and will not be removed from the checklist as a part of the annual verification process.
On June 2, 2026 the Board of Registrars will meet to approve the list of voters who match the specifications and approve the mailing of notices to those voters. Following the approval of the list, postcards notifying voters who match the specifications will be mailed out. Voters who receive these notices, must come to the Office of the City Clerk during regular business hours on or before August 28, 2026 to reregister to vote and must present proof of identity and domicile at the time of reregistration. Voters who received a notice and do not reregister within that timeframe will be removed from the voter checklist.
All voters are encouraged to review their voter registration by using the Secretary of State’s Office’s Voter Information Lookup Tool.
For any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (603) 624-6455 or at elections@manchesternh.gov.