Check out the Manchester City Library's latest newsletter to catch up on library news and events. This issue provides additional insights into what reopening is going to look like for us, and highlights our ongoing virtual services and programs.
LEGAL NOTICE
(2020 HUD Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice - City of Manchester, NH)
In accordance with the City of Manchester’s Citizen Participation Plan notice is hereby given that as part of the development process of the City’s HUD 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, the City of Manchester Planning & Community Development Department has prepared a draft of the 2020 HUD Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. The draft will be available for public review during a 15 day comment period beginning Monday, August 3, 2020 through Monday, August 17, 2020.
As a recipient of US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds, the City is required to develop an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in order to orient its obligation to ‘affirmatively further fair housing’ (AFFH). AFFH is a legal requirement for the City to further the purposes of the Fair Housing Act. For some Manchester residents, housing choices can be constrained through housing discrimination, the operation of housing markets, investment choices by holders of capital, the history and geography of regions, and patterns of development and the built environment. These factors and others can result in discrimination, concentrated areas of poverty, and unequal access to vital community assets that can shape life outcomes.
The analysis includes a review of applicable City policies, practices, and procedures resulting in the development of a plan of action to eliminate or improve identified conditions that limit fair housing choice. The following impediments to fair housing choice are identified for the City of Manchester through the analysis: Insufficient (1) Quality Affordable Housing; (2) Crime and Safety; (3) Housing Options for the Homeless/ At-risk of Homeless; (4) Language and Cultural Barriers; (5) Insufficient Fair Housing Information, Training, Education and Outreach; (6) Insufficient Public Transportation and Services Outside the Center City; and (7) Discrimination Practices.
Copies of the draft 2020 HUD Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice will be available for public inspection for 15 days beginning on August 3, 2020 at the following locations during regular business hours:
Planning & Community Development Department
City of Manchester
One City Hall Plaza
Manchester, NH 03101
Available digitally at: http://www.manchesternh.gov/Departments/Planning-and-Comm-Dev/Community-Improvement-Program/HUD-Submittals
Questions regarding the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice may be addressed to Julia Vieira in the Planning and Community Development Department at 624-6450.
The public is encouraged to submit comments on the proposed Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice through August 17, 2020. Written comments can be submitted by mail to the City of Manchester Department of Planning and Community Development, Community Improvement Program, One City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH 03101 or digitally via e-mail to jvieira@manchesternh.gov .
Signed: Leon L. LaFreniere, AICP
Director of Planning and Community Development
All fees associated with paying your bill online or over the phone are being waived through August 31st. All shut-offs for non-compliance or non-payment are suspended until further notice.
Our office is open to the public, but we do ask that you utilize online/phone payment options whenever possible to reduce traffic.
We are receiving questions about the delayed due dates on bills. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial hardship that has resulted from it for many, Manchester Water Works and the Mayor determined we would not assess late fees until after August 4th. In order to accommodate this, the due date for all bills was adjusted beginning in our mid-March billing. As a result, there is no requirement to pay your bill before the due date indicated.
Clarification has been requested - delaying payment until that due date does mean customers will receive another bill and have two quarterly bills due in the same month come the late summer or fall. We do hope customers still pay their bills when they receive them if they are able to. In addition, you can call our office and set up a payment arrangement if needed. Any customer who has an autopayment set up with our office can call us to have the date adjusted.
We understand this is new and different for us all, and we are happy to help answer any questions you may have.
Hunt Memorial Swimming Pool will be open for the season this Saturday. Hours of operation will be 1 to 5 PM and 6 to 8 PM, daily (weather permitting). COVID-19 safety guidelines are in place. The number of patrons allowed in at any one time will be limited to assist with physical distancing. Please respect all rules and be courteous to staff.
Check out the Manchester City Library's latest newsletter to catch up on library news and events. The library is not yet re-opened to the public, but this issue will give you an idea of what you can expect when we do, as well as highlight some of our upcoming virtual programs.
Check out the Manchester City Library's latest newsletter to catch up on library news and events. The library is not yet re-opened to the public, but this issue will give you an idea of what you can expect when we do, as well as highlight some of our upcoming virtual programs.
The Dupont Splash Pad is open for the season, beginning today. Come have fun and cool off under the water features. Hours of operation are 11 am to 7 pm, seven days per week. COVID-19 safety guidelines are in place. The number of patrons allowed in at any one time will be limited to assist with physical distancing. Please respect all rules and be courteous to staff.
Crystal Lake Beach is open once again to the public, beginning today. Hours of operation for the season are 12 pm to 8 pm, seven days per week. COVID-19 safety guidelines are in place. The number of patrons allowed in the park at any one time will be limited to assist with physical distancing. Please respect all rules and be courteous to staff.
ManchesterNH.gov refresh based on traffic analytics and simplified site structure
Manchester, N.H. -- Today, the City of Manchester announced it will soon launch a new version of ManchesterNH.gov, the City’s official website. The new website will go live on July 20, 2020, but residents can view the updated site now at test.manchesternh.gov.
“The website refresh demonstrates the City of Manchester’s ongoing commitment to make it easier for residents to find information, engage with online services and learn what is happening across our city,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “This new website helps to increase accessibility, offers a clean layout and improves upon our pre-existing search functionality -- creating a better way for the public to access digital services.”
The website has simplified the home page, and uses a data-driven approach to offer easier access to the most-visited pages. In addition, the entire site is fully responsive, making it easier for residents to access information on a smartphone or tablet.
“The goal of this redesign is to help users find information quickly and efficiently and to make navigating the site more intuitive,” added Greg Duval, Web Services Administrator, Information Systems.
Residents who wish to view the updated website before it goes live can visit test.manchesternh.gov prior to July 20. Any questions or feedback can be emailed to webmaster@manchesternh.gov.
Today, Mayor Joyce Craig announced the City of Manchester applied for and received a $20,000 grant from the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation to institute a Diversity and Cultural Competency Program for representatives from all city departments.
“Our City employees serve one of the most diverse communities in the state, and it is critical that all our staff is equipped with the tools to assist individuals of all backgrounds,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “This program will create a network of city employees able to design and deliver quality cultural competency programs for all city staff. I want to thank the Bean Foundation for making this possible.”
“The Bean Foundation is committed to cultural diversity and equity and considers this to be a valuable investment in the City of Manchester and its citizens,” added Maria Mongan, Board Chair of the Bean Foundation.
This training was originally suggested by the Mayor’s Multicultural Advisory Council, which serves as a link between city government and the Manchester community to enhance engagement, strengthen relationships, and ensure all residents feel welcomed, respected, and accepted. The Council was formally announced at the Mayor’s State of the City Address earlier this year.
“This is a really important step in the right direction from the Mayor's office and the City of Manchester. I am very excited to see that the Council is already making an impact and bringing the positive changes we need to see happening in our city,” said Arnold Mikolo, the Chair of the Mayor’s Multicultural Advisory Council.
The cultural competency training is facilitated by New Hampshire Health and Equity Partnership and the Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center.
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Check out the Manchester City Library's latest newsletter to catch up on library news and events. All the details about our summer reading programs are inside!
As of Monday, June 22, the Planning and Community Development Department is now open to the public, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you come to City Hall, we would encourage you to use the door closest to Elm Street, as the lines for the Tax Collector's Office can go out the front door to the West Wing and out into Market Street. The Planning and Community Development Department is on the second floor of the West Wing, so there is no need to wait in a line on the first floor. Please wear a mask upon entering City Hall and remain at least 6 feet from other people. You may also schedule an in-person appointment or meeting.
Although the Department is open, we encourage you to do as much business online as possible. You may submit applications and questions to pcd@manchesternh.gov. Please call 624-6450 with any questions.
Couples may now come to City Hall to obtain a marriage license or to get married without a ceremony between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. We are practicing social distancing at this time and can only help a limited amount of people at one time so you may experience longer wait times. Also, if you plan on signing the paperwork in front of the Justice of the Peace to get married, we ask that you refrain from bringing additional guests with you.
Please click here for our marriage license worksheet which can be filled out prior to coming to City Hall to save time.
ATTENTION
The Tax Office is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Please wear a mask when visiting the Tax Office.
- Property Tax payments can be submitted by mail, online or by drop box.
- Our mailing address is: PO BOX 9598, Manchester NH 03108.
- Online payments can be made by electronic check or card.
- Our drop box is located at the entrance of the West Wing (Market Street side) at City Hall main door nearest to the Tax Office.
Check out the Manchester City Library's latest newsletter to catch up on library news and events, including our upcoming plans for curbside service.
MANCHESTER, NH - Ahead of the June 15th expiration of the Governor’s Stay-At-Home order, Mayor Joyce Craig and the Manchester Health Department have announced a timeline for the re-opening of city buildings and in-person city services.
Masks will be required for all public-facing employees and highly recommended for all members of the public entering city buildings. To better protect employees and citizens, the City of Manchester has installed barriers, where social distancing is not possible in all public-facing departments, will increase the frequency of cleaning and sanitation of common surfaces, and will have masks and hand sanitizer available for use, for visitors of City Hall and other city buildings.
While city departments are beginning to offer in-person services, it is still strongly encouraged for residents to complete as many services online or by appointment as possible, and limit the number of individuals entering city buildings to only those needed to complete the service.
To that end, starting next week, online processing fees will be waived for all online services, including services offered by the Tax Collector and City Clerk’s Offices, and additional accommodations will be made for individuals who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, such as the immunocompromised or elderly.
In addition to reopening city buildings for in-person services, the Parks and Recreation Department also announced the reopening of playgrounds, basketball courts, soccer mini-pitches and the Derryfield Fit Lot by Friday, June 19.
The timeline for re-opening of city buildings is as follows:
Opening for in-person services on MONDAY, JUNE 15th (Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm):
- Department of Public Works (475 Valley St)
- Environmental Protection Division (300 Winston St)
- Info Systems (100 Merrimack St)
- Office of Youth Services (1528 Elm St)
- Water Works (281 Lincoln St)
- Welfare (1528 Elm St)
Opening for curbside service on MONDAY, JUNE 22nd (Monday - Friday, 10am - 2pm):
- Manchester City Library (405 Pine St)
Opening for in-person services on MONDAY, JUNE 22nd (Hours TBD):
- Assessor’s Office (City Hall)
- City Clerk (City Hall)
- City Solicitor (City Hall)
- Finance Department (City Hall)
- Human Resources (City Hall)
- Mayor's Office (City Hall)
- Parking (City Hall)
- Planning and Community Development (City Hall)
- Tax Collector’s Office (City Hall)
Parks & Rec is announcing that all playground structures, basketball courts, soccer mini-pitches and the Derryfield Fit Lot will reopen by next Friday, June 19. New signage will begin going up next week advising users of safety guidelines. These will include best practices to minimize virus transmission, and a prohibition on use for those with COVID-19 symptoms or those recently in contact with someone infected with COVID-19. For the most up-to-date status on parks facilities and programming, always visit www.manchesternh.gov/parks.
Check out the Manchester City Library's latest newsletter to catch up on library news, events, and online offerings as we continue to serve you virtually.