Mayor Ruais testifies at Statehouse in support of SB 14 and SB 15

Bills would increase jail time for certain fentanyl-related offenses and

distribution of controlled drugs that result in death

MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee today, throwing his support behind two bills (SB 14 and SB 15) aimed at increasing penalties related to fentanyl possession and distributing a controlled drug that results in death.

Ruais told the committee, “As mayor, my most important responsibility is safety, a big component of which is dealing with our opioid epidemic -- that includes the scourge of fentanyl.   The ripple effect Fentanyl has had on children, families and neighborhoods cannot be understated; it has been devastating. Even one life lost is too many. The good news is, we are fighting back, and with help from legislative efforts like SB 14, and SB 15 we will make even more gains.

“Working with our community partners and the State of New Hampshire, opioid overdoses fell 24%, and fatalities from overdoses dropped 21% in 2024. These are incredibly encouraging results,” said Ruais. “Additionally, in December of 2024, we recorded the lowest 1-month suspected opioid overdose response total in nearly 5 years in Manchester. We are making progress, and that’s exactly why we cannot let up in our efforts.”

Ruais shared additional statistics saying, “Of the over 4,500 arrests conducted by the Manchester Police Department in 2024, 889 of them were drug-related, that’s nearly 20-percent.

And, half of those drug-related arrests were for fentanyl or heroin. The number of cases with fentanyl greater than 5 grams was 103. 26 of them were greater than 28 grams. In total, the City of Manchester seized more than 7,300 grams of fentanyl/heroin in 2024.”

“By establishing a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 years and 6 months for those convicted of possessing more than 5 grams or more of fentanyl, and sentences of 7 years in prison for those convicted of possessing 28 grams, we have even more ammunition to combat the scourge on our streets that has ruined too many lives and stolen too many futures. SB 14 and SB 15 send strong messages that New Hampshire is serious about deadly drugs like fentanyl – and if you are found in possession of this killer drug, or you distribute this type of controlled drug and it results in someone’ death, you will face significant jail time. In the end, the people who peddle this poison have no place on the streets of Manchester,” Ruais added.

The mayor ended by saying, “While SB 14 and SB 15 will be incredibly helpful in the fight against fentanyl on our streets, an equally important companion issue is Bail Reform. I look forward to working with legislators in Concord on this and other pressing public safety concerns.”  

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Manchester awarded $2 Million SMART Transportation Grant

Funds will help improve traffic flow and safety in congested areas

MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais announced today that the City of Manchester has been awarded a $2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, one of 34 given out across 21 states for a total of $50 million. These Stage 1 Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants use technology to address community needs. The SMART Program aims to help communities leverage technology to create safer, more efficient, and innovative transportation systems.

   Commenting on the impact of the grant, Ruais said, “As Manchester continues its positive growth, we are right to focus on how traffic is being affected. This SMART Grant will help increase vehicle flow as well as safety in corridors that are currently susceptible to congestion. Improving our traffic management in the city will benefit drivers, pedestrians and businesses alike.” 

   The City of Manchester, with support from Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission, applied for and received the maximum Stage 1 SMART grant award of $2 Million out of a total of 308 applications submitted for this program. The project will evaluate existing traffic operations on Maple Street, Beech Street, Pine Street, and Chestnut Street south of Bridge Street and one corridor will then be selected to install/implement advanced traffic signal technology. Installation of state-of-the-art equipment will optimize corridor timing, and improve the management of traffic signals to reduce delay and emissions while improving safety and communications. 

   Following the completion of the Stage 1 demonstration project, the City of Manchester would be eligible to apply for the Stage 2 grant program which could provide up to an additional $15 million in funding to expand this technology within the city.

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Mayor Ruais Announces Ward 1 Town Hall meeting on January 14

MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Ruais announced the following event today:

WHAT:           Ward 1 Town Hall Meeting

WHEN:            Tuesday, January 14, from 6:00pm - 7:00pm

WHERE:         Webster Elementary School, 2519 Elm Street 

NOTE:            Ward 1 Alderman Chris Morgan and Ward 1 School Board Member Julie Turner have been invited. 

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Mayor Ruais applauds significant decrease in overdoses/fatalities in city for 2024

MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais issued the following statement today regarding American Medical Response’s (AMR) year-end numbers on overdose and fatality numbers for 2024:  

    “AMR’s report out today showing a steep decline in opioid overdoses and opioid fatalities in the city for 2024 is incredibly encouraging. I want to thank our Health Department Director Anna Thomas and AMR, as well as our local and state partners for this marked improvement and lives saved.  As a person in recovery, there is nothing I am more proud of than seeing significant improvements in this area because one life lost is too many.”

AMR 2024 TOTALS:

• Manchester recorded 24% less suspected opioid overdoses in 2024 than 2023
• Manchester recorded 21% less suspected opioid deaths in 2024 than 2023  

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Manchester designated a New Hampshire Housing Champion

Recognition qualifies city to apply for millions in grant funding to

help advance innovative housing initiatives and infrastructure improvements

MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais announced today that Manchester has been designated as a New Hampshire Housing Champion by the state’s Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA). This allows the city to apply for grants that will further advance innovative housing initiatives and infrastructure improvements.

     “Addressing our housing challenges and increasing our supply of affordable units is a collaborative effort,” said Mayor Ruais. “Being designated a Housing Champion increases our funding options, so I am deeply grateful to the BEA. This designation was made possible by our Economic Development Director Jodie Nazaka. The application process was time consuming, but she made certain Manchester was one of the cities that came out on top. Jodie is an amazing advocate for the city and I truly appreciate her efforts.”

    Ruais added, “This is top priority of ours. Since January 1, the city has issued Certificates of Occupancy for 543 new dwelling units, the Planning Board approved 600 new dwelling units and we have 707 active units under construction. Additionally, we sold 15 parcels of unused land generating $1.13 million for our Affordable Housing Trust Fund and we’re in the middle of a city-wide rezoning effort which is a generational opportunity to add housing to our city.”

       Taylor Caswell, Commissioner of the BEA, congratulated Manchester on the honor saying, “This prestigious recognition is a testament to your community’s outstanding commitment to fostering an environment that supports innovative and sustainable solutions to address New Hampshire’s housing needs. Your efforts have demonstrated leadership and vision in creating pathways for housing development that will positively impact residents and contribute to solving the state’s housing crisis.”

     As a Housing Champion, Manchester is now eligible to apply for the following grants starting in January of 2025:

• The Housing Production Municipal Grant Fund (with $1.5 million in available funding)
• The Housing Infrastructure Municipal Grant (with $3.5 million in available funding)

Note:  The designation is valid for 3 years from the date of designation, with a renewal for subsequent 3-year periods.

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Mayor Updates Veterans’ Initiative: 16 Homeless Veterans now Housed

MANCHESTER, NH – Three months after launching an initiative to effectively end homelessness in Manchester for retired military service members by January of 2026, Mayor Jay Ruais announced today a total of 16 homeless veterans have new places to call home.

   “The success of this program is incredibly gratifying,” said Ruais “In three months, we’ve gotten 16 veterans into safe and stable housing – something they have all earned and deserve. As I said at our kickoff event back in September, we’ve set our sights high because in Manchester we don’t shrink from a challenge and we don’t shirk our responsibilities. Even one homeless military service member is too many. Now, we can truly say we’re making progress and changing lives.”  

   “We are proud to be partnering on this important mission,” stated Henry Och, CEO of Harbor Care. “At Harbor Care, we are committed to ending veteran homelessness and we appreciate the mayor’s leadership in this critical endeavor. Great momentum has been built in the first 80 days, but no one agency can do this alone. It requires buy-in and partnership across the community. Together, we succeed.”

  Ruais ended by saying, “I want to thank Harbor Care and our city landlords who are committing even more units to the initiative as well as the community partners who are helping to house veterans all across the city.”

Note: Landlords and non-profits groups interested in joining the mayor’s initiative to help house homeless veterans can email mayor@manchesternh.gov

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NEW START TIME

Mayor Ruais Announces Ward 2 Town Hall meeting

MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Ruais announced the following event today:

WHAT:           Ward 2 Town Hall Meeting

WHEN:            Thursday, December 5 from 7:00pm-8:00pm

WHERE:         Hillside Middle School, 112 Reservoir Avenue

NOTE:            Ward 2 Alderman Dan Goonan and Ward 2 School Board Member

                       Sean Parr have been invited.

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Mayor Ruais’ ARPA Package Approved by the BMA

Focus is on supporting homelessness solutions,

increasing public safety, community programs and further increasing the quality of life

MANCHESTER, NH – With an end-of-the year deadline approaching to obligate all of the dollars made available to the city through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Mayor Jay Ruais today applauded approval of a final spending package and detailed how the remaining $1,779,220 will be used.      

    “After months of work with our department heads, conversations with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) and community partners, I presented a package of recommendations to the BMA with a focus on addressing community needs like homelessness, public safety, and further increasing the quality of life in our city,” said Ruais. (See below)

   Ruais added, “I believe these final ARPA allocations reflect where our focus as a city needs to be regarding our most pressing needs, as well as future initiatives that will impact our residents in so many positive ways. I want to thank the BMA for its support of these critical programs and initiatives.”  

Summary of ARPA Obligations Approved on November 19, 2024:

Beech Street Shelter Programs: Funding through 3/31/25                $409,138

City-wide Grant Coordinator                                                                   $207,418

Manchester Community College Tuition Support Program               $200,000

Manchester Economic Development Office: StreetPlus Cleaning    $200,000

Winter Warming Station: Beech Street Shelter                                    $150,000

Independent City Auditor                                                                        $135,000

MPD: Recruiting Bonuses for 10 Officers                                             $100,000

DPW: Neighborhood Environmental Improvement/Trash Removal    $80,000

Welfare Department: General Assistance Support                                $80,000

Manchester Police Athletic League - General Assistance                    $60,000

Winter Emergency Shelter (Amendment)                                               $54,325

Hope City Capital Improvements                                                             $53,900

Domestic Violence Victim - Witness Coordinator                                 $49,437

 Total                                                                                                    $1,779,220

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Mayor Ruais Announces Ward 4 Town Hall meeting on Nov. 21

MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Ruais announced the following event today:

WHAT:           Ward 4 Town Hall Meeting

WHEN:            Thursday, November 21^st from 6:00-7:00pm

WHERE:         McDonough Elementary School,  550 Lowell Street

NOTE:            Ward 4 Alderman Christine Fajardo and Ward 4 School Board Member Leslie Want have been invited.

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Mayor Ruais nominates Asst. Chief Marr to replace Chief Aldenberg

21-year veteran has led at every level at MPD; received multiple service medals

MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais announced today he is nominating Assistant Chief Peter Marr to replace outgoing Chief Allen Aldenberg to lead the Manchester Police Department.

Explaining his decision to tap Marr, Ruais said, “Over the past year, I have had the privilege of working with AC Marr.  I have always found him to be an outstanding, approachable and thoughtful professional. In our conversations, he understands the seriousness of the position of chief and the dedication necessary to lead the state’s largest municipal police force. As a 21-year veteran of the force, AC Marr is uniquely aware of the challenges our city faces. He also has valuable insights into the over 300 officers he will lead if given the opportunity.”

The mayor also noted the depth of Marr’s experience saying, “Over the past two decades, AC Marr has distinguished himself as a leader at all levels, including as a Detective in Major Crimes, Sergeant in Patrol, Assistant SWAT Team Leader, Lieutenant and Shift Commander in Patrol and Captain. Peter has also been honored as Officer of the Year and is the recipient of the Life Saving, Honorable Service, and Meritorious Service Medals.”

“I believe AC Marr’s leadership skills, knowledge of tactical operations and investigations, crisis management experience, and personnel management give him a solid foundation to continue to be successful at the next level. It is my honor to nominate him to be Manchester’s next Police Chief.  I have every confidence he will hold himself and his officers to the highest standards, always staying true to every police officer’s sworn duty to protect and serve,” said Ruais.

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