During a recent city council meeting, discussions centered on two significant topics: the implications of opting out of a power supply contract and proposed changes to Howard Street's traffic regulations.

Council members addressed concerns regarding the potential fallout if residents choose to opt out of a newly signed power supply contract. It was clarified that if many residents exit the program, the city would not bear the financial burden; instead, the supplier would incur losses due to having to sell excess power in a short market. This situation was framed as a risk for the supplier, not for the city or individual customers.

The council also reviewed the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire as a potential energy supplier. However, the electoral aggregation committee ultimately favored a different supplier, citing the importance of local control over contract terms and bidding processes.

In a separate discussion, the council opened a public hearing regarding a proposal to make Howard Street one-way and implement no-parking regulations on one side. Residents expressed concerns about the rationale behind the request, questioning whether it stemmed from public safety needs or individual complaints. The fire chief's input highlighted safety issues related to emergency vehicle access, which prompted the proposal.

Several residents voiced their apprehensions about the impact of these changes on parking availability and traffic flow. They raised questions about enforcement of the new regulations and the potential for increased congestion on neighboring streets. The council acknowledged the complexity of the issue and indicated that further discussions would be necessary to address community concerns.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the Howard Street proposal in future sessions, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to resolve the parking and safety challenges in the area.