The Committee on Community Improvement of the Manchester Board of Mayor & Aldermen voted to approve items 1 through 4, which include an amending resolution providing for a transfer and expenditure of $191,525 for a project tied to a shelter/engagement center.

Committee members pressed city staff for details about the planned facility's location, the definition of "aged and infirm" among shelter clients, screening for registered sex offenders and the source of the funds. "I have a bunch of questions about this, 39 Beach Street," said Alderman Cantor during the discussion.

A city staff member told the committee that the engagement center currently houses more than eight people older than 65 and 21 people classified as having chronic health problems, and that the group had previously approved the concept of the plan. The staff member said in part: "We're bound by the HUD equal access law," referring to federal Housing and Urban Development requirements discussed with the city solicitor.

On funding, the staff member said the money for the plan would come from the sale of a city property and from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and did not require a property-tax increase. "It's not going to be an increase to taxpayers, that we're not taking property taxpayer dollars," the staff member said. Committee members pressed staff to provide the lease for the proposed site before final Board action.

Police representation described how the city handles registrants on sex-offender lists. Assistant Chief Louie said the Manchester Police Department maintains a list of registrants who are registered within the city, and that identifying an out-of-state registrant would require additional steps. "As far as the Manchester PD is concerned, we have a list of registered offenders who are registered within the city of Manchester," Louie said, adding that locating a registrant from another state would require investigative efforts.

Committee members framed part of the rationale for the shelter plan in oversight terms, saying a centrally run shelter would provide more supervision than encampments. Alderman Cantor said she was concerned about vulnerable people sleeping near registrants and sought assurances about placement and screening.

The committee voted without recorded opposition. A motion to waive the reading of items 1 through 4 was moved and seconded; members then moved and seconded approval of items 1 through 4. The committee chair reported that items 1 through 4 will proceed to the full Board of Mayor & Aldermen for final consideration.

The committee did not disclose the final lease at the meeting; members said they wanted the lease available to review before the full-board vote. The record shows the committee approved the budget actions to transfer funds now, with the understanding additional paperwork and the lease would be presented before final Board approval.