Manchester Board approves series of budget amendments and grants including $10.75 million canal project and $2 million smart-traffic grant

The Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve a package of budget amendments and grant acceptances covering multiple capital projects and department requests at its meeting. The actions included a $10,750,000 transfer for canal design and construction and a $2,000,000 smart-traffic grant intended for study and potential pilot implementation on a single corridor.

The package covered 15 items on the consent/finance agenda that the board moved and approved in sequence. The items authorized acceptance and expenditure of funds across capital improvement projects (CIP) for opioid settlement proceeds, youth programs, homeless health care, emergency operations center upgrades, a vehicle and equipment purchases, annual street reconstruction, a traffic-signal smart grant, a FEMA hazard mitigation award amendment, hazmat training funds, and time-frame extensions for several CIP projects. Most motions were moved and seconded by board members and were approved with “Aye” votes.

Why it matters: these approvals allocate funds for near-term capital work and grant-funded programs that city staff said will support street reconstruction, corridor traffic-signal optimization, emergency operations upgrades and public-safety training. Item 11—the $2,000,000 smart-traffic grant—was discussed at length during the meeting and includes a study phase with potential to purchase and install equipment on a corridor depending on consultant recommendations and later-phase grant opportunities.

Board discussion and specifics The board recorded approvals of the following items (amounts and CIP codes as announced in the meeting): - Item 1: Acceptance and expenditure of $166,697.83 (CIP 211723, opioid settlement / litigation settlement trust). Motion to approve moved; outcome: approved. - Item 2: Acceptance and expenditure of $10,500 (CIP 211925, Manchester Youth Council and Youth Empowerment Groups). Outcome: approved. - Item 3: Acceptance and expenditure of $50,000 (CIP 212025, endowment for health, homeless healthcare grant). Outcome: approved. - Item 4: Transfer and expenditure of $93,812 (CIP 411725, EOC upgrade impact fees). Outcome: approved. - Item 5: Acceptance and expenditure of $201,426.68 (CIP 412025, SWOT SOU van). Outcome: approved. - Item 6: Acceptance and expenditure of $4,995 (CIP 412125, 199th Police Cadre Grant). Outcome: approved. - Item 7: Transfer and expenditure of $532,320.89 (CIP 710925, annual street reconstruction). Outcome: approved. - Item 8: Transfer and expenditure of $10,750,000 (CIP 711323, canal design and construction). Outcome: approved. - Item 10: Transfer and expenditure of $151,106 (CIP 712321, Commercial 5050 sidewalk). Outcome: approved. - Item 11: Acceptance and expenditure of $2,000,000 (CIP 712725, Smart Grant traffic-signal project). Board members asked staff questions about scope and use of funds; staff described the award as funding a study of technologies and optimization across four corridors and said the city would choose a single corridor (Chestnut, Pine, Beach or Maple) for initial equipment deployment and that a subsequent phase (a second smart grant) could provide additional funds for broader implementation. Staff also said that purchase and installation of equipment could occur under the grant depending on design results and costs. Outcome: approved. - Item 12: Communication from Fire Chief Ryan Cashin: FEMA amended the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award; revised award amount announced at $26,104.20 with a required local match of $2,610.42. Motion approved. - Item 13: Request to apply for hazmat training funds of $18,902. Outcome: approved. - Item 14: Request from Economic Development Director Jody Nizaka to add a vehicle for use by the economic development office. Outcome: approved. - Item 15: Time-frame extensions requested by project manager Kate Waldo for CIP 510-318 to 6/30/30 and CIP 510-720 to 6/30/25. Outcome: approved.

Board procedure and voting Most motions were presented as routine amending resolutions or communications; board members moved and seconded the motions on the record (commonly moved by Alderman Long and seconded by Alderman Birkisch or other aldermen) and the chair called for the voice vote. The meeting record shows “All in favor? Aye” after each motion; no roll-call tallies by name were recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.

What staff said about the smart-traffic grant A staff member identified as Caleb explained the smart-traffic grant scope: staff described the initial award as largely a study to evaluate technologies and optimization approaches along four candidate corridors and to identify one corridor for pilot deployment. Caleb said the project could include procurement and installation of signals and equipment on the selected corridor depending on final design and costs, and that the city may pursue a second-stage smart grant to expand the work if the pilot proves successful.

Next steps and meeting close With the series of motions approved, the board adjourned after taking the listed actions. Several administrative and grant-related items remain dependent on subsequent design contracts, consultant reports, and potential future grant applications before physical work or purchases begin.