Concord to buy snow gun for Beaver Meadow; Ski the Beav donation and rebate cover cost
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Summary
Council approved purchasing a $48,540 snow gun for Beaver Meadow, accepting a $24,270 donation from Ski the Beav and a $24,270 New Hampshire Saves rebate so the purchase imposes no net cost on the city. Councilors pressed staff on storage, operational responsibility and hydrant hookups before approving the measure by the required two-thirds majority.
The Concord City Council voted Dec. 8 to authorize the purchase of a snow-making "fan gun" costing $48,540 for Beaver Meadow, accepting a $24,270 donation from local nonprofit Ski the Beav and a $24,270 rebate via New Hampshire Saves to cover the full cost. City staff described the request as a fundraising-efficiency measure that would ultimately leave no net cost to the city if the donation and rebate are realized.
Sam Evans Brown, chair of Ski the Beav, told the council the organization had raised funds and would cover operating costs such as generator rental (he cited about $2,500 for a month) and that the group would continue to support water and power costs for snowmaking. He said the group planned to use hose hookups to hydrants for initial operations until underground utilities or a parking-lot hookup are available.
Councilors asked a series of operational questions: which department would move and store the large portable unit, whether volunteers or staff would operate and set it up, water usage and where donated funds would be reflected in city accounts. Parks staff described the demo test using about five hours of city water at roughly $200 and said Ski the Beav had agreed to continue paying operating costs. The city manager said the equipment would be purchased by the city and that staff were confident it could be adequately and safely stored.
Councilor Brown voiced opposition, citing unknowns including an absence of a finalized memorandum of understanding and unclear responsibilities for setup and staffing. Supporters, including several councilors, praised Ski the Beav's fundraising and said the equipment would help restore cross-country skiing amenities. The council approved the resolution, and the motion was recorded as passing by the required two-thirds majority.
Next steps include recording the donation and rebate in the capital project account (staff referenced CIP codes) and staff follow-up on storage and operational arrangements and any necessary permits for temporary hydrant hookups.