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Manchester council approves water/sewer rate change, police administrative update and several contracts
Summary
At its meeting the city council adopted water and sewer rate increases, passed a second‑consideration ordinance clarifying police‑department administrative oversight, and approved contracts and resolutions including a comprehensive‑plan consultant, a three‑year lease extension for community education space, and a memorandum of understanding; several routine consent items also passed.
The Manchester City Council approved a set of ordinances and resolutions covering utilities, public‑safety administration and routine city contracts.
Ordinance No. 3 (water and sewer rates) was adopted on third consideration after a brief council discussion; recorded affirmative votes included Joe, Miriam, Linda and Brian. Council members said they did not welcome rate increases but the ordinance passed.
The council also approved second consideration of Ordinance No. 4, which clarifies day‑to‑day administrative responsibilities for police‑department operations and staff oversight. Speakers emphasized that the ordinance does not change the police chief's operational authority: the mayor will continue to appoint and, with council approval, remove the chief. Recorded affirmative votes included Joe, Brian, Linda and Marian.
City leaders approved Resolution 66, awarding a professional‑services contract to Snyder (Snider) Associates to update the city's comprehensive plan. The committee that evaluated proposals recommended the firm after interviews; the approved proposal was about $42,000 (roughly $2,000 over the budgeted amount) and the project is expected to take about a year with multiple public engagements and an outreach website.
By separate votes the council approved Resolution 67, a three‑year lease extension with Depaco (Dupac) Community Credit Union for shared educational space (monthly rent $2,205), and Resolution 68, a memorandum of understanding with an outside partner identified in the packet as "IC." The consent agenda — including approval of minutes, bills, grants and appointment/reappointments — passed as well.
What to watch next: Staff said the comprehensive‑plan contract will include public open houses and surveys; the FAA grant agreement for airport resurfacing will be presented at the next council meeting for authorization; and nuisance‑abatement work (several vacant properties and a pending municipal fine) will continue under staff direction.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 3 (water/sewer) — adopted; Ordinance 4 (police administration) — advanced (second consideration approved); Resolution 66 (comprehensive‑plan consultant) — approved; Resolution 67 (lease extension) — approved; Resolution 68 (MOU) — approved; Consent agenda — approved.
