Live public comment from the Feb. 4, 2025, Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meeting

The following is a live update of the Feb. 4, 2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen Public Comment Session. Please send any additional information regarding comments or misspellings to andy@manchesterinklink.com

7:00 p.m. – We are underway, following a non-public meeting.

7:08 p.m. – Michael Thompson: I am executive director of Manchester Animal Shelter. We are a cornerstone for public safety. We work closely with community policing. We operate low cost services for animals in the community. We spayed and neutered 850 animals in 2024, sheltered 728 animals.

Investing in shelter encourages proper pet ownership, public health. Shelter has lowest euthanasia rate in the state. Please visit us.

7:10 p.m. – Lucy Lange: (gives handout to aldermen), the cost of caring for each animal is approximately $4,500. We may ask you for some money this year. We provide free pet food for those who can’t afford it, we help keep zero population growth, saving abandoned pets.

John DeWispelaere: Our shelter is small for a city this size, we’re asking for your support to continue our efforts.

Lange: Mayor Ruais is only member of board to have come to shelter, its on city property. Please come and visit us.

7:13 p.m. – Glenn Ouelette: Glad to be back. It’s cold outside, lots of ice, but more concerned about the cold. Some seniors cannot afford to heat their place. Please advise me on how to help them. As it comes to homelessness, there is no bottom line. If I did not work part time, social security check would not be enough, I would be homeless.

After seeing yesterday’s market close at a loss, worried about inflation going up again. You will need to do budget soon, don’t think your costs won’t go up. That makes it hard on taxpayers. When costs go up, you have more people on the border of not being able to afford things, please keep that in mind regarding unnecessary cuts, be careful. One thing you cut last year was concerts in the park. You only had movies in the park, please have concerts, seniors ask for it. Downtown seniors don’t come down often.

7:16 p.m. – Viola Katusiime, Deputy Director Granite State Organizing Project: Our group brings people together. I am here to oppose legislation in Concord (HB 60)that would make it easier to evict people. We have recently done many things in the city to address housing, this will harm that. We need to help those who are paying more than 30% of their income for housing.

Many people cannot afford $2,000 per month. Studios are $1,100, many people can find nothing on the market for them. If this bill passes, it would uproot families and communities. I hope the city takes a position on this, there will be a vote on Thursday.

7:20 p.m. – Anne Grossi: I am on board of Granite State Organizing Project, here to talk against HB 60. This will overturn 40 years of precedent, make it easier to have arbitrary evictions. This bill will exasperate housing issues.

HB 60 will not help the city’s housing crisis, I am confused why the city has not provided a statement against it. Without a statement, you are complicit, I hope you provide a statement.

7:23 p.m. – Maddie August: I live on River Road, please oppose HB 60. Eviction without cause makes it easier to hide ill intent and puts most vulnerable people at most risk. Average rent in Manchester was last year was $1900 a month, that is 4% increase. Vacancy rate of 3%, which is an improvement, thanks to work of Aldermen. Average income of renter is $53,000. People at that rate should pay no more than $1300 a month.

Credit checks and first/last month rents are required for housing, this will also make it harder for low income families to find housing, they may be homeless or a time if this legislation passes. Please oppose this bill.

7:25 p.m. – Mackenzie Brittener (sp): I am also opposed to HB 60. Both of my parents were homeless, I have faced housing insecurity. When I was a high school student, I did not have a bed. I have lived in an apartment with nine people. I could have been another statistic.

I am 19 years old, I make $40,000 a year. There is nothing for me out there in Manchester. I just graduated from high school and I have many colleagues in same situation. Many of us will be on the street. A landlord needing a reason to kick someone out will keep a lot of people off the street.

7:27 p.m. – Maurice Pillotte: I live in Ward 9, here to talk about rail trails. They are safe for walkers/cyclists/etc. in the winter. Please plow at least half of the trail, let other half be used for snowshoers and cross country skiiers.