The Penacook Historical Society is having a Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 2nd, 1:00-4:00 pm, at 11 Penacook St., featuring refreshments, joyful music, and craft-making for children. The gift shop will be open. The Bicentennial quilt and collections will be on display. There is also a door prize, which is a handmade 60"x 60" quilt. The snow date for this event is Sunday, December 3rd, 1:00-4:00 pm.
18th Annual Penacook Tree Lighting ceremony
The Penacook Village Association will be hosting the 18th Annual Penacook Tree Lighting ceremony on Wednesday November 29 at Boudreau Square on Village Street. Attendees can assemble around 5:30 pm to hear carols and singing featuring the Penacook Elementary School Chorus and Blanchard Family Singers, and watch Santa arrive courtesy of the Concord Fire Department.
Penacook Village Association annual meeting
The Penacook Village Association's Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 5, at 6:30 pm at the Merrimack Valley High School cafeteria, with guest speaker Mayor-elect Byron Champlin, who will discuss issues related to Penacook and the city, and take your questions.
2023 Election Day — November 7
The polling location for Ward 1 voters will be changing this election to the Merrimack Valley High School gymnasium, 106 Village Street. We will no longer be using the Immaculate Conception Church on Bonney Street as a polling location. Parking will be available in the Merrimack Valley High School student parking lot to access the gymnasium entrance. This new location will provide convenient parking, ADA accessibility, and more space for voters. Polls will be open on November 7, 2023, from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Reminder that the polling location for Ward 3 voters is now at the Beaver Meadow Elementary School, 40 Sewalls Falls Road; we are no longer using the Beaver Meadow Golf Course as a polling location.
Polling locations
Ward 1: Merrimack Valley High School Gymnasium, 106 Village Street
Ward 2: The Barn at Bull Meadow, 63 Bog Road
Ward 3: Beaver Meadow School, 40 Sewalls Falls Road
Concord Makerspace
The Concord Makerspace, formerly in Penacook, has reopened at its new, nearby Boscawen location at 197 N. Main St. They offer equipment and tools relating to woodworking, prototyping, bike repair, sewing, and more. Find out about what they have to offer local makers by visiting https://www.concordmakerspace.org/.
Hazardous Conditions at Property at 77 Village Street
Deputy City Solicitor Danielle Pacik has been working hard to follow all the complicated legal requirements to help resolve the issues with this property, which is in unsettled estate status. Much of the trash from the driveway has been removed, and at the last City Council meeting, the City’s request was approved for an order for abatement costs, which will allow the City to place a lien against the property. There are still a number of code violations remaining, including additional remaining trash around the house, and the City is actively working on a cease and desist order to address those issues.
Proposed Improvements to the Sewalls Falls/Abbott Road Intersection
Proposed improvements to the Sewalls Falls/Abbott Road Intersection will be discussed at a neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Beaver Meadow Golf Course. The recommendations are to remove the existing skewed approach and realign Sewalls Falls Road to “T” into Abbott Road. Following input received at the meeting, the final design will be created and presented to the City Council for review. Funding for this project was appropriated by the City Council as part of the FY2024 Budget (in Capital Improvement Plan #520). Construction is tentatively scheduled for next year. Here is the current proposal:
The City has been working to convert intersections of this type to improve pedestrian and motor vehicle safety by eliminating high-speed turns, reducing conflict points, and improving sight distance. This was recently done at our Lilac Street/Borough Road intersection.
Community Drive access to MV campus becomes one-way
Community Drive access to the Merrimack Valley School campus will become a one way entrance only following completion of a portion of a larger campus plan approved by the Merrimack Valley School District in 2014, designed to improve traffic flow and safety. Construction is expected to begin this week. The City is partnering with MVSD and will share the cost as part of its Capital Improvement Project #380-Neighborhood Safety Improvement, approved in the 2024 budget passed last month. MVSD will coordinate with City staff and the City's paving contractor, GMI Asphalt LLC, to install a traffic island and complete pedestrian sidewalk improvements along a portion of Allen Street. The result will be an improvement for Community Drive residents in reducing traffic volumes during afternoon hours especially. The City will be able to monitor effects this change may have on Allen Street, High Street, and Beede Drive and consider additional options as needed.
Phase I of the construction starts this week (July 17, 2023).
Paving Progress
GMI Asphalt has completed the finish paving work on Coral Street, Stark Street, Dolphin Street, Chandler Street, Shaw Street, Steeple View, Summer Street, Sweatt Street, Webster Place, and Merrimack Street. Shoulder gravel, and loam and seed work will be started on all these streets next week.
Construction begins for the Penacook Community Center
After a delayed start, construction is underway for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central NH facility, which will house our new Penacook Community Center and Branch Library. Construction is expected to take one year.
Penacook Historical Society Family Fun Day — July 29
The Penacook Historical Society will hold its Old Fashioned Family Fun Day on Saturday, July 29 from 1:00-4:00 pm at 11 Penacook Street. Everyone is welcome to this free community event, which will feature games, refreshments and penny candy. It's a great opportunity to explore the historic buildings and the community garden, and view the Abbot-Downing Historical Society collection of Concord Coaches and other vehicles. Hope to see you there!
Concord City's Independence Day Fireworks
Concord's annual Fourth of July Fireworks display will be held on Tuesday, July 4 at Memorial Field. Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with food vendors and music. Nevers Band will be playing at 7:45 pm. Fireworks will be at 9:20 pm. The rain date is Wednesday, July 5. Hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy holiday!
Street and Sidewalk Paving in Penacook
GMI Asphalt LLC (the City’s paving contractor) continues to make progress revitalizing our neighborhood streets. Sidewalk work was completed on Stark Street and Dolphin Street this past week, and Merrimack Street sidewalks were base paved. Inclement weather has prevented the finish paving of Coral Street, Stark Street, Dolphin Street, Chandler Street, Shaw Street, Steeple View, Summer Street, Sweatt Street, Webster Place, and Merrimack Street. Due to the July 4 holiday this week, the finish paving is tentatively scheduled for the week of July 10.
NHSCOT to Develop the former Camp Spaulding
Ward 2 Councilor Pierce has provided information that the property formerly known as Camp Spaulding in Penacook is set to be purchased by NHSCOT which plans to use it as their headquarters, and for other uses similar to Camp Spaulding. NHSCOT is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote and preserve Scottish culture for future generations. If you wan to follow the progress of this project, you can join the NHSCOT neighbors Facebook page.
Merchants Way development meeting — July 19
The Concord Planning Board will hold a public hearing July 19 at 7:00 pm regarding new development at Merchants Way. The development proposed includes a Concord Hospital Urgent Care facility, and a 30,000 square foot building for new retail establishments. The plans received Major Site Plan approval at the June Planning Board meeting. Comments or questions can be sent to planning@concordnh.gov.
Canal Street Park meeting — July 10
City Council will meet July 10 at 7:00 pm to consider approval of the final design plans for Penacook's new Canal Street Park, including acceptance of an easement to widen Canal Street. If approved, this new park will bring wonderful opportunities for community events and recreation.
Independence Day trash delay
City offices and the Concord Transfer Station will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Trash and recycling collection for Tuesday will be delayed to Wednesday. Collection will be postponed by one day for the rest of the week through Saturday.
https://www.concordnh.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4183
National Night Out — August 1
Join us for our 2023 National Night Out event
Tuesday, August 1, 5-8 p.m. in Rollins Park!
National Night Out is a nationwide event that brings together neighbors and law enforcement to bring back a true sense of community. Get to know your community, neighbors, and surroundings. The event is held across the country to improve crime and drug prevention awareness and to strengthen relationships between and among neighborhood and community police to better fight back against crime.
This is an event for all ages. Bring the whole family and be part of this community event. Entry is free, and the cost of food is only $1.00 with the purchase of a ticket. Events include music, police and fire equipment, K9 demonstrations, touch-a-truck, and much more. Many businesses from around the community will be set up in booths to showcase their goods and services.
Fourth of July Independence Day Celebrations
Celebrate Independence Day in Concord at Memorial Field on Tuesday, July 4.
Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with food vendors and music and fireworks at 9:20 p.m. (dusk).
The rain date is Wednesday, July 5.
https://www.concordnh.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4183
Blue Bag Program
Do you want to help out the city? You can help by picking up litter at a public space or roadway in Concord by participating in the City’s Blue Bag Program. It's free and easy! Just fill out a release form, pick up blue bags at the City office, fill the bags and leave them by the roadside, and then notify the General Services office when you're done. The City will collect the bags! It's a great way to volunteer, keep our community clean, and protect our local environment. Individuals, groups, and organizations can all participate.
Get involved at www.concordnh.gov/bluebagprogram.