The Merrimack Valley School District budget has been approved, setting the education portion of taxes for Penacook residents at $14.71, down from the previous rate of $17.42, and resulting in a savings of about $900 on a property valued at $300,000.
Groundbreaking Celebrations
There are two exciting celebrations coming up for Penacook: the groundbreaking ceremony for our new Canal Street Park on Wednesday, April 3 at 10:30 am. and the ribbon cutting ceremony for phase II of Penacook Landing on the same date at 11:00 am with developer The Caleb Group, adjacent to the park site.
The plan is to complete the park this year, with the amenities expressed during community listening sessions. Penacook Landing phase II offers 20 additional housing units (18 affordable) to our community, and will add $45,000 of property tax revenue annually.
Memorial Day Parade 2024
The PVA Events Committee is planning the third annual Memorial Day Parade in Penacook, which will take place on Sunday, May 26, at 10:00 a.m.
Local businesses and organizations, including school clubs, are invited to participate and march in the parade. If you want to march with us, please email Cindi Jacques at nhfairgirl18@gmail.com.
If you're interested in volunteering to assist either in planning the parade or with the many tasks needed on the day of the parade, please attend any of our organizational meetings at the Penacook Elementary School Media Center, 60 Village Street:
Wednesday, March 6, at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, April 1, at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, April 22, at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 6, at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 13, at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 20, at 6:00 p.m.
If you cannot attend any of the meetings but still want to help, please contact Cindi Jacques at nhfairgirl18@gmail.com. There is always plenty to do and we can use your help!
Coffee with the Mayor
Mayor Champlin will be holding his Coffee with the Mayor meeting at our Penacook Market Basket Cafe on Saturday March 9 at 9:00 am. This is an opportunity to meet and have a conversation about topics that matter to you.
Merrimack Valley School District board elections and annual meeting
The Merrimack Valley School District will hold their board elections and annual meeting Friday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Merrimack Valley High School at 106 Village Street. Budget details can be found here.
Polls will open for election of Moderator and Board Members at 11:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.; click here to view a sample ballot.
The annual meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. after the voting has closed.
The district’s proposed 2024-25 is available for review here.
City Council meetings — Feb. 20 & Mar. 4
On March 4 at 6:00 pm in City Council chambers at 37 Green Street, the Council will hold its Priority Setting Session. The session will be recorded by Concord TV. The following are the priorities that were set by the Council for 2022-23, in no particular order: Equity and responsible fiscal management are the guiding principles pertaining to all priorities listed below.
1. Balanced Budget Issues: FY 2023 and FY 2024
2. Community-wide Economic Development Initiatives to Expand Tax Base
3. Public Safety Work
4. Recreational/Cultural Opportunities, Parks and Cemeteries
5. Enhanced Community Events/Arts
6. Sustainability Initiatives/Climate Change
7. Transportation
Ongoing Initiatives
1. Former Tannery Site/Park
2. Enhanced Neighborhood Street Program (Paving)
3. Bridges
4. Technology Infrastructure Improvements
Details on the progress of these initiatives can be found in the City Manager's status report. If you have other topics you'd like to see included or where you think the City should concentrate its efforts, please contact Councilmember Brent Todd. His main commitments are our "Core Four" — Police, Fire, General Services, and debt service — but he is always available for any concerns.
Regarding #3. Bridges under the Ongoing Initiatives, there will be a meeting this Tuesday, February 20, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council chambers regarding a potential for a pedestrian bridge park over the Merrimack River in downtown Concord. Look for more information as it becomes available if you cannot make the meeting.
Penacook Library and Activity Center
At the February 12 City Council meeting, the Council accepted the recommendation from the Facilities Naming Committee for "Penacook Library and Activity Center" as the name for our new branch library. The entire building will be called the Penacook Community Center, and the Boys & Girls Club part will be named the Rowe Family Early Learning Center. More information to come regarding the old branch building on Merrimack Street when proposals are brought forward by the city.
CAT Bus Service to Merchants Way Center
The CAT bus service to Merchants Way is planned to commence January 22. Test runs on the route will take place next week. It's anticipated that the time between drop off at Merchants Way and the next return bus will be 47 minutes, which should give folks time to get shopping done at the Market Basket or other retailers.
Banners on Village Street
This summer,the PVA decided to remove the winter banners. The PVA appreciates the community's patience as it continues to review the banner program.
Penacook leaf collection ongoing
Crews are continuing to progress through Penacook streets and those of our neighbors in the South End. Weather conditions are favorable as we find ourselves in the seventh week of the collection process.
Public Transportation Subcommittee meeting scheduled
The Concord Area Transit (CAT) service is operated not by the City but by a nonprofit organization, Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. (CAPBM). The City does provide some funding to CAPBM that assists with CAT service and purchasing new vehicles. There is a committee designated to act as a liaison between CAT and the City, and to provide advice and recommendations; it's called the Public Transportation Subcommittee, and it's a subcommittee of the City's Transportation Policy Advisory Committee. For those interested in learning more about our bus service or providing thoughts or suggestions, please attend the upcoming meeting on Tuesday, January 9 at 12:00 noon in the second-floor conference room at City Hall, 41 Green St.
News from Concord City Council
At the December City Council meeting, the following actions were taken:
To create a new Concord Police Station, the Council approved the appropriation of $4 million to acquire the former Concord Insurance Group property.
The Council appropriated $385,000 for General Services Department employee retention funds.
The Council heard all public testimony about the proposed new Beaver Meadow Golf Course building and recessed the public hearing to a future date to allow for additional time for public input and to address questions posed. City Staff and the Golf Advisory Committees will review the proposal and provide information and advice.
The Council set a public hearing to be held at the January 8 meeting to appropriate $800,000 for the construction of a new playground at White Park, consisting of City bonds of $350,000, Land and Water Conservation Fund grant funds of $400,000, and donations from the Friends of White Park of $50,000.
Meeting with Mayor-elect Byron Champlin
On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, Mayor-elect Byron Champlin visited with residents of Penacook at the cafeteria of Merrimack Valley High School.
Thank you to Concord TV for recording the meeting and to the Merrimack Valley School District for the space.
Christmas Tree Lighting 2023
Thank you to Concord TV!
Penacook Historical Society open house
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.