Concord’s Main Street Project came in more than $1.1 million under its $14.2 million budget – raising the interesting question of what to do with the leftover money.
Some of the unspent funding sources – namely Traffic Impact Fee money ($178,000) and Tax Increment Finance Bond Anticipation Notes ($314,000) – will be returned to their respective accounts for future projects.
But a $672,000 surplus remains. The city council last week weighed how that money should be spent – or whether it should be spent at all.
A number of aesthetic enhancements the city considered for its new-look downtown have been installed, while others were never implemented. The uplighting seen at city plaza and Eagle Square is only a taste of the full treatment architectural lighting designers dreamed up.
City Councilor Mark Coen’s was one voice that said some of the surplus should be used to put the finishing touches on the project that he saw as only “95 percent complete.”
He offered uplighting for street trees and better illumination between the Warren Street parking garage and Main Street as examples.
“This extra 5 percent – with the uplighting and the trees – that makes it truly complete,” he said. “I guess it’s been living in New England with Yankees that over the years – many years – I’ve seen projects here within the city of Concord cut back just enough to where it doesn’t quite make it, but it’s close.”
Coen’s perspective was overruled, however, by a group of councilors looking ahead at the upcoming budget process, which will include a substantial increase in retirement costs and expenses related to Concord Steam’s closure.
Mayor Jim Bouley said some of the “healthy wants” remaining for downtown can be delayed until such time that the city’s budget isn’t under as much pressure.
“Can we always add more bells and whistles? Sure,” he said, “but I also think we have to be fiscally responsible at this particular time. … I think we’re all seeing what’s going on with the school district – with the demands that they have – and the demands coming forth with us. It’s time to put the brakes on.”
Councilor Dan St. Hilaire added: “Frankly, Main Street looks great right now, and a lot of the trees aren’t really mature. It makes sense from a fiscal perspective.”
The council decided on a voice vote to use the $672,000 to offset upcoming budget increases. City Engineer Ed Roberge said he’d update cost estimates for some of the lighting proposals and put them in the plan to compete with other projects in future budgets.
Roberge noted there’s a wide range of lighting options, “from just a warm, white light, to a static colored light to a fully programmable lighting system.” He said the city council never came to a consensus as to whether it wanted a reserved, classic style or the ability to light the street up in red, white and blue for the Fourth of July, for instance.
A brochure of the lighting design concepts envisioned for Concord is available at: goo.gl/4di2Wh.
The city offices and public library are closed today in observance of Presidents Day.
A liberal group is planning to march and rally at the State House beginning at 4 p.m. today “to defend rights and freedoms that are under attack,” according to the United Progressives of New Hampshire. The city denied their request to shut down Main Street just before rush hour, asking the group to stage its event on the sidewalk instead.
The city’s Code Administration Division advised that heavy snow loads on residential roofs could be damaging, especially older homes with flat roofs.
“Citizens are advised to hire a roofing expert to remove snow and ice from roofs and gutters. Heating and dryer vents should also be kept clear of snow to prevent possible carbon dioxide poisoning,” according to a press release.
The Parks and Recreation Department has made available information about its spring programs and summer camps. The 32-page brochure is at esuite.concordnh.gov/recreation/flipbook/index.html?page=1.
(Nick Reid can be reached at 369-3325, nreid@cmonitor.com or on Twitter at @NickBReid.)