Town Manager’s Weekly Update
September 1, 2010
 
Announcements
 
  • Over the next several weeks, Town Hall will begin making use of mailing lists setup at the website http://notices.merrimacknh.org. Residents who are interested in receiving email notifications relating to items such as Town Council minutes and agendas, Town Hall General Notices, including Press Releases and several others lists should visit the site and sign up. The process is outlined on the site. A link is also available from the front page of the Town website.
Town Manager’s Report
 
  • The footings for the Merrill’s Marauder pedestrian bridge are being excavated and cement will be poured on Wednesday, September 1st. Audley Construction will be putting the bridge in place next week. The pedestrian bridge will not be open until later this fall when the DOT finishes their bridge work. 
  • Woodland Drive Drainage Improvements: Work has begun on Woodland Drive with the contractor working on Baboosic Lake Road. Beginning September 1st the contractor will not start work on Baboosic Lake Road until after the morning rush at 8:30 am.
  • Souhegan Currier Drainage Improvements: DPW staff is revising the scope of the work due to a lack of funds during this fiscal year. The project was scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2011.  Due to the funding the project won’t be completed until the summer of 2011.
  • Naticook Drainage Project. DPW is currently working on the final design and is in the process of selecting the types of drainage structures needed to meet the estimated storm water flows. Completion is expected to occur this fall. 
  • Westborn Drive Drainage Project.  Work on the Westborn Drainage project is nearly complete. Work was performed by Highway forces.
  • Steep Street Drainage Project.   Work on this project has begun using Highway Division forces and will be completed in September.     
  • Town Center Sidewalks. Utility pole relocations have begun to accommodate the new sidewalks. The NHDOT has given the Town a bid date of August 31, 2010. Completion is scheduled to occur this fall. 
  • Turkey Hill Road Bridge. The Turkey Hill Road Bridge project is currently being advertised and a notice will be in this Sunday’s Union Leader. Substantial completion is scheduled to occur in late 2011.  A preconstruction meeting was held earlier this week to discuss the project.
  • Department heads and I will be meeting on Wednesday, September 1st to review the premium outlet mall project with the Town consultant to review timelines agreed upon by the Town and Chelsea Properties as part of the site plan approval. The preconstruction meeting with contractors representing Chelsea is scheduled for Thursday, September 9th. During the September 9th meeting Chelsea will be providing the Town with their construction schedule. Once the schedule is obtained a copy will be posted on the Town’s website. The land clearing on the site is scheduled to begin this week. Community Development has notified abutters of the site so they will be aware of the land clearing activities. Chelsea has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for Thursday, September 22nd at 9:00 am. 
  • The joint Town Council/School Board meeting will be held on Monday, September 13th at the High School cafeteria. The agenda and all backup information will be provided by the School District late next week. The Council will be notified when it is available.
  • DPW continues to meet with InBev to negotiate a new wastewater agreement. DPW will be speaking with representatives from InBev later this week to discuss and hopefully finalize the proposed contract between the Town and InBev. The contract would then be presented to the Town Council for their consideration.
  • Renovations at the Town Offices continue to go well. Demolition of the second floor of the West Wing has begun. Framing is set to begin next week. Contract negotiations with HVAC contractors continue. Some of the contractors are unwilling to work nights and weekends to minimize any disruption to the public and staff. 
  • The revised blasting ordinance is currently being formatted for Town Council review. Councilor Mahon worked with Chief Currier to update the ordinance.
  • Councilor Mahon has also been working with Pat Murphy to update the Welfare Guidelines. Those guidelines should be presented to the Council in either late September or October.
  • A structure was recently constructed at Veteran’s Park by the Merrimack Cardinals to allow them to cook and sell items during home football games. There seems to have been some miscommunication on the project. I was not aware of the new building until it was complete. The Council may want to have a discussion with the MYA when they come to the September 9th Council meeting. The MYA has asked to be on the agenda to expand the watering of the football field. Currently the field is being watered from 3:00 am to 8:00 am every other day.
  • I have asked Walter Warren to submit a nomination to the LGC for Volunteer of the Year to recognize Planning Board member Nelson Disco for his years of service on the Merrimack Planning Board. The LGC annually recognizes volunteers for their service to communities.