Mayor Ruais’ ARPA Package Approved by the BMA
Focus is on supporting homelessness solutions,
increasing public safety, community programs and further increasing the quality of life
MANCHESTER, NH – With an end-of-the year deadline approaching to obligate all of the dollars made available to the city through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Mayor Jay Ruais today applauded approval of a final spending package and detailed how the remaining $1,779,220 will be used.
“After months of work with our department heads, conversations with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) and community partners, I presented a package of recommendations to the BMA with a focus on addressing community needs like homelessness, public safety, and further increasing the quality of life in our city,” said Ruais. (See below)
Ruais added, “I believe these final ARPA allocations reflect where our focus as a city needs to be regarding our most pressing needs, as well as future initiatives that will impact our residents in so many positive ways. I want to thank the BMA for its support of these critical programs and initiatives.”
Summary of ARPA Obligations Approved on November 19, 2024:
Beech Street Shelter Programs: Funding through 3/31/25 $409,138
City-wide Grant Coordinator $207,418
Manchester Community College Tuition Support Program $200,000
Manchester Economic Development Office: StreetPlus Cleaning $200,000
Winter Warming Station: Beech Street Shelter $150,000
Independent City Auditor $135,000
MPD: Recruiting Bonuses for 10 Officers $100,000
DPW: Neighborhood Environmental Improvement/Trash Removal $80,000
Welfare Department: General Assistance Support $80,000
Manchester Police Athletic League - General Assistance $60,000
Winter Emergency Shelter (Amendment) $54,325
Hope City Capital Improvements $53,900
Domestic Violence Victim - Witness Coordinator $49,437
Total $1,779,220
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Mayor Ruais Announces Ward 4 Town Hall meeting on Nov. 21
MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Ruais announced the following event today:
WHAT: Ward 4 Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, November 21st from 6:00-7:00pm
WHERE: McDonough Elementary School, 550 Lowell Street
NOTE: Ward 4 Alderman Christine Fajardo and Ward 4 School Board Member Leslie Want have been invited.
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Mayor Ruais nominates Asst. Chief Marr to replace Chief Aldenberg
21-year veteran has led at every level at MPD; received multiple service medals
MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais announced today he is nominating Assistant Chief Peter Marr to replace outgoing Chief Allen Aldenberg to lead the Manchester Police Department.
Explaining his decision to tap Marr, Ruais said, “Over the past year, I have had the privilege of working with AC Marr. I have always found him to be an outstanding, approachable and thoughtful professional. In our conversations, he understands the seriousness of the position of chief and the dedication necessary to lead the state’s largest municipal police force. As a 21-year veteran of the force, AC Marr is uniquely aware of the challenges our city faces. He also has valuable insights into the over 300 officers he will lead if given the opportunity.”
The mayor also noted the depth of Marr’s experience saying, “Over the past two decades, AC Marr has distinguished himself as a leader at all levels, including as a Detective in Major Crimes, Sergeant in Patrol, Assistant SWAT Team Leader, Lieutenant and Shift Commander in Patrol and Captain. Peter has also been honored as Officer of the Year and is the recipient of the Life Saving, Honorable Service, and Meritorious Service Medals.”
“I believe AC Marr’s leadership skills, knowledge of tactical operations and investigations, crisis management experience, and personnel management give him a solid foundation to continue to be successful at the next level. It is my honor to nominate him to be Manchester’s next Police Chief. I have every confidence he will hold himself and his officers to the highest standards, always staying true to every police officer’s sworn duty to protect and serve,” said Ruais.
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Mayor Ruais lauds Chief Aldenberg’s service on his retirement from MPD
MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais issued the following statement today regarding the retirement announcement by Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg:
“I want to congratulate Chief Aldenberg on his successful 27-year career in law enforcement. His journey from patrol officer to chief here in Manchester underscores his unwavering commitment to our city, the safety of our residents and the department he has served so well. Our city and state have benefitted from the dedication he brought every day to one of the toughest jobs in New Hampshire - leading the state’s largest municipal police force. It has been a privilege to work with him and I wish the Chief all the best as he moves into the next chapter of his life. The city has begun its regular process for hiring to fill this essential position.”
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Mayor Ruais applauds $3.7M SAFER Grant awarded to Manchester Fire Dept
Federal FEMA funds will help increase hiring of new firefighters
MANCHESTER, NH – Recognizing the need to keep our city’s first responders properly staffed, Mayor Jay Ruais joined state and local officials today for the announcement of a $3.7 million SAFER Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Manchester’s Fire Department (MFD) to help increase the hiring of frontline firefighters.
With Station Five on Webster Street as a back drop, Ruais thanked MFD Chief Ryan Cashin, Congressman Chris Pappas, and the Board of Aldermen for leading the way in obtaining the much-need funding, saying “At a time when our first responders are under more pressure than ever to answer calls 24/7, we need to be sure we have the personnel to cover all of our fire and fire-related emergencies. We deeply appreciate this SAFER grant from FEMA and know it will go a long way to enhancing MFD’s response capabilities. It’s only right that we support the firefighters who always come to our rescue.”
Chief Cashin reinforced the importance of the funding saying, “The SAFER grant represents an important and timely investment into the safety of our firefighters and the community. The fire department looks forward to this growth opportunity while continuing to provide fire and rescue services to this great city."
FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters. As of Sept. 23, 2024, FEMA has made 191 SAFER awards totaling $360 million. A total of 18 cities and towns in New Hampshire have received this funding since the program started in 2015.
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Mayor Announces $600K in Funding to Keep Domestic Violence Shelter Open
City and community partners secure ARPA funds for purchase of Emily’s Place building
MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais announced today that the city and its community partners have secured $600,000 from the state in unobligated ARPA funds for the purchase of the building housing Emily’s Place. The domestic violence shelter had been in danger of closing when its crisis services operators REACH and the YWCA ended their partnership. REACH has joined with Bridges: Domestic and Sexual Violence Support for leadership and fiscal oversight until REACH becomes an independent, nonprofit organization.
“Domestic violence is an abhorrent crime and we must be proactive in protecting those who suffer from this abuse,” said Ruais. “That’s where shelters like Emily’s Place play such a critical role in providing crisis services and a safe place to stay. I am deeply appreciative of Governor Sununu and all of the parties involved in obligating these funds. The financial support Emily’s Place has received from the State of New Hampshire has also been made possible by the outstanding advocacy from New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Violence Support Services. As a result, we now have an operational and purchase plan for Emily ‘s Place moving forward, guaranteeing it will remain a vital shelter for our at-risk population.”
“When Mayor Ruais made the case for Emily’s Place, it was clear that these funds would be put to good use to ensure these important services remain in place for this vulnerable population,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “The Queen City and Manchester residents have a tireless advocate in Mayor Ruais working around the clock on their behalf. I thank the City of Manchester for its partnership on this important project!”
Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence spoke about the importance of finding the necessary funding for Emily ‘s Place, "When there was the possibility we could lose a critical emergency shelter, the Governor's Office, GOFERR, the State Legislature, and the Executive Council each did their part to ensure that funding would be available so that victims and children fleeing domestic violence would not be displaced. We're especially grateful to Mayor Ruais for his advocacy efforts on this project and for understanding the importance of maintaining life-saving services for victims of abuse in the Manchester community," she said.
Dawn Reams, Executive Director of Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Violence Support Services, added, “We are thrilled that the Executive Council approved the funding to purchase Emily’s Place. This shelter has been a vital resource to survivors in the Manchester area for decades, and we are grateful that it will remain available to those who need it. We are so thankful to Mayor Ruais and all of the stakeholders who worked to support this project."
Background
- Emily’s Place opened as a domestic violence shelter for victims of abuse and their children in Manchester in 1988. The building was donated by two private donors, and the shelter was fitted, furnished, and prepared for service through additional donations and time volunteered by community members.
- Since its creation, Emily’s Place has been operated by the crisis services program at the YWCA NH, known as REACH Crisis Services (REACH), and has been sustained by state and federal domestic and sexual violence funding administered by the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.
- Emily’s Place has continued to serve this at-risk population, providing both confidential advocacy services (under NH RSA 173-C) and an array of other trauma-informed services, including support with court processes and financial literacy training. The shelter currently serves 60-70 individuals annually and is the largest shelter serving victims of domestic violence in the state.
- As of July 1, 2024, REACH is no longer part of the YWCA NH. Bridges: Domestic and Sexual Violence Support (Bridges) of Nashua is providing leadership, oversight, and support for REACH as a fiscal agent. REACH has filed to become an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a member program of the Coalition serving the Manchester area. As a standalone organization, REACH will provide greater visibility to victims in the Manchester community.
Funding Request
- Allocate unobligated ARPA funds for a one-time expense to sustain a vital, life-saving service for some of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable citizens.
- As part of this organizational transition, it was the hope of both the Coalition and REACH that Emily’s Place would remain with REACH, honoring both the original charitable donation of the property and the decades of domestic violence funding that have maintained the shelter for its stated purpose.
- In the current real estate market, it would be inordinately difficult for REACH to identify and secure a suitable alternative location if it were to lose Emily’s Place, creating a significant gap for survivors of domestic violence in Manchester.
- The Coalition, REACH, and Bridges as the fiscal agent are seeking funding to purchase Emily’s Place from the YWCA to ensure that services continue in Manchester without disruption, both for the families currently living at Emily’s Place, and for victims who will need this essential service to empower them in their pursuit of safety and security in the weeks, months, and years to come.
Domestic Violence Shelter Programs & Housing Needs of Victims
- According to statistics produced by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), between 22 and 57% of all homeless women report that domestic violence was the immediate cause of their homelessness. We also know that 38% of all victims of domestic violence become homeless at some point in their lives.
- A victim of domestic violence will often attempt to leave an abuser multiple times before finally escaping the violence and can, therefore, experience multiple periods of homelessness.
- Everyday crisis center advocates across the state work with survivors who need support in fleeing violence or creating security within their homes. Advocates know and understand that when housing survivors, there are exceptional considerations to be made including safety and confidentiality. Over the last four years in New Hampshire, crisis centers across the state supported nearly 2,000 adults and children for more than 161,000 nights in emergency shelters. Of those guests, 1,138 were women, 41 were men, and 758 were children.
- Emily’s Place is one of 11 domestic violence shelters in New Hampshire.
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First Homeless Veterans find Housing as part of Mayor’s new Initiative
MANCHESTER, NH – Less than two weeks after launching a new initiative to effectively end homelessness in Manchester for retired military service members by January of 2026, Mayor Jay Ruais announced today four homeless veterans have new places to call home.
“The support for this program has been amazing,” said Ruais, “The fact we’re less than two weeks in and already housed four veterans with safe and reliable apartments is beyond gratifying. As I said at our kickoff event at the NH Veterans Stand Down, we’ve set our sights high because in Manchester we don’t shrink from a challenge and we don’t shirk our responsibilities. Even one homeless military service member is too many. It’s only right we put a reliable roof over their heads given everything they have sacrificed for our country. We are making progress and changing lives.”
Ruais went on to thank Harbor Care and the city landlords committing units to the initiative as well as the community partners who are helping to house veterans all across the city.
Harbor Care CEO Henry Ochs added, "We are proud to be working with the City of Manchester in ending Veteran Homelessness. Our early success in housing four Veterans demonstrates the power of effective community collaborations and leadership under Mayor Ruais. Harbor Care is confident that Manchester will be able to effectively end Veteran Homelessness in the city."
Note: Landlords and non-profits groups interested in joining the mayor’s initiative to help house homeless veterans can email mayor@manchesternh.gov
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Mayor Ruais announces Ward 5 Town Hall Meeting
MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais today announced the following event:
WHAT: Ward 5 Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, October 8th from 6:00pm-7:00pm
WHERE: Beech Street School, 333 Beech Street
NOTE: Ward 5 Alderman Tony Sapienza and Ward 5 School Board Member Jason Bonilla have also been invited.
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Board of Aldermen Approves Mayor’s Proposed Ordinance Becoming First
Municipality in NH to Regulate Syringe Service Programs
MANCHESTER, NH - Mayor Jay Ruais won approval on Tuesday night for his proposed ordinance requiring oversight of Syringe Service Programs (SSP), and mandating an exchange of needles take place in order to minimize the number of discarded syringes. SSPs were authorized in New Hampshire in 2017 per RSA 318-B:43 under which municipalities are not permitted to prohibit the operations of these programs. Manchester is now the first municipality in New Hampshire to require oversight and set guidelines for how these programs must operate. The Board of Aldermen voted 12-2 in favor of this ordinance.
Ruais stated, “I firmly believe we cannot allow for the unregulated flow of syringes into our city because this has had a negative impact on the quality-of-life in Manchester. Our parks and our streets must be safe, clean and accessible for all residents, businesses and visitors. This ordinance is long overdue, and while it will not solve the problem overnight, it represents an important first step toward increasing our quality of life while maintaining our commitment to public health. We are making every effort to address the concerns of our residents to rid our city of discarded syringes. In addition to this ordinance, our Parks and Health Departments have partnered to do regular pickups throughout the city, and our downtown street cleaning crew is also engaged in daily monitoring and collection. We are not where we want to be, but we are making progress.”
Ruais continued, “I want to thank the Aldermen for their support of this ordinance, and their commitment to being responsive to the concerns of their wards. Additionally, this would not have been possible without the efforts of our Solicitor’s Office, Public Health Department, and community partners who put a great deal of work in moving this initiative forward. Working together, we can truly make a difference in our community. Lastly, I continue to be encouraged by the decline in reported overdoses (23%) and overdose fatalities (25%) this year over last, and will continue to engage in all our efforts to further reduce these tragedies in our city.”
The new ordinance will do the following:
- Requires an exchange of syringes to minimize the number of discarded syringes.
- Requires the SSP to register with the City in order to ensure transparency, and accountability while providing the City with detailed data and information regarding their operations, including: the location, program schedule, and personnel and volunteers of the participating organization.
- Outlines the locations at which they are permitted to operate to ensure they are not operating in our parks or around our schools, playgrounds, libraries or State-licensed daycare facilities.
- Mandates that SSP’s distribute educational materials on disease prevention and substance misuse treatment options.
- Explicitly prohibits safe injection sites.
- Mandates that needle disposal containers must not be visible to the general public from any publicly-owned space or right of way.
- Outlines necessary criteria for any fixed location.
- Imposes penalties on those found in violation of this ordinance with fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 with each day of violation constituting a separate offense.
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Mayor reports overdose numbers for month of August continuing yearly decline
City on track to record 23% fewer overdoses and 25% less overdose deaths than 2023
MANCHESTER, NH – Mayor Jay Ruais today announced overdose numbers in Manchester for the month of August. Overall, the city is on track to record 23 percent fewer suspected overdoses and 25 percent less opioid-related deaths for the year.
“Through the first 8 months of 2024, the number of suspected opioid overdoses in Manchester continues to be significantly less than last year and is trending towards the lowest amount of suspected opioid overdoses since the record low 2020 year,” said Ruais. “American Medical Response (AMR) recorded 37 suspected opioid overdoes in Manchester during August 2024 and one suspected opioid death which is one of the lowest monthly totals this year.”
Ruais added, “While the nature of the opioid epidemic can be unpredictable, these numbers and the trends they are creating are very encouraging. We know there is more work to be done, but my heartfelt thanks are with our first responders, Health Department and community partners and all those who are committed as we are to ending the opioid epidemic. The news that the city is on track to record 23-percent less suspected overdoses this year than 2023 and 25-percent fewer deaths is real progress.”
Commenting on the August numbers, Public Health Director Anna Thomas said, “This continued success is a testament to the hard work by the staff of the City of Manchester Health Department, our first responders and community partners. This unified front is surpassing the pace of national trends. By deploying evidence-based practices and coordinating our collective efforts, we are saving lives and meeting people where they are at. We are cautiously optimistic that Manchester’s future will be healthier for it.”
AMR Data for Manchester as of 8/31/24:
August 2024 Overdoses 37 Overdose Deaths 1
Jan.- Aug. 2024 Overdoses 356 Overdose Deaths 29
2023 Totals Overdoses 695 Overdose Deaths 58
2024 “Projected” Totals Overdoses 534 (- 23%) Overdose Deaths 44 (- 25%)
In New Hampshire, anyone can seek substance use disorder treatment by accessing the NH Doorway program 24/7. Call 2-1-1 at any time of the day or night, or visit www.thedoorway.nh.gov. If you believe someone is overdosing call 9-1-1 immediately.
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