2025: What’s coming up in Manchester?

Members of the Manchester City Council are sworn in, November 20, 2023.

by Marsha Chartrand

In our last issue, we reviewed some of the major accomplishments made by the City of Manchester in the calendar year 2024. As a brand-new City, there was much to be achieved and some challenges to overcome. But the City Council, staff, and administration is forging ahead with new plans for a new year!

Some of the City’s goals for 2025 major projects include the completion of a Future Master Plan. A joint Master Plan had been under discussion between Manchester Township and the City for the past couple of years, but it was determined that each entity’s plans were, in some cases, too disparate to continue to plan jointly. It was agreed that the township and the city would each pursue its own goals and separate Master Plans.

Of course, uppermost on many minds is the completion of a Division of Assets agreement with Manchester Township. This process is ongoing and currently in mediation. A discussion is also being held on fire department coverage for the City and the surrounding townships.

“Council recognizes that, with a growing population of seniors in the community, it is extremely important that they be able to remain in the community,” said Mayor Pat Vailliencourt. “Therefore, the commitment has been made to pursue opportunities for Senior Housing.” A list of potential investors will be completed, possible sites are being analyzed, and an aggressive plan will be finalized and implemented early in the year.

Completion of the Senior/Community Event space remains a priority. The Senior Citizens are optimistically planning for an Open House/St. Patrick’s Day party in the new space, so stay tuned.

City administration continues to work with potential commercial and residential developers while still preserving our historic, small-town quality of life. Therefore, there is work going forward to put a committee in place for a new Historic District Commission.

The City will continue ongoing parking lot, sidewalk and road improvements. Meanwhile, they are also discussing future DPW facility needs. The aging building on Macomb Street — will it require repairs, replacement, or more?

Finally, it remains a huge priority to analyze the status of the Ford Dam on M-52 adjacent to City Hall. A Structural Analysis and Dam Disposition Study was completed on the dam, and has been submitted to the State. No decision will be made concerning the future of the dam until the State’s response is received.

This, and much more, is on the table at this time … how will we measure up as 2026 begins?

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.