Each week, City Manager Tom Aspell slips into his finest Armani suit, hops into a limousine, and cruises down to the closest red carpet awards show gala. He then rushes the stage, interrupts whoever is accepting an award, and proceeds to ramble off a city memo into the mic before getting dragged off by security. This week was no different. I'm gonna let you finish, Tom, but this is one of the greatest city memos of all time. Of all time!
The city sure did
batten down the hatches
City staff were prepared for Tropical Storm Irene as it swept across central New Hampshire. The general services, police and fire departments had added staffing to deal with the anticipated spike in calls for service, Aspell writes. The city's emergency operations center was also staffed during the day to monitor the progress of the storm, coordinate with the state and the utility companies, and to assure that city resources were working together effectively.
Employees from each department responded quickly to downed power lines, blocked roads, and other hazards to assure that residents remained safe and that the city could return to normal by the beginning of the work week. The information technology department and the fire communications supervisor worked to assure that the emergency operations center was set up for maximum efficiency, Aspell writes.
first responders
Concord's on the scene
Four members of the Concord Fire Department have been activated by FEMA to assist with response and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Fire Marshal Sean Brown, Battalion Chief Guy Newbery, Capt. Derek Kelleher, and Lt. Tim Robinson have been sent to various points in the Northeast to conduct search operations and damage assessments, as well as to provide logistical support. The federal government will reimburse the city for all costs incurred, Aspell writes.
Legal beagles
Promotions galore
The city administration is pleased to announce the appointment of James Kennedy to city solicitor. Kennedy has served as the city's deputy city solicitor since November 2009, and previously served as a state assistant attorney general. Kennedy replaces long-time city solicitor Paul Cavanaugh, who will retire on Sept. 30 after 38 years of service, Aspell writes.
Today, Heather Flanner will join the city prosecutor's office as an assistant prosecutor. Flanner comes to the city from the state Superior Court, where she served as a law clerk, Aspell writes. Flanner will work with the city's two assistant prosecutors, Steve Endres and Paul Halvorsen, and under the supervision of the city's chief prosecutor, Tracy Connolly.
routes of creation
Bike routes, that is
Signing and striping of the north-south bike route has commenced with the assistance of the general services department sign shop and funding provided by Concord 20/20. The goal is to have the route in place before International Walk to School Day on Oct. 5, Aspell writes. The route will be identified by bike route signs and shared use lane and bicycle lane pavement markings. The route generally uses South Street (as a connection to the Abbott-Downing and Rundlett Middle schools), Spring Street and Rumford Street, where the volume and speeds of traffic are less than that of other alternate north-south streets.
That's all for Tom this week, check out the Insider again next week to see what Tom will be up to then! (Hint: something crazy and made up.)
