Penacook Rocks

For quite sometime my wife has been insisting that I write a positive blog. Last nights meeting in Penacook concerning downtown improvements to the Village, has given me plenty of opportunity to sing the praises of the Village and Manor. This isn’t the first time the city engineer Ed Roberge and the city manager’s assistant for special projects Matt Walsh have attended meetings to keep us informed and updated. But as usual they explained all aspects of this project, in addition to taking questions regarding the Sewalls Falls bridge and the Tannery site. 

There are concerns about how the burying of power lines this summer and street improvements next summer will impact the Village. Ed Roberge responded professionally and patiently to all questions related to the street improvements project and the Sewalls Falls bridge, while Matt answered questions relating to the Tannery site.

It’s important for me to state here that Matt Walsh has been a huge supporter of Penacook and has worked for years to find a positive outcome for the Tannery site. Last night Matt reported the city’s latest efforts to find a developer may again be on shaky ground. The city had hoped and Matt had spent too many hours to count, courting a developer who wanted to build an assisted living facility on the site. Many in the community felt that this type of development, while necessary and welcome in Penacook, may not be the best fit for the Tannery site.

Matt never gets frustrated (at least he never shows that he does) and responded that now that the assisted living facility is in question, it gives the city the opportunity to look at attracting a development project that could better fit the Tannery site while increasing economic activity in the Village. This has been Matt’s trademark at all our meetings. He patiently listens and then he actually does his best to address the concerns of the community.

It seems Matt’s attributes have rubbed off on Ed. Throughout the multi year process of deciding on a design for Penacook, Ed has listened and adjusted the project to meet the concerns of those who live and have businesses here.  Concerns about a roundabout, loss of on street parking, changes in traffic patterns. The community spoke and Ed listened.

So here’s what’s different about Penacook. Last nights meeting had over 50 residents in attendance. That’s probably one of the smaller turnouts over the past few years for this project. And many in the audience not only had questions, but had suggestions as to how to make the projects better. It was as usual not only a respectful audience but a friendly group of neighbors concerned about their community. They know the only way their voices will be heard is if they attend meetings and speak up. And at least in Penacook it appears to have made a difference.

So thanks to city staff for not only listening but for hearing what folks have to say. And  huge kudos to all those in Penacook and the Manor who show their concern for our community by voicing their opinions at these meetings. 

And one more shout out here. The Penacook Village Association continues to be a binding force in working to bring together residents, businesses, city staff and our city councilors, for the betterment of the Village.