The following by Maddie Jo Shultz, Times-Union Correspondent
At Wednesday night’s meeting, held in person with a virtual option, the North Manchester Town Council reviewed ordinance amendments and street closure requests and heard several requests for funding.
Mark Hobbs, of the Heartland Career Center, detailed the advanced manufacturing and healthcare-related training the Center provides. The Center is seeking $10,000 from the town to aid in their goal of raising $1.1 million.
So far, the Center has raised $997,000 from 17 individuals and 21 businesses, organizations and other community foundations.
Manchester Community Schools is also seeking funds to begin a new, smart automation certification program for students. Superintendent Teresa Gremaux, Business Manager Jeremy Markham and Junior-Senior High School Principal Dr. Jon Lippe explained the SACA program and its interactive courses.
MCS is requesting $25,000 from the town to help with the total cost of $100,000 to purchase the SACA equipment and to embed the programs into the school’s existing curriculum.
In other new business, several ordinances were reviewed with amendments on first reading.
The American Rescue Plan Fund Creation Ordinance allows for a new fund to exclusively hold ARP money the town receives. Clerk-Treasurer Carrie Mugford estimates the town should receive $1.197 million in ARP relief funds.
The Animal Control Ordinance is being amended to remove any wording that permits stray cats, dogs or livestock to be “humanely destroyed” should they be captured within town limits and not claimed by an owner within 36 hours. The new ordinance will ensure stray pets are to be deposited into animal shelters within 24 hours of capture, should they remain unclaimed.
The Council approved tax abatement renewals for multiple local entities including Shepherd’s Family Auto and Precision Medical Technologies.
Also approved was Manchester Alive’s request to close Main Street from noon to 8 p.m. for the parade and other activities during the Saturday of Summer Fest.
The street department completed spring cleanup with a total of 11 truckloads. On May 15, the department will be picking up toxic or nontraditional wastes such as paints, oils or electronics.
The council will next meet at 7 p.m. June 2 at the Public Safety Building.
