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All this summer, NHPR is bringing you some cool stories to help you get through the hottest time of the year. Today, we approach the idea of “cool” from a different angle.
New Englanders have long had a reputation for being frosty. Chilly. Cool to outsiders.
So we sent NHPR’s Kate Dario into the field to ask Granite Staters if we do really give people the cold shoulder?
Click on the Listen button above to hear the story.
(This audio postcard features the voices of Edna Feighner, Brian Young, Irvin Virola, Andrew Manseau, Luca Damien, Neeraj Naik, Travis Fuller, Brenda Schaefer, and Tom Talbott.)
CONCORD, NH — The Concord City Council on Monday approved increases in fees for some city services, created several new fee structures, and left some alone during its regular monthly meeting.
About 40 different fees, fines, and penalties for community development, the fire department, general services, and the legal department were eyed by the councilors. Recommendations by city staff included no increase, 100 percent increases, and smaller amounts between about 4 percent and 25 percent. Some fees have not been increased since 2007; others were last increased in 2015.
The proposal also included new fees such as several nonrefundable application fees for building and code services for staff time spent processing an application ($30); $445 to $890 annual monitoring charge radio box by the fire department for building owners that have not installed wired master boxes systems by July 1; $5 and $6 fees for plan copy per page fees and digital USB files for code administration and building codes, now that the department can print large format plans; and a $20 maximum fine for library of things, since the library has increased its collection.
The Proposed Ordinance & Non-Ordinance Based Fee Changes can be found linked here on the city’s website, in PDF.
City Manager Tom Aspell said departments look at all the ordnance and non-ordinance fees annually and make decisions on whether to leave them alone or raise them based on inflation, market conditions, or other factors.
Ward 5 Concord City Councilor Stacey Brown asked Aspell if developers were required to pay for traffic studies as part of the fee structure.
Matt Walsh, the deputy city manager of development, said, if the real estate project requires a traffic study, the city would review it and the developer would have to conduct one. If an outside review is required, the developer would be charged a fee, he said. The city also charges transportation impact fees, particularly for residential projects.
Roy Schweiker, a resident who regularly participates in city council meetings, said he was surprised at how few and how small the increases were, including some that were not being increased at all. Some, he said, were increased as little as 4 percent, and it was his general impression that the cost of doing business in the city was much higher than 4 percent. City departments where employees were getting bonuses were seeing a lot higher costs, too, he said.
“The problem is,” Schweiker said, “to the extent that we don’t collect the money in fees, it’s got to be paid out of the property tax. So, I guess, I would say, raised all these fees and raise them some more to make sure we are getting our expenses recovered and not getting them stuck on the rest of us.”
Schweiker said the fee for sewer hookups should also include the costs of expanding the sewer, which should be paid for by developers.
During the action phase, Ward 3 City Councilor Jennifer Kretovic said there were 12 new fees and was not sure if Schweiker’s comments were accurate due to those new fees.
Brown asked for clarification about sewer hookup fees, and Walsh said there were fees — including tiers. The city, he said, does not have impact water and sewer fees, per se, but did have water and sewer investment fees that were collected, but the council moved away from them years ago. It could, however, be revisited.
The proposal was then approved unanimously.
The council approved a transfer of $65,722.88 from the wastewater fund to the capital fund.
The council approved reorganizing the general services highways and utilities division due to a long-time employee retiring. Aspell was asked by Ward 1 Councilor Brent Todd why the issue was being brought up now instead of when the budget hearings start later this week. Aspell said it was an opportunity to save money because of a vacancy. Todd also asked about the pavement painting and whether this would be sped up due to the changes. Aspell said it would vary between after street sweeping was completed, whether the weather was appropriate, and the need for better fog lines and markings when school starts in late August. Brown asked if there would be an updated budget, and Brian Lebrun, the deputy city manager of finance, said the changes would be reflected in the fiscal year 2025.
Do you have a news tip? Please email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel. Follow the NH politics Twitter account @NHPatchPolitics for all our campaign coverage.
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New England Travel
A historic Portsmouth, N.H., hotel steps from bustling Market Square just reopened after a complete redesign.
The Hotel Portsmouth is a 32-room hotel originally built in 1881 by wealthy ship merchant and businessman John E. Sise. The Queen Anne Victorian, formerly the Sise Inn, served as one of the city’s first independent lodging establishments and was acquired by Lark Hotels in 2014. Its recent redesign was led by boutique design firm Elder & Ash.
The getaway’s new look “combines modern sophistication with the warmth of traditional New England charm,” according to the design team.
“From original crown moldings and working fireplaces to meticulous woodwork around its central staircase, we have always been in awe of The Hotel Portsmouth’s architectural charm,” Rob Blood, founder and president of Lark Hotels and principal of Elder & Ash, said in a statement. “This new look honors the building’s innate beauty and celebrates the rich culture of the city and region in an unexpected way. We’re thrilled to unveil this new take on a quintessentially New England hotel.”
The hotel offers a variety of room types, from a petite king to a dual-loft suite and sprawling penthouse suite. There are also ADA-accessible and pet-friendly rooms.
Designers took inspiration from the surrounding city.
“We find the arts and culture scene of Portsmouth to be unique,” Megan Kennedy, creative director for Lark Hotels and principal of Elder & Ash, said in a statement. “Historic landmarks like the Strawbery Banke Museum are
met with more contemporary counterparts, like 3S Art Space. Venues like Jimmy’s Jazz Club, the Seacoast Repertory Theater and The Music Hall, just to name a few, give our guests an unparalleled opportunity for a cultural experience in this small city. We wanted The Hotel Portsmouth to emulate and
add to this experience. Instead of just a place to stay, we aimed for it to tell a visual story of its deeply New England roots, both past and present.”
The getaway’s interior is dominated by reds and blues with Americana patterns, geometrics, and touches of maritime history. The work of American photographer Slim Aarons is featured on the walls alongside contemporary street art, historic original landscapes, and portrait paintings.
“The bold and layered approach to the design is how we’re expressing Americana as a technique more so than as a visual picture,” Kennedy said in a statement. “Modern Americana design for this project was much more than stars, stripes and patchwork quilts (while there are still many of those), it was about noticing how multiple patterns and textures and colors come to feel like ‘Americana’. Tribal mud cloths work harmoniously with greek key motifs, and while some would argue about heritage — we saw it as an opportunity to emulate the melting pot.”
The bathrooms offer tubs and walk-in showers and guests use Lather bath products.
The common spaces “blend small town American charm with one of a kind furnishings,” according to the team.
Lucy & John’s is a bar area with a billiards table and group seating. The hotel now has a full liquor license, so travelers can enjoy batched cocktails and canned beer and wine along with light bites.
Guests can shop at the gift boutique located behind the reception desk, which offers designer vintage clothing, modern Americana home decor, and locally made items.
Travelers enjoy curated small bites for breakfast, a 24-hour concierge service, and several indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.
Families traveling with kids can ask for a kids welcome basket, complete with toys and snacks. Other types of baskets guests can order include breakfast baskets and a New England beer-tasting basket.
Room rates start at at $200 per night, depending on the room type and dates of stay.
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Grab your maple syrup and buckle up, because it’s time for a joyride through the Granite State. Before you brush New Hampshire off as just another dot on the map, this small, Northern New England state has just been crowned the #2 best state by US News and World Report. How? Well, let’s dive in…
First off, if you’re into scenic beauty that’ll make your Instagram followers drool with envy, New Hampshire’s got you covered. From the White Mountains to the Lakes Region, this state is a nature paradise, with emphasis on fall foliage. Tourists from all over the world visit New Hampshire every year to take in the colorful leaves and the changing of the season.
We can’t forget this one: If you’re from the area, you’ve like heard of New Hampshire’s infamous motto, “Live Free or Die”, and it’s no joke. No sales tax or income tax in this state. In addition to the attractions I just mentioned, this place is like a paradise for penny-pinchers and budget-savvy people.
Now, let’s talk about the people. New Hampshirites (is that even a thing?) are known for being pretty friendly people. Whether you’re striking up a conversation with a local at the diner or getting lost in a maze of backroads, you’re bound to encounter someone happy to get you on your way.
And lastly, it’s a skier’s paradise. According to skiresort.info, there are 28 ski resorts spread throughout the state with emphasis on North Conway, which was recently named #4 best ski town in USA Today’s Reader’s Poll.
So there you go! New Hampshire, the little state that could. Whether you’re seeking adventure in the great outdoors, craving a taste of a small-town restaurant, or simply looking to live life to the fullest in the woods, the mountains, or on the rivers and lakes, this place delivers.
Gallery Credit: Megan
We asked our audience to share what they believe to be New Hampshire’s most underrated towns. These places were mentioned the most.
Gallery Credit: Megan
Gallery Credit: Megan
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