FOCUS - Friends of Concord / United South End

Meeting Notes January 8, 2003

Jan 23, 2003

Minutes of FOCUS Meeting
January 8, 2002 - 7pm - 8:30pm
72 North Main Street 3rd Floor
Concord, NH

Present:
Heidi Douglas, Eric Halter, Mike Tardiff, Charlie Bauer, Amy Currie, Carol Hargrove, John LaPierre,
Meg Heckman (Concord Monitor), Steve Finch, Jill Seifried (City of Concord Neighborhood Planner)

1. Discussion of letter to City Council by FOCUS members, dated 1/3/03, requesting to temporarily defer re-paving of South End Streets this Summer to allow adequate time for design and implementation of traffic calming measures to be incorporated into re-paving program. City Council may take some action on the request at the Jan.13, City Council meeting at 7pm at Council Chambers.

2. Discussion of FOCUS goals, which include:

(a) traffic calming measures, such as bumpouts; (b) bike/pedestrian safety, such as crosswalks; (c) student/school safety issues, such as safer crossings; (d) Rollins Park improvements; (e)other greenspace improvements such as tree planting and West Street park; (f) infrastructure improvements, such as McKee square; (g) parking improvements, such as Broadway; (h) small business development; (i) improve affordable housing; and (j) neighborhood pride.

3. Discussion of South End boundaries to be: "Beginning at McKee Square along Clinton Street to Iron Works Road; along Iron works Road to South Street, including South Street to Bow, and all related streets; along Rockingham Street to South Main Street, including all related streets; along South Main Street to West Street, including all related streets; and along West Street to McKee Square. "

Jill Seifried will try to produce maps for use by FOCUS.

4. For next meeting, everyone will try to identify:

a) 5-10 "hot spots" or "pinch point areas" in the South End that need traffic calming measures, improved parking, etc.
b) 5-10 areas in the South End that can use "beatification" or other "clean-up" improvements;
c) Identify 1 or 2 long-term "spot-light" areas to improve such as: intersection at Rundlett/Conant Schools; Broadway; Rockingham St.; Rollins Park; or McKee Square.
d) Identify 1 or 2 short-term "spot-light" areas to improve such as: West St. Park; planting in McKee Square; etc..

5. For next meeting, the following will be invited to attend FOCUS meetings: Kathleen Sciarppa, Conant Principal; George Rogers, RMS Principal; PTO leaders for Rundlett and Conant; South End Fire Department; McKee Square Merchants; and Boy and Girl Scout Leaders in the South End; and City representatives such as Tom Aspell, Roger Hawk, Phil Bilodeau, Doug Woodward, etc.