Dear American Towns,

Here's what's new in Manchester:

-Repurposed Schools Task Force Meeting

A public meeting of the Repurposed Schools Task Force is scheduled for Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 6:30pm and will be held in person at Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar Street, in the Culture Lab on the third floor. During this time, Meraj Consulting LLC will be introduced by the task force to discuss community engagement efforts. Please note that this meeting room location is accessible by stairs or elevator.

-Gold Star Parents and Spouses Property Tax Exemption

Full details regarding eligibility for exemption, as well as the application, are available online, or by contacting the Assessor’s office at 860-647-3016. Application Filing Deadline is October 1st annually.
http://assessmentandcollection1.townofmanchester.org/NewTax/assets/File/Gold_Star_Exemption_Application_Manchester_2018.pdf

-Dog Licensing for the June 2022 to June 2023 license begins June 1st. For options of how to obtain a new license please go to http://townclerk1.townofmanchester.org/index.cfm/dog-license/
For detailed instructions on renewing a dog license, please go to: http://townclerk1.townofmanchester.org/NewTownClerk/assets/File/dog%20renewal%20options.pdf

-Olcott Street Sprayground opens Sat. May 28!

126 Olcott Street, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Daily Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM.

-Celebrate Manchester! June 4-12

Formerly known as Pride In Manchester, this is the 31st anniversary of the town's weeklong celebration and starts with a free concert at Center Memorial Park on Saturday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. featuring 'Soul Sound Review.
Free family friendly events and activities all week long! Here’s a few highlights: Historical Society open houses, Flag Day ceremony, town-wide tag sale, hikes, Arts in the Park, barbecue at the Elks Club for veterans, a dance at the Senior Center, live music Downtown, and more. http://prideinmanchester.townofmanchester.org/CelebrateManch2022.pdf

-Celebrate Trails Day! June 4 & 5, 2022

6/4 Hiking & Yoga 4:00-7:00 PM

Pre-registration through the instructor is required. The group will assemble at the bridge at Case Mountain, 640 Spring Street. Contact: Meeyoung Lepore; [email protected]
6/4 Guided Hike of Case Mountain 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
4 miles along the CFPA Blue Blazed trails with views from Lookout Mountain. This hike traverses moderate terrain with average ups and downs. Appropriate footwear is strongly recommended; leashed dogs are permitted as part of this hike. The group will depart from the Case Pond parking area, 68 Birch Mountain Road. Leader: Patrick Kennedy: [email protected]
6/4 Selfies with Joe McCluskey 10:00 a.m.
Free walk in the Highland Park area of Manchester to visit the Joe McCluskey sculpture and to take a selfie with Joe The half-mile walk, historic commentary, and photo op will take about one hour. Meet at the bus company parking lot on Glen Road. Town Historian, Susan Barlow, will lead the walk.
6/4 Center Springs Park 1 pm
Kids, families, and adults are invited to the Manchester Land Trust’s 1.25-mile stroll to see the park and its interesting geology, with a side trip to the Trust’s newly acquired 11.57-acre property north of the park. Meet at 39 Lodge Drive.
6/5 Risley Park, Vernon 1 pm
2.5-mile hike. Park at the lot at 366 Lake Street, Vernon for a moderately paced hike on the Manchester Land Trust’s 155.3-acre open space property with a pond, meadow, forest, and miles of trails.

-Trash & Recycling Reminders

All acceptable recyclables should go into the curbside recycle bin loose and NEVER in a plastic bag. Only acceptable recyclables should go into the bin. What’s IN? What’s OUT? Learn about the new universal list for recycling. https://www.recyclect.com/
If trash and or other debris go into the recycle bin, when the contractor AAW dumps their truck at the recycle plant the Town will get charged for that load. If the load is clean, the town will actually receive a credit of $5.00 per ton.
Trash, however, should be bagged before placing into the curbside trash bin. For more info please visit:
https://sanitation.townofmanchester.org/
Specialty items like mattresses, car batteries and electronics such as TV’s can be recycled at the Transfer Station, 311 Olcott St.  For more information on recycling in Manchester, visit http://www.ManchesterRecycles.org or call 860-647-3257.

-Spring Water Main Cleaning

To provide the Town of Manchester’s water customers with the best possible quality of water, we will be cleaning water mains from April 4, 2022 through July 1, 2022. The cleaning is done to remove sediment in the pipe that has accumulated. The following streets are scheduled to be flushed:
May 31 – June 3: Abigail Cir., Adelaide Rd., Arnott Rd., Ashworth St., Autumn St., Boulder Rd., Butternut Rd., Castle Hill, Chilstone
La., Coburn Rd., Colling Ridge Dr., Cook St., Dale Rd., Dresher Rd., East Center St., East Eldridge St., East Maple St., Elwood Rd., Ferguson Rd.,
Garth Rd., Gerard St., Grandview St., Hickory La., Highland St., Highwood Dr., Jean Rd., Kensington St., Livingston Way, Louise La., Ludlow Rd.,
Meadow La., Middle Tpke. East, Mountain Rd., Oak Grove St., Oak St. (Autumn to Grandview), Parson’s Ct., Patriot La., Pilgrim La., Pitkin St.,
Plymouth La., Porter St., Raymond Rd., Richard Rd., Ridgefield St., Riverside Dr., Robert Rd., Steep Hollow La., Stephanies Way, Trevor Ct.,
Waranoke Rd., Welcome Pl., Wellman Rd., Wyllys St.
Complete details & schedule can be found online:
http://waterandsewer1.townofmanchester.org/newwaterandsewer/assets/File/2022%20Street%20Schedule%20Listing.pdf

-Resources At Your Fingertips:  Human Services Directory

The 2021-22 edition of the Manchester Human Services Directory, created by Senior, Adult & Family Services, is available online! http://safs1.townofmanchester.org/index.cfm/the-human-services-directory/      
The Directory provides an extensive listing of local agencies, contacts and other resources that may be especially helpful to you.  You can also receive your copy by visiting or calling Town Hall Customer Service at 860-647-5235, or Senior, Adult & Family Services at 860-647-3096. We are happy to mail your copy if needed!

-Manchester Church of Christ Free Tag Sale!

Saturday, May 28th from 8AM until 12:00PM. All items are free so please come and take what you need. Manchester Church of Christ 595 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester, CT. This event is rain or shine! If it's raining, please come around to the back of the building to enter!

-Little Free Pantries are in the area!

These can be helpful to tide residents over in an emergency when regular pantries are closed.  More information can be found at www.hartfordbagsoflove.org  
The Manchester locations are:
453 Summit Street (across from William Street, near the corner of Green Road)
501 Porter Street (near the intersection of Wyllys)
315 East Center Street (in front of Collaborative Natural Health Partners)    
159 Henry Street (near the intersection of North Elm)
13 Cottage Street  (near the intersection of Birch Street)
80 Garden Street.

-Make A Powerful Impact! Blood donations are critically important at this time of year. NEW Summer Essential: Get a 20-oz. Red Cross water bottle and a limited-edition sticker set when you come to give blood by May 31!

Upcoming Manchester blood drives include:

May 27 from 11:00am -4:00pm at Buckland Hills Mall, 194 Buckland Hills Dr.
May 31 from 7:30am -1:00pm at Manchester Memorial Hospital, 71 Haynes Street.
June 2 from 1:30pm-6:30pm at North United Methodist Church, 300 Parker Street.
June 10 from 11:00am -4:00pm at Buckland Hills Mall, 194 Buckland Hills Dr.
June 16 from 9:00am-6:30pm at North United Methodist Church, 300 Parker Street.
For more info and to schedule your appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit us online to find drives in nearby towns:  
http://www.redcrossblood.org