Board of Aldermen 12-22-2020 Page 5
tents. So we saw a lot of that happening and a lot of the outcomes of that in Manchester, where people in
those tents started to camp on the Courthouse and then the State destroyed the tents that it gave them a
couple months ago. So largely in New Hampshire we have not done enough for the homeless this
particular year among others. They are impacted just as much by COVID-19 as anyone else and it has
been very difficult for them because there is nowhere for them to go during the day. There is nowhere for
them to even use a bathroom that’s accessible. A lot of the programs that have been working to support
them are particularly impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions. So it’s very, very exciting that the Soup
Kitchen is able to move six months ahead of time, to opening capacity that will allow for a much better
situation for people who are homeless, a much better living environment and potentially return to the City
the capacity that it lost wnen we had to reduce for capacity. So | really didn’t need to see Ash Street
shelter again, I’ve worked there for like 20 years so that wasn’t why | was on that tour. But! did really enjoy
the opportunity to see what is going to be happening with St. Patrick’s — the school and the plans that they
have for it.
And for me it was definitely a ray of hope. What the Mayor didn’t necessarily mention, but | wanted to
thank him for, he also participated in our virtual homeless vigil yesterday. For 30 years we have gathered
on the winter solstice, it’s the longest night of the year so it is the year that we recognize people who have
spent the longest night, the longest night is the night unsheltered. But it’s also an opportunity to celebrate
the coming of the summer, and the days from now on are going to be longer and brighter. So the Mayor
and | participated in a social distancing virtual event. That was re-shared tonight through the Continuum
Care’s website. Hopefully it will be played at places where the homeless will be able to get to it because
like everything else, having to manage our social distancing guidelines and all of that kind of stuff, means
that access to the vigil in person was especially dangerous for them given their ability to easily access
healthcare if something starts to go wrong and their need to interact with people differently in order to
maintain whatever shelter scenarios they can find.
So | wanted to thank the Mayor for taking the time to do that. This year was the 30" Homeless Vigil. | hope
that it is helpful to people who view it, because we were careful this time to include messages from different
non-profits on how to access them particularly now during COVID-19. So | just wanted to thank the Mayor
for participating in that and for doing what he has been doing to support the Soup Kitchen Project. Thank
you.
President Wilshire
Anyone else want to give comment on the responses to the Mayor; response to the Mayor? Seeing no
one, Recognition Period.
RECOGNITION PERIOD - None
READING MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
There being no objection, President Wilshire declared the minutes of the Special Board of Alderman
and regular Board of Aldermen meetings of December 8, 2020 are accepted, placed on file, and the
readings suspended.
COMMUNICATIONS REQUIRING ONLY PROCEDURAL ACTIONS AND WRITTEN REPORTS
FROM LIAISONS
From: Donna Graham, Legislative Affairs Manager
Re: Communications Received from the Public
There being no objection, President Wilshire accepted the communication and placed it on file.
