"5 things You Need to Know..." About the General Manager's February Report

When General Manager Scott Shanley releases his monthly report to the Board of Directors we like to spotlight it here at 5 Things, because we feel that although it might not be the most exciting document you could possibly read, it does provide loads of insight and information on the town's government. The full report is accessible from the main page of the Town of Manchester's website.

1. Town offices will be closed in observance of Lincoln’s Birthday on Friday, Feb. 11, and Washington’s Birthday on Monday, Feb. 21.

The Mary Cheney Library and Whiton Memorial Library will be open for Lincoln’s Birthday, but closed for Washington’s Birthday.

The landfill will remain open for both holidays and trash will be collected on a regular schedule.

2. The town expects to be able to make copies of state and federal tax forms and instructions available at both libraries and the Town Hall Customer Service and Information Center during the month of February. Those forms, and additional information on tax preparation,  can also be downloaded from www.ct.gov/drs and www.irs.gov.

3. The Town Clerk's Office served 3,400 customers in the month of December and brought in $99,361.06 in revenue from fees on land records, vital statistics, marriage licenses, dog licenses, games licenses and passports. The office has served 20,717  customers since the start of the fiscal year July 1, 2010, and collected $558,249.07 in revenue. Hey, money for the town's budget has to come from somewhere other than taxes, right. 

4. The Fire Department responded to 697 calls for service in the month of December, broken down as follows:

- Medical/Rescue                495
- Fire Related                           15
- Hazardous Conditions      44
- Public Service                       49
- Good Intent                           49
- False                                         44
- Mutual Aid                               1

While the Police Department received 5,306 calls for service in the month of January, including 1,392 that resulted in police cases, 701 emergency 911 calls, 722 from the town's Fire Department, and 192 from the Eighth District's Fire Department. 

5.  The Fire Department hired a new employee in the month of January, Shawn Mercer, who will serve as a Firefighter-Paramedic. Mercer, who worked for American Ambulance in Norwich prior to joining the Manchester department, started on Jan. 24. He must complete two weeks of orientation, then attend Fighter Recruit Training School in Windsor Locks for 16 weeks.