When might NH, Rochester get back to normal? Chat about it with city leaders

City Manager Blaine Cox, Mayor Caroline McCarley (Courtesy photos)

CONCORD - Today will mark the first meeting of the Governor's Economic Reopening Task Force, which will focus on potential incremental steps that might be taken as the state looks to get back to normal.

Meanwhile on Tuesday the state reported 44 new positive test results for COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing to 1,491 the number of cases diagnosed in New Hampshire.

Five of the new cases required hospitalization bringing that total to 206 (14%). The new cases reside in Merrimack (5), Rockingham (4), and Belknap (2), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (2), and Strafford (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (14) and Nashua (4).

The governor has said all along that he expects the reopening to be slow and cautious, using a regional approach that includes neighboring states.

Today's task force meeting will be focused on the first steps that might be made along those lines.

Locally, Rochester officials have announced the introduction of a weekly virtual question and answer session to answer resident concerns.

The so called "City Chat sessions" will allow residents to ask any questions they have about city services while city buildings are closed to the public and staff are working remotely to ensure continuity of operations.

The first City Chat will be held Friday at 3 p.m. and will be hosted by City Manager Blaine Cox and Mayor Caroline McCarley. Other city staff will be in attendance to answer any specific questions about their respective departments.

Residents are invited to send in questions ahead of time by either calling 603-332-1167 anytime before noon on Friday or emailing CityChat@RochesterNH.net before 1 p.m. on Friday.

"We are looking forward to hosting these weekly conversations to answer any questions residents may have during this unique time," Cox said. "These sessions will allow us to share important updates and information for Rochester residents, and receive feedback on city operations to ensure we are providing residents with what they need."

"With the situation surrounding COVID-19 rapidly evolving, this call is just one way we are working to keep residents informed and share new information as it becomes available," Mayor McCarley said.

To listen to the live City Chat, residents can call 1-857-444-0744 and use the conference code 843095. At this time, there will not be any video broadcast or any live public comments/interaction. However, the hope is to include those features in the future broadcasts.

City Chats will be broadcast live on Cable Channel 26 for Atlantic Broadband customers, and stream live on the City's website at www.RochesterNH.net.

Information about future calls, which will be held on Fridays at 3 p.m., will be posted on the city's website.