Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Nashua Board of Aldermen and Budget Review Committee Meeting Summary - July 29, 2025

Board of Aldermen Meetings — Tuesday, July 29, 2025

BodyNashua, New Hampshire

SessionBoard of Aldermen Meetings

DateTuesday, July 29, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:20:57

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

3:25

Twenty-five at seven oh three PM in the Aldermanic Chamber, which has been duly noticed in two places, including the city's website in accordance with the requirements of RSA ninety one A.

3:36

Tonight the prayer will be offered by Alderman Tibo and Alderman Lopez will lead us in the place to the flag.

3:47

Almighty God, we have the high honor and the serious duty to manage the affairs of our beloved city.

3:52

Fill us, O God, with a spirit of unity and understanding, which enables us to face our multiple problems with a serene mind, with justice and charity for all, so that any and all decisions made by us will always be for the betterment and greater happiness of all of our fellow citizens.

4:07

So help us God, amen.

5:01

Alderman Dowd.

5:02

Present.

5:03

Alderwoman Kelly?

5:04

Here.

5:05

And Alderman woman Wilshire.

5:07

Here.

5:08

You have 10 yeses and five no's your quorum.

5:15

Thank you.

5:15

I know that Alderman O'Brien had a death in the family, so he won't be joining us.

5:20

And I believe that's about it that I know of.

5:24

So tonight we have uh several public hearings, and I'm going to turn this meeting over to the chair of the budget review committee, Alderman Dowd.

5:31

Yes, we have eight resolutions before us this evening for public hearing.

5:36

So we will start right in with R 25182 authorizing the mayor to enter into an amended federal and program project agreement with the state of New Hampshire for an expanded walnut street oval intersection project and to accept and appropriate an additional 1,174,476 and 74 cents for the project.

6:01

Is there anyone here that's going to give us an overview?

6:05

Director Hudson.

6:07

Uh good evening, Mr.

6:08

Chair and uh members.

6:10

Um this is uh an amendment to Wall Noble project.

6:14

I think we're all very familiar with uh that project.

6:16

Um this uh this receives more money from the federal government.

6:22

We had uh some a million dollars in congressional directed uh spending, which we we might have mentioned previously, but we hadn't actually gone through uh acceptance process on that that yet.

6:32

So uh this accepts and appropriates that additional money, of course that requires some additional match.

6:37

Uh thankfully, all the additional match uh for this agreement has been secured under the previous resolutions.

6:44

Um most recent, I think we were here in June uh with R 2514, and that was for an additional six hundred thousand dollars towards this project.

6:53

So that in addition to the original funding satisfies our match for the project.

6:58

Um I'd be happy to go in more details about the project or the agreement.

7:02

Should anybody have any questions?

7:03

Do any of the aldermen have clarifying questions for the yes?

7:07

Alderman Lopez.

7:08

Is there a specific timeline for beginning this project?

7:12

Um good question.

7:13

So this project is underway.

7:15

Um we've been designing the project.

7:18

Um the additional money, like I said, has been received.

7:22

Um we're uh moving into final design at this point in time, soon into going into the right-of-way process.

7:28

So we're on track.

7:29

We were hoping to uh advertise the project early next year.

7:33

We'll see see where we get, you know, how long it takes us to get through the rest of the process.

7:36

Um but yeah, it's it's uh we we we should we would like to get this agreement in place.

7:43

Um we don't we're not gonna spend all this money right away, uh but it'd be much nice to get this agreement signed so the DOT knows if we go all the way to construction that we're gonna stand up to our share of the uh the funding and move the project forward.

7:57

And as I noted the city's already set aside uh our portion of the funding, so I don't I don't know why we would uh delay signing this agreement moving forward.

8:07

Any other clear um follow-up Alderman Lopez?

8:10

Yeah, just to clarify another project is underway, like the design say is there a point when the construction like traffic disruption starts.

8:18

Oh, okay.

8:19

Um good question.

8:20

Um yeah, I mean when when we uh when we actually get into construction, like I said, we're trying to advertise the project early next year, which would mean starting construction uh next spring time frame.

8:29

Um so yeah, disruption would occur at that time, and it would probably take you know probably more than one full construction season.

8:40

Um so we're looking at probably year, a year plus of uh disruption, unfortunately.

8:45

Um but again the project is to uh improve bicycle pedestrian uh accommodations as well as make a more efficient and orderly traffic flow.

8:54

Um so we we feel it's a good project and hopefully worthy of the disruption of the public.

8:59

Any other clarifying questions?

9:02

Seeing none, thank you.

9:03

Thank you.

9:05

I'll now now call for testimony in favor of R25182.

9:14

Seeing none, I'll call for testimony in opposition, the R25182.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Water And Wastewater Management██████████████████████████████30%

Public Engagement███████████████15%

Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%

Procedural█████████9%

Public Works███████7%

Budget Equity Analysis██████6%

Waste Management████4%

Public Health████4%

Debt Service███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Nashua Board of Aldermen and Budget Review Committee Meeting Summary - July 29, 2025

The Nashua Board of Aldermen convened a special meeting on July 28, 2025, immediately followed by a meeting of the Budget Review Committee that ran past midnight into July 29, 2025. The marathon session was dedicated entirely to public hearings and committee actions on eight resolutions involving the acceptance of federal funds and the authorization of bonds for city infrastructure projects.

Public Comments & Testimony

Laurie Ordolano (41 Berkeley St): Opposed multiple resolutions (R‑25‑182, R‑25‑183, R‑25‑187, R‑25‑188, R‑25‑193), citing a systemic lack of financial transparency and accountability on city projects. She specifically referenced the stalled riverfront development, the inability to obtain right‑to‑know spending records, over‑reliance on federal funding, and criticism of the mayor’s approach to the tax cap. She also opposed bonding small amounts such as $500,000.
Paula Johnson (15 Westbourne Dr): Opposed or expressed strong reservations about bonding resolutions (R‑25‑182, R‑25‑187, R‑25‑188, R‑25‑193). She questioned the city’s 2026 bonding plans (over $26 million), the policy of bonding projects of modest size, deferred maintenance that drives up long‑term costs, and the necessity of building multiple standalone garages. She also asked about the impact of potential federal funding cuts.
Dave Fred (Chair, Senior Center Board): Expressed full support for R‑25‑185, requesting a $35,000 transfer from contingency to support the senior center. He noted the building is well‑maintained and this is a customary annual request.

Discussion Items

Public Hearings on Resolutions:
- R‑25‑182 (Walnut Street Oval Intersection): Alderman Lopez asked about the timeline; staff stated construction is expected to begin in spring/summer 2026. Alderman Sullivan noted the city has obligated more local match than currently needed, raising tracking concerns. The engineer explained the need for a funding cushion and the creation of a separate “child project” to meet a September federal deadline.
- R‑25‑183 (Pedestrian Bridge Design): Staff stated the bridge is necessary because the railroad does not want pedestrians on its bridge and the city does not own it. Alderman Jetty questioned whether rehabilitating the existing bridge would be more economical. Alderman Lopez asked about TIF funding eligibility for the project.
- R‑25‑187 (Landfill Gas Expansion): Discussion focused on the low annual revenue ($8,000) from the gas‑to‑energy contract and the wisdom of bonding a $500,000 project versus paying cash. Staff noted the bond authority is a policy decision.
- R‑25‑188 (WWTP Phase 1 Upgrades): Alderman Senate questioned the dual bond/SRF‑loan authorization and confirmed that if the SRF loan is not secured, the bond will be used and rate increases will cover the debt service.
- R‑25‑189 (Various Wastewater Capital Improvements): Alderman Senate discussed chronic CSO flooding in his ward and asked about the city’s long‑term sewer separation plans.
- R‑25‑193 (WWTP Vehicle & Maintenance Garage): Major debate occurred. Aldermen Tibo, Jetty, Sullivan, and Senate expressed serious concerns about the $3.8 million design price tag (total project ~$10.8 million), the project’s low priority ranking (62nd out of 129 in the CIP), and the absence of a formal cost‑benefit analysis. Director of Public Works Lisa Foto requested that the item be tabled; the committee voted to table it unanimously.
General Budget Review Committee Discussion:
- Aldermen called for a formal cost‑benefit analysis to justify the investment in the planned garages.
- The reinstitution of the Ad Hoc Bonding Committee was announced.
- Alderman Sullivan requested a precise tally of remaining bonding capacity against the tax cap before the final vote.
- Alderwoman Kelly noted that spending caps force deferred maintenance, increasing long‑term costs.
- Alderman Dowd highlighted progress by departments in creating 20‑year maintenance plans.

Key Outcomes

The Budget Review Committee voted to recommend final passage to the full Board of Aldermen for the following resolutions:
- R‑25‑182: Walnut Street Oval Intersection
- R‑25‑183: Pedestrian Bridge Design
- R‑25‑184: Driver Education Fund
- R‑25‑185: Senior Center Funding
- R‑25‑187: Landfill Gas Expansion
- R‑25‑188: WWTP Phase 1 Upgrades
- R‑25‑189: Various Wastewater Capital Improvements
- R‑25‑192: Sewer Infrastructure Improvement Program
R‑25‑193 (WWTP Vehicle and Maintenance Garage) was officially tabled pending further discussion, a request from the Director of Public Works, and the completion of a cost‑benefit analysis.
An updated tally of the city’s bonding capacity relative to the spending cap will be presented to the full board before final votes.
The Ad Hoc Bonding Committee will be reconvened to guide future bonding policy.

Meeting Transcript

Twenty-five at seven oh three PM in the Aldermanic Chamber, which has been duly noticed in two places, including the city's website in accordance with the requirements of RSA ninety one A. Tonight the prayer will be offered by Alderman Tibo and Alderman Lopez will lead us in the place to the flag. Almighty God, we have the high honor and the serious duty to manage the affairs of our beloved city. Fill us, O God, with a spirit of unity and understanding, which enables us to face our multiple problems with a serene mind, with justice and charity for all, so that any and all decisions made by us will always be for the betterment and greater happiness of all of our fellow citizens. So help us God, amen. Alderman Dowd. Present. Alderwoman Kelly? Here. And Alderman woman Wilshire. Here. You have 10 yeses and five no's your quorum. Thank you. I know that Alderman O'Brien had a death in the family, so he won't be joining us. And I believe that's about it that I know of. So tonight we have uh several public hearings, and I'm going to turn this meeting over to the chair of the budget review committee, Alderman Dowd. Yes, we have eight resolutions before us this evening for public hearing. So we will start right in with R 25182 authorizing the mayor to enter into an amended federal and program project agreement with the state of New Hampshire for an expanded walnut street oval intersection project and to accept and appropriate an additional 1,174,476 and 74 cents for the project. Is there anyone here that's going to give us an overview? Director Hudson. Uh good evening, Mr. Chair and uh members. Um this is uh an amendment to Wall Noble project. I think we're all very familiar with uh that project. Um this uh this receives more money from the federal government. We had uh some a million dollars in congressional directed uh spending, which we we might have mentioned previously, but we hadn't actually gone through uh acceptance process on that that yet. So uh this accepts and appropriates that additional money, of course that requires some additional match. Uh thankfully, all the additional match uh for this agreement has been secured under the previous resolutions. Um most recent, I think we were here in June uh with R 2514, and that was for an additional six hundred thousand dollars towards this project. So that in addition to the original funding satisfies our match for the project. Um I'd be happy to go in more details about the project or the agreement. Should anybody have any questions? Do any of the aldermen have clarifying questions for the yes? Alderman Lopez. Is there a specific timeline for beginning this project? Um good question. So this project is underway. Um we've been designing the project. Um the additional money, like I said, has been received. Um we're uh moving into final design at this point in time, soon into going into the right-of-way process. So we're on track. We were hoping to uh advertise the project early next year. We'll see see where we get, you know, how long it takes us to get through the rest of the process. Um but yeah, it's it's uh we we we should we would like to get this agreement in place. Um we don't we're not gonna spend all this money right away, uh but it'd be much nice to get this agreement signed so the DOT knows if we go all the way to construction that we're gonna stand up to our share of the uh the funding and move the project forward. And as I noted the city's already set aside uh our portion of the funding, so I don't I don't know why we would uh delay signing this agreement moving forward. Any other clear um follow-up Alderman Lopez? Yeah, just to clarify another project is underway, like the design say is there a point when the construction like traffic disruption starts. Oh, okay. Um good question.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com