Personnel Administrative Affairs Committee Summary – August 5, 2025

The Personnel Administrative Affairs Committee of the Nashua Board of Aldermen met on August 5, 2025, to interview candidates for several city boards and commissions, debate multiple pending ordinances, and discuss a proposed charter amendment. Public testimony focused on First Amendment rights.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paula Johnson (15 Westmoreland Drive) expressed opposition to a proposed ordinance targeting banners, flags, and signs (O-25060), arguing it infringes on First Amendment freedoms. She noted that visual aids were historically allowed and criticized the three-minute limit on public comment.
• Lori Ordlano (41 Berkeley Street) warned that the sign ordinance presented a risk of viewpoint discrimination. She cited a letter from the New England First Amendment Coalition and questioned the chamber's inconsistent enforcement of rules regarding displayed materials.

Appointments & Nominations

The committee interviewed and unanimously voted to recommend the following appointments to the full Board of Aldermen:

• Joseph Olafirovich (Keefe Auditorium Commission): Background in international arts, theatrical design, and conducting. He discussed the Keefe's infrastructure challenges, emphasizing the need for a long-term vision and debating the value of the arts as an economic driver versus an intrinsic community necessity.
• Walter "Ben" Davis and Kimberly Grillick (Mindfalls Park Advisory Committee): Davis raised specific issues about park maintenance, encampments, and trail erosion. Grillick shared her personal journey overcoming depression through hiking and her desire to volunteer in park stewardship.
• Amanda Griffith (Conservation Commission): Operations director at the Granite YMCA and experienced camp director, passionate about environmental education and conservation ethics.
• David Dearborn (Greater Nashua Revolving Loan Fund Committee): Business Development Officer at St. Mary's Bank. He noted the loan fund is underutilized and pledged to help raise awareness among local small business owners.

Discussion Items

1. Proposed Budget Cap (R-25121) Alderman Clemens moved to indefinitely postpone the charter amendment proposing a cap on annual budgets, arguing it was not ready for the fall ballot and should be left to the next board. Alderman O'Brien offered a lengthy critique of the previous spending cap regime. Alderman Dowd raised concerns about hamstringing future boards. The motion to indefinitely postpone was recommended, effectively ending the current proposal.

2. Fire Department Chief Officers' Compensation (O-25058) The ordinance aimed to fix salary compression for non-union fire department executives. Supporters argued the current merit matrix creates disincentives for promotion and has caused the city to lose talent. A late memo from the administration noted the 20% pay differential proposed was above the consultant's typical 5-15% range, but Director Cummings clarified the 20% figure was acceptable. The committee recommended final passage despite frustrations over the memo's timing.

3. Restrictions on Signs, Banners, and Flags (O-25060) The committee debated an ordinance to prohibit items that create safety concerns or obstruct views. Supporters cited safety and decorum. Opponents argued the language was open to interpretation and could limit legitimate expression. The ordinance was tabled to allow for further refinements.

4. Aldermanic Remarks Limit (O-25056) A proposal to limit individual aldermen's remarks to three minutes at the end of meetings was debated. Some aldermen supported it for fairness, while others argued it could prevent them from adequately responding to public comments or addressing multiple issues. The ordinance was tabled for revisions.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments Advanced: Unanimously recommended all four presented appointments to the full Board of Aldermen.
• Spending Cap Killed: Recommended indefinite postponement of the budget cap charter amendment.
• Firefighter Pay Fix Advanced: Recommended final passage of the ordinance establishing a new fixed salary schedule for fire department chief officers.
• Sign Restrictions Deferred: Tabled the proposed ordinance restricting banners, flags, and signs.
• Remarks Limit Deferred: Tabled the proposal to limit aldermanic remarks to three minutes.
• Upcoming Special Meeting: A special personnel committee meeting is expected to be scheduled to address the proposed Kratom sales ban (O-25051) after receiving a late recommendation from the Board of Health.