Nashua Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting - August 12, 2025

The Board of Aldermen of Nashua, New Hampshire, held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 7:33 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber. The meeting was dominated by public concern over the recent purchase of industrial land at 80 Northwest Boulevard by a Chinese-owned company, Nongfu Water. Mayor Jim Donchess and Pennichuck Corporation CEO John Bovier provided extensive clarifications, and numerous residents spoke during public comment. The board also acted on a range of resolutions and ordinances, including a tax cap proposal, a social district referendum, and multiple bond authorizations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the purchase of 28 no-ink poll pads from LHS Associates for $65,000 (unanimous, 13-0).
• Approved a five-year copier lease and maintenance agreement with Toshiba for a library machine at $5,460 (unanimous, 13-0).
• Approved Change Order No. 3 for riverfront parks path reconstruction with Morrens Landscaping, not to exceed $369,312 (unanimous, 13-0).
• Accepted petitions for street discontinuances (Major Drive, Balding Street) and referred to committee with a public hearing set for September 24, 2025.
• Confirmed several mayoral appointments to city boards and commissions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alyssa O'Mara (Executive Director, Great American Downtown) urged continued investment in public art and cultural events, arguing they are critical for economic resilience during challenging times.
• Bill Ferrier (35 Indian Rock Road) criticized the budget process, advocating for a professional budget manager and a tax cap based on prior year actuals rather than budgeted amounts.
• Fred Teboom (24 Cheyenne Drive) supported indefinite postponement of the tax cap resolution (R-25-121) and argued the spending cap calculation is overly complicated.
• Vernon Hickey (35 Pine Hill Road, Hollis) and Laura Talarski (5 Shakespeare Road, State Rep. Ward 8) both addressed the Chinese company purchase. Hickey called it part of China's long-term game and urged rejection. Talarski clarified that the city had no legal authority to stop the sale and noted that state legislation (SB 162) that could have addressed it stalled in committee.
• Paula Johnson (15 Westbourne Drive) thanked the board for bringing in the Pennichuck CEO and emphasized that water safety is protected by state regulation.
• Al Fulcino (Pine Hill Road, Hollis) asked the board to lead efforts to stop the project, citing Chinese companies' obligations to their government and military.
• Aaron Pencasic (Dow Road, Hollis) argued the purchase violates federal law (CFIUS and FIRRMA) and urged a review that could force divestiture.
• Liz Babor (5 Broad Street, Hollis, State Rep. District 35) requested the board create a standing committee to monitor property transactions with national security implications, and to contact the governor.
• Sue Hamola (Mendelson Drive, Hollis) pointed out that Nashua has its own Business and Industrial Development Authority and that the city could scrutinize planning permits. She also noted the Chinese-owned drone company Rotor at the airport.
• Lily Tang Williams (252 Pine Hill Road, Ward 2026 Congressional candidate) spoke as a Chinese-American about the dangers of the Chinese Communist Party's control over companies, citing national security risks.
• Connor Maul (68 East Pearl Street) urged the board to use eminent domain or take other action to block the project.
• Bob Lozo (Furerson Street) read a long statement detailing the proximity of the purchased property to critical infrastructure (FAA center, Nashua Airport, defense contractors) and argued it is a national security issue.
• Stephen Scare (11 East Hobart Street) criticized Alderman Tebow's newsletter for disparaging Lily Tang Williams and called for more respectful public discourse.
• Beth Scare (11 East Hobart Street) criticized Alderman Kelly for shutting down a speaker during a prior committee meeting and urged the board to drop a proposed ordinance restricting signs and banners.
• Kim Aponte (258 East Dunstable Road) requested a refund of her $10,000 deposit on a property purchased at auction, citing title issues.
• Joe Grable (15 Sumner Lane, Hollis, retired DoD threat risk assessor) recommended the city request a threat risk assessment on Pennichuck Waterworks from CISA and enact safeguards.
• Ken Siegel (73 South Wilder, former alderman) speculated that the inflated purchase price ($67M vs. $15M assessed) was due to financial maneuvers among institutional investors, not a Chinese government plot.
• Avalon (22 King Street, Vice Chair of Nashua Republican City Committee) criticized the mayor's office for allegedly hanging up on a concerned caller and supported a letter to the governor.

Discussion Items

• Chinese Company Purchase of 80 Northwest Boulevard (Water Concerns): Mayor Donchess opened the discussion by clarifying that the Chinese company (Nongfu Water) was recruited by the state economic development office under the Sununu administration. He corrected false claims that the city sold the water company or water supply, stating that the city has no control over water pricing or sales—that authority rests with the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC). He also noted that Pennichuck is not for sale and that the city lacks legal authority to intervene. Several aldermen (Moran, Clemens, Thibodeau, Govea, Sullivan, Senate, Tebow, Clee, Dowd) echoed the mayor's remarks, emphasizing that New Hampshire is a Dillon Rule state, meaning the city can only do what the state allows. Some expressed personal concern about economic competition from China but agreed the city's hands are tied. Alderman Moran initially made a motion to send a letter to the governor asking for investigation, but later withdrew it to first hear public comment and then craft a more informed letter.
• Pennichuck CEO Presentation: John Bovier, CEO of Pennichuck Corporation, stated that the company is not for sale, has no ownership interest in 80 Northwest Boulevard, and has no secret agreements. He explained that the company's treatment plant has capacity to produce over 30 million gallons per day (current average 12 million gallons per day) and that the proposed use (1-2 million gallons per day) is within capacity. However, the property owner would be required to pay 100% of infrastructure upgrades to delivery systems. He confirmed that Pennichuck has not heard from the owner since December 2024.
• Motion to Suspend Rules for Additional Public Comment: Alderman Sullivan moved to add an additional public comment period immediately after the Pennichuck presentation. The motion failed 3-10 (only Thibodeau, Govea, Sullivan voted yes).
• Social District Referendum (R-25-194): Alderman Clemens introduced a first-reading resolution to place a non-binding referendum question on the November 2025 ballot regarding the creation of social districts (allowing open containers in designated areas). After discussion, the board voted 10-3 to pass the first reading. A subsequent motion to schedule a public hearing for October 14, 2025, passed 13-0.
• Tax Cap Resolution (R-25-121): Alderman Clemens moved to indefinitely postpone the charter amendment that would establish a new tax cap. After debate (some favored keeping the conversation going, others argued it couldn't be finalized before the election), the motion passed 9-4 (O'Brien, Timmins, Clemens, Senate, Tebow, Clee, Dowd, Kelly, Wilshire yes; Moran, Thibodeau, Govea, Sullivan no).
• Other Resolutions: Multiple bond and grant approvals were passed:
  • R-25-182: Walnut Street Oval intersection project (additional $1,174,476.74) – passed 12-1 (Thibodeau against).
  • R-25-183: Pedestrian bridge design over Nashua River ($500,000) – passed 12-1 (Thibodeau against).
  • R-25-184: Supplemental appropriation for drivers education ($25,618) – passed 13-0.
  • R-25-185: Transfer of $35,000 to Civic and Community Activities for senior center maintenance – passed 13-0.
  • R-25-186: HOME-ARP allocation plan amendment – passed 12-1 (Thibodeau against).
  • R-25-187: Bond for landfill gas expansion ($500,000) – passed 12-1 (Thibodeau against, citing reluctance to bond small projects).
  • R-25-188: Bond for wastewater treatment plant upgrades ($6,192,000) – passed 13-0.
  • R-25-189: Bond for wastewater capital improvements ($3,280,000) – passed 13-0.
  • R-25-190: Acceptance of JAG grant ($39,036) – passed 12-1 (Thibodeau against).
  • R-25-191: Acceptance of Homeland Security grant ($350,000) – passed 12-1 (Thibodeau against).
  • R-25-192: Bond for sewer infrastructure and drain casting replacement ($4,025,000) – passed 13-0.
• Ordinances:
  • O-25-055 (Land use code amendments for GI zone with TOD overlay) – adopted unanimously (13-0).
  • O-25-058 (Fire department chief officers compensation and benefits) – adopted 12-0-1 (Govea abstained, citing union membership).
• New Business:
  • First reading of R-25-195 (deed waivers) referred to Infrastructure Committee.
  • First reading of R-25-196 (transfer of $15,000 for street lighting/hydrant fees) referred to Budget Review Committee.
  • First readings of ordinances O-25-061 (stop sign on Weld Street), O-25-062 (tax credit increase for disabled veterans), O-25-063 (unaffiliated employee salary schedule), O-25-064 (parking areas) – referred to appropriate committees.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to suspend rules for additional public comment failed (3-10).
• R-25-121 (tax cap) indefinitely postponed (9-4).
• R-25-194 (social district referendum) passed first reading (10-3) and public hearing scheduled for October 14, 2025 (13-0).
• R-25-182, R-25-183, R-25-184, R-25-185, R-25-186, R-25-187, R-25-188, R-25-189, R-25-190, R-25-191, R-25-192 all passed with majorities.
• O-25-055 and O-25-058 adopted (unanimous and 12-0-1 respectively).
• Motion to go into non-public session (RSA 91-A:3, II) passed 12-0 (Alderman Kelly left meeting at 9:48 p.m.).
• Alderman Moran indicated he will introduce legislation to send a letter to the governor and seek a threat risk assessment, incorporating public input from the meeting.