Nashua Board of Alderman Meeting Summary: September 9, 2025
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Nashua Board of Alderman Meeting Summary: September 9, 2025
The regular meeting of the Nashua Board of Alderman was called to order on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber. Thirteen members were present, two were absent, and a quorum was established. Mayor Jim Donchus and Corporation Council Steve Bolton also attended. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including housing, downtown concerns, foreign property ownership, youth programs, and employee compensation.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of the special board of alderman meetings of August 5th, August 7th, and August 12th, 2025, were accepted and placed on file.
- Communications regarding surplus and overlay, committee changes, and Penetruck Waterworks bonds were accepted and placed on file.
- Communications received after the agenda was prepared, including one regarding PFAS remediation funds and a request to re-refer R-25-151, were accepted without objection.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lori Ortolano (41 Berkeley Street) expressed concern about the handling of minutes from a previous non-public session and also criticized O-25-060 (banners, flags, and signs), calling the indefinite postponement a political move. She argued the city's policies on public comment and banners are unconstitutional and urged the board to properly discuss the ordinance rather than table it.
- Paula Johnson (15 Westborn Drive) opposed R-25-151, questioning the cost of the public works garage design (now $7.7 million total) and the stated building lifespan (20-30 years). She called for written maintenance policies and also urged indefinite postponement of O-25-060, arguing the chamber should remain the people's chamber and nonpartisan.
- Greg Gately (106 Osgood, Milford; owner of 30 Main Street, Nashua – Kava Bar) spoke in support of Kratom, opposing a full ban. He shared positive experiences with his Kava Bar, emphasizing the social and health benefits of Kratom and thanking the board for listening to the community.
Discussion Items
- Mayor's Remarks on Downtown Homelessness: Mayor Donchus reported that downtown business owners have expressed very significant concerns regarding escalating homelessness, aggressive behavior, and its impact on revenues. He noted the police department is willing to assign an officer to downtown patrol six days a week for a two-month trial, discussed public restroom options, and mentioned Manchester's downtown cleanup ambassador program. He urged the board to arrange a meeting with downtown stakeholders.
- Response to Mayor on Homelessness: Several aldermen spoke in support of the mayor's proposal. Alderman Lopez suggested opening the two public restrooms in City Hall as a simple solution and called for increased capacity for services as the weather gets colder. Alderman Senate noted the issue has been brewing for years and welcomed moving forward. Alderman Tebow noted the problem is not unique to Nashua and expressed support for creative solutions like public bathrooms.
- Mayor's Remarks on Chinese-Owned Property: Mayor Donchus introduced R-25-208, seeking authority to write to state and federal officials for financial support regarding the purchase of Daniel Webster College, a 40-plus-acre parcel owned by a Chinese entity. He argued the property has sat unproductive for years and could be used for housing or other beneficial purposes.
- Response to Mayor on Foreign Ownership: Alderman Lopez cautioned against fear-based reactions to foreign property ownership, noting that some investors were invited and engaged in economic development. He argued that such investments should be examined through normal zoning and planning processes, not by singling out specific countries.
- Kratom Ordinance (O-25-051): Alderman Moran moved to amend the ordinance from a full ban to a prohibition on sales to persons under 21, which passed unanimously (13-0). He noted the Board of Health recommended the age restriction and that advocates on both sides found common ground. Final passage of the amended ordinance also passed 13-0.
- Banners, Flags, and Signs Ordinance (O-25-060): Alderman Dowd moved for indefinite postponement, citing confusion at the committee level and lack of readiness. This motion passed 13-0.
- Stop Sign Ordinance (O-25-061): Final passage of a stop sign on Weld Street at its intersection with Oldfield Road passed 13-0.
- Unaffiliated Employee Salary Adjustment (O-25-063): A motion to table failed 5-8 after a lengthy discussion. Alderman Sullivan raised questions about costs and a phased approach, but Director Cummings appeared and provided answers, indicating a one-year implementation at approximately $450,000, plus about 15% in benefits costs. Final passage passed 13-0.
- Permitted Parking Areas (O-25-064): Final passage of amendments to permitted parking areas passed 13-0.
- Street Hockey Court Agreement (R-25-200): The board suspended rules to allow a second reading, then passed the resolution 13-0. The resolution authorizes an agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua to upgrade the street hockey facility at Memorial Park using over $400,000 in privately raised funds. The city grants exclusive use for 12-15 hours per week, but the facility remains open to the public otherwise.
Key Outcomes
- O-25-051 Adopted as Amended: Ordinance prohibiting the sale of Kratom to persons under 21 passed (13-0).
- O-25-060 Indefinitely Postponed: Ordinance prohibiting banners, flags, and signs was postponed (13-0).
- O-25-063 Adopted: Unaffiliated employee salary schedule adjusted (13-0).
- R-25-200 Adopted: Agreement with Boys and Girls Club for street hockey court upgrade approved (13-0).
- R-25-151 Re-referred: Bond resolution for public works division garage design was re-referred to the Budget Review Committee (13-0) for additional information.
- R-25-195 Adopted: Resolution authorizing deed waivers for certain properties passed (13-0).
- O-25-061 Adopted: Stop sign on Weld Street authorized (13-0).
- O-25-064 Adopted: Permitted parking areas amended (13-0).
- Reappointments and New Appointments: Confirmed for Historic District Commission, Housing Revolving Fund Committee, Nashua Airport Authority, Cable Television Advisory Board, Downtown Improvement Committee, and Nashua Revolving Loan Fund Committee.
- First Readings Assigned: Numerous resolutions and ordinances were introduced and assigned to appropriate committees for further review.
- Board Went into Non-Public Session: Motion passed 13-0 to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A for legal advice and consideration of disclosing minutes of a prior non-public session.
Meeting Transcript
The regular meeting of the Board of Alderman to order on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber, which has been duly noticed in two places, including the city's website in accordance with the requirements of RSA 91A. We'll be offered by City Clerk Dan Healy and Alderman at Large Michael O'Brien will lead us in the pledge to the flag. Almighty God, we have the high honor and the serious duty to manage the affairs of our beloved city. Fill us, oh God, with a spirit of unity in 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 our fellow citizens. So help us God, amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and one nation under God, individual liberty and justice for all. Here Alban Govell. Thanks. Alderman Clemens. Here. Alderman Senate. Here. Aldman Jelly. Alderman Tebow. Aldman Clee. Here. Alderman Dowd. Present. Aldwoman Kelly. Here. Alban Wilshire. Here. 13 present, two absent. We have a quorum. Also joining us this evening is Mayor Jim Donchus and Corporation Council Steve Bolton. Mayor, did you wish to address the board this evening? Uh yes, Madam President. Um I wanted to mention a couple things that are on the agenda tonight, uh, or a few things, and then um something else that I'll get to at the end. But uh first of all, at our last meeting, we had a group of people can't come in, some of which were out of from out of town, but to express concern regarding the acquisition by a Chinese entity of the property on Northeastern Boulevard, Northwestern Boulevard. And um subsequent to that, uh various concerns have been expressed concerning uh the Chinese acquisition of property in New Hampshire and specifically in Nashua. So if you look to R 25208, which is being introduced uh for the first time tonight, uh in this resolution I am seeking your authority to write to state and federal um office holders, especially those who have expressed concern, to ask for their support uh regarding the purchase of Daniel Webster College, their financial support. Uh the and why do I say this? Well, Daniel Webster College is a 40 sum-acre parcel, just as c closer that to the airport, just all nearly as close to the water supply, closer to BAE, same distance from Hanscom, all the concerns that were expressed, and it is owned by a Chinese entity. Uh and it is sat in um uh our community, unproductive for uh such a long time, for years. And if we could obtain the funds to purchase that property, which uh we believe it could be purchased around 20 million dollars, uh we could do something productive, housing, something, something good there rather than just nothing, and then it would be owned uh owned by uh somebody uh American uh citizenship rather than a Chinese corporation. So you know, hopefully you will support that resolution. Number two, there are a couple of there are some housing issues that are um uh I think coming forward, and of course I know we all are working on trying to create as much housing and affordable housing as we can. Uh the uh there's a resolution uh to approve a uh development agreement with the the housing authority for the redevelopment of part of Maynard Homes. Uh as you will recall, we supported, we as a group supported uh the redevelopment of the Bronstein apartments to Monaghan Manor, and we're able to increase the number of units there by 150 or so, and uh all of which are affordable. And there's a similar uh undertaking that uh the housing authority wants to uh uh do over on uh Burke Street at Maynard Homes, and this would be the first phase, so that development agreement would go to uh whatever the appropriate committee is, and hopefully we can get that project off the ground and create some more housing. On the on another front, the demolition of the NIMCO property where we will see the development of 200 and some units of housing should begin either late this month or early or sometime in October, should begin and be completed sometime in the next uh couple of months. Uh that will, of course, lead to uh the development of housing there. You have approved a development agreement for that property, so once the demolition is occurs, then uh you know construction could uh could begin. I did want to mention, Madam President, R25200, which is a um an agreement with the Boys and Girls Club for the acceptance of a uh of funds of considerable, over 400,000 that the Boys and Girls Club has raised to upgrade the street hockey facility that is city-owned but adjacent to the club. Uh the uh Bruins have given money, uh Conway Arena has given a lot of money. Um Craig Fitzgerald, who leads the club, is here uh and has made presentations to the Board of Public Works a couple of at least once, I maybe twice, I believe was at the infrastructure committee, uh showing the that committee what uh what they were planning. Uh nothing is required of the city other than we have to, we're simply agreeing to give them uh use of that exclusive use for their for their programming for I think it's 12 to 15 hours per week, uh, and but it would result in a very large upgrade to that facility, not only for their members, but also for anybody, any kids who want to use it in the neighborhood when the boys and girls club are not using it. Um if you could consider uh a suspension of the rules to pass that tonight, it would be would be, and some of you I know are familiar with this. Uh it would be helpful because they would like to start and try to finish this job uh this fall, and weather is uh becoming an issue, and uh therefore the quicker that uh they can begin the the better.
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