Nashua Finance Committee Meeting - September 17, 2025
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Nashua Finance Committee Meeting - September 17, 2025
The Nashua Finance Committee met on September 17, 2025, to consider several purchasing requests and contract amendments. The meeting began with roll call (Aldermen Tibodeau, Govea, Clemens, Clay, Mayor Donchus present; Moran and Timmons excused), public comment (none), and then proceeded to communications. Most items were approved, but a request for additional design services for the library plaza was tabled after discussion.
Consent Calendar
- Approved purchase of a 2026 Ford Explorer for the Office of Emergency Management at a cost not to exceed $67,389, funded from SERF 81 capital outlay. The vehicle will replace a pickup truck and will be used as an emergency response vehicle; the current vehicle gets 60 miles per gallon, the new one gets 25 miles per gallon.
- Approved replacement of the boiler heating system at the Nashua Fire Alarm Dispatch Center for $65,000, funded from capital projects. The high-efficiency unit (98% efficient) will replace a failed boiler (86% efficient alternative) and also eliminate a gas-fired water heater.
- Approved purchase of police department uniforms and equipment from Ben's Uniforms for $117,000, funded from the general fund (supplies and materials). This covers initial outfitting of new officers and replacement uniforms via clothing allowances.
- Approved purchase of police department uniforms and equipment from East Coast Outfitters for $70,000, funded from the general fund (supplies and materials), as a second vendor for flexibility.
- Approved a contract amendment with Metric Consulting LLC for $43,395 to support environmental review services for HOME-ARP funded affordable housing projects.
- Approved the record of expenditures for the period August 29 to September 11, 2025, as compliant with city charter and ordinances.
Discussion Items
- Library Plaza Design and Construction Administration Services Amendment #5 (Arcadis) : The committee considered an increase of $39,684 for additional design services beyond the original contract. Community Development Director Matt Sullivan explained that the iterative design process, unexpected soil conditions, asbestos work plan delays with the state, HUD funding delays, and complex stormwater system required more effort than anticipated. Aldermen Clemens, Govea, and others expressed frustration that the cost overrun was presented after the work was completed, rather than communicated during the process. Alderman Clemens moved to table the item to obtain written assurances from Arcadis that future work would stay on budget. The motion passed, and the item was tabled.
Key Outcomes
- All consent calendar items were approved unanimously.
- The library plaza design amendment was tabled; staff will return with additional information from the contractor.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Mr. Clerk, would you please call the roll? Alderman Tibodeau here. Alderman Govea is here. Alderman Moran. Alderwoman Timmons. Alderman Clemens? Here. Alderman Clay. Here. Mayor Donchus. Here. Mr. Mayor. Yes. Alderman Moran had called me and told me that he had something he was unable to be able to make the meeting this evening. And Alderwoman Timmons uh has an excused absence. The first item is public comment. Is there any member of the public who wants to address any of the agenda items? I don't see anyone. So we'll go to communications. First communication, Amy Girard purchasing manager, Alderman Govea. In regard to purchase of one Ford Explorer in the amount not to exceed $67,389 funded from SERF, 81 capital outlay and improvements. Make a motion to accept place on file and approve the purchase of a 2026 model year Ford Explorer and associated equipment through Gripone Ford and Global Public Safety in the amount not to exceed 67,389. Funding will be through Department 156 emergency management. Fund Surf Capital Outlay and Improvements. Okay, thank you. Am I I'm gonna speak now? Yes, go ahead, Ms. Martisella. Go ahead. All right. Um Emily Martisell and the director of emergency management. So this is the vehicle for the Office of Emergency Management. I I use the vehicle, I take it home. Um we are actually downsizing the vehicle. So currently I have a pickup truck, which we're downsizing to just about what I need, which I'm going to go with the same uh vehicle that the police chiefs and fire chiefs have, the Ford, the Ford Explorer. Um as it's noted in the letter, it's it's not an electric vehicle, and I unfortunately couldn't get a hybrid either. I did look into getting a hybrid vehicle. The option was Toyota Highlander, and that was not in the price range, nor I don't think it would reflect. Great me driving that around. And the other situation with it is the it is an emergency response vehicle. It's upfitted with lights. When I spoke to the upfitters, that was not a vehicle they were familiar with and would have, I think, charged us a pretty penny to upfit um beyond what it would normally be. So uh this is coming in under budget. This vehicle, um it's so right now I get 60 miles a gallon. This is gonna get 25, so it's an improvement. Um, and we just don't have a way to do charging. I take the vehicle home because I'm back and forth here all the time for emergencies. Um so that's why we're going with the same fleet that again that fire and police have.
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