Special Board of Aldermen Listening Session on Downtown Safety - September 19, 2025

On September 19, 2025, the Nashua Board of Aldermen held a special meeting at the National Public Library to hear directly from downtown business owners and stakeholders about escalating safety, cleanliness, and public health issues related to the unhoused and transient population. The meeting was called after a prior gathering of business owners with city staff revealed urgent concerns. Alderman Wilshire summarized themes of safety, cleanliness, human waste, and the negative impact on business perception. Business owners described daily encounters with human waste, syringes, aggressive panhandling, theft, and customers feeling unsafe. They requested support for three short-term solutions: a full-time downtown clean team, increased police patrols (already begun as a two-month pilot with two officers per shift from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.), and public restrooms such as the vandal-resistant Portland Loos. Aldermen expressed shock and commitment to act, though some noted that similar recommendations had been made months earlier by nonprofits without business owner attendance. Discussions also addressed the need for broader state/federal funding, the limitation of pushing the homeless to other areas, and the connection to encampments in Mine Falls Park. No formal votes were taken, but several aldermen pledged to seek funding for the police patrols, open City Hall bathrooms (currently closed after 5 p.m.), and explore Portland Loos at an estimated $125,000–$165,000 each with 3–4 month lead time. The meeting included public comments from Mine Falls Advisory Committee members and nonprofit leaders, stressing that the problem extends beyond downtown and requires a coordinated approach.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alyssa O'Mara (Downtown Association): Expressed support for the proposed solutions; noted that business owners are cleaning up human waste and syringes, experiencing theft, and feeling unsafe. She read letters from other business owners unable to attend.
• Mary Lou Blazedale (Design Wares, 21 years downtown): Praised police and public health responsiveness but stated this year has been the hardest; customers are staying away due to safety perceptions; warned that businesses are on the tipping point of closing.
• Alyssa Drift (Local Street Eats): Described human waste, needles, aggressive behavior, employees being followed home, and customers asking what is being done; called for a safe, clean environment.
• Amber Morgan (Port Engage, Coffee & Kindness): Shared that her staff asked to close early due to safety; she encounters human waste, needles, and verbal harassment while walking with her young daughter; stressed need for both long-term planning and immediate band-aids.
• Rich Lannon (owner of two mixed-use buildings): Reported residential tenants leaving due to safety, people defecating in buildings, and concerns that the two-month police pilot may not be sustained; expressed skepticism about public restrooms being abused but supported exploration.
• Stan Tremble (Liquid Therapy): Expressed outrage that people high on drugs are not arrested; described guests witnessing drug use; criticized lack of consequences; called for action.
• Fouad Ma'ayeh (PRG Rugs): Emphasized that the business community approaches issues with empathy; experienced a broken window costing $1,200 during a downtown event; noted downtown is otherwise thriving.
• Letters read by Alyssa O'Mara: Included concerns from the Chamber of Commerce (installed cameras, locked doors), Bar Harbor Bank (thousands spent on deterrents, urine smell, customers unable to use ATM), NBT Bank (baby monitor to watch ATM), and Rochette Funeral Home (a man intruded into a funeral mass asking for money).
• Public comments: Paula Lockhead (Mine Falls Advisory Committee) reported human waste and trail closures due to encampments; Lee Riley (Nashua Children's Home) described unwelcome guests near children; Kerry Baxter (retired city employee) noted a victim of crime in Mine Falls; David Silva (Mine Falls Advisory) reported a knife incident, out-of-state vehicles, and a no-go zone in the park; Steve Kenny (co-chair) urged clearing the park; Bob Keating (retired mental health professional) reminded that homeless voices need to be included and that housing is the ultimate solution; Ken Lewis (Hart's Pierce Support Center) noted increased demand and offered collaboration with public health using opioid abatement funds.

Discussion Items

• Alderman Dowd: Declared the situation unacceptable and vowed to support any funding to address it.
• Alderman Teble: Expressed shock at the severity; called for giving police more authority beyond moving people along.
• Alderman Moran: Noted that he had previously called for a special committee and held joint PEDC/Human Affairs meetings, where the same recommendations (community policing, public bathrooms) were made months ago but not funded; criticized that it took business owners' outcry to spur action; emphasized need for collaboration.
• Alderman Clemens: Proposed legislation to fund the police patrols through the end of the fiscal year and to open City Hall bathrooms immediately; urged advocacy at state/federal level, warning that cuts to Medicaid/food stamps will worsen the crisis.
• Alderman O'Brien: Supported opening City Hall bathrooms but noted they were closed for security reasons; advocated for patience and a comprehensive plan; mentioned the opioid settlement money should help.
• Alderman Clee: Revealed ongoing discussions with police about the issue; noted that patrol cars are visible but boots on the ground are needed; acknowledged that simply pushing homeless to other areas is not a solution without housing; called for regional and state coordination.
• Alderman Wilshire: Expressed sadness that communication broke down; emphasized that aldermen-at-large are available to listen.
• Economic Development Director Liz Hanum: Provided cost estimates: police patrols ~$500,000 annually (4 full-time staff); clean team $300,000–$400,000 annually; Portland Loos $125,000–$165,000 each plus utilities (3–4 month lead time). Noted City Hall bathrooms are open 5 p.m. only, leaving 15 hours uncovered; issues peak at evening/night.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on funding or specific measures.
• Aldermen committed to: (1) pursuing legislation to continue the police patrol pilot beyond two months, (2) exploring opening City Hall bathrooms during evening hours, (3) obtaining quotes for Portland Loos and identifying funding sources.
• The police department already initiated a two-month pilot with two officers on duty from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• The meeting highlighted the need for a coordinated response involving police, public health, nonprofits, business owners, and state/federal partners.
• Several aldermen urged business owners and residents to contact their state and federal representatives about funding and policy changes.
• The meeting adjourned with a motion by Alderman Clemens, seconded and approved.