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Record of Proceedings

Nashua Board of Aldermen Meeting: Library Renovation Presentation – September 24, 2025

Board of Aldermen Meetings — Wednesday, September 24, 2025
BodyNashua, New Hampshire
SessionBoard of Aldermen Meetings
DateWednesday, September 24, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

September 23rd, 2025 at 6 30 p.m.

0:02

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.

0:11

The prayer will be offered by our wonderful legislative manager, Donna Graham, and Alderwoman Kelly will lead us in the pledge to the flag.

0:22

Almighty God, we have the high honor and the serious duty to manage the affairs of our beloved city.

0:27

Fill us, O God, with the spirit of unity and 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.

0:44

Amen.

0:53

One nation under God is strong.

1:08

Let's start the meeting by taking a roll call attendance, please.

1:12

Alderman O'Brien.

1:13

President.

1:14

Alderwoman Timmins.

1:17

Alderman Moran.

1:20

Alderman Thibodeau.

1:22

Here.

1:23

Alderman Govea.

1:24

Here.

1:25

Alderman Lopez.

1:28

Alderman Sullivan.

1:29

Here.

1:31

Alderman Clemens.

1:34

Alderman Senate.

1:35

I am here.

1:37

I'm participating remotely due to illness.

1:40

I am alone in the room and I can hear everybody in the chamber.

1:45

Alderman Jetty.

1:46

Here.

1:47

Alderman Tebow?

1:48

Here.

1:49

Alderman Clee.

1:51

Here.

1:51

Alderman Dow.

1:52

Present.

1:53

Alderman McKelly.

1:55

Here.

1:56

President Wilshire.

1:58

Here.

1:59

15.

2:00

You have 12.

2:02

You have 11 members present.

2:05

And three, four absent.

2:06

Thank you.

2:07

Also joining us this evening is Corporation.

2:10

Sorry.

2:11

Also joining us this evening is Mayor Jim Donchus and Corporation Council Steve Bolton.

2:16

Tonight we have a presentation on library renovation scenarios, and I would like to recognize the library director, Jennifer McCormick.

2:28

Jennifer McCormick, Library Director.

2:30

Thanks everyone for uh making yourselves available tonight.

2:34

We're really excited to be here with our architects and with Keith Kelly from Harvey Construction to talk about the renovation options from for the library.

2:45

And tonight, actually, the chair of my board, Linda LaFlam, is going to introduce us.

2:54

Good evening.

2:54

Thank you for having us.

2:57

I'll be quick because I know the main attraction is coming up.

3:00

But I wanted to give you a recap of how we got to this place.

3:05

In an effort to be more proactive about our aging buildings' needs, back in 2022, we did a facility study.

3:14

And the results were pretty grim.

3:17

Significant attention and repairs were needed to the building infrastructure, the envelope, and more.

3:22

16 to 19 million dollars worth of repairs, and that was just base level fixes.

3:28

To do a total upgrade, it was projected at that time to be 23 to 29 million dollar range.

3:35

And we were presented the result to you.

3:37

You asked us, well, do we need that much space?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Library Services█████████████████████████████████████████████80%
Capital Expenditures███5%
Public Works██4%
Procedural█2%
Public Engagement█2%
Environmental Protection█2%
Public Safety█2%
Parking Regulations█2%
Energy Market Management█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Nashua Board of Aldermen Meeting: Library Renovation Presentation – September 24, 2025

The Board of Aldermen held a special meeting on September 24, 2025, to receive a presentation from the library director, trustees, architects, and construction consultants on four renovation and construction scenarios for the Nashua Public Library. The presentation included cost estimates, design concepts, and community feedback, followed by a question-and-answer session with aldermen.

Discussion Items

  • Library Director Jennifer McCormick introduced the presentation, emphasizing the need for proactive action to address aging infrastructure and inefficient space allocation.
  • Linda LaFlam, Library Board Chair, recapped the 2022 facility study showing $16–19 million in base repairs and $23–29 million for a total upgrade. She highlighted that a subsequent space needs assessment confirmed the current 57,000-square-foot footprint is appropriate but poorly allocated.
  • Architect Ben (Design Lab) presented four options:
    • Renovation: Full gut renovation of the existing building, maintaining the structure but replacing envelope, systems, and interior. New entry and vertical circulation. Estimated total project cost: $34–39 million.
    • Addition: Demolish part of the existing building and build a new addition to create a new entry sequence and connection to the river. Estimated total project cost: $38–44 million.
    • Replacement: Demolish the entire existing building and construct a new building on the same site. Estimated total project cost: $44–51 million.
    • Relocation: Build a new library on the adjacent parking lot site, requiring full utilities and three stories. Estimated total project cost: $51–58 million.
  • Keith Kelly (Harvey Construction) explained cost escalation (8% since 2022) and that the estimates include a 20% design and estimating contingency, escalation to 2028, and soft costs (fees, FF&E, owner contingency, potential temporary space).
  • Community feedback from two workshops and surveys (nearly 300 responses) showed no clear preference among options but strong appreciation for the current location and desire for improved accessibility, parking, and river connection.
  • Aldermen raised questions and concerns regarding:
    • Phasing of construction and bonding costs.
    • Inclusion of security cameras, outdoor lighting, and high-impact glass.
    • Solar panel capacity on the roof.
    • Coordination with planned plaza renovation.
    • Parking availability (especially if building on the lot).
    • Accessibility for strollers and mobility-impaired patrons.
    • Life expectancy of a renovated building (estimated 30–50 years).
    • Thermal efficiency of proposed glass.
    • Heating/cooling of large open spaces.
    • Potential duplication of theater space given the nearby Court Street Theater.
    • Glare from new windows affecting residents across the river.
    • Storage space for the Friends of the Library book sale.
  • Architects responded that these issues could be addressed in the design phase, and recommended forming a joint building committee between the Board of Aldermen and library trustees.

Key Outcomes

  • The presentation served as a feasibility study; no vote was taken on the options.
  • Alderman O'Brien moved to adjourn, and the motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote (13-0). The meeting adjourned at 7:38 PM.
  • The library trustees and city staff will likely proceed with recommendations for next steps, including the formation of a joint building committee.

Meeting Transcript

September 23rd, 2025 at 6 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. The prayer will be offered by our wonderful legislative manager, Donna Graham, and Alderwoman Kelly 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, O God, with the spirit of unity and 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. One nation under God is strong. Let's start the meeting by taking a roll call attendance, please. Alderman O'Brien. President. Alderwoman Timmins. Alderman Moran. Alderman Thibodeau. Here. Alderman Govea. Here. Alderman Lopez. Alderman Sullivan. Here. Alderman Clemens. Alderman Senate. I am here. I'm participating remotely due to illness. I am alone in the room and I can hear everybody in the chamber. Alderman Jetty. Here. Alderman Tebow? Here. Alderman Clee. Here. Alderman Dow. Present. Alderman McKelly. Here. President Wilshire. Here. 15. You have 12. You have 11 members present. And three, four absent. Thank you. Also joining us this evening is Corporation. Sorry. Also joining us this evening is Mayor Jim Donchus and Corporation Council Steve Bolton. Tonight we have a presentation on library renovation scenarios, and I would like to recognize the library director, Jennifer McCormick. Jennifer McCormick, Library Director. Thanks everyone for uh making yourselves available tonight. We're really excited to be here with our architects and with Keith Kelly from Harvey Construction to talk about the renovation options from for the library. And tonight, actually, the chair of my board, Linda LaFlam, is going to introduce us. Good evening.

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