OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Nashua Board of Alderman Regular Meeting – October 14, 2025

Board of Aldermen Meetings — Wednesday, October 15, 2025
BodyNashua, New Hampshire
SessionBoard of Aldermen Meetings
DateWednesday, October 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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3:23

The regular meeting of the Board of Alderman to order on Tuesday, October 14th, twenty twenty-five at seven thirty PM in the Aldermanic Chamber, which has been duly noticed in two places, including the city's website, in accordance with the requirements of RSA ninety one A.

3:38

Prayer will be offered this evening by City Clerk Dan Healy, and Alderman Tibetan will lead us in the pledge to the flag.

5:00

Alderman Jelly.

5:01

Here.

5:01

Alderman Tebow.

5:03

Yeah.

5:04

Alderman Clee.

5:05

Here.

5:05

Alderman Dowd.

5:07

President.

5:07

Alderwoman Kelly.

5:09

Here.

5:09

Baldwin Wilshire.

5:11

Here.

5:11

Fourteen present, one absent.

5:14

Also joining us this evening is Mayor Jim Donchis and Corporation Counsel Steve Bolton.

5:19

Mayor, did you wish to address the board this evening?

5:22

Um yes, thank you, Madam President.

5:24

Well, I wanted to start with some good news, which is that last week the tannery transaction uh will closed.

5:36

So we are officially on record that uh that uh transaction is completed.

5:42

And of course, for those who haven't been following this uh closely, the tannery, Mohawk Tannery was an operating tannery up until about 1984, and then uh since that time in the last 40 years has been a polluted site uh contaminated with tannery waste.

6:02

And uh we were never able to find the funds, find the uh necessary parties to get that cleaned up over all these years.

6:13

But now, thanks to the efforts of many, including all of you uh on the board of Alderman, uh we have uh I think achieved a major result.

6:23

Uh we we've been working on this for a long time.

6:26

I think our first meeting with the EPA was about 1917, so that eight years ago.

6:33

Uh but I want to thank a lot of people for 2017.

6:37

Pardon?

6:38

2017.

6:39

2017.

6:40

I made that mistake last time, too.

6:42

I don't know.

6:43

I've been watching stuff about World War One, so I think I have 1917 in my mind.

6:48

2017, about eight years ago.

6:51

And um, as you as you know, uh as a result of this uh uh transaction, we are ultimately going to see a cleanup of the site uh along with 500 units of housing, uh approximately half of which will be rental and ultimately uh condominiums, uh and much of that will be affordable, and there will be a considerable contribution to the uh to the affordable housing trust fund.

7:20

Uh but we owe thanks to a lot of people, um, first the Board of Alderman, but uh also to the EPA who is contributing some millions of dollars to make this uh possible.

7:33

Uh our housing authority, uh the state of New Hampshire.

7:39

Um locally, uh we had a lot of people working on this.

7:43

Uh Celia Leonard, these are City Hall people, Celia Leonard, Tim Cummings, Megan Caron, uh, Sam Durfee, uh Director Sullivan, Liz Hanum, uh all of these uh people worked tirelessly over a long period of time, many, many, many meetings.

8:04

And of course, we uh uh worked carefully with the developer Bernie Plant uh as well as with Blaylock Holdings, who is the uh the entity that was formed to do this, do this job.

8:17

So the cleanup should begin in the spring, and that should take I don't know, a year or so, and then uh the construction of the uh housing will begin.

8:27

Uh the city will also realize about uh well a multi-acre parcel for just of uh green space that uh is the southern end of this tannery parcel, which which will not be developed, uh, which we can use for open space and parkland.

8:44

Uh next, madam president, I wanted to mention the nomination of um Ms.

8:50

Mulholland, Diane Mulholland for the position of treasurer tax collector.

8:55

Uh this is a nomination that needs to be confirmed by the board, so I assume it will be assigned to the personnel committee for an interview.

9:04

But as you can see from Ms.

9:05

Mulholland's resume, uh she has extensive government and tax collector experience from Lebanon from Derry, Londonderry, Claremont over a long career.

9:18

So uh she's been interviewed by a whole by quite a few people here, and uh therefore I think is a uh strong will be a strong nominee and will do a good job as city treasurer tax collector.

9:32

Uh Madam President, I did want to take a moment to address uh some of the implications, and there are many others that I could talk about, but for people in Nashua as a result of the efforts in Washington to reduce the health care subsidies for and now the government shut down, but to reduce health care subsidies for people on the Affordable Care Act.

10:02

Over the weekend I spoke with Alicia McNichols.

10:06

Now, this is a woman who is a Ward 9 resident, and I see Alderman Sullivan is uh on Zoom.

10:12

Uh she and her daughter are uh have been on the Affordable Care Act and have been paying $300 a month for health insurance and have been happy with what they've received.

10:28

But now they've received notice that uh that premium is likely to go to either 11 or 1,200 a month.

10:36

Uh as you can quickly calculate, a very, very large increase.

10:44

And in order, which which they cannot afford with their current income.

10:50

So Ms.

10:52

McNichols happens to be 62, and she did give me authority to kind of talk to you about her case.

10:58

Uh she is 62 years of old years of age, so she is able to apply for early Social Security, and the benefit she will receive will be just sufficient to cover the increased premium.

11:16

But as you probably know, if you take Social Security at 62, you receive less, a smaller benefit than you would if you waited till 65 or 66 or beyond.

11:34

So in order to try to afford this increased premium, Ms.

11:38

McNichols and her family will have a reduced income for the remainder of her life.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness████████████████████████████████████████40%
Procedural███████████████15%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Affordable Housing████████8%
Community Engagement████4%
Transportation Safety███3%
Public Health██2%
Public Engagement██2%
Traffic And Parking██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Nashua Board of Alderman Regular Meeting – October 14, 2025

The Nashua Board of Alderman met on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM in the Aldermanic Chamber with 14 members present and one absent. Mayor Jim Donchis and Corporation Counsel Steve Bolton were also in attendance. The meeting covered the closure of the Mohawk Tannery transaction, multiple ordinances addressing homeless encampments, the Daniel Webster College property, and a range of routine approvals. Public comment included testimony from individuals experiencing homelessness, clergy, business owners, and police officials.

Consent Calendar

  • Communications accepted and placed on file: Planning manager referrals on street discontinuances and developer agreements; updates on Mohawk Tannery site and federal shutdown funding implications.
  • Approvals (all by 14-0 roll call):
    • Purchase of 130 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units for up to $1,390,000 (Fire Rescue equipment fund).
    • Contract for Water Street lighting design not to exceed $9,850 (Riverfront TIF fund).
    • Five-year lease of 12 Toshiba copiers for the Police Department not to exceed $94,698.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Reverend David Philbrook (Universal Life Church): Asked for time to clean up the Pine Street extension encampment, stating he and others are working diligently.
  • Kenneth Walter Frank Dusette (homeless, Ward 4): Pleaded not to be displaced, described the encampment as his home, and expressed willingness to keep the area clean.
  • Paula Johnson (Ward 4 resident): Distinguished between people like Mr. Dusette and drug users/mentally ill; advocated for tiny homes as an alternative and questioned the priority and matching funds needed for the Daniel Webster College acquisition.
  • Christina Chelbaka (homeless, Pine Street extension): Described herself as "landless," shared her story of becoming homeless after a domestic violence eviction, and urged the board to see the human side and pursue real, long-term solutions.
  • Reverend Sally Newhall (retired clergy, 33 Digital Drive): Opposed ordinance O-25-079 (prohibiting camping on city property), arguing it would only displace people and lead to escalating fines and jail, not solutions. Urged expanding winter shelter hours instead.
  • Sandy Garekis (Harbor Ave resident): Spoke in favor of a four-way stop at Harbor Avenue and Bower Street, citing multiple accidents and unsafe conditions.
  • Bob Keating (5 Copenwoods Drive): Asked that O-25-079 not receive a second reading, requested due process, and noted that $30,000 per month on police overtime could instead house 40 people. Argued homeless are the most at risk.
  • Kim Tolner (Police Commissioner): Supported O-25-080 (campers/RVs) and O-25-078 (no parking Selena Ave), stating they give police needed authority and are not about arresting people but compassionate enforcement. Urged passage.
  • Deputy Chief Kenny (Police Department): Reported 177 calls for service since July at encampments; described the Pine Street extension encampment as a "ticking bomb" with open fires, drug use, assaults, and hazardous waste. Noted officers have been injured and that the fire department hesitates to respond without police on scene.
  • Jen Bishop (45 East Dunstable Road, social worker): Raised concerns that displacing people causes loss of documents (IDs, benefit cards) needed for housing assistance, and that sex offenders cannot access shelters, leaving the most dangerous on the street. Advised holding documents and expanding shelter capacity.

Discussion Items

  • Mayor's Remarks:
    • Announced the closing of the Mohawk Tannery transaction, which will lead to site cleanup, 500 housing units (half rental/condos, much affordable), a contribution to the affordable housing trust fund, and a multi-acre green space. Cleanup begins in spring.
    • Nominated Diane Mulholland for Treasurer/Tax Collector (referred to Personnel Committee).
    • Highlighted a Ward 9 resident facing ACA premium increases from $300 to $1,100–$1,200/month, forcing early Social Security at a reduced benefit. Called for federal action.
    • Addressed two ordinances: O-25-080 (campers/RVs) – hoped for first and second reading to clear Pine Street extension/Mine Falls Park encampments (75+ people, 170 police calls, 12 fire calls in 3 months). O-25-079 (camping ban) – suggested sending to committee for thorough discussion.
    • Supported resolution R-25-208 to authorize a letter seeking state/federal funds to purchase Daniel Webster College property (estimated $20 million, willing seller).
  • Discussion on O-25-078 (No parking Selena Avenue):
    • Alderman O'Brien moved for a second reading (passed 11-3). Alderman Kelly objected, arguing no public input from businesses or organizations. Deputy Kenny confirmed no residences on Selena Ave and that the primary parkers are from the encampment.
    • Alderman Govea noted 12 bordering businesses and wanted their input. Alderman Senate called it a "targeted" piece of legislation that would just move the problem. After extensive debate, a motion to refer to the Infrastructure Committee passed 14-0; the committee will meet Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 7 PM.
  • Discussion on O-25-079 (Prohibiting camping on public property):
    • Alderman Tebow moved to suspend rules for a second reading; motion failed 3-11. Ordinance assigned to Infrastructure Committee.
  • Discussion on O-25-080 (Campers/recreational vehicles on public property):
    • Alderman Govea moved to suspend rules for a second reading; motion failed 4-10. Ordinance assigned to Infrastructure Committee.
  • Resolution R-25-208 (Daniel Webster College):
    • After debate, passed 13-1 (Alderman Thibodeau opposed, citing inconsistency with a tabled anti-hostile-foreign-ownership ordinance). Supporters noted it only authorizes a letter, no immediate cost, and potential for housing, shelter, and athletic fields.
  • Motion to create a special committee on unhoused policy (Alderman Moran): Referred to Personnel Administrative Affairs Committee (11-3).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar items: All approved unanimously (14-0).
  • Petitions for street discontinuances (Major Drive, Spaulding Street): Granted (14-0).
  • Resolutions adopted:
    • R-25-197 (Maynard Homes PILOT) – 14-0.
    • R-25-203 (tax deed sale) – 14-0.
    • R-25-205 (housing revolving fund appropriation) – 14-0.
    • R-25-206 (Keefe Auditorium transfer) – 13-1 (Kelly opposed).
    • R-25-208 (Daniel Webster College letter) – 13-1 (Thibodeau opposed).
  • Ordinance adopted: O-25-062 (veterans tax credit increase to $2,750) as amended – 14-0.
  • Ordinances adopted (second readings): O-25-065 through O-25-068 (stop signs/no parking) – all 14-0.
  • Ordinance O-25-078 (no parking Selena Ave): Motion for second reading passed (11-3); final passage debated; referred to Infrastructure Committee (14-0).
  • Ordinance O-25-079 (camping ban): Second reading motion failed (3-11); assigned to Infrastructure Committee.
  • Ordinance O-25-080 (campers/RVs): Second reading motion failed (4-10); assigned to Infrastructure Committee.
  • Special committee on unhoused policy: Referred to Personnel Administrative Affairs Committee (11-3).
  • Nominations/Appointments: Confirmed to Historic District Commission, Housing Revolving Fund, Airport Authority, Greeley Park Advisory Committee; referred other appointments to Personnel Committee.
  • Meeting adjourned at 11:03 PM.

Meeting Transcript

The regular meeting of the Board of Alderman to order on Tuesday, October 14th, twenty twenty-five at seven thirty PM in the Aldermanic Chamber, which has been duly noticed in two places, including the city's website, in accordance with the requirements of RSA ninety one A. Prayer will be offered this evening by City Clerk Dan Healy, and Alderman Tibetan will lead us in the pledge to the flag. Alderman Jelly. Here. Alderman Tebow. Yeah. Alderman Clee. Here. Alderman Dowd. President. Alderwoman Kelly. Here. Baldwin Wilshire. Here. Fourteen present, one absent. Also joining us this evening is Mayor Jim Donchis and Corporation Counsel Steve Bolton. Mayor, did you wish to address the board this evening? Um yes, thank you, Madam President. Well, I wanted to start with some good news, which is that last week the tannery transaction uh will closed. So we are officially on record that uh that uh transaction is completed. And of course, for those who haven't been following this uh closely, the tannery, Mohawk Tannery was an operating tannery up until about 1984, and then uh since that time in the last 40 years has been a polluted site uh contaminated with tannery waste. And uh we were never able to find the funds, find the uh necessary parties to get that cleaned up over all these years. But now, thanks to the efforts of many, including all of you uh on the board of Alderman, uh we have uh I think achieved a major result. Uh we we've been working on this for a long time. I think our first meeting with the EPA was about 1917, so that eight years ago. Uh but I want to thank a lot of people for 2017. Pardon? 2017. 2017. I made that mistake last time, too. I don't know. I've been watching stuff about World War One, so I think I have 1917 in my mind. 2017, about eight years ago. And um, as you as you know, uh as a result of this uh uh transaction, we are ultimately going to see a cleanup of the site uh along with 500 units of housing, uh approximately half of which will be rental and ultimately uh condominiums, uh and much of that will be affordable, and there will be a considerable contribution to the uh to the affordable housing trust fund. Uh but we owe thanks to a lot of people, um, first the Board of Alderman, but uh also to the EPA who is contributing some millions of dollars to make this uh possible. Uh our housing authority, uh the state of New Hampshire. Um locally, uh we had a lot of people working on this. Uh Celia Leonard, these are City Hall people, Celia Leonard, Tim Cummings, Megan Caron, uh, Sam Durfee, uh Director Sullivan, Liz Hanum, uh all of these uh people worked tirelessly over a long period of time, many, many, many meetings. And of course, we uh uh worked carefully with the developer Bernie Plant uh as well as with Blaylock Holdings, who is the uh the entity that was formed to do this, do this job. So the cleanup should begin in the spring, and that should take I don't know, a year or so, and then uh the construction of the uh housing will begin. Uh the city will also realize about uh well a multi-acre parcel for just of uh green space that uh is the southern end of this tannery parcel, which which will not be developed, uh, which we can use for open space and parkland. Uh next, madam president, I wanted to mention the nomination of um Ms. Mulholland, Diane Mulholland for the position of treasurer tax collector. Uh this is a nomination that needs to be confirmed by the board, so I assume it will be assigned to the personnel committee for an interview. But as you can see from Ms. Mulholland's resume, uh she has extensive government and tax collector experience from Lebanon from Derry, Londonderry, Claremont over a long career. So uh she's been interviewed by a whole by quite a few people here, and uh therefore I think is a uh strong will be a strong nominee and will do a good job as city treasurer tax collector. Uh Madam President, I did want to take a moment to address uh some of the implications, and there are many others that I could talk about, but for people in Nashua as a result of the efforts in Washington to reduce the health care subsidies for and now the government shut down, but to reduce health care subsidies for people on the Affordable Care Act. Over the weekend I spoke with Alicia McNichols. Now, this is a woman who is a Ward 9 resident, and I see Alderman Sullivan is uh on Zoom.

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