Nashua Board of Alderman Meeting Summary (October 28, 2025)

The Nashua Board of Alderman convened on the evening of October 28, 2025, to address contentious amendments regarding the Pine Street Extension encampment. The session featured extensive debate between public safety officials requesting stronger enforcement tools and public health representatives, community advocates, and several aldermen arguing against criminalization due to a lack of available shelter capacity. Despite technical difficulties with the Mayor's audio connection for the first hour, the board proceeded to vote on two primary ordinances: one prohibiting camping on public property and another banning the overnight parking of campers and recreational vehicles. The meeting concluded after midnight with the passage of both ordinances subject to specific amendments, including a 15-day notice period and a delayed effective date tied to the opening of the city's overnight warming station.

Consent Calendar

• Acceptance of communications and written reports from liaison agencies, including a street acceptance petition for Sanders Street and a report on a donated horse trailer for the Nashua Police Department Mounted Unit.
• Acceptance of the September 16 and 17, 2025, reports from the Planning and Economic Development and Finance Committees.
• Acceptance of the formation of a joint special building committee regarding the Nashua Public Library renovation.
• Approval of the street acceptance petition for Sanders Street (14-0).
• Adoption of Resolution 25210 regarding the acceptance of the donated horse trailer (14-0).
• Adoption of Ordinance 025-069 authorizing a stop sign on Wilson Street (14-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Safety & Residents (Supporting Ordinance Enforcement): Deputy Chief Brian Kenny (NPD) expressed caution regarding the ambiguity of the 15-day notice amendment for groups of six or more but committed to working cooperatively with the city if passed. Resident Kevin Pusillo and business owner Karen Lovejoy expressed strong support for removing the encampment, citing safety concerns, drug use, and harassment of customers at her studio. Resident Flori Olano and Bill Ferrio supported the need for action to restore park safety but emphasized the lack of alternative housing solutions.
• Public Health & Advocacy (Opposing Criminalization): Director Bobby Bagley (Public Health) and Public Health Nurse Kim Bernard testified that the proposed ordinances criminalize poverty and will harm homeless individuals by severing connections to services. Housing Services Officer Lakanya Muscioli argued that data indicates enforcement is ineffective, citing the example of Manchester. Mike Appleberg (United Way) and Ken Lewis (Heart's Peer Support Center) highlighted the scarcity of shelter beds (only two available) and urged the board to invest in a resource center rather than enforcement. Reverend Alison Palm (represented by Kelly Turney) and clergy members urged a focus on human dignity and long-term housing solutions rather than immediate displacement.
• Encampment Residents (Mixed Views): Sam Vernon and residents Christina Chalpak and Samuel Burden spoke from the encampment. Vernon expressed that while he is landless and not homeless, he opposes displacement without proper services. Chalpak stated she feels safe in the encampment community and argued that dispersing residents without a coordinated plan would be dangerous.
• Legal Rights & Opposition: James Livingston argued the ordinances violate the First Amendment and the city's duty to protect the unhoused. Travis Morgan emphasized the rights of sovereign souls and pleaded for compassion and resources rather than eviction. Kane Bloomfield argued that the core issue is landlord corruption rather than homelessness.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 025-079 (Camping on Public Property):

  • Amendment Strategy: Alderman Clee proposed an amendment requiring 15 days' notice for encampments of six or more sites and protections for personal papers. This sparked significant debate regarding enforceability and the definition of a "campsite."
  • Debate: Alderman Clemens argued the 15-day notice was too long and proposed a 24-hour alternative. Alderman Sullivan proposed striking the "six or more" criteria to apply the notice to all encampments, which was adopted. Alderman Senate proposed amending the effective date to coincide with the opening of the warming station, a motion that passed.
  • Vote on Committee Referral: Multiple aldermen moved to refer the ordinance back to the Infrastructure Committee for further study. The motion was debated extensively, with arguments regarding the urgency of winter approaching versus the need for a coordinated housing plan. The motion to re-refer ultimately failed due to a tie vote (7-7).
  • Final Passage: The ordinance was passed as amended (9-5), incorporating the 15-day notice requirement (modified to apply to current known encampments) and delaying the effective date until the warming station opens.

• Ordinance 025-080 (Campers and RVs):

  • Debate: Alderman Jetty questioned the enforceability of the ordinance, noting it lacks a mechanism for written permission similar to the camping ordinance. Concerns were raised about the financial burden of disposing of abandoned vehicles.
  • Vote: The ordinance prohibiting campers and recreational vehicles from remaining on public property was adopted (9-5).

• Ordinance 025-078 (Parking on Selena Avenue):

  • Amendment: The original motion to ban overnight parking was amended to allow a two-hour limit to accommodate postal workers and local businesses.
  • Final Passage Attempt: A vote on final passage as amended resulted in a tie (7-7). A motion to indefinitely postpone the ordinance passed (7-6).

Key Outcomes

• Adoption of Ordinance 025-079: The board adopted the ordinance prohibiting camping on public property. The ordinance includes a mandatory 15-day notice period for enforcement and sets the effective date for the day the city-run overnight warming station opens (targeted for December 1, 2025). The fine for violation is up to $1,000, with potential for jail time only if a person having the ability to pay refuses to do so.
• Adoption of Ordinance 025-080: The board adopted the ordinance banning the overnight parking of campers and recreational vehicles on public property. The fine structure follows standard parking violations, with towing possible after repeated violations.
• Rejection of Immediate Enforcement: By tying the effective date to the warming station's opening and requiring 15 days' notice, the board effectively delayed enforcement action until the city can provide immediate shelter alternatives.
• Mayor's Commitment: Mayor Jim Donchus reiterated the city's commitment to establishing a daytime resource center and working with nonprofits to assist the homeless population, acknowledging the ordinances do not solve homelessness but are intended to manage the current dangerous encampment situation.
• Tie on Parking Ordinance: Ordinance 025-078 regarding parking on Selena Avenue was indefinitely postponed due to a tie vote, halting the attempt to impose strict parking limits on that street.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 12:42 a.m. on October 29, 2025.