OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Infrastructure Committee Meeting Summary - November 10, 2025

Board of Aldermen Meetings — Tuesday, November 11, 2025
BodyNashua, New Hampshire
SessionBoard of Aldermen Meetings
DateTuesday, November 11, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 52:18

Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

We're all set.

0:11

I'll call the order.

0:14

The meeting of the committee of infrastructure, this being Monday, November 10th at 7 p.m.

0:20

in the automatic chamber and duly noted in two places, including the city's website in accordance with the requirements of RSA 91-A semicolon two, room rule number two.

0:36

Absolutely.

0:37

Talk about Alderman Thibodeau.

0:39

Here.

0:40

Alderman Sullivan.

0:43

Alderman Clee is here.

0:45

Alderman Dowd.

0:46

President.

0:47

And um Alderman O'Brien.

0:49

Present.

0:49

You have one, two, three, four.

0:51

Um members in attendance.

0:53

Okay.

0:54

Also in attendance, we have Alderman Lodge Melbourne Moran, Jr.

0:59

Alderman Derrick Tibetal, and Liz Hannem, economically uh economic development director.

1:07

Uh Mr.

1:09

Tim Cummings.

1:10

Uh and who else?

1:14

Oh, do you want to be recognized?

1:16

Agenda Shay's risk manager.

1:18

Yes.

1:20

And Jen McCormick Library Director.

1:22

Okay.

1:23

I don't know if that got on the tape, but if they could hear you.

1:27

It was Jen um Jen McCormick, Director Sullivan, and Mr.

1:33

Shane from Risk Manager.

1:35

Okay.

1:36

Thank you for all attending.

1:38

Okay.

1:39

Public comment.

1:45

Uh good evening, uh Mr.

1:46

Chairman Tim Cummings, Director of Administrative Services.

1:49

Uh I was wondering if maybe at the end of the evening uh uh when we're starting to talk about the committee's schedule and upcoming meetings that we take a moment and talk about uh a motion you all adopted at the full board of alderman meeting uh basically recognizing uh desire to create a joint infrastructure and uh library of trustees committee.

2:14

So I have some thoughts on that, and I wanted to talk to you all a little bit about it.

2:18

I was thinking we could do it during general discussion if uh if you would allow that.

2:23

So allowed.

2:24

Thank you.

2:27

And the other com uh public comment seeing none.

2:32

Communications.

2:33

I'm Tim Cummings, Director of Administrative Services, Jennifer Duchain Risk Management Communication providing additional information on O25071 relative to open hours for the outdoor city hall restrooms.

2:47

Also from Wayne R.

2:49

Husin PE, Senior Traffic Engineer, Division of Public Works, support of pending legislation 025-070.

2:59

Okay, there being no objection, I'll accept the communication and place them on file.

3:04

I'm finished business.

3:05

There's none.

3:06

New business resolutions.

3:08

There is none.

3:08

New business ordinances.

3:10

O 25-081 authorizing a stop sign on Shadow Brook Drive at its intersection with Spindlewick Drive.

3:18

Mr.

3:19

Chairman, I motion to recommend final passage.

3:22

Okay.

3:23

Uh Alderman Thiabot, would you like to discuss this?

3:27

Sure, thank you.

3:27

Um should be a simple one.

3:29

There's a new development off Shadow Brook and uh Spindlewick that uh flatly is developing, and um the residents around there believe there needs a stop sign to kind of quell the traffic that's going to be caused by that.

3:42

So this one should be a fairly easy one, so hopefully um this one will go through.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing█████████████████████████████29%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Public Library Services███████████████15%
Procedural██████████████14%
Procurement Processes█████████████13%
Public Works███████████11%
Public Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Infrastructure Committee Meeting Summary - November 10, 2025

The Committee on Infrastructure met on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. to address new business resolutions, public works updates, and discussions regarding a proposed joint committee for infrastructure and library projects. The committee received communications on open restroom hours and pending traffic legislation, heard a presentation on a new downtown "Clean Team," and debated a complex proposal regarding affordable housing requirements for displaced city-owned properties. The meeting concluded with a discussion on creating a standing joint committee for future library infrastructure projects.

Consent Calendar

  • O 25-081: Approved for final passage to authorize a stop sign at the intersection of Shadow Brook Drive and Spindlewick Drive to manage traffic from a new development. (Vote: All Favor)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tim Cummings (Director of Administrative Services): Requested to discuss a motion adopted by the full board of aldermen to create a joint infrastructure and library of trustees committee during general discussion.

Discussion Items

  • Clean Team Presentation (Liz Hannem, Economic Development Director): Presented a plan to hire two additional staff members using a $200,000 supplemental appropriation to serve as a downtown "Clean Team" and a riverfront maintenance worker for the current fiscal year before July 1.

    • Positions: Alderman Clee expressed interest in whether the role includes landscaping or just cleaning; confirmed landscaping is included but invasive species removal and tree trimming will remain contracted out. Alderman Dowd asked if the position is union-protected; confirmed the staff will be unionized. Alderman Tibbetts questioned how Manchester achieves similar results without union complications; Director Hannem noted Manchester had never contracted downtown work out, whereas Nashua's DPW already handles it via union.
    • Logistics: Staff will be supervised by the on-duty DPW maintenance supervisor to navigate grievance concerns. No new vehicles are requested for this year; existing equipment and minor tools (e.g., grass trimmers) will be used, though a new truck purchase is under consideration for future budgeting.

  • Removal of O 25-070: Motion carried to remove the pending legislation regarding stop signs on Maysfield Road and Rydon Ave from the table.

  • Stop Signs on Maysfield Road & Rydon Ave (O 25-070): Proposed to address speeding issues on Peel Road and safety near a bus stop near Maysfield.

    • Positions: Alderman Tibbetts expressed that the proposed locations are the best solution after consulting with traffic engineers, aiming to quell speeding and protect parents near the bus stop.
    • Outcome: The motion to recommend final passage carried.

  • Disposition of City Property (O 25-072): Alderman Moran moved to remove from the table a resolution to set affordability requirements for city-owned property sales.

    • Positions & Corrections: Alderman Moran expressed deep apology for a clerical error, admitting the legislation currently drafted would likely deter private developers by setting requirements at 6% AMI and mandating housing vouchers, rather than the intended 60% AMI. Director Tim Sullivan and Director Matt Sullivan confirmed the legislation was a "Frankenstein" mix of concepts.
      • Alderman Moran's Clarified Position: The intent is to require a portion of units on city-owned properties to be affordable at 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) for multi-family developments, similar to current inclusionary zoning but deeper (60% vs. 80%).
      • Director Sullivan's Position: Confirmed the goal is to stabilize housing for working-class professionals (nurses, teachers) on city land, distinct from private land inclusionary zoning. He noted that while the ordinance is intended for multifamily development, the application to owner-occupied units and the lack of a tiered system for small developers (>10 units) need refinement.
      • Tim Cummings (Administrative Services) Position: Expressed concern that without clearer guidance on "exceptional burdens" and the disposition process, the city might not receive the highest bid, potentially conflicting with competitive procurement laws. Noted that the current wording regarding "exceptional burden" is vague and needs legal clarification.
      • Alderman Thibodeau Position: Expressed concern that the legislation is not "ready for prime time" and noted that the funding window for this discussion is closing quickly after only one more meeting remains in the year.
      • Alderman Clee Position: Questioned the applicability to deeded properties and auctions, expressing concern that once property is sold via auction, it becomes private land where these rules might not apply or conflict with state laws. Also inquired about compliance with state/federal real estate laws.
    • Decision: The committee agreed the legislation needs significant revision to define exceptions for small developers, clarify voucher policies, and ensure legal compliance before a future vote.

  • Joint Infrastructure & Library Committee (General Discussion): Tim Cummings proposed updating the city ordinance to create a standing "Joint Committee on Infrastructure and Library Trustees" to match previous precedents for police and fire commissioners, avoiding the need to route library building expenditures through the Finance Committee.

    • Positions:
      • Alderman Dowd: Expressed a desire to generalize the language to cover "any division" needing a building rather than listing specific divisions individually, though agreed to wait until January to initiate the process.
      • Alderman Clay: Expressed support for a specific, limited scope to protect the Finance Committee's charter authority, advocating for a specific motion rather than a generalized blanket statement.
      • Alderman Moran & Tim Cummings: Agreed to collaborate with the City Attorney to refine the language and drafting for a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • O 25-081: Motion to recommend final passage for Shadow Brook Drive stop sign CARRIED.
  • O 25-070 (Traffic): Motion to remove from table CARRIED; Motion to recommend final passage for Maysfield/Rydon Ave stop signs CARRIED.
  • O 25-071: Remained on the table per the author's request.
  • O 25-072 (Property Disposition): Motion to table the legislation for further revision CARRIED. The committee directed staff to amend the text to clarify the 60% AMI intent, remove voucher mandates, define "exceptional burdens," and address legal compliance regarding auctions and small developers before resubmission.
  • Joint Committee: The committee generally supported the concept of a joint infrastructure/library committee but sent staff to refine the ordinance language to balance specificity with flexibility.
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

We're all set. I'll call the order. The meeting of the committee of infrastructure, this being Monday, November 10th at 7 p.m. in the automatic chamber and duly noted in two places, including the city's website in accordance with the requirements of RSA 91-A semicolon two, room rule number two. Absolutely. Talk about Alderman Thibodeau. Here. Alderman Sullivan. Alderman Clee is here. Alderman Dowd. President. And um Alderman O'Brien. Present. You have one, two, three, four. Um members in attendance. Okay. Also in attendance, we have Alderman Lodge Melbourne Moran, Jr. Alderman Derrick Tibetal, and Liz Hannem, economically uh economic development director. Uh Mr. Tim Cummings. Uh and who else? Oh, do you want to be recognized? Agenda Shay's risk manager. Yes. And Jen McCormick Library Director. Okay. I don't know if that got on the tape, but if they could hear you. It was Jen um Jen McCormick, Director Sullivan, and Mr. Shane from Risk Manager. Okay. Thank you for all attending. Okay. Public comment. Uh good evening, uh Mr. Chairman Tim Cummings, Director of Administrative Services. Uh I was wondering if maybe at the end of the evening uh uh when we're starting to talk about the committee's schedule and upcoming meetings that we take a moment and talk about uh a motion you all adopted at the full board of alderman meeting uh basically recognizing uh desire to create a joint infrastructure and uh library of trustees committee. So I have some thoughts on that, and I wanted to talk to you all a little bit about it. I was thinking we could do it during general discussion if uh if you would allow that. So allowed. Thank you. And the other com uh public comment seeing none. Communications. I'm Tim Cummings, Director of Administrative Services, Jennifer Duchain Risk Management Communication providing additional information on O25071 relative to open hours for the outdoor city hall restrooms. Also from Wayne R. Husin PE, Senior Traffic Engineer, Division of Public Works, support of pending legislation 025-070. Okay, there being no objection, I'll accept the communication and place them on file. I'm finished business. There's none. New business resolutions. There is none.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com