Human Affairs Committee Meeting 2025-11-18: Rodent Control & Homelessness Response

The Human Affairs Committee convened on November 18, 2025, to address two critical public health challenges in Nashua: a significant surge in rodent activity attributed to post-pandemic behavioral shifts and climate change, and the escalating homelessness crisis necessitating the immediate establishment of a day-time resource center and potential future shelter expansion.

Consent Calendar

• No routine approvals or unanimous actions were listed for the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public were granted the microphone to make comments or express positions during the public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Rodent Activity & Prevention

  • Deputy Health Officer Mike McGuinness and Health Officer Heidi P. Kakolka presented data indicating a city-wide increase in Norway rat and house mouse populations since the COVID-19 pandemic, with sightings now prevalent in residential areas, commercial zones, and near the airport.
  • Speaker positions regarding causes:
    • Mike McGuinness stated that as restaurants closed during the pandemic, rodents were displaced from commercial food sources and subsequently migrated to residential settings, driven by panic and competition.
    • Heidi P. Kakolka noted that climate change has extended breeding seasons and that increased backyard livestock and animal feed have created favorable conditions for rodents.
    • Alderman Lopez expressed that the surge is a "systemic issue" rather than a result of individual hygiene failure, noting an "abundance of bunnies" and rodents has been observed by residents for the last couple of years.
  • Discussion on mitigation:
    • Alderman Lopez advocated for integrated pest management, emphasizing that denial of food, harborage, and water is preferable to poisoning alone.
    • Heidi P. Kakolka and Mike McGuinness clarified that while the Health Department provides guidance and education, they do not perform pest removal services; landlords are responsible for hiring licensed professionals, and Code Enforcement handles enforcement.
  • Software & Budget:
    • Director Bobby Bagley advocated for funding $20,000 for software installation and $17,000 annually for maintenance to replace the department's current paper-based inspection system with digital tools.
    • Director Bagley expressed full support for the software, stating it is necessary to move away from being the "last self-inspecting jurisdiction" in the state doing paper inspections.
    • Alderman Thibodeau agreed with the investment, noting that $17,000 is a small cost compared to the efficiency gains and revenue protection.

• Homelessness Response & Resource Center

  • Alderman Lopez introduced the proposal to open a "Resource Center" to operate during the day, complementing the existing overnight warming station, to provide low-barrier access to services, charging stations, and respite.
  • Latonia Musiele (Housing Services Officer) expressed support for the center as a critical step to connect unhoused individuals to Medicaid, mental health support, and housing services.
  • Alderman Lopez positioned the Resource Center as a necessary response to prevent the situation from escalating, arguing that providing services does not encourage homelessness but rather provides a path out of crisis.
  • Discussion on location and feasibility:
    • Alderman Dowd proposed using the Elm Street School cafeteria or gymnasium, but Health Director Bagley expressed opposition to using Elm Street for sheltering, stating the space is not designed for the sanitation requirements (bathroom access, containment) needed for a shelter.
    • Alderman Dowd noted the ticking clock on the Elm Street lease, and Director Bagley clarified that while the cafeteria is suitable for a day center, the school layout makes it difficult to secure areas safely for overnight shelter use.
    • Director Bagley acknowledged that the $300,000 legislative proposal covers only operational costs, not lease costs or major amenities like showers and laundry, which require additional funding and planning.
  • Director Bagley stated that the city's shelter capacity has been static or declining for years, and the current warming station is a "demonstration model" that needs to be scaled.

Key Outcomes

• The committee acknowledged the severity of the rodent situation, with public health officials confirming the need for continued community education and landlord enforcement.
• The committee accepted the budget item request for environmental health software ($20,000 installation, $17,000 annual maintenance) as high priority.
• The committee agreed to move forward with planning for a new Homeless Resource Center, with a target staffed opening timeline of approximately three months once a location is secured.
• The committee noted that the $300,000 operating budget proposed is a starting point, with Director Bagley expressing a need for higher funding to include amenities like showers and laundry to make the center viable.
• No definitive decision was made on the location of the Resource Center, as the committee deferred to other city departments regarding the feasibility of the Elm Street School or other proposed sites.
• The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn by Alderman Senate.