Board of Public Works Meeting Summary: November 20, 2025
Board of Public Works Meeting Summary: November 20, 2025
The Board of Public Works convened on November 20, 2025, to review, deliberate upon, and approve a series of operational contracts, capital purchases, and departmental updates for the City of Nashua. The meeting featured unanimous approval of routine agenda items and significant discussions regarding upcoming infrastructure projects, budgetary impacts from state mandates, and facility maintenance needs. Department superintendents provided detailed presentations on ongoing projects, including landfill expansions, pool renovations, and traffic safety improvements.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda as submitted.
- Approved the minutes from the October 23, 2025, meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were presented or recorded during the public comment period.
Discussion Items
Wastewater & Solid Waste State Surcharge (Informational Item C)
- Speaker: Jeff LaFleur, Superintendent of Solid Waste.
- Context: LaFleur presented information regarding a new state-mandated solid waste disposal surcharge of $3.50 per ton, effective from the state budget.
- Positions and Concerns:
- LaFleur expressed that the mandate is "state law" requiring the city to pay $280,000 annually into the DEP (DEW) fund first, with a promise of 90% reimbursement for residential waste, while commercial waste remains non-reimbursable.
- The superintendent described the process as "a mess up situation" and "does make a sense" due to the excessive paperwork required to transfer funds back and forth.
- LaFleur argued the surcharge is effectively a "tax on the city" and will likely result in increased tipping fees for "all New Hampshire residents" to offset state costs.
- Commissioner Shay and Alderman Down expressed strong skepticism, characterizing the arrangement as a mechanism for the state to "make money without doing anything" and "another way for the state to make money without doing anything," noting the state could retain interest on the funds.
- Alderman Down questioned the legislative pathway, noting the surcharge was "buried in the budget" by the "finance committee" and "governor" without prior realization by the waste management bureau.
Departmental Project Updates
- Solid Waste (Jeff LaFleur): Updated on Phase 4 landfill construction (targeting February opening), flare installation (completion by end of December), and fuel tank relocation.
- Parks Department (Brian Conan):
- Reported on Holman Stadium lighting upgrades and Epoxy flooring completion.
- Positions on Pools: Conan identified significant water loss (approx. 3,000-4,000 gallons/day) and structural issues at Rotary and Centennial pools, stating they are beyond their "projected life" and approaching "end of life."
- Mayor Donchus and Commissioner Shay expressed full support for replacing these facilities, with the Mayor stating city pools are a "super important resource" and a "place of respite" for families who "can't really afford to keep the AC on."
- Streets (Superintendent): Highlighted the renovation of the Holman Stadium press box, noting the crew "went right through this" to create an "amazing finished project."
- Engineering (Dan Hudson): Provided updates on the Stone House renovation (substantially complete, described as looking "fabulous" and "glowing" by Commissioner Lemon), Riverfront project (on track for holiday opening), and various LPA projects.
- Wastewater (Dave Boucher): Showcased Phase 2 pump station upgrades and upcoming fire alarm and gas leak detection system replacements.
- Director's Report: Recognized volunteer engineer Jeff McGaugh and highlighted the "positive feedback" regarding new pedestrian safety measures at Arlington Crown and East Dunstable intersections.
Key Outcomes
-
Wastewater & Contracts:
- Approved user warrants (Item A).
- Approved a 3-year maintenance contract with Southworth Milton, Inc. for energy recovery generators, not to exceed $338,069 (Item B).
- Approved a Memorandum of Agreement with AFS-CME 93 Local 365 regarding holiday coverage procedures (Item C).
- Approved a contract with XL Fire Protection Inc. for Holman Stadium fire suppression system replacement at $580,000.
-
Parks Department:
- Approved the abolishment of one groundskeeper maintenance position and the creation of one groundsman one position.
-
Solid Waste:
- Approved an engineering services contract with Sandboard Head and Associates ($38,500) for landfill gas collection QA (Item A).
- Approved a contract with SRS Petroleum Services ($242,800) for a new diesel fuel tank installation (Item B).
-
Fleet/Street Department:
- Approved the purchase of two 2026 Freightliner cabin chassis ($300,516 each) and one 2027 tandem axle dump truck ($319,729) from Viking Civis (Items A & B).
- Approved the purchase of a 2025 RAVO R2 sweeper from Alta Environmental Solutions for $238,556.53 (Item C).
- Approved a 3-year renewal of Fleadio fleet tracking software up to $128,642 (Item D).
- Approved the purchase of a GridSmart overhead 360-degree vehicle detection camera for up to $2,700 at the Water Street/Main Street intersection (Item F).
-
Engineering:
- Approved sewer service permits and fees (Item A).
- Approved poll license petitions (Item B).
- Approved Amendment #1 to the Hazen and Sawyer contract ($51,257) for the 2025 CIPP lining project oversight (Item C).
- Approved Change Order #2 to the Phoenix Communications contract ($25,000) for fiber optic repairs related to mouse damage (Item D).
- Approved the hardship request from Greenman Peterson, Inc. for excavation rights for parking office renovation (Item E).
-
Personnel:
- Unsealed non-public minutes from October 23, 2025.
- Accepted the resignation of Raul Vasquez, Engineering Inspector, effective November 4, 2025.
- Voted to go into and seal the non-public session for personnel matters (RSA 913:2 B) via roll call vote.
Meeting Transcript
I call the meeting of the Board of Public Works to Order on November 20th, 2025. Commissioner Shay. Present. Commissioner Lemon? Present. Commissioner Speedy. Here. And we have Alderman O'Brien. And I'm not sure. Commissioner Shay. I move to approve the agenda as submitted. All those in favor of the motion say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed. Motion passes. We have item three. Commissioner Lemon. I move to approve the minutes of the Board of Public Works meeting of October 23rd, 2025. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All right. Motion passes. Public comment. Is there any member of the public who would like to speak to the Board of Public Works about any of the items on the agenda? All right. We'll go to Wastewater. Item A. Uh Commissioner Speetia. Move to approve the user warrants as presented. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Motion passes. Item B, Commissioner Gregg. A motion to approve the energy recovery generator three year maintenance contract with Southworth Milton Incorporated. Milton Catt of Milford, Massachusetts, in an amount not to exceed 338,069 dollars. Funding will be through Department 169 Wastewater Fund Wastewater Account Classification 54 Property Services. Mr. Boucher. Good evening. Dave Boucher, Wastewater Superintendent. The wastewater facility has been in the contract with uh Southworth Milton Cat. They were doing services on our two energy recovery generators. We're at the end of those contracts, so we'd like to enter into another three-year contract. This is to do the uh minor major and uh warranty services for the next three years. Uh they've been a good company for us. Uh this is also gonna we did a uh pre-bid sourcing program uh called Sourcewell, so we'll get that discounted rate with that. Be happy to answer any questions. Anyone all those in favor of the motion say aye.
openpublica.com