OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Finance Committee Meeting - November 18, 2025

Board of Aldermen Meetings — Thursday, November 20, 2025
BodyNashua, New Hampshire
SessionBoard of Aldermen Meetings
DateThursday, November 20, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 35:32

Transcript — Verbatim
0:50

All right, we're gonna call the meeting of the finance committee to order um on November 18th.

1:00

Uh um sorry, I don't have a pack.

1:05

I left it in the car at another meeting.

1:07

Can I just work out this thing?

1:09

Um can the clerk please call the role?

1:12

Sure.

1:13

Alderman Thibodeau here.

1:14

Alderman Gove is here, Alderman Moran.

1:18

Alderman Greg.

1:20

Alderman Clemens here.

1:23

Alderman Clee.

1:25

Mayor Donald Chess here.

1:27

That's foreign attendance, we have corn.

1:32

I thought I was gonna have time to go back to the curve.

1:35

I got this notes.

1:37

All right, the first communication is for Amy Jured purchasing manager.

1:41

Oh, we public comment.

1:42

Sorry, is there any member of the public who would like to um speak to the committee on any of the items on the agenda?

1:50

Seems like no one.

1:53

Uh therefore we'll move on to communications.

1:55

Uh first communication from Amy Juraard purchasing manager.

1:59

Alderman Goveo.

2:00

In regard to subscription, celebrate in the amount not to exceed 31,434 funded from loss prevention 68 other expenses.

2:08

I'll make a motion to accept place on file and approve the purchase of industry standard mobile device and computer extract hardware and software for the acquisition and analysis of data from celebrate ink in the amount not to exceed 31,434.

2:24

Funding will be through Department 150 police department fund loss prevention 86 other expenses.

2:30

Uh name's Michael Cacajian, work for the Nashville Police Department.

2:34

I'm a detective there.

2:35

Soapright is a forensic hardware and software.

2:37

It allows us to do examinations of not only mobile devices, but also provides the capability to extract data from computers.

2:45

We can also utilize the tool to brute force or unlock or identify passcodes to lock devices, so it provides us with a wide range of capabilities.

2:54

Okay.

2:55

Any discussion?

2:58

All is in favor of the motion say aye.

3:00

Aye.

3:00

Motion passes.

3:02

Thank you.

3:02

Thank you, Mayor.

3:04

Um next communication from Amy Juard purchasing manager, Alderman Govea.

3:08

In regard to software subscription, gray key, any amount not to exceed 31,100, funded from general fund and loss prevention, 55 other services.

3:16

I'll make a motion to accept place on file and approve the gray key software subscription renewal with mag magnet forensics for data extraction for locked mobile devices for forensic investigations, any amount not to exceed 31,100 funding will be through Department 150.

3:33

Police department fund general fund and loss prevention, 55 other services.

3:51

So search warrants to Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook.

3:54

Allows us to process that data in a readable and presentable manner when we present to court or to some of our peers.

4:05

I mean, I assume you're looking for like child predators and stuff like that.

4:10

I mean, how much do you uh how much how much do you how frequently do you come across something like that?

4:16

I would say all the time.

4:17

So most of the cases that we deal with would be child exploitation cases where there's images that uh are considered child sexual abuse material that go online and they get identified.

4:28

So a lot of the time we utilize these tools to do examinations of individuals' devices.

4:34

We can recover uh deleted information with some of these tools and even identify some other involved individuals as well.

4:40

We'll use it for a lot of major cases too.

4:43

It's uh provides us tools with like video surveillance.

4:45

So if we have issues with a D VR or N VR trying to obtain video of an incident, we're able to use some of Magnet's tool to be able to present that or view that data.

4:56

All right.

4:57

Anyone else?

4:58

Alderman Thibodeau.

5:00

Just for the general public.

5:01

I'm assuming this is all warranted activity.

5:05

Yes, sir.

5:05

Yeah, we we would only do this based off consent or a legal process like a search warrant.

5:10

I assume so.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Technology and Innovation███████████████████████23%
Transportation Safety████████████████████20%
Procurement Processes████████████████16%
Hydroelectric Facilities███████████████15%
Employee Retirement Benefits██████6%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Public Works█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Finance Committee Meeting - November 18, 2025

The Nashua Finance Committee convened on November 18, 2025, to review and approve a series of municipal contracts, funding allocations, and operational renewals. The meeting featured presentations from various department heads and managers regarding police equipment, legal services, financial advisory, infrastructure repairs, and transit system improvements. All discussed items were approved unanimously, with minor clarifications requested regarding specific quantities in the bus seat replacement proposal.

Consent Calendar

  • Software Acquisition (SOPR) & Gray Key: All items were approved as routine communications. This included the purchase of SOAPright forensic hardware/software for mobile device data extraction ($31,434) and the renewal of Gray Key software for forensic investigations ($31,100), both funded by the Police Department.
  • Prosecutorial Services: The multi-year contract renewal with the Town of Hollis for criminal case prosecution services ($219,538) was accepted.
  • Financial Advisory: Approval was granted for a single-source trustee agreement with Cambridge Trust Wealth Management at 15 basis points on $125 million in trust and capital reserve funds, reducing previous fee structures of 35-55 basis points.
  • Technology Maintenance: The one-year renewal for the Cisco SmartNet service ($29,492) was approved.
  • Infrastructure (Roof): The contract to replace the failed roof at Fire Station 6 with Peter D. Severalo Construction LLC ($365,000 - $377,000) was approved.
  • Benefits Administration: A three-year contract with BenefitFocus ($150,000 annually) was approved to replace the previous vendor, Light, due to their inability to service municipalities with fewer than 3,000 employees under current pricing models.
  • Hydroelectric Operations: Change Order #3 relative to the relicensing and turbine upgrade for the Mines Falls and Jackson Mills hydroelectric facilities ($436,670) was approved.
  • Transit Equipment: The purchase of a Hyundai forklift ($40,880) for the Nashville Transit System maintenance facility was approved.
  • Transit Advertising: A one-year extension of the transit advertising contract with ATA Outdoors Media, estimated at $100,000 in revenue, was approved.
  • Record of Expenditures: The committee formally moved to confirm compliance with the city charter regarding the record of expenditures for the period October 31, 2025, to November 13, 2025.
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. upon motion by Alderman Clemens.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were received during the meeting; the chair noted the absence of members of the public wishing to speak.

Discussion Items

  • Forensic Tools Utility: Detective Michael Cacadjan (Nashville Police Department) explained that the new forensic tools are used routinely for child exploitation cases, including extracting data from locked devices, bypassing passcodes, and recovering deleted information from social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook. He also noted use for recovering video from DVR/NVR systems. Alderman Thibodeau sought clarification that these activities are strictly warrant-based; the detective confirmed all actions are conducted based on consent or legal process.
  • Financial Advisor Fee Structure: Alderman Clemens inquired about the specific calculation and scale of the 15 basis points. Don Enright (CFO) explained the fee is calculated as a percentage of the total balance ($125 million), resulting in an estimated $187,500 annual cost ($1.5k per million), which is a significant reduction from the current 35-55 basis point range paid across multiple institutions.
  • Station 6 Roof Repairs: Alderman Clemens asked if the replacement would disrupt station operations; Assistant Fire Chief Adam Playot confirmed the work would occur while the station remained occupied, using a phased approach due to four separate roof sections. Alderman Thibodeau asked for the start date, confirming the work must begin immediately to avoid winter damage.
  • Hydroelectric Project Scope & Longevity:
    • Alderman Thibodeau inquired about the current budget status; Deb Chisholm (Sustainability Dept. Manager) noted that while the project is more expensive than 2018 estimates, it will generate approximately $1.5 million in annual revenue once operational (targeted for 2026-2027).
    • Alderman Clemens asked if the fish passage design is a "one and done" solution. Chisholm confirmed the project is designed in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA to last 30 years, avoiding future redesigns of the fish ladder.
  • Bus Seat Onserts & Quantity Discrepancy:
    • Speaker Position (Support with Clarification): Community Development Director Matt Sullivan supported the seat replacement to improve sanitation and ease cleaning of cloth seats on six Gillock buses, noting that fiberglass seats are standard for short-haul urban transit and offer minimal difference in comfort compared to the existing thin cloth seats. He clarified that the decision was not a deliberate preference for cloth seats in the past but rather standard equipment of the time.
    • Speaker Position (Request for Verification): Alderman Thibodeau raised a concern that the budget quote appeared to cover eight vehicles based on the spreadsheet, while he understood only six were being replaced. The committee discussed the discrepancy; Purchasing Manager Amy Girard confirmed the intent is to replace only six buses and acknowledged she could not immediately identify which two were excluded from the quote. The committee proceeded with the vote to authorize $49,015 for six buses, deferring the specific identification of the two excluded vehicles until a later check.
  • Library PRASA Resolution: Director Matt Sullivan requested to table a resolution regarding Library PRASA certification, stating he would return at the next meeting with formal vendor certification confirming the issue will not recur.

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimous Approvals: 8 out of 8 specific procurement and contract items passed with an "aye" vote (including the forklift, roof, software, and hydroelectric change orders).
  • Contract Renewals:
    • SOPright hardware/software approved for $31,434.
    • Gray Key software renewal approved for $31,100.
    • Hollis prosecutor contract renewed for up to $219,538.
    • Cambridge Trust Wealth Management agreement accepted at 15 basis points.
    • Cisco SmartNet renewal accepted for $29,492.
    • BenefitFocus contract accepted for up to $150,000/year.
    • ATA Outdoors Media advertising extension accepted for $100,000 revenue.
  • New Contracts:
    • Peter D. Severalo Construction LLC awarded Fire Station 6 roof replacement (funding approved up to $377,000).
    • Verdantis LLC awarded change order for hydroelectric relicensing ($436,670).
    • Hyundai 35LN9A forklift awarded from Powers Power Town LLC ($40,880).
    • American Seating Company awarded fiberglass seat onserts for 6 buses ($49,015).
  • Action Items:
    • Purchasing Manager to identify specific buses excluded from the quote and provide clarity to the committee in the future.
    • Director Sullivan to return with formal certification regarding the Library PRASA issue for the next meeting.

Meeting Transcript

All right, we're gonna call the meeting of the finance committee to order um on November 18th. Uh um sorry, I don't have a pack. I left it in the car at another meeting. Can I just work out this thing? Um can the clerk please call the role? Sure. Alderman Thibodeau here. Alderman Gove is here, Alderman Moran. Alderman Greg. Alderman Clemens here. Alderman Clee. Mayor Donald Chess here. That's foreign attendance, we have corn. I thought I was gonna have time to go back to the curve. I got this notes. All right, the first communication is for Amy Jured purchasing manager. Oh, we public comment. Sorry, is there any member of the public who would like to um speak to the committee on any of the items on the agenda? Seems like no one. Uh therefore we'll move on to communications. Uh first communication from Amy Juraard purchasing manager. Alderman Goveo. In regard to subscription, celebrate in the amount not to exceed 31,434 funded from loss prevention 68 other expenses. I'll make a motion to accept place on file and approve the purchase of industry standard mobile device and computer extract hardware and software for the acquisition and analysis of data from celebrate ink in the amount not to exceed 31,434. Funding will be through Department 150 police department fund loss prevention 86 other expenses. Uh name's Michael Cacajian, work for the Nashville Police Department. I'm a detective there. Soapright is a forensic hardware and software. It allows us to do examinations of not only mobile devices, but also provides the capability to extract data from computers. We can also utilize the tool to brute force or unlock or identify passcodes to lock devices, so it provides us with a wide range of capabilities. Okay. Any discussion? All is in favor of the motion say aye. Aye. Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Um next communication from Amy Juard purchasing manager, Alderman Govea. In regard to software subscription, gray key, any amount not to exceed 31,100, funded from general fund and loss prevention, 55 other services. I'll make a motion to accept place on file and approve the gray key software subscription renewal with mag magnet forensics for data extraction for locked mobile devices for forensic investigations, any amount not to exceed 31,100 funding will be through Department 150. Police department fund general fund and loss prevention, 55 other services. So search warrants to Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook. Allows us to process that data in a readable and presentable manner when we present to court or to some of our peers. I mean, I assume you're looking for like child predators and stuff like that. I mean, how much do you uh how much how much do you how frequently do you come across something like that? I would say all the time. So most of the cases that we deal with would be child exploitation cases where there's images that uh are considered child sexual abuse material that go online and they get identified. So a lot of the time we utilize these tools to do examinations of individuals' devices. We can recover uh deleted information with some of these tools and even identify some other involved individuals as well. We'll use it for a lot of major cases too.

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