OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Nashua Board of Alderman Meeting Summary - November 25, 2025

Board of Aldermen Meetings — Wednesday, November 26, 2025
BodyNashua, New Hampshire
SessionBoard of Aldermen Meetings
DateWednesday, November 26, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:33:51

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Well that's close idea.

0:12

Which is the widow maker.

0:14

I'm going to call a regular meeting of the Board of Alderman to order on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 at 7.30 p.m.

0:20

in the Aldermanic Chamber, which has been duly noticed in two places, including the city's website in accordance with the requirements of RSA 91A.

0:29

The prayer will be offered tonight by City Clerk Dan Healy and Alderman Clemens will lead us in the pledge to the flag.

0:35

Almighty God.

0:36

We have the high honor in the Sierra's duty to manage the affairs of our beloved city.

0:42

Fill us, O God, with a spirit of unity and understanding, which enables us to face our multiple problems with a serene mind with justice and charity for all, so that any and all decisions made by us will always be for the better bit and greater happiness of all our fellow citizens.

1:00

So help us God.

1:01

Amen.

1:03

I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and public stands.

1:29

Alderman O'Brien.

1:31

President Alderman Greg.

1:35

I'm here.

1:36

I'm probably not able to be there before I knew that I was going to get sworn in early.

1:40

I'd already made travel plans, so I'm at my son's house.

1:43

And nobody can hear me or is with me in the room.

1:45

I'm by myself.

1:48

Aldwin Moran.

1:49

Here.

1:50

Alderman Thibodeau.

1:51

Here.

1:52

Aldwin Govea.

1:54

Here.

1:55

Alderman Lopez.

1:58

Alderman Sullivan.

1:59

Here.

2:00

Alderman Clemens.

2:02

Here.

2:03

Alderman Senate.

2:04

Here.

2:05

Aldwin Jetty.

2:06

Here.

2:07

Alderman Tebow.

2:09

Here.

2:09

Alderman Clee.

2:11

Here.

2:11

Alderman Dowd.

2:13

Present.

2:14

Alderwoman Kelly.

2:16

Alderman Wilshire.

2:18

Here.

2:18

14 present one absent.

2:21

Thank you.

2:22

Also joining us this evening is Mayor Donchus and Corporation Council Steve Bolton.

2:27

Mayor, did you wish to address the board this evening?

2:30

Yes, Madam President.

2:32

A few things.

2:33

First, for the last couple the last couple of weeks have certainly been a busy time for housing, the production of housing here in the city of Nashua.

2:44

Certainly, as everybody knows, housing, affordable housing is a critical need.

2:50

Earlier or late last week, we had the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mohawk Tannery project, which you all have been supportive of, which will not only clean up a site that's been polluted for closed and polluted and open and polluted, uh closed and polluted for 40 years and open and polluted for some years before that.

3:14

A cleanup there and the ultimate addition of 550 units of housing.

3:49

And uh neighborhood advocate Sandy Belknap, who's been on this for the last 28 years.

3:56

She also certainly was instrumental in making sure that people's attention didn't never left uh the Mohawk Tannery.

4:04

The other project, Madam President, uh that uh you all can see beginning is the the construction of uh housing on the former NIMCO site uh which is in the mill yard, and the first step is of course the demolition of the old building, uh which has largely occurred.

4:24

There's still a little bit more to go.

4:26

Uh there we will see 250 or so units of housing, 20 percent of it affordable.

4:32

And then right across the way, um, the Bagshaw site uh has also been acquired for for uh housing, and we'll see some some.

4:41

I think the number of units there is unclear at this point, but certainly uh it will be something similar to what we see on NIMCO.

4:50

So that uh will be a big change for the Milliard Area and a big step forward for two big steps forward for the city.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Affordable Housing█████████████████17%
Community Engagement██████████████14%
Zoning Variances█████████████13%
Homelessness█████████9%
Procurement Processes███████7%
Parking Regulations███3%
Pending Litigation███3%
Youth Programs██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Nashua Board of Alderman Meeting Summary - November 25, 2025

The Nashua Board of Alderman convened on November 25, 2025, at 7:30 PM to address routine administrative matters, state-mandated land use code amendments, and significant community housing and charitable initiatives. Mayor Donchus highlighted recent progress on the Mohawk Tannery and NIMCO housing projects, the upcoming Holiday Stroll, and a novel resolution to allocate 35% of casino proceeds to local school improvements. The meeting featured extensive debate regarding state-mandated Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations, with the board ultimately deciding to refer the ordinance back to committee for further discussion on square footage limits. The evening concluded with public comments on homelessness, a resolution regarding the casino funds, and adjournment after a roll call vote.

Consent Calendar

  • Prosecutorial Services Contract: Alderman Govea moved to approve a multi-year contract with the town of Hollis for criminal case prosecutors (not to exceed $219,538), funded by the Police Department Fund. Vote: 14-0-0.
  • Financial Advisor Services: Alderman Thibault moved to approve a multi-year contract with Cambridge Trust Wealth Management for trust and capital reserve funds (15 basis points), funding through the Trust and Capital Reserve Funds. Vote: 14-0-0.
  • Benefits Administration Software: Alderman Gregg moved to approve a three-year contract with Benefit Focus.com Inc. for online benefits software (not to exceed $150,000), funded by the Benefits Fund. Vote: 14-0-0.
  • Minutes and Communications: The minutes of the November 15, 2025, special meeting were accepted. Communications regarding pending legislation (0-25-070, 0-25-081) and ADU responses were placed on file.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lori Orlandino (41 Berkeley Street): Expressed strong opposition to current Corporation Council practices and Alderman Moran's integrity. She alleged perjury, citing statements made by Moran in 2022, and plans to continue legal action via a Right to Know petition and complaints to the Attorney Discipline Office.
  • Bob Keating (5 Coburn Woods Drive): Addressed community homelessness. He expressed concern over recent funding delays for SNAP benefits and the death of a homeless resident during an encampment. He proposed that the police commissioner consider redirecting $30,000 allocated for downtown special patrols to fund permanent housing solutions or support for the homeless population.

Discussion Items

  • Casino Proceeds Resolution (R-25-229): Mayor Donchus proposed directing casino proceeds from the week of January 1st to the Ledge Street School Playground. He further noted a discussion with Alderman Clee to potentially direct proceeds from the Nash Casino to the school system's dental program (led by Myra Nikitas). Alderman Lopez and Alderman Clee expressed full support for these allocations, with Clee highlighting the program's statistic of serving over 480 children and performing over 3,200 dental sealants. Alderman Tebow and Alderman Dowd supported the initiatives, acknowledging the leadership of community advocate Sandy Belknap.
  • State-Mandated Land Use Code Amendments (O-25-070, 073, 074, 075): The board debated several ordinances mandated by the state legislature. Alderman Moran, Alderman Clee, and Alderman Tebow generally discussed the necessity of compliance due to New Hampshire's Dillon Rule status. Alderman Moran confirmed that O-25-075 reduces residential parking requirements from a 1.5 ratio to a 1.0 ratio per unit.
  • Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Amending Ordinance (O-25-076): A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to this ordinance. The Mayor and Alderman Lopez advocated for its passage to increase housing capacity without relying on large developers. Alderman Moran and Alderman Thibodeau highlighted benefits for generational living and downsizing.
    • Concerns regarding Square Footage and Regulation: Alderman Jetty expressed that the committee's justification for limiting ADUs to 980 square feet (when the state allows 950 and two-car garages are ~1,200) was unsatisfactory, appearing to be an arbitrary number. Alderman Sullivan expressed concern regarding the lack of neighborhood notice when ADUs can be built on a permit basis without prior zoning review. Alderman Clee raised concerns about the difficulty of enforcing owner-occupancy requirements, citing a past incident where sold ADUs were used as unauthorized rentals.
    • Motion to Re-refer: Alderman Sullivan and Alderman Jetty argued that the board should not proceed without a full discussion on square footage limits and neighborhood impact. Alderman Clee supported the referral, noting the potential for unintended consequences. Alderman Clemens and Alderman Lopez supported moving forward but acknowledged the committee would handle details. Alderman Thibodeau expressed struggle with the decision but recognized the state mandate.

Key Outcomes

  • Ordinance 25-070: Adopted authorizing stop signs on Maysfield Road and Dryden Avenue at Peel Road. Vote: 14-0-0.
  • Ordinance 25-073: Adopted amending the land use code regarding approved subdivision exemption. Vote: 14-0-0.
  • Ordinance 25-074: Adopted amending the land use code regarding family daycare facilities (state enforcement confirmed). Vote: 14-0-0.
  • Ordinance 25-075: Adopted reducing residential parking requirements to one space per unit. Vote: 14-0-0.
  • Ordinance 25-076 (ADUs): Motion to re-refer to committee carried (11 Yes, 3 Nays). The board voted to send the ADU ordinance back to the Planning and Economic Development Committee for further discussion on square footage limits (specifically the 980 vs. 950 vs. 1200sqft debate) and potential local tweaks. Corporation Council noted that the state law remains effective immediately despite the referral, and the city cannot deny applications that meet minimum state requirements.
  • Stalls and Deadlines: Alderman O'Brien noted the potential for unfunded mandates under RSA 28-A and questioned the cost implications of the ADU ordinance.
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 PM following a roll call vote (12 Yes, 2 Nays). Note: Alderman Lopez and Alderman Sullivan voted "no" on the motion to adjourn, indicating they wished to continue the discussion on the ADU referral or other items, but the motion to adjourn passed.

Meeting Transcript

Well that's close idea. Which is the widow maker. I'm going to call a regular meeting of the Board of Alderman to order on Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 at 7.30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber, which has been duly noticed in two places, including the city's website in accordance with the requirements of RSA 91A. The prayer will be offered tonight by City Clerk Dan Healy and Alderman Clemens will lead us in the pledge to the flag. Almighty God. We have the high honor in the Sierra's duty to manage the affairs of our beloved city. Fill us, O God, with a spirit of unity and understanding, which enables us to face our multiple problems with a serene mind with justice and charity for all, so that any and all decisions made by us will always be for the better bit and greater happiness of all our fellow citizens. So help us God. Amen. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and public stands. Alderman O'Brien. President Alderman Greg. I'm here. I'm probably not able to be there before I knew that I was going to get sworn in early. I'd already made travel plans, so I'm at my son's house. And nobody can hear me or is with me in the room. I'm by myself. Aldwin Moran. Here. Alderman Thibodeau. Here. Aldwin Govea. Here. Alderman Lopez. Alderman Sullivan. Here. Alderman Clemens. Here. Alderman Senate. Here. Aldwin Jetty. Here. Alderman Tebow. Here. Alderman Clee. Here. Alderman Dowd. Present. Alderwoman Kelly. Alderman Wilshire. Here. 14 present one absent. Thank you. Also joining us this evening is Mayor Donchus and Corporation Council Steve Bolton. Mayor, did you wish to address the board this evening? Yes, Madam President. A few things. First, for the last couple the last couple of weeks have certainly been a busy time for housing, the production of housing here in the city of Nashua. Certainly, as everybody knows, housing, affordable housing is a critical need.

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