OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Nashua Finance Committee Meeting Summary (Dec 3, 2025)

Board of Aldermen Meetings — Thursday, December 4, 2025
BodyNashua, New Hampshire
SessionBoard of Aldermen Meetings
DateThursday, December 4, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:00:50

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Meeting of the finance committee to order on December 3rd, 2025.

0:10

Mr.

0:10

Clerk, would you please call the roll?

0:12

Alderman Thibodeau here.

0:13

Alderman Govea is here.

0:14

Alderman Moran.

0:16

Alderman Greg.

0:17

Here.

0:17

Alderman Clemens.

0:19

Here.

0:19

Alderman Clee.

0:20

Here.

0:20

Mayor Donchus.

0:21

Here.

0:22

All right.

0:23

First issue.

0:24

First item on the agenda is public comment.

0:26

Is there any member of the public who would like to comment on anything on the agenda?

0:32

I don't see anyone.

0:34

So we will move on to communications.

0:37

The first communication being from Amy Girard purchasing manager, Alderman Govea.

0:42

In regard to hydroelectric operations and maintenance agreement in the amount not to exceed 755,000 annually funded from General Fund 54 property services.

0:50

I'll make a motion to accept place on file and approve a one-year extension with Essex Power Services Incorporated to provide operation and maintenance services for the Jackson Mills and Minds Falls Hydroelectric Facilities in the amount not to exceed 755,000 annually.

1:05

Funding will be through Department 170 Hydroelectric Operations.

1:08

Fund General Fund 54 property services.

1:11

And I believe Ms.

1:13

Chisholm is here on this.

1:15

Yes.

1:19

Good evening.

1:19

Deb Chisholm, uh sustainability department manager.

1:24

Um just to make a slight correction.

1:27

This contract is a three-year extension for Essex Power.

1:32

Um, and that's the company that we have used.

1:34

Uh basically, they've been doing operation and maintenance of both of the facilities uh since we acquired them.

1:41

Um we typically do uh three-year contract with them and then we extend it.

1:46

Uh this year was supposed to be the year we were going to put it out for bid, but in light of the critical work that they've been doing for us on the Jackson Mills um hydro with the new turbine and all the new equipment in there.

2:00

Um I did think it best that we extend that contract one more time in order to be able to use their expertise to get that thing up and running the way that it should.

2:11

So I'll move the amendment to uh make it three years instead of one.

2:15

Okay.

2:16

Motion is to amend to three years.

2:18

All any discussion on that?

2:19

Uh Alderman Clemens.

2:21

Uh no discussion on on that in particular, but I let's do that motion first, all right.

2:27

Because then we have to do that.

2:29

No, okay.

2:30

Yep.

2:30

All those in favor of the amendment say aye.

2:33

Aye.

2:33

Aye.

2:34

Okay.

2:34

Motion passes.

2:35

Yes, Alderman Clemens.

2:36

Okay.

2:37

Um my question is in relative to the 755,000.

2:43

Is that uh it's so I just want I guess it is relevant to that because is it 755 annually for three years or 755 over the three years?

2:58

It is 755 per year for three years.

3:03

Okay, and that 755 covers OM of both of the facilities.

3:08

And how does that compare to what we've been paying in the past?

3:12

That number is approximately 10 percent higher than what we are paying them this year for this fiscal year.

3:23

And has it when we renew, has it typically gone up that 10 percent, or what what's the the way that the invoices come in from Essex Power is it's basically time and materials.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation████████████████████████████████████36%
Procurement Processes████████████12%
Public Works█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Procedural████████8%
Fire Safety███████7%
Hydroelectric Facilities██████6%
Traffic And Parking█████5%
Economic Development█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Nashua Finance Committee Meeting - December 3, 2025

The Finance Committee convened to review communications regarding service extensions, equipment purchases, and capital improvements. The meeting featured routine approvals for contracts totaling over $2 million, including hydroelectric maintenance, firefighter physicals, and winter equipment. A significant portion of the discussion focused on an emergency change order for the Riverfront Project landscaping to ensure the completion of the holiday stroll, followed by approval for a scope extension on the Library Plaza design. The committee concluded with public remarks emphasizing the value of early cancer screening for first responders.

Consent Calendar

  • Hydroelectric Extension: Approved a three-year extension with Essex Power Services for Jackson Mills and Mill Falls facilities at $755,000 annually (funded by General Fund 54). Position: Speaker Deb Chisholm (Sustainability Dept) stated the need to extend to utilize expertise for a new turbine.
  • Firefighter Physicals: Approved health and safety physicals for 185 fire rescue members for 2026 via United Diagnostic Services up to $200,000. Position: Speaker Eric Tremley (Assistant Fire Chief) stated it includes cancer screening components.
  • Sewer Interceptor Amendment: Approved Amendment #1 with Hazen & Sawyer PC for CIPP lining at $51,257 due to favorable bidding numbers. Position: Speaker Mark's (Deputy City Engineer) stated this covers change order work.
  • Landfill Gas QA: Approved engineering services with Samborn Hayden & Associates for oversight at $38,500. Position: Speaker Jeff LaFleur (Solid Waste) stated this ensures quality assurance for the Lincoln gas expansion.
  • Diesel Fuel Tank: Approved replacement of the 8,000-gallon landfill tank with a 5,000-gallon double-walled tank for $242,800. Position: Speaker Jeff LaFleur stated the smaller size solves compliance issues.
  • Energy Recovery Generator: Approved a three-year maintenance contract with Southworth Milton Inc. at $338,069. Position: Speaker Dave Boucher (Wastewater Superintendent) stated the prior contract had ended.
  • Fire Suppression System: Approved replacement at Holman Stadium with XL Fire Protection for up to $580,000. Position: Speaker Brian Conant (Parks Superintendent) stated the upgrade from moisture to nitrogen prevents winter freezing damage.
  • Fleet Tracking Software: Approved a three-year renewal with Fleetio up to $128,642. Position: Speaker Michael Rush (Fleet Superintendent) stated it reduces paper and enables real-time access.
  • Snow Fighters (2026): Approved two 2026 Freightliner snow fighters for $601,032. Position: Speaker Michael Rush stated these replace 2016 trucks and include brine equipment.
  • Snow Fighter (2027): Approved one 2027 tandem axle Freightliner for $319,729. Position: Speaker Michael Rush stated this replaces a larger dump truck.
  • Sidewalk Sweeper: Approved one 2025 RAVO R2 sweeper for $238,556.53. Position: Speaker Michael Rush stated it captures fine dust particles better than current units.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Tim Cummings (Director of Administrative Services): Stated the $200,000 for firefighter cancer screenings is a cost-saving measure compared to the astronomical costs of advanced-stage cancer treatment.
  • Alderwoman Clee: Expressed strong support for the firefighter physicals, stating they are a "cost savings to someone's life" and worth the expense.
  • Alderman Govea: Offered to share binders of information regarding cancer screenings for firefighters.
  • Alderman Greg: Thanked first responders for their recent efforts during a fire involving multiple mutual aid units.

Discussion Items

  • Riverfront Project Emergency PO: Discussed a $281,000 emergency change order for landscaping with Morrins to complete the Riverfront Master Plan before the holiday stroll.
    • Mayor/Dan Hanum Position: Stated the project was funded entirely by the TIF district (not General Fund) and the emergency approval was necessary to avoid canceling the tree lighting and incurring delay fees from the vendor.
    • Alderman Thibodeau Position: Questioned why the change order was considered an emergency without prior communication, though ultimately accepted the explanation based on the imminent holiday event.
    • Alderman Clemens Position: Expressed concern that the timing looked poor regarding the Finance Committee schedule but acknowledged the need to complete the project regardless of the price negotiation outcome.
    • Outcome: The Mayor accepted responsibility for the communication gap, noting that while the vendor confirmed the price, the Finance Committee was not notified until the order was signed.
  • Library Plaza Design Amendment: Discussed Amendment #5 with Arcadis for $39,684 to extend the timeline by 12 weeks due to asbestos discovery.
    • Matt Sulivan (Community Development): Stated the vendor apologized for requesting authorization after the fact and provided written certification guaranteeing no future unauthorized cost exceedances.
    • Alderman Clemens: Expressed support contingent on the written guarantee, noting the issue lay with the vendor, not the city.
    • Alderman Clee: Supported the motion, emphasizing the importance of clear vendor communication despite the "blame game" being unproductive.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the emergency landscaping change order for the Riverfront Project ($281,000) to ensure the holiday stroll could proceed.
  • Approved the Library Plaza design extension (Amendment #5) with Arcadis ($39,684) contingent on written vendor certification against future unauthorized costs.
  • Approved all routine communications and contracts listed in the Consent Calendar.
  • Accepted Responsibility: The Mayor acknowledged a communication failure regarding the timing of the Riverfront change order and agreed the city could have been more transparent with the committee.
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. (Note: The transcript header indicates the meeting date as December 3, 2025, despite the system timestamp provided in the instructions being December 4.)

Meeting Transcript

Meeting of the finance committee to order on December 3rd, 2025. Mr. Clerk, would you please call the roll? Alderman Thibodeau here. Alderman Govea is here. Alderman Moran. Alderman Greg. Here. Alderman Clemens. Here. Alderman Clee. Here. Mayor Donchus. Here. All right. First issue. First item on the agenda is public comment. Is there any member of the public who would like to comment on anything on the agenda? I don't see anyone. So we will move on to communications. The first communication being from Amy Girard purchasing manager, Alderman Govea. In regard to hydroelectric operations and maintenance agreement in the amount not to exceed 755,000 annually funded from General Fund 54 property services. I'll make a motion to accept place on file and approve a one-year extension with Essex Power Services Incorporated to provide operation and maintenance services for the Jackson Mills and Minds Falls Hydroelectric Facilities in the amount not to exceed 755,000 annually. Funding will be through Department 170 Hydroelectric Operations. Fund General Fund 54 property services. And I believe Ms. Chisholm is here on this. Yes. Good evening. Deb Chisholm, uh sustainability department manager. Um just to make a slight correction. This contract is a three-year extension for Essex Power. Um, and that's the company that we have used. Uh basically, they've been doing operation and maintenance of both of the facilities uh since we acquired them. Um we typically do uh three-year contract with them and then we extend it. Uh this year was supposed to be the year we were going to put it out for bid, but in light of the critical work that they've been doing for us on the Jackson Mills um hydro with the new turbine and all the new equipment in there. Um I did think it best that we extend that contract one more time in order to be able to use their expertise to get that thing up and running the way that it should. So I'll move the amendment to uh make it three years instead of one. Okay. Motion is to amend to three years. All any discussion on that? Uh Alderman Clemens. Uh no discussion on on that in particular, but I let's do that motion first, all right. Because then we have to do that. No, okay. Yep. All those in favor of the amendment say aye. Aye. Aye. Okay.

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