Nashua Board of Alderman Meeting Summary - December 9, 2025

The Nashua Board of Alderman convened on December 9, 2025, to address a major fire incident that displaced families and destroyed artist studios, approve several emergency and supplemental appropriations, and vote on key economic development agreements. The meeting featured significant public commentary regarding budget transparency, the proposed Resource Center, and ethics committee conduct, resulting in nearly unanimous approvals for housing and safety initiatives, though two resolutions related to downtown cleanup and lead program expenses faced significant opposition or were postponed.

Consent Calendar

• Hydroelectric Contract: Approved a three-year extension with Essex Power Services for Jackson Mills and Mine Falls facilities up to $755,000 annually (14-0).
• Energy Recovery Generator: Approved a three-year maintenance contract with Southworth Milton Incorporated up to $338,069 (14-0).
• Fleet Tracking Software: Approved a three-year renewal with Fleetio up to $128,642 (14-0).
• Emergency Purchase Order (Landscaping): Approved an emergency purchase order for Moran's Landscaping for Park de la Renaissance and Bicentennial Park improvements totaling $281,888.60, retroactively funding work already completed for the holiday stroll (14-0).
• Calendar: Approved the 2026 Board of Alderman committee calendar (14-0).
• Appointments: Confirmed Susan McNamy to the Greeley Park Advisory Committee; Laura Center to the Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee; and David Heath to the Airport Authority.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Laurie Orlano (41 Berkeley Street): Expressed strong opposition to the proposed assigned fund balance resolutions and special education funding, comparing the city's budgeting to a for-profit corporation. She criticized the uncivil tone of previous budget hearings, specifically citing Alderman Dowd's conduct, and demanded greater civility and transparency. She later filed detailed complaints regarding the ineptitude of the Ethics Committee chair, Attorney Bush, alleging he refused to explain recusal reasons, interrupted her, and mishandled a hearing due to a lack of quorum.
• Bob Keating (Grand Estate Organizing Project): Expressed support for the new warming station and the reduction of threats to COC funding, but urged the council to consider the limited $300,000 budget for the Resource Center as insufficient. He advocated for a long-term "24-7 center" and emphasized the need for a community plan ready by April 15th.
• Bill Ferrio (35 Indian Rock Road): Expressed concern that the $300,000 appropriation for the Resource Center was inaccurate for a six-month period, arguing the correct figure should be $150,000 to match the remaining budget cycle, calling for more accurate line-item scrutiny.
• Paula Johnson (15 Westmore Drive): Expressed support for the Resource Center but argued against the $3 million immediate appropriation for special education, suggesting only half be released until a new board can formulate a plan. She criticized the lack of a business plan and start-up costs for the Resource Center, urging the city to stop using "band-aid" solutions.
• Matt Sullivan (Community Development Director): Stated that residents lost tens of thousands of dollars in equipment (one account cited $70,000), emphasized the importance of legitimate donation channels, and commended mutual aid efforts and the Mayor's leadership.

Discussion Items

• December 8 Fire Incident: Mayor Jim Donchess detailed the fire at Ash and Vine Streets, noting one building and partially another were destroyed, 30 families displaced, and one firefighter injured. He praised the full-force response and mutual aid from surrounding towns. Alderman Lopez commended the fire and rescue efforts, highlighting the lack of a designated incident command center as a risk in dense neighborhoods. Alderman Clee and others suggested designating public gathering points for crisis response.
• Resource Center Appropriation (R-25-216): Debate ensued regarding the $300,000 appropriation. Alderman Moran warned that without concurrent housing policy changes, the center would be ineffective. Alderman Lopez and Tebow emphasized the center is crucial but a stopgap, while Director Bagley clarified that the estimate includes unknowns like rent and utilities, making it difficult to split the budget evenly. Bill Ferrio and Paula Johnson argued for a reduced first-year allocation ($150,000) due to the mid-budget timing.
• Special Education Appropriation (R-25-215): Alderman Sullivan explained the $3 million request addresses rising costs for special needs education despite a declining general student population. He noted the school district returned $4 million due to budget constraints, necessitating this supplemental funding.
• Downtown Cleanup (R-25-220): Alderman Tebow proposed a $200,000 appropriation for Main Street cleaning. Alderman Thibodeau and Alderman Moran opposed the move, arguing the cost should have been anticipated and budgeted during normal cycles. The motion failed to pass the required two-thirds threshold (9-5), and a subsequent motion to postpone it indefinitely also failed.
• Housing Authority Agreements (R-25-230): Directors Sullivan and Mazaki explained that delays due to HUD and the government shutdown necessitated amending the Maynard Homes development agreement to extend the tax payment pilot by one year (to 2043) and start payments earlier to secure financing. They noted the amendment would increase city tax revenue by approximately $200,000 annually.
• Ordinance 25-082 (Housing Health Board): Alderman Moran and the sponsor moved to postpone the ordinance indefinitely, arguing the city is not ready to integrate health board expertise into housing selection processes. Alderman Lopez voted against postponement, maintaining that housing must be treated as a public health crisis.

Key Outcomes

• Maynard Homes Agreements: Resolution 25-230 adopted, authorizing amended development agreements to extend the tax payment pilot to 2043 and secure project financing.
• Resource Center Funding: Resolutions 25-212 ( appropriations), 25-213 (donations), and 25-216 ($300,000 from assigned fund balance) declared duly adopted (14-0, 14-0, and 14-0 respectively).
• Special Education Trust: Resolution 25-215 ($3 million supplemental) declared duly adopted (14-0).
• Police Overtime Fund: Resolution 25-217 ($220,000) declared duly adopted (14-0).
• Capital Equipment Reserve: Resolution 25-218 ($1.5 million) declared duly adopted with 10 votes for, 4 against (Moran, Thibodeau, Govea, Sullivan).
• Benefits Self-Insurance Fund: Resolution 25-219 ($1.5 million) declared duly adopted (14-0).
• Lead Program Expenses: Resolution 25-222 ($325,000) indefinitely postponed (12-2), effectively deferring action.
• Lead Paint Hazard Grant: Resolution 25-223 ($95,784.04) declared duly adopted (13-1).
• Capital Project Activity: Resolution 25-224 ($900,000) declared duly adopted (14-0).
• Ordinance 25-082: Indefinitely postponed.
• New Business: First readings assigned for new pedestrian bridge agreement, and various grant acceptances (DHS $33,000, NH Charitable Foundation $10,000, Dartmouth Hitchcock $12,000).
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.