Nashua City Council Committee Meeting - December 11, 2025

The City Council Committee held a meeting to review infrastructure project updates, discuss potential funding shifts using School Street TIFF funds for the West Pearl Street streetscape, and deliberate on a recommendation regarding proposed zone one parking enforcement hour amendments. While numerous engineering projects were approved for moving forward with current funding or pending legislative action, the committee failed to recommend final passage for the parking policy changes due to significant concerns regarding economic impact on downtown businesses and residential access, despite data from project consultants indicating high utilization rates under the current rules.

Consent Calendar

• No items listed on the consent calendar during this session.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Schaefer (15E Street): Asked if the right-of-way issues for the Heritage Rail Trail East extension had been resolved; confirmed that the project is currently in the right-of-way phase working on 11 properties requiring easements.

Discussion Items

• Elm and High Street Parking Garages: Director Tim Cummings and OPM Tim Lemere provided a status update. Phase one (structural repairs) is 30% complete on budget. Phase two (office renovation) is at schematic design, and Phase three (facade) is in assessment. Alderman Sullivan questioned gating plans, confirming they are included, and requested a long-term inspection plan. Andy Hill (Desmond Design) was identified to assist with future inspection strategies.
• Walnut Street Oval Project: City Engineer Dan Hudson outlined a project in final design targeting construction advertisement in January 2027. A child project component is out to bid to reverse West Pearl Street and remove an island to improve flow to Main Street, necessitating making Factory Street two-way. Alderman Sullivan noted the disconnect with Myrtle Street, which does not currently allow through traffic due to a fence.
• West Pearl Street Streetscape: Project is fully designed but was previously unawardable due to a bid exceeding funding. Director Cummings proposed utilizing available School Street TIFF funds (approx. $400k growing to nearly $1M) to advance the project, arguing it is an eligible expense and noting previous lack of appetite for supplemental appropriations. Alderman Dowd suggested a neighborhood meeting to gauge appetite before the new board convenes in January.
• East Hall Street Bridge Street Intersection: Hudson reported on the "Gateway Project," in final design with right-of-way actions underway. The project is largely 100% federally funded (DOT LPA program) but requires city matching funds for cost overruns. Alderman Sullivan expressed support for converting the green space adjacent to the intersection into a "Kitty Park," noting the area's walkability and new residential developments.
• Heritage Rail Trail East: Deputy City Engineer Mark Saunders detailed the extension project (final design, right-of-way phase). The project is an 80-20 split with DOT funding. 11 properties require temporary or permanent easements.
• Lock Walk Street/Whitney Street Bike/Ped Project: Currently in the engineering study phase. The committee discussed potential changes to create a one-way couplet, add bike lanes, and widen sidewalks. Saunders confirmed coordination with fire and transit services to ensure emergency access and noted a funding target of $1.2M which may require a budget increase review.
• Zone One Parking Enforcement Hours (R25221):
  • Alderman Lopez opposed the current policy (extending hours to 9 PM and increasing rates), citing adverse effects on restaurant revenue, staff parking, resident access, and the perception of downtown as unwelcoming. He emphasized qualitative data from residents and business owners over quantitative metrics.
  • Andy Hill (Desmond) countered that data shows utilization has increased to 100%+ after policy implementation, validating the need for regulation to maintain turnover. He argued that rolling back hours would lead to "utler deadlock," lost revenue, and eventual business decline.
  • Director Hanum supported the data-driven approach, noting that employees and residents were consulted in the original study and that revenue is critical for facility maintenance.
  • Alderman Dowd suggested nuances like resident tags but recommended sending the motion to the full board for further discussion rather than approving it.

Key Outcomes

• West Pearl Street Project: The committee agreed in principle to explore using School Street TIFF funds but required a detailed memo (Alderman Sullivan) and a neighborhood meeting (Director Cummings) before moving to legislative action in January.
• Parking Policy (R25221): The motion to recommend final passage of the parking enforcement amendment failed on a roll-call vote (Chairman O'Brien and Aldermen Sullivan and Dowd voted "No"). The item will be forwarded to the full board with a negative recommendation.
• Budget Amendment (R25221): The committee voted unanimously to amend the resolution regarding tax-deed property auctions by removing the properties at 35-41 East Hall Street from the auction list, though the city retains the right to auction other listed properties.
• Community Development Proposals: Director Sullivan expressed intent to retain Curtis Drive, L Narrows, and L Irene Street properties for conservation purposes rather than auctioning them, pending further consultation.
• Tabled Items:
  • R25071 (Outdoor City Hall Public Bathrooms): Moved to indefinitely postpone at the request of the prime sponsor, Alderman Clemens, to allow for a pilot program of portable restrooms instead.
  • R25072 (Disposition of Real Property): Moved to indefinitely postpone per request of Alderman Moran.