Special Meeting of the Nashua Board of Aldermen: Public Hearings on Trust Fund Appropriations - March 10, 2026

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was called on March 9, 2026, but the assigned meeting date for this summary is March 10, 2026. The proceedings described below reflect the March 9 event.

This special meeting of the Nashua Board of Aldermen convened at 7:00 PM with a prayer, pledge of allegiance, and roll call, establishing a quorum of 13 members. The sole purpose was to hold public hearings on three supplemental appropriation resolutions. No votes were taken; hearings were opened, testimony invited (none offered), and closed. The meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered testimony for or against any of the resolutions.

Discussion Items

1. Resolution R26010 – Snow Removal Expendable Trust Fund (Postponed)

• Alderman Dowd announced that R26007 was not heard because it will be modified at a future meeting. The first hearing was on R26010.
• R26010: Increase the maximum allowable amount in the Snow Removal Expendable Trust Fund from $350,000 to $800,000 and make a supplemental appropriation of $500,000 of assigned fund balance into the trust fund.
• Presenter: Lisa Photo, Director of Public Works, with John Iberas, Street Superintendent. Photo stated that this winter has been exceptionally difficult: 23 snow events in fiscal year 26 compared to 16 in FY25 and 12 in FY24. The operating budget allocated $1.5 million for snow removal, with $1.8 million spent to date (excluding the last two storms). Most expenditures were for overtime and salt. The trust fund, established in 1998 at $300,000 and increased in 2008 to $350,000, has not kept pace with costs. Salt prices rose from $49.50/ton to $79.79/ton over seven years. The request would raise the cap to $800,000 and add $500,000 to cover emergency costs in years like this one.
• Board members asked no questions. Hearing opened and closed with no public testimony.

2. Resolution R26012 – Hydropower Reserve Fund Supplemental Appropriation

• R26012: Appropriate $600,000 of assigned fund balance into Fund 7064 (Hydropower Reserve Fund) for emergency repair of a turbine at the Mine Falls hydroelectric facility.
• Presenter (not explicitly named in transcript, but identified as Director Sullivan by context): Stated that Nashua operates two hydroelectric facilities—a 1‑megawatt at Jackson Mills and a 3‑megawatt at Mine Falls Park. Revenues go to the general fund; the reserve fund is used for critical repairs. About a month ago, a turbine blade broke at Mine Falls. The budgeted repair cost is less than $600,000, but the request is set high due to unknown unknowns. The facility generates $700,000 to $1.9 million annually, and losing one turbine reduces revenue by roughly half. If not repaired, the turbine will remain offline, and continued operation of the single remaining turbine could accelerate wear. The presenter noted that if replacement were imminent (next year), the calculus would differ, but with a planned timeline of two to three years for turbine replacement, repair is the right move. For that reason, the administration supports the appropriation.
• Questions from Aldermen Sullivan and Clement: Alderman Sullivan asked about the repair timeline and whether leftover funds could be used for spare parts. The presenter was not confident the repair would capture the snowmelt peak but expected it to be online within two months, and confirmed that leftover funds would be used for preventive maintenance and spare parts on the other turbine. Alderman Clement noted that losing half the annual revenue (potentially $350,000–$950,000) would make the repair cost‑neutral or better over two years. Alderman Johnson asked about the current reserve fund balance—the presenter estimated roughly $300,000. He noted that the remaining balance would be used for other maintenance on the operational turbine.
• No public testimony was offered. Hearing closed.

3. Resolution R26013 – Solid Waste Surcharge Fee Appropriation

• R26013: Appropriate $280,000 of assigned fund balance into Department 168 Solid Waste account number 55520 to cover the NHDES surcharge fee.
• Presenter: Jeff LaFleur, Superintendent of Solid Waste. He explained that the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services implemented a new interim rule charging $3.50 per ton of waste disposed at the landfill. The city must pay this surcharge quarterly and then apply for reimbursement for residential waste (curbside and drop‑off). No leniency is granted to municipalities. The city’s annual tonnage is about 80,000 tons, leading to the $280,000 request. LaFleur noted that the city began adding a $3.50 surcharge to commercial waste haulers on February 1 to recoup costs. The appropriation is needed to have funds available to pay DES upfront while awaiting reimbursement, which is expected within 30 days per the rule.
• Questions: Aldermen queried the reimbursement process, noting that commercial waste is also city‑generated but not reimbursed. LaFleur stated that the city charges $80/ton for commercial waste and added the surcharge to make it $83.50. The administration will continue to fight the rule. The hearing closed with no public testimony.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken on any resolution during this meeting. Each public hearing was opened and closed without public input. The resolutions are expected to be considered for final action at a subsequent regular Board of Aldermen meeting (the next meeting referenced is March 10, 2026, but the transcript shows a special meeting on March 9).
• Next Steps: The Board will take up R26010 (snow removal trust fund), R26012 (hydropower reserve), and R26013 (solid waste surcharge) at a future meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM.