Nashua Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting Summary – March 10, 2026

The Nashua Board of Aldermen convened on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 7:30 PM in the Aldermanic Chamber. The meeting included discussions on the public works garage design, snow removal funding, hydroelectric turbine repairs, transit fare increases, and community concerns about homelessness. Key votes were taken on multiple resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the special and regular Board of Aldermen meetings of January 13, 2026, February 12, 2026, February 26, 2026, and February 24, 2026, were accepted and filed.
• Communications from the Director of Public Works (regarding R-26-007), the Director of Administrative Services (regarding an amendment to R-26-007), and the Board President (regarding a March 24, 2026 special meeting on Fire Station #5) were accepted and filed.
• Communications from the Board of Library Trustees regarding nominations for Kristen Kane and Ernest Jetty were accepted, and a joint convention was scheduled for March 24, 2026 at 7:30 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fred Thiboom (resident, 24 Cheyenne Drive): Expressed concerns that supplemental appropriation resolutions (R-26-010 and R-26-012) lacked required spending cap calculations. He argued that city ordinances on the spending cap are valid and challenged the Mayor's assertion otherwise. Regarding R-26-012, he noted that the Mine Falls dam is eroding the riverbank near his property and requested a five- or ten-year cost analysis comparing revenue, maintenance, and operating costs. He urged the board to table the resolution until such analysis is provided.
• Stephen Scare (111 East Hobart Street): Signed up to speak in support of Merrimack's opposition to an ICE detention center, but was informed that item was not on the agenda.
• Matt Sullivan (Community Development Director): Presented on the proposed transit fare increases, noting that the proposal was discussed in the Infrastructure Committee and that significant public outreach had been conducted. He stated the increases are nominal and critical for stabilizing transit funding.
• Bob Keating (5 Coburn Woods Drive, speaking for Granite State Organizing Project and the UU Church Social Justice Committee): Supported keeping the Elm Street warming station open beyond April 15, 2026. He noted that a state bill (HB 1091) passed the House unanimously, requiring cities to offer a non-monetary penalty for camping/sleeping outdoors, which could affect Nashua's ordinance. He urged the board to support an upcoming resolution to extend the warming station.

Discussion Items

1. R-26-007 – Public Works Garage Design (Bond Authorization)

The Mayor explained that an amendment was on the table to reduce the bond from $5.5 million to $3 million for the design phase only. He argued that doing design first provides a precise cost estimate, addressing past criticisms of inaccurate estimates. Public hearings had not yet been held on the amended version.

• Alderman Sullivan questioned the risk of spending $3 million on design if the full project bond is later rejected.
• Alderman Johnson supported the design-first approach but expressed concern about future maintenance of any new building, noting a history of deferred maintenance (e.g., school district has $13 million in deferred maintenance).
• Alderman Dowd moved to amend R-26-007 to reduce the bond amount to $3 million. The amendment passed (13-0).
• The amended resolution was then approved (12-0, with 1 abstention from Alderwoman Kelly due to work with a named party). A public hearing and budget review committee meeting were scheduled for March 23, 2026.

2. R-26-010 – Snow Removal Trust Fund Supplemental Appropriation

This resolution increased the maximum allowable amount in the snow removal expendable trust fund and appropriated $500,000 from assigned fund balance.

• The budget review committee reported that both the public hearing and committee vote passed unanimously (March 9, 2026).
• Alderman Johnson supported the appropriation due to the harsh winter (23 snow incidents, spending already at $1.8 million versus a planned $1.5 million).
• Alderman Lopez praised DPW for their work and noted that many complaints were about private snow removal, not city operations.
• The resolution passed final reading (13-0).

3. R-26-012 – Hydropower Reserve Fund Supplemental Appropriation

This resolution appropriated $600,000 from assigned fund balance into the Hydropower Reserve Fund for turbine blade repair at Mine Falls dam.

• Director Sullivan explained that the estimate for the repair is under $500,000, but an additional contingency is needed for unforeseen issues (e.g., roof removal, other parts). He said the $600,000 allows flexibility and any unused funds would lapse back into the reserve.
• Alderman Tebow criticized the round number and lack of specific breakdown, stating that future budget requests need more detail.
• Alderman Dowd supported the contingency, citing experience with repairs where unknown problems arise – delaying fixes could lose revenue (estimated $350,000–$700,000 per year in lost revenue if the turbine is offline).
• Alderman Clemens noted that any expenditure over $25,000 would normally go through the Finance Committee, but Director Sullivan indicated that this repair might be handled via an existing contract with Essex Hydro without a separate Finance Committee review – a point that several aldermen requested clarified in writing.
• The resolution passed final reading (13-0).

4. Transit Fare Increases

Proposed 2026 fare increases for City Bus, ADA paratransit, and senior demand response service, effective April 6, 2026.

• Alderman O'Brien supported the increase, noting that diesel prices are rising and the service needs funding.
• Alderman Johnson expressed concern that a $10 increase on the 10-ride book might hurt seniors and disabled residents whose benefits don't keep up with inflation. She supported with hesitation.
• Alderman Clee noted that fares have not increased in 12-13 years and that the new rates are still fair compared to other communities.
• Alderman Lopez acknowledged that while nonprofits can help with passes, the city cannot always rely on them. He supported reluctantly, emphasizing the need to balance the budget.
• The resolution passed (13-0).

5. Federal Immigration Enforcement Resolution (R-26-016)

• Given first reading and referred to the Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee.

6. Collective Bargaining Agreement (R-26-017)

• Given first reading and referred to the Budget Review Committee.

Key Outcomes

• R-26-010 (Snow Removal Trust Fund): Final passage, 13-0. Resolution adopted.
• R-26-012 (Hydropower Reserve Fund): Final passage, 13-0. Resolution adopted.
• R-26-007 (Public Works Garage Design): Amended to reduce bond from $5.5M to $3M (13-0). Amended resolution approved (12-0, 1 abstention). Public hearing and budget review scheduled for March 23, 2026.
• Transit Fare Increases: Approved (13-0).
• Paving Contract (Contract 2): Awarded to Sunshine Paving Corp. for $4,972,326.50 (13-0).
• Class A Biosolids Upgrade Design: Contract awarded to Wright Pierce for $1,061,779 (13-0).
• Appointments: Multiple reappointments confirmed, including to the Board of Public Works Retirement System Trustees, Cultural Connections Committee, Ethics Review Committee (Roger Wiseman), Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee (Stephen Kenny), and Nashua Center for the Arts Board of Trustees. Alderman Johnson objected to not interviewing reappointees, stating new members should have the opportunity to meet them.
• Alderwoman Kelly abstained on the R-26-007 amendment vote due to a conflict of interest with a named party.
• Next meeting: Special Board of Aldermen meeting scheduled for March 24, 2026 at 7:30 PM regarding Fire Station #5.

Other Notable Items

• Mayor's Comments: Extended congratulations to Bobby Bagley (Citizen of the Year by NH Social Workers Association) and to Megan Karen and Doria Brown (40 Under 40 recognition).
• Recognition: Sue Mead, Director of Outreach for Greater Nashua Mental Health, was honored for 40 years of service upon her retirement. She used the occasion to advocate for continued shelter support, noting that 40-50 people are at the Elm Street warming station and an overflow shelter serves 20 people.
• Public Comment on Homelessness: Speakers raised concerns about the April 15 closure of the warming station and the need for longer-term solutions. Aldermen Lopez, Johnson, Smith, and O'Brien emphasized the complexity of homelessness and the urgency of a resource center.