Nashua Infrastructure Committee Meeting - July 23, 2026

The Infrastructure Committee met on July 23, 2026 (the meeting began at 7:00 p.m. on July 22 and concluded at 8:50 p.m.) to consider three main items: authorization for the sale of surplus property near Veterans Memorial Parkway, authorization for the auction of tax-deeded properties, and an ordinance to allow overnight on-street parking in Ward 5 during summer months. The committee also accepted several communications and heard departmental presentations.

Consent Calendar

• Accepted communications from the Board of Aldermen (referrals) and from Planning Manager Sam Durfee regarding R26-046 (sale of surplus property).
• Suspended rules to accept two late communications: from Thornton Tomasetti regarding proposed ward 5 overnight parking legislation, and from City Clerk Dan Healy regarding overnight on-street parking in Ward 5 from May 1 to October 31, except on certain main roads. Both were placed on file without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

R26-046: Sale of Surplus Property (Veterans Memorial Parkway Parcel)

Matt Sullivan, Community Development Director, presented the proposal to authorize the disposal of an approximately 4-acre right-of-way parcel adjacent to the Mohawk Tannery redevelopment site. The sale would be conducted via a request for proposals (RFP) to unlock development potential, provide for a multimodal pathway, and enable land conservation. Key discussion points included:

• Access: No curb cuts onto Veterans Memorial Parkway are preferred, but a curb cut could be considered if a traffic study demonstrates safety. The Mohawk Tannery access will use a blinking signalized intersection.
• Alderman Dowd expressed concerns about traffic safety and requested aerial photos of the tannery site for board review.
• Alderman Johnson opposed the sale, citing concerns about overbuilding and the housing crisis. She stated that the parcels to the south have already received zoning board approval for development and that the land should be protected.
• Alderman O'Brien asked about future capacity of the parkway; Sullivan noted the parkway is underperforming relative to design volumes and has ample capacity.
• The city is still working with federal agencies to determine how proceeds from the sale would be split.

The committee voted to recommend final passage.

R26-051: Auction of Tax-Deeded Properties

Diane Mulholland, Treasurer, requested authorization to proceed with a public auction of tax-deeded properties in fall 2026. These properties were acquired after statutory requirements were met. Former owners have a 90-day repurchase period ending September 10, 2026. The auction would return properties to private ownership, place them on tax rolls, and reduce city maintenance responsibilities. Alderman Johnson noted that a mobile home would be auctioned if not repurchased, and that the mobile home park must approve the buyer. The committee voted to recommend final passage.

O26-020: Overnight On-Street Parking in Ward 5 (May 1 - October 31)

Alderman Johnson introduced the ordinance to allow overnight parking in Ward 5 during summer months, exempting main roads. She argued that residents should not need to call for exceptions and that the current process is insufficient. Presentations and discussion included:

• Jill Stanfield, Parking Manager, presented the existing overnight exception program and outlined potential operational impacts such as increased enforcement, staffing, and costs. She noted that the city has about 300 miles of road and 80,000 registered cars.
• Jeff LaFleur, Solid Waste Superintendent, explained that street sweeping begins at 3:45 a.m. and that overnight parking would hinder trash collection, requiring a switch from automated trucks (one person, $400,000 each) to rear-load packers (two additional trucks per route, $350,000 each, with three-person crews).
• Fire Marshal Mike DeVarney cited fire code requirements for a 20-foot unobstructed width and noted difficulty with cul-de-sacs and tight streets.
• Andy Hill, Parking Consultant, stated that the city is working on a structured pilot program in a specific zone, with a draft expected by September. He argued that the current ordinance lacks sufficient structure and registration mechanisms.
• Alderman Dowd moved to indefinitely postpone, stating that the eventual proposal would be significantly different. Alderman Johnson preferred to table it. The motion to indefinitely postpone carried.

Key Outcomes

• R26-046: Recommended final passage unanimously (voice vote).
• R26-051: Recommended final passage unanimously (voice vote).
• O26-020: Indefinitely postponed (voice vote). The committee expects a new overnight parking pilot proposal to be presented in September.
• The committee agreed to provide aerial photos of the Mohawk Tannery site to the full Board of Aldermen.