Budget Review Committee Meeting – July 28, 2026

The Budget Review Committee convened on Monday, July 27, 2026 at 8:40 PM in the Aldermanic Chamber, with the meeting continuing past midnight and thus recorded as July 28, 2026. The meeting was called to order by the Chair. Roll call showed all members present. The primary agenda item was Resolution R260-04, a supplemental appropriation of $1,607,694.55 from various revenue sources, including casino gaming revenue, field rental fees, and fund balance. Also considered were Resolution R260-50 transferring $35,000 for the senior center and Ordinance O-26-17 to discontinue a solid waste equipment reserve fund.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Myra Nikitas, Nashua resident, thanked the committee for the positive vote on the dental program (traveling tooth ferry), emphasizing the program’s importance and asked for continued support at the full board meeting.

Discussion Items

• Resolution R260-04 – Supplemental Appropriations: The bulk of the evening focused on R260-04. Alderman Thibault asked multiple questions about the $300,000+ casino revenue, whether Ledge Street School was at risk of closure (Director Sean Smith confirmed it was not on any closure list), and concerns about vandalism and camera coverage at the playground. Alderman Thibault also raised concerns about fairness to other schools and the need for a formal process to allocate gaming revenue. Director Tim Cummings agreed to develop a program for allocating gaming funds and promised to return in the fall with a proposal.
• Motion to Split the Question: Alderman Johnson initially moved to remove the Ledge Street playground and dental program from the resolution, but after discussion, she amended to split the vote on each line item. The motion to split passed 7-0.
• Line-by-Line Votes: The committee then voted on each of the seven line items:
  1. Ledge Street playground equipment (miscellaneous revenue): 7-0 in favor.
  2. Dental program / traveling tooth ferry ($100,000): 7-0 in favor.
  3. City retirements ($500,000): 6-1 in favor (Alderman Johnson opposed).
  4. Lead grant activities ($40,000): 5-2 in favor (Aldermen Senate and Johnson opposed).
  5. Park rehabilitation from facility rental fees ($5,250): 7-0 in favor.
  6. Park rehabilitation from field rental fees ($42,758.50): 7-0 in favor.
  7. FEMA public assistance grant for COVID-19 salary expenses ($672,299.87): 6-1 in favor (Alderman Johnson opposed). Alderman Thibault and others expressed concern about lack of detail; CFO Don Enright said the detailed ledger is available and denied items will be presented at the full board meeting.
• Resolution R260-50 – Transfer for Senior Center: Alderman Dowd introduced David Ferdette, treasurer of the senior center, who explained the $35,000 is used for building repairs and a rainy-day fund. The committee voted 7-0 to recommend final passage.
• Ordinance O-26-17 – Discontinuance of Solid Waste Equipment Reserve Fund: The committee voted 7-0 to recommend final passage.

Key Outcomes

• All seven line items in R260-04 received favorable recommendations; the unamended resolution then passed 6-1 (Alderman Johnson opposed).
• Resolution R260-50 passed 7-0.
• Ordinance O-26-17 passed 7-0.
• The committee adjourned at 9:43 PM.
• Next steps: The full Board of Aldermen will vote on these items at its meeting on the second Tuesday in August. CFO Enright committed to providing detailed breakdowns of the FEMA grant expenses before that meeting.