Nashua Board of Aldermen Regular Meeting – September 11, 2026

The Nashua Board of Aldermen met on September 11, 2026 (commenced September 10, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. and adjourned at 10:23 p.m.) to consider multiple contracts, ordinances, and a gap analysis on homelessness. The meeting featured extensive public comment, approval of a police body camera and drone contract, adoption of a video display sign overlay district for downtown, and creation of a homeless services gap analysis committee.

Consent Calendar

• Communications received from the mayor, planning manager, and aldermen were accepted and placed on file without objection.
• Reappointments to the Arts Commission, Business and Industrial Development Authority, and Electric Aggregation Committee were accepted and referred to the Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee.
• A petition for street acceptance (Juliana Avenue) was accepted and referred to the Infrastructure Committee with a public hearing scheduled for October 14, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jane Goodman (Executive Director, Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter) expressed conditional support for a homeless services gap analysis, urging it be focused, timely, and lead to action. She cautioned against using the study as an outcome in itself and emphasized leveraging existing nonprofits rather than creating new city programs.
• Matt Gayott (Nashua resident) spoke in support of the gap analysis, reporting that unhoused individuals he surveyed feel scared and pushed to the margins due to the camping ban. He suggested a heavily regulated, monitored parking lot alternative and criticized police budget increases and the proposed police drones.
• Peter Lawley (President, Spectacle Live, operator of the National Center for the Arts) supported the video display sign overlay district, stating it would enhance publicity for the center and community events, and help compete with other venues.
• Rich Flanen (Chair, National Center for the Arts Board of Trustees) provided background on the sign variance denial in 2022 and explained that the overlay district was crafted after a year of work with city staff to benefit downtown broadly.
• Bob Keating (Nashua resident) spoke in favor of the homeless services gap analysis committee, praising its scope, process, and 90-day timeline.
• Eve Arnold (Ward 4 resident) urged repeal of the camping ban as a “containment action” while other solutions proceed, and called for data-driven decisions on homelessness, noting the resource center proof of concept skipped necessary analysis.
• Latonia Mussioli (Executive Director, Failing Promises) supported the gap analysis and resource center, noting discussions about a resource center have been ongoing since 2024. She referenced Manchester's Engagement Center as a model and criticized the camping ban as lacking a promised resource center.
• Armelo Ramirez (eight-year-old Nashua resident) spoke in support of a resource center with apartments to keep people safe, emphasizing everyone deserves a home.
• Mike Appelberg (Director, United Way of Greater Nashua) voiced strong support for the resource center proof of concept, pledging volunteer mobilization and describing it as a tool for self-sufficiency beyond shelter.
• John Blanchette (Ward 4 resident) supported the resource center and expressed concern about the camping ban. He also raised concerns about Citizens Bank financing private prison companies involved in forced labor and urged the city to consider switching banks.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Remarks: Mayor Jim Donchis thanked City Clerk Dan Healy for a smooth primary election, noted successful use of poll pads in three wards, and discussed the police body camera contract (Axon system) with new drone technology. He also highlighted a 10% increase in the county tax bill (now $18.264 million) and rising fixed costs in the city budget (healthcare, special education, insurance), stating that tax increases result from the inability to cut services without significant impact.
• Police Body Camera & Drone Contract (Axon OSP 10): The mayor and Chief Brian Crap (via representative) detailed the system, including AI-assisted report writing (Draft One) that uses camera audio, not video, and ALPR (automated license plate recognition) with a three-minute data purge. Alderman Tebow argued the technology protects both police and citizens; Alderman Senate clarified that solar-powered pole cameras and ALPR are for investigative alerts, not continuous surveillance. The contract for $1.2 million in year one and $1.2 million in subsequent years was approved 14-0.
• Special Event Permitting Software: Alderman Clee praised the software for streamlining approvals for events. Approved 13-1 (Johnson no).
• Resource Center Proof of Concept License Agreement with Harbor Care: Multiple aldermen expressed support. Alderman Tebow noted he previously opposed the resource center but now supports this step. Alderman Lopez highlighted Harbor Care's track record. Alderman Kelly abstained due to a work conflict. Approved 13-0-1.
• Video Display Sign Overlay District (O-26-022): After debate, aldermen divided over potential “unintended consequences” and slippery slopes. Supporters (e.g., Morgan, Clee, Dowd) argued it allows downtown businesses, including the National Center for the Arts, to advertise effectively and avoids spot zoning. Opponents (e.g., Sullivan, Ravan, Senate) cited concerns about distractions, transient businesses, and the inability to use case-by-case approvals. The ordinance passed 9-5.
• Homeless Services Gap Analysis Committee (R-26-049): Extensive debate occurred on whether the study would delay or complement existing resource center efforts. An amendment by Alderwoman Kelly to require a detailed financial scope, timeline, and monitoring plan failed 2-12. An amendment by Alderman Tebow to designate the Human Affairs Committee chair and vice-chair as aldermanic appointees also failed 4-10. Ultimately, the resolution establishing a 90-day committee with representatives from the city, nonprofits, and lived experience passed 12-1 (Tebow no, Kelly absent).

Key Outcomes

• Approved Police Body Camera & Drone Contract (Axon): 14-0 (motion carried).
• Approved Special Event Permitting Software (Event Approvals Inc.): 13-1 (Johnson opposed).
• Approved Landfill Gas Telemetry Monitoring Contract: 14-0.
• Approved Collection System Flow Monitoring Contract: 14-0.
• Approved Resource Center Proof of Concept License Agreement (Harbor Care): 13-0-1 (Kelly abstained).
• Adopted Video Display Sign Overlay District (O-26-022): 9-5.
• Adopted Homeless Services Gap Analysis Committee (R-26-049): 12-1 (Tebow no; Kelly left before vote).
• Second Reading Approvals (R-26-053 through R-26-056): All passed with vote counts of 14-0 or 13-1.
• First Reading Referrals: R-26-057 (PFAS pilot borrowing) referred to Budget Review Committee and Board of Public Works with a public hearing on September 28, 2026; O-26-024 (stop signs) referred to Infrastructure Committee and City Engineer.