Budget Review Committee Meeting - 2026-09-29

Note: The meeting transcript indicates the meeting was called to order on September 28, 2026, but the user instruction specifies the meeting date as 2026-09-29. This summary uses the instructed date for the title but reflects the actual proceedings from the transcript.

The Nashua Budget Review Committee met on the evening of September 28, 2026 (as per the transcript) with seven members present: Aldermen O'Brien, Kelly, Gregg, Tebow, Johnson, Senate (remote), and Dow. The committee considered three resolutions: a borrowing for landfill improvements, a transfer from school computer equipment to the food service fund, and the creation of new trust funds from existing escrow accounts. All resolutions passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• A communication from Lisa Foto, Director of Public Works, was accepted and placed on file without objection.

Discussion Items

R-26-057: Borrowing $345,000 from Clean Water State Revolving Fund for Four Hills Landfill

• Jeff LaFleur of the Landfill provided an explanation during the public hearing. No further questions. Motion to recommend final passage carried unanimously by roll call (7-0).

R-26-065: Transfer of $150,000 from School Computer Equipment (Dept. 191, Account 71221) to Full Service Fund (Dept. 20210) for Food Service

• Alderman Tebow expressed concern about voting without a school representative present. Crystal De Grey (Chief Operating Officer, Nashua School District) arrived later and explained the reasons for the overspent food service fund:
  • Decreased free and reduced lunch applications (down 240 from prior year).
  • Higher food costs (inflation).
  • More benefit-eligible food service employees.
  • Decreased student enrollment (approximately 210 fewer students district-wide).
  • She noted that the district increased lunch prices by 20 cents last year and had made a substantial increase to employee meal prices.
• Alderman Johnson requested a detailed itemized list of all accounts that combined to make up the $150,000 transfer; this list is to be provided to the full board via Donna.
• Alderman Kelly asked whether federal reimbursement rates have kept pace with inflation; De Grey indicated probably not. She also inquired about the possibility of further raising lunch prices to cover the gap, but noted that might not be supported at this point.
• The motion to recommend final passage carried by roll call (6 yes, 1 no? The transcript shows six yes votes but a mention of a nay? However, the roll call recorded all seven aldermen voting yes. The transcript states: “You have uh six years. Motion carries.” This may indicate an error; the committee likely passed it 7-0 as no dissenting vote was named. For clarity, the resolution was approved.)

R-26-074: Creation of Three New Expendable Trust Funds and Transfer of $790,387 from Prior Escrow Accounts

• Tim Cummings (Director of Administrative Services) introduced the resolution as housekeeping to move funds from long-standing escrow accounts into appropriate expendable trust funds. He emphasized this is not a new appropriation; it is a transfer of existing funds to better track and manage them for infrastructure improvements, park rehabilitation, community development, general transportation, downtown improvements, waterways, and school deferred maintenance.
• The resolution also creates three new trust funds, notably a General Transportation Improvements Trust Fund, intended as a holding chamber for funds until grant matches are secured. The agent to expend for this fund will be the Mayor, with the Director of Administrative Services as backup—a compromise because transportation projects involve both Public Works and Community Development.
• Alderman Senate questioned whether creating new funds contradicts the statement that no new funds are being created; Cummings clarified they are creating accounts but not adding new money.
• The motion to recommend final passage carried unanimously by roll call (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• R-26-057 approved: $345,000 borrowing for Four Hills Landfill (unanimous).
• R-26-065 approved: $150,000 transfer from school computer equipment to food service fund (vote recorded as 6 yes; likely unanimous).
• R-26-074 approved: Creation of three new expendable trust funds and transfer of $790,387 from escrow accounts (unanimous).
• The committee adjourned at 7:49 p.m. by roll call (6 yes, 1 no? Again, the transcript shows six yes and one nay but names not provided. The motion carried.)

No other business was discussed.