Nashua Committee of Infrastructure Meeting – October 15, 2026

The Nashua Committee of Infrastructure met on October 15, 2026, in the Aldermanic Chamber. The transcript states the meeting was called to order on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 7 p.m., but the supplied meeting date is October 15, 2026. No agenda or minutes were supplied; this summary relies on the transcript. Roll call showed Aldermen Paula Johnson, Richard Dowd, Alicia Greg, and Michael O'Brien present, establishing a quorum. Alderwoman Ben Jefflata Smith was initially not present and her status was left open. Alderman Patricia Klee and Administrative Services Director Tim Cummings also attended.

Public Hearing: Juliana Avenue Street Acceptance

• Attorney Andy Prollman, representing Resident Homes Elite, presented the petition for street acceptance of Juliana Avenue. He said the property was purchased in March 2022, taken through the Planning Board subdivision process, built out, inspected along the way, and given final inspections that summer. He stated the engineering team signed off on street acceptance, the title opinion was signed by attorney Leonard, and the petition was routine.
• Asked about property values, Prollman said he could not calculate tax revenue on the spot, but homes sold for approximately $1 million each. The transcript contains an unclear home count: "22 homes. 20 homes. 19 homes." He also noted a separate adjacent subdivision had three additional houses not part of Juliana Avenue.
• The committee opened the public hearing for testimony both in favor and in opposition. No one came forward, and the hearing was declared closed at 7:05 p.m.

Official Communication

• The committee received a communication from Husband, senior traffic engineer for the Division of Public Works, in support of pending legislation O26-024. With no objection, the communication was accepted and placed on file.

Discussion: Mohawk Tannery Remediation Update

• Director Tim Cummings introduced the Thorndike Development team. Michael Devon, Thorndike project manager for Mohawk Tannery, presented alongside Lloyd Geisinger, member/manager of Blaylock Holdings, and Mike Payonesa, day-to-day project manager.
• Devon described the Mohawk Tannery site as a legacy contaminated former tannery and Fimble Dorf factory site along the Nashua River, including lagoons full of carcinogenic sludge in the 100-year floodplain. The site was shut down in 1984. He credited the Board of Aldermen, city staff, state officials, and federal regulators for helping the project reach remediation and redevelopment.
• As of a September aerial view, work completed included site mobilization and preparation, tree clearing, road improvements, excavation and relocation of asbestos materials, and the beginning of a secant containment wall that will be capped with an impermeable cap. Perimeter air monitors have been in place since day one, and no monitoring protocols have escalated into an active response.
• Near-term work includes demolishing the remainder of the old tannery, completing the containment wall, excavating remaining asbestos and tannery contaminants, and establishing finished grade with a protective cover ready for redevelopment.
• Devon acknowledged challenges, including discovery of additional contamination and larger-than-expected amounts of asbestos, which required extensive work plan changes and regulatory review. Asked about the schedule for having material in the coffer dams, he said "three to six months" and expected the site to be cleaned up by the end of next year.
• A site plan change is being discussed with city staff due to market conditions. The number of apartments will increase, the payment in lieu will not change, and the change will also mean more affordable homes and a multimodal path.
• Devon cited 546 homes planned for the project. He said "we already have 540 allocated for the firefighters" as transcribed, with $4.5 million in projected real estate tax revenue at full build-out and $250 million in private investment.
• Public amenities will include a canoe and kayak launch, a river walk, a pedestrian bridge connecting to Mine Falls Park, and passive recreation on the completed containment cell. These amenities are open to the public, not only to future residents. Alderman Klee clarified that the developer will build the pedestrian bridge and the city will reimburse $3 million through the MDA.
• Asked about traffic, Devon said extensive traffic studies have been peer-reviewed by city staff and consultants, and the project includes plans for a traffic light vetted by city engineering.
• An access road shown in the presentation will open up the landlocked property along Veterans Memorial Parkway; Devon said that property is under contract. The forested southern parcel will be subject to a passive recreation easement for the city, with timing set in the phasing table.
• Alderman Dowd requested periodic future updates, and Devon agreed to coordinate with Director Cummings. Alderman Johnson asked about potential leakage; Devon said long-term environmental controls, regular testing, and groundwater monitoring will be required in perpetuity.

Finished Business: O26-024 – All-Way Stop at French Street and Abbott Street

• Alderman Clay, prime sponsor, explained that one stop sign currently exists at the intersection but the legislation creating it could not be located. The new ordinance would correct that and establish an all-way stop near Mount Pleasant school. Teachers and parents requested the change, and the public works traffic engineer reviewed it.
• Alderman Greg supported the measure, saying she had almost been hit by a car while crossing in the area and that drivers fly through the street.
• The committee recommended final passage. The voice vote was unanimous in favor, and the motion carried.

Petitions: Juliana Avenue Street Acceptance Recommendation

• The committee moved to recommend granting the Juliana Avenue street acceptance petition. Alderman Klee noted benefits for residents including city trash pickup and street plowing, and said the public status of the street improves access for nearby residents even though there is no direct opening to Greeley Park.
• The motion to recommend granting the petition carried by voice vote.

General Discussion and Adjournment

• Alderman O'Brien, a former firefighter, said he had feared no developer would touch the Mohawk Tannery property and praised the developer for remediating the site under federal EPA guidelines. He called the project a step in the right direction for Little Florida residents and for affordable housing.
• Alderman Klee said the developers listened to neighbors, avoided transporting toxic waste through city streets, and used a deep interlocking containment system. Alderman Johnson recalled past odors and flooding, said she was not enthusiastic about the size of the project, but was glad the site is finally being cleaned up and the toxins contained.
• With no further public comment, the committee voted to adjourn at approximately 7:04 p.m.

Key Outcomes

• Recommended granting the Juliana Avenue street acceptance petition.
• Recommended final passage of ordinance O26-024, creating an all-way stop at French Street and Abbott Street.
• Accepted and filed the Division of Public Works traffic engineer's communication on O26-024.
• The Mohawk Tannery development team agreed to provide periodic updates to the committee through Director Cummings.