Nashua Finance Committee Meeting - October 21, 2026

The Nashua Finance Committee met on October 21, 2026. The committee approved a software renewal contract, recommended final approval of an amended federal aid bridge project, accepted the record of expenditures, heard public comment, and voted to enter non-public session for litigation matters. Four members were initially present; Alderman Smith arrived at 7:05 p.m.

Communications

• Alderwoman Clee moved to accept and place on file a communication from Purchasing Manager Amy Gerard regarding a VM Data Platform Foundation Universal License subscription in the amount not to exceed $36,630.78, funded from the General Fund/54 Property Services and Department 120 Technology Maintenance Fund.
• The motion also approved a renewal contract with She International Corp for VM Backup Software used by the Information Technology Department, not to exceed $36,630.78. Alderwoman Clee noted the renewal would bring the contracts to a combined term that exceeded the approval threshold, requiring committee action. The motion passed by voice vote.

New Business Resolutions

• R 26075: Alderwoman Clee moved to recommend final approval authorizing the mayor to enter into a second amended federal aid project agreement with the State of New Hampshire and the Town of Hudson for rehabilitation of the Taylor Falls and Veterans Bridges, accepting an additional $231,941.29 in federal funds.
• City Engineer Dan Hudson explained this was final housekeeping to accept additional federal share and true up final numbers at DOT's request. The work included rehabilitating concrete deck, bridge joints, sidewalk, and other elements. The motion passed by voice vote.

Record of Expenditures

• The committee approved a motion stating it had complied with city charter and ordinances pertaining to the record of expenditures for October 2 through October 15, 2026. The motion passed by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Flori Ordalano Nashua reported that a court denied the city's request for a protective order limiting her speech when addressing government officials, calling it an important win. She asked the committee to reduce the approval threshold for finance committee review from $25,000 to $15,000 and to require contracts for outside attorneys conducting employee investigations to be brought before the finance committee. She stated Director Cummings had signed contracts with attorneys for employee investigations, one reaching $32,000 without committee review, and criticized outside legal costs for the Art Center suit, including two attorneys at almost $1,000 per hour and total outside legal costs around $700,000. She said Manchester's legal office told her such litigation contracts would go to their finance committee, and she believed Nashua's legal office should have informed the board of those costs. She also said she thought it was unfair to blame her for wasting taxpayer money on a project she believed was fraudulent.

Remarks by Aldermen

• Alderwoman Clee thanked Public Works for the Boobash event and for responding quickly to an unpermitted tree removal that blocked a dead-end street. She asked Alderman Smith about her arrival time; the clerk recorded Alderman Smith arriving at 7:05 p.m.

Non-Public Session

• Alderwoman Clee moved, with a second, to enter non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II(e) for consideration or negotiation of pending claims or litigation. The roll call was taken: Alderman Smith, Clemens, Wilshire, Clee, and Mayor Donches all voted yes (five yes votes). The committee entered non-public session.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the VM Backup Software renewal contract with She International Corp and placed the related communication on file (voice vote).
• Recommended final approval of R 26075 for the Taylor Falls and Veterans Bridges rehabilitation amended federal aid agreement (voice vote).
• Accepted the record of expenditures for October 2-15, 2026 (voice vote).
• Voted 5-0 to enter non-public session for pending claims or litigation.
• No action was taken on the public commenter's requests to lower the approval threshold or to require outside attorney investigation contracts to be brought to the finance committee.