Nashua Board of Public Works Meeting - October 22, 2026

The Nashua Board of Public Works met on October 22, 2026. Members approved a $2 million bond resolution, numerous contracts and equipment purchases, three street moratorium hardship requests, and personnel actions. All votes were by voice vote and appeared unanimous unless noted. No public comments were offered during the public comment period.

Opening Business

• Approved the submitted agenda.
• Approved the minutes of the September 24, 2026 Board of Public Works meeting.

Bond Resolution

• Approved Resolution R 26062 authorizing the mayor and city treasurer to issue bonds not to exceed $2,000,000 for improvements at the Four Hills Landfill Solid Waste Department.

Wastewater Department

• Approved user warrants as presented.
• Approved a contract with Hazen and Sawyer, Boston, Massachusetts, in an amount not to exceed $108,871.66, for a toxicity identification and reduction evaluation for the wastewater treatment facility effluent. Superintendent Dave Boucher said the study is required by the new EPA permit after multiple whole effluent toxicity test failures; it will identify the cause and corrective actions.
• Approved a contract with Hazen and Sawyer, not to exceed $145,778.31, for a local limits evaluation of the wastewater treatment facility. Boucher noted the last full study was in 1992.
• Approved a contract with Hazen and Sawyer, not to exceed $270,626.25, for a capacity analysis. Boucher cited changing influent strength, city growth, and rising ammonia concentrations; the analysis will identify process constraints and help plan for future flows and housing development. Commissioner Lemon expressed interest in reviewing the report and potentially asking developers to contribute to needed upgrades.

Parks and Recreation

• Approved change order #1 to the wading pool contract, in the amount of $217,600, to install previously purchased splash pad equipment at Jeff Moran Park, pending CDBG funding. Superintendent Brian Conant said the work will be completed in the spring because CDBG funds will not be available until November.
• Recreation Superintendent Eric Menard was introduced. He said the Boo Bash drew an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 people.

Streets and Fleet

• Approved purchase of winter road salt from Granite State Minerals and Eastern Minerals for $575,000, representing 6,886 tons. Streets Superintendent John Ibera said the price rose from $79.79 per ton last year to $83.50 this year.
• Approved a series of fleet purchases presented by Fleet Superintendent Michael Rush, funded through street and solid waste SURF/bond accounts and Sourcewell or New Hampshire state bid contracts. Highlights included:
  • One 2026 Kenworth T280 medium-duty service truck, with two older service trucks traded in.
  • Two 2027 Freightliner cab/chassis units with snowfighter packages to replace frontline snow fighters.
  • One 2027 Ford F-350 4x4 pickup for the streets foreman, priced at $97,376.
  • One John Deere excavator for landfill operations, priced at $395,000.
  • Three Loadmaster rear-load waste collection vehicles, priced at $361,629.
  • Two Ford F-250 4x4 pickups with plows for the street department, priced at $63,505 each.
  • One front-loader waste collection vehicle, priced at $624,963.
  • One Ford F-250 with plow for solid waste, priced at $65,481.
  • Two Ford F-250s with plows for solid waste, priced at $60,975 each, one replacing and one adding to the fleet.

Solid Waste Department

• Approved creation of an additional solid waste assistant position at $28.26 per hour.
• Approved change order #2 with CORE, not to exceed $10,000, for additional piping and two fire hydrants at the landfill.
• Approved a contract amendment with SCS Engineers for an additional 3.5 years, through June 30, 2030, for remote telemetry and monitoring of the landfill gas flare system. The revised amount is $38,320; the amendment value is $20,160.
• Approved an amendment with Sanborn Head & Associates, not to exceed $57,500, for engineering and laboratory testing to further define PFAS impacts at the Nashua Fire Training Center area of Four Hills Landfill.

Engineering Department

• Approved sewer service permits and fees as submitted.
• Approved drain layer licenses for White Mountain Excavation LLC and D&S Excavating LLC, each with a six-month probationary period allowing temporary suspension if work is unsatisfactory.
• Approved an appraisal services contract with Bergeron Commercial Appraisal, not to exceed $4,000, for the Walnut Street Oval Intersection Project; the project will affect 17 properties.
• Approved change order #2 with RWC Enterprises, not to exceed $172,350, for sewer replacement on Shadwell and drainage improvements on Coliseum.
• Approved a contract with ADS LLC, in the amount of $25,000, for five sewer and drain flow monitoring devices.
• Approved hardship requests to excavate city streets during paving moratoriums:
  • John and Cheryl Moran, to install utilities on Brook Street for a new house. Property owner John Moran said the recent paving created a hardship and they will follow repaving requirements.
  • Greenman Pedersen, on behalf of Nashua Parking Services, to install utilities on Garden Street for the Elm Street Garage Project. John Prince said an Eversource-directed electrical rerouting requires crossing Garden Street, with excavation anticipated in early November.
  • Pennichuck Waterworks, to install a water main on Patent Court. Engineer Zach Saganorf said a galvanized main must be replaced under the Lead and Copper Rule, and the final permanent paving restoration was requested to be carried over to next year.

Informational and Director's Report

• The director announced the grand opening of Nashua West Rotary Disc Golf Park on November 19 at 10 a.m., with disc golf designers Avery Jenkins and Simon Lizotte attending.
• A traffic signal cabinet near Wellesley Road was replaced after lightning damage, fixing the intersection.
• A sinkhole on Watson Drive caused by a failed brick drainage structure was repaired by replacing broken clay pipe with plastic piping.
• Los Amigos Park is nearing completion: the stage is done, playground equipment is expected, and remaining work includes safety padding, foam, and walkway paving.
• Parks staff renovated baseball and softball fields, installed a new irrigation system at Labine, added perennials on Main Street, and prepared the infield at Holman Stadium for new sod.
• More than 700 children registered for the 2026-27 Bitty Basketball season; evaluations and drafts began this week and the season starts in November.
• Upcoming recreation trips: Boston Celtics on November 4, priced at $110 per person, and New York City on December 12, priced at $95 per person.
• The annual senior outing is scheduled for November 1 at Courtyard Marriott; tickets are free to Nashua residents 60 and older and are already sold out.
• Four Hills Landfill will have extended hours for soft yard waste on Saturdays in November; the landfill will be closed on Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, with curbside collection shifted by one day after each holiday.

Commissioner Comments

• Commissioner Lemon thanked staff for fixing the traffic light she regularly uses while driving to NCC.
• Commissioner Shea discussed constituent interest in a seasonal floating dock at the boat ramp, with a rough cost of $15,000-$20,000, and described Holman Stadium Activation Advisory Committee ideas such as community events, movie screenings, and a possible carnival, with larger concerts considered later.
• A commissioner reported that Harriman and Harvey received an award for the design of McCarthy Middle School.

Personnel and Non-Public Minutes

• Approved unsealing the non-public personnel minutes of the September 24, 2026 Board of Public Works meeting.
• Accepted the retirement of Park Foreman Paul Haskell, effective October 30, 2026.
• Accepted the resignation of Streets Operator Tim Gamond, effective October 9, 2026.
• Voted to seal the non-public personnel minutes of the October 22, 2026 meeting. Commissioners Lemon, Shea, and Craig voted yes.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda motions passed by voice vote; no roll call votes were recorded except the personnel sealing vote, which passed 3-0.
• Approved the $2 million bond resolution and all contracts, purchases, licenses, hardship requests, and personnel actions listed above.
• The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.