Board of Aldermen Special Meeting on Bond Resolutions - October 27, 2026

The Board of Aldermen convened a special meeting on October 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. to hold public hearings on six bond resolutions totaling over $21.6 million. The items covered capital equipment, the Nashua Public Library renovation, a fire training facility, a replacement for the Pine Hill Fire Station, deferred maintenance for fire stations, and a new citywide enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. No votes were taken on the bond resolutions. The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m. and was immediately followed by a budget committee meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Laurie Ortolano (Resident): Spoke in opposition to all bond resolutions. She expressed her primary objection was a lack of government transparency and accountability regarding the city's response to her right-to-know requests. She cited ongoing difficulty obtaining records, including a fire department investigative report, and expressed frustration with the administration, stating she could no longer support spending until records are opened.
• Jennifer McCormick (Library Director), Linda LaFlam (Library Trustee Chair), Scott Jacquith (Library Trustee), and Patty Dresner (Library Trustee): Expressed support for the library design bond (R26067). They detailed critical building system failures (HVAC, leaking roof, non-ADA compliant features), community demand for modernized spaces, and the urgency of proceeding to avoid further cost escalation and service disruption.
• Steven Scar (Resident): Opposed the library design bond. He urged the city to prioritize addressing homelessness before spending on the library, questioned the downtown location, and requested the board consider the long-term financial trade-offs and impact on taxpayers.

Discussion Items

• R26064 - Capital Equipment Bond ($5,173,428): Fleet Superintendent Michael Rush requested funds for plow trucks, service trucks, and foreman trucks with a 7-10 year lifespan. Treasurer Diane Maholland reported the SURF trust fund balance is approximately $3 million with projected FY28 needs around $14 million. Discussion included vehicle replacement cycles and bonding versus leasing.
• R26067 - Library Design Bond ($3,000,000): Tim Cummings (Director of Administrative Services) and Kayla Gallo (Owner’s Project Manager) presented the next design phase. The total project cost is estimated at $45 million. Design development, bidding costs, and temporary space exploration are included.
• R26068 - Fire Training Facility Bond ($1,500,000): Chief Steve Buxton requested funds for a new live-fire training prop, scaled down from an initial $1.98 million estimate. The facility supports ISO ratings and helps keep training resources local.
• R26069 - Pine Hill Fire Station (Station 5) Replacement Bond ($1,000,000): Chief Buxton and Joe Sullivan (Left Field) presented design funding for replacing the station. A site on Alpine Road (airport property) has been identified. The station serves the city’s largest fire district.
• R26070 - Fire Station Deferred Maintenance Bond ($1,000,000): Chief Buxton detailed needed repairs to boilers, HVAC, plumbing, and pavement across stations. Alderman Johnson strongly opposed the bond, calculating $420,000 in interest over 20 years and arguing small maintenance items should not be bonded.
• R26071 - Citywide ERP System Bond ($9,000,000): Tim Cummings, CFO Don Enright, and School COO Crystal De Gray presented the need to replace the obsolete 16-year-old system (Lawson) by 2029. Ten vendor proposals are under evaluation. Alderman Johnson questioned the lack of a negotiated contract and the $3.7 million in interest. Alderman Sullivan asked about the budget cycle.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken on any of the six bond resolutions. All public hearings were closed.
• A motion to adjourn the special meeting was made by Alderman Clemens and passed unanimously at 8:51 p.m.
• A budget committee meeting was scheduled to convene immediately following adjournment.