Nashua Board of Aldermen Meeting - October 28, 2026

The Nashua Board of Aldermen convened with 14 members present and Alderman Smith absent. Mayor Donchis attended by Zoom, and Corporation Counsel Steve Bolton was present. No agenda or minutes were provided; this summary is based on the meeting transcript. Note on date: the supplied meeting timestamp is 2026-10-28 02:19:26+00:00, while the transcript opening is transcribed as 'For 27, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.'

Opening and Mayor's Remarks

• City Clerk Dan Healy offered the invocation, and Alderman Tebow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Mayor Donchis, speaking by Zoom, urged residents to vote in next Tuesday's election and praised City Clerk Dan Healy and ward workers for election preparations.
• The mayor discussed his veto of O-26-002, saying the earlier version did not require a relationship between a person's disability and their inability to attend a meeting in person, as he said the ADA requires. He gave color blindness as an example of a disability that would not prevent attendance, and he asked the board to consider his proposed language.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the special and regular Board of Aldermen meetings of March 24, 2026 were accepted and the reading was suspended.
• Communications from the mayor regarding the veto of O-26-002 and from Public Works Director Lisa Foto regarding referral R-26-062 were accepted and filed. A communication from Owen Flynn of the John Flatley Company about requests to purchase city-owned parcels drew an objection to the proposed referral; the objection was noted.
• The Budget Review Committee orally reported that after its Monday, October 26 meeting and public hearings, it recommended final passage of R-26-064 amended, R-26-067, R-26-068, R-26-069, R-26-070, and R-26-071.
• Appointments: Dahlia Regas (Deputy Treasurer/Deputy Tax Collector) and mayoral appointees Kathy Prevost (Arts Commission), Lisa Tarangio and Jennifer Bishop (Citizens Advisory Commission) were referred to the Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee.
• Petition for street acceptance of Juliana Avenue: Alderman Johnson moved final passage; the voice vote carried.
• R-26-075 authorized 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, including acceptance of an additional $231,941.29; voice vote carried.
• R-26-076 accepted $45,180 from the U.S. Department of Justice into the police grant activity for the 2025 Justice Assistance Grant multi-jurisdictional program; voice vote carried.
• O-26-024 authorized an all-way stop at French Street and Abbott Street; voice vote carried.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Laurie Orlano, speaking on the Zoom veto, urged the board to amend the city's disability grievance procedure to include a response deadline, define required documentation, and allow remote public comment at all meetings with Zoom. She described a senior citizen with a disability who appealed to the mayor on September 30 and received no response. She also opposed the evening's bonding resolutions, saying the city's management should be replaced and that she wanted 'no to all of it, open records, and find a better management team.'
• Andy Prollman/Rolman, attorney with Proney and Prolman, appeared on behalf of Raisin and Homes and said the Juliana Avenue street acceptance petition was ready and available for questions.
• Patrice Noel, a 71-year-old Nashua resident, said she is homeless and had to choose between food and gas to attend. She asked whether the city tracks homeless statistics, described alleged elder abuse and perjury leading to her eviction from the Mary Sweeney Home on Pearl Street, said she is on about 20 waiting lists with waits of two to eleven years, and reported vacant apartments in national housing buildings lasting three to seven months. She called for permanent housing and services, not just shelter band-aids.
• Laurie Orlano, in general public comment, said risk management had told an applicant a letter had to be mailed, then emailed it instead; that the New Hampshire Commission on Human Rights had accepted the applicant's complaint and said there was enough to pursue the city; and that risk management had previously suggested the applicant take an Uber with a seat cushion. She said she had no confidence in risk management's determinations, criticized vague documentation requirements, and advocated opening Zoom to everyone, warning the city would be served with a complaint.

Bond Resolutions

• R-26-064 amended: $5,173,428 for capital equipment; adopted 13-1, with Alderman Johnson voting no.
• R-26-067: $3,000,000 for design and ancillary costs to renovate the Nashua Public Library; adopted 10-4, with Aldermen Clemens, Ravan, Tebow, and Johnson voting no. Several members later explained they support the library but wanted fairness for library employees in negotiations.
• R-26-068: $1,500,000 for a fire training facility; adopted 13-1, with Alderman Johnson voting no. Supporters said training saves lives and noted the existing training site is being replaced by the new DPW facility.
• R-26-069: $1,000,000 for design and ancillary costs to replace the Pine Hill Fire Station; adopted 13-1, with Alderman Johnson voting no. Speakers noted the station would move to the corner of Pine Hill and Sharon for faster Ward 1 response; Alderman Johnson argued small bonds create hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest that should be in the budget.
• R-26-070: $1,000,000 for deferred capital maintenance of fire stations; adopted 13-1, with Alderman Johnson voting no. Alderman O'Brien described seven facilities, roofs that leak, and firefighters living in the buildings.
• R-26-071: $9,000,000 for replacement and modernization of the citywide ERP system; adopted 10-4, with Aldermen Sullivan, Senate, Johnson, and Morgan voting no. Supporters cited inefficiencies in current disconnected systems and the need for more effective use of taxpayer money.
• R-26-062: $2,000,000 for various improvements at the Solid Waste Department's Hills Landfill; removed from the table and adopted 11-3, with Aldermen Tebow, Sullivan, and Johnson voting no.

Ordinance O-26-002: Electronic Public Comment for People with Disabilities

• The board voted 14-0 to reconsider the ordinance after the mayor's veto.
• Alderman Clemens moved to replace it with a revised version developed with Aldermen Johnson and Gregg and vetted by legal. The revision required a disability to interfere with participation in in-person public comment, set approvals at three months with renewal, allowed approved participants to notify the aldermanic office without resubmitting documentation, added confidentiality protections, and preserved ADA accommodations.
• Asked about undefined 'documentation,' Corporation Counsel Bolton said documentation means written papers that substantiate the person's assertion, and 'in writing' means a written response, by mail or email depending on how the request was made. Alderman Clee said the board should not be prescriptive and should let risk management decide.
• Aldermen Kelly and Tebow argued that Zoom should be open to all members of the public, including single parents and caretakers, rather than limited to people with disabilities. Alderman Tebow attempted an amendment to extend the provision to all committees but withdrew it after procedural concerns. Alderman Sullivan proposed reversing the board's August 9, 2022 decision terminating public Zoom access but withdrew that as outside the amendment.
• Alderman Johnson said the ordinance began with her own experience after breaking a kneecap and being unable to attend, and that ADA Title II permits requesting documentation without requiring the person to state the specific disability.
• The amendment passed 12-2, with Aldermen Tebow and Kelly voting no. Final passage as amended passed 11-3, with Aldermen Ravan, Tebow, and Kelly voting no. Alderman Kelly said she expects litigation over ambiguities and said she would bring a future motion to restore Zoom for everyone.

New Business and Referrals

• R-26-077: first reading of a supplemental appropriation of $146,716.94 of FY2027 unanticipated revenue into Fund 7024, the Opioid Abatement Expendable Trust Fund; referred to the Budget Review Committee with a special Board public hearing scheduled for Monday, November 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
• R-26-078: first reading authorizing a First Amendment to the High Street Garage lease with National Apartment Ventures LLC; referred to the Finance Committee.
• R-26-079: first reading authorizing a School Street Park and Garage lease with Nashville Apartment Ventures LLC (as transcribed); referred to the Finance Committee.
• O-26-027 and O-26-028: first readings amending parking permits for the High Street Garage and School Street Parking Garage; referred to the Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee.

Board Remarks and Announcements

• Alderman Clemens explained his no vote on the library bond by saying he was disappointed in negotiations and wanted fairness for library employees. A head negotiator responded that the process had been fair and legal and that Clemens had not attended the sessions. Another alderperson echoed concerns about library worker negotiations and said the no vote was not a vote against the library. That same speaker also criticized the governor for taking credit for the Mohawk Tannery and Maynard Manor housing work, said Nashua officials and residents did the long work, and urged voters to turn out.
• Alderman Greg expressed support for library workers and praised the disability-access ordinance as a first step.
• Alderman Senate encouraged voting, thanked election workers, and highlighted the Friends of the Nashua Public Library's 'Nashua Reads' event and book 'Property of the Revolution.'
• Alderman Johnson thanked colleagues for the disability-access ordinance and said library employees are being paid during negotiations; he urged patience because the contract will come before the board.
• Alderwoman Kelly urged voting, said the board should open Zoom to everyone, and committed to bring that motion forward at the next meeting.
• Alderman Morgan supported the library bond and negotiations, reminded residents that trick-or-treating is Saturday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and encouraged employers to give employees time to vote.
• Alderman Lopez encouraged voters to review all ballot items, supported a favorable library resolution, praised Corporation Counsel Bolton as a negotiator, and offered condolences for Carol Farmer. Another member also expressed condolences for Carol Farmer.
• Alderman O'Brien announced a joint meeting of the Library Trustees and the Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday, October 28, at 6:00 p.m.; the regular 7:00 p.m. Infrastructure Committee meeting was canceled.

Key Outcomes

• Bond resolutions adopted: R-26-064 amended (13-1), R-26-067 (10-4), R-26-068 (13-1), R-26-069 (13-1), R-26-070 (13-1), R-26-071 (10-4), and R-26-062 (11-3).
• Voice-vote approvals: R-26-075, R-26-076, O-26-024, and the Juliana Avenue street acceptance petition.
• O-26-002 was reconsidered (14-0), amended (12-2), and adopted as amended (11-3).
• New items were referred as described above, with a special public hearing on R-26-077 scheduled for November 23, 2026.
• The board voted 14-0 to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II(e) for discussion of pending or threatened litigation or claims. The public portion ended with that roll-call vote; no return to open session appears in the transcript.