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Board of Aldermen 6-23-2020 Page 35

is promoting. So, you know, it is through things like that, that we have been able to come up with the
money that is needed in order to support the firemen and to save money elsewhere. So | am hopeful that
this will pass. | think it is a fair contract. | think that the, | look at the parity between this group of people and
some of the other fire departments where pay is similar. We have the best Fire Department in my opinion
and because we have the best Fire Department, we need to pay them accordingly. | don’t think that what
they are asking for is too much and | don’t think that what we are going to have to pay them in the future is
going to be detrimental to our Budget.

| was on the Board of the Aldermen, | was one of the Aldermen on the Board in an economic downturn.
And not only that, but | was on the Board when there were 16 outstanding Union Contracts on the Board in
2008. And prior to that, we had a decent economy 2006/2007 it was the bubble so people were doing ok.
But we had a more conservative board then and contract after contract, and | am talking years, were
rejected and then 2008 came and the Board changed a little bit. We finally were able to get stuff done. We
did that in 2008, 2009, 2010, right in the middle of the Great Recession. And the reason we were able to
do that was because we started to look at the value that we were getting from our employee. So in other
words, what is the right thing to do as far as paying them, what is the fair compensation. How can we come
up with the money to afford to be able to pay for what they were asking?

In many cases it took creative financing like looking at the healthcare savings and applying that to other
things, looking at the end of the year, to find the money. We have always budgeted this way and we used
to do it because we were under the spending cap and we had to, we didn’t have a choice. But we had to
pay our employees and we had to pay them fairly. We were on the verge, | believe it was 2008 we were on
the verge of a strike for the Teacher’s Union; our Schools were going to shut down. And we averted that; |
was on that Board that averted that. | am very proud of that. | have seen when contracts, when it looks like
things might be too expensive. This is not too expensive, we will be able to manage this and we will be
able to do it. What this is going to accomplish is going to get the Fire Department closer in parity to where
they need to be so that in the future when they are looking for raises and they are looking for things like this
and they are looking for their next contract, they won’t necessarily have to come out with something as big
as it is right now. They might have something more reasonable.

| say that in relative terms, because | think that this contract is reasonable. But | think what we are getting
hung up on here is we are comparing it to what they have gotten in the past and what they have done in the
past. And to me what they have gotten in the past hasn’t made up that parity difference that they are
looking for. So, in my opinion, what we have here is a very fair contract, it is something that we can afford.
We have proven we can afford it for the next two years anyway out of the years that are in there because
we approved the Budget earlier for it. So next year will not be a problem for the firefighters contract. The
retro is retro so that’s not going to be a problem either. So if we are really concerned about this, we are
concerned about the out years and what | would tell some of the Aldermen who may be on the fence is that
we will figure it out. And | know that that sounds like | am looking at a crystal ball, but | have been through
this enough to know that when you put your priorities first, when you are doing a Budget you put your
employees first and you say, these are the things that are important.

We did that with the Budget this evening and we did it very well. We had to compromise, we had to cut
things, and they weren’t easy cuts. But the School Department is getting its extra employees, that’s
important. | wasn’t sold on that to begin with. | wasn’t, | had to have a lot of hard conversations and you
know what? | came around to it. It is something that | could support because | understand why they need
it. The Firemen need us now and they need this contract passed because they need this pay increase to
get them to the level where they should be in getting paid. And | think this will make up the difference and
we can afford this. So | would hope that my colleagues would take a leap of faith with me, knowing that |
have been there, that I’ve seen these things and that we will get through it and vote for this contract. So
thank you.

President Wilshire

Alderman Dowd?

Board of Aldermen 6-23-2020 Page 36

Alderman Dowd

Yes, as was mentioned | have received e-mails and read Facebook comments making the inference that if
we don’t approve the current contract that is before us that we disrespect the members of the Fire
Department, we don’t feel that we deserve this raise. Speaking strictly for myself this is as far from the
truth and it pains me to hear it. | have always and still do respect the members of the Nashua Fire Rescue
and feel proud to stand by them when | can. | fully believe that they deserve a fair raise for their continued
efforts to protect the citizens of Nashua and make Nashua one of the best cities to live in this country.
They have always gone the extra mile to do an outstanding job, protecting us as professionals who save
lives and property daily.

Unfortunately the City of Nashua is in the middle of a pandemic through no fault of the members of Nashua
Fire & Rescue and Nashua has many people out of work and many people who have taken a serious hit in
their finances due to this outbreak. Many of us that are familiar with the pandemic and its financial issues
understand there are so many unknowns in FY21 that we have to take a serious look at the Budget and
that’s why we reduced is significantly to get the proposed tax rate down from 4.5, it is around probably 3.7
and even that’s high. But there are so many things that we don’t know that might happen in 2021.

First of all, | want to say that if the contract passes, | won’t be upset, | think you know they certainly deserve
to be compensated well. However, | think that if they restructured their contract a little bit and looked
towards a higher increase in 2022 and 23 when the economy is going to recover, because it has to if it
doesn’t we are all in more trouble. That | would be more in favor of it and still get the endpoint | think that
they are shooting for or close to it.

As Chairman of the Budget we looked at the property tax rate for FY21 and as | said, it didn’t look good and
we’ve done things to try and get that impact down. Now we are hearing that we are going to have issues in
2022. But! agree with Aldermen Clemons that we need to dig our heels in and do something to reduce
these impacts that we are going to feel in 2022, whatever we need to do. But this contract, just the way it is
structured right now, with the percentages and the fact that the percentage increases in ’20 and ’21 impact
pensions and other benefits that add to the cost, that’s why the over all cost is about 17%. If we can just
reduce that impact in the short term and help them make it up more in the long term, | would be more in
favor of that. As | said, if the Board feels that they want to pass it, | am not going to be upset, | fully think
the Firemen deserve an increase. | am just concerned, really concerned that if we get into FY21 and we
start having issues, that we may not be able to afford the salaries that we just passed. And that’s a bigger
issue. | for one would not like to see that. I’ve been on the fence, but right now, they way it’s structured
and we can’t do anything to change the structure of the contract it has to go back and be discussed if it’s
not passed, and | for one just think that restructuring a little bit and bringing it back to us would get enough
support if it doesn’t pass tonight. So having said that, |’ll listen to anyone else, as well.

Alderwoman Kelly

Thank you, President Wilshire and thank you for the debate from everyone on the Board here. | think there
have been very valid arguments on both sides with this. | want to start by saying | appreciate our firefighters
very much. We are very lucky to live in Nashua where we have such an incredible force. 2020 is full of a
lot of uncertainty, | think we have been living day by day and week by week in terms of what things are
happening in our City, in our houses, with our own jobs. | currently, after listening to all of this cannot
support something that puts us directly in a way where we are locked into a Budget that we may not be
able to support in the future. | think, | am not as confident as my other Aldermen who have said that, you
know, “we will figure it out”.

Things are changing every single day, we are in the middle of a global pandemic and | think we have the
responsibility to our taxpayers to make sure that we can sustain a reasonable tax rate. And 3.75 is nothing
to you know, it’s not low and we are working on it. But! think that we can’t just throw caution to the wind
and say we are going to pass this and figure it out later. Thank you.

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Safety (herein referred to as the “State’”), the
Hudson Police Department (herein referred to as the “Municipality”), and the Nashua Police
Department (herein referred to as the “County”) agree to administer funding of the 2022 Law
Enforcement Substance Abuse Reduction Initiative as authorized under RSA 21-P:66 and Saf-C
2900 in the manner detailed within this Memorandum of Agreement.

The “County”, as the grant award recipient, is responsible for the overall direction and
assignment of all 2022 Law Enforcement Substance Abuse Reduction Initiative grant funded
activities. Some of these activities may be assigned to the “Municipality”. When the
“Municipality” is assigned grant funded activities, the “Municipality” is eligible for
reimbursement directly from the “State”, pending the submission of appropriate documentation,
approval from the “County”, and in accordance with the grant award requirements. This
agreement may be modified by written mutual agreement of the parties. This agreement shall
remain in effect until the grant period has expired.

The “County” is responsible for:

e Coordination of activities as specified in RSA 21-P:66 and Saf-C 2900 and outlined in
the application and grant award documentation;
Reviewing and approving all reimbursement requests submitted by the “Municipality”;
Submitting “Municipality” reimbursement requests to the “State”;

e Any costs related to activities that are not previously approved by the “State” or that
exceed any previously approved amount.

The “Municipality” is responsible for:

e Participating in specified “County” assigned activities as per the final grant agreement;

e Documenting specified “County” assigned activities in accordance with the grant
agreement using the attached Overtime form and appropriate back-up as specified in the
Grant application and Saf-C 2908.01 on form DSAD 69;

e Submitting reimbursement requests supported by documentation to the “County”;

e Any costs related to activities that are not previously approved by the “County”, that
exceed any previously approved amount, or that are deemed ineligible per the grant
agreement.

The “State” is responsible for:

e Reimbursing the “Municipality” for “County” approved grant related activities that are
supported by proper documentation and approved by the “County”;
Ensuring that submitted reimbursements have been approved by the “County”;
Providing notification to the “County” and “Municipality” of any documentation
deficiencies and the steps necessary to resolve the issue.

Nothing in this agreement guarantees payment of any amounts to the “County” or
“Municipality” or alters or changes the grant agreement with the “County”. Costs for the entire
activity may not exceed the maximum award to the “County”.

The undersigned, on behalf of the State of New Hampshire, Department of Safety (the “State”),
the Hudson Police Department (the “Municipality”), and the Nashua Police Department Office
(the “County”) agree to administer funding of the 2022 Law Enforcement Substance Abuse
Reduction Initiative as authorized under RSA 21-P:66 and Saf-C 2900 in the manner detailed
within this Memorandum of Agreement.

Hudson Police Department

Date
Police Chief
Email: Phone:
Nashua Police Department
CHIEF/SHERIFF Date
New Hampshire Division of State Police
Nathan Noyes Date
Colonel
New Hampshire Department of Safety
Steven R. Lavoie Date

Director of Administration

R-21-176

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RESOLUTION

RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF $128,781.82 FROM THE FEDERAL
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INTO FIRE GRANT ACTIVITY
“FY2020 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT” AND AUTHORIZING THE
TRANSFER OF MATCHING FUNDS

CITY OF NASHUA

In the Year Two Thousand and Twenty One

RESOLVED by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Nashua that the City of Nashua and
Nashua Fire Rescue are authorized to accept $128,781.82 from the Department of Homeland
Security into Fire Grant Activity “FY2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant” for the purpose of
providing periodic physical exams and health screening for 180 fire members. This resolution
also authorizes the transfer of matching funds in the amount of $12,878.18 from Department
#152 “Fire Department”, Account #53135 “Medical Services”.

LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2021

RESOLUTION: R-21-176
PURPOSE: Relative to the acceptance of $128,781.82 from the Federal

Department of Homeland Security into Fire Grant Activity
“FY2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant” and authorizing the
transfer of matching funds

SPONSOR(S): Mayor Jim Denchess
Alderman-at-Large David C. Teneza

COMMITTEE
ASSIGNMENT: Human Affairs Committee

FISCAL NOTE: Fiscal impact is an up to $128,781.82 grant to be used for a
specific purpose.

ANALYSIS

This resolution authorizes the City to accept funds from the Federal Department of Homeland
Security for the purpose described in the resolution and authorizes the transfer of matching funds
from the Fire Department’s FY2022 General Fund operating budget.

Charter Sec. 53 permits the Board of Aldermen to transfer any unencumbered appropriation
balance or any portion from one department, fund or agency to another.

NRO 5-130, H provides that “when proposed legislation to transfer or re-appropriate a particular
appropriation or purpose thereof has had its first reading, such funds shall not be expended or
transferred while the legislation is pending”.

Approved as to account Financial Services Division
structure, numbers,

and amount: By: _/s/John Griffin
Approved as to form: Office of Corporation Counsel

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Date: lo Oc toes POA

R-21-177

RESOLUTION

RELATIVE TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION OF $250,000 OF FY2021
ASSIGNED FUND BALANCE INTO FUND #6500 “PROPERTY & CASUALTY SELF
INSURANCE FUND”

In the Year Two Thousand and Twenty One

RESOLVED by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Nashua to appropriate $250,000 of
FY2021 Assigned Fund Balance into Fund #6500 “Property & Casualty Self Insurance Fund”.

LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2021

RESOLUTION: R-21-177
PURPOSE: Relative to the supplemental appropriation of $250,000 of

FY2021 assigned fund balance into Fund #6500 “Property &
Casualty Self Insurance Fund”

SPONSOR(S): Mayor Jim Donchess

COMMITTEE

ASSIGNMENT: Budget Review Committee

FISCAL NOTE: This resolution will reduce FY2021 assigned fund balance.
ANALYSIS

This resolution appropriates $250,000 of FY 2020 assigned fund balance into the Property
& Casualty Self Insurance Fund.

Charter Sec. 53 permits specific non-budget, supplementary appropriations. There should be
notice and a public hearing. A two-thirds vote is required under Charter Sec. 56-b for an item or
amount not in the mayor’s budget. A roll call is required under Charter Sec. 49.

Approved as to account Financial Services Division
structure, numbers,

and amount: By: /s/John Griffin
Approved as to form: Office of Corporation Counsel

By: Wurth
pate: @ Octo P1224

R-21-178

RESOLUTION

CHANGING THE USE OF FUNDS FOR A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FROM MASTER PLAN TO LAND USE CODE UPDATE

CITY OF NASHUA

In the Year Two Thousand and Twenty-One

WHEREAS, the City of Nashua’s FY 2021 budget included a Community Development
capital improvement project entitled “Master Plan” in an amount of $200,000;

WHEREAS, the Master Plan project is near completion and there is $190,000 remaining
in this budget; and

WHEREAS, the Community Development Division has an immediate need to start work
on Land Use Code Update project and requires additional funds.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Aldermen of the City of
Nashua that $190,000 of the remaining budget previously approved for Community
Development capital improvement project “Master Plan” is instead approved to be used for the
Community Development capital improvement project “Land Use Code Update”.

LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2021

RESOLUTION: R-21-178

PURPOSE: Changing the use of funds for a Community Development
capital improvement project from Master Plan to Land Use
Code Update

ENDORSERS: Mayor Jim Donchess

COMMITTEE

ASSIGNMENT: Budget Review Committee

FISCAL NOTE: None.

ANALYSIS

This resolution changes the use of previously approved FY2021 Community Development
Capital Improvement Project funds in the amount of $190,000 from Master Plan to Land Use
Code Update.

Approved as to account Financial Services Division
structure, numbers,

and amount: By: /s/John Griffin
Approved as to form: Office of Corporation Counsel

By: Dang Cor tCe_
Date: G (rauter aon