Observations from BOA Meeting of 2/22/2022
Prepared by Karen D. Bill, 95 Parnell Place, Nashua, NH 03060 Qn?
| was excited to attend the BOA meeting on the above date, however as soon as J walked in, the drama had already
begun.
Laurie Ortolano was in discussions with BOA President Wilshire about seating. | walked up to them asking about chairs
that Laurie and | were planning on sitting in as we had done numerous times before. When I looked into the hall to my
right, BOA President Wilshire said, “Don’t do it!” | was surprised by this. She then said to Laurie that the table and
chairs in the back of the room were reserved for the press as they had been for the past 10 years. | offered proof that
was not the case.
The table in question against the back wall now had three “Reserved” signs on the front and NO chairs. In the past,
there were 2 cushioned chairs like the ones the Aldermen sit in.
Laurie believed that Kim Kleiner had removed the chairs so she could not sit there.
1 have sat in those chairs numerous times since the benches are so uncomfortable (for the public in attendance) and had
done so WITH Alderman Michael O’Brien. When | attended the committee meeting for the Police Commission,
Alderman O’Brien was already sitting there and | asked to join him which he gladly invited me to do. | have known
“Mike” for well over 20 years and always thought of him as a friend.
lam shocked at the ongoing contentious and vindictive behavior from Ms. Kleiner towards Laurie. Given Ms. Kleiner's
civic involvement and Director status within City Hall, it is even more troubling.
The press has not sat in those chairs for years. When Dot Nice sat there for years, she handed out the agenda and
signed residents up to speak. Now, the Union Leader or Telegraph personnel usually sit in the booths.
The Booths:
Before the renovation of the Aldermanic Chamber, there were cushions on the benches. Now, there are none and the
“new” design is horrible. My entire body was sore for several days after sitting in them for a 3 % hour meeting despite
standing regularly.
| am requesting that cushions be returned to the benches for the public. This may in fact be a topic for review of the
American with Disabilities Act as those with medical issues such as arthritis can not attend and sit in them for any length
of time.
Right to Know Act and being Lied to from Staff at Nashua City Hall:
| sent an email to Tim Cummings with specific questions about the Downtown Improvement Committee. The first three
emails were ignored. The fourth was replied to in a curt, disrespectful and untruthful manner. | expounded on this at
the BOA meeting of 2/22/2022. Tim Cummings stated “t have no such record”. | find this unacceptable as he was
present at these meetings but can not direct me to the notes nor tell me when / where the meetings were held. Do |
really have to take the City of Nashua to court or hold Tim Cummings accountable by requesting he pay a personal fine
of up to $2,000.00?? Does anyone think that ANY resident has the time and funds to do this for a simple question?
When | located minutes for two meetings of the Downtown Improvement Committee on the City of Nashua website,
they were blank.
