ph 603-821-9888
fax 603-809-4159
freshofnashua(@comcast.net
To the Nashua Board of Aldermen:
First, let me welcome and congratulate you on your election to the Board of Alderman in this great City of Nashua, NH.
My name is Colleen Viafora, my husband Tom and | are the owners of Bella Boutique at 71 Main St, next to Darrell’s
Music Hall. We both grew up in this town, attending the original NHS, he played football, and | was a cheerleader. We
loved our city! Before malls were a thing, residents frequently shopped in downtown. Alec’s Shoes, Miller's, & the old
Woolworth’s with the soda fountain! We dined at the Modern & locked in the windows of the beautiful Scontsas
Jewelers....it was a family oriented fun place to be. With time comes progress. The wonderful restaurants, retail stores,
wellness and services that make up the current downtown area add energy and a fun atmosphere. Although our
boutique has only been open a relatively short time, we do reside in Cotton Mill, behind our store location, and
frequently visit downtown for dining and shopping quite often.
In 2019, when COVID was in full swing, we witnessed all businesses in the city suffer from lack of customers because of
fear of spreading the virus and getting sick. The downtown businesses suffered greatly, especially those that weren't
restaurants.
The need to help the suffering restaurants during this time, was apparent. The jersey barriers were installed and served
their purpose. Residents could dine outside without fear, and it solved the issue of not being allowed to dine inside. It
saved the restaurants from going under and it worked.
Forward to 2020 & again in 2021, the jersey barriers supported the needs of the restaurants during the continued COVID
restrictions. Unfortunately, it did not meet the needs of the many other businesses that make up more than 75% of the
downtown area. These jersey barriers impede shoppers from parking to visit other businesses. We feel that this in
unfair, because these businesses were not “bailed out” or accommodated for during the pandemic as the restaurants
were. They suffered tremendous losses and still had to pay rent like the restaurants.
Not only do the barriers clog up through traffic on Main Street, they impede the response time for emergency response
vehicles, not to mention that the city did not change the timing of the red lights to accommodate for traffic backups! It
was literally a parking lot every day. The barriers are also a huge eye sore to the aesthetics of our beautiful downtown
area. They look like graphic graffiti and does not add to the charm of our stores and sidewalks.
We are in favor of outdoor dining, but it needs to be fair to the other businesses. Utilizing the sidewalks in front of their
establishments is a simple way to make it fair across the board. We are NOT in favor of putting up those hideous barriers
that bring down the look, impede traffic, take up value parking spaces for other retail shoppers, and most importantly
slow down our emergency response vehicles. Those precious S minutes could be the difference in life or death of
someone in your family.
| also wonder, if the reason the city is leaning toward installing these barriers has to do with the income that we receive
from the State of NH from the meal taxes. Governor Sununu lowered the state tax from 9% to 8.5% on 10/1/2021, but
the State has increased the amount of revenue from the taxes that it diverts to local governments under revenue
sharing agreements.....the more money the restaurants make in meal taxes, the more money the city receives. By the
end of 2021, the State has provided more than $100 million for meals and rental taxes to cities and towns, roughly a
45% increase from the previous fiscal year. It would be safe to assume that Nashua would stand to receive more this
year as well. This is greed, and not always in the best interests. We are already paying high taxes for a new PAC, revenue
from that will increase the City’s allocations.
We vote NO on installing the jersey barriers. It is time to get back to enjoying ALL that downtown has to offer.
Thank you,
Colleen & Tom Viafora
Bella Boutique
i Sacanay & = CGarpounaisl
Caring for Our Community Since 1900
Dear members of the Committee on Infrastructure and Nashua Board of Aldermen, | am writing to you
regarding the installation of barriers for the purpose of extended dining. Our company along with those
who signed the previously forwarded petition including many businesses and customers are vehemently
against the proposed extension of Jersey barriers on Main Street. We ALL are extremely supportive of
our restaurants and the continuation of traditional, pre-pandemic, outdoor seating. For the following
reasons the barriers should not be restored next spring.
First, as a business owner | am very concerned at the harm the barriers are doing while not creating the
alleged benefit we have been told about. We typicaily have over a hundred customers a day and we are
a non-seasonal business. When the barriers went up we noticed a considerable drop off in both regular
customer visits and walk in traffic. Our turns on inventory have dropped significantly. This leads to an
increase in holding costs while having cash flow tied up for longer periods of time. Both issues most
businesses strictly avoid.
Second, the Jersey barriers detract from the beauty of downtown Nashua. They are certainly not
creating a more vibrant and energetic atmosphere. From 8AM Monday morning to 6PM Friday night
downtown Nashua looks tike a ghost town only worse due to Jersey barriers lining the streets. For a few
hours Friday and Saturday nights there appears to be more interest, however, it does not seem to
require the expansion of tables onto the streets. The downtown appeal is lost with extensive traffic
backups. In general, our customers say they tend to avoid the downtown area if possible. Ona regular
basis we would be asked for lunch or dinner recommendations. Now our customers just want to be on
their way and visit areas with better traffic flow and parking.
Third, there is ample space to continue with traditional outside dining on the sidewalks. Most, if not ail,
of the local businesses and residents support and enjoy the plentiful sidewalk dining experience. Having
parking next to the sidewaiks actually creates a great buffer for those sidewalk tables. Much better than
sitting directly next to a travel lane with truck noise, exhaust fumes, and loud music.
Finally, there ought to be a better system in place to explore future infrastructure changes in the
downtown area. The pull the proverbial cart before the horse is just not working. A committee could be
formed to create new spaces downtown that still provides store front parking, traditional outside dining,
social spaces for a casual get together and more. All of which would be a complement to the new
performing arts center. Yet we cannot continue with the barricades in place.
As a steward of an over 120 year ald business on Main Street, | respectfully ask you to permanently
remove the barriers.
Respectfully,
Derick Anderson, PharmD
Owner
129 Main Street * Nashua, New Hampshire 03060 + (603) 882-9733 » Fax (603) 882-9734
Petition for PERMANENT
Removal of the Barriers
When COVID hit our community and strict mandates existed, our restaurants were struggling
and there was a need for intervention downtown. The barriers were incorporated to create a
safe dining environment and open the area back up for patrons and employees. As we have
progressed through COVID and people are back to work and restaurants are at full capacity,
the barriers are now a nuisance. The traffic, lack of parking, and inconvenience has shop-
pers avoiding the area, resulting in a significant loss of business. It is time to move forward
and permanently remove the barriers and support the hundreds of businesses that are now
negatively affected.
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Petition for PERMANENT
Removal of the Barriers
When COVID hit our community and strict mandates existed, our restaurants were struggling
and there was a need for intervention downtown. The barriers were incorporated to create a
safe dining environment and open the area back up for patrons and employees. As we have
progressed through COVID and people are back to work and restaurants are at full capacity,
the barriers are now a nuisance. The traffic, lack of parking, and inconvenience has shop-
pers avoiding the area, resulting in a significant loss of business. It is time to move forward
and permanently remove the barriers and support the hundreds of businesses that are now
negatively affected.
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Petition for PERMANENT
Removal of the Barriers
When COVID hit our community and strict mandates existed, our restaurants were struggling
and there was a need for intervention downtown. The barriers were incorporated to create a
safe dining environment and open the area back up for patrons and employees. As we have
progressed through COVID and people are back to work and restaurants are at full capacity,
the barriers are now a nuisance. The traffic, lack of parking, and inconvenience has shop-
pers avoiding the area, resulting ina significant loss of business. It is time to move forward
and permanently remove the barriers and support the hundreds of businesses that are now
negatively affected.
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Petition for PERMANENT
Removal of the Barriers
When COVID hit our community and strict mandates existed, our restaurants were struggling
and there was a need for intervention downtown. The barriers were incorporated to create a
safe dining environment and open the area back up for patrons and employees. As we have
progressed through COVID and people are back to work and restaurants are at full capacity,
the barriers are now a nuisance. The traffic, lack of parking, and inconvenience has shop-
pers avoiding the area, resulting in a significant loss of business. It is time to move forward
and permanently remove the barriers and support the hundreds of businesses that are now
negatively affected.
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Petition for PERMANENT
Removal of the Barriers
When COVID hit our community and strict mandates existed, our restaurants were struggling
and there was a need for intervention downtown. The barriers were incorporated to create a
safe dining environment and open the area back up for patrons and employees. As we have
progressed through COVID and people are back to work and restaurants are at full capacity,
the barriers are now a nuisance. The traffic, lack of parking, and inconvenience has shop-
pers avoiding the area, resulting in a significant loss of business. It is time to move forward
and permanently remove the barriers and support the hundreds of businesses that are now
negatively affected.
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Petition for PERMANENT
Removal of the Barriers
When COVID hit our community and strict mandates existed, our restaurants were struggling
and there was a need for intervention downtown. The barriers were incorporated to create a
safe dining environment and open the area back up for patrons and employees. As we have
progressed through COVID and people are back to work and restaurants are at full capacity,
the barriers are now a nuisance. The traffic, lack of parking, and inconvenience has shop-
pers avoiding the area, resulting in a significant loss of business. It is time to move forward
and permanently remove the barriers and support the hundreds of businesses that are now
negatively affected.
Printed Name Signature Address Date
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Petition for PERMANENT
Removal of the Barriers
When COVID hit our community and strict mandates existed, our restaurants were struggling
and there was a need for intervention downtown. The barriers were incorporated to create a
safe dining environment and open the area back up for patrons and employees. As we have
progressed through COVID and people are back to work and restaurants are at full capacity,
the barriers are now a nuisance. The traffic, lack of parking, and inconvenience has shop-
pers avoiding the area, resulting in a significant loss of business. it is time to move forward
and permanently remove the barriers and support the hundreds of businesses that are now
negatively affected.
Printed Name Signature Address Date
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