A meeting of the Board of Aldermen was held Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the aldermanic chamber
and via Zoom teleconference.
President Lori Wilshire presided; City Clerk Susan K. Lovering recorded.
Prayer was offered by City Clerk Susan K. Lovering; Alderman Derek Thibeault led in the Pledge to the Flag.
Let’s start the meeting by taking a roll call attendance. If you are participating via Zoom, please state your presence,
reason for not attending the meeting in person, and whether there is anyone in the room with you during this meeting,
which is required under the Right-To-Know Law.
The roll call was taken with 13 members physically present and 1 participating via Zoom of the Board of Aldermen
present: Alderman O’Brien, Alderman Sullivan (via Zoom), Alderman Klee, Alderman Moran, Alderman Lopez,
Alderman Jette, Alderman Clemons, Alderman Comeau, Alderman Dowd, Alderman Gouveia, Alderman Cathey,
Alderman Thibeault, Alderwoman Timmons, Alderman Wilshire.
Alderwoman Kelly was recorded absent.
Mayor James W. Donchess, Corporation Counsel Steve Bolton, were also in attendance.
Mayor’s State of the City Address
President Wilshire
| wish to recognize Mayor Donchess
Mayor Donchess
Thank you President Wilshire, Vice President O’Brien, members of the Board of Aldermen, and Nashuans from all
neighborhoods of our City.
This year brings with it optimism and challenges in equal measure. I’m pleased with the accomplishments we were
able to achieve in 2021, and | look forward to continuing our City’s progress through 2022. Before we talk about our
vision for the future of Nashua, let’s review this past year.
COVID CONCERNS
When | spoke to you last February, we were one year into a public health crisis unlike any our nation has faced since
1918. We are still battling that pandemic today. We're all tired of Covid. Covid-19 has ebbed and flowed; last
summer, it seemed that the virus had nearly disappeared, and we were able to resume most of our normal activities in
safety. Then came the Delta variant and Omicron followed.
We are grateful for the vaccines which provide excellent protection against the virus. However, last month the number
of new cases and the rate of infection reached their highest levels ever. There is reason for hope because infections
are now on the decline.
Tragically 137 Nashuans have died from Covid, including one of our own city employees, Andre Pelletier. Our
heartfelt condolences go out to all of the families who have lost a loved one.
| am proud of the way our City has responded to this public health crisis. Our Public Health Department, under the
leadership of Director Bobbie Bagley and Chief Public Health Nurse Kim Bernard, has worked tirelessly.
Our medical community — nurses, doctors, and hospitals have given their all. In recent weeks, hospitals have
operated at capacity, despite the exhaustion and burnout caused by two years of Covid-19.
COVID AND BUSINESS
Back in the spring of 2020, together with the Board of Aldermen, we responded quickly to help small business get
through the pandemic. First, we established a Covid-19 Impact Fund, which has helped small businesses and
nonprofits with low-interest loans and grants. Then we expanded outdoor dining to save our restaurants and their
workers.