Finance Committee - Minutes - 7/10/2019 - P4
Finance Committee - 07/10/2019 Page 4
People think of rabies and cats and other animals that are permitted to ambulate at large are at risk of
contracting rabies. There is a law that animals must be vaccinated and when they are vaccinated, it takes
about 1 month for that vaccination to take effect. So it is certainly relative to and in the interest of those that
protect the health of our citizens to be aware of whether or not a cat is under the ownership of someone who
obviously cares a great deal about their animals and has vaccinated them for their own protection as well as
the protection of citizens.
Another common infection that is attributed to transmission by cats is something called toxoplasmosis. It is a
parasite and one of the things about toxoplasmosis, unlike rabies which results in odd behavior of an animal so
you would suspect that there was a problem; a cat amongst other vectors can carry toxoplasmosis without
itself having any symptoms. Toxoplasmosis can cause eye problems including blindness. It is particularly
dangerous for pregnant women If a pregnant woman were to contract toxoplasmosis even though they
themselves might not get an infection it can lead to congenital defects and deformities in a fetus that can lead
to lifelong problems. And lastly | would say that while there are many more bites and scratches in humans due
to dogs than there are to cats, unlike the 10 to 15% infection rate if somebody is scratched or bitten by a dog;
the infection rate when somebody is scratched or bitten by a cat is approximately 50%. This is not only a risk
for citizens but also for those that are trying to take control of animals. As a matter of fact, the Humane Society
recently acquired a special tool to humanely but safely be able to scan animals for chips so that their owners
could be identified if they happened to have lost their collar or identification. So in summary | am certainly
happy to answer questions, | would just ask that in considering what happens in the City of Nashua with
animals have either behaviors or lack of identification that could reassure one that they have been properly
vaccinated and are properly cared for, that this must be taken into consideration for the health and safety of
our citizens as well as the health and safety of our staff. Thank you so much.
Mayor Donchess
Thank you very much. Anyone else from the public wish to speak to the Committee. If not we will go on to
Communications. Why don’t we take Mr. Braun’s communication. Is there a motion to suspend the rules for
the acceptance of a communication received on July 10", 2019 after the agenda was prepared?
MOTION BY ALDERMAN O’BRIEN TO ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE A COMMUNICATION FROM MR.
BRAUN, 8 MONZA ROAD, NASHUA, NH REGARDING PROPOSED CONTRACT WITH HUMANE
SOCIETY
MOTION CARRIED
COMMUNICATIONS
From: Dan Kooken, Purchasing Manager
Re: Contract with Sapphire Digital for Smartshopper
MOTION BY ALDERWOMAN KELLY TO ACCEPT, PLACE ON FILE AND, CONTINGENT UPON BOARD
OF ALDERMEN APPROVAL, AWARD THE CONTRACT TO SAPPHIRE DIGITAL. SOURCE OF FUNDING
IS DEPARTMENT 113, BENEFITS, SELF INSURANCE FUND
ON THE QUESTION
Mayor Donchess
Is there anyone here to discuss this? Yes, Mr. Budreau why don’t you come forward. Why don’t you give us
an explanation and then we will take questions.
Larry Budreau, Director of Human Resources
Thank you, good evening Mayor, Aldermen, Members of the Finance Committee. | am Larry Budreau the
Director of Human Resources Smart Shopper is a program run by Digital Sapphire, it is a for-profit company