Board of Aldermen 6-23-2020 Page 32
A couple things | just wanted to point out is that really what we are debating here tonight is a difference of
1% per year in my opinion. As the Mayor mentioned earlier, the City believes that the increase should be
about 2.75% per year over four years. The Fire Department and the Union is looking for about 4% per year
so we are not talking about the whole 4%; what we are talking about is just the difference, really what we
are debating is just the difference between what the Fire Department is looking for and what the City has
been willing to negotiate for other Union, which is a much smaller number than some of the ones that we
have received throughout this process.
The other thing I’ll say is that | think every year we have tough Budget cycles since — you know — this is the
third time that I’ve been through the Budget on the Board of Aldermen and each year we hear there are
expenses that are coming from either Concord pushed down on to us or unexpected expenses like the
healthcare costs. Each year the City to the Mayor’s credit, to Mr. Griffin’s credit, to Alderman Dowd’s credit
and everyone else who is on the Budget Committee. Everyone works together to craft a Budget which is
reasonable, which maintains services and which provides for everything that taxpayers in the City need.
So | have faith that even if we pass or even when we pass this contract for the Fire Fighters, that we will be
able to continue to work on Budgets that are fair to both our employees and to the taxpayers in the City of
Nashua. So | hope that people will look at this, especially after the conversation that we just had regarding
the contingency funds. | hope that they will be able to support this, pass this contract tonight and let the
Fire Fighters know that we appreciate them and we are willing to do what is right and fair and in their favor.
Thank you.
President Wilshire
The motion is for final passage of Resolution 20-041. Further discussion? Alderman Klee?
Alderman Klee
Thank you Madam President, | want to echo what Alderman Tencza said. | have been on the Board now,
this is my second term and | agree. Each year there is always something that is coming down. This year it
is the devastating COVID. And the shifting of the retirement system costs and so on: it is always going to
be something. | know that there was expressions used “if not now, when”. But | remember last year when
we were talking about the Budget itself and | sat right next to Chief Rhodes as he was talking about
accepting cuts if necessary and that he would work with whatever Budget he was given. And there were
some cuts and | remember him saying, “next year we can’t do it, next year we can’t do it”. Well then the
next year rolls around and we have COVID.
We did make them whole in the Budget and | appreciate Alderman Clemons stepping up and all of working
to try to get that to happen. | don’t think we can punish the Firefighters, | should say any employee just
because of what’s going on. At the same time, | don’t want to see the taxes go up, | don’t want to hurt our
taxpayers and our residents. But sometimes we have to do the right thing and | think passing this contract
is the right thing.
President Wilshire
Anyone else? Alderman Schmidt?
Alderman Schmidt
Thank you, Madam President. When you talk to citizens about what is important in the Budget they don’t
talk about the little things, they talk about the big things. And the big thing right now that we are dealing
with is the Fireman’s Contract. And it’s hard because it’s big but it is essential. And Alderman Tencza was
right, you know, every year there’s something else that comes down that is pressure on the City. | don’t
think there’s anything that could be pressure enough to make me vote against this budget of this particular
contract. It is fair, itis needed and it’s timely. It has my vote, thank you.
