Special Board of Aldermen 06-07-2021 Page 5
Regarding the fiscal responsibility of the current system. It has been presented that one of the reasons
behind this move is because the police department with commission approval has come in each year with a
budget that is above the cost of living which leads to a much higher tax rate. That statement doesn’t cover
the whole story. When contracts are negotiated, they usually cover a multi-year period usually three years.
The contracts are negotiated with the City’s Corporate Counsel present every step of the way. They’re
reviewed and approved by the Commission who has input throughout the process. The contracts then go
through the same system as every contract in the city. They must be approved by you the aldermen and
alderwomen. Some have passed and some have failed as part of the process. Each year the department
is given recommended increases to the budget from the previous year. If for example the police
department tis asked to come in at a zero percent increase, the reality is that is a cut in services after
contractual obligations are met even though those were previously agreed to. It is the responsible thing to
do for me to inform the city government what that change would look like. This year for example a zero
percent increase would only be achieved with the layoff of approximately 10 of our newest officers. Those
ten officers by the way are some of the most diverse officers this department has ever hired. | believe each
of you would be disappointed if | chose to layoff each of those employees and never informed any of you of
what that consequence was.
Instead, we’ve continued to meet and develop a strategy which will be proposed next week that will bring
us not only within the current request but will assist in funding next year’s budget. Regardless of what
happens, we have always stated that we will come in on budget no matter what that number is but we owe
it to everyone to show exactly what that would look like. It’s also important to note that each month we
meet with the commission in a public meeting. There are usually one to two aldermen and alderwomen
present at each of these meetings where they are able to ask questions and listen to the operations of the
department. The minutes for each meeting are posted on line after being approved. The Nashua Police
Department also posts our yearly goals and objectives and our five-year plan. We are very transparent and
willing to answer any questions or concerns our citizens may have.
In closing, | want you to know that | believe this proposal is not good for the City of Nashua or the Nashua
Police Department. It brings in local political influence to an accredited agency that is able to be
accountable yet independent to local political influence. Statements made about this change making us a
better police department are just not true. No one has been able to explain how this would make us better
other than giving more power and control to local influence. It would undermine our ability to effectively run
this organization as well as we have for the past 30 years. If you respect your police department which has
been an instrumental institution in having Nashua voted one of the best cities to live, then please do not
consider voting for this change. Thank you very much to everyone for your time tonight. As always, please
feel free to call me or e-mail with any questions or concerns. Thank you.
Chairman Caron
Thank you Chief.
Chairman Tollner would you like to add to the Chief's comments. Thank you.
Commissioner Jim Tollner
Thank you for the opportunity to speak. | will be brief.
The Nashua Police Commission works diligently to ensure that the Nashua PD is a well-run and respected
department making Nashua a safe place to live and raise a family. I’ve been on both sides of this issue —
as a Police Commissioner and as an Alderman and my opinion has never wavered. An independent
commission is best for Nashua.
Regarding the secret process, not the case. There is always an opportunity to speak with any sitting
Governor. Former administrations, past Mayors have absolutely had conversations opposing candidates
