LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2021
RESOLUTION: R-21-143
PURPOSE: Proposing an amendment to the City Charter relative to the
manner of appointment of the Nashua Police Commission.
SPONSOR(S): Mayor Jim Donchess
Alderman Thomas Lopez
Alderman Brandon M. Laws
Alderwomen Shoshanna Kelly
Alderwoman Patricia Klee
Alderwoman Jan Schmidt
COMMITTEE
ASSIGNMENT: Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee
FISCAL NOTE: The City Clerk estimates the cost associated with a charter
amendment as approximately $200 during a regular municipal
election.
ANALYSIS
This Resolution would submit to the voters a proposed amendment to the City Charter providing
for appointment of police commissioners by the mayor and the president of the board of
aldermen with the approval of the board of aldermen.
The procedure for charter amendments is set forth in RSA 49-B:5. The Board of Aldermen must
hold an initial vote to determine if the amendment is “necessary”. If the amendment is
determined to be necessary, the Board of Aldermen must order that notice be given for a public
hearing on the amendment. Notice of the public hearing must be published in a newspaper of
general circulation at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled hearing. The notice must
contain the text of the proposed amendment and a brief explanation.
Within seven (7) days after the public hearing, the Board of Aldermen shall file with the City
Clerk a report containing the proposed amendment. Within ten (10) days of filing, the City Clerk
files a certified copy of the report to the secretary of state, the attorney general, and the
commissioner of the department of revenue administration pursuant to RSA 49-B:4-a. Within
seven (7) days after receiving approval from the secretary of state, the attorney general, and the
commissioner of the department of revenue administration, the Board of Aldermen may vote to
order the proposed amendment to be placed on a ballot at the next regular municipal election.
