Graham, Donna
From: Linda Piche
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2022 11:34 AM
Ta: Board of Aldermen
Ce: Graham, Donna; Cummings, Tim
Subject: Downtown Nashua Barriers
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Good morning,
I work at a law firm in downtown Nashua on East Pearl Street (and am a resident of Nashua as well) and wanted
to make my opinion known regarding the barriers placed on Main Street and East Pearl St. during March-
November. It is my understanding that there is an upcoming Board of Alderman meeting, and that during this
meeting there will be discussion and a vote on extending the barriers for three years.
I can understand and support the reasons why the barriers were put up in 2020 to allow the restaurants to expand
their outdoor seating areas. However, this past year they created many traffic issues and other problems for
downtown businesses. There is very little parking on Main Street for both the restaurants and other
businesses. As a result of the barriers, there is so much traffic congestion - almost every day between March
and November I would sit in traffic through several light cycles as a result of the four lanes being reduced to
two lanes. It is a huge safety issue as well, in terms of getting fire trucks and emergency vehicles
through. Luckily, the Main Street area has not had any catastrophic events during this time period, but if they
did, the barriers would greatly impede any progress they would make.
The restaurants that are currently open on Main Street have plenty of sidewalk areas for their outdoor dining
during the summer months. I completely support that. But to continue to place the barriers on Main Street and
surrounding streets (especially for three more years!!), and reduce the traffic lanes on Main Street would create
so much difficulty for the other businesses as well as for people who work here or would like to shop
downtown. Please consider this my vote, both as a resident and a person who works in downtown Nashua,
against placing the barriers on Main Street.
Thank you!
Best regards,
Linda M. Piche
Linda M. Piche
Clancy & O'Neill, P.A.
