Graham, Donna
Subject: FW: 0-21-076
From: Ed Lecius
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2021 8:38 AM
To: Board of Aldermen <BOA@nashuanh.gov>
Cec: Graham, Donna <GrahamD@nashuanh.gov>
Subject: 0-21-076
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As a former chair of the Nashua Fire Commission, former co-director of Emergency Management
for the city and retired Community Policing Coordinator, I am writing in opposition to O-21-076.
The initial allowance for sidewalk dining for the downtown restaurants to help them come out of
the pandemic was a good idea. The expansion and the proposal in the Ordinance isn't.
It isn't for a number of reasons. First, many times this past year I have seen out-of-town ambulances
as well as AMR, NFR and NPD emergency vehicles delayed as they attempted to reach SNHMC
and answer other emergency calls, not only because of the expanded barriers but add to the single
lane in each direction the crossing islands in the middle of Main Street and you have a situation
where motorists are forced into violating the state's move over law because they don't have
anywhere to move. Add to this, the delays caused with construction work at the PAC and you have
a serious problem.
Whether it's AMR or an out-of-town ALS unit, minutes and seconds can make the difference in life
or death!
The second issue is, while the city has attempted to help the restaurants, what have they done to
other small businesses in downtown? Barber shops, jewelery stores, clothing stores, gift stores,
print shops. The list goes on, but these small business people have been hurt and have lost business
because people don't want to deal with reduced Main Street parking and let's be honest, many
seniors are afraid to use the parking garages.
I ask you to table this Ordinance. Why the rush? Didn't you learn anything from ramming the
police commission issue thru? Also, I believe the residents spoke loud and clear in November and
want change. Why not let the new BOA deal with this?
This Ordinance calls for a three year time frame. That exceeds by a year the current term of the
Mayor. This proposal needs more work and you need to listen to the small business people in
downtown.
