Board of Aldermen 08-09-2022 Page 4
The Zoom and other web based platforms are effective engagement tools used in public meetings by cities and States all
over this nation. Remote participation is the best way to keep our public engaged. New Hampshire's Right to Know laws
support the use of Zoom to expand the mechanism for public participation. Our neighbor to the south, the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, has enacted legislation to allow Zoom to be used in all of their public meetings. The decision to shut
down Zoom participation for our residents will disenfranchise those residents with mobility, health concerns, the working
public, even those with small children who can't attend these meetings in person. For example, | was planning to speak
with you today in person but because | tested positive for COVID over the weekend | appreciate this opportunity to
address you remotely and not putting anyone at risk and City Hall. These technical issues are just an excuse and the
costs to make any improvements are nominal, if any. With a city of this size...
Donna Graham, Legislative Affairs Manager
One minute.
Matthew Gouthro
...we should not have crippling issues with Zoom. | conduct Zoom meetings in my professional role with hundreds of
people on a weekly basis. If our IT Department can handle a turnkey product like Zoom, I'm afraid to even ask how our
public records are being archived.
At the end of the day, I'm a big fan of open government and appreciate anytime we can give engagement tools to our
residents to participate in what's happening in our great city.
Donna Graham, Legislative Affairs Manager
30 seconds.
Matthew Gouthro
| wish more of our representatives on the Board of Aldermen felt the same way. Too many times I've seen opportunities
for public comment, debated, and even disallowed. For me, one time is too many. These self-serving attitudes when it
comes to public engagement has no place in representing the will of the people of this great city. | humbly request that
you take this engagement tool and keep it here with our residents. Consider keeping our city government here in Nashua
open and transparent. Thank you for your consideration and continued support of our residents here in Nashua
Tim Sennott
Hi, can you hear me all right.
President Wilshire
Yes.
Tim Sennott
Thank you. Tim Sennott, 62 Underhill Street in Nashua. | also mentioned tonight that I'm the Moderator of Ward 7. The
reason | mentioned that is because over the past month, we've had the two largest governmental bodies in the city - the
Board of Aldermen and the Board of Education, have to take it upon themselves to conduct a process to replace members
of the Board where vacancies have arisen. Once upon a time, this would be done via a special election but a couple of
years ago, it was the determined and agreed upon by majority of city voters that this was too costly of an expenditure
given the amount of turnout. | bring this up because as a Moderator who conducts the elections in our city, I'm in
excessive favor of anything that encourages increased participation in the government processes that affect our city. You
know | do agree that $35,000 for a special election for 157 people in one Ward to show out is a little excessive. I'd like it
to be continued but unfortunately the turnout for the cost is too low.
However if there's a silver lining from the COVID pandemic, | think that it has been the ability to use the technology at our
disposal in the 2020s to increase the public participation in what goes on at City Hall. | think whatever expenditures might
be needed to increase that participation or continue that increased participation be very worthwhile endeavors for the City
to pursue. | understand that there are some management issues at play in terms of the special skills needed to facilitate
these Zoom meetings as they’re broadcast on the public access television.
