Finance Committee — 08/18/2021 Page 7
that’s all done by committee and it may take about two years to get this change through as law. We're going to
write the law this September. It’s a process and we're doing the process.
| think we're jipping ourselves down here in Nashua when we have a Mayor, some aldermen, and figureheads
— leadership people pushing a petition. This is not really a citizen’s petition and anyone who says everyone
has the right to push a petition, that’s true but when it’s your Mayor who is doing it, you're a figurehead. You’re
aleader. When you're going door to door, people may be assuming that it had adequate vetting. There was
adequate discussion. Thatthe facts are being laid out the way they should be. | don’t think that’s really the
case and you have a higher level of influence sitting as a figurehead than a general citizen who brings forth the
petition. |came to this Board of Aldermen and asked if they would back a petition change for the Board of
Assessors to require that all assessing board members living...
Alderman Harriott-Gathright
Thirty seconds.
Laurie Ortolano
...in the City of Nashua. It received no attention at all or acknowedgement. Now that would be a case mere
as a citizen | could go out and ask for signatures and bring it forward because | tried to work with the Board.
There was no acknowledgement and | could do it separately but you have not been willing to work with the
Board Mr. Mayor. You were not willing to work on the subcommittee and you're jamming this through as a
power grab over financial issues. Thatis really the wrong reason to do it and you’re doing the wrong Charter
change. The change should be for a city manager. You're in the right church but you're in the wrong pew
here. When you compare us to Dover who has a City Manager...
Alderman Harriott-Gathright
Your time is up Ms. Ortolano.
Laurie Ortolano
...and that with a $400 million budget has a mayor. Let’s work on the correct Charter change. Thank you.
Mayor Donchess
Any other members of the public who wish to address the committee?
REMARKS BY THE ALDERMEN
Alderman O’Brien
| would like to welcome our youngest member over here that’s diligently and watched this meeting and
welcome to the chamber. | know you’re wth Grandma so that’s fantastic. You can say hello.
Unidentified Female Speaker
Hi.
Mayor Donchess
All right. Any other remarks by Aldermen?
NON-PUBLIC SESSION - None
