REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
JUNE 16, 2021
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber.
Linda Harriott-Gathright, Acting Chairman, presided.
The roll call was taken with 5 members of the Finance Committee present: Alderwoman Elizabeth Lu (in chamben),
Alderwoman-at-Large Shoshanna Kelly (via Zoom), Alderman-at-Large Brandon Michael Laws (in chamber), Alderman-at-
Large Michael B. O’Brien, Sr. (in chamber), and Alderman Linda Harriott-Gathright (in chamber),
Members not in Attendance: Alderman Patricia Klee was recorded absent.
Alderman O’Brien
The Clerk does have a question to Alderman Shoshanna Kelly.
Alderman Kelly
I’m sorry. I’m here, I’m alone, and | can hear you. I’m sorry, | normally say that.
Alderman O’Brien
Thank you Alderman, appreciate it.
Also in Attendance: John Griffin, CFO/Comptroller
David Fredette, Treasurer/Tax Collector
Kim Kleiner, Administrative Services Director
Kelly Parkinson, Purchasing Manager
Tim Cummings, Economic Development Director
Steve Bolton, Corporation Counsel
Amy DeRoche, Hunts Memorial Bldg. & Arts Administrator
Nick Miseirvitch, Deputy Director of IT
Chairman Harriott-Gathright
Is there anyone from the public that wish to have a comment? Please state your name and address.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Laura Colquhoun
Laura Colquhoun — | live at 30 Greenwood Drive. I’m calling in tonight to say that | strongly disagree with the city in
charging the tax abatement appeals consulting contract to the general fund account. It appears that the City of Nashua
does not want the Nashua residents to know how much money of our tax dollars are going back to both the residential
and commercial property owners on abatements. Now the city is trying to put through assessing expenses through the
general fund. Talk about hiding expenses from the Nashua residents.
In 2011 there was an account that residents could clearly see to tell them how much money was being returned on
abatements. However, the city no longer shows this line item. If a resident wants to get the information, a resident must
file a Right-to-Know and we all know that our Legal Department does not like to answer Right-to-Know requests. By
chance, a resident found out this year by going through expenditure reports that large sums of tax money was being
returned for abatements and now the city is trying to slip through regular expenses into the general fund when this should
be charged to assessing.
Also looking over the list attached to the agenda tonight, some of these accounts have already received their abatements.
Nashua taxpayers are currently paying Vision and our own assessors to do the job of assessing and now this bill comes
up for more help in assessing and the city wants to bury it. | do not object to the bill, however, | object to the fact the city
is hiding it from taxpayers. This bill is for assessing and that’s where it should be charged. Nashua residents did not
know that we’ve already paid $20,000 for consulting fee in assessing because the city swept into general funds. This
