Board of Aldermen — 6/27/17 Page 7
PERIOD FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Mike Broderick, 8 Boxwood Court, Nashua
The article in the recent Nashua Magazine reflects an inaccurate assessment of the Nashua Senior Actiivity
Center. | am a member of the Board of Directors, and not only the Board but the Executive Director and the
staff over the last number of years have tiredlessly worked to change the perception of the center. This article
by a member of the Board of Aldermen displays an inaccurate assessment of the center. | am extremely upset
that a member of the Board did not take the time or do th research before writing an article which incorrectly
states that the center may not survive without regular support from the city budget. | would remind this
alderman that the city owns the property and the $25,000 the center receives from the city is only used for the
maikntenance of the building. All our programs and events are supported by fundraisers and private
donations. | believe we have succeeded in altering the center’s perception. | wonder if this alderman has ever
visited the center. His article not only undermines the work that the staff does but also, in my opinion, reflects
his indifference to the seniors of the city. | am repounced and dismayed by this article. As a representative of
the city, it shows a deficiency in his knowledge of the expenditure of the $25,000. | request a retraction in the
news media and urge this alderman to put the benefits of the city above his political agenda. Thank you.
REMARKS BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
Alderman Clemons
It comes with a heavyheart tonight that | am announcing that | am not running for re-election in the upcoming
year. | have had the pleasure to serve on the Board of Aldermen now for almost six years, and it’s truly and
honestly been a pleasure. Nashua is a place that has always been home to me. | was born here; | went to
school here. | have own two homes here. And, it is hopefully where | can begin a family as well. | recently
took a position in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It has been tough for me to commute back and forth and
balance the duties of the city along with my family. So with that being said, it was not an easy decision for me
to make but | believe it is the right one for me. | just wanted to say it has been an honor to serve with all of you
and the next six months will be my final months on the Board of Aldermen. Thank you.
Alderman Dowd
| just got back from a trip to Europe. | visited four countries and many small and large towns. | was amazed at
how clean all of their streets and highways and railways were as well as everywhere you looked there were
flowers. It was very nice. Their infrastructure is lightyears ahead of us. You don’t see any rusted bridges over
there. You don’t see any railroads that are not well maintained. It’s something that we ought to strive for.
When | came back and looked at all the new flowers on Main Street, | was impressed that we were at least
heading in the right direction.
President McCarthy
l’ll say this: There are no trains that are cleaner than the ones we have in Nashua.
Alderman Caron
|, too, wanted to speak briefly about the article that was in the Nashua Magazine. It was concerning your
opinion on the Arts Center. | could not understand why someone would make a statement that without the
$25,000 the city has generously given the Senior Center over the last three years would cause them to go
under. The staff emailed me. They were very upset about this because they felt that it was an insult to the
three people that work there, the Board, and the 1500 plus members that participate at the Senior Center five
days a week.
