Board of Aldermen — 6/27/17 Page 8
The money that we get from the city, which | am the one that sponsors that, goes for the upgrades,
maintenance and repairs of a building that is over ten years old. Wlhtout that, we would be making phone calls
to have the city come over and look at what needed to be done. The first year we got the $25,000 we painted.
Just painting made the members happy to see the changes. | think it is very unfair. We raised about $300,000
for the center. That is for programs and to pay for staff, utiltiies and things like that. | think it is unfair for
remarks to be made like that for no reason.
| thank Mr. Broderick for stepping up and speaking. | Know some of the staff people wanted to come, but we
told them that we would make that notation, and we would hope that the alderman would understand what their
concerns were because we have been working in a very positive place for the last six years. Thank you.
Alderman Siegel
| would echo my colleague Alderman Caron’s concerns. It mystifies me why such a highly leverage
organization, such as the Senior Center, which clearly is almost like a lifeline for a number of people, would be
the target of this type of article for an amount of $25,000. If there was some sort of serious amount of funding
where there was a shortfall and this was constantly going on, | woiuld say that would be a big problem. They
did have problems in the past and they took active steps to right those problems. | think going forward they are
doing quite well. The membership seems to be very, very happy about that and it is a very important
membership. Again, | agree with all the remarks that were said.
Alderman LeBrun
| would just like to mention that this morning the Governor at 11:00 a.m. signed into law House Bill 629, which
is commonly known as the Grandparents bill. What that bill does basically is “If a parent's substance abuse or
dependence is the basis for the guardianship petition, the court shall give a preference to any grandparent of
the minor who seeks appointment as guardian of the person or the estate, or both, for the minor.” This is the
first in the nation bill. So far | believe it’s 19 other states that are looking into passing this exact same
legislation. Thank you.
Alderman Lopez
I'd like to express my graditude to everybody who helped organize the Tree Streets Block Party. It went off
very, very well including residents Kenneth and Nicole Blaha and other non-profit organziations from around
the community such as Habitat for Humanity and Partnership for Successful Living and Nashua PAL and
NeighborWorks. It was a great time and a real celebrtation of what makes the tree streets strong, so | was
very happy to be part of it.
| also would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Jacob Wallace who passed away
shortly before it. Jacob was very well known in the community, not necessarily solmebody who is going to get
a Statute or a bridge but he was known. He spoke to people when they walked passed the trail. He struggled,
but he will be missed.
Committee announcements:
Alderwoman Melizzi-Golja
Strategic Planning is scheduled for July 13 and PEDC wil not meet on the 4'". Their meeting in July waith be
July 18. Also on July 14-16 at Sandy Pond, the US Vintage Model Yacht National Regatta will be held.
There’s two classes of radio controlled vintage model yachts from the 1920s to the 1960s. They anticipate
there will be at least 20 participants. It’s a first for Nashua to have this event.
