Board of Aldermen — 4/25/17 Page 10
of the safe stations that we have enjoyed so far as solving the problem when in reality we’re just holding the
line against it. Addiction is a very large problem in our community and in our state at-large. Our city is very
vulnerable to it. We offer a large array of services that people are drawn to, and there’s a lot of different people
that are struggling with different challenges here in Nashua. So, it is important for us to remember that this is
an ongoing issue. We can’t let our guard down, and we need to make sure that we are giving our citizens the
best opportunities to make positive decisions. | think it also has a lot of long-term benefits because every
person that we can move toward recovery now is a person we don’t need to worry about continuing or
perpetuating addiction in others later on. | also want to acknowledge that the police department has been very
reactively involved too with the Granite Hammer side of response to this. | think we have a good balance here
in Nashua of supporting recovery programs, but also supporting enforcement.
Alderman Cookson
Without letting it go by, | did want to speak briefly about the Board of Public Works. While | haven’t seen
what’s happened, a concern is raised. | do know Commissioner Pappas. | was on the Board of Public Works
as their liaison prior to 2010. I’m happy that Alderman Siegel is able to play that role now. | think he is doing a
quite fine job doing that. So, | hear Commissioner Pappas. | hear Alderman Siegel. To me, there is an issue,
there is a concern. I’m not trying to determine who is correct, who is right, who’s wrong, but | think something
needs to happen.
Maybe Mayor Donchess, as Chair of the Board of Public Works, you have a leadership role, not just as chair
but as Mayor, maybe there’s an opportunity for you to engage and try to get to the root cause and truly
understand what it is because at the end of the day what we want to have happen is that the Board of Public
Works function efficiently and effectively and appropriately. There’s really no need for a group as small as the
Board of Public Works with five members plus the aldermanic liaison that we shouldn’t be able to function
respectfully. | don’t Know what the issue is, but | would certainly reach out to you, Mayor, and ask with your
guidance that you try to make it a functional and a respectful forum. Thank you.
President McCarthy
| will just point out that | did, in fact, receive a communication from Commissioner Pappas asking me to replace
Alderman Siegel as the liaison. | have no intention of doing that because | believe Alderman Siegel’s
participation on the Board of Public Works as our liaison is extremely valuable to the City. | consulted with the
city attorney as to the situation and | did choose to talk to Alderman Siegel about it and showed him the email
that sent to me, which | would likely do for anybody about whom | received a complaint.
It’s not up to us to stick our nose into the operation of the Board of Public Works. They are a separately
elected body who operate under their own rules under the Nashua Charter. The Mayor serves as the Chair of
that Board. | have known the Mayor to be an extremely effective Chair of committees over the years and
would expect that he is doing what is proper when conducting the business of that board. | would point out that
they have rules that are the same as ours that allow for the raising of points of order and the appeal of rulings
of the Chair to the body when necessary. Those are the remedies that should be sought here. As far as | am
concerned, we will move on from here with the relationship of the Board of Public Works.
| would ask that anyone on this Board be respectful of people who come and speak to us. | know that
sometimes it is difficult to do, but we should all just listen politely to what is said and then respond by
addressing the issues that are brought up, rather than the anger that may be expressed when people are at
the microphone.
| would also like to express my condolences to the Tollner family for their loss this week.
Alderman O’Brien
| just want to change gears a little bit. This Board has thanked in the past like, for example, the public works
for their wonderful job when they plow the streets during adverse conditions. It seems recently we woke up
