Board of Aldermen — 3/21/17 Page 17
we were pretty transparent in what we were doing and what our reasoning was. Every line that was changed
had discussion and dialogue associated with it. Particularly, | was focused on making sure we clarified any
language that was referencing state laws that were no longer in effect. There’s one tiny application that | am
vaguely concerned where someone could take a larger building and decide in a unique circumstance they
could profit by offering less unit. That was described as very rare so it’s not really an objection that | have. |
can’t speak to what the intentions were when it was created, but | do know that the process ensured that it was
something that was in Nashua’s best interest.
Alderman Clemons
| was not going to support this right up to the very end for a lot of the same reasons that were discussed here
this evening. There was a paragraph, Paragraph B,3, which would have restricted these kind of developments
to non-residential areas which | thought would have been overly restricted. We went back to the original
language that was in the ordinance and is the reason why | am going to now support it because essentially it is
no more restrictive or less restrictive than it was before. It does update the language and gets it in line with the
current state law. For that reason, | will support it.
Alderman Cookson
| want to understand how this came to us. It is my understanding, and correct me if | am wrong, through you to
Attorney Bolton, my understanding is that Attorney Westgate forwarded to Corporation Counsel some
suggested verbiage or language with regard to this legislation.
Attorney Bolton
There was a lot of discussion between myself and Attorney Westgate. But! think he brought his suggestions
to the Planning & Economic Development Committee. | would say that would be more accurate than to say he
brought them to me.
Alderman Cookson
I’m sorry, | didn’t hear that last...
Attorney Bolton
| think it would be more accurate to say that Attorney Westgate brought his suggestions to the Planning &
Economic Development Committee initially. Thereafter, they may have been some discussions between he
and | about making sure that the amendments that the committee intended to make were carried out correctly
and no wording got changed or missed, etc.
Alderman Cookson
| think it was Mayor Donchess who indicated maybe it was in his opening comments that Attorney Westgate,
I’m not sure who said it, | don’t want to attribute, but what | heard was Attorney Westgate represents many of
the developers for these developments.
Attorney Bolton
He has represented some of the developers who have done this sort of project. | think it’s probably true that
there are some developers out there interested in doing other similar types of projects that he either does
represent or may represent in the future.
