Board of Aldermen 06-11-2019 Page 17
| think we have been fair to both the Fire and the Police Department. Both are highly performing
departments, they are recognized regionally as leaders. There have been new fire trucks, there have
been increases in individual compensation, in the number of dispatch agents. And that is well-earned too.
Our Fire Department has done amazing work with not only the Safe Station Program but in maintaining its
response time to different fires and emergencies. They are recognized as a regional training leader.
Same as for our Police, the entire State of New Hampshire is in the grips of what was being called the
opioid crisis at the time and Nashua is holding its own and is making arrests when it needs to. Its Police
Department is not so hurried that they can’t take the time to talk to children. | just saw an intervention
happening on Canal Street a couple days ago where | was impressed that the officers were entertaining
children and family members while the officer was interviewing a parent so as to not create a negative
impression. They take the time to hand out stickers to play basketball in the community, to do things that
matter because they are not just in it for the job, they are doing an outstanding job. And | think we also
recognized, much too late, that they needed infrastructure improvements too. That’s something that we
are tackling too. So | think we are recognizing the needs of the Fire Department and the Police
Department. | do agree with Alderman Clemons with regards to an arbitrary number guiding our
decisions, but | think this number, this 3% was conceived because of the State issues that were brought
up earlier, the insurance and the need for an assessment. Both of those conditions had to come into play
to impact our budget. And the 3% was created and it definitely didn’t go unchallenged; Alderman Dowd
went and made absolutely sure we were able to meet need when we saw it while at the same time staying
under a goal. | think that’s good budgeting, | think the discussion here has been very productive. We
haven't all agreed 100% on any particular point but | mean we are politicians, there’s a number of us fora
reason. It’s not just pick a number and then go for it. There has to be this discussion; there has to be
disagreement. So | appreciate what Alderman Clemons is trying to do. | won’t support an additional
amendment, but | do want to voice my support for his intent.
President Wilshire
| agree Alderman Lopez; | think his intent is great. However, | can’t support it either. Further discussion
on the amendment to add $100,000.00 to the Fire Department and $113,000.00 to the Police Department.
Further discussion on that amendment?
A Viva Voce Roll Call was taken, which resulted as follows:
Yea: Alderman Clemons 1
Nay: Alderman O’Brien, Alderman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Dowd
Alderman Klee, Alderman Laws, Alderman Lopez, Alderman Caron,
Alderwoman Kelly, Alderman Jette, Alderwoman Melizzi-Golja
Alderman Tencza, Alderman Schmidt, Alderman Wilshire 13
MOTION FAILED
President Wilshire
The motion before us is for final passage of Resolution 19-123 as amended. Further discussion on that?
Yea: Alderman O’Brien, Alderman Harriott-Gathright, Alderman Dowd
Alderman Klee, Alderman Laws, Alderman Lopez, Alderman Caron,
Alderwoman Kelly, Alderman Jette, Alderwoman Melizzi-Golja
Alderman Tencza, Alderman Schmidt, Alderman Wilshire 13
Nay: Alderman Clemons 1
MOTION CARRIED
