There was one Special Board of Aldermen meeting held on June 7, which most
Nashuans never even knew was occurring, to initially discuss the resolution. Even
at this meeting there were strongly opposing positions voiced, and information
prompting further review was presented to the Board.
On July 6, a Special Board of Aldermen/Personnel Subcommittee meeting was
held and, at that meeting, after more discussion, the board UNANIMOUSLY voted
to table the resolution and create a study committee to explore all the potential
impacts carefully... this even included the original proponents of the resolution.
However, even after this meeting, the Mayor himself, as well as some of his
supporters, have been going door to door and outside local spots like the Nashua
landfill and Greeley Park attempting to get a petition signed to put the resolution
on the ballot this November, a few short months from now! This action was
clearly in opposition to the direction of the Personnel Subcommittee; and
definitely too quick to create a study committee and properly dissect the
underlying impacts of passing this resolution. The Mayor declined to participate in
the study committee, and the effort to put this on the low voter turnout, off-year
November bailot continues.
The Police Department and several aldermen have also called for public
discussion of the issue as the appropriate method to understand the issue and its
potential impact.
So, as leaders in the business community and the greater community, we request
the following:
- Withdraw the current petition and re-write the resolution to instead
involve the creation of a formal study committee
- Create the study committee to include aldermen, police, and both
community & business leaders
