REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 18, 2017
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. in the
Aldermanic Chamber.
Mayor Jim Donchess, Chairman, presided.
Members of the Committee present: Alderman-at-Large Mark S. Cookson, Vice Chair, Arrived after Roll Call
Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire
Alderman-at-Large Michael B. O’Brien
Alderman Benjamin M. Clemons
Alderman June M. Caron
Alderman Ken Siegel
Also in Attendance: Dan Kooken, Purchasing Manager
PUBLIC COMMENT
COMMUNICATIONS
From: Dan Kooken, Purchasing Manager
Re: Purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Replacement (Value: $14,100)
MOTION BY ALDERMAN SIEGEL TO ACCEPT, PLACE ON FILE AND AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE
FROM BERGERON PROTECTIVE CLOTHING IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,100. FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE
IN DEPARTMENT 152, FIRE; GENERAL FUND
ON THE QUESTION
Alderman O’Brien
This is a very important purchase in my opinion. Firefighters get into some heck of messes. I’ve had the
experience before. The threat of cancers that are out there in fighting fires with firefighters. Stuff like this, gear
washers, are extremely important. It cleans the gear.
Brian Rhodes, Asst. Fire Chief
Through the gracious support of the Board of Aldermen and the citizens of Nashua, we currently have five of
these. They are called extractors. They are commercial grade washing machines that we wash our personal
protective clothing which | come before you whenever we need to purchase that. Each set of this personal
protective equipment costs approximately $2,000 apiece. We try to maintain that for a ten-year lifespan.
Currently five of the six fire stations have this appliance. With the addition of the Spit Brook Fire Station, where
we have room now to put this in, this is why we would like to have that. An example, just the other day the fire
on New Searles Road, the firefighters from Spit Brook Road were at that fire. They had to go back to the
station, put their gear in a trash bag, drive over to the Conant Road Fire Station because that’s the closest one.
That kind of left the south end uncovered for a little bit. This is really going to help all of the citizens of Nashua,
but it is really going to help our employees. As Alderman O’Brien said, cancer is a huge concern today. We
really thank you for your support and hope you vote for this in the affirmative. It’s a good thing. Thank you.
MOTION CARRIED
