The Need for More Uniformed Police Officers
Does Not Justify Giving Big Raises to Civilians
If inadequate pay for uniformed police officers is a reason that the Police
Department is not at full complement, then providing above the cost of living
wages to civilian employees does not help, but hurts in solving this problem.
Nashua’s Health Care Costs Are Rising 20%, or $6 Million Over Just 2 years
We are in a time when health care costs are a state of instability across the nation.
Nashua is not immune from this instability.
VETO MESSAGE
I have vetoed R-18-102, which is a union contract covering about 16 civilian
employees submitted by the Police Commission to the Board of Aldermen. J will
call R-18-102 the “Civilian Contract”. It was approved by the Board of Aldermen
on December 23, 2019.
Board of Aldermen
City of Nashua
229 Main Street
Nashua, NH 03061-2019
(603) 589-3030
Lori Wilshire
President, Board of Aldermen
December 30, 2019
Susan K. Lovering, City Clerk
City of Nashua ;
229 Main Street
Nashua, NH 03061-2019
Dear Ms. Lovering:
CEES erry 3 Ce rece
RP ey te “=
vo SOLE pao
SPECIAL BOARD OF ALDERMEN
JANUARY 2, 2020
7:00 p.m. Aldermanic Chamber
PRESIDENT LORI WILSHIRE CALLS ASSEMBLY TO ORDER
PRAYER OFFERED BY CITY CLERK SUSAN K. LOVERING
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG LED BY ALDERMAN-AT-LARGE DAVID C. TENCZA
ROLL CALL
COMMUNICATIONS
From: Lori Wilshire, President, Board of Aldermen
Re: Special Board of Aldermen Meeting
From: Jim Donchess, Mayor
Re: Veto of R-18-102
UNFINISHED BUSINESS — RESOLUTIONS
Board of Aldermen 1-02-2020 Page 10
So part of my was like “Well I’m only getting 1.6 why should they get 3?” But just because | only get 1.6
doesn’t mean somebody else doesn’t deserve something better and more. They are hardworking
employees and there are 16 of them. And if it is $10,000.00 more, | think every penny counts. So | don’t
want to say $10,000.00 is only a little bit of money because it is $10,000.00 here and $10,000.00 there.
Board of Aldermen 1-02-2020 Page 9
and retaining Police Officers who are not covered under this contract. But really for me the reason that |
think that we should just approve this tonight is because as | look at the numbers for what the salary
increases would be per year, the difference between a 2% increase for these 16 employees versus a 3%
increase for the employees which the contract offers them is about $10,000.00 per year, a little over
$10,000.00 per year.
Board of Aldermen 1-02-2020 Page 8
What | don’t support is the ability of employees to cash out that unused sick leave. | think if you are sick,
you should use the sick leave; if you are lucky enough not to be sick, | don’t think you should be able to
cash that out. It’s like an insurance policy, if your house burns down unfortunately the insurance comes in
and pays to rebuild the house. If your house doesn’t burn down, the insurance company doesn’t pay you a
bonus for your house not burning down. That’s the way | view this benefit for our employees.
Board of Aldermen 1-02-2020 Page 7
Steve Bolton, Corporation Counsel
Back on the table is the wrong expression, it would be more proper to say “back on the floor” or “back
before the Board of Aldermen for its consideration”. Tabled is where things are put pending further action
at another time. So there was just a misuse of the phrase, but essentially the explanation was correct.
Alderman Jette
Ok thank you.
President Wilshire
Board of Aldermen 1-02-2020 Page 6
| think that is very reasonable, | have tried very hard to work with all of you to value your wishes, and to be
fiscally responsible to the City of Nashua. | very much admire the Mayor, | agree with the programs he puts
forward. | am more than willing to work with him on anything he does. | want to thank you very much for
your time, | appreciate it. Have a great New Year.
COMMUNICATIONS
From: Lori Wilshire, President, Board of Aldermen
Re: Special Board of Aldermen Meeting
