Nashua residents really need to start looking at what our mayor and Board of Aldermen are doing with our tax dollars.
We want to thank Laura Colquhoun for this Op-Ed. If you have an Op-Ed or LTE
you want us to consider, please submit it to skip@ or steve@granitegrok.com.
In reviewing the up-coming Board of Aldermen meeting for November 10, 2020, there are resolutions for the following:
· Acquisition of property at 36 Buckmeadow Road by the City of Nashua for $370,000. However, there is NO information within the board package as to why the City is purchasing this land and/or to even verify the purchase price.
· Authorizing the City of Nashua to purchase the land and building at 55 Franklin Street. The agenda does not state the amount being paid. If, however, you research the package the residents will realize that the City of Nashua is paying $1,825,000 for this property. The documentation states that it is because of the increase in preschool enrollment and that the city wants to have one central location for our preschools. Did the City just spend $50,000 on the review of Elm Street School? Could the mayor not put all of the children at that location? Residents need to realize that besides the purchase price, the city will need to do renovations to the property and that could cost the taxpayers a lot of money. The city just did the renovations to city hall and that cost taxpayers over $975,000.
· Approving the guaranteed maximum price for the Performing Arts Center. I found this resolution to be the funniest. Did the mayor want to “look” like he really cared for the Nashua taxpayer? I think not. When you review the documentation, you will notice that this amendment is only for Harvey Construction. However, if you dig deeper you will realize that the agreement has two pages of exclusions.
Examples:
o Wood Plaza decking
o Roof davit systems consist of steel sockets that anchor aluminum masts and arms (i.e., davits). They provide support and stability to roof-rigged or ground-rigged suspension platforms over the edge of the building’s façade
o Wallcoverings
o Grouting or reinforcement of existing masonry
o Municipal Impact, Connection Fees, Sewer Impact Fees, Water Meter Fees, Industrial Hygienist Fees, Electronic Documents Fees, Commissioning Agent Fees, Building Permit Fees
o Roof screens for mechanical equipment
o Roof Railings
o Spray for Fireproofing
o Many more
So in other words the Nashua taxpayers are paying for a shell for the PAC and the Nashua taxpayers we need to put a lot more money out in order to get this PAC off the ground.
This Mayor and Board of Aldermen believe the well is deep; Nashua residents should not be surprised by a hefty increase in their tax bill next year.
