The Mayor and the Board of Aldermen keep spending more Nashua taxpayers’ money while Nashua is facing a financial crisis.
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Regarding the meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on November 10, 2020, and the purchase of the lot at 36 Buckmeadow Rd ($370,000) and the property at 55 Franklin St ($1,825,000).
In reviewing Mr. Daniel Donovan’s letter sent to the Finance and Operations Committee, dated October 6, 2020, (attached to the board package), I would like to know where he received his information because his facts are incorrect.
Mr. Donovan explained that “our elementary schools as of the end of this past year left us with no extra classrooms.” In not doing his due diligence, however, he neglected to see what was happening in Nashua currently.
The Official October 2020 Enrollment shows that Nashua currently is down by 860 students. The Elementary Schools (Pre-K) went from 326 students to 165 students. That is a 49.39% drop in Elementary School children and the city wants to purchase a building for the Elementary children.
This action does not make sense.
We can assume that some of these students will not come back because parents will feel that their children are getting a better education than they were getting with Nashua public schools. Therefore, why is the City of Nashua purchasing these properties now?
Have city officials reviewed the financial loss of approximately $3,200,000 at a minimum in financial aid and how it is going to affect our current budget? T
These are facts that the Board of Aldermen needs to consider before making purchases that are not currently in our budget and we currently do not need.
Regarding the Preforming Arts Center. The Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment is a joke because it only speaks of the actual building. If the board members actually look at the 2 pages of exclusions they would realize that Nashua taxpayers are going to have to come up with a lot more money in order to make this project work.
Do we have a contractor selected that will do all of the excluded work listed and have these tasks been priced into the project?
As it is, the City of Nashua is waiving all permit fees so that Nashua taxpayers will be responsible for that portion. That is dollars that are coming out of the taxpayer’s wallet.
What are the total fees that the Nashua taxpayers will have to eat?
Where is the money coming from for the Wood Plaza Decking, Metal Framed skylights, Acoustic Ceiling Tile and Grid, Wallcoverings, etc.
Can the Board of Aldermen say where this money is coming from and how much it will cost?
These are questions worthy of answers now.
Let every member of the board vote and let it go on the record. When the city comes back and asks taxpayers for more money for this project, I want them to hold the mayor and Board of Aldermen accountable.
