A Closer Look
Mayor Donchess wanted the State of New Hampshire to spend $20 million to acquire the Xinhua property for housing development, yet this plan omits critical financial realities. The City of Nashua stands at a crossroads where enforcing existing tax regulations could recover significant unpaid revenues from delinquent property owners, including Xinhua itself.
Xinhua currently owes substantial property taxes on multiple parcels: $616,406.35 for 20 University Drive covering 2024 and 2025, $2,766.21 for 137 Pine Hill Road in 2025, and $4,202.37 for 139 Pine Hill Road also in 2025. Despite owning these properties, the mayor has not publicly addressed these outstanding obligations. This highlights a broader pattern of negligence in tax enforcement that affects Nashua’s fiscal health.
Consider Tanglewood, which has accrued $435,545.22 in unpaid back taxes since 2012. The city’s delayed response allowed the owner to enter bankruptcy, potentially leaving taxpayers with little to no recovery for years. In contrast, neighboring Manchester actively pursues delinquent taxpayers by enforcing collections and selling properties when necessary, a practice Nashua rarely mirrors.
Beyond property taxes, many of these owners also neglect wastewater fees, further straining city resources. The persistent lack of enforcement undermines the city’s ability to fund essential services and shifts the fiscal burden unfairly onto taxpayers.
It is imperative for Nashua’s leadership to balance spending initiatives with diligent collection efforts. Mayor Donchess’s enthusiasm for new expenditures should be matched by a commitment to reclaiming what is already owed. Strengthening tax enforcement and fee collections would not only improve the city’s financial stability but also ensure fairness.
