City of Nashua Archives

Donchess performing arts center money bag

ORTOLANO: Part II – Nashua Arts Center; The Agreement That Tied It All Together

March 24, 2026 Laurie Ortolano

If the City of Nashua and its three “independent” arts center corporations were truly separate, you would expect them to act that way when legal trouble arrived. They didn’t. Instead, they entered into a Confidentiality and Common Legal Interest Agreement, a joint defense pact that allowed them to operate as a single, coordinated legal unit while … Read more

ORTOLANO: When City Attorneys Are Too Emotionally Invested, Taxpayers Bear the Liability

September 15, 2025 Laurie Ortolano

On July 31, 2025, I appeared before a new judge in Superior Court South for a hearing on a motion to disqualify Attorneys Bolton and Leonard from my cases. I filed that motion because both attorneys have repeatedly shown an inability to remain professionally detached, as officers of the court are required to do. Over … Read more

“God-Fearing Catholic” Alderman Ends Attacks on Save Women’s Sports Activist

July 1, 2022 Beth Scaer

Ever since self-proclaimed “God-fearing Catholic” Alderman Melbourne Moran Jr. attacked me for speaking about my Save Women’s Sports flag at a Nashua Board of Aldermen meeting, I have been attending the Board meetings and speaking each time during the public comment period about what he said about me and my flag and about the threats to women’s sports.

In the last two Board meetings, Alderman Moran’s attacks against me have finally stopped. Perhaps he has gotten tired of me calling him out again and again and again.

I Won My Pro Se Lawsuit Against the City of Nashua

February 14, 2022 Laurie Ortolano

I requested emails from the Nashua Clerical Assessing Supervisor for the months of November and December 2021. The Supervisor left employment on December 25, 2021. The City denied the record request stating that the emails were no longer reasonably accessible.

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Formal Complaint & Please lift the Mask Policy in City Hall

February 11, 2022 Laurie Ortolano

Mayor Donchess,

Ever since the RTK trial in December, Ms. Kleiner appears to be upset with me. She is no longer exhibiting her more even disposition. She seems angry. Every time I try to right a wrong, the City becomes punishing, including you and Attorney Steve Bolton, Recent issues that have frustrated the city included:

save womens sports flag on citizen flag pole

Will the US Supreme Court Force Nashua to Fly the Save Women’s Sports Flag?

January 31, 2022January 31, 2022 Beth Scaer

My husband and I raised the Save Women’s Sports flag on the Citizen Flag Pole on Nashua City Hall Plaza on Saturday, October 10, 2020 with permission from the City of Nashua. It was supposed to stay up until Friday, October 16.

Nashua Democrats Are Attacking the Spending Cap Again!

January 30, 2022 Beth Scaer

On Monday, January 31, the House Municipal and County Government Committee is holding a public hearing on HB1342 which is another attempt to remove the Nashua spending cap.

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Next Tuesday, Vote Out Dowd and Kelly

October 30, 2021 Laurie Ortolano

I have been a critic of the eight BoA members who voted against the City Charter Amendment for the appointment of the police commissioners for failing to engage in educating the public to vote no on Ballot question #2. Seven weeks of silence and finally a letter.

My Candidate Position on the Charter Change: Police Commission

October 14, 2021October 13, 2021 Laurie Ortolano

The Three reasons I am voting against this Charter Change The Board of Aldermen voted against putting it on the ballot – a big RED flag The Board of Aldermen voted (8-6) (Note 1) against placing this Charter Change on the November 2nd ballot and instead supported forming a working committee to vet this issue … Read more

Paul Shea’s Conflict of Interest in Nashua Upcoming Election

October 11, 2021 Op-Ed

Nashua citizens will be voting to choose two Public Works Commissioners on November 2. Three out of the four candidates have no conflict of interest holding the office. Candidate Paul Shea has a clear conflict of interest holding that office.

Nashua: Local Elections ARE Partisan!

October 9, 2021 Laurie Ortolano

I have become increasingly concerned about the negative impact of partisan politics on our local government. While this city is chartered as a non-partisan city, public discussion and communication with some in City Hall has become all too partisan.

Nashua – Is Mayor Jim Donchess playing a “Hide the Budget” con?

September 5, 2021 Laura Colquhoun

Do Nashua residents realize that when Mayor Jim Donchess tells them about the budget he only seems to be giving us “part” of the budget?

Deliberate Design? – City Hall Remodel Makes it Harder To Hold Them Accountable

September 2, 2021 Laurie Ortolano

COVID, taxes, and surplus dollars have allowed the City of Nashua to give City Hall a makeover. They’ve added Fort Knox like 2-inch thick bulletproof glass – impervious to bullets and (COVID?), and Keypad locks on virtually every door in City Hall.

Nashua Provides Case Study for the Abuse Of the Attorney-Client Privilege Exemption to RTK Law.

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021 Laurie Ortolano

In June, I learned that the City legal office conducted Right-to-Know training for interested City employees. Learning about this during a deposition for my Right-to-Know lawsuit, my Attorney asked City Attorney Bolton to provide the training material.

I watched the Board of Aldermen meeting this morning and was stunned by the conduct of Attorney Bolton representing the City as Nashua Corporation Council.