Performing Arts Center Archives

COLQUHOUN: Nashua Residents vs City Hall

April 22, 2026 Laura Colquhoun

Since moving to Nashua in 2013, I have seen a significant shift in how City Hall interacts with residents. For many years, City Hall operated with an open‑door policy: any resident could walk in, pay or obtain a bill, review assessment files, or speak directly with a city employee without an appointment. Customer service and … Read more

ORTOLANO: The Black Boxes Weren’t a Mistake – Nashua’s Legal Office Approved the Redactions

March 5, 2026 Laurie Ortolano

The black box redactions on Nashua’s Performing Arts Center legal invoices were not a mistake. They were reviewed and approved by the City’s Legal Office. When I wrote last week about Nashua’s “Epstein-style” redactions, I left open the possibility that the City might claim error. Maybe someone inexperienced had over-redacted. Maybe a clerk panicked. Maybe … Read more

ORTOLANO: The Black Box Defense – Epstein-Style Redactions on Nashua’s Arts Center Legal Bills

March 1, 2026 Laurie Ortolano

I filed a straightforward Right-to-Know request asking for the invoice supporting a $33,614 payment to McLane Middleton, the law firm hired to defend the three shell corporations created by the City of Nashua to construct and manage the Nashua Performing Arts Center. What I received in response did not look like transparency. It looked like … Read more

ORTOLANO: Sunshine Week and the Shadows Over Nashua’s Performing Arts Center

February 27, 2026 Laurie Ortolano

Each March, Sunshine Week reminds Americans that open government is not optional; it is foundational and well-regarded in New Hampshire as a Constitutional right. The public has a right to know how its money is spent and how its officials conduct business. Yet here in Nashua, one of the city’s largest public projects was structured … Read more

Nashua’s Unlawful Management of $75M in City Trust Funds

January 12, 2025January 5, 2025 Laurie Ortolano

It all began with a simple question. In October, I wanted to verify the balance in a special fund (Capital Reserve Fund) set up for the maintenance of the Performing Arts Center, which opened on April 1, 2023. The City’s Board of Aldermen (BOA) approved this fund in August 2023. It was meant to be … Read more

If Nashua Barriers Pass the Board Vote, Taxpayers Will Foot the Bill.

April 5, 2022 Laurie Ortolano

Why are Nashua officials opposed to charging fees for 2022 expanded outdoor dining that utilizes extra sidewalk and parking spaces?

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Nashua Isn’t Nashua Anymore

October 11, 2021 Burt Janz

I moved into Nashua in 1982 the week after I was honorably discharged from the US Navy. It was still a relatively small “city” just north of the Massachusetts border. Main Street had a movie theater, there were practice soccer fields on Amherst Street, and the only mall was just off Exit 6.

Nashua Mayor Donchess: Spending Caps Are for Losers

May 23, 2021 Beth Scaer

Last week, there was a public hearing in the NH House Municipal and County Government Committee on Senate Bill 52, to restore the spending cap for Nashua, which was struck down by a judge, as well as to protect caps for other towns and cities.

Alderman Say No But Nashua Taxpayers’ Will Be Paying for This Proposal for Many Years

December 9, 2020December 9, 2020 Laura Colquhoun

It seems like some of Nashua’s Aldermen are telling residents that they will not have to pay for the Performing Arts Center, however, this is a lie.

Request for Costs Missing from Proposed Nashua Performing Arts Center Project

December 9, 2020November 28, 2020 Laura Colquhoun

Mr. Tim Cummings, It has come to my attention and the attention of many other residents that there will be a large amount of money that is not included in the initial Performing Arts Center bond to pay for all the exclusions.

Priorities? for Nashua? How’s that work?

April 22, 2019 Skip

CHASER: Walking Hazards: Funding an issue for city sidewalks in disrepair As they age, many of the sidewalks around Nashua are falling into disrepair. While city officials are aware of the issue, the problem persists due to a lack of available funding…“The city is responsible for the sidewalks. We realize that there are a lot … Read more