Aldermen, Board of

A regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen was held Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber. President Brian S. McCarthy presided; City Clerk Paul R. Bergeron recorded. Prayer was offered by City Clerk Paul R. Bergeron; Alderman Cox led in the Pledge to the Flag. The roll call was taken with 13 members of the Board of Aldermen present; Alderman Tabacsko and Alderman Sheehan were not in attendance. MAYOR’S ANNUAL STATE-OF-THE-CITY ADDRESS Thank you, Mr. President and good evening to you and members of the Board of Aldermen. I am pleased to be here this evening to present to you the state of our city. What is obvious is that Nashua sits under a thick blanket of snow. In reflecting on Nature’s offering since I took office 3 years ago I realize that a good old fashioned winter is easy to take compared to three 100-year floods or a devastating ice storm. What is also clear is that this city is well positioned to weather seasons of change and uncertainty. I am honored to share with you some of the exciting changes we are making to better prepare for the future. Financially Sound As I have had the pleasure of reporting to you at my three previous State of the City addresses, Nashua is financially sound and I am not the only one that has a high level of confidence in the way the city handles its finances. As you recall, in July the Fitch rating agency increased the city’s bond rating to a triple A, the highest rating attainable for a municipality. Fitch cited the city’s strong reserve levels, strong financial management, above average wealth indicators and low overall debt burden as positive credit factors. Input from all three rating agencies continue to reflect the city is financially well managed. Shortly after the Fitch rating was reported we were able to sell a six million dollar bond issue at a historical low rate of just 2.67%. Good Government and Transparency When I took office just over three years ago I committed to customer service and open government. The two go hand in hand and I am proud of the progress we have made in both areas. The city’s webpage now contains the budget, all union contracts (current and past), the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, and monthly revenue and expense reports. As promised last year we have published a guide to understanding your tax bill which is available on line and in the tax office. These additional postings to the public domain represent a significant change in the amount and ease of accessing information that belongs to the citizens and stakeholders of Nashua. Citizen Participation Part of good open government is citizens’ ability to participate in the process and decision making of their government. Residents and users of the services we provide have a vested interest in how issues and problems are handled and resolved. This past year I have called on a number of our citizens to work with us crafting solutions. The Holman Stadium committee, chaired by Superintendant Nick Caggiano, spent time considering ways to keep this historic landmark a vital and self sustaining venue for the community. They should take great pride in crafting guidelines that were used in our recently executed agreement bringing collegiate baseball to Holman in the spring. Welcome to Nashua’s Silver Knights! Then there were the neighbors and users of the Greeley Park bandshell that participated on the Greeley Park Amplified Use Committee, chaired by Frank Teas. That was no easy task and not everyone agreed, but they cooperated and collaborated and while there is still work to be done a majority of their recommendations that best serve the whole community have been put in place. Last year at this time we had just experienced the destructive fire on the corner of Pine and Ledge Sts. We had high hopes of saving the historic Labine Building, but with the reality that the building was lost a new vision for the area came into view. With the help of public input we are well on our way to a new park that will serve the citizens of the neighborhood and city across the generational spectrum. Bd. of Aldermen – 02/15/11 Page 2 And the Services Advisory Committee, chaired by Mary Lou Blaisdell, finished a year and a half long look in November with a comprehensive report outlining a strategy to refresh our downtown. Their recommendations will be reviewed and discussed through the legislative process. In the end only good things can come of this effort. I am pleased to report that I have recently appointed community members to serve on the jury for the Nashua International Design Competition. The jury, comprised of architects and landscape architects, economic development, planning, historic preservation, and local stakeholders will meet with City staff to develop the call for entries, manage the competition process, review submissions and select a winning entry. The focus of the competition will be to generate design ideas for the area along Pine Street between the Nashua Millyard and the Tree Streets Neighborhood. New public investments including the long- awaited Broad Street Parkway and the new public space at the site of the Labine Building create a unique opportunity for us to reexamine this critical new “gateway” in the Gate City. The jury is charged with overseeing the process and will be chaired by Tim Nickerson. The jury will be targeting a date in July for announcing the winning plan. Another group of community members that took on an issue of community importance was the Arts Steering Committee co-chaired by Alderman Cookson and Liz Racioppi. I asked that they look at the idea of bringing an Arts Commission to Nashua. Their efforts were thorough and culminated in legislation being passed in November establishing the Nashua Arts Commission whose purpose is to serve the community as Nashua's cultural resource which facilitates, advocates, coordinates, and educates on behalf of the arts and cultural assets of the city. The time the steering committee took to vet the idea and craft the legislation was a wonderful investment in Nashua’s future. I intend to nominate the members of the commission in early March. These are but a few examples of opportunities where the community responded to participate with their local government and craft solutions to issues that directly affect them. I am extremely proud to be part of a community that not only invites this level of involvement, but responds with enthusiasm. Citizen Portal Our citizens don’t need to be invited to serve on a committee to take part in the city’s efficiency and effectiveness. We recently launched a new Citizen Service Requests feature on the website. Citizens can use this tool to report clogged drains or sewers, road sign problems, missed trash pickup, graffiti, potholes, or any other issue. This feature is integrated into the City’s existing workflow system so that requests are quickly routed directly to the staff who are responsible for addressing them. Citizens can also follow up on their requests at any time to check the progress. This is a great way for our citizens to take ownership of their community simply by taking notice and letting us know what needs attention. You can find this new feature on the home page of the city’s website and members of the community also helped to test drive that including Alderman Flynn. It has been an important part of my administration to bring more convenience and modern operating procedures to city government. During Fiscal Year 2010 the Tax Office began its on-line payment options for our wastewater customers. This is in the first phase of offering more options for bill paying. We are happy to begin this process and look forward to additional enhancements to our bill paying methods throughout several departments in 2011. Public Health and Community Services is utilizing social media as a tool to enhance communication with the community. They are now on Facebook and linked to a Twitter account to better notify the public about local and statewide events. They have produced shorts on our public television station to inform the community of public health issues and to prepare the community for the Community Health Assessment. Efficiencies and Cost Cutting Part of good customer service is giving the customer, in this case, taxpayer, the most for their money, and sometimes that includes an initial layout of funds to ultimately save money in the future. Bd. of Aldermen – 02/15/11 Page 3 We are making progress on our Nashua Government Innovation initiative, better known as NGIN, to transform and modernize City government and provide a unified system of technologies, business processes and management. Within 18 months we will have migrated our financial operations to a modern system that will streamline processes, incorporate government best practices and increase government transparency through improved reporting and analysis. Over the past year the City has completed connecting all government facilities, including schools, to the City’s fiber optic network to save costs, improve public safety, and expand services. Included in that effort was an expansion and an updating of fire alarm signaling. Over the next three years other NGIN projects will revitalize how the City delivers services to its residents and businesses, including automated licensing and permitting; and improved staff collaboration and efficiency through greater use of electronic documents and optimized workflows. In the spring of 2010 we purchased two hybrid vehicles for the Parks and Recreation and the Streets Departments. Although the Public Works division was 100% behind this direction even they are surprised by the early results. Our Parks and Recreation Superintendent tells me he has just filled his 6th tank of gas and he’s had the car since May. This of course is in addition to the environmental impact savings. Plans for a Compressed Natural Gas fueling station and purchase of vehicles are well underway. This process was lead by Citistat in collaboration with other city departments and community partners. With state grants the cost of the CNG vehicles to the city is comparable to standard fuel vehicles but will provide savings of up to $20,000 per year over the life of the vehicles. The updates to bring greater energy efficiencies and cost saving maintenance to municipal buildings is in full swing. • Work has begun on the Hunt building, • Improvements have been made to the safety and cleanliness of the parking garages and long awaited repairs are underway, • Floor plans are being developed for a much needed new facility for Public Health with hopes of breaking ground before the end of this year, • A request for bids for H-VAC work at Court St. will be going out soon • And here at City Hall new windows, a new roof, and new H-VAC system have been installed. We have been able to address some maintenance issues such as exterior painting, repair and restoration of the cupola and repairing the granite steps out front along with the Korean War Monument, both of which were sinking due to improper installation. The next time the steps are moved, if ever, a time capsule will be found that was placed just before they finished the project. City staff was asked to offer pictures, thoughts and information that captured life in Nashua in 2010. I hope none of us here today are here when that capsule is uncovered. Not because of what is in it, but hopefully it won’t be for another 100 years or more before that work needs to be done again. But what I do hope everyone sees sooner rather than later is the transformation going on in the auditorium, most notably, the skylights. I am hopeful that funds can be stretched enough to include the remaining items at City Hall such as replacement of the 30 year old carpets, a new entry at the back of the building and the City Clerk’s office. Over the last three fiscal years we have saved $166,000 in natural gas supplies by using a third party energy supplier with another $16,000 projected to be saved by the end of this fiscal year. We are currently in negotiations that will allow us to realize savings of one to two hundred thousand dollars ($100K-$200K) a year on electricity costs by using a third party supplier. Our reorganization at Public Works saved over one hundred thousand dollars ($100K) and our new fuel system captures a savings of fifty thousand dollars ($50K). Bd. of Aldermen – 02/15/11 Page 4 And while the city is being diligent in finding ways to reduce our costs and energy use, we are working on assisting Nashua homeowners and businesses to do the same. Nashua has been chosen by the State and Federal Department of Energy to be a model community for the Better Buildings Program. This program will help residents and businesses make their property more energy efficient by insulating and tightening up building envelopes, replacing windows and perhaps even installing solar panels. And unlike many federal programs these programs are open to everyone, not just low and moderate income households. I plan to bring forward legislation to create an energy trust fund to capture dollars saved through our energy changes that will only be used for additional investments to save even more. All these efforts are a means to smarter spending. We are stretching our dollars here, just as families and businesses have been doing for generations. While we often speak in terms of spending and cutting we need to include investing in our dialogue and our actions. We are making investments now that will pay dividends for years to come, both financially and environmentally. Investments And speaking of investments, I can’t think of a better example than our acquisition of Pennichuck Corporation, our water supply. When I ran for Mayor in 2007, I said that I did not favor eminent domain as the way to resolve this dispute over control of our City’s water supply. I also said that I would pursue a resolution that was in the best interests of the city. First it would have to secure and protect our water supply and our watershed lands and second would have to make economic sense. Under the proposed acquisition agreement the City will become the sole shareholder of Pennichuck Corporation and there will be no pressure to maximize profits allowing the corporation to focus on the customers’ interest as opposed to the shareholders’. This transaction allows the City to gain control of its water supply and watershed land so that we can • preserve and protect this public resource now and long into the future. • acquire more assets at a lower cost than it would under the PUC eminent domain decision. • achieve lower rates over time than under current ownership. • And, the current employees responsible for operating the water utilities will stay the same, providing for a seamless transition for the customer. Though we anticipate and are on track for the transfer to take place within a year, under our agreement with Pennichuck, the city has no obligation to close this transaction unless the PUC ensures that rates will be sufficient to cover all operating expenses and debt service. Because of this these bonds will not be counted against the city’s debt limit nor will they have any impact on our bond rating. In other words, our city budget and this Pennichuck transaction are completely separate and distinct. In addition to PUC approval, the Pennichuck shareholders must vote to approve the deal and the city must be able to obtain satisfactory interest and financing terms. Most often when matters of the city are discussed and debated we talk of expenses and revenue and the impact these matters will have on our budget and ultimately our tax rate. The Pennichuck transaction will have no effect on our budget or our tax rate. The City of Nashua will be purchasing a self-sustaining company that provides a service to our citizens that is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. The revenues generated from this company will pay for any and all expenses incurred by ownership. This is a completely separate discussion from the budget – with one exception, that could be considered a silver lining – we may in fact be able to recoup the $5 million expended over the last eight years to get to where we are now. That would have an impact on our budget, a favorable one. Bd. of Aldermen – 02/15/11 Page 5 I look at this transaction as an investment. Yes, it will take 30 years to pay off, not unlike most of our own home mortgages. But during those years we will have control of our water supply and the watershed. At the end of those 30 years, we will own the water supply free and clear. A lot of us won’t be here to witness that day when that becomes a reality, but our grandchildren will and their grandchildren won’t have experienced a day that the city didn’t own their own water supply. It will likely seem unreal to them that there was ever a time that the water delivered to their homes was controlled by stockholders from around the world. Great Things Happening in Nashua Already this evening I have mentioned a list of changes being made to reduce our costs and to function more efficiently. In order to make good decisions, you need good information. You need to know and gather the facts and then analyze and often scrutinize with a critical eye those facts. CitiStat has been instrumental in assisting me and managers across the city in that process. CitiStat provides a high level of direction for better decision making. Thank you to the CitiStat Director Susan Valaitis for her expertise and assistance. All across the city and in each department decisions are made daily on how best to meet the needs of our citizens, businesses and taxpayers. I want to take a few moments to highlight some of the great things that are happening throughout the city and recognize some of the accomplishments and initiatives that often fly under the radar. DPW With the federal approval for the Broad Street Parkway being received this past October the first road construction, an upgrade of Pine and Palm Streets, should begin this spring. Requests for proposals will be going out soon for final design work and historic resource mitigation work in the Millyard will begin in the next few weeks. Effective March 21st, Leon Kenison has agreed to focus solely on the Broad Street Parkway. He will serve as the administrator of that project. He has great skills and experience in overseeing a project of this scale and I am grateful that all of his attention will be focused on seeing this project through at this critical juncture on time and on budget which I know he can do. The Department of Public Works will have a new director. I will be recommending to the Board of Public Works Superintendant of Solid Waste Lisa Fauteux, as the new Director of Public Works. Lisa has a wealth of knowledge and managerial experience in this field providing for a smooth transition of leadership at Public Works. Community Development Transit Just as we as a city and a business have gone the “extra mile” to reduce our costs, to be more efficient, and to be environmentally responsible in our own transportation needs, we have worked at “paving” the way for our citizens and visitors to be better able and more comfortable doing the same. Nashua Transit has seen a 13% increase in ridership, servicing nearly ½ million riders in 2010. In May Transit partnered with Google to include Nashua’s transportation information in Google Transit. Riders can plan trips throughout Nashua using the transit system that includes satellite images and user friendly maps alongside the transit route itinerary. It also helps the customer make a more informed decision as to whether or not to use the public option as it provides estimates on walking time, travel time and monetary savings from choosing transit over driving. We were the first transit agency in New Hampshire to be incorporated into the Google Transit system. For those that prefer to walk the city has received a grant to purchase the remaining portion of the Heritage Trail east of Main St. And in collaboration with the Nashua Conservation Commission, at the time chaired by Peggy Trivilino, and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Nashua through conservation fund dollars has purchased two parcels totaling 85 acres in the city’s southwest quadrant from Bd. of Aldermen – 02/15/11 Page 6 the Terrell family for open space. Thanks to Albert Terrell, Rita Terrell and the entire Terrell family for their vision in securing these lands for future generations. The latest on rail has both good and bad news. First the good news. The New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority has been awarded 4.1 million dollars from the Federal Government to complete the study to determine if high speed rail is feasible on a corridor that runs from Boston to Concord, through Nashua, of course. Additional good news is that after several years of complex negotiations among rail providers, there are now at least three rail service providers who can serve the City of Nashua with passenger rail service. Those three are Amtrak, MBTA and Pan Am Railways. The bad news however is there is legislation currently before the NH House that would repeal the Rail Authority. That repeal sends a message to Washington that we are not interested. I have asked our state delegation and the General Court to not send that message to Washington before we have had the opportunity to fully understand what the costs and benefits of this transportation option are. We have recently been notified of the airport runway expansion approvals and with that we pretty much have all modes of transportation covered. Economic Development I am pleased to report that an RFP will be issued soliciting services for community branding. My office of economic development in partnership with the Nashua Chamber of Commerce is leading a coalition of community partners to create what is referred to as “top of mind awareness” to recruit new businesses, residents and visitors to our community. The regularly scheduled business visits, numerous ribbon cuttings, and grand openings that I have the privilege of taking part in reinforces to me what I already know to be true: Nashua is a great place to live and do business. This branding initiative will reach out to those across the state, country, and world identifying Nashua as an inviting and welcoming place to do business and call home. Schools As we invite and welcome new businesses and families to Nashua they can have every confidence that our schools will provide a quality education and work force. Both collectively and individually the schools’ staff stands out as some of the best in the state and the nation. Two principals, Kyle Langille and Paul Asbell, have been named principals of the year by the NH Association of Principals; Business teacher, Paul Pollard has been named 2010 Business Educator of the Year by the NH Business Educators Association; Jillian Brickley of Charlotte Avenue Elementary was named 2010 Milken Educator; and JoAnne Del Greco from Elm St. Middle School has been nominated for 2011 NH Department of Education Teacher of the Year. I congratulate all of them and extend my thanks. IT Your local government and education channel, Nashua CTV, has moved into a new state-of-the-art studio, and our broadcasts now feature live titles and graphics. Within the next few months the City will move government transparency into the 21st century by offering live and recorded streaming of all our broadcast meetings and programs over the internet. The City is also currently evaluating proposals for launching and managing a new Public Access channel for our Citizens. Library At the Public Library four hundred six thousand (406,000) customers were served checking out eight hundred seventeen thousand (817,000) items in 2010. Over twelve hundred (1200) people attended the computer class offerings. As more and more communication, research, and commerce is conducted over the internet the instruction and the availability of computers and internet access is a vital resource, particularly to those searching for jobs or starting a small business. Bd. of Aldermen – 02/15/11 Page 7 Police and Fire The official audit results came in on our Police Department in 2010. It is with great pride and appreciation in the entire Nashua Police Department that I commend them for receiving reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). They are not resting on their laurels but instead they continue to reach out to the community with the Citizens Police Academy, 18 Neighborhood Crime Watch groups, and by joining with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and adding a mentoring program to the Police Athletic League. Our Fire Department continues to answer the call, 25 thousand of them in fact in 2010, with close to one out of every three emergency in nature. Challenges All of these services come at a cost, of course, and our challenge is to maintain those services in the face of the financial challenges ahead of us. We are going to have some very difficult decisions to make in the next few months as we craft and pass a budget that takes into consideration the costs of doing business, maintenance costs, costs of improvements, costs of delivering services and operating costs such as fuel and utility expenses. These costs of course need to recognize our ability to pay--- the taxpayers’ ability to pay. I know there are people out there who would be willing to pay more, to get more. But there are far more that are just not able to absorb any more burden than they currently bear. In fact, there are many of our citizens that are truly struggling. It is our collective responsibility to craft a budget that delivers the necessary services to our community that is affordable for everyone. It is going to be imperative as we move forward that we continue to operate under the same sound policies that have produced a strong confidence in the city by not only the financial world, but those that have the largest stake in our continued strong position. Those stakeholders are the taxpayers, for we are absolutely accountable to them. But beyond them, others that have a stake in Nashua’s wellbeing are the people who work for the city, our employees. As you know over 75 % of the FY 2011 budget, which means over one hundred seventy seven million dollars ($177M), goes to salary and benefits across the city. It is in an employee’s best interest that their employer be financially sound. Our continued success in being financially sound, in providing excellence in municipal services and education, and in being a responsible, desired employer will require the combined effort of this board, each employer board, each department, each collective bargaining unit, and each individual employee. Unless we take charge and are all working cooperatively and toward the same goal the challenges that are before us this year could mark a turning point that will serve no one. I don’t for one minute believe it is going to be easy, but I do believe that there is enough collective goodwill and creativity within this community to meet those challenges and remain an enviable place to work, to do business, and to call home. This city is long known for its innovation and endurance. It is what has gotten us through many a storm and to where we are today. I am confident it is what will get us through the challenges we face. Undesignated fund balance Part of what has given the financial world their strong confidence in Nashua is this board’s commitment to maintaining a reasonable operating reserve, also known as the undesignated fund balance. This fund is currently over $26 million. That represents 11.9% of the current budget. It is important that we all realize that this fund is not an operating expense fund but a necessary safeguard to provide sound fiscal stability. When I took office the ordinance required a 7 and ½ percent (7.5%) reserve. I supported a resolution in 2008 to make it 10%. This is not an excessive amount of funds to have set aside. It is not a high price to Bd. of Aldermen – 02/15/11 Page 8 pay to give the financial world and our creditors confidence in doing business with us and provides us with lower cost financing. Our own recent history has given us reason to plan for the unexpected. For those that may not understand fully, we are not collecting an additional $25 million each year we are simply maintaining a balance because it is good financial management. Currently the balance is slightly above the amount designated by ordinance and it is very likely that excess amount will have to be used in budget planning in order to keep the tax rate as reasonable as possible. For the budgets of FY 09, 10, and 11, I have taken the approach of reducing areas in the budget through efficiencies and judiciously applying funds from the undesignated fund balance to offset tax rate increases to get us through these rocky economic times with as little impact to services as possible. Budget challenges So, what are our challenges? Before we do anything discretionary to the budget we need to take into consideration some factors beyond our control. Aside from the loss of state revenue sharing that we have not received since 2008 there will be a 1.7 million dollar increase to the city’s retirement costs due to an increase in the employer rates and since 2010 the state has required that we cover 10% of their 35% share of retirement. Yesterday we were concerned that if the state didn’t fully fund its portion of retirement costs which has been discussed in Concord and we thought entirely likely, we would have an additional 1.6 million dollar obligation. That is 3.3 million dollars just for retirement. Today the Governor told us in his budget address that not only will they not return to their 35% share, he is recommending eliminating their share entirely. That adds an additional 3.4 million dollars. So let me be clear, yesterday’s problem was 3.3 million, today that problem has already grown to be 6.7 million dollars. There could be more surprises for us as we decipher the code of the Governors message. One message though is crystal clear, when the Governor said his budget does not raise taxes, he meant State taxes, because the Governor’s proposed budget will be paid for by municipalities, which of course means our taxpayers. I have already begun to work with our State delegation to make sure that doesn’t happen. And then there is health care. Under current employee medical plans we anticipate the city’s expenses to increase by approximately 10%, or an additional three million dollars in the next fiscal year. Just these two factors alone represent over, I was going to say over six million dollars ($6M), but I have to add in that other $3.3 which is challenging enough. We also have 14 of our 15 union contracts expiring at the end of the current fiscal year. And, our spending cap looks to be $4.7 million, so through things that we can’t control at all we’re already beyond our spending cap and we’re certainly well above anything any of us would be willing to pass on to our taxpayers. Compensation which includes salaries and all benefits is growing well beyond inflation and the spending cap. For every combined one percent increase in salaries, healthcare and retirement we need to increase the budget nearly 1.7 million dollars. Every 1% increase there equals 1.7 million dollars and oddly enough, every 1.7 million dollar increase in the budget equates to 1% on the tax rate at our current valuation. As I stated earlier, over 75% of our budget goes to compensation, including salary, benefits and retirement. Of that, nearly forty six million ($46M) are directly related to benefits and retirement. And over twenty six million ($26M) of that total is healthcare benefits alone. There is a true cost to providing these benefits that oftentimes is overlooked because they cannot be cashed on payday. But it is a cost to the taxpayer and a benefit to the employee nonetheless. It is imperative that these total compensation costs be clearly enumerated and considered as negotiations go forward. With local, state and federal revenue uncertainties it is irresponsible to enter into agreements that will promise compensation two, three, or four years down the road that far exceeds the average cost of living increases. We simply do not know what our spending capacity will be. When all other sources of revenue Bd. of Aldermen – 02/15/11 Page 9 are calculated and we need to balance the budget, it is the taxpayer that must cover the expenses. That is why I am asking that each union contract be for a one year time period. Promises made on hopes of revenue or income streams, as I said, is irresponsible in uncertain financial times. It is not in the best interest of this employer or its employees to make promises that have the potential to wreak havoc on the taxpayers and our financial health. I am calling on all parties to work together and to consider the collective interests of their coworkers and their neighbors. I don’t look at the budget issues ahead as “my” budget challenges but rather as “our” budget challenges because they will impact us all – employees and taxpayers alike. I do intend to outline options for the negotiating table. And all of these options will meet those challenges in a responsible and sustainable manner. I will be asking the unions and their members to make some hard choices that will determine the direction in which we move. The choices won’t always be easy, but there will be choices. Need for investment While we need to consider our current obligations and our ability to pay we must also plan for the future. In order for Nashua to remain a desirable place to work, to do business, and to live we need to be looking at maintaining and preparing for a higher demand on our infrastructure and our services. To secure and build our tax base we need to be looking to the future. What attracts businesses? Places of higher learning? Cultural attractions? Families? We need to continue to look forward, assess trends, identify needs, today’s and tomorrow’s, and invest to position Nashua to be a desirable and affordable place that our children and grandchildren will want and be able to afford to call home. Kudos Nashua is a wonderful city. Full of good hearted folks that are willing to reach out to help a neighbor, roll their sleeves up to work alongside those they may disagree with, and to serve their community. Oftentimes these opportunities come along unexpectedly as they did on July 8 for public works employees Shawn Willette and Jake Larkin. Shawn and Jake were on their regular route on a warm summer morning when they noticed smoke coming from behind a home. Instead of shrugging it off Shawn took the initiative to investigate and discovered the building to be on fire. He took measures to get the occupants out of the house, and with Jake’s assistance they notified Nashua Fire and comforted those who made a hasty departure from the building. There are those in the community who slowly and steadily make a difference in the lives of untold numbers by their commitment and persistent efforts to improve the quality of life for others. Peter Davis, former CEO of St. Joseph Hospital and the 2010 Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year, and Jack Tulley, president of Tulley Automotive Group, Inc., 2010 Rotarian of the Year, are two of those people. Peter’s humility and kindness and Jack’s outgoing and “can do” nature exemplify the qualities found in many of those who serve our community. I am also grateful to those in the community who are willing to work behind the scenes championing those who give of themselves. Centrix Bank answered the call to recognize those that are willing to give the ultimate. They provided the funds to erect the beautiful sign in front of City Hall that recognizes those that have in the past and currently do serve our country in uniform. I think I say it at least once a month when nominations to the city’s numerous boards and commissions are made and I mean it sincerely and I will say it again this evening. I am truly grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who give of their time and expertise, most often will little recognition or acknowledgement of their service. This city is fortunate to have so many be so willing to participate in the workings of our government. Bd. of Aldermen – 02/15/11 Page 10 And for those of you in this room who put yourselves up for public scrutiny on a regular basis in order to represent your constituents here in the chamber, thank you. For whether we agree or disagree, I do believe everyone has the best interest of the city and its citizens at heart. An intelligent man once said, “The significant problems of our time cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them." I have challenged our city departments to investigate new and more efficient ways of doing business and they are embracing that challenge across the city. We are discovering modern methods and materials that are saving the taxpayers real money while providing our customers more effective and efficient services. As we work through the challenges that are before us, I have every confidence that with open minds we can craft solutions that protect and serve the stakeholders of this city. For as Einstein believed, unless we are willing to think and ultimately act differently we will either have the same problems or resort to the same solutions. I thank you very much for your kind attention tonight and I thank the legislative delegation members who are here along with my Cabinet, staff and office staff and my family, both my husband and my son. Thank you. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY ALDERMAN LAROSE THAT THE FEBRUARY 15, 2011 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN BE ADJOURNED MOTION CARRIED The meeting was declared adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Attest: Paul R. Bergeron, City Clerk