Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee

PERSONNEL/ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 25, 2013 A meeting of the Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee was held on Monday, November 25, 2013, at 7:35 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber. Chairman Paul M. Chasse, Jr. presided. Members of the Committee present: Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr., Vice Chair Alderman June M. Caron Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Diane Sheehan Also in Attendance: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large David W. Deane PUBLIC COMMENT – None INTERVIEWS Business and Industrial Development Authority Karen Tehan (New Appointment) Term to Expire: September 1, 2016 Downtown Improvement Committee Ron Lafleur (New Appointment) Term to Expire: December 13, 2016 Mayor Lozeau As usual this is one of my favorite parts of the job, to be able to meet these amazing volunteers that we have in the city willing to serve on our different boards and commissions. This evening I have a few of them to introduce you to. To my right is Mr. Ron Lafleur. Mr. Lafleur lives in downtown Nashua and has expressed an interest in serving on the Downtown Improvement Committee. You may recall that a former member that represented downtown has actually moved out of the downtown area for a job opportunity so she is no longer available to serve. As you can tell from Mr. Lafleur’s resume, he certainly has had a varied career with where he has been and what he has seen over his lifetime – between the Navy, his employment experience, and what he is doing now at the Home Depot. I think he is out there talking to a lot of people in the community. He’s been coming to the meetings for the Downtown Improvement Committee and has offered his time and willingness to serve so I am sure you will appreciate hearing from him. Mr. Lafleur I have lived in downtown Nashua since I got out of the Navy in 1979. I lived on Palm Street and then I joined the Army for twelve years after serving in the Navy for fifteen years. I grew up in Nashua, my relatives are here and I have a deep concern for the City of Nashua. I watch you people, sometimes on Channel 16, and I share in amazement at the amount of work you do. Nashua means a lot to me. Chairman Chasse I’ll open it up to anyone on the committee. Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 2 Mr. Lafleur Yes, I do. I have met some of the people and I am very impressed - John Koutsos, Mary Lou, Sy, and the others I have met. I have known them from either Aubuchon’s or the meetings. They have a concern and I would like to be part of that concern. I represent a different aspect, I don’t spend the money that those people do but I do walk the city, I have a little dog and I am constantly walking the city and I see the improvements that you people have done and I would like to participate in that. I know that there are some do’s and don’ts but yes, I would. Alderman Craffey What ideas would you bring to this committee? Mr. Lafleur I haven’t right now because of my status. I am a neophyte but there are things that I see on the back streets of Nashua that I would like to introduce. When I walk and see people that go shopping in downtown Nashua, I look at the parking situation. I haven’t completely looked at them because I have not felt that I was in a position to do anything about them right now but I do have some things in the back of my mind. Alderman Craffey I would like to hear something. Mr. Lafleur One thing is that some of the trash cans that the businesses put out block the sidewalks so that especially, in the wintertime, people will have to walk out onto the street. There must be some kind of reasonable situation that could be done – perhaps the dumpsters with wheels on them that could be moved in and out. When I was in the Navy, a Chief was doing an inspection and he looked at the back of a sailor’s shoes and he said your shoes are filthy. The sailor replied “well, I don’t see back there.” We have a lot of things in the back of the City of Nashua that I see. One of the merchants that you have has cleaned up her area, she put flowers out – and it’s the backside of Nashua, not the front side, but it made me feel good when I walked my dog, I didn’t see trash all over the place. I think if we got together, we could clean up or work in the back streets of Nashua. I look out my apartment building and I see people/consumers with all kinds of bags coming up back streets and I think if they see a nice front street they should see a nice back street as well. Alderman Craffey From one Veteran to another, thank you for your service. Mr. Lafleur I feel very lucky that I made it back and I think of all the kids that did not. Alderman Vitale I like the fact that you live on West Pearl Street and I agree with you on your feeling of what you see on the back sides of Main Street. I think that is somewhere that we can expand and do quite a bit with. Our consumers do walk on the back side of Main Street as well as the consumers that live downtown. Of all the Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 3 things in the downtown area, what do you think is the biggest change from what you remember to what you see now? Mr. Lafleur The thing I like the most is when I walk the sidewalks – without getting into the religion or the politics of the situation but when I walk my dog starting at about Factory Street, I walk the entire circuit of Main Street, I am very impressed. I like what we have cleaned up. It makes me feel different than when I am at the other end of Main Street. The lighting situation is tremendous. I have talked to some of the committee members. You need lights. Lights are the chastisers of evil. When I lived on Palm Street, I put street lights on the corner of my house and it cut down on vandalism quite a bit. The lighting at that end is great. It’s got to grow, it’s still a child but it will grow. It’s nice to walk that end of Main Street. Alderman Vitale What do you see as the biggest problem? I hate to use that word. Mr. Lafleur The one thing that disturbs me the most is when I walk the streets and the harassment I get from certain members of our community that are not as well off as you and I are. For some reason, they insist on bothering me. The one reason I got a dog is that downtown Nashua is my backyard – when I walk, I don’t like to be disturbed. I like to walk and enjoy. If we could do something with those people – I don’t know how you would do it because that is a monumental problem – it’s a worldwide problem. I encountered it when I was overseas. It’s a little disturbing – and I use choice words there - the indigent in Nashua. Alderman Vitale So, you would see something within the committee that you would be working with other areas/departments in the city to help you accomplish what you need to in the downtown. Mr. Lafleur The Mayor put it very succinctly. When you are in the military, it’s a group of people, it’s not an individual, you can’t be an individual; you have to be a group. Individuals do not accomplish anything except a lot of noise. Chairman Chasse Mr. Lafleur, we will take up your appointment in a few minutes. Ethnic Awareness Committee Janeth Orozco Sanchez (New Appointment) Term to Expire: September 1, 2016 Mayor Lozeau I have been here quite often on the Ethnic Awareness Committee and I think the committee is going quite nicely and has taken on some new challenges. I think it is trying and succeeding at finding what I like to call its “sea legs.” Chairman Tom Lopez is sitting on the benches tonight which I find really remarkable that he is so dedicated that he has come to all of the appointments that we have made – including Swearing-In Night. He follows his committee and keeps me in the loop, works with the Alderman on the committee, and overall Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 4 does everything he can to find a way to have this committee work as a collective group and to feel like they are part of a team. We have had some new things that have happened and we are looking at some cultural competency conversations. I think the group is a nice cross section and I think that Janeth will add to that quite nicely. Ms. Sanchez I would like to say that I feel I can contribute to the committee because I also bring a lot of background, personal values, and other things that I appreciate and admire about Nashua as well. Chairman Chasse I will now open it up to the committee. Alderman Sheehan I am glad she is here and I know that she has participated with the Ethnic Awareness Committee for quite some time. I have come to know her because she is an active volunteer with the efforts of that they have made and I think that digging in and rolling up your sleeves and getting started because something needs to be done – whether you have a formal membership or not – is the right sort of effort. I have been very happy to see how active the Ethnic Awareness Committee has gotten. We have various efforts going on in the community – they are reaching out asking what how can we help, what can we bring to make sure that everyone is included. I will be supporting your membership this evening and thank you for wanting to serve. Chairman Chasse Ms. Sanchez, we will take up your appointment in a few minutes. Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee Brian Edwards (New Appointment) Term to Expire: September 1, 2016 Mayor Lozeau Mr. Edwards has reached out to my office to express his interest in serving on the Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee. He said he has sense of wanting to give back to the community he has called home for more than fifty years. He has been very active in trail days, and going to committee meetings. He is very excited about lending his thoughts and ideas as well as a little elbow grease as necessary. It is my pleasure to introduce him to the committee tonight. Mr. Edwards The reason I am here is to reach out and be part of the community. I have lived here my whole life. I visit the Falls avidly in winter, spring, summer, and fall. I snowshoe in the winter and I bike during the spring, summer, and fall. It is a very nice place to visit with friends and family. I see a lot of positive things going on in the Falls and I’d like to give back to a community that I have so appreciated my whole life. Chairman Chasse Mayor Lozeau, how many committee members are presently on the committee? Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 5 Mayor Lozeau There are eleven. Mr. Silva, who was the Vice Chairman, has recently resigned. Chairman Chasse I will now open it up to the committee. Alderman Craffey This is a very active committee and one of the most visible ones. I see them out on the trail a lot – cleaning and pulling things out of the woods. What made you decide to pick this committee? Mr. Edwards One morning I was taking pictures at the Falls and I came across a woman who is on the committee and that was what got the ball rolling. Alderman Craffey What do you feel like you would bring to the committee? Mr. Edwards I am a team player. I grew up playing sports and I was always part of something. I have missed that aspect through the years. I joined in on one of the meetings one night and I felt like I was part of it because I could actually introduce my ideas and help out. I think it is a positive entity in Nashua and I want to be a part of that team. I am good with my hands and I don’t mind getting dirty. I love meeting people and I think it would be awesome to be part of the program. Alderman Craffey What about the usage? Do you think that Mine Falls Park is overused or underused? Mr. Edwards I think that is a good question. I think that I would have to say that it’s underused. I have a large amount of friends in Nashua and a lot of them do not know a lot about Mine Falls. They just think it’s a park with woods. If you get inside there, you are faced with utopia, a positive entity that would bring a lot of joy to Nashua if they found out a little more about it. I see people holding hands and families – I think it brings together a lot of positive stuff. I think it could use a little more advertising. Alderman Vitale What part of the park do you use? Mr. Edwards I go all the way through it a lot. I do have a favorite spot which is the first look-out that looks over the Oxbow Pond. I take a lot of pictures there and have made greeting cards out of them. If I really feel adventurous, I’ll get off the trails and I see a lot of stuff out there. Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 6 Alderman Vitale If you were going to pick one thing to improve in the park, what would it be? Mr. Edwards I would put lights by the two lookouts and by the bridge. I think it would decrease the amount of bad things happening. Secondly, I would put trash cans in spots because people pick up the poop but then leave the bag on the ground. Maybe not a trash can but some sort of dispenser. Alderman Caron You have as much enthusiasm as the Chairman, Greg Andruskevich, who sends me pictures constantly of Mine Falls Park. I am so happy to hear someone say that the facility is underused. I have been part of Mine Falls since they purchased it and I can tell you that they have done a lot of good things there and there were lights by the bridge at one time but they were all vandalized and it was decided not to replace them. That was about a $50,000 - $75,000 project that turned sour in a very short period of time but I do agree that barrels are needed. I think you have a lot of ideas and I think that group is very enthusiastic and I think you will be a great value to that group. I also think you will give Greg a run for his money and I think that is great. Alderman Deane I wanted to ask you about your position on building anything in there. Currently, there is an Expendable Trust Fund set up for the cell tower account and the advisory committee has had some discussions about it. A number of years ago, the Public Works Director decided he had a grand idea where they were going to put a bridge in there and put a building in there for the Waste Water Educational Center. I fought vehemently against it just for the simple fact that it is a park and I don’t think you need a parking lot, a building, a bridge, or paved roadways. I would hope that you would explain your position if that was ever brought up. Mr. Edwards I agree with you. If you put too much human kind in there it will take away the element of nature. I think it should be kept as it is. Don’t fix what’s not broken. If I were to fix something in there I would put a little foot path down below by the Oxbow so you can walk around. There is already one in there with sawdust on it. I think a building and parking lot would be too much. I would keep it as natural as possible. Alderman Deane I feel a lot of our parks are overdeveloped. I served on the Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee a number of years ago. It was a very active group who had zero money and that time, basically zero support from the Superintendent of the Park Department – not the recreation end of it. Money was always a problem, they couldn’t get shovels, they couldn’t get wheelbarrows, and then we looked at the Expendable Trust Fund – if you are going to get people to volunteer their time and do all of that work, the least you can do is get them the stuff to do it with. The Park & Rec employees did lend a hand on Saturdays because of collective bargaining agreements. I think it’s a great group of people. When you look at that piece of property that the city bought and I believe the then Mayor Sullivan vetoed the bond legislation to make the purchase of the property and the Board of Alderman overrode the veto and bought it. It was one of the best purchases the city has made. If you walk out into the middle of Mine Falls Park you don’t even feel like you are in Nashua anymore. We have bought plenty of other conservation land during my time on the Board. I am involved in recreational programs in the city but there are a lot of people that enjoy passive recreation and that’s what that place is all about. It’s Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 7 got a little bit of everything. I am glad you have an interest and good luck with your endeavor. The committee is filled with a lot of wonderful, hard-working people that have a vested interest in Mine Falls Park. Mayor Lozeau There is no appointment of a Commissioner of the Board of Public Works on the committee any longer. Alderman Sheehan I also do not feel buildings should be in there but one of the things I think it does lack is that it goes near downtown and it’s very difficult to get into it from certain parts. Would you be also opposed to adding an ingress/egress or walking bridges from downtown to be able to join in at different locations? Mr. Edwards I would definitely be up for doing something like that – even putting signs downtown that indicate “this way to Mine Falls.” I think there should be more signage inside the park as well. I would not want anything flamboyant but enough to give information and directions. Chairman Chasse Mr. Edwards, we will take up your appointment in a few minutes. Review and Comment Commission Kathleen Nelson (New Appointment) Term to Expire: December 1, 2016 Mayor Lozeau Kathy has been part of our community for such a very long time. When she began she opened a school called Small World. That grew into the World Schools, and today, it’s the World Academy. Kathy has had a lot of experience with our youth in this community and in spite of the fact that she has been running and growing a remarkable school, somehow she has found time to give back of herself, to volunteer, to be there for kids, for childcare and other things. She was recognized for being one of the twenty five most extraordinary women in our community. She has been recognized by senators and governors and accomplished quite a bit but always finds the time to give back. Kathy has been a volunteer on the Review and Comment Commission for the last four years and so for me it was an easy decision to ask her if she would be willing to step into a Commissioner position. She jumped at the chance and did not hesitate when I asked. I think that Kathy knows our community, knows our kids, knows what we need, and finds a way to give back of her time and energy and I feel we are really fortunate to have her willing to serve in this capacity. Ms. Nelson I was honored to be asked to be on this commission. This is a commission that matters to me. It really makes a difference. I was honored the first time I was asked to be on it as a citizen. I was struck by the fact that this group makes a difference. It takes care of the money that is given back to the community. We need to be responsible. I was very proud of the work that was being done there. I was not very good the first year. I am not a finance person, however, I do understand missions, I do understand what our community needs; I do understand the basic structure of making sure that we have a compassionate beginning for our community and for the members in it. The first year I took some time to try to figure out what was going on. As time has passed, I have been very deeply committed to this group. I have found it to be one of the most fulfilling in Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 8 terms of making sure we do our civic duty. The group that I have worked with often has been very diverse with different opinions but we have been able to come together pretty well in making some decisions that we thought were fair and I hope to continue that. Chairman Chasse I will now open it up to the committee. Alderman Caron I was so happy to hear of your interest in joining this committee. It is a big commitment. It is rewarding to know that we are able to provide those agencies with the help they need even if it’s just a little bit. It helps them to move forward and I am glad to see that you want to be part of that. Ms. Nelson There are a few things that I think can help the process run more smoothly. I think we need to get more information to the people who are applying. I think the applicants need some support on how to fill out the forms. I think that would make a huge difference because we get varied amounts and quality of information and it is very difficult to compare apples to apples when you have partial information. We had come up with the thought that some of the members of the committee, who had the expertise, could offer their services for free to help out with filling out the applications. This would enable this committee to get the proper information to make informed choices. Alderman Caron I think that is a great way to come forward with that. There were minor issues. You are trying to make them better – not only for the people who are doing the reviewing – but for those agencies to make sure that they are providing all the information that you need in order to make good choices and to be able to put that money out there. I see great things coming for next year. Alderman Vitale I am glad that was one of the things that discussed – about supplying some of the groups coming before you with help filling out the forms. I know that seems to be an annual problem and you would hate to overlook someone just because of the fact that they might not able to fill out the forms the same way an experienced group could fill them out. The amount of money that’s dealt with is less than it used to be and you want to be able to feel at the end of the day that you have made the best decisions possible to help the residents in Nashua. I was with you on the Childcare Advisory Commission, and I know that you will do very well. Ms. Nelson I think it’s vital with the funds being depleted year after year. My involvement with the city has always been “let me make my money without getting some support from the city.” I have always been in a position where if I want it, I work for it and I get it. It doesn’t mean that others don’t do that but it’s been wonderful to see how these organizations have to work and the things that they fulfill, the things they do and how much we all need to investigate who needs it the most – long term. One thing of importance is to figure out as much as possible what it is like to be in their shoes. That’s a real tough position but on the whole we felt it was most important to Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 9 look at the long-term for the good of Nashua. The short-term breaks your heart but the long-term is what we need to do. Alderman Sheehan Thank you for wanting to serve on this committee in a higher capacity that you have been. I am very pleased to hear some of the things that you have said because there has been some confusion and we have tried to work to make that better. It is a make or break for some of these agencies and it is so important. I think your background is so diverse that it is going to be a good fit. Alderman Deane I have never really involved myself with this group and it’s for good reason. In the past, there has been a lot of contentiousness and hopefully that’s gone away. In my years serving on this Board and as part of the Budget Committee, anytime we were going through our review process we came upon this in our book and spent little or no time on it. My feeling has always been that we have appointed people to sit down and do the work and quite frankly, I didn’t feel it was appropriate for us to do anything with the decisions. It’s not that I don’t have an interest in it, I have just always felt that the work had been done by a group and I trusted the decisions that they made and how they came to them. It’s a lot of work and I wish you well with it. It’s seems to me that you have already got a sense of satisfaction from it. Ms. Nelson I view it as a huge responsibility. COMMUNICATIONS – None APPLICATION TO LICENSE HAWKER'S, PEDDLER'S, ITINERANT VENDOR'S LICENSE - None APPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYOR MOTION BY ALDERMAN CRAFFEY TO RECOMMEND THE CONFIRMATION OF THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYOR: TO THE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: CARL ANDRADE FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 13, 2016; TO THE DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE: BENJAMIN CLEMONS, SY MAHFUZ AND RON LAFLEUR FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 13, 2016; TO THE MINE FALLS PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE: BRIAN EDWARDS, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 1, 2016; TO THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY: PAUL DESCHENES, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 13, 2018; TO THE REVIEW AND COMMENT COMMISSION: KATHLEEN NELSON FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 1, 2016; AND TO THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ADVISORY BOARD: TOM GALLIGANI, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE: NOVEMBER 1, 2014 MOTION CARRIED UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None NEW BUSINESS – RESOLUTIONS R-13-147 Endorsers: As Required by RSA 49-B ORDERING THAT A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CITY CHARTER SECTION 56-c, RELATIVE TO THE LIMITATION ON BUDGET INCREASES, BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT AT THE NEXT REGULAR STATE BIENNIAL ELECTION Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 10 MOTION BY ALDERMAN CRAFFEY TO RECOMMEND FINAL PASSAGE OF R-13-147 MOTION CARRIED MOTION BY ALDERMAN CRAFFEY THAT THE RULES BE SO FAR SUSPENDED AS TO GO OUT OF ORDER AND TAKE O-13-39 FROM THE TABLE MOTION CARRIED O-13-39 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau AMENDING SEWER USE FEES RATES AND CHARGES  Personnel/Administrative Affairs Cmte Referred to Budget and Tabled in Cmte – 5/6/13  Budget Review Committee Recommended Final Passage – 11/7/13 MOTION BY ALDERMAN SHEEHAN TO RECOMMEND FINAL PASSAGE OF O-13-39 MOTION CARRIED NEW BUSINESS – ORDINANCES O-13-59 Endorsers: Alderman-at-Large Mark S. Cookson Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. REGARDING THE VOTING PRIVILEGES OF ALDERMANIC LIAISONS MOTION BY ALDERMAN CRAFFEY TO TABLE O-13-59 MOTION CARRIED O-13-56 Endorser: Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly REGARDING RESUMES OF APPOINTEES MOTION BY ALDERMAN SHEEHAN TO TABLE O-13-56 MOTION CARRIED TABLED IN COMMITTEE Appointments by the Mayor Business and Industrial Development Authority Karen Tehan (New Appointment) Term to Expire: September 1, 2016 Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 11 MOTION BY ALDERMAN CRAFFEY TO TAKE FROM THE TABLE THE APPOINTMENT OF JANETH OROZCO SANCHEZ MOTION CARRIED Ethnic Awareness Committee Janeth Orozco Sanchez (New Appointment) Term to Expire: September 1, 2016 9 Forge Drive Nashua, NH 03060  Tabled 8/26/13 MOTION BY ALDERMAN CRAFFEY TO RECOMMEND THE CONFIRMATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF JANETH OROZCO SANCHEZ TO THE ETHNIC AWARENESS COMMITTEE FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 MOTION CARRIED R-13-95 Endorsers: Alderman-at-Large Jim Donchess Alderman-at-Large David W. Deane Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman-at-Large Mark S. Cookson Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CHARTER RELATIVE TO MEETING TIMES OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS  Tabled 2/25/13 R-13-105 Endorsers: Alderman Daniel T. Moriarty Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman-at-Large Mark S. Cookson Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman-at-Large Jim Donchess ESTABLISHING A COMMUTER RAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY AD-HOC COMMITTEE  Tabled 5/6/13 O-13-40 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire CHANGING THE LICENSING PROCESS FOR PARADES AND ROAD RACES ON PUBLIC STREETS  Also assigned to Board of Public Works; Favorable Recommendation Issued 5/9/13  Referred to Police & Fire & Tabled 5/6/13 O-13-44 Endorsers: Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Richard A. Dowd Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja RESTRICT LOCATIONS FOR MID-YEAR TAXICAB INSPECTIONS Personnel – 11/25/13 Page 12 DISCUSSION PUBLIC COMMENT REMARKS BY THE ALDERMEN POSSIBLE NON-PUBLIC SESSION ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY ALDERMAN CRAFFEY TO ADJOURN MOTION CARRIED The meeting was declared closed at 8:24 p.m. Alderman June M. Caron Committee Clerk