Aldermen remove Commuter Rail Feasibility Study from ‘package deal’ resolution in split decision

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Moran again made the motion to remove the commuter rail study from the legislation, expressing that they should focus on more immediate needs in the city. Screenshot

NASHUA, NH – After an almost four-hour-long meeting, the Board of Aldermen passed an amended version R-24-115 on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

The original resolution called for the supplemental appropriation of $5,245,000 to assign fund balance into 14 capital improvement projects. The amendment removed two of the projects, bringing the total down to $4,520,000. 

Reiterated by administrative services director Tim Cummings, each project would be funded by surplus funds, and there would be a “tax neutral” impact. He also said that with the resolution, they tried to stay as true to the plan outlined by the ad hoc capital debt committee as possible. 

The ad hoc committee prioritized various capital projects, totaling an amount of $4.2 million. The plan, however, was a working document subject to change as other needs arose. 

The board previously discussed – and tabled – the resolution at a meeting on Dec. 10. 

During that meeting, some of the aldermen voiced that they did not like how the projects were brought forth as a package deal. 

“We jam-packed these all into one resolution and you’re jamming it down our throats,” Alderman Moran said.

Moran had made the motion to remove the Commuter Rail Feasibility study from the legislation during the Dec. 10 meeting, but it did not pass.

On Tuesday night, Community Development Director Matt Sullivan said that while he would prefer the commuter rail project move forward to maintain momentum, it could wait until the next budget process. 

Moran again made the motion to remove the commuter rail study from the legislation, expressing that they should focus on more immediate needs in the city.

“I think all these projects are amazing, going to be for the betterment of Nashua, fix things that are falling apart and bring rail eventually to the city. But do we need it right now after hearing it could wait? Or could we repurpose that $225,000 to city welfare? Or could we repurpose that money to the paraprofessionals that are being underpaid in the school district?” Moran said.

Alderman Ernest Jette was against the motion to remove the study. 

As he had said during the Dec. 11 meeting, that $225,000 for the rail study is “peanuts” to put Nashua in the position to be able to do the commuter rail project when the time comes. 

Alderman Tim Sennott disagreed with this sentiment, saying that $225,000 is a great resource to work on other issues such as encampments. 

“I do struggle when I hear that it’s ‘just peanuts’ because I guess peanuts in one aspect could be a treasure trove in another,” he said. 

Alderman Moran agreed. 

“My children’s children will probably see the rail. Tonight there are people freezing on the streets. $225,000 is a lot of money to the point that you could probably house all those folks that are homeless in Nashua for at least three to six months with that amount of money. That is not chump change to people living in poverty and freezing on our streets who have no clue or idea of ‘oh my gosh, I can’t wait until there’s a freaking transit system that I can take into Boston to be homeless down there too,’” he said. “I think it should be repurposed to something that’s actually beneficial to people who are freezing and dying on our streets and overflooding our emergency rooms. But go ahead, study your rail.” 

Alderman Ben Clemons supported the motion to remove the commuter rail feasibility study, saying that the new state level administration does not support the project, and that the federal administration likely won’t either. 

“It’s not going to happen over the next four years,” he said. “It’s just not going to happen.”

In addition to Jette, many aldermen did not want to see the study cut from the legislation. 

Alderman Micheal O’Brien said that it would be short sighted to vote against commuter rail.

Alderman Patricia Klee – who ultimately voted in favor of the motion to remove the study – spoke highly of the rail and said that she would love to have it.

It was also noted the rail would help give people access to medical resources in Massachusetts.

The board voted 8 to 7 to remove the rail study. 

In favor were Aldermen Moran, Chris Thibodeau, Tyler Gouveia, Tom Lopez, John Sullivan, Ben Clemons, Tim Sennott, and Patricia Klee. 

Opposed were Alderwomen Gloria Timmons and Shoshanna Kelly, Aldermen Ernest Jette, Derek Thibeault, Richard Dowd, and President Lori Wilshire. 

The board also voted to remove the Spruce Street Connector Matching Grant Funds from the legislation. The connector would be a multi-use path from the Heritage Rail Trail to the riverwalk. 

While some other projects were more time sensitive – putting them off could mean losing out on grants or funds – Cummings said that he believed that this particular project could be put off without the risk of losing the opportunity to receive funding from the state.


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