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Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Improve Downtown Via Job Creation
Nashua Telegraph Published:
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Dan Moriarty | To attract new businesses we need a cooperative city hall with fewer impediments.
The best thing we can do to help downtown is to help the entire city. Jobs will be my focus as mayor. Jobs based on trades. The era of advanced manufacturing is upon us. New Hampshire is ranked in the top in the country for high tech and we will soon be ranked top in the country for advanced manufacturing - if I have anything to do with it.
I have taken action and already made progress. As chairman of the aldermanic Planning and Economic Development Committee, I have made this an item of study and have invited a steady stream of guests to educate us about topics beneficial to Nashua.
As mayor I will continue to visit managers of local manufacturers to learn what skills they need so we can teach those skills in our high school career and technical education programs and at the community college. Our trained workforce will become Nashua's greatest asset, allowing new companies to start and others to relocate here.
Entrepreneurs and the arts
At the other end of the spectrum we need high-paying jobs. At Planning and Economic Development Committee meetings we learned that, to attract youth and entrepreneurs, Nashua needs an identity of arts and culture and community.
We have great potential for a thriving arts community. Here and in surrounding towns there are countless people, like myself, who are hobbyists in arts, music, dance and theater. We have an energetic and talented urban youth culture growing in Nashua. As mayor I will bring my project management skills to lead those who care to build our arts community. I will strive to give Nashua an identity, a buzz, a culture to rival those of the cities to our south.
Grow your own
Everyone seems to agree that more downtown residents would mean more business for our shops and restaurants. The key is for those residents to work where they live, otherwise they will eat and shop where they work - elsewhere. Our downtown needs less expensive space for start-ups and niche enterprises. To attract businesses we need a cooperative city hall with fewer regulatory impediments administered in an easy to understand and to comply manner.
Our downtown is not just Main Street. People need to feel comfortable taking advantage of surrounding streets. It's not about the number of spaces on Main Street, it's about accessing all streets easily, safely and comfortably through better design, better lighting and better security.
Actions louder than words
Yes, these are exciting plans. As mayor I will employ the same patience and determination I used to earn a doctorate of science, to qualify for the world championships in triathlon, and get promoted at my most recent jobs. My career requires interpersonal skills for team leading and business development - meeting customers, identifying their needs and matching our skills to those needs.
The recent branding campaign of "Dare to Begin" is example of words failing to achieve any actions. I began a long time ago and I will continue to take action.
It is my nature to identify actionable, achievable, goals. Early in my life my mother applied for food stamps; but, we persevered and eventually I was accepted to MIT. Later in life I learned how to be a team leader. The group can accomplish much more than I can as an individual. So please join me as we lead Nashua to a future of opportunity and success.
Dan Moriarty works in business development at BAE Systems, is an Alderman-at-Large, a triathlete and a father of four.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/print/?sid=3120961
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Dan Moriarty | To attract new businesses we need a cooperative city hall with fewer impediments.
The best thing we can do to help downtown is to help the entire city. Jobs will be my focus as mayor. Jobs based on trades. The era of advanced manufacturing is upon us. New Hampshire is ranked in the top in the country for high tech and we will soon be ranked top in the country for advanced manufacturing - if I have anything to do with it.
I have taken action and already made progress. As chairman of the aldermanic Planning and Economic Development Committee, I have made this an item of study and have invited a steady stream of guests to educate us about topics beneficial to Nashua.
As mayor I will continue to visit managers of local manufacturers to learn what skills they need so we can teach those skills in our high school career and technical education programs and at the community college. Our trained workforce will become Nashua's greatest asset, allowing new companies to start and others to relocate here.
Entrepreneurs and the arts
At the other end of the spectrum we need high-paying jobs. At Planning and Economic Development Committee meetings we learned that, to attract youth and entrepreneurs, Nashua needs an identity of arts and culture and community.
We have great potential for a thriving arts community. Here and in surrounding towns there are countless people, like myself, who are hobbyists in arts, music, dance and theater. We have an energetic and talented urban youth culture growing in Nashua. As mayor I will bring my project management skills to lead those who care to build our arts community. I will strive to give Nashua an identity, a buzz, a culture to rival those of the cities to our south.
Grow your own
Everyone seems to agree that more downtown residents would mean more business for our shops and restaurants. The key is for those residents to work where they live, otherwise they will eat and shop where they work - elsewhere. Our downtown needs less expensive space for start-ups and niche enterprises. To attract businesses we need a cooperative city hall with fewer regulatory impediments administered in an easy to understand and to comply manner.
Our downtown is not just Main Street. People need to feel comfortable taking advantage of surrounding streets. It's not about the number of spaces on Main Street, it's about accessing all streets easily, safely and comfortably through better design, better lighting and better security.
Actions louder than words
Yes, these are exciting plans. As mayor I will employ the same patience and determination I used to earn a doctorate of science, to qualify for the world championships in triathlon, and get promoted at my most recent jobs. My career requires interpersonal skills for team leading and business development - meeting customers, identifying their needs and matching our skills to those needs.
The recent branding campaign of "Dare to Begin" is example of words failing to achieve any actions. I began a long time ago and I will continue to take action.
It is my nature to identify actionable, achievable, goals. Early in my life my mother applied for food stamps; but, we persevered and eventually I was accepted to MIT. Later in life I learned how to be a team leader. The group can accomplish much more than I can as an individual. So please join me as we lead Nashua to a future of opportunity and success.
Dan Moriarty works in business development at BAE Systems, is an Alderman-at-Large, a triathlete and a father of four.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/print/?sid=3120961
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Balancing between spending for services needed while limiting tax growth
In today's Telegraph I discuss my views on the spending cap and as Mayor how I will balance between spending for services needed while limiting tax growth.
Published:
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Dan Moriarty | I’ve been willing to make the difficult votes that others have not
For the past 30 years, our nation's household incomes just barely track inflation. Our community's ability to fund city services is dependent on individual incomes to pay taxes. Therefore, for life in Nashua to be sustainable, city spending must not grow faster than individual's incomes, i.e. the city budget must not grow faster than inflation.
Thank goodness we have a spending cap! Not every alderman is willing to make the difficult vote against spending that exceeds our community's ability to pay. In fact, I am among a small minority of aldermen (none of whom are running for mayor) who steadfastly vote to defend Nashua's taxpayers against excessive spending.
It is easy for a politician to say they will spend carefully. It is a different matter to vote that way when the gallery is packed with people who benefit from the spending. One salary contract which I was the lone vote against (14-to-1) costs the taxpayers almost 20 percent increase over three years.
Because I have met most of you at your doorstep, I know I'm doing the right thing when I vote to protect your pocketbook.
Exceeding the cap not necessary
Meanwhile, it is not necessary to exceed the spending cap to provide excellent city services. Our employee salaries are above average. Our crime rate is essentially as low as it has ever been; and our schools are better than most in the country. As a result of all this, our property tax rates are already above average for our region.
Our employee attrition is practically zero. We get a hundred applicants for every open position. We do not need to provide excessive increases in salary to maintain a great staff of city employees.
Any complaints about budget cuts are exaggerated because, in reality, the budgets are increasing; but the salary contracts are growing faster than the budgets. Departments thus have to eliminate staff or because salaries (and benefits and pension) are 75 percent of the city budget, they take money that could be used for other services - paving our roads, building maintenance, school sports.
I recognized all this and make the hard decision to vote accordingly - often alone.
Supporting workers
The most important thing I can do as mayor is support contracts that provide pay raises that track inflation. To build the trust needed for the unions to agree to this I must listen to our city employees and do all that I can to do improve their life in the classroom or life on the streets.
To do that, I aim to attract jobs based on the trades. This will improve life in the classroom by motivating students to learn a skill and inspire parents to take responsibility for their children's studies; and this will reduce crime - all at no cost to the taxpayer.
Honorable work
I know what it's like to have a mother who once had to apply for food stamps. I learned how to stretch a dollar and live within my household budget. Still, I am willing to take a pay cut to become mayor. Most importantly I know that we don't choose to become teachers or policemen or firemen or mayor to get rich. We must appreciate our community's limited ability to pay for salaries and benefits and they will appreciate the honorable hard work we do.
Dan Moriarty manages multimillion-dollar projects at BAE Systems, is an alderman-at-large, triathlete and a father of four.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinion/commentary/1068218-474/dan-moriarty--ive-been-willing-to.html
Published:
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Dan Moriarty | I’ve been willing to make the difficult votes that others have not
For the past 30 years, our nation's household incomes just barely track inflation. Our community's ability to fund city services is dependent on individual incomes to pay taxes. Therefore, for life in Nashua to be sustainable, city spending must not grow faster than individual's incomes, i.e. the city budget must not grow faster than inflation.
Thank goodness we have a spending cap! Not every alderman is willing to make the difficult vote against spending that exceeds our community's ability to pay. In fact, I am among a small minority of aldermen (none of whom are running for mayor) who steadfastly vote to defend Nashua's taxpayers against excessive spending.
It is easy for a politician to say they will spend carefully. It is a different matter to vote that way when the gallery is packed with people who benefit from the spending. One salary contract which I was the lone vote against (14-to-1) costs the taxpayers almost 20 percent increase over three years.
Because I have met most of you at your doorstep, I know I'm doing the right thing when I vote to protect your pocketbook.
Exceeding the cap not necessary
Meanwhile, it is not necessary to exceed the spending cap to provide excellent city services. Our employee salaries are above average. Our crime rate is essentially as low as it has ever been; and our schools are better than most in the country. As a result of all this, our property tax rates are already above average for our region.
Our employee attrition is practically zero. We get a hundred applicants for every open position. We do not need to provide excessive increases in salary to maintain a great staff of city employees.
Any complaints about budget cuts are exaggerated because, in reality, the budgets are increasing; but the salary contracts are growing faster than the budgets. Departments thus have to eliminate staff or because salaries (and benefits and pension) are 75 percent of the city budget, they take money that could be used for other services - paving our roads, building maintenance, school sports.
I recognized all this and make the hard decision to vote accordingly - often alone.
Supporting workers
The most important thing I can do as mayor is support contracts that provide pay raises that track inflation. To build the trust needed for the unions to agree to this I must listen to our city employees and do all that I can to do improve their life in the classroom or life on the streets.
To do that, I aim to attract jobs based on the trades. This will improve life in the classroom by motivating students to learn a skill and inspire parents to take responsibility for their children's studies; and this will reduce crime - all at no cost to the taxpayer.
Honorable work
I know what it's like to have a mother who once had to apply for food stamps. I learned how to stretch a dollar and live within my household budget. Still, I am willing to take a pay cut to become mayor. Most importantly I know that we don't choose to become teachers or policemen or firemen or mayor to get rich. We must appreciate our community's limited ability to pay for salaries and benefits and they will appreciate the honorable hard work we do.
Dan Moriarty manages multimillion-dollar projects at BAE Systems, is an alderman-at-large, triathlete and a father of four.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinion/commentary/1068218-474/dan-moriarty--ive-been-willing-to.html
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Addressing the current heroin problem in Nashua
In today's Nashua Telegraph I provide my approach as Mayor to address the current heroin problem.
Dan Moriarty: Stress prevention, treatment to get citizens the help they need
EDITOR'S NOTE: This week begins a series of Sunday columns written by the six announced candidates for mayor of Nashua. The series will feature two candidates per week, culminating the Sunday prior to the September primary election with some final thoughts from each candidate.
Not long ago, New Hampshire averaged 30 drug overdose deaths per year. Last year, there were about 300. The wave of heroin use is real, but we can stop it if we focus our efforts in the right direction - prevention and recovery.
I wanted to know what is causing this, so I asked a friend, Evan (not his real name), who is a recovering heroin addict. He said the stigma that used to be attached to heroin is now gone. His views were echoed by a man I met during recent door-to-door visits whose daughter is hooked on heroin after trying it at a party - socially, like it was "no big deal."
People often steal narcotics from their parents' medicine cabinets. Once hooked, they turn to the streets. Heroin has always been a cheaper alternative, but there used to be a huge stigma barrier. Now, that stigma is gone and usage has skyrocketed.
The most important step in stemming this tidal wave of drug overdoses is prevention based on information. We must resocialize the stigma of heroin usage and educate the public on its enormous risks.
It is paramount for the heroin-curious to learn that, like a deadly virus with no cure, once heroin gets into your veins and takes hold of you it never lets go - not ever - until you either recover or die. And, heroin doesn't loosen its grip easily. That message is best delivered from someone like Evan who once literally lived on the streets and turned to crime for money to get a fix but has since managed to clean up, is now married, back in school and gets his high running long miles.
As mayor I will commission a team of volunteers, aiding our substance-misuse prevention efforts at our Division of Public Health, to resocialize the stigma of heroin and educate our youth on its grim realities. Similar efforts like "Keepin' it Real" have succeeded. The key is not to lecture from a position of purity, but to engage at a peer level.
The second important step is recovery. But it's a long way from addiction to recovery. There are countless people who have wanted to get sober but couldn't escape heroin's grip. Sometimes it only takes a couple hours in jail to straighten a person out; others require the threat of years behind bars. For the person who has finally hit bottom and is truly ready to do anything to get sober, our state's drug courts have the right approach.
Still, heroin detox is a whole different animal than alcoholism recovery. Imagine your worst stomach flu ever and ask yourself what you would have done to make it go away. Someone trying to kick the habit alone, enduring that misery times 10, has little chance of success. Another recovering addict told me of how he tried to go clean several times and simply didn't know how. Accessible drug treatment facilities are a must. As mayor, I will personally help local treatment facilities fundraise and will advocate on their behalf at the state and federal level.
There are many like Evan who stay sober by carrying the message to those who still suffer. By taking ownership through community efforts and socializing the solution, we can eliminate the problem and unload this burden from our police and the taxpayers who pay their salaries.
As mayor, I will continue to learn about prevention and recovery so that I can help others overcome challenges and help all of Nashua enjoy a future of opportunity and success.
Dan Moriarty is an alderman-at-large, triathlete and father of four.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/…/dan-moriarty-stress-preven…
Dan Moriarty: Stress prevention, treatment to get citizens the help they need
EDITOR'S NOTE: This week begins a series of Sunday columns written by the six announced candidates for mayor of Nashua. The series will feature two candidates per week, culminating the Sunday prior to the September primary election with some final thoughts from each candidate.
Not long ago, New Hampshire averaged 30 drug overdose deaths per year. Last year, there were about 300. The wave of heroin use is real, but we can stop it if we focus our efforts in the right direction - prevention and recovery.
I wanted to know what is causing this, so I asked a friend, Evan (not his real name), who is a recovering heroin addict. He said the stigma that used to be attached to heroin is now gone. His views were echoed by a man I met during recent door-to-door visits whose daughter is hooked on heroin after trying it at a party - socially, like it was "no big deal."
People often steal narcotics from their parents' medicine cabinets. Once hooked, they turn to the streets. Heroin has always been a cheaper alternative, but there used to be a huge stigma barrier. Now, that stigma is gone and usage has skyrocketed.
The most important step in stemming this tidal wave of drug overdoses is prevention based on information. We must resocialize the stigma of heroin usage and educate the public on its enormous risks.
It is paramount for the heroin-curious to learn that, like a deadly virus with no cure, once heroin gets into your veins and takes hold of you it never lets go - not ever - until you either recover or die. And, heroin doesn't loosen its grip easily. That message is best delivered from someone like Evan who once literally lived on the streets and turned to crime for money to get a fix but has since managed to clean up, is now married, back in school and gets his high running long miles.
As mayor I will commission a team of volunteers, aiding our substance-misuse prevention efforts at our Division of Public Health, to resocialize the stigma of heroin and educate our youth on its grim realities. Similar efforts like "Keepin' it Real" have succeeded. The key is not to lecture from a position of purity, but to engage at a peer level.
The second important step is recovery. But it's a long way from addiction to recovery. There are countless people who have wanted to get sober but couldn't escape heroin's grip. Sometimes it only takes a couple hours in jail to straighten a person out; others require the threat of years behind bars. For the person who has finally hit bottom and is truly ready to do anything to get sober, our state's drug courts have the right approach.
Still, heroin detox is a whole different animal than alcoholism recovery. Imagine your worst stomach flu ever and ask yourself what you would have done to make it go away. Someone trying to kick the habit alone, enduring that misery times 10, has little chance of success. Another recovering addict told me of how he tried to go clean several times and simply didn't know how. Accessible drug treatment facilities are a must. As mayor, I will personally help local treatment facilities fundraise and will advocate on their behalf at the state and federal level.
There are many like Evan who stay sober by carrying the message to those who still suffer. By taking ownership through community efforts and socializing the solution, we can eliminate the problem and unload this burden from our police and the taxpayers who pay their salaries.
As mayor, I will continue to learn about prevention and recovery so that I can help others overcome challenges and help all of Nashua enjoy a future of opportunity and success.
Dan Moriarty is an alderman-at-large, triathlete and father of four.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/…/dan-moriarty-stress-preven…
Monday, June 8, 2015
Petition Nomination Forms Submitted - Ballot for Mayor of Nashua
Filed this morning at Nashua City Hall to be on the ballot for Mayor of Nashua. 50 required, but submitted1097 nomination petition forms which represents over a thousand one on one conversations with Nashua voters listening to and understanding their concerns.
Prospective Nashua mayoral candidates eager to file paperwork
By KIMBERLY HOUGHTON
Union Leader Correspondent...
- See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150609/NEWS0606/150609139/0/SEARCH#sthash.KmWj4tET.dpuf
Prospective Nashua mayoral candidates eager to file paperwork
By KIMBERLY HOUGHTON
Union Leader Correspondent...
- See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150609/NEWS0606/150609139/0/SEARCH#sthash.KmWj4tET.dpuf
Monday, May 18, 2015
Alderman-At-Large Dan Moriarty declares mayoral candidacy in Nashua
Union Leader May 18. 2015 7:19AM
NASHUA — Alderman-at-Large Dan Moriarty has announced his official candidacy for mayor, saying he if elected he will focus on limited taxes and employment growth.
“Nashua deserves a mayor who cares passionately enough about its hard-working families to personally visit every neighborhood of our city, and who has the qualifications to bring opportunities for everyone to our great city,” Moriarty said in a statement.
Moriarty, an electro-optics engineer for BAE Systems, has been an alderman for three years, and has lived in southern New Hampshire for 11 years.
Since exploring a mayoral candidacy, Moriarty, a Republican, has made hundreds of phone calls and traveled around the city knocking on doors and speaking one-on-one with residents. “Since I began talking to people in Nashua about a potential run, the response has been very supportive,” he said in a release. “I enjoy making personal connections with so many Nashuans at their doorsteps and in the streets.”
Moriarty is the fifth person to officially announce a mayoral candidacy. Two early-bird candidates — Mike Broderick and Doug Carroll — announced last year that they will be running. Since then, Alderman-at-Large Jim Donchess, a former Nashua mayor, and Alderman-at-Large David Deane, president of the Board of Aldermen, have announced their candidacies as well.
In addition, Chris Williams, president of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, has already announced his pending resignation from the organization as he considers a run for mayor.
Mayor Donnalee Lozeau announced earlier this year that she will not seek reelection.
“As mayor, I plan to focus on the essentials — bringing jobs to Nashua, limiting taxes and getting our roads paved,” said Moriarty, adding Nashua needs to have an identity of arts, culture and community if it wants to attract entrepreneurs and younger residents.
As the Gate City continues to become more urban, Moriarty said local families need more mid-skilled jobs available in the area.
If elected, Moriarty said he will continue to listen to concerns from the public, advocate on behalf of local citizens and attempt to connect with them personally.
“I have the experience, qualifications and temperament that are necessary to be mayor,” he added.
Moriarty has four children, and previously represented the United States at the Age Group Triathlon World Championships.
He recently launched a 70-person exploratory committee including local business leaders, volunteers, conservationists and veterans. Some members of his exploratory committee include former mayor Bernie Streeter, Sen. Gary Lambert, former U.S. Congressman Charlie Bass, Gov. James Douglas (R-Vt.) and former aldermen Fred Teeboom and Dave MacLaughlin, among others.
khoughton@newstote.com
- See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20150518/NEWS0606/150519159/-1/services01&template=printart#sthash.mdzJiyTz.dpuf
Moriarty declares mayoral candidacy in Nashua
NASHUA — Alderman-at-Large Dan Moriarty has announced his official candidacy for mayor, saying he if elected he will focus on limited taxes and employment growth.
“Nashua deserves a mayor who cares passionately enough about its hard-working families to personally visit every neighborhood of our city, and who has the qualifications to bring opportunities for everyone to our great city,” Moriarty said in a statement.
Moriarty, an electro-optics engineer for BAE Systems, has been an alderman for three years, and has lived in southern New Hampshire for 11 years.
Since exploring a mayoral candidacy, Moriarty, a Republican, has made hundreds of phone calls and traveled around the city knocking on doors and speaking one-on-one with residents. “Since I began talking to people in Nashua about a potential run, the response has been very supportive,” he said in a release. “I enjoy making personal connections with so many Nashuans at their doorsteps and in the streets.”
Moriarty is the fifth person to officially announce a mayoral candidacy. Two early-bird candidates — Mike Broderick and Doug Carroll — announced last year that they will be running. Since then, Alderman-at-Large Jim Donchess, a former Nashua mayor, and Alderman-at-Large David Deane, president of the Board of Aldermen, have announced their candidacies as well.
In addition, Chris Williams, president of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, has already announced his pending resignation from the organization as he considers a run for mayor.
Mayor Donnalee Lozeau announced earlier this year that she will not seek reelection.
“As mayor, I plan to focus on the essentials — bringing jobs to Nashua, limiting taxes and getting our roads paved,” said Moriarty, adding Nashua needs to have an identity of arts, culture and community if it wants to attract entrepreneurs and younger residents.
As the Gate City continues to become more urban, Moriarty said local families need more mid-skilled jobs available in the area.
If elected, Moriarty said he will continue to listen to concerns from the public, advocate on behalf of local citizens and attempt to connect with them personally.
“I have the experience, qualifications and temperament that are necessary to be mayor,” he added.
Moriarty has four children, and previously represented the United States at the Age Group Triathlon World Championships.
He recently launched a 70-person exploratory committee including local business leaders, volunteers, conservationists and veterans. Some members of his exploratory committee include former mayor Bernie Streeter, Sen. Gary Lambert, former U.S. Congressman Charlie Bass, Gov. James Douglas (R-Vt.) and former aldermen Fred Teeboom and Dave MacLaughlin, among others.
khoughton@newstote.com
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Happy Mother's Day
When I was a toddler my mother’s application for food stamps
was turned down. They told her she earned too much – working two jobs, as a
single mother, to support her and her five kids. I didn’t know this until very
recently when my oldest sister told me, and life at the time seemed great. The
house was always clean, we had hot meals. (I still love tuna casserole), I went
to a great public school, and I spent my summers at the town pool - swimming
competitively of course. But behind the scenes, the economy of the early 1970s
was not doing well. My dad’s sales business struggled and he had a hard time
paying child support on top of two mortgages.
Despite all that, on graduating high school, I was accepted
to MIT to study engineering. Through loans and scholarships, I was able to pay
my way and eventually found a position at BAE Systems here in the Gate City. But
none of that would have been possible without the support of my mom.
Now, nearly forty years later, I’m considering running for
Mayor of Nashua. My biggest consideration is how I can help others overcome
their own challenges so they can enjoy the same success I have. There are so
many perspectives from people with their own needs that I can’t possibly draw
only on my own experiences. Fortunately, I can seek advice from some of the
women in my life.
To understand the challenges of a teenage mother – what it takes to persevere with two young boys – I can just ask my youngest sister, Bonnie. Seeing her today, blessed with a loving husband and a home on a farm. I realize that hard work and sacrifice will pay off.
Today, Nashua’s people are facing similar kinds of
challenges as our city becomes increasingly urban. Half the students in
Nashua’s school system come from families who qualify for free or reduced
meals. Many of those families have a single mother as the head of the
household.
To understand the challenges of raising a special needs
child – I would call my oldest sister, Jackie.
For years she dug in her heels with schools to do the best for her
learning-impaired daughter and even tutored her at home when necessary. My niece is now a successful and award
winning school teacher.
This is also an increasingly important issue for Nashua. Roughly
one third of our school budget goes towards helping students with special
needs. It is almost a requirement that the next mayor of Nashua appreciate the
challenges presented to a mother of a child with a learning disability.
For parents in similar situations, I don’t have all the
answers for them to get through the next day, but what I can confidently tell
them is that it won’t always be a struggle. As my mom and sisters demonstrated,
hard work will pay off.
But it’s not enough to simply struggle through life. We have
to know that we are working for a better tomorrow. And I know that the gate city can be the
gateway to a better life for hardworking families.
To get us there, Nashua needs a mayor who can lead by
example, someone who not only has life experiences to empathize with the
challenges we face, but who has also demonstrated that patience and
determination actually pays off with success.
The same patience and determination that got me to the
Triathlon World Championships, I have applied to a long and successful career
in the technology business. If I decide
to run for mayor, then all the moms of Nashua will be able to count on me to be
their champion as I draw on the experiences of my own family in order to help
theirs.
These skills I got from my parents. I wouldn’t be the man I
am today if it weren’t for my mom. I’m
sure many of you feel the same way. So, stop what you are doing right now and
if you haven’t already, call your mother.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
It's Simple Math - balancing contracts and budgets
Let me ask you a question – which three people, aside from your parents, had the greatest impact on your life? In my case, they are all teachers: the late Joan Ruhlman, my 4th grade math teacher; Mr. Rich Andra, my high school physics teacher; and Dr. Min-chang Lee, my thesis advisor at MIT. I’m sure many of you can also think of a teacher or two who greatly improved your life.
Let me ask another question – how does the NH median household income for 2013 compare to that of 2001 or 1989? In inflation adjusted dollars they are all equal, meaning that for at least 30 years the nation’s median household income has tracked inflation almost identically. In other words, salary increases have matched the rising cost of living.
And finally, a third question – what percentage of the Nashua city budget is spent on salaries and benefits? In some departments it’s a little higher, in others it’s lower but, depending on what items you include, it is approximately 75%.
How are these three things related? They all come together when we have to strike the right balance between budget pressures and city employee contracts.
The Nashua School Department is currently faced with a budget challenge. The challenge this year is more difficult than past years because the salary contracts, for which the teachers’ union lobbied, cost more year-over-year than inflation – by about 150%. Sadly, this budget challenge has already resulted in the elimination of ice hockey and skiing as varsity sports. In New England, this is a huge missed opportunity for our young students.
I believe we need to fully fund all aspects of our school system and I also believe that our city budget should be managed so that it does not grow faster than inflation. That way our community’s ability to pay can keep up with our expenditures. The logic is this: our community’s ability to pay is derived from families’ household incomes, and families’ household incomes track inflation. This is why the City Charter has a provision which attempts to limit our budget growth to be no faster than inflation. (This year the law was changed to allow it to grow faster than inflation.)
The salary contracts of the city’s employee unions tend to come up for a vote in the fall, but the budget which pays for these contracts gets voted on in the summer. This six month separation of these two events causes a combination of memory loss and disbelief of claims of future financial challenges. The consequence is salary contracts that grow faster than inflation, which inevitably force cuts in important budget items – like varsity sports and infrastructure investment. The math describing this problem is quite simple. If you have $3,000,000 to spend but you approve $3,000,000 in salary increases there will be nothing left for building maintenance, books, or sports programs.
Some people would rather we raise the school budget faster than we already are; but, that would require us to raise property taxes even more to support that budget. This is not a sustainable approach. As elected officials, we have a duty to ensure that our hard working public servants are rewarded for the important job they do. Yet we also have a duty to protect hard working families from onerous property tax increases. As much as I would like to give every city employee a big salary increase, I also recognize that it is not in our power to give every resident an equally large salary increase to pay for the property tax burden.
I support salary increases for individuals because I know the value of good, well rewarded teachers. But I supported a 2.5% increase, rather than the inflation-busting 3.5% that’s currently in place, because I also know the value of properly funding our school system and keeping property taxes down. I believe most taxpayers and most teachers would agree that a pay raise to match increases in the cost of living is reasonable, even if union bosses don’t see it that way.
I remember well those three teachers who were most impactful on my life and I want every young person in our community to benefit from educators as great as them. The single most important thing those three teachers taught me was how to add. Keeping our budget balanced and our school system well funded isn’t only a case of responsible policy making, it’s just simple math.
Dan Moriarty is a Nashua Alderman-at-Large, triathlete, father of four, and is considering a run for Mayor of Nashua
Let me ask another question – how does the NH median household income for 2013 compare to that of 2001 or 1989? In inflation adjusted dollars they are all equal, meaning that for at least 30 years the nation’s median household income has tracked inflation almost identically. In other words, salary increases have matched the rising cost of living.
And finally, a third question – what percentage of the Nashua city budget is spent on salaries and benefits? In some departments it’s a little higher, in others it’s lower but, depending on what items you include, it is approximately 75%.
How are these three things related? They all come together when we have to strike the right balance between budget pressures and city employee contracts.
The Nashua School Department is currently faced with a budget challenge. The challenge this year is more difficult than past years because the salary contracts, for which the teachers’ union lobbied, cost more year-over-year than inflation – by about 150%. Sadly, this budget challenge has already resulted in the elimination of ice hockey and skiing as varsity sports. In New England, this is a huge missed opportunity for our young students.
I believe we need to fully fund all aspects of our school system and I also believe that our city budget should be managed so that it does not grow faster than inflation. That way our community’s ability to pay can keep up with our expenditures. The logic is this: our community’s ability to pay is derived from families’ household incomes, and families’ household incomes track inflation. This is why the City Charter has a provision which attempts to limit our budget growth to be no faster than inflation. (This year the law was changed to allow it to grow faster than inflation.)
The salary contracts of the city’s employee unions tend to come up for a vote in the fall, but the budget which pays for these contracts gets voted on in the summer. This six month separation of these two events causes a combination of memory loss and disbelief of claims of future financial challenges. The consequence is salary contracts that grow faster than inflation, which inevitably force cuts in important budget items – like varsity sports and infrastructure investment. The math describing this problem is quite simple. If you have $3,000,000 to spend but you approve $3,000,000 in salary increases there will be nothing left for building maintenance, books, or sports programs.
Some people would rather we raise the school budget faster than we already are; but, that would require us to raise property taxes even more to support that budget. This is not a sustainable approach. As elected officials, we have a duty to ensure that our hard working public servants are rewarded for the important job they do. Yet we also have a duty to protect hard working families from onerous property tax increases. As much as I would like to give every city employee a big salary increase, I also recognize that it is not in our power to give every resident an equally large salary increase to pay for the property tax burden.
I support salary increases for individuals because I know the value of good, well rewarded teachers. But I supported a 2.5% increase, rather than the inflation-busting 3.5% that’s currently in place, because I also know the value of properly funding our school system and keeping property taxes down. I believe most taxpayers and most teachers would agree that a pay raise to match increases in the cost of living is reasonable, even if union bosses don’t see it that way.
I remember well those three teachers who were most impactful on my life and I want every young person in our community to benefit from educators as great as them. The single most important thing those three teachers taught me was how to add. Keeping our budget balanced and our school system well funded isn’t only a case of responsible policy making, it’s just simple math.
Dan Moriarty is a Nashua Alderman-at-Large, triathlete, father of four, and is considering a run for Mayor of Nashua
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Dan Moriarty
Launches Exploratory Committee
Moriarty: Nashua
deserves a Mayor who can deliver
Nashua, NH – Alderman-at-Large Dan Moriarty has launched a 70
person committee to explore his potential run for Mayor of Nashua.
The committee unites the efforts of Republicans, Democrats and
Independents, from all walks of life across the city of Nashua. Members include
local business leaders, volunteers at local public service agencies, local
activists and grass roots volunteers, conservationists and veterans.
Members also include experienced public servants, such as seven
term Congressman Charlie Bass, Mayor Bernie Streeter, Rep
Bill Ohm, former Reps Randy Whitehead and Kevin Brown and Fire Commissioner
Kevin Gage.
The committee is especially honored to have the support of Reina
Flynn, to represent the fiscal prudence of her late husband.
Speaking about the committee, Dan said:
“I’m delighted to announce the formation of this exploratory
committee. Since I began talking to
people in Nashua about a potential run, the response has been overwhelmingly supportive.
“Nashua deserves a Mayor who cares passionately about its hard
working families and who will bring opportunities for everyone to our great
city.
“The most important question for me right now is how I can best
serve the people of Nashua, be that as Alderman-at-Large, as Mayor or in
another capacity.”
A formal decision on the run for Mayor is expected by the end of
March.
The full list
of endorsers is as follow:
| Mayor Bernie Streeter |
| Sen. Gary Lambert |
| Henry Goodwin |
| Fmr US Congressman Charlie Bass |
| NFR Commissioner Kevin Gage |
| Gov. James Douglas (R-VT) |
| Fmr Alderman Fred Teeboom |
| Fmr Alderman Dave MacLaughlin |
| Rosemary Russell |
| Mrs. Reina Flynn |
| Phil Stylianos |
| Tom Jenkins |
| Jack Currier |
| David Gleneck |
| Rep Bill Ohm |
| Rep Tim Twombly |
| Linda Twombly |
| Ann Bannister |
| Barbara Beierl |
| Fmr Rep Kevin Brown |
| Fmr Rep Randy Whitehead |
| Fmr Rep Lawrence Artz |
| Lt Col Richard Attardo |
| Col Terry Negron |
| Steven Negron |
| Capt William Joransen |
| Cmdr Charles Ringleben |
| Dani Podvojski |
| Rock Standish |
| Laura Standish |
| Jeff Foster |
| Nancy Foster |
| Bill Sutton |
| Laurie Sutton |
| Tom Forrest |
| Cheryl Forrest |
| George Stergion |
| Barry Warhola |
| Sharon Bubar |
| Jay Clair |
| Charles Michaud |
| Dan Kelly |
| Thomas White |
| William Machell |
| Karen Thoman |
| Kathy Snyder |
| Don Winn |
| Gary Henkel |
| Robert Duffy |
| Matthew Moroney |
| Andrew Iucci |
| Natalie Iucci |
| Peter Temperino |
| Linda Temperino |
| Dave Duprat |
| Ed Lopez |
| Marie Lopez |
| Deborah Foster |
| Lynn L'Heureux |
| Daniel Burk |
| Kevin Murray |
| Joshua Reynolds |
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/1055484-469/alderman-moritary-is-semi-officially-running-for-nashua.html |
Monday, January 12, 2015
City of Nashua Strategic Plan
The City of Nashua needs a Strategic Plan. In fact there is an ordinance which requires our strategic plan be updated at least once per two-year term and that the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) meet in order to do that.
As the Chairman of PEDC (the Planning and Economic Development Committee) I am also the chairman of the SPC. We met about a month ago and decided to delegate the task of updating the strategic plan back to PEDC. I welcome the opportunity to lead the discussion, to collect data, and to compile a document that may sometime in the future become a point of reference for policy decisions.
One challenge in creating the strategic plan is that of finding time and people to accomplish the task. For example, the city has a Master Plan which focuses on land use. In principle it is generated by the Planning Board while in practice it is written by full-time paid staff of the city’s development office. For the strategic plan we don’t have any paid staff. One main reason the strategic planning committee adjourned was because the mayor was hesitant to have her staff (members of the SPC by ordinance) dedicating their time to the project.
The Plan: We shall begin by inviting the members of the various commissions who already have been meeting – in some cases for decades – to summarize their findings and present them to PEDC. Already we have met with the Arts Commission and have received their 80 page document. I’ve extended invitations to the chairmen of the Board of Education, the Cultural Connections Committee (formerly the Ethnic Awareness Committee), and the Conservation Commission.
This is a work in progress so please tune in from time to time to see our progress on PEDC. Of course, if you would like to participate feel free to contact me @ (603) 891-1020 or at aldermanmoriarty@gmail.com.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Nashua Arts and Culture Plan
Tuesday at the Planning and Economic Development Committee we had three guest speakers: Chairman of the Nashua Arts Commission Liz Racioppi, President of the City Arts Nashua Kathy Hersch, and incoming NAC Chairman Charlie Matthews. The topic of discussion was the Nashua Arts and Culture Plan which is the product of the Nashua Arts Commission.
The 80 page document is intended to provide a plan of action to grow the Arts and Culture in Nashua. I feel it is a great document mo...stly because of its size and wealth of content. The layout, font, and organization is different than I might have chosen but that is less important than the fact that it exists.
The 80 page document is intended to provide a plan of action to grow the Arts and Culture in Nashua. I feel it is a great document mo...stly because of its size and wealth of content. The layout, font, and organization is different than I might have chosen but that is less important than the fact that it exists.
The first half of the document discusses 6 perspectives or categories of interest: Identity, centralization, education, marketing, commerce, and growth. The second half of the document is a series of appendices which include results from a survey and a list of organizations directly related to the Arts & Culture.
We tabled the motion to accept and endorse the document so that we may submit some comments for the Nashua Arts Commission to consider in a revision #2 of the document.
The key suggestion I have can be summarized as follows. Nashua is likely to have a large number of people who participate in the arts in various forms (e.g. playing the guitar or painting at home). We should seed to identify and contact as many people as possible to establish a network of interested individuals. Some may be ideally suited to take on action items and to lead other groups as volunteers or simply to explore their own interests more fully. Collectively we can address all six of the areas listed above and help our community thrive.
http://www.unionleader.com/…/20…/NEWS0606/141219040/0/SEARCH
We tabled the motion to accept and endorse the document so that we may submit some comments for the Nashua Arts Commission to consider in a revision #2 of the document.
The key suggestion I have can be summarized as follows. Nashua is likely to have a large number of people who participate in the arts in various forms (e.g. playing the guitar or painting at home). We should seed to identify and contact as many people as possible to establish a network of interested individuals. Some may be ideally suited to take on action items and to lead other groups as volunteers or simply to explore their own interests more fully. Collectively we can address all six of the areas listed above and help our community thrive.
http://www.unionleader.com/…/20…/NEWS0606/141219040/0/SEARCH
Monday, November 24, 2014
Passenger Rail Study Summary Presentation Nov 20th
Thursday’s summary presentation of the recently concluded
passenger rail study was exactly what most people in the audience came to hear.
Unfortunately a key element was missing – the persuasive argument to convince
those who are skeptical. The intangible benefits of rail are obvious to many of
us and so we are inclined to forgive when we don’t receive a high level of
tangible certainty. To many others the unknown risks outweigh its benefits so
they focus on the facts actually displayed on the big screen primarily the
large capital costs and subsidy requirements.
In the business of
defense contracting once an opportunity has been officially posted it is
illegal to campaign to the offering committee on one’s behalf. We are forced to
make our case in 11 point Ariel, 20 pages maximum for example. We cannot simply
ask a group of state legislators to vote for us because we are ideologically
aligned. Instead the contracting decisions are based on facts defensible in a
court of law. I am naturally inclined to approach the new majority in Concord in
this way - as customers whom I am obligated to persuade. I believe we stand a
good chance of success if we take the time to learn their language so they
might receive our message.
Their language is one of maximizing economic benefit while
minimizing government involvement. Using this as our guide we can build a case
from one key fact offered to us at the rail study presentation – an investment
of ten million dollars per year results in about 5000 full time jobs. A quick
estimate suggests that 5000 full time jobs equates to approximately 500 million
dollars of economy. I base this on previous rail studies that predict an
average income of 50 thousand dollars per year and an equal value of commercial
revenue. In summary that’s a return on investment of 50:1. An experienced
entrepreneur could strengthen the argument by comparing this passenger rail ROI
to other proposals for funding being submitted to the state and municipal
governments.
It is also commonplace in crafting proposals to address the
primary counter-arguments of the competition as well as those in the minds of
the source selection committee. In this case we know one of those to be the
idea that if the generated revenues are so large then a profit making venture
should take the lead. A crucial step here is to recognize that there are no
direct mechanisms for a private company to extract the revenues generated by
the commuter rail; whereas, state and local government are capable of receiving
the necessary fraction of those revenues through the mechanisms already in
place such as business taxes. In fact this is the basis of those who support
increasing state revenues via reduced tax rates. The near-term shortfall is
closed by the expanded economy of the future.
If time and budget remains in the contract I urge the
managers of the Feasibility Study to focus resources toward preparing the case
to move forward. For commuter rail to gain the support of our state government
it is paramount that its proponents can defend the statement that “passenger
rail can and will pay for itself.”
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Pennichuck Water Special Committee
We had another excellent and educational meeting with the Pennichuck Corp. executives yesterday at the Pennichuck Water Special Committee. Don't miss the channel 16 reruns or the online archive re-broadcasts.
Mr. Goodhue the CFO gave an overview of their quarterly report and we learned more about how they are a debt financed company. On the way out the door after the meeting I said that this company could be the source of a journal article in the future. It's a special combination as a publicly held private company running for-profit but regulated by the NH Public Utilities Commission.
Each of the four guests (CEO Patenaude, COO Ware, CFO Goodhue, and Board Chairman Leonard) answered different parts of the questions to give a complete picture of the company.
Mr. Goodhue the CFO gave an overview of their quarterly report and we learned more about how they are a debt financed company. On the way out the door after the meeting I said that this company could be the source of a journal article in the future. It's a special combination as a publicly held private company running for-profit but regulated by the NH Public Utilities Commission.
Each of the four guests (CEO Patenaude, COO Ware, CFO Goodhue, and Board Chairman Leonard) answered different parts of the questions to give a complete picture of the company.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Finance Committee Recap
We had a good stress relieving laugh at the Finance Committee around 7:42 pm yesterday. "I'm going to personally go over there and disassemble that mower piece by piece," cracked our Mayor and chairman. That discussion took all of three minutes until we voted unanimously to replace the well used infield mower.
We spent 24 minutes talking out a $170,000 project to upgrade most of the lighting at each of the firehouses in the city. We got bogged down in the details of a few of the fixture/light replacements that paid for themselves over a period of 100 years (one of them at least). Eventually the item got tabled and we shall wait for a presentation from a deputy fire chief or from the contractor. After two years of planning this project I think it can wait another two weeks so I can help micro-manage it in the Finance committee. Frankly I'm more motivated to witness Chief Galipeau give another fine presentation than I am to select light fixtures.
When voting on main street sidewalk concrete I asked about the status of the City Hall Plaza. The update is there is no plan. Proponents would say: we waited to design the plaza after gaining experience from doing the rest of main street. Opponents might say: it's the highlight of Main St. it should be an aspect which sets the direction and tone for the rest of downtown.
We spent 24 minutes talking out a $170,000 project to upgrade most of the lighting at each of the firehouses in the city. We got bogged down in the details of a few of the fixture/light replacements that paid for themselves over a period of 100 years (one of them at least). Eventually the item got tabled and we shall wait for a presentation from a deputy fire chief or from the contractor. After two years of planning this project I think it can wait another two weeks so I can help micro-manage it in the Finance committee. Frankly I'm more motivated to witness Chief Galipeau give another fine presentation than I am to select light fixtures.
When voting on main street sidewalk concrete I asked about the status of the City Hall Plaza. The update is there is no plan. Proponents would say: we waited to design the plaza after gaining experience from doing the rest of main street. Opponents might say: it's the highlight of Main St. it should be an aspect which sets the direction and tone for the rest of downtown.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
NEFie Awards
Show your support of our teachers and consider attending the first annual NEFie awards. Tomorrow, Thursday at 6:00 pm at the Crown Plaza hotel.
http://www.nashua.edu/Events/NEFie-Awards
http://www.nashua.edu/Events/NEFie-Awards
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Leadership Greater Nashua Playground Project
A conceptual design (paid for by the city) for the second playground in Greeley Park was presented at the Special Board of Aldermen yesterday, Monday Oct 13th. The projected cost for the design is about $500,000. Two years ago the Leadership Greater Nashua (LGN) group originated the idea of putting the playground in Greeley Park. The original idea was presented as a free gift to the city of Nashua. We are told that at this point they have raised (or are planning to raise) $250,000.
Clearly there was some miscommunication of the design of the playground if the budget was supposed to be $250,000 while the design, as presented, costs $500,000. Part of this misdirection resulted from the position of the leadership of LGN stating that their contributions are for equipment and hardscape only. An acceptable playground, especially one in Greeley Park, requires site work to make it appealing and to be functional for the kids with special needs.
Had the project been designed to cost $250,000 and if LGN were of the opinion to pay for all the costs of this gift the Board of Aldermen would be finished with this subject and the city could move forward. But we are left with a few questions.
Who is going to pay for the version of the design which is in line with the budget? Will LGN agree to pay for all the costs of this playground - keeping in line with the repeated claims that this is a gift? Will LGN instead choose to put the playground elsewhere in Nashua, at one of the many appropriate sites (Sergeant's Ave, Shady Lane, Atherton Park, etc.)? Will the Board of Aldermen vote to spend city money to match the LGN funds?
Stay tuned.
Clearly there was some miscommunication of the design of the playground if the budget was supposed to be $250,000 while the design, as presented, costs $500,000. Part of this misdirection resulted from the position of the leadership of LGN stating that their contributions are for equipment and hardscape only. An acceptable playground, especially one in Greeley Park, requires site work to make it appealing and to be functional for the kids with special needs.
Had the project been designed to cost $250,000 and if LGN were of the opinion to pay for all the costs of this gift the Board of Aldermen would be finished with this subject and the city could move forward. But we are left with a few questions.
Who is going to pay for the version of the design which is in line with the budget? Will LGN agree to pay for all the costs of this playground - keeping in line with the repeated claims that this is a gift? Will LGN instead choose to put the playground elsewhere in Nashua, at one of the many appropriate sites (Sergeant's Ave, Shady Lane, Atherton Park, etc.)? Will the Board of Aldermen vote to spend city money to match the LGN funds?
Stay tuned.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Budget Cycle Woes
The new budget cycle has begun and the outlook is grim. When I voted against an unsustainable salary contract a year ago and another one a month ago I warned my colleagues of the problems we will face.
In practice we have a spending cap which is intended to limit the growth of our city budget. This year and the next couple years that allowable growth will be around 2% or less. The salary contracts set a baseline growth of about 3%. Since salaries account for 80% of the budget it is not possible to meet the conditions of the spending cap without reducing staff or cutting everything else to absolutely zero.
In principle our spending should be limited to our community's ability to pay. Considering the average household income (in the nation) has gone down every single year since 2008 our ability to pay has gone down despite the steady increase in the budget.
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20141012/NEWS0606/141019709/0/SEARCH
In practice we have a spending cap which is intended to limit the growth of our city budget. This year and the next couple years that allowable growth will be around 2% or less. The salary contracts set a baseline growth of about 3%. Since salaries account for 80% of the budget it is not possible to meet the conditions of the spending cap without reducing staff or cutting everything else to absolutely zero.
In principle our spending should be limited to our community's ability to pay. Considering the average household income (in the nation) has gone down every single year since 2008 our ability to pay has gone down despite the steady increase in the budget.
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20141012/NEWS0606/141019709/0/SEARCH
Friday, October 3, 2014
Finance Committee Recap
Finance Committee Wednesday. There were three of the ten contracts that required some discussion.
$7.1 million for south construction of Broad Street Parkway. Only one contractor chose to bid and they included substantial risk reduction (higher cost). By analogy putting a road and rerouting a 100 foot underground (42 inch diameter) pipeline in an 19th century mill yard is sort of like having a plumber come in to fix a leak in your Victorian era kitchen. Who knows what you'll find?
$25,000 for graffiti proof paint on the Baldwin St Bridge abutment. I think we all wish the hoodlums would just leave us alone. But, until that happens we have to keep power-washing the garbage scribbled all over the place. This paint helps with the process.
As part of the Broad St Parkway project we are required to save as many bricks as possible from the portion of the building being taken down to make room for the road. The contractor is learning it's much more work than we thought to clean the bricks, and we're not sure what to do with them once they are saved, or how much they are worth. (If only we had brick sidewalks and a brick-layer on the staff at the DPW...)
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20141002/NEWS0606/141009712/0/SEARCH
$7.1 million for south construction of Broad Street Parkway. Only one contractor chose to bid and they included substantial risk reduction (higher cost). By analogy putting a road and rerouting a 100 foot underground (42 inch diameter) pipeline in an 19th century mill yard is sort of like having a plumber come in to fix a leak in your Victorian era kitchen. Who knows what you'll find?
$25,000 for graffiti proof paint on the Baldwin St Bridge abutment. I think we all wish the hoodlums would just leave us alone. But, until that happens we have to keep power-washing the garbage scribbled all over the place. This paint helps with the process.
As part of the Broad St Parkway project we are required to save as many bricks as possible from the portion of the building being taken down to make room for the road. The contractor is learning it's much more work than we thought to clean the bricks, and we're not sure what to do with them once they are saved, or how much they are worth. (If only we had brick sidewalks and a brick-layer on the staff at the DPW...)
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20141002/NEWS0606/141009712/0/SEARCH
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Emergency Preparedness - Nashua's CodeRED System
Remember the Frankenstorm of Oct 2011? As a result of that storm I received a few suggestions that we make the time to better prepare ourselves as a city. Justin Kates, Director of Nashua's Office of Emergency Management has been doing just that. Among other things he's created the CodeRED system where we can sign up to be notified in the case of storms and emergencies. Most recently he managed to win a $25,000 Federal grant for Nashua to upgrade the transit facility so that it can receive emergency power if necessary. It's not a huge thing, but every little bit counts.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Vacant Former Courthouse in Downtown Nashua
The vacant former courthouse in downtown Nashua is the source of many comments and inquiries I receive. Here's a link to a Union Leader article (by Kim Houghton) that provides some information. Also I've included a link to another article by her which reviews a recent Infrastructure Committee meeting that heard a presentation on possible traffic rerouting in downtown Nashua.
Last term I was on t...he Infrastructure Committee and I got to hear a similar presenation. Once conclusion I drew from the traffic study was that for the most part (beleive it or not) the current configuration is close to as good as it gets.
I'm willing to consider a few modifications, even temporary trials implemented via jersey barriers; BUT, I don't think I can be convinced to close Water St and make it a pedestrian byway. Traffic is bad enough. We need more roads not fewer.
Regarding the courthouse: the city does not own it. The City would like to make use of that property but the price is too high, currently.
(my appologies for broken links. I'll repair them soon. "Price Dropped on Downtown Nashua Site", by Kim Houghton; and "Study would make Nashua less of a one-way ride")
Last term I was on t...he Infrastructure Committee and I got to hear a similar presenation. Once conclusion I drew from the traffic study was that for the most part (beleive it or not) the current configuration is close to as good as it gets.
I'm willing to consider a few modifications, even temporary trials implemented via jersey barriers; BUT, I don't think I can be convinced to close Water St and make it a pedestrian byway. Traffic is bad enough. We need more roads not fewer.
Regarding the courthouse: the city does not own it. The City would like to make use of that property but the price is too high, currently.
(my appologies for broken links. I'll repair them soon. "Price Dropped on Downtown Nashua Site", by Kim Houghton; and "Study would make Nashua less of a one-way ride")
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