What is Next for Nashua; the Future, the Vision?

Posted by Karen Goddard 
on Apr 16, 2012
 
P.P., G. Frank Teas introduced the Honorable Mayor Donnalee Lozeau as our guest speaker.  She is currently serving her second term as Nashua's first (full time) female mayor and ran unopposed in the last municipal election.  Mayor Lozeau thanked us for inviting her and for the questions Kevin H. was able to forward to her in advance of her speaking to us.  She framed  her remarks with the question, "What is next for Nashua; the future, the vision"?
Mayor Lozeau pointed out that the city budget is due June 1st of this year and has been a challenge as the city has endured a "$16 million dollar loss in the past 2 years" due to federal and state budget cuts.  Her main goal is that our citizens pay no more than a 3% tax increase annually and the rest of her vision is made up of "endless possibilities" regarding the future of Nashua.

Priorities at this point are:

1.      Customer Service and Infrastructure (definite need to repair old buildings in town)

2.      Energy efficiencies - using fleet vehicles that run on compressed natural gas as they last 25% longer  and are a cleaner exhaust system

3.      Waterways - need to "clean up the weeds and 6 invasive species in the Nashua River" and repair dams near Margarita's and Mines Falls

4.      Conservation Land- efforts to make it more accessible to the community are under way

5.      New Public Health Bldg., (currently at 18 Mulberry St.), is cited for the Pine St. Ext./Central St. area, near the Bronstein Apartments

6.      Broad St. parkway is "finally" coming to fruition

7.      New design is proposed for Greely Park's band shell

8.      Targeted areas of city in need of improvement include Railroad Square and Bridge St.

9.      "New things happening" downtown include new cement sidewalks with brick outlining and a new brick crosswalk between the 2 Main Street bridges to enhance safety

10.  Rob Finlay- a suggested potential member for our club has purchased the Indian Head Plaza Bldg. and area on Court St. with plans that include new housing units

Mayor Lozeau is proud of the saving of  $180,000 in new citywide energy saving contracts this year and the creation of the "Emergency Management Office" at City Hall.