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Finance committee approves routine contracts including biosolids management and transit purchases
Summary
The Nashua Finance Committee approved multiple purchasing contracts and two transit-related actions — including a $3.89 million, three-year biosolids management contract — and recommended two leases for final passage. Director of Administrative Services warned of HR gaps and plans a performance audit.
The Nashua Finance Committee approved a series of purchasing contracts and recommended two lease resolutions to the full Board of Aldermen on June 17, including a three‑year biosolids management agreement, four paratransit buses and a short extension of the city’s transit operations contract.
The actions were part of the committee’s communications agenda and passed on roll calls that recorded unanimous support among the aldermen present. The purchases together represent a range of city services from public safety equipment to wastewater operations and transit vehicles.
The committee approved a one‑year renewal with the Humane Society for Greater Nashville for impoundment and quarantine services not to exceed $112,353 (Department 171). The committee also okayed a Caliber Mini robot for the Hazardous Device Unit for $94,734.30, and multiple fire‑department purchases including ballistic protection equipment for $44,946, a set of 42 rear and 14 front tires to outfit seven apparatus for $40,615.80, and three PFAS‑free protective hoods for $48,825.
Wastewater operations drew one of the largest allotments: the committee approved a three‑year contract with Waste Management of New Hampshire for biosolids management not to exceed $3,894,445 (Wastewater Fund). Wastewater Superintendent Dave Boucher told the committee the plant produces about 8,500 wet tons of biosolids annually and that stricter PFAS-related regulations have reduced land‑application options, increasing costs and shifting disposal pathways.
The committee approved FY27 purchases for wastewater polymer (Polydyn Inc) not to exceed $650,000 and a replacement of building controls at Fire Station 4 (Viking Controls) for up to $94,500.
On transit matters, the committee approved purchase of four Dodge Ram ProMaster ADA‑accessible low‑floor cutaway buses for NTS at a total cost not to exceed $1,008,628, with roughly $857,334 coming from federal grants and approximately $75,000 from city capital funds. Community Development Director Matt Sullivan said the city’s local share is about 7.5 percent and explained that electric and compressed‑natural‑gas options were reviewed but were not feasible for this vehicle type due to federal procurement and vehicle‑spec constraints. The committee also recommended a 51‑day, $550,000 extension with the city’s current operations contractor (Transdev/1st Transit) to maintain service while staff finishes a new procurement.
Several of the purchasing items were explained on the record by department heads: Fire Chief Steve Buxton described the ballistic gear and PFAS‑free hoods as measures to improve firefighter safety after a recent incident. Assistant team leader Pat Doherty said the FBI requires a small platform robot for accredited hazardous‑device teams, and the robot purchase will help with tight‑space access.
All of the committee motions recorded affirmative roll calls from the participating aldermen and the mayor; items that require final legislative approval will appear on the Board of Aldermen docket as appropriate.
The committee adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
