Aldermen approve change to public‑comment rule; board will only ask — not require — city/town of residence

The Nashua Board of Aldermen voted on May 12 to amend and adopt an ordinance that removes the requirement that public‑comment speakers give a street address. The final amended language requires that "speakers shall be asked, but not required, to identify him or herself by name and city or town of residence or business." The board adopted the ordinance as amended by roll call.

The measure prompted a lengthy debate. Corporation Counsel Steve Bolton told aldermen that the city is not required to permit public comment but, when it does, it must do so fairly; he warned that any restriction carries litigation risk and could be costly. "You do not have to permit public comment. When you do permit it, you have to do it in a fair manner," Bolton said, adding that legal challenges over First Amendment questions can be expensive.

Supporters framed the change as a compromise between transparency and personal privacy. Alderman Lopez argued that asking for a city or town provides context about a speaker's connection to Nashua without forcing disclosure of a full street address. "I think it's fair to do city or town of residence or business," Lopez said.

Opponents and some committee chairs stressed consistency and the value of knowing whether a speaker is a Nashua resident. Alderman Greg argued that knowing the city of origin matters for viewers and for elected officials to understand whether a speaker is a constituent. Alderman Kelly and others raised concerns that repeatedly changing rules in response to lawsuits could weaken the board's procedures.

Vote and process note: The board debated an amendment to make identification optional and then voted on final passage of O‑26‑06 as amended. The ordinance was declared adopted as amended at the meeting; the transcript includes a numerical vote tally announced on the record and a later staff correction to the initial tally (see actions list for the recorded roll‑call result and transcript note). The ordinance as amended will replace the prior requirement to provide a full address during public comment.

What happens next: The board's change takes effect as adopted; committee chairs and staff will need to update public‑comment procedures and guidance to meeting chairs and clerks to reflect the new, optional identification practice.