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Hundreds of public comments urge aldermen to repeal camping ban; board schedules committee reviews
Summary
Dozens of residents and advocates urged the Nashua Board of Aldermen to repeal the city's camping/camping-ban fines and urged more affordable housing and a resource center. The board introduced R-26-049 (first reading) to establish a homeless services gap analysis committee and several aldermen pledged further committee work and information sharing.
A large public-comment period at the Nashua Board of Aldermen meeting on July 14 focused on homelessness and the city's camping ban. Dozens of speakers urged repeal of the camping ordinance, criticized enforcement practices and requested more immediate shelter and housing options.
Patrice Noel told the board she is "on the verge of being homeless" and described a three-to-five-year wait for affordable housing. "Removing the camping thing is a band aid... I would request that you stop the no camping," Noel said. Multiple speakers, including Ben Heaney and members of the Democratic Socialists of America, called for immediate repeal of the camping ban and faster action on housing and resource centers.
Speakers recounted experiences of tent destruction, fines and enforcement that they said pushed people to more dangerous locations. Commenters also called for the city to use vacant buildings and to pursue state and federal engagement on housing funding.
Board members acknowledged the volume and intensity of public comment. Alderman Morgan said, "I promise I will always listen to you and respect what you do have to say," and urged civility and further education for the board on decorum. Alderman Tebow defended the camping ordinance as a response to safety concerns when encampments grew large and hazardous, saying it was intended to protect both residents and emergency responders.
Separately, the board gave first reading to R-26-049 to establish a homeless services gap analysis committee; the measure was assigned to the Personnel Administrative Affairs Committee for further work. Several aldermen asked staff for better pre-meeting packet distribution and follow-up reporting on resource-center options and funding routes.
Speakers urged multiple next steps: reduce or remove the $1,000 fine, increase shelter capacity, pursue a resource center, improve transparency around right-to-know/public-record requests, and seek state and federal support. The board did not act to repeal the camping ordinance at this meeting.
