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Nashua mayor sees positive outlook for the city
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NASHUA -- Predicting a vibrant and financially stable future for The Gate City, Mayor Donnalee Lozeau said Tuesday during her annual State of the City Address that there is much to be proud of in New Hampshire's second-largest community.
Through tough economic times, Nashua has managed to achieve incredible accomplishments, gaining great momentum with strong leaders and cost-saving practices that are helping to move the city in the right direction, according to Lozeau.
Speaking before the Board of Aldermen, Lozeau highlighted several achievements throughout the past twelve months, while also detailing several of her upcoming goals for the next year.
“This term as mayor, I am imagining endless possibilities,” said Lozeau, who was recently elected to her second term as the city's mayor.
The recent acquisition of Pennichuck Corp. has been an impressive and unprecedented accomplishment, according to Lozeau, who is proud to boast about its benefits for Nashua residents and the watershed.
“It will go down in history as the most significant action in our time,” she said. “Nashua is now in control of its water supply.”
She added that the water company acquisition by the city, just like many other successful and beneficial achievements in Nashua, is the result of talented and dedicated leaders, volunteers and community members.
That dedication has also led to the start of the long-awaited Broad Street Parkway project, with work already underway on Pine Street and the old Boiler House about to be demolished within the coming weeks, said Lozeau.
Other notable achievements by the mayor include an updated fleet of city vehicles, renovations to the Hunt Memorial Building, the start of a branding campaign in conjunction with the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, new city businesses, improvements to Keefe Auditorium, the Nashua International Design Competition, a new police chief and more.
“We live in a wonderful community with wonderful people,” she said. “ … I look forward to what we must, can and will do together.”
She also mentioned the city's dedication to transparent government and a high level of customer service.
“We have some of the most qualified staff in the state,” she said, commending the five unions who have successfully negotiated new contracts with the city.
There are still nine more unions that have expired contracts and remain at an impasse, according to Lozeau, who called on four police unions, a fire union and other union members to join their co-workers and accept more responsibility.
With 75 percent of the city's overall budget dedicated to salaries, benefits and pensions, there is little room for adjustment, said Lozeau. There will be challenges in the fiscal year 2013 budget, which she expects to present to aldermen on May 8.
“There is no denying we will have some challenges on our hands,” the mayor said, adding she is confident that the city will meet those challenges.
By combining ideas and goals, anything is attainable, according to Lozeau, who encouraged city officials to aim high.
Some of her goals for the next year include keeping the Broad Street Parkway project on time and on budget, completing renovations to City Hall and the Hunt Memorial Building, creating a new water park and skateboard park, finding new opportunities for public and private partnerships and redeveloping the Tree Streets and Millyard area.
Through tough economic times, Nashua has managed to achieve incredible accomplishments, gaining great momentum with strong leaders and cost-saving practices that are helping to move the city in the right direction, according to Lozeau.
Speaking before the Board of Aldermen, Lozeau highlighted several achievements throughout the past twelve months, while also detailing several of her upcoming goals for the next year.
“This term as mayor, I am imagining endless possibilities,” said Lozeau, who was recently elected to her second term as the city's mayor.
The recent acquisition of Pennichuck Corp. has been an impressive and unprecedented accomplishment, according to Lozeau, who is proud to boast about its benefits for Nashua residents and the watershed.
“It will go down in history as the most significant action in our time,” she said. “Nashua is now in control of its water supply.”
She added that the water company acquisition by the city, just like many other successful and beneficial achievements in Nashua, is the result of talented and dedicated leaders, volunteers and community members.
That dedication has also led to the start of the long-awaited Broad Street Parkway project, with work already underway on Pine Street and the old Boiler House about to be demolished within the coming weeks, said Lozeau.
Other notable achievements by the mayor include an updated fleet of city vehicles, renovations to the Hunt Memorial Building, the start of a branding campaign in conjunction with the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, new city businesses, improvements to Keefe Auditorium, the Nashua International Design Competition, a new police chief and more.
“We live in a wonderful community with wonderful people,” she said. “ … I look forward to what we must, can and will do together.”
She also mentioned the city's dedication to transparent government and a high level of customer service.
“We have some of the most qualified staff in the state,” she said, commending the five unions who have successfully negotiated new contracts with the city.
There are still nine more unions that have expired contracts and remain at an impasse, according to Lozeau, who called on four police unions, a fire union and other union members to join their co-workers and accept more responsibility.
With 75 percent of the city's overall budget dedicated to salaries, benefits and pensions, there is little room for adjustment, said Lozeau. There will be challenges in the fiscal year 2013 budget, which she expects to present to aldermen on May 8.
“There is no denying we will have some challenges on our hands,” the mayor said, adding she is confident that the city will meet those challenges.
By combining ideas and goals, anything is attainable, according to Lozeau, who encouraged city officials to aim high.
Some of her goals for the next year include keeping the Broad Street Parkway project on time and on budget, completing renovations to City Hall and the Hunt Memorial Building, creating a new water park and skateboard park, finding new opportunities for public and private partnerships and redeveloping the Tree Streets and Millyard area.