Politics & Government

Aldermen Approve Purchase of Crown Street Property

"The opportunity outweighs the risks."

Aldermen voted Tuesday night 12-2 in favor of acquiring the property and building at 25 Crown Street as a potential site for a park-and-ride lot, a necessary step forward if Nashua is to reach its future goal of bringing commuter rail back to the city.

The purchase would be funded by a $6.5 million grand under the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program.

Aldermen Paul Chasse and Dan Moriarty voted against the purchase; Alderman Kathy Vitale was absent.

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Despite a handful of residents who came forward during public comment to speak against the purchase, the board moved forward after a relatively lengthy discussion.

Alderman Richard Dowd made the point that the Crown Street location was not only ideal, should rail return to Nashua, but that the overall opportunity it poses for the city outweighs the risks.

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"I think this country made a big mistake in losing rail service. In business you look at risks and opportunities, and the opportunities far outweigh the risks," Dowd said.

Alderman Dan Moriarty landed a couple of solid blows in trying to knock down the land buy, doing the math for his fellow board members by pointing out that the $1.425 million price tag exceeds the $1.409 million assessed value. He also poked holes in the city's plan on paper to recoup some money through rental fees, at an amount he determined to be nearly three times lower than what it should be, based on overall property value.

Moriarty said it made more sense to look to South Nashua for a park and ride.

Alderman Diane Sheehan said she had initially agreed with Moriarty's line of thinking, but after reconsidering the proposed location, with the idea that the desired outcome is bringing mass transit to the city, the Crown Street location was uniquely qualified to fit the need, and superior to other probable locations.

Alderman Mark Cookson initially questioned Mayor Donnalee Lozeau about an "abutters meeting" held Feb. 12 in Ward 7, wondering whether it could have been advertised more broadly as a "public meeting" to reach more neighbors.

Ward 7 Alderman June Caron said that turnout to the meeting was low for one reason because many residents of the area are renters rather than property owners.

Cookson said he was glad to have a chance to hear from residents from the Crown Street neighborhood, who expressed concerns over quality of life issues.

He said what he heard them saying was that, while hesitant about the land purchase, if it could help revitalize their neighborhood, they'd support it.

"What I heard before I left was, if it's done right, they could see the improvement to their neighborhood," Cookson said/

Resolution R-12-31 was endorsed by Lozeau, along with Aldermen Brian McCarthy, Michael J. Tabacsko, Dowd and Vitale.

In other business, the board:

  • voted unanimously in favor of granting a  Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive request to Cotton Mill Square for a period of five years.
  • recognized former Alderman Richard J. Larose by naming the alleyway between School and West Pearl streets "Richard Larose Way." Larose died Feb. 1.


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