Aldermen stalled on charter changes

NH Business Review Staff,

NASHUA – A divided Board of Aldermen could not agree Tuesday night on legislation that would change the city’s budget process.

Aldermen instead postponed a decision on two proposals to change the city charter.

Alderman-at-Large Paula Johnson said the delay hurts the chances of implementing reforms in the next budget cycle.

Others said there was no rush to consider the legislation, especially since it could force a citywide election in the middle of winter.

The disputed changes require the mayor to submit a recommended budget by the fourth Tuesday of February. Now, the budget is due by June 1, but recently it has been handed to the aldermen weeks earlier.

Mayor Bernie Streeter has said he will deliver a budget by Feb. 22.

The second change requires 10 aldermen to approve a city-spending plan, instead of the two-thirds requirement now.

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