Planning commission chief resigns, heads south
Changes seem the order of the day, particularly in two organizations that have been active in Nashua matters.
Last week, the Nashua Regional Planning Commission announced the resignation of Stephen Williams as executive director. He will be succeeded by Kerrie Diers, who’ll begin her new position May 11.
Diers has been the NRPC’s assistant director since 2005.
Williams is leaving to become executive director for the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission in Charlottesville, Va. Williams has served in the NRPC’s top job for more than five years; prior to that, he served two years as assistant director.
During his tenure, Williams has been recognized for his leadership on transportation issues.
He also has been a leading advocate for the N.H. Capitol Corridor Rail project that’s trying to bring passenger rail service connecting Nashua and Manchester with Lowell, Mass., and Boston. Under his leadership, the NRPC has helped the city of Nashua in moving the long-delayed Broad Street Parkway project forward and identifying reduced cost options for the development of that project. In addition, Williams’ work at the NRPC has expanded the organization’s services to include brownfields redevelopment and energy planning.
Another departure
After chairing the Nashua Commuter Rail Advisory Committee for
Gagne said he’s resigning partly because he feels he has taken the committee as far as he could.
“I think the citizens need a group representing them directly, protecting their interest, at the state and local levels,” Gagne said.
“It is with great sense of accomplishments that I express my appreciation to the past and current administrations for this incredible opportunity. I wish the members of the advisory committee continued success with their mission.”
A Web site has been established to benefit a young boy recovering from open-heart surgery.
Ryan Cavanaugh, a 10-year-old boy who needed to undergo emergency open-heart surgery in March, had a successful procedure and is on his way to recovery. Ryan is a fourth-grade student at Charlotte Avenue Elementary School, but he has been out of school since his family learned he would need the surgery.
He underwent surgery at Children’s Hospital Boston on March 12. It was his second heart surgery in fewer than eight years.
The goal is to raise money to provide Ryan with a golden retriever puppy bred for owners with special needs and to pay to have his yard fenced in, plus other expenses, said Tom Puerto, Ryan’s uncle.
The Web site is www.ryanswish.org. Donations can be made through the Web site.
Here are the public meetings scheduled for the week. Meetings also can be found on the city’s Web site, www.gonashua.com.
MONDAY
Budget review committee, aldermanic chamber, 7 p.m.
TUESDAY
School ad hoc superintendent search committee, Nashua High School North boardroom, 6 p.m.
Nashua Airport Authority, Daniel Webster College, 6:30 p.m.
Board of Education, Nashua High School North boardroom, 7 p.m.
Budget review committee, aldermanic chamber, 7 p.m.
Conservation Commission, City Hall, Room 208, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Woodlawn Cemetery Board of Trustees, Woodlawn Cemetery, 3 p.m.
Board of Education work session – Panel discussion, Nashua High School North boardroom, 6:30 p.m.
Special board of aldermen – Public hearing on R-09-176: Authorizing Mayor & City Treasurer to Borrow An Amount Not to Exceed Fifty-One Million Three-Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars Through the Issuance of Bonds and/or a Loan Through the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services State Revolving Loan fund for Expenses Related to the Wet Weather Facility and the Disinfection Facility; Budget review committee meeting immediately follows; aldermanic chamber, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY
Auditorium commission, Elm Street Middle School conference room, 3:30 p.m.
School construction projects committee, Nashua High School North boardroom, 6 p.m.
Nashua city planning board – Workshop, City Hall, Room 208, 6:30 p.m.
Joint special school building committee, Nashua High School North boardroom, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
Mayor’s transportation task force, City Hall Auditorium, 1 p.m.
