NASHUA – The Board of Aldermen, during its Dec. 10 meeting, largely favored the $225,000 capital expenditure for a feasibility study to extend the MBTA Commuter Rail to Nashua.

Community Development Director Matthew Sullivan said prior proposals have always included extending rail service to Nashua, Manchester, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and Concord. However, this plan would be exclusive to Nashua.

“This is the first time that a state line extension only has been contemplated,” said Sullivan. “This is work that has never been done before.”

Ward 3 Alderwoman Patricia Klee said the $225,000 is a worthwhile investment.

“One of the key elements of this is to find out whether or not we can get support from Massachusetts to kick in for the continuation of this rail,” she said. “It is important for Nashua.”

Ward 4 Alderman Thomas Lopez said the Commuter Rail is vital for residents who are making the trek to Boston every day to visit loved ones who are in the hospital.

“On that aspect of the Commuter Rail, I am a very strong advocate,” he said.

Ward 7 Alderman Timothy Sennott said rail service would “open the world beyond our front doors.” However, he said the $225,000 should be in the fiscal year 2026 budget rather than in the capital improvement plan.

Alderwoman at-Large Shoshanna Kelly said it would be a mistake to let the feasibility study slip through the cracks.

“There is the opportunity to bring this to Nashua and make it more viable for the rest of the state,” she said. “It’s a low investment for an incredible amount of information.”

Resident Paula Johnson of Westborn Drive was opposed to spending $225,000 on another feasibility study for the Commuter Rail.

“This thing is a boondoggle that’s going to cost the taxpayers money,” she said. “You’re bleeding us taxpayers dry here.”

Johnson said that in 2004, then-Mayor Bernard Streeter proposed a resolution to extend the Commuter Rail to Nashua. At the time, the city received $4.1 million from the federal government to fund that effort.

“We never did anything with that money,” she said.

In addition, Johnson said feasibility studies were conducted in prior years by Christopher Williams, former president of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, and by former Mayor Donnalee Lozeau.

Johnson does not stand alone as Gov. Chris Sununu and Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte have both warned against a Commuter Rail extension.

During his 2023 State of The State Address, Sununu said the results of a three-year study indicated that bringing the Commuter Rail into New Hampshire would be an “awful idea.”

At the time, he said the estimated construction cost would be $550 million while another $15 million would be required for yearly maintenance.

“Maybe 2,500 people a day would go down to Boston,” said Sununu, adding that the MBTA would manage the extension which would create another host of problems. “The MBTA is one of the most backwards organizations, we don’t want them running anything.”

During this year’s second gubernatorial debate, Ayotte said a large-scale project like that would turn into a money pit.

“Multiple studies show it’s not financially sustainable,” she said, adding that there would not be enough passengers on a regular basis.

The feasibility study is one of 14 projects in the $5.2 million capital improvement package. The largest item is $1.3 million for improvements to Greeley Park, particularly the bathrooms, wading pool, bandshell and stonehouse. There is also a $1 million request to improve the HVAC system at City Hall as well as $500,000 to renovate the Hunt Building.

Sennott said he was against the overall spending plan.

“I don’t like the way that this was brought forward as a package deal,” he said, adding that the presentations for each project were brief and did not provide adequate information.

Alderman-at-Large Benjamin Clemons said the projects were grouped together for the sole purpose of streamlining the legislation.

“Rather than having 14 public hearings, we could have one under this umbrella,” he said.

Clemons also said aldermen had the opportunity to ask for additional information on each project during the Nov. 25 meeting of the Budget Review Committee. However, no such requests were made.

Ward 8 Alderman Derek Thibeault maintained each project is justifiable.

“The HVAC in this building needs to happen, they’re down to one boiler,” he said. “Director Sullivan came in here earlier wearing a winter hat because he has no heat in his office.”

The Board of Aldermen will resume its capital improvement discussion at a special meeting on Jan. 7, 2025.