Resident Laurie Ortolano blasted city officials with a profanity-laden tirade on July 1. Courtesy photo/Nashua Community Television

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following story includes multiple uses of profane language which some readers may find offensive.

NASHUA – The recent Board of Aldermen Finance Committee meeting ended in a flurry of fireworks as resident Laurie Ortolano went off like a Roman candle.

“I want to talk to you about how you treat the public,” she said during the July 1 meeting, adding that city leaders continue to mock and laugh at residents.

Ortolano also said none of her written requests ever receive a response.

“You pull the rug out from underneath me,” she said.

Ward 3 Alderwoman Patricia Klee tried to prevent the situation from escalating. However, Ortolano cut her off at the pass.

“Shut up, shut your f***ing mouth, it’s my public comment,” she said.

Mayor James Donchess also tried to intervene.

“The rules of the board discourage the use of profanity,” he said. “You can’t yell at an alderman to shut their effing mouth.”

Regarding public comment, Part 2 Article 3 of the City Code states: “Profane and/or obscene remarks are prohibited.”

Yet Ortolano was relentless, maintaining that it was her constitutional right to speak her mind.

Ortolano also called attention to comments that Klee allegedly made when the sign and banner ordinance was up for a vote last September. During that meeting, Ortolano spoke against the ordinance. She said Klee responded saying: “This is just what we can expect from this lady. She always comes in with signs. She’s going to carry them in. She’s going to wear t-shirts. This is what we’re going to see.”

“You are an a**hole and you don’t belong in this chamber,” said Ortolano.

She said that during the past five years, the board has not used any of her recommendations to improve the Records and Research Department.

“Going forward, I am this city’s c**t and every Right to Know Request will be signed that way,” said Ortolano. “Damn you people for doing it to me. Nobody helped me. Every one of you aldermen is going to hear from me at every meeting with this language.”

Donchess said City Hall employees are afraid of Ortolano and do not respond to her for that reason.

“They come to city leaders, sometimes on the verge of tears, complaining about the way you have treated them,” he said. “At one point, we needed to have a trauma counselor in here.”

Ortolano fiercely responded, accusing Donchess of not being truthful about those interactions.

“You’re a f***ing pig and a liar and I’m just sick of it,” she said. “You make up the narrative because it fits your agenda.”

In response, Klee said if any alderman spoke that way, she would ask for them to be removed from the chamber. She was also confident that board President Lori Wilshire would not tolerate such crass behavior.

In addition, Klee said high school students are often required to watch aldermen meetings as part of their civics classes. Therefore, she was concerned about Ortolano’s statement that she would speak and use profanity at every meeting.

“The ignorance to not care that there are going to be young people watching this,” said Klee. “I find it offensive, it just sickens me.”