David G. Fredette

NASHUA – Among the scores of appointments, nominations and recommendations Jim Donchess made during his first stint as mayor in the 1980s was a 20-something Nashua native by the name of David G. Fredette.

As a resident of Ward 6, the young Rivier College graduate seemed an ideal choice for a seat on the city’s newly formed affordable-housing task force, so Donchess made the nomination.

Now, more than three decades later, with a career of public service that included 22 years as the city treasurer and tax collector under his belt, Fredette has decided it’s time to retire, Donchess told the Board of Aldermen Tuesday night.

“Dave’s been doing this a long time … he feels he wants to retire,” Donchess said, referring not only to Fredette’s two plus decades as city treasurer and tax collector, but also to his years as Ward 6 alderman, alderman-at-large and two-year stint as board president, along with his service as an interim Department of Public Works director, a member of the Planning and Zoning boards and the head of the city’s Budget Review Committee, and other gigs.

There’s plenty of time to plan Fredette’s retirement party; according to Donchess, Fredette’s retirement date is in the latter part of October.

“Dave’s been a friend to all of us. We’ll miss him around City Hall,” Donchess said.

“It’s disappointing,” alderwoman-at-large and board president Lori Wilshire said. “David has been an excellent, excellent person for this city. He will be dearly missed.”

Ward 2 alderman Rick Dowd agreed.

“I’m sorry to hear Dave is retiring – although he certainly deserves it,” Dowd said. Over his many years of service, Fredette “has probably saved the city more money than we could ever count.”

Dowd also said he “learned a lot about the bonding process from David … probably more than I wanted to know. He will be extremely hard to replace.”

When he departs in October, Fredette will leave a big pair of shoes to fill, said Ward 7 alderwoman June Caron.

“I, too, am sad to hear treasurer Fredette is retiring. He’s dedicated a lot of his time … donated a lot of his time to the city,” Caron said, adding that it wasn’t uncommon to find Fredette in his office on Saturdays and Sundays.

Added Donchess, “I want to thank David for all the years he’s served the city.”

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.