(Telegraph file photo by DEAN SHALHOUP) A crane operator eases into place one of numerous concrete barriers crews installed along Main Street in March 2021, in preparation for last year's outdoor dining season.

NASHUA — Deliberations over topics ranging from whether a public comment period should be allowed under a “work session” meeting, to whether the chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure or the chairman of the Planning and Economic Development Committee should be named the presiding chairman of the joint committee tasked with studying the expanded outdoor dining issue dominated the discussion at the second meeting of the joint committee, which ended with most questions being answered and a path set for moving forward on the issue.

It was decided by agreement that alderman-at-large Michael O’Brien Sr., chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure, and Melbourne Moran Jr., chairman of the Planning and Economic Development Committee, would serve as co-chairmen of the joint committee, with O’Brien in the role of presiding chairman.

In the end, members voted unanimously to approve a proposal to create a task force, to be made up of the members of the two committees along with five individuals with connections to the city’s downtown who have differing opinions on what the final version of the expanded outdoor dining program will look like when it is implemented this coming season.

So far, three individuals have been nominated to the task force — Paul Shea, a member of the Board of Public Works and former Great American Downtown executive director; Mary Lou Blaisdell, owner of the Main Street shop DesignWares and the chairwoman of the Downtown Improvement Committee; and Kathy Cardin-Smith, third-generation owner of Cardin Jewelers on Main Street.

O’Brien, the committee co-chairman, said members are currently reviewing nominations for the other two positions.

He said they will likely be on board by the task force’s next meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday in the aldermanic chamber, beginning at 7:15 or immediately following the joint committee’s meeting.

As stated in the proposed ordinance, which for the record is O-22-008 and titled “Relative to Seasonal Road Closures and Elimination of Certain On-Street Parking for Extended Outdoor Dining and Other Non-Vehicular Use,” the outdoor dining season is tentatively scheduled to begin May 1, but could be moved back to May 15 depending on when the task force and joint committee reach a consensus on whether to recommend, or not recommend, passage of the ordinance to the full Board of Aldermen.

Blaisdell, in briefly addressing the committee, cautioned members that “time is of the essence,” suggesting that if no resolution is reached at Wednesday’s meeting, “we’re basically out of time” for a May 1 opening.

She also addressed what she referred to as people getting the wrong impression that “we’re not representative of the pros and cons on this,” noting that she and Cardin-Smith, who happen to be on different sides on the issue, have nevertheless” discussed this at length … so I believe we have a good knowledge base” of input from most all downtown merchants, no matter their opinion.

Cardin-Smith told the committee she has been opposed to the installation of the concrete barriers, which, along with the loss of parking spaces, has “made it very inconvenient for many customers.”

She also believes Main Street should not be narrowed to one lane in each direction. “We need the four lanes … or at least two lanes and an emergency lane,” Cardin-Smith said. She acknowledged that Tim Cummings, director of economic development, “did a good job of moving things around … getting us more parking” in revising certain elements of the proposed ordinance.

“I represent people who would like it tweaked, for other businesses as well as our restaurants,” Cardin-Smith said, referring to the ordinance. “I’m in opposition (of the barriers) but I will work to make this whole thing come together.

“We’re all working together. That’s the key thing,” she added.

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