There are basic rules and a process that we must follow during public meetings, including the Study Committee meetings to review the proposed change to the Nashua Police Commission. With respect to any claims that individuals were excluded from participating in the Study Committee meeting on Thursday, October 21, I would like to confirm that at no time did this occur; rather, protocol was followed relative to posted agenda and invited guests. The agenda allows Committee members the opportunity to prepare questions for invited guests who speak around the horseshoe. Attendees who were not on the agenda but who wished to address the committee were invited to participate by providing statements during the public comment period of the meeting. This comment period allows each guest three minutes of uninterrupted time to speak.

On October 21 I was tasked with Chairing the Study Committee meeting – that agenda was published and while Mayor Donchess was included on it – he arrived with several people he wanted to join him around the horseshoe. These people were not on the agenda, therefore I followed protocol which included outlining the period for public input and comment.

The mayor and his guests left, despite the mayor being on the agenda, the proximity of the election which features a ballot question about this commission change, and the Committee’s time and effort in preparing questions for him.

After leaving, at least one of the mayor’s guests spoke during the public comment period via ZOOM. It is important to note that there was another invited individual from Rochester (Police Commissioner) who joined the meeting via ZOOM but unfortunately, he also not included on the agenda. When he was told of the requirement re inclusion on agenda – he availed himself of the 3-minute timeframe.

Contrary to what may have been shared with the public – the situation the mayor experienced last week was not an effort to silence any member of the public. The policy is well understood and is standard for our city meetings. The mayor previously surprised the Committee with a guest who was not on the agenda, and as a result, Committee members were not able to prepare for the guest’s testimony and develop questions. Any claims that individuals were prevented from speaking or participating is false. Each guest of the mayor’s was given the opportunity for three minutes of uninterrupted speaking time.

The mayor knows the rules and understands the process and should not have walked out. When Mayor Donchess chose to leave the Chamber, he prevented the members of the Committee and public from asking questions about this critical issue. In conducting his press conference today, the mayor could have invited questions from Committee members or the public. He did not.