Timeline
A chronological record of events related to the Four Hills Landfill Fire Training Facility proposal.
Paula Johnson Raises PFAS Invoice at Finance Committee
Ward 5 Alderman Paula Johnson questions the PFAS investigation invoice at Finance Committee meeting. Reveals the city has known about PFAS contamination for years — the state requested testing 5-6 years ago, but the city ignored it and only acted now because they need to build the DPW garage. Shares Senator Avard/NHDES correspondence proving the timeline of inaction.
Finance Committee CIP Reveals $1.98M Fire Training Facility
The city's Capital Improvement Program request to the Finance Committee reveals the full scope of the fire training facility relocation: $1,980,000 for FY27, including concrete pads, live-fire building, mobile classroom, SCBA compressor, septic, lighting, fencing, and propane UST. The document confirms 'the Fire Service has transitioned from just fighting fires to an all-hazards agency' and includes 'emergency vehicle-only access connection to Teak Drive' — despite the road being denied 5-0 by ZBA. Road access cost is split into a separate budget. The facility itself has never been formally proposed to any board.
NHDES Director Confirms PFAS to NH Senate
Michael Wimsatt (NHDES Waste Management Director) writes to Senator Avard correcting Senate testimony — confirms soil and groundwater at fire training site are impacted by PFAS contamination. Fire training must relocate because DPW garage needs the space.
Conservation Commission Approves Conventional Plan 6-0
The Conservation Commission voted 6-0 to approve the city's revised conventional trenching plan (10ft trench, 8-inch waterline) with conditions including a 12,000 ft easement, pollinator mix, native shrubs, and limiting cut impact. Attorney Prolman dismissed the HDD alternative: 'If we did directional boring, they would find another reason to object.' This came moments after Rody Arantes offered a compromise — HDD for just the first 500 feet. Prolman also revealed Pennichuck initially wanted a 10-inch line but now says 8-inch is sufficient. The city's own consultant Brendan Quigley described the impact area as 'marginal habitat' — contradicting his October 14 ZBA testimony where he called the same property 'highest rank habitat in the region.' After the vote, the commission discussed re-visiting horizontal drilling.
City Issues PFAS Contract Memo
City Purchasing Department issues Memo #26-127 formalizing the $236,800 PFAS Site Investigation contract with Sanborn Head & Associates.
Board of Public Works Approves PFAS Contract
Board of Public Works approves $236,800 PFAS investigation contract with Sanborn Head & Associates for the Four Hills Landfill site.
Sanborn Head Submits PFAS Investigation Scope
Sanborn Head & Associates submits scope of services for PFAS Site Investigation and Evaluation at the Four Hills Landfill Fire Training Area. Total cost: $236,800.
ZBA Waterline Case Continued to February
The waterline application for Teak Drive is continued to February 10, 2026. Attorney Prolman requests time to update the waterline plan per board member Shaw's suggestions and to present to the Conservation Commission at their February 3 meeting.
DPW Garage Hearing Reveals 'Phase Two'
At the ZBA hearing for the DPW maintenance garage, Alderman Alicia Greg states: 'This maintenance garage represents phase two of our DPW facilities project. We successfully completed phase one, the new administrative building.' The same attorney (Prolman) who told the Nov 25 ZBA 'the DPW garage is going where the fire training facility is now' now says: 'We are not here for having to do anything with Teak Drive.' The DPW garage expansion is the reason the fire training facility must relocate to the area adjacent to Teak Drive.
ZBA Hearing
ZBA hearing on reduced waterline-only application. City revealed the 20-foot cleared corridor must be permanent — no trees can be replanted because roots would damage the pipe. Residents warned it was 'phase one of road development.' Rody Arantes requested the Section 9 eminent domain analysis be included in the hearing packet.
154-Signature Neighborhood Petition Submitted to ZBA
Residents of Westgate Crossing, Teak Drive, Twilight Drive, and adjoining roads collected 154 signatures in 72 hours requesting the ZBA disregard the Conservation Commission's favorable recommendation for the waterline proposal at 25 Teak Drive. Signatures gathered through community email list and door-to-door canvassing.
Section 9 Eminent Domain Analysis Submitted
Rody Arantes responds with detailed analysis of Section 9 of the Ridge Road conservation easement, demonstrating the city can modify it via eminent domain for public necessity. Requested inclusion in ZBA hearing packet.
Ridge Road Alternative Proposed — City Dismisses in 35 Minutes
Rody Arantes submits formal proposal and infrastructure addendum (with Pennichuck data: $588K for 12-inch pipe) to Mayor Donchess and full Board of Aldermen. Deb Chisholm responds in 35 minutes citing conservation easement — suggesting a prepared dismissal. George Stergion reveals: 'They're laying 8" at Teak' — the city had already specified 8-inch pipe for the Teak Drive project, the same size they would later claim made Ridge Road infeasible.
Endangered Species Documentation Shared
Paula Johnson (Ward 5 Alderman) shares 22 pages of endangered species and wetland regulation documents confirming presence of protected species near the proposed facility.
ZBA Denies Application 5-0
The Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously denies the city's special exception for a gated driveway and water line from Teak Drive to the Four Hills Landfill. Board cites criteria 2 (traffic) and 5 (neighborhood character). Chairman: 'this is really buried in a residential neighborhood. I can't get past the degree to which the character of this neighborhood would change irreparably.' Board member Shaw: 'two to three times a week...is just not tenable for the kind of quiet residential neighborhood.' Residents packed the hearing room in opposition.
ZBA Initial Application Filed
City of Nashua files application with the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a gated driveway and water line from Teak Drive to the Four Hills Landfill for the proposed Fire Training Facility relocation. This is the first public appearance of the project.
Conservation Commission Letter
Conservation Commission letter regarding DPW applicant at 25 Teak Drive / 840 West Hollis Street for the proposed Fire Training Facility.
Gove Environmental Services Completes Wetlands Report
Gove Environmental Services (Exeter, NH) completes 'Report on Wetlands — Proposed Firefighter Training Area.' Based on Jan 6, 2024 wetland delineation and April 10, 2025 vernal pool survey. Key finding: fairy shrimp in 'abundance' — a primary vernal pool indicator species. NHB DataCheck NHB25-0677 flags three protected species in the area: Eastern Box Turtle (Endangered), Eastern Hognose Snake (Endangered), Eastern Meadowlark (Threatened). The report acknowledges additional indicator species are 'likely present' but the survey was conducted on a single visit.
Conservation Easement Granted on Ridge Road
Conservation easement granted on Ridge Road parcels to the Society for Protection of NH Forests. Recorded at Hillsborough County Registry of Deeds, Book 7866, Page 0537.