Nashua Couple Injured in Marathon to Receive Bathroom Upgrade

The city has received a request from a Boston-based charity to waive permit fees for construction modifications they are planning to make for Nashua husband and wife Martha and Alvaro Galvis, both injured in the April 15 Boston Marathon blast. 

The Board of Aldermen have received communications on this subject, which will be addressed during Aug. 13 Board of Aldermen meeting.

The city's Building Department received the request from the Boston Survivor Accessible Alliance, which includes modifying an existing bathroom with accessible fixtures; upgrading the bathroom and ventilation system; and providing lever door hardware in parts of the home.

The BSAA was established following the Boston Marathon Bombings by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety as a means to help those who need assistance with renovations to transition into a new lifestyle.

Because the BSAA aims to provide services free of charge, the city's building safety department is requesting a waiver for all permit fees, which will amount to  approximately $176:

• $25 Planning review fee
• $25 Application fee
• $10 Building permit fee
• $58 Minimum plumbing permit fee
• $58 Minimum Electrical permit fee 

Although there is not a provision within the current building code for this type of waiver, the Board of Aldermen has the authority to suspend the fees by majority vote.