Chuck Druding Drive to be Renamed

The Board of Aldermen approved by a vote of 10 to 5 changing the name of the road leading to Nashua High School North, from Chuck Druding Drive to Titan Way.

Renaming Chuck Druding Drive was a matter of school spirit, for students who raised the issue at North. The road naming honor was bestowed upon Druding years ago, a city employee who had worked on the new school plans, but died of cancer before seeing the project through.

However, the obscurity of the reference got some students thinking it might be more appropriate to honor Druding with a memorial plaque, explaining his role in the school's origins, and give the road leading to the school a name more identifiable with the school. Titans are the school's mascot.

The vote on R-13-130 during the Sept. 10 Board of Aldermen meeting was initiated by legislation proposed by Alderman Kathy Vitale, who said she was approached about the matter after students from the high school wanted to find out how to go about making the change.

Vitale said Chuck Druding's family was consulted about the change, which mirrors the name of the road leading to Nashua High School South, which is Panther Way.

"The family is supportive of it," Vitale told her fellow board members.

She said to make sure Druding continues to be remembered, a memorial will be dedicated in his honor on Sept. 17 at  9:30 a.m. to be placed  at the intersection near the lower baseball field. Druding's family will be there, along with school and city officials.

During discussion prior to the vote, Alderman Diane Sheehan praised the students for taking an active role in civic engagement by trying to change something that mattered to them.

Other aldermen objected to the name change, including Alderman David Deane, who said it seemed arbitrary and was something he could not support.

"Sometimes we should just leave stuff alone, and this is one of those times," Deane said.

Alderman Barbara Pressly was also opposed to the change.

"This is one of the intrinsic reasons why naming streets for someone  –  well it's a little bit dicey," Pressly said.

Alderman Mary Ann Molizzi-Golja  said she was initially against the measure, but was voting for it. 

"When I first read it, I was not happy and shared many of your same feelings, Alderman Deane. My first comment was whether anyone was talking to students about why things are the way they are, and giving them something deeper to think about. The only reason I'm supporting this is because the Druding family is supporting it," she said.

According to the resolution, the cost of the change will be $159 for the purchase of two road signs, at $79.50 each. 

Aldermen voting in favor were Melizzi-Golja, Richard Dowd, Paul Chasse, June Caron, Jim Donchess, Michael Tabacsko, Diane Sheehan, Kathy Vitale, Art Craffey, and Mark Cookson. Voting against: Lori Wilshire, Dan Moriarty, Deane, Pressly, and Brian McCarthy, who mentioned that he was a sponsor of the original legislation to name the road after Druding.

Fine print of the Resolution: