Hersh Hailed for Job Well Done

Kathy Hersh took her official final bow during Tuesday's Board of Aldermen meeting, with the passage of an ordinance in her honor.

Also in her honor, a section of the city's Riverwalk will now be known as the Kathy Hersh Riverwalk.

"I want to thank her for her dedication to the city, her passion for the things that are important, and to the spark she brings to a good discussion and debate, knowing her heart has always been in the right place. She has always been a joy to work with," said Mayor Donnalee Lozeau.

One informal addition to the Resolution came from Alderman David Deane, who noted that Hersh had led the charge in building the city's Senior Activity Center.

"Kathy was very passionate about that project, and she wasn't afraid to bring anything to the table, no matter what it was," Deane said.

Hersh said she appreciated all the hard work the Board of Aldermen put in to try and make the city a better place for all.

"More than anything, I would encourage the people of Nashua to participate, to run for seats on the Board of Alderman – everyone has the opportunity and responsibility to be part of their community's future. I've learned so much and met so many people, opportunities that wouldn't have been available if I hadn't been willing to serve initially on the Conservation Commission," Hersh said. "I'll be watching you on TV." 

Resolution 13-128 HONORING KATHERINE HERSH

 In the Year Two Thousand and Thirteen RESOLVED by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Nashua that 

WHEREAS, Katherine ("Kathy") Hersh is retiring from her position as Director of the Community Development Division after 12 years of dedicated service to the City of Nashua, New Hampshire; and 

WHEREAS, Kathy Hersh moved to Nashua 28 years ago and has been active in the Nashua Community since that time; and 

WHEREAS, Kathy Hersh was a member of the Conservation Commission from 1988 through 1991 and led the effort to establish a wetlands ordinance for the City which was adopted by citizen referendum in January 1991. Kathy was instrumental in the acquisition and protection of approximately 500 acres of conservation land located in the southwest quadrant of the City and 500 acres of conservation land now known as the Northwest Conservation Land; and 

WHEREAS, Kathy Hersh was elected to the Board of Aldermen as an Alderman-at-Large serving from 1992 to August 2001 and served as President from 2000 to August 2001; and 

WHEREAS, Kathy Hersh spearheaded the acquisition of the Heritage Rail Trail in the 1990s and continued to work to develop green space along the trail; and 

WHEREAS, Kathy Hersh led the efforts to purchase Rotary Common as mitigation for the F.E. Everett Turnpike and gathered funding for its design and construction; and 

WHEREAS, Kathy Hersh oversaw the continued development of the Nashua Riverwalk, articulating a strong emphasis on the Nashua River's role in the continued vitality and viability of downtown; and 

WHEREAS, Kathy Hersh has been employed in various aspects of community and economic development in both the public and private sectors. As Director of the Community Development Division, Kathy acquired over $15 million in funds for the City, including funds for Brownfields, Economic Development Initiatives, lead abatement, and more. She oversaw completion of the Downtown Master Plan as well as introduced the International Sculpture Symposium in 2007 making Nashua the only city in the United States which has an annual International Sculpture Symposium; and 

NOW THEREFORE, Mayor Donnalee Lozeau and the Board of Aldermen, on behalf of the citizens of Nashua, express their deep gratitude and appreciation to Kathy Hersh and her family for her many years of service and dedication to the City of Nashua and its citizens and in her honor, name the portion of the Nashua Riverwalk from Main Street to Margarita's Restaurant the "Kathy Hersh Riverwalk."