NASHUA — The idea of imposing a fine on elected officials who are disrespectful in the aldermanic chambers is not sitting well with some board members.

“I don’t think it is a good idea,” Alderman-at-Large James Donchess said. “I think the decorum is fine 98 percent of the time. Obviously, we need to work harder to be vigilant the rest of the time.”

The board of aldermen has been warned on at least two occasions this year to be more respectful and courteous of one another, prompting Paul Chasse Jr., Ward 6 alderman, to come up with the idea of a fine.

His amendment calls for a $10 fine to any alderman deemed to be out of line when dealing with other aldermen during public meetings at City Hall. Subsequent offenses would cost $25. Fines would be contributed to the aldermen’s Sunshine Fund, used to buy sympathy flowers or congratulatory gifts for board members.

Inappropriate behavior would land an alderman in front of the personnel and administrative affairs committee, which Chasse chairs. The committee would decide if a violation occurred.

“It would be almost impossible to really judge that,” Donchess argued.

Alderman Brian McCarthy, board president, said Thursday he is interested in getting feedback from other aldermen on the proposal.

“I don’t know that I am in favor of it, but I am in favor of people being more cognizant of their behaviors and what they do,” said McCarthy.

He said he would rather have aldermen focus on city business instead of bickering with each other.

“My observation is that at every level of government over the past few years, rhetoric has become more important than issues,” McCarthy said.

Earlier this summer, McCarthy asked his fellow board members to enforce a standard of decorum while in the aldermanic chambers. However, Chasse said recently that there have still been problems since that warning.

“I believe it is a noble gesture, and it is certainly thinking outside of the box to address less than civil issues this term, but I don’t believe this is the correct or appropriate way to handle it,” Alderman-at-Large Mark Cookson said this week. “I am not a big fan of the fines.”

Cookson said it really comes down to respecting the leadership of the board and the aldermanic committees.

“I think strong leadership could certainly address some of these concerns,” he added.

A few months ago, Mayor Donnalee Lozeau warned aldermen about the tone of meetings, encouraging city officials to respect one another after a string of controversial and heated debates.

This week, Lozeau declined to comment on the proposal to fine aldermen who misbehave.

Chasse is sponsoring the proposed ordinance, which is being co-sponsored by Ward 7 Alderman June Caron and Ward 4 Alderman Arthur Craffey.

The legislation will soon be reviewed by the personnel and administrative affairs committee.

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Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.