NASHUA — The alderman who drafted legislation that would have fined board members for being disrespectful to each other called Tuesday for an indefinite postponement, essentially killing the ordinance.

“There is a problem on this board,” Alderman Paul Chasse, Ward 6, said. “It is the chairman or the president that is going to have to take the bull by the horns.”

After a lengthy debate at Tuesday night’s Board of Aldermen meeting, several board members said they had reservations about the $10 and $25 fines for rude behavior during board meetings.

“I do think it is a matter that needs to be judged by the public,” said Alderman-at-Large Jim Donchess, who maintained the legislation would likely exacerbate problems.

Donchess questioned whether attorneys would be present for the proposed hearings before the aldermanic Personnel and Administrative Affairs Committee and if appeals or cross-examination would be allowed when determining whether aldermen were disrespectful or violated the Code of Conduct. He said such issues could take weeks to resolve, and open up the city to future litigation.

Alderman Mike Tabacsko, Ward 5, said while he appreciated the attempt to maintain calm in the aldermanic chambers, elected officials should be held to high standards without the threat of monetary fines.

“I think it just goes to show that we can’t legislate personal behavior or legislative style,” he said, adding the public will judge each alderman in the next election.

Alderman Kathy Vitale, Ward 1, said she was in favor of the proposed legislation because it brought forward a healthy discussion about expected behavior.

“This is one of those ordinances you would like to pass and never use,” she said.

One member of the public, former alderman and state representative Paula Johnson, urged the board to consider expanding the proposed legislation to include disrespect toward the public, not just other aldermen.

She also asked that the board consider raising the fines from $10 for a first offense to $25, and that subsequent offenses incur a $50 fine.

In addition, Johnson requested that the Code of Conduct extend beyond the City Hall chambers, alleging that she was “verbally attacked” by an alderman after a public meeting two weeks ago while standing in the parking lot.

- - - - - - - -

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