Hooksett · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hooksett public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Martins Ferry sewer upgrades bond ($12.5 million)
Last year's $9.5 million bond failed, so the committee is hunting for a smaller number. With the $1 million pipe and remaining bond authority factored in, members landed on roughly $3.5 million as the sweet spot for voters.
Natural resources inventory groundwork
The commission is exploring a town-wide natural resources inventory with UNH Cooperative Extension and Moosewood Ecological — its first since a 2011 open space plan — to guide wetland impact review and future land conservation priorities.
Beaver dams flooding near Riverwalk
The town hired a licensed trapper because beaver dams were clogging a culvert on Heritage Drive and risking flooding; the DPW director responded to neighbor complaints, noting tampering with traps is illegal.
Wetland buffer crossing for new Whitehall Road home
A landlocked buildable lot needs a driveway over a wetland buffer; the state already approved the wetlands permit and septic design. The board found the hardship and granted relief.
Conservation Commission excluded from DES wetland notifications
Board members noted Hooksett's ordinance has no mechanism for buffer encroachment relief, even though it allows some actual wetland impacts — an inconsistency that keeps pushing projects to the ZBA.
Hackett Hill wetland crossing and stormwater impacts
A property owner who filled and bermed wetlands without permits two years ago — flooding neighbors and icing Hackett Hill Road — is now restoring the wetland and needs a special exception for the crossing that's already built. Neighbors remain furious about dead trees, sewage dumping, and unpermitted buildings, and one family formally withdrew permission for any work on their land.
Weak recycling markets, especially plastics
Cardboard is finally back up to $50 a ton, but plastic is nearly worthless — a truckload yielded about $80 — and some recyclers now charge up to $300 per pickup. Members weighed whether paying small disposal fees still saves money versus the $103-per-ton trash alternative.
Quimby Mountain trail dispute
The council adopted a stewardship plan for the nearly 100-acre Quimby Mountain conservation area, home to Hooksett's highest point. Abutters worry the proposed summit trail invites trespassing and fire risk, but officials stressed the plan is a framework — no specific trail is approved yet.
Wetland buffer variance for apartment conversion at 17 Londonderry Turnpike
A property owner wants to turn an old industrial building into 10 apartments and needs to disturb part of the protected wetland buffer for parking, septic, and stormwater. The board granted it, finding the project actually improves wetland protection by removing an old septic system and adding stormwater treatment.
Casey Drive wetland driveway special exception
Owners of a nearly 18-acre landlocked parcel at the end of Casey Drive need to cross wetlands just to reach their own land. The board wants to know how the town ended up selling an inaccessible lot and whether it owes the owners anything before blessing the driveway.
Conservation Commission and 'Access for All' trail upgrade
The conservation commission is improving trail accessibility, fighting invasive species, and starting 'Access for All' work at Head's Pond in mid-June — with a possible short trail closure.