Hooksett · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hooksett public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Budget Committee Rules of Procedure Draft
A committee member circulated a draft rules document covering membership, quorum, voting and the budget review process. Members suggested adding a 'what to expect' guide for new members and may form a small subcommittee to finish the work; discussion continues next week.
Review of Hooksett fire rules
Councilor Duhaime wants a look at local fire rules that go beyond state code, citing costly requirements on businesses. The chief offered transparency; councilors will send specific questions instead of forming a committee.
Fire department overtime and frozen position
The fire budget carries about $420,000 in overtime to cover a frozen full-time position, and the department says it wouldn't save money by unfreezing it. Overtime has held steady around $400-420K for years just to maintain minimum staffing at two firehouses.
Field use fees for outside organizations
A rumor circulating that Hooksett will start charging for-profit travel teams for field use has no basis — the council hasn't discussed it. Local leagues currently use fields free and raise concerns about private teams consuming town resources without insurance binders on file.
Pat's Peak ski program enrollment decline
The town's Pat's Peak learn-to-ski program is struggling — six kids last year, fewer signed up this year, and Pat's Peak needs about ten to run it. A Pat's Peak representative says a town Hooksett's size should draw 80–100 kids.
State grant inspection at Fraser Park
A resident raised that the local playground serves only young children, with nothing for kids roughly 6 to 12. The board is rethinking a permanent volleyball net there and considering swing sets or climbing equipment instead, while preserving open field space.
Scout bench project at Riverside and Fraser parks
A Scout (Jeff Scott) is pricing an A-frame sign and benches at about $270 each for Riverside Park, plus repairs to Fraser Park benches. Members noted parents at the playground area have nowhere to sit.
Basketball court resurfacing
A citizen asked about resurfacing the basketball court and fixing the hoops, and wants a recent quote to try fundraising or securing a donation for the repairs.
Park Road parcel as possible future park
Councilor Roger Duhaime has been pushing for a park on Hooksett's west side, but board members question whether residents there actually want one, noting wetlands and budget constraints. A site walk is being planned.
March zoning ballot amendments
New rules make it clear when a business swapping into an existing storefront needs full planning board review — cutting out staff guesswork. Most tenant turnovers like a pickleball shop replacing a fabric store won't trigger review unless site work, parking or lighting changes.
Regional transportation planning representation
SNHPC planner James Valeo urged the town to fill its three regional planning commission seats so Hooksett can advocate for projects like the Hackett Hill Road/Main Street fix, which keeps slipping off the state ten-year plan.
Holiday lighting warrant article for village area
The council approved use of four town parking lots for the annual Light Up the Village holiday event; Councilor LaCasse, who leads the event, abstained and invited all councilors to attend.
Riverwalk boardwalk failure and repair
The first boardwalk's sun-exposed pressure-treated decking failed badly and got emergency plywood repairs; the commission plans to seek engineering specifications for a full deck replacement, possibly budgeting funds.
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.
DOT bridge work without notice
Councilor Duhaime raised concerns that the state DOT did bridge work with no advance notice, disrupting local road traffic.
Warrant article consolidation
Roughly 25 potential warrant articles are on the table, from cruisers and road work to poll pads. Councilors debated combining them to avoid overwhelming voters, but past consolidation efforts were unpopular with the budget committee and voters.
Election operations funding
The town clerk wants better pay for supervisors of the checklist ahead of three elections in early 2028, and hopes shared town/school deliberative sessions will cut audio-video costs.
Town Planner Hiring
Hooksett has a new town planner, the official who helps decide what gets built and where. That means this hire could shape future development, growth, and permitting decisions around town.
Ambulance hardship waiver authority
Fire Rescue can now approve financial hardship waivers under $500 without a council vote, with reports to the council in non-public session. Bigger waivers still need council approval. It's meant to save everyone time on small-dollar cases.
New hybrid police cruiser purchase
The police department is getting a 2026 Ford Explorer PIU Hybrid with all emergency equipment for about $61,893 after trading in a money-losing side-by-side utility vehicle.
Cell tower coverage gaps
Councilors revived talk of finding a partner for a cell tower to fix Hooksett's dead spots, and discussed the $75,000 asking price for land near Cawley Middle School, which may go first to the Conservation Commission.
Sewer routing and required business connections along Quality Drive
The engineer unveiled a redesigned sewer route along Quality Drive that avoids blasting rock under I-93 — a major cost saver — and puts lines in front of businesses instead of behind them. Businesses along the route would be required to connect within about a year.
Vacant Assessor position
A resident raised concerns that a bidder for the town assessor contract had a lapsed license during the bidding window. The administrator said he'll follow up with legal counsel and believes due diligence was followed.
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.
Stride Together Track & Wellness project at Donati Park
The Donati baseball diamonds are in rough shape from years of built-up infield material. A member wants to host regional tournaments and is pushing for field improvements, possibly with volunteer labor and donations from leagues, though past league offers of in-kind work have gone unfulfilled.
Charter amendment review
The council formed a subcommittee (5-2) to weigh charter changes: majority instead of supermajority votes, appointed vs. elected planning board, and conflict-of-interest rules. Timing may push some items to next year's ballot.
Old Home Day fireworks funding and rules
The fireworks are on for September 19 with an $8,000 sponsor, but a fight broke out over the $1,665 bill for three firefighters to staff the event. The council voted 5-2 to have the Fire Department budget cover it, and some councilors want a review of the fire department's extra rules.
Town Hall gym rental fee increase
Board members are considering raising the gym rental fee by $5 to fund park improvements like volleyball nets, benches, and field supplies. The catch: they need to confirm the money lands in a fund they can actually spend from, since the town is in a default budget and some dedicated funds are locked away.
Exit 11 Granite Woods development and TEPO parcel
The approved 500,000-square-foot Granite Woods project remains a hole in the ground with infrastructure ready to go; the developer is actively marketing and may have a prospect coming. The TEPO property has seen interest but nothing has materialized.
Master plan follow-up and board training
It's been nearly two years since the board reviewed the master plan, and members want the master plan committee reconstituted. There's also a push for better onboarding and training materials for volunteer board members, plus fixing the rules of procedure notice section that was apparently never posted to the website.
Hooksett Road buffer clearing at J.R. Holj condo site
Members noticed the 18-unit condo site was clear-cut right to Route 3 despite a promised buffer. Scarpetti plans to look into whether buffer restoration is required of the new property owner.
School drop-off and pick-up congestion
Parents crowding Memorial and Underhill drop-off zones remain a recurring headache. The board is sending reminders about buses and carpooling, and one member wants the school board to consider a fee to encourage bus ridership.
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.
Recycle/Transfer scale house replacement
The scale house is still alive — Public Works will get new contractor bids, with the board hoping to land near $600,000 rather than the $1.3 million figure that alarmed residents on Facebook. Delay costs money: the baler rose from $80,000 to $116,000 while stalled.
Lambert Park memorial storyboard sign
A sign honoring Alfred J. Lambert Riverside Park has been delayed over a year by disputes between the Parks & Rec board and the Heritage Commission over historical accuracy and wording. The board finally approved the corrected version, with the QR code content still to be finalized.
Eversource pole yard and zoning question
A 5.1-acre gravel pole storage yard was approved, but whether the use needs a ZBA special exception in the district remains unresolved — approval is conditioned on that determination.
Childcare enrollment cap dispute
Maryann Garound Childcare wants the 32-child cap lifted seven months after the decision, but board members say the matter was already adjudicated and want legal advice before proceeding.
Walmart pickup expansion and parking waiver
A pickup-operations expansion drops parking from 798 to 758 spots, below town requirements — the board wants a formal waiver and also raised concerns about permanent storage containers on the lot.
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.
Secondhand dealer licensing of gun stores
Bass Pro applied for a secondhand dealer's license to run gun buybacks, but the 2014 ordinance was never enforced against the town's other two gun stores. The council approved Bass Pro's license 5-1 and will revisit the ordinance later.
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.
Stride Together: Hooksett Track & Wellness fundraising
Board members aired how unsafe it is to walk or bike in town — no contiguous sidewalks, no rail trail, kids on e-bikes at dangerous intersections. They asked the fire department and staff how future development reviews can push for sidewalks and connectivity.
Backyard shooting range noise on Cross Road
An abutter told the board a tactical shooting range — reportedly training state troopers — operates 300 feet from his home, and he's gotten nowhere with the town for months. The board clarified it wasn't the right venue, but the complaint landed on the record.
Heads Pond 'Access for All' improvements
A steep entrance has kept people with mobility challenges off the 483-acre Heads Pond conservation area. The $50,390 bid award adds accessible entrance improvements and two paved, signed handicap parking spaces.
Stride Together: Hooksett Track & Wellness donations
Local businesses donated $10,543.15 to the DPW track and wellness project, formally accepted by the council. Organizer Samera Dalal says about $24,456 is still needed, and she's pursuing grants.
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.
Sale of tax-deeded property ordinance
New ordinance spells out how the town sells tax-deeded property 'as justice may require.'
Exit 11 and Main Street intersection improvements
The Exit 11/Main Street project grew from $4.4 million to $10.8 million on the state ten-year plan, with two roundabouts planned at Hackett Hill Drive and Main Street. Property acquisition is underway, and the Route 3A project stays on the plan too.
2026 Road Resurfacing Program
Six roads get repaved this year for $575,022.32 — about $200,000 under the available budget. Benton Road gets a full-depth rebuild; Councilor Smith flagged Martins Ferry's deterioration and asked about curb styles.
Neighborhood blight complaint on Coaker Avenue
A resident told the Council, for the third or fourth time, that a neighboring property is accumulating junk vehicles and trailers near a dump — hurting property values. The Chair directed him to give his contact info to the Town Administrator for follow-up.