Public Meetings - Hooksett, New Hampshire

The Hooksett School District Budget Committee met on December 4, 2025, to continue its review of the school district budget. District representatives answered previously requested questions on Chromebook usage, repair rates, maintenance vendor costs, and reserve balances, then presented seven draft warrant articles for the upcoming ballot. No votes were taken on the budget or warrant articles; the district expects to supply bond costs, tax-rate impacts, and teacher-contract terms before the committee's next meeting on December 18, 2025. Consent Calendar - Minutes of the prior meeting were approved by voice vote with three abstentions. A member flagged a typo in a quote attributed to Dan Roma on page two, but no changes were made. Discussion Items Budget Review: Previously Requested Information - Reserve fund: The school department holds $264,124 in its reserve fund. - Chromebook usage: Cawley students use Chromebooks roughly 60–70 minutes per day including homework; Memorial students average 10–15 minutes of computer-based work nightly; Underhill (K–2) students have no required computer homework, though parents are encouraged to do 45–60 minutes per week of practice, and second graders get about 75 minutes per week of in-class Chromebook time. Core classes average 15–20 minutes of daily computer use; foreign-language classes use online textbooks and PE requires no Chromebooks. - Chromebook repairs (2025–26 to date): At Cawley, 24 devices needed little or no intervention, 35 (41.6%) required repair or part replacement, and 25 were dead and replaced. At Memorial, 13 units (31%) needed little or no intervention, 23 were repaired, and 5 (12%) were dead. At Underhill, 14 (56%) needed little or no intervention, 9 (36%) were repaired, and 2 were dead. - Repair trends: Dan Roma of the district technology staff said repairs cluster at the start of the school year and that the current year is still lower than recent ones — total repairs exceeded 500 two years ago and were roughly 300–330 last year. He attributed the improvement to better build quality than COVID-era Chromebooks and to student ownership of devices assigned in third grade and carried through eighth grade. - Device purchases and maintenance: The district buys about 250 Chromebooks annually: 150 go to third graders and 100 are spares. Repairs are done in-house, parts are cannibalized from retired devices, and about 20 invoices were issued to parents last year for student-mishandled devices. - Software savings: Google Classroom replaced Schoology, saving about $5,000 per year, and a list of other eliminated software subscriptions will be provided. Roma said in his personal opinion the IT budget has been stripped too far and needs restored operational funding. - Maintenance vendor costs: Electrical — not enough spending to justify a licensed electrician. Plumbing — about $15,000 in labor with materials under $10,000. HVAC — $51,000 in materials and $51,500 in labor ($102,500 total), the closest category to warranting an in-house licensed technician. - Academic context: A district representative said state assessment (SAS) scores have risen every year since 2020 and the district was among only a few in New Hampshire that did not see a COVID dip. Cawley was ranked 16th and Memorial 18th in New Hampshire by U.S. News & World Report. The district also saves by using online licensing instead of print textbooks and relies on Chromebooks as its entire testing infrastructure. - A committee member asked what percentage of the salary/benefits line goes toward health insurance; the district will provide the answer later. Draft Warrant Articles - Article 1: Election of three school board members (three-year terms) and moderator, treasurer, and clerk (two-year terms). - Article 2 (facilities bond): Described as a $7.25 million bond/project for facilities work; the final total cost remains marked ? because the school board has not voted on a sum. The district is working with its bond attorney and expects the total cost and tax impact by the December 18 meeting. Bond payments would be built into future budgets. - Bond bookkeeping concern: Members noted that when the prior Cawley bond's final payment of about $1.1 million was made (in 2022 or 2023), the following year's budget did not drop by that amount, which can make percentage increases misleading. The district will investigate whether the default budget decreases automatically when bond payments end. - Article 3: The operating budget as currently presented. - Article 4 (teacher contract): Negotiations with the Hooksett Education Association are close; a tentative agreement could go to the school board on December 16, with details sent to the budget committee before December 18. - Article 5 (maintenance trust): $150,000 to the building maintenance expendable trust fund, funded from fund balance rather than taxation. The board was split 4–3 over the amount and the change in funding source; voters last March did not approve adding money to this trust. If not approved or if leftover funds are unavailable, it would not be funded. - Article 6 (special education trust): $100,000 to the special education trust fund, funded from fund balance. - Article 7 (technology trust): $150,000 to the technology expendable trust fund, funded through taxation. The board's 4–3 split was over the amount and whether to fund it by taxation, since Articles 5 and 6 would already draw $250,000 from fund balance. - State disclosure requirement: A recently enacted law requires the preceding year's (2024–25) cost-per-pupil figure and proficiency scores to be stated directly before the budget warrant article. The cost-per-pupil figure is calculated by the state and excludes specified expenditures. The district will confirm with counsel whether additional explanatory text may be included. - Trust fund balances: A member suggested listing current trust fund balances on each warrant article; the district said the board could do so with a vote. - Science proficiency: Asked why science scores appear weak, a district representative said elementary time is heavily weighted to literacy and math, science is taught daily only starting at Cawley, and science performance is closely tied to reading ability. The district is above state averages; state-average comparisons were in the backup materials. - Impact fees: The town attorney advised that RSA language prevents using town impact fees for a portable classroom lease; the funds could be used if classrooms were built, but lease-to-own would cost more. A facilities study of Underhill — which is maxed out on space — is planned, with recommendations expected in about a year. - An outdated draft sentence about overriding a 10% limitation was flagged as confusing and will be removed. - Timing: The district hopes to deliver bond totals, per-article tax-rate impacts, and the teacher contract for the committee's December 18 review. The town of Hooksett's tax rate is still not posted/known — one of roughly 100 towns still waiting — which has delayed tax-impact figures. Key Outcomes - No votes were taken on the budget or any warrant article; review continues December 18, 2025. - The district committed to providing: the bond's total cost and per-article tax impacts, teacher-contract details, the share of salaries/benefits spent on health insurance, the list of eliminated software subscriptions, and an answer on whether default budgets decline when bond payments end. - The district will ask its attorney about permissible warrant-article language and will consider adding current trust fund balances to each article (subject to a board vote). - With no other business and no public comment, the committee adjourned on a motion by Mr. Greenberg, seconded and approved.

The Hooksett Planning Board met on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM (evening) with seven members present. The board reviewed several applications including a wetland special exception, a daycare site plan, a phased commercial development, and a boat electronics business. Public comments were heard on multiple items, and the board approved several motions and referrals. Consent Calendar - Minutes of November 17, 2025: Approved with one abstention from a member not present at that meeting. A note was made regarding member Bearham’s future membership due to poor attendance. - Voluntary Lot Merger (Flynn Enterprises): Map 36, Lots 426 & 427 at 199 & 203 Londonderry Turnpike. Approved unanimously as the merger creates a conforming lot (one parcel is a 0.1-acre sliver) and meets all requirements. Public Comments & Testimony - Daycare (Mary Ann French, 13 Morgan Street): Multiple abutters (Mark Franco, Anita McMillan, Scott McMillan, Danielle McCross) expressed opposition to increasing the number of children from the site-plan-approved 20. They cited traffic, noise, and concerns about a future owner being less considerate. One neighbor noted she originally moved in when the approved number was 20 and observed increased issues when enrollment reached 32–37. - College Park Drive (Challford Properties): Abutter from 10 Thompson Avenue expressed concern about a future 50-foot building and wetland/sewer construction impacts on his property and wildlife. - 310 Londonderry Turnpike (Estes’ Property Management): Matt McGee, representing Deer Head (600 members), spoke in favor of keeping the rear parking as gravel (not paved) to manage runoff, and requested low plantings near the intersection for sight lines. Discussion Items - Special Exception – Wetland Crossing (Martin Bernard, 325 Hackett Hill Road): The applicant seeks a special exception for a wetland crossing as part of restoring wetlands previously disturbed. The warehouse on the property lacks proper approvals. The board discussed procedural gaps with DES notification and agreed that a site walk with Conservation Commission and ZBA is needed before providing comments. A motion to schedule a site walk passed (7-0). - Daycare Site Plan Amendment (Mary Ann French, 13 Morgan Street, Continued): The applicant requested amending the 1991 site plan (approved for 20 children) to reflect current operations (licensed for 41, averaging 30–32). The board debated the appropriate cap: abutters wanted 20, some members favored 32 (based on average), others suggested a compromise. After public testimony and legal guidance (zoning verification forms and municipal estoppel), the board approved 32 children with conditions: hours 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, no weekends, and a parking plan (included as appendix). Vote was 5-2. - Phased Commercial Development (Challford Properties, 2 College Park Drive, Phase One): Phase one involves demolishing/renovating the existing building to vanilla-box commercial space, with later phases for a four-story building. The board waived a traffic study, lighting plan, and landscaping plan for phase one. Impact fees were set at $384,750. The development agreement was replaced with conditions of approval. A motion to approve with specific dates (Phase Two submission by Feb. 28, 2026; Phase Three with Phase Two) and a condition that no CO for apartments until commercial strip is done passed (approved with no votes against counted; one member opposed? The transcript indicates approved). - Commercial Site Plan (Estes’ Property Management, 310 Londonderry Turnpike): Proposal for a boat electronics business including resurfacing rear parking with gravel, new parking layout, and a retention pond. Waivers for landscaping and gravel parking were granted. The approval includes a condition requiring a spill kit on site. Vote to approve passed (unanimous). - Zoning Amendments (Articles 10 & 10A): The board held a public hearing on two proposed amendments for the ballot: Article 10 (Commercial District) – removing garages/parking from permitted uses, capping housing at 30% of structure, excluding self-storage; Article 10A (Performance Zone) – removing warehousing except as accessory, and prohibiting automotive uses. Board member Russell presented analysis showing 42% of performance zone parcels are residential, arguing for protecting residential use. Both articles were voted to be placed on the ballot (6-0 for each, after a member left). - Other: A motion to send a letter to the Town Council urging a vacancy declaration for the alternate position (Mr. Beaham, due to non-attendance) passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approved: Yes (1 abstention). - Lot Merger Approved: Unanimous. - Wetland Site Walk Scheduled: Motion passed 7-0. - Daycare (French) Approved: 32 children, 7AM–6PM, no weekends, parking plan included. Vote 5-2. - Challford Properties Phase One Approved: With conditions (Phase Two deadline Feb 28, 2026; commercial strip CO before apartments). Impact fees $384,750. Waivers granted. Approved (majority). - Estes Property Management Approved: With spill kit condition. Waivers granted. Approved (unanimous). - Zoning Articles 10 & 10A: Placed on ballot in next election (both 6-0). - Alternate Vacancy Letter: Motion passed (unanimous).

The Hooksett Transfer Station Advisory Board met on November 25, 2025, to discuss current recycling rates, equipment updates, a proposed bond for a new scale house and retaining wall, a solar project update, and other operational matters. The board voted to recommend a $1,325,840 bond warrant article to the Town Council, with funding from tipping fees and no tax impact. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The board approved the minutes from September 23, 2025, with a motion and second, all in favor. Discussion Items - Current Rates and Recycling: Sean Dumont presented current rates: trash $98.10 per ton, furniture management surcharge $194, demo $119 per ton, electronics variable, freon $8 per unit, lithium-ion batteries $1.10–$1.50 per pound, nickel-cadmium and alkaline $0.78 per pound (alkaline can go in trash). Cardboard dropped to $35 per ton. Metal $102–$131.75 per ton, glass $50 per ton. Plastic is becoming an issue with difficulty finding buyers; currently paid $0.025 per pound through New Hampshire Recycles (formerly NRRA). - Equipment Update: A trailer sold on GovDeals for $9,200, but the board's net take was approximately $90 (unclear from discussion). A new baler was purchased; a $5,000 grant from New Hampshire the Beautiful was received for recycling equipment. - New Building Bond Considerations: Sean Dumont presented a proposal for a 20-year bond to fund a new scale house and retaining wall. The building is the original, has mold, inadequate facilities (women's room is a closet with a toilet, dishes washed in men's room), and floods. The wall for loading demo and furniture is failing and poses a fall hazard. The proposed bond amount is $1,325,840 (or a lower $1.25 million option). The bond would be paid from the special revenue account (tipping fees) with no tax impact. The board discussed the need for wiggle room and the risks of a lower amount if costs exceed. Average annual payment from the disposal fund is $161,000, with the bond payment $4,000 per year. - Solar Project Update: The solar project is moving forward after a roadblock. Interconnection cost was $600,000, but investors agreed to proceed. The lease is five years with option to purchase, allowing green credits of about $2,000–$2,500 per month. - Mowing and Maintenance: Discussion on mowing the solar field; a remote-control Skag mower was tested. It was noted that the requirement to mow at a foot height may be a past practice; no official confirmation was found. - Leave Pickup: The highway department assists with leaf pickup. Sean noted that bags were left on Benton Road despite woods behind houses, expressing frustration. - Saturday Hours and Holiday Schedule: The board discussed challenges with Saturday openings due to union contract; holidays on Fridays or Mondars result in closed Saturdays. Two holidays in the next year may cause three consecutive closed Saturdays. E-alerts and Facebook are used to notify residents. A QR code for e-alert signup was requested. Key Outcomes - Bond Recommendation: A motion was made to recommend a warrant article to the Town Council for a bond of $1,325,840 for a new scale house and retaining wall. The motion passed unanimously (all in favor). The board decided to go with the higher amount to provide contingency. - E-Alert QR Code: The board agreed to create a QR code to link residents to e-alert signups, to be posted at the transfer station and on paperwork. - Future Agenda: The board will continue to monitor plastic recycling markets, schedule Saturday closures, and plan for mowing the solar field. No public comments were received during the meeting.

The Hooksett Budget Committee met on November 20, 2025, to review the proposed school budget, discuss insurance concerns with SchoolCare, and hear presentations on a $7.25 million facilities bond and other warrant articles. The meeting included clarification of previous minutes, updates from the school board, and public comment from Town Councilor Roger Duham. No final votes were taken on the budget or warrant articles; the committee accepted the proposed school budget for discussion. Clarification of Previous Minutes - Special Education Director Chris Sosborne clarified that of the three special education teachers originally funded through an IDEA grant, one was moved to the operating budget this year. Two teachers remain funded by the grant. The school board declined a proposal to move a second teacher into the budget, citing concerns about future grant funding. Public Comments & Testimony - Town Councilor Roger Duham (Hooksett Town Council) expressed concern over the lack of prior planning for capital improvements, noting that maintenance trust funds were not set aside in previous years. He urged the committee to consider smaller, phased projects to avoid overwhelming taxpayers and increase the likelihood of voter approval. Discussion Items SchoolCare Insurance - The school board reported that the insurance rate for next year came in at 7.7%, significantly better than the initial estimate of 16%. However, the board voted to add $11,660 to the SchoolCare line (now $368,760) because of a lack of confidence in SchoolCare's forecasting accuracy. - School Business Administrator noted that the district is exploring alternative health plan administrators and has reached out to multiple providers. The state took over one similar consortium (New Hampshire Interlocal Trust) for insolvency in May 2025, underscoring risks. - The SchoolCare reserve is being rebuilt to $25 million after a $30 million shortfall in 2025, but the reserve is separate from operational billing. Proposed School Budget - The budget includes three new positions: a sixth-grade teaching position (due to 32 additional sixth graders), a reading specialist at Cauley School (reinstated after two years without one), and a third-grade teacher at Memorial to reduce class size. The reading specialist position costs approximately $117,000 including benefits. - The district has moved from Mac to Chromebooks for staff, saving money. A $150,000 technology trust fund warrant article (funded by taxation) is proposed to maintain a one-to-one device program. - A $100,000 special education trust fund (from fund balance) and a $150,000 maintenance trust fund (from fund balance) were also presented. The maintenance trust fund currently has $117,000; previously no funds were set aside. Facilities Bond – $7.25 Million - The school board approved a bond for capital improvements at Memorial, Cauley, and Underhill schools, totaling $6,898,703 with a 5% contingency ($7.25 million). The bond is for 15 years with level principal funding. - Work includes new roof, HVAC, boilers, controls, fire suppression, and plumbing at Memorial; HVAC, fire suppression, and plumbing at Cauley; and HVAC and plumbing at Underhill. The project is estimated to begin summer 2027. - The district hired Harvey Construction and Turner Group (architects) as a third-party general contractor. A full facility study identified $20.7 million in total needs. The board plans to phase work over multiple projects every 2–3 years. - The project is eligible for about $3,000 in impact fees. State building aid is unlikely; the district will apply but expects minimal funding. - Facilities Committee Chair Gillian Guybout and Maintenance Director Dean Farmer presented. They emphasized transparency and community outreach (two public nights with under 75 attendees). Technology Usage & Repair Costs - Technology Director reported that annual Chromebook refresh costs average $75,000. Repair incidents have decreased significantly (70 repairs at Cauley this year vs. 200+ previously). Underhill devices do not go home; Memorial devices go home at teacher discretion; Cauley devices go home. Families are billed for damage, but no non-payment issues have occurred. Key Outcomes - The budget committee accepted the proposed school budget for discussion (motion by Marianne Susi, second by Mary Ann; passed with three abstentions). - No final votes were taken on the budget, bond, or warrant articles. The committee will continue discussions on December 4, 2025. - The school board will provide additional information: maintenance spending details (minus parts) to Mike Kovac, usage data for student devices to William Lynch, and the final warrant articles once drafted by attorneys. - The committee declined to invite Harvey Construction to a future meeting, opting instead to watch the recorded presentation online.

The Hooksett Town Council held its regularly scheduled evening meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The council approved an early Christmas Eve Town Hall closure, supported the 2026 Winter Carnival, re-adopted a commercial/industrial property tax exemption, and debated—but did not advance—a proposed municipal transportation improvement fee. Several appointments, tabling actions, and committee reports were also handled. Consent Calendar - The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, referenced as items 11.1 and 11.2. One councilor noted that a family-services-related donation item has historically run just under $10,000 and that any amount over that would be brought back for later acceptance. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public offered comment during the public input portions of the meeting. Town Administrator’s Report - The Town Administrator requested and the council approved closing Town Hall at 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve instead of the normal 6:30 p.m. Wednesday closing time. Council discussion noted this request had not come up in recent years because Christmas Eve had not fallen on a Wednesday; Councilor Lapier also asked whether other town departments could leave early, and the administrator said the motion gave latitude to apply it more broadly. - The Town Administrator reported that both the town engineer and town assessor positions remain unfilled after more than a month of advertising. Two engineering firms were interviewed for interim subdivision and site-plan review, site inspections, and related duties. One response was received to an RFP for assessor services, and any interim assessor arrangement would likely be part-time until a full-time hire is made. - Councilors discussed the history of the town engineer position. One councilor who championed the position said it was created to avoid expensive outside engineering reviews and to provide local, institutional knowledge. Another councilor asked whether the position was expected to pay for itself; the administrator responded that fees offset a portion of the cost but not the full amount. - Upcoming meetings were listed: Heritage Commission on November 25 at 5 p.m., Recycling and Transfer Commission on November 25 at 6:30 p.m., Planning Board on December 1 at 6 p.m., and Budget Committee on December 4. - The Town Administrator said a full town council goals progress update would come at the January meeting. Winter Carnival 2026 - Bob and Shu Wiley, representing the Hooksett Winter Carnival Committee, requested council support for the winter carnival scheduled for Saturday, January 24, 2026, with a snow date of Sunday, January 25, at Hooksett Memorial School. Participating organizations include Kiwanis, the Chamber, Girl Scouts, Boy Scout Troop 292, HYAA, Rotary, the Fire Department, and private citizens. - The committee described planned activities including a blood drive, outdoor events, snowshoeing, food trucks, raffle tables, and face painting. Their request was for police awareness and traffic-flow guidance, traffic cones and barricades from public works, and fire-department awareness for emergency purposes. - The council unanimously approved the event details and authorized the Town Administrator to cooperate with the committee as needed. Appointments and Personnel Changes - The council unanimously approved a Conservation Commission position swap: John Pennell moves from full member to alternate member, and John Peroni moves from alternate member to full member, with both terms ending June 30, 2028. - Library Board of Trustees Chair Sandra Mack and Director Heather Rainier requested appointment of Tammy Hooker as an alternate library trustee for a term ending June 30, 2026, under RSA 202-A:10, citing the need to maintain a quorum. Councilors questioned whether a charter change was required because library alternates are not listed in the town charter. The council voted to table the appointment pending legal review and a possible town attorney opinion. Commercial and Industrial Tax Exemption Re-adoption - The council considered re-adopting RSA 72:80–83, the commercial and industrial construction property tax exemption, using a corrected parcel list of 17 parcels. The motion exempted increases in taxable value from new construction, additions, renovations, or improvements of up to 30 percent annually for no more than seven years from application approval. The exemption would remain in effect for five years and would require a future motion to extend. - A speaker identified as Grant argued the program worked well, was underutilized, and said a company ready to take advantage of it might not locate in Hooksett without the exemption. Councilor Duham expressed concern about worsening traffic and infrastructure, but other councilors noted the council retains case-by-case control and can deny applications or approve less than the maximum. The readoption passed by voice vote with no announced opposition. Municipal Transportation Improvement Fee - Staff presented a proposed municipal transportation improvement fee of up to $5 per vehicle registration. With roughly 20,000 registrations, a $5 fee would generate about $100,000 per year. Money would be placed in a capital reserve established by warrant article and could be used for transportation-related purposes, including road improvements, sidewalks, engineering, acquisitions, electric-vehicle charging, and public-transportation operating costs. - Councilor Sullivan moved to set the fee at $5 and not restrict allowable uses. Councilor Duham suggested limiting the fee to trails and bike paths because registration fees already send about $4.95 million to the general fund. Councilor Smith opposed the proposal, noted the town is in the second year of a default budget, and moved to amend the fee to $2.50; that amendment received no second. - The main motion failed on a 3–3 tie vote, so the item did not advance to a public hearing. Minutes, Committee Reports, and Other Business - The council tabled approval of the November 5, 2025 meeting minutes pending further review. - Committee reports included: a Planning Board/EDC update noting a planned TIF 101 educational event in January, approval of a car wash for the former auditorium, a delay on a technology-drive project for building clarification, continuation of the Cigna/Cygna property public hearing to January, and four proposed zoning warrant articles including limits on multiple same-type businesses in the performance zone. - A Parks and Recreation issue will be discussed at a future non-public session. A Zoning Board update noted resident concerns about a Morgan Drive variance and the fact that many town records are not yet digitized; digitizing all records in the building was estimated at over $1 million. - Councilor Smith asked about employee health insurance increases and was told that employee contribution percentages did not increase last year, meaning the town absorbed the higher premium costs. She also reported heavy trucks using Martins Ferry Road, observed road degradation, and said she would raise the issue with the Highway Commission. - The council informally agreed to sponsor a $250 tree for Light Up the Village. Key Outcomes - Approved the early 4:30 p.m. Town Hall closure for Christmas Eve by voice vote. - Approved the January 24, 2026 Winter Carnival request and town cooperation by voice vote. - Approved the Conservation Commission member/alternate swap unanimously. - Tabled the library alternate trustee appointment pending legal review. - Re-adopted the commercial/industrial property tax exemption for the corrected parcel list. - Failed to advance the municipal transportation improvement fee motion on a 3–3 tie. - Tabled approval of the November 5 meeting minutes. - The next regular meeting was announced for December 10, 2025.

On November 19, 2025, the Hooksett Economic Development Advisory Committee met to discuss the proposed Tax Increment Finance (TIF) infrastructure project, hear economic development project updates, and plan voter outreach for the TIF bond. Attending were members Jim Sullivan, Lisa Lally, Dave Scarpetti, Anthony Poole, Alden Boachman, and Justin Tringali, with staff members Grant and Andre. Discussion Items - TIF project scope and costs: The committee reviewed the current TIF plan, which includes roughly $12 million for a pump station upgrade, a pipe under the river, and a pump station on the far side, plus an estimated $28 million for full Exit 10 area work, including pipe installation and pavement work. Staff clarified that the planned $12.5 million bond is part of the $28 million plan figure. Alden Boachman questioned how solid the $28 million estimate is and said the number must be refined and controlled before moving forward. - Potential Sewer Department contribution: Ken from the Sewer Department indicated there may be funds to contribute to the Martins Ferry force main upgrades. If that contribution is applied, the bond amount could drop from $12.5 million to $7.25 million, and the total project cost from about $28 million to about $23 million. - Business contribution math: Anthony Poole reported that pumping costs about $400 per pump and many businesses pump twice a week, equaling $800 per week or about $41,600 per year. He calculated that a $1 million business contribution would take about 24 years to recoup, and a $2 million contribution about 48 years, making it a 'massive uphill battle' to ask businesses such as Wendy's, Coles, Irving, Walmart, and Bass Pro for large contributions. - Septic replacement perspective: Jim Sullivan said the committee should also factor in the cost of replacing aging septic systems, roughly $100,000-$120,000 depending on size, rather than only annual pumping costs. - Development opportunity framing: A member argued the investment can be framed as an opportunity for landowners to convert unused parking-lot space into cash through land leases, use bonus depreciation, and attract local businesses that are 'bursting at the seams' and interested in Exit 10 because Hooksett Road is congested. - TIF financing capacity: Staff reported approximately $2 million is currently captured in the TIF district. The committee agreed that knowing the annual captured increment is essential because it must be enough to cover annual bond payments. Staff said they would get the exact annual yield and projections. - Tax impact message: Members discussed that the TIF is designed so voting yes on the bond should not increase taxes, while voting no keeps the district open longer and prevents captured increment from being used for tax relief or new development. - Voter outreach: The committee planned a TIF 101 educational forum in January, possibly at the library, and agreed to use social media, tax-bill inserts, local newsletters, and election-day informational signs to explain the TIF. Andre offered to share his article explaining the TIF, and members discussed using short, frequent messages similar to police department outreach. - Other funding mechanisms: The committee briefly considered impact fees and sewer connection fees, but staff explained that New Hampshire does not have a local-option mechanism to simply raise taxes on TIF properties. A property owner had previously asked why the town could not raise his taxes to pay for the project. Project Updates - Marmon is scheduled for a Technical Review Committee meeting on Monday and expects to hire a consulting engineer; the project could bring about 210 jobs on three shifts with 24/7 operations. - Granite Woods' approved 500,000-square-foot building has been divided into condominium sections, and a tenant is reportedly interested in about 100,000 square feet. No building permit has been filed yet. - The Old Dominion site closed in October for $5.7 million for the land and is within the TIF district; new development would increase the captured increment. - The Richmond Company may have a tenant for the pad site across from Old Dominion. - The planned sewer/water work and road reconstruction would also replace an aging asbestos cement water pipe. - Panera construction is progressing, and other small developments were noted. - A Planning Board hearing is scheduled for December 1 to consider removing some oversaturated business types, such as car washes, from the performance zone. Other Business - The incoming president of the Hooksett Flower Club, Bonnie Pierce, proposed creating a 'river of flowers' attraction on the pedestrian bridge and offered to help beautify the future rotaries and participate in fundraising. The committee was receptive to including the club. Key Outcomes - No formal vote was taken on the TIF project. The committee agreed to continue refining cost estimates, obtain annual TIF increment data, and explore an amended contract with Underwood to update the TIF plan. - The committee will work with the library and town administrator to set a January date for TIF 101 and distribute educational inserts with December tax bills. - The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn and a second.