OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Hooksett Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting - November 18, 2025

Town Council & BoardsTuesday, November 18, 2025
BodyHooksett, New Hampshire
SessionTown Council & Boards
DateTuesday, November 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:32:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

Are you sure it's on oh there it is?

0:10

There it is.

0:11

All right.

0:11

Good evening.

0:12

I like to call the hooks at zoning board of adjustment to order.

0:15

The time is 6 34.

0:18

Um if we could all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:31

One nation undergoing the visible liberty justice.

0:40

All right, so we'll start by um introductions of the board.

0:45

Tom, you want to start?

0:46

Good evening.

0:47

My name is Tom Chesnard.

0:49

Matt St.

0:50

Pierre.

0:51

And Stelmack.

0:53

Roger Duham.

0:54

Tav Stewart.

0:55

Colin Merritt.

0:58

And Colin will be an alternate voting tonight.

1:01

He's our alternate member because we are missing our vice chair.

1:05

So yeah.

1:06

So you're in.

1:07

There's a water commission meeting tonight.

1:08

Did you know that?

1:09

I think it's a good thing.

1:10

It's a conflict.

1:11

Yeah, it's a conflict since we moved the meetings.

1:14

That's all.

1:15

Okay, so we have some approval of minutes from October 14th.

1:18

Any changes.

1:49

I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from Tuesday, October 14th, 2025.

1:53

All right, is there a second?

1:56

Second.

1:57

All right.

1:57

All in favor?

1:59

Aye.

2:00

All right.

2:02

So those passed.

2:04

All right.

2:08

So we don't have any unfinished business.

2:10

Um we have two new applications tonight for public hearing.

2:14

Um before we go to the first one, um, we're going to um deal with the second one first, um, because we have an issue with it.

2:26

Um it's Ray Scott Z25-22 36 crossroad, map 17 lot 40, LDR application for a variance from Article 18, Section G to A.

2:39

Yep.

2:40

Okay.

2:41

So apparently um you need application is un not completed.

2:51

Right.

2:52

Five part of five is missing.

2:55

That is a legal requirement, and it's my understanding you also need a special exception, so it makes sense to do them both at the same time, correct?

3:03

Okay.

3:04

So are you special?

3:08

Just ask this question.

3:08

So the special exception, just so I'm clear, is only for the bridge.

3:12

Yep.

3:13

If I don't want to go for the special exception for the bridge before I spend money on engineering and everything else like that, right?

3:19

Because I don't want to spend a ton of money and time.

3:21

Can I just get the exception for the 40-foot wetland setback first?

3:25

Discuss it.

3:25

And then decide if I want to go ahead and put a bridge in there.

3:28

All I'm trying to do is use my own land.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████75%
Procedural██████████16%
Zoning████6%
Transportation Safety1%
Pending Litigation1%
Facilities and Fleet Management1%
Summary of Proceedings

Hooksett Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting - November 18, 2025

The meeting was called to order at 6:34 PM. The board approved minutes from October 14, 2025. Two applications were heard: Ray Scott (Z25-22) for a variance and Mary Ann French (Z25-21) for a variance for a daycare facility. Both were continued to December 9, 2025.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of minutes from October 14, 2025 (motioned, seconded, all in favor).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Christine Francoir (8 Morgan Drive): Opposed the daycare variance, citing noise, traffic congestion, and safety concerns. She stated that neighbors have addressed issues directly but they persist.
  • Danielle McCrossen (7 Morgan Drive): Opposed the variance, arguing the daycare is a commercial business in a residential district (URD) and does not meet variance criteria. She noted increased traffic and safety issues.
  • Scott McMillan (10 Morgan Drive): Opposed, describing traffic, property damage, and lack of neighborhood consideration. He submitted a written statement.
  • Tom Benz (11 Morgan Drive): Opposed, concerned about property values and disrespectful behavior by parents.

Discussion Items

  • Ray Scott – Z25-22, 36 Crossroad: Application for variance (Article 18, Section G) was incomplete (Part 5 missing). The applicant argued he only wants to cross a brook to use his land. Board explained legal requirements. Motion to continue to December 9, 2025 passed unanimously.
  • Mary Ann French – Z25-21, 13 Morgan Drive: Application for variance from Article 5A, Section B to permit a daycare facility. Extensive discussion about whether the use is grandfathered, non-conforming, or requires a variance. Board noted the business started in 1988 as an allowable use, moved out in 1999, increased children from 20 to ~40. Town attorney advised variance is necessary. Neighbors testified in opposition. Board decided to continue to December 9, 2025, with plans to meet with legal counsel prior.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes approved from October 14, 2025.
  • Ray Scott application continued to December 9, 2025 (motion by Tom Chesnard, seconded by Colin Merritt, all in favor).
  • Mary Ann French application continued to December 9, 2025 (motion by Tom Chesnard, seconded by Colin Merritt, all in favor). Board will coordinate with town attorney for a non-public session before the next meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Are you sure it's on oh there it is? There it is. All right. Good evening. I like to call the hooks at zoning board of adjustment to order. The time is 6 34. Um if we could all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation undergoing the visible liberty justice. All right, so we'll start by um introductions of the board. Tom, you want to start? Good evening. My name is Tom Chesnard. Matt St. Pierre. And Stelmack. Roger Duham. Tav Stewart. Colin Merritt. And Colin will be an alternate voting tonight. He's our alternate member because we are missing our vice chair. So yeah. So you're in. There's a water commission meeting tonight. Did you know that? I think it's a good thing. It's a conflict. Yeah, it's a conflict since we moved the meetings. That's all. Okay, so we have some approval of minutes from October 14th. Any changes. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from Tuesday, October 14th, 2025. All right, is there a second? Second. All right. All in favor? Aye. All right. So those passed. All right. So we don't have any unfinished business. Um we have two new applications tonight for public hearing. Um before we go to the first one, um, we're going to um deal with the second one first, um, because we have an issue with it. Um it's Ray Scott Z25-22 36 crossroad, map 17 lot 40, LDR application for a variance from Article 18, Section G to A. Yep. Okay. So apparently um you need application is un not completed. Right. Five part of five is missing. That is a legal requirement, and it's my understanding you also need a special exception, so it makes sense to do them both at the same time, correct? Okay.

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