Hooksett Budget Committee Review of Town and School Warrant Articles – January 15, 2026

The Hooksett Budget Committee held a public hearing on January 15, 2026, beginning at approximately 11:30 AM and running into the evening, to review and vote on recommendations for 23 town warrant articles and 8 school district warrant articles for the upcoming election. Discussions focused on the tax impact, funding sources, and rationale for each article. Key topics included a $9.54 million TIF bond for sewer expansion to Exit 10, a $1.33 million scale house and retaining wall at the transfer station, a new two-year police union contract with 6% and 8% raises, a $7.25 million school facilities bond, and the school operating budget. The committee voted on each article after public comment and deliberation.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from December 18 (not December 11, which was not an official meeting) passed unanimously with one abstention. Minor corrections noted (dollar sign and name formatting) did not change the motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public comment on Article 3 (TIF Sewer Bond): Town Councilors Roger Duhaim and David Smith explained their no votes. Duhaim cited traffic concerns and lack of state action on road improvements; Smith argued the project is too costly and should be funded by benefiting businesses, not the TIF district, and that prices are inflated post-COVID. A citizen questioned whether the TIF fund effectively reduces general fund revenue, noting that the increment would otherwise go to taxpayers.
• Public comment on Article 4 (Scale House & Retaining Wall): Councilor Smith stated the $1.33 million estimate is too high, suggesting a modular building would suffice. Councilor Duhaim supported the need but wanted a lower cost and criticized lack of departmental budget cuts.
• Public comment on Article 9 (Police Union Contract): Councilor Smith spoke against the contract, saying negotiations lacked give-and-take and that no independent salary comparison was provided. A resident (Alan Brennan) asked about police staffing levels (not at 100%) and questioned the 14% increase over two years.
• Public comment on Article 10 (Fire Apparatus Capital Reserve): Councilor Duhaim argued the fund already has nearly $1 million and that regional equipment sharing should be explored. Another resident (Alan Brennan) called the $250,000 figure arbitrary and urged the committee to think outside the box.
• Public comment on Article 14 (New Fire Radio Capital Reserve): Alan Brennan criticized the $162,000 request as another arbitrary number, noting the lack of earlier planning.
• Public comment on Article 16 (Assistant Finance Director): Councilor Smith suggested a part-time hire instead of full-time. Other members noted the position is for succession planning and to enable more revenue-generating fee analysis.
• Public comment on Article 22 (Recreation Capital Reserve): Alan Brennan asked whether amounts changed from last year’s defeated articles; staff confirmed conservation land improvements decreased from $30k to $20k.
• Public comment on Article 23 (Petition – Village Lighting): Councilor Smith spoke in favor. Mary Darby, chair of Light Up the Village, explained the event’s community and economic benefits, emphasizing the minimal tax impact (0.4 cents per $1,000). Alan Brennan said this is the only article he would vote yes on.
• Public comment on School Article 2 (Facilities Bond): Alan Brennan asked how the project differs from last year’s defeated one. School Board member (Wayne?) explained it is a smaller, retooled project focusing on tier-one issues across all three schools with a different architect and contractor.
• Public comment on School Article 3 (Operating Budget): Councilor Duhaim criticized poor long-term planning and requested budget cuts. School representatives noted the proposed budget is only 1.11% over default and includes three new teaching positions due to enrollment bubbles. Alan Brennan asked about class size compliance and the cost of those positions (roughly $363,000 total). A resident requested removing the three teaching positions to improve budget passage chances.
• Public comment on Trust Fund Articles (5-8): No public comments.

Discussion Items

• Article 3 – TIF Sewer Bond (Exit 10): Staff explained the $9.54 million bond would be financed only up to the available TIF funds ($2.7 million currently), with no residential tax impact. The project includes upgrading a pump station, force main, constructing a double-barrel pipe under the Merrimack River, and a new pump station at Kimball Drive. The Sewer Commission is contributing $2.1 million. Discussion clarified that the TIF increment (new revenue above a base) pays the debt service; no general tax dollars are used. Some members questioned whether the $9.54 million figure is too high given only $2.7 million is available now; staff responded they would bond incrementally as more TIF revenue comes in.
• Article 4 – Scale House & Retaining Wall: The $1.33 million cost covers a pre-engineered metal building and an $80,000 retaining wall, paid from the solid waste special revenue fund (tipping fees and recyclable revenue). Staff said the fund has a history of surplus (average $161,000/year net) and no tax impact. Some members questioned the cost, suggesting modular or smaller options.
• Article 9 – Police Union Contract: The two-year contract provides 6% and 8% salary increases for officers and 3% for dispatchers. Health insurance options discussed: one plan is 100% employer-paid (lower benefit), another is 80/20 split; premiums can increase, and employees on the 100% plan do not pay more if premiums rise. Members noted the goal is to retain officers.
• School Article 2 – Facilities Bond: $7.25 million bond for capital improvements across three schools (roofs, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.) with a 15-year term. First-year tax impact is $0.06 per $1,000 (partial year), subsequent years $0.19-$0.20. School Board stated it is a retooled project after previous defeats, with competitive bids and a focus on critical infrastructure.
• School Article 3 – Operating Budget: $45,851,643 proposed, $491,477 over default. Increase driven by three teaching positions ($363,000) and additional maintenance. Default budget would not fund those positions. Discussion on enrollment trends and special education cost growth.
• School Article 4 – Teacher Contract: Three-year contract with total cost of approximately $990,000; includes salary steps to close gaps, a new HSA health insurance option, an additional parent-teacher conference day, and reduced retirement stipend eligibility from 6 to 5 teachers per year.
• School Articles 5-8 – Trust Funds: Articles 5 (building maintenance), 6 (special education), 7 (technology), 8 (curriculum) – various funding sources, some from fund balance (no tax impact) for Articles 5, 7, 8; Article 6 has a tax impact of $0.03 per $1,000.

Key Outcomes

• Article 3 – TIF Sewer Bond: Recommended 9-0 (with all voting members present).
• Article 4 – Scale House & Retaining Wall: Recommended 5-4.
• Article 5 – Town Operating Budget: Recommended 7-2 (an amendment to reduce by $75,000 for one police vehicle failed 5-4).
• Article 6 – Non-Union Wages: Recommended unanimously (9-0).
• Article 7 – DPW Union Contract: Recommended 8-1.
• Article 8 – Mid-Management Union Contract: Recommended 6-3.
• Article 9 – Police Union Contract: NOT recommended (failed 4-5).
• Article 10 – Capital Reserve Fire Apparatus: Recommended 5-4.
• Article 11 – Capital Reserve DPW Vehicles: Recommended 7-2.
• Article 12 – Capital Reserve Town Building Maintenance: Recommended 8-2.
• Article 13 – Radio Console Replacement: Recommended unanimously (9-0).
• Article 14 – New Capital Reserve Fire Radios: Recommended unanimously (9-0).
• Article 15 – Capital Reserve Police: Recommended 7-2.
• Article 16 – New Full-Time Assistant Finance Director: Recommended 5-4.
• Article 17 – Capital Reserve Revaluation: Recommended 5-4.
• Article 18 – Capital Reserve DPW Drainage: Recommended 8-1 (one no).
• Article 19 – Retirement Trust Funding: Recommended unanimously (9-0).
• Article 20 – Capital Reserve Fire: Recommended 8-2.
• Article 21 – Capital Reserve Information Technology: Recommended unanimously (9-0).
• Article 22 – Capital Reserve Recreation: Recommended 7-2.
• Article 23 – Petition (Village Lighting): Recommended unanimously (9-0).
• School Article 2 – Facilities Bond: Recommended unanimously (9-0).
• School Article 3 – Operating Budget: Recommended unanimously (9-0) after an amendment to remove three teaching positions was not formally motioned (discussion only). The committee proceeded to vote on the original motion, which passed.
• School Article 4 – Teacher Contract: Recommended (5-1 on school board; budget committee did not vote separately on school articles, only the school board's recommendations were noted. The transcript does not show a separate budget committee vote on school Articles 4-8; the public hearing was closed and the committee moved to town recommendations. It appears the school articles were not individually voted on by the budget committee, only heard. The school board's recommendations are: Article 4 (5-1), Article 5 (4-3), Article 6 (4-3), Article 7 (5-2), Article 8 (7-0).

The meeting adjourned after completing town recommendations, with school district recommendations to be addressed at a later meeting (scheduled for January 22 or 23).