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Record of Proceedings

Hooksett Town Council Meeting – January 28, 2026: Floodplain Ordinance, Budget, and TIF District Discussion

Town Council & Boards — Wednesday, January 28, 2026
BodyHooksett, New Hampshire
SessionTown Council & Boards
DateWednesday, January 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:29:43

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:28

Thank you.

0:48

And I would ask my next order of business to be a roll call from Council Lapierre.

0:52

Thank you, Chair.

0:53

Roll call number one for attendance, Councillor Smith.

0:56

Present.

0:57

Counselor La Liberty.

0:58

I'm here.

0:59

Counselor Sullivan.

1:00

Here.

1:00

Councilor LaVier.

1:02

Present.

1:02

Counselor Walzick.

1:04

Councillor Duhaim.

1:06

He is on his way.

1:07

Chair Santulas.

1:08

Uh present.

1:09

That is five, that is a quorum.

1:11

Thank you for that.

1:12

Okay.

1:12

Those of you who are able, would you please stand for the pledge of allegiance?

1:17

Please.

1:37

I don't see Dana here.

1:40

All right.

1:41

Counselors.

1:59

Amendments to the floodplain ordinance number zero zero seven.

2:03

And there's a follow-along uh staff report if you so desire.

2:07

And I don't see Dana.

2:09

And I don't see Grant.

2:11

Yeah.

2:11

I uh um I just texted him.

2:16

Okay.

2:17

He what?

2:18

I just reached out to him.

2:20

Thank you.

2:25

And Council, I'll remind you, I'm sure you know that we have a nine o'clock meeting on Saturday college school, and our packets will be there.

2:38

Can can you define packets?

2:41

I hear you.

2:43

Can you define packets?

2:44

Uh it's not really a packet, it's actually um it's a deliberative session.

2:51

It's a pack it's the printout of all the warrant articles.

2:54

Tonight we'll be assigning warrant articles to individuals to uh present them at the at the bequest of the uh um moderator.

3:03

So they'll be introduced and seconded as normal.

3:07

Yes, counselor.

3:08

Uh thank you, Chair.

3:09

Just a point of information.

3:10

There will also be an agenda for the mini meeting that we have afterwards to accept any changes that were offered by the deliberative session.

3:19

And I should have gotten to that, but I got sidetracked because sometimes the mind doesn't catch up to the surroundings around me.

3:25

Uh Dana, when you're ready, we'll we're more than happy to have you up front.

3:29

Thank you.

3:33

Good evening.

3:40

You have the floor.

3:41

Uh I introduced uh the uh I opened a public hearing.

3:45

Okay, and I introduced our speakers, and I really don't want to hear.

3:49

I was yeah, it was right here now.

3:50

So uh so the FEMA has updated the floodplain maps for the the country, I guess is you know uh and as a result of the floodplain maps, we the town have to update our floodplain ordinance.

4:05

So I'm here tonight.

4:06

Basically, our ordinance changes the dates.

4:09

There's no huge change to our ordinance other than the accepting date of the FEMA floodplain map, which are I believe it's in your paperwork.

4:21

January 23rd.

4:28

If we don't update our maps, um we have a chance of being taken off the floodplain insurance program, which obviously benefits our our uh residents, so we don't want to lose that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Transportation Safety██████████████████18%
Economic Development███████████████15%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Zoning And Land Use█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability█████5%
Floodplain Management████4%
Regional Planning███3%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Hooksett Town Council Meeting – January 28, 2026

Meeting date: January 28, 2026. The meeting began shortly after 11:00 AM (transcript start at "Thank you. And I would ask...") and lasted approximately two hours. A five-minute recess was taken midway due to a heated exchange between council members. Quorum was established with five councilors present (Smith, LaLiberty, Sullivan, LaPierre, Chair Santulas); Councillor Duhaim arrived later.

Consent Calendar

  • K9 Vest Donation: The council unanimously approved acceptance of a donated bulletproof vest for the Hooksett Police Department canine Aries (Resolution RCA 3195E11). No discussion or opposition.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Alyssa Croto (Teamsters Local 633): Representing the police union, she addressed concerns about the recently negotiated police contract, explaining that wage increases (14 % over two years) were necessary to address recruitment and retention. She submitted copies of contracts from other departments (e.g., Cheshire County Sheriff, Keene Police) that had similar or larger increases. She thanked councilors LaLiberty and LaPierre for their role in negotiations. Councillor Duhaim questioned the sustainability of rising wages and mentioned a potential tax cap; Councillor Smith countered that the town must compete in a tight labor market. A tense exchange followed between Councilors Duhaim and Smith over budget priorities and past service.

Discussion Items

  • Floodplain Ordinance Amendment (Public Hearing): Code Enforcement Officer Dana presented a routine update to adopt new FEMA floodplain maps; the only change is updating the reference date. The hearing was opened and closed with no public comment. A second public hearing and a vote will occur at the next council meeting.
  • Town Administrator’s Report (Andre):
    • Hackett Hill Road 10‑Year Plan: Governor approved the increased funding from $4.4 million to $11.8 million; final legislative approval still pending.
    • TIF District Forum: Rescheduled to Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 5 p.m. at the library (postponed due to snow).
    • Deliberative Session: Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 9 a.m. at Cawley Middle School.
    • Manchester Planning Board Public Hearing: A site plan for Phase 6 & 7 of a development abutting Hooksett on Hackett Hill Road; regional impact notification received. Councillors expressed strong concerns about lack of sidewalks and increased traffic on Hackett Hill Road. The council will communicate these concerns to the Hooksett Planning Board for possible letter to Manchester.
    • DPW Thanks: Two commendations received for snowstorm response (from school maintenance director Dean Farmer and resident Debbie Major).
  • Parking Ordinance: Posted as reminder for winter parking ban (Nov 1 – May 1).
  • Police Award Ceremony: Report on swearing-in of Officer Latham and awards presented (Chief’s Achievement, Outstanding Achievement, Officer of the Year).
  • Deliberative Session Signage: Councillor Duhaim noted signs were buried in snow and called for better public notification. Suggestions included placing signs on town vehicles and using the town website more prominently.
  • Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) Presentation: Chair Anthony (and Dave) reported on committee work, including:
    • TIF District: The primary goal is to extend sewer lines across the river to serve businesses with failing septic systems (e.g., Dunkin’ Donuts, Target/Coles). Total bond amount is $12.5 million; $9.5 million for river crossing. They visited major businesses; some expressed interest if sewer is available. Councillor Duhaim and others raised traffic and taxpayer burden concerns. Councillor LaPierre suggested either completing the project or dissolving the TIF district.
    • Brady Sullivan Property (Cigna site): Discussed mixed-use development (apartments, townhouses, small commercial). Concerns about traffic and need for a comprehensive plan.
    • Village Revitalization: Proposals for sprucing up the village area; limited resident interest.
    • Other: Helped with variance approvals for a wildlife hospital, met with developers; worked with Old Town Hall Committee.
  • Town Council Goals Review: Administrator Andre provided updates on multiple goals:
    • Community Outreach: One-on-one forum held; TIF forum postponed; mailings, newsletter, website updates.
    • Development: Cigna building approved; sewer commission upgrading lines for future development.
    • Martin’s Ferry Road: Federal funding request ($2 million) still alive despite earlier concerns.
    • Hazard Mitigation Grant: Approved last meeting.
    • Utility Poles: No update from Eversource.
    • Water Testing: DES program for private wells with up to $5,000 rebate for PFAS treatment; will be posted on website.
    • Wellhead Protection: Water precincts interested in reactivating program.
    • Trails/Open Space: Will bring to Conservation Commission in February.
    • Budget: Final budget approved at 2.3 % increase over prior year.
  • Warrant Article Assignments for Deliberative Session: Councilors volunteered to present and second each article (e.g., TIF bond, scale house bond, operating budget, union contracts, equipment, revaluation, etc.). All articles were assigned; packets will be available Saturday.

Key Outcomes

  • Floodplain Ordinance: Public hearing closed; second hearing and vote scheduled for next meeting (February 11, 2026).
  • Manchester Planning Board Letter: Council will relay concerns about sidewalks and traffic to Hooksett Planning Board for communication to Manchester.
  • Police Contract Discussion: No formal action; but councilors acknowledged the public comment and the negotiated contract.
  • TIF District: No vote taken; continued discussion. Administrator will bring further information on private investment options.
  • K9 Vest Donation: Approved unanimously.
  • Public Minutes: Minutes of December 10, 2025 approved unanimously; minutes of January 13, 2026 approved with one abstention; minutes of January 14, 2026 approved with one abstention.
  • Deliberative Session Preparation: Warrant articles assigned; councilors to arrive at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Cawley Middle School cafeteria.
  • Meeting Adjourned: Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. And I would ask my next order of business to be a roll call from Council Lapierre. Thank you, Chair. Roll call number one for attendance, Councillor Smith. Present. Counselor La Liberty. I'm here. Counselor Sullivan. Here. Councilor LaVier. Present. Counselor Walzick. Councillor Duhaim. He is on his way. Chair Santulas. Uh present. That is five, that is a quorum. Thank you for that. Okay. Those of you who are able, would you please stand for the pledge of allegiance? Please. I don't see Dana here. All right. Counselors. Amendments to the floodplain ordinance number zero zero seven. And there's a follow-along uh staff report if you so desire. And I don't see Dana. And I don't see Grant. Yeah. I uh um I just texted him. Okay. He what? I just reached out to him. Thank you. And Council, I'll remind you, I'm sure you know that we have a nine o'clock meeting on Saturday college school, and our packets will be there. Can can you define packets? I hear you. Can you define packets? Uh it's not really a packet, it's actually um it's a deliberative session. It's a pack it's the printout of all the warrant articles. Tonight we'll be assigning warrant articles to individuals to uh present them at the at the bequest of the uh um moderator. So they'll be introduced and seconded as normal. Yes, counselor. Uh thank you, Chair. Just a point of information. There will also be an agenda for the mini meeting that we have afterwards to accept any changes that were offered by the deliberative session. And I should have gotten to that, but I got sidetracked because sometimes the mind doesn't catch up to the surroundings around me. Uh Dana, when you're ready, we'll we're more than happy to have you up front. Thank you. Good evening.

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