Hooksett Conservation Commission Meeting Summary – April 13, 2026
Hooksett Conservation Commission Meeting Summary – April 13, 2026
The Hooksett Conservation Commission met on April 13, 2026, to approve prior meeting minutes, discuss enforcement actions at 325 Hackett Hill Road, consider a wetland crossing request, support a floating dock project, approve trail construction bids, and deliberate on the Quimby Mountain stewardship plan. Key decisions included motions to send a letter to the Zoning Board regarding the wetland crossing, approve funding for a trail ramp, and adopt the Quimby Mountain stewardship plan as presented.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The commission approved the minutes from the February 9 meeting after a discussion clarifying that the owner of 325 Hackett Hill Road and the code enforcement officer were expected at a future meeting. The March 9 minutes were approved with two amendments: line 44 changed to “monitored for up to two years” and line 114–115 amended to state that LCIP funded the Riverwalk and does not allow bikes on any of its conservation properties. The March 12 special meeting minutes were approved, with two members abstaining (Alex Walzik, Philip Fitonitas) because they were not present.
- Invoice Approval: The commission approved an invoice from Stantec for $6,065.75 for engineering services related to the Heads Pond trail access design.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Abutters at 325 Hackett Hill Road: Earlier meetings included abutters who spoke about flooding, tree death, and property damage caused by unauthorized land alterations. Their concerns were acknowledged but considered private civil matters.
- Public Meeting on Quimby Mountain: A public meeting was held with Moosewood Ecological; abutters attended and voiced objections to any trail development. Their concerns were noted and will be addressed through direct conversations facilitated by the town administrator.
Discussion Items
- 325 Hackett Hill Road – Wetland Violation Update: Code Enforcement Officer Dana Pendergast and Damon Burt (Fraggle Rock Environmental) presented the history of the violation. The owner constructed large berms, filled wetlands, and blocked a stream without permits, causing flooding and damage. DES approved a restoration plan (June 12, 2025) requiring removal of fill and installation of a wetland crossing with three 24-inch culverts. The culverts need to be lowered by approximately six inches. A drainage study is pending as requested by the Zoning Board. The commission discussed the lack of a local fine ordinance and the need for regular monitoring. A motion to send a letter to the Zoning Board stating the commission reviewed the crossing plan and concurs with DES was passed 5–2.
- Floating Dock for Manchester Rowing Alliance: Alden Bochman (Keeland Enterprises) requested commission support for a seasonal floating dock on the Merrimack River at Egos Drive. The dock (60' x 4' with a 24' gangway) would be accessed via a paved railroad crossing. The commission voted unanimously to support the application, which would expedite the state permit from 25 days to 10 days.
- Access for All Trail Project: The commission approved a bid from Advanced Excavating and Paving LLC for $50,390 to construct a trail ramp, paved parking spaces, and signage. Funding will come from a $20,000 Kiwanis grant and the conservation commission reserve fund. The project will go to the Town Council on April 22.
- Quimby Mountain Property Survey: The commission approved a contract with McClure Engineering for $6,650 to survey and blaze the northern property boundary (abutting Quimby Mountain Development). The survey includes monument installation and both axe and paint blazes.
- Quimby Mountain Stewardship Plan: After a public meeting with Moosewood Ecological, the commission debated whether to remove references to a trail to the summit from the plan because of abutter property line disputes. An amendment to remove those details was not seconded. The plan was approved as presented (5 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstentions). The commission will seek direct discussions with abutters.
- Other Business: The commission discussed the Student Conservation Commission’s potential work on Quimby Mountain trails (August timeframe), planned brush cutting along the Riverwalk trail, and the upcoming Beautify Hooksett Day on April 16. Members were encouraged to volunteer for projects to distribute workload.
Key Outcomes
- Prior meeting minutes approved with amendments.
- Consent agenda approved (Stantec invoice).
- Motion to send letter to Zoning Board regarding wetland crossing at 325 Hackett Hill Road passed 5–2.
- Motion to support Manchester Rowing Alliance floating dock passed unanimously.
- Motion to award trail construction bid to Advanced Excavating and Paving ($50,390) passed.
- Motion to award survey contract to McClure Engineering ($6,650) passed.
- Motion to approve Quimby Mountain stewardship plan as presented passed 5–0–2.
- Next steps: Continue monitoring 325 Hackett Hill Road; engage with abutters on Quimby Mountain; submit the Quimby stewardship plan to Town Council; and finalize Beautify Hooksett Day participation.
Meeting Transcript
Do you want to start then Alan? Alex Walzik, Town Council. Joe Carroll Woodburn, co-chair. Alan Stein, co-chair. John Peroni, member. Philip Fitonitas, member. Better alternate. And then we'll go ahead to the consent agenda. And that's in your package. We can do approval of minutes. I believe we have two sets of minutes to approve. So can I get a motion to uh approve them in block, both the three nine and the three twelve? And are we meant to approve the two nine minutes as well? Did they never get approved? I'll make that motion. One at a time. I'll make that one at a time. Because he's got a he's got an issue with the February. And then I've got an I want to I have a comment about the Okay. We can do it either way, but what's can I have a motion to approve the February 9th minutes? Yeah. I'll make that motion. And is there a second? I'll second it. And uh are there comments on the February February 9th. You had a comment on this, Phil? Yeah, I think Phil has had a comment, and that's why we haven't approved these. We haven't approved the February meeting minutes yet. So this is we're talking about February 9? Yes, sir. Yes. Okay, so we have a discussion on that, right? Yes. That's what we're doing now. So my question was at the meeting was that there were there were 43 lines that were recorded, but then I had 13 more pages of information taken off Granicus. And some of the questions that I needed to ask were uh the the main question was uh you had said Alan had said that uh you were gonna send a letter to to the owner of Fra uh of uh Martin Bernard of 325 Hackett Hill Road and to Fraggle Rock so that they would come to the meeting we we wanted them here, but we wanted them to the other meetings too. But I that kind of uh and then we needed uh we had said uh that uh we would get the building inspector here also we wanted the building inspector and fragile rock here at the same time and or the owner. That's happening tonight. Right, but the has anybody sent a letter to the owner yet that he has to show up? Did we did you still want the owner to show up at one of the meetings? It's in the minutes though. It that I'll send the letter to Damon Burt. So it's in the minutes. This isn't about whether someone did anything based upon the minutes. It's in the minute. What is it you need added to the minutes? Added to the minutes should have been the owner, because we know that Fraggle Rock comes in, but we know that the owner never shows up the past two years. And was that set at the meeting? It was. I asked Alan.
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