Hooksett Town Council Meeting - May 13, 2026

The Hooksett Town Council met on May 13, 2026, at 6:02 PM with a quorum of four of seven members present. The meeting included two public hearings, reports from town boards, approval of a $250,000 police radio console replacement, a $575,022.32 road resurfacing contract, and a motion to enter non-public session.

Public Hearings

• Second Public Hearing on Ordinance 002-26 (Signage Regulations for Town Roads/No Through Trucking): Project Coordinator Leanne McLaughlin reported that following the first hearing, the title of Schedule A was clarified and a Schedule B was added. The Planning Board recommended an emergency/detour clause in Section 4 (exemptions) and attention to the Laurel Road/Spruce Court/Evelyn Street neighborhood as a cut-through. Council debated adding the emergency clause; after Police Chief Justin Sargent stated that officers would use discretion, the motion to add the clause was rescinded. Discussion on adding Laurel Road was deferred to the Highway Safety Advisory Board for a study. The public hearing was closed, and the ordinance as originally presented will be voted on at the next council meeting (May 27).
• Second Public Hearing on Ordinance 262026 (Sale of Tax Deed Property): Administrator Andre Guerin noted that Section 4 defines options for selling undeveloped parcels for affordable housing, open space, etc., but gives council full control. No public comment was received. The hearing was closed, and adoption will be on the May 27 agenda.

Reports & Presentations

• Trustees of the Trust Funds (Claire Lyons, John Giotis): Reported balances as of March 31, 2026: Common Trust Funds $208,508.86; Capital Reserve Trust Funds $11,062,134.78. They oversee investments via Fidelity and meet quarterly.
• Highway Safety Advisory Board (Vice Chair Jameson Sackley): The board was re-established in June 2025. It has held four meetings, created a highway safety request form, street light request criteria, and stop sign guidelines. It reviewed several requests: no stop sign at 37 Farmer Road (did not meet NH DOT standards); tabled a street light at Dartmouth Street/Route 3 due to new commercial construction; installed accessory signage at Victory Lane/Donati Drive (SNHU exit); determined a four-way stop at Main Street/Grant Drive/Denati Park is not warranted pending traffic counts. The board also advanced the no-through trucking ordinance and coordinated with NH DOT to restore the opticom system and with Eversource for a utility pole relocation.
• Parks and Rec Advisory Committee (Chair Andrew Janos): Presented a request for a thank-you plaque for the Donati footbridge, donated by the Mercier family and Macy Industries (estimated cost over $90,000; Mercier offered to cover first $200 of sign, DPW Director Ben Berthium offered additional $250 if needed). The council voted to accept the donation and approve the plaque.
• Historical Society Annual Report (Councilor Smith, also representing the society): Noted the society’s 52 years, recent programs (Hooksett from Above, history of Prescott Library), a 250th celebration in July 2026, collaboration with public library, Facebook page with 895 followers, and receipt of donations. Building updates include painting the entrance. Membership remains a concern; the society is exploring transferring collections to the library.

Consent Calendar

• Items 111–114 were approved unanimously without separate discussion.

Discussion Items

• Town Administrator Report (Andre Guerin):
  • Employment: Randy Cater (DPW heavy equipment operator) resigned effective May 15.
  • Grant: Received a $2 million congressional grant (via HUD) for the Martins Ferry Roadway Intersection Improvement and Bridge Project. The total project cost is estimated at $2.8 million; remaining funds from block grants and impact fees. Council noted that the project was previously not approved by voters, but the grant funds may allow it to proceed without a new bond vote. The project will be an agenda item for future approval.
  • Peterburg Pavilion: On track for ribbon cutting on June 11.
  • Police training at town hall June 5 and June 12 (after closing).
  • Draft default budget for FY 2026-27 sent to council May 12; review scheduled for May 27 meeting.
  • Non-meeting with legal counsel scheduled for June 3 at 6 PM to discuss meeting procedures.
• Quarterly Finance Report (Finance Director Christine Toochberry):
  • Budget of $22.1 million, 71% spent as of March 31, 2026. Higher spending due to staff turnover vacancies (fire, police, DPW, tax collector). Legal line at $81,000 spent (projected to reach $94,000 by April 30).
  • Revenues: Motor vehicle taxes $4.7 million budgeted, likely to meet; interest and penalties over-collected due to auction; building permits at 105% due to large projects (Marman, Old Dominion).
  • Property and workers' comp insurance: No bids received, so renewing with Primex. Council requested a three-year loss run report and joint loss committee minutes for review.
• Budgetary Prep Advisory Committee: Discussion on establishing a council advisory committee for budget development. Due to timing (budget process starts in July), council decided not to form it now but to hold a joint meeting with the Budget Committee in September before the budget is presented.
• Police Radio Console Replacement: Chief Sargent requested allocation of $250,000 (voter-approved) for a new radio console, as the current system (installed 2014) is failing and parts are unavailable. Funds will be available July 1. Motion approved by roll call vote: 6 in favor, 1 absent (Councillor Chancellor).
• 2026 Resurfacing Project Bid Award: The DPW director recommended awarding to Peckham Road Corporation (formerly GMI) for $575,022.32, funded from the 2026-2027 resurfacing budget. The bid was $200,000 lower than expected. Roads include Benton Road (full depth reclaim) and others. Motion approved by roll call: all present in favor.
• Town Administrator Evaluation: Council received forms and instructions to be returned to HR Coordinator Kim Galupo; evaluation will be consolidated at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Public hearings on Ordinance 002-26 and Ordinance 262026 closed; both will be on the May 27 agenda for adoption.
• Donation for the Donati footbridge plaque accepted (motion passed unanimously).
• Stephen Karzinowski appointed as alternate to the Conservation Commission (term to June 30, 2029).
• Police radio console replacement approved ($250,000) – roll call vote 6-0.
• 2026 resurfacing contract awarded to Peckham Road Corporation ($575,022.32) – roll call vote 6-0.
• Council tabled approval of April 22 meeting minutes to the next meeting.
• Motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3, II (a) and (c) passed by roll call.