Hooksett Town Council Meeting - July 8, 2026: Elections, Committee Assignments, and CDBG Public Hearing
Hooksett Town Council Meeting - July 8, 2026
The Hooksett Town Council held its first meeting of the fiscal year on July 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM (approx.) at Town Hall. The meeting began with the election of officers for the new term, followed by council representative assignments to various boards and committees. The main agenda item was a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application by Elm Grove Companies for renovations at 512 West River Road, which drew significant public opposition. After extensive discussion, the council voted down the grant application. The meeting also included approval of the dog licensing civil forfeiture process, updates from the town administrator, land use board reports, and appointments.
Consent Calendar
- Town Council Rules of Procedure: A motion was made and seconded to approve sections 3 through 12 of the rules (section 2 having been completed via officer elections). The motion passed unanimously.
- Dog Licensing Civil Forfeiture: A motion to authorize the civil forfeiture process for unlicensed dogs for the 2026 year, as presented by the town clerk, was approved 4-1 (Councillor LaLiberty opposed). Approximately 200 dogs remained unregistered after notices were sent.
- Minutes: The minutes from June 24, 2026, were approved, with two councillors abstaining (they were not present at that meeting).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alyssa Ehl (Barberry Street): Requested a no vote or tabling of the CDBG grant, arguing a private company was borrowing the town's name and that up to 10% of current residents could be displaced to Manchester, affecting school children.
- Pam McMahon (Dale Road): Opposed the grant, stating that a landlord should pay for improvements (new siding, windows, paver patio, solar, dog park) out of their own pocket, not federal funds.
- Bob Barker: Delivered a lengthy address, calling the application a "transaction" where the town lends its name. He questioned the lack of direct tenant notification, the unfinished anti-displacement plan, and the town's liability. He urged the council to vote no or table until proper plans were in place.
- Linda Helm (Strawberry Lane): Asked the council to table the matter, noting the deadline (July 27) belonged to the developer, not the town.
- Deborah McLaughlin (Zachary Drive): Raised concerns about existing tenants earning above income limits who could be displaced; the anti-displacement plan was an unfinished template. She asked for a written answer for tenants before the town co-signs.
- Speaker (West River Road): Opposed the grant, citing federal strings such as Davis-Bacon prevailing wages, environmental review, and "affirmatively furthering fair housing" obligations that could outlast the grant.
- Speaker: Referenced a similar project in Newport, NH, where the same developer received $500,000 via a town-sponsored CDBG. Warned that approving this would set a precedent for other landlords.
- David Ross (56 Sherwood Drive): Stated the CDBG is meant for community development, not private development. He suggested using the funds for town projects like finishing 16 Main Street or expanding transportation. He also questioned using a third-party grant administrator to act on behalf of the town.
- Chow Kelly: Concerned about insufficient notice to tenants and abutters; argued the developer is already rich and should not use taxpayer money.
- Ernie Benjavanga (244 Whitehall Road): Questioned whether the grant funds are disbursed in one payment or draws; asked about rent caps and the company's gain. He also asked why tenants couldn't be contacted now to gauge displacement risk.
Discussion Items
- Election of Officers: Town Administrator Andre Garrin presided. Councillor LaLiberty was nominated for chair (seconded) and Councillor Duhaim was also nominated. A hand vote showed 2 for LaLiberty and 2 for Duhaim; LaLiberty was declared chair. She then presided. Councillor Sullivan was nominated and elected vice chair (no opposition). Councillor Lapierre was nominated and elected secretary (unanimous).
- Council Representative Assignments: The council assigned members to numerous boards and committees for the upcoming year, including Budget Committee, Conservation Commission, Highway Safety Advisory Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and others. Several alternates were also designated. Councillor Walzick was absent but preferences were noted via text.
- CDBG Public Hearing - Elm Grove Companies:
- Applicant Presentation: Matt Rose (LRPC) and Brian Webster (Elm Grove) outlined the grant. The town would apply for $750,000 (maximum) for acquisition of the property at 512 West River Road. Elm Grove would be the sub-recipient. The project would convert all 70 existing units and add 6 new basement studios (total 76) to income-restricted workforce housing (20%-80% AMI). Exterior upgrades, solar, dog park, and landscaping were included. No financial match required from the town; $30,000 of grant goes to grant administration by LRPC.
- Council Questions: Councillors asked about tenant displacement, notification, tax impact, length of ownership (15 years through NH Housing), Davis-Bacon requirements, and why the project didn't seek full affordable housing earlier. Town Administrator Garrin noted the project met master plan goals and the planning board had supported it. He stated that all costs and liabilities were covered by the developer.
- Public Opposition (summarized above): Numerous residents spoke against the grant, citing concerns about private benefit, insufficient tenant notification, displacement, federal strings, and the precedent it would set.
- Council Deliberation: Councillor LaLiberty proposed tabling to July 22 to get more information, but the motion lacked a second. Councillor Sullivan then moved to vote on approval. The motion was seconded. Councillor Duhaim spoke against it, citing lack of benefit to the town and inadequate tenant notification. Councillor LaLiberty stated she would abstain due to insufficient information. Councillor Sullivan abstained. Roll call: Duhaim (No), Smith (No), Lapierre (No – earlier in transcript he seemed to support but the roll call indicates No), Walzick (absent), Sullivan (Abstain), Lacas (No), LaLiberty (No). Motion failed 0-4-1 (four No, one Abstain). The remaining related motions were deemed unnecessary.
- Town Administrator’s Report:
- Resignation of Town Planner Grant McGregor; interim circuit rider hired.
- Promotion of Lt. James Bradley to Captain in Police Department.
- Upcoming “Travel Back to 1776” event at the library (July 11, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM).
- NH DOT light pole project at Exit 9; removal of 41 towers.
- Beaver trapping at Heritage Pond to protect drainage; town hired a licensed trapper.
- Goal-setting meeting scheduled for August 12 at 6:00 PM at the library.
- Finding of Occasion approved for Route 3 project (Alice Ave to Whitehall Rd); right-of-way discussions can begin.
- Employee appreciation event (ice cream mobile) success.
- New fire department tanker truck to be in service next month.
- Land Use Board Reports:
- Zoning Board of Adjustment (Ann Stomac): Reported on activities: 16 variances, ADUs slowed, special exceptions with numerous criteria, need for excavation site monitoring, and loss of alternate members. Requested volunteers.
- Planning Board (Chair): Reported 21 meetings, 28 approvals, 2 pending applications (Highland St & Farrier Rd), 4 subdivisions, 3 lot line adjustments, 13 commercial site plans (333,000 sq ft approved), developer regs passed at March ballot. Noted challenges with alternates.
- Nominations and Appointments:
- David Russell and Sheena Gilbert were nominated and appointed to the Planning Board for terms ending June 30, 2029. Motion passed unanimously.
- A resident inquired about an application for the Heritage Commission; town staff will follow up.
- Future Agenda Items:
- Charter amendments discussion (timeframe for September submittal).
- Detailed report on cell tower opportunities requested.
- Councillor LaLiberty suggested regular updates from council representatives on committees.
Key Outcomes
- Officers Elected: Chair – Lindsay LaLiberty; Vice Chair – Jim Sullivan; Secretary – Randall Lapierre.
- CDBG Grant Application: Motion to approve failed (0-4-1). The town will not pursue the grant for Elm Grove.
- Dog Licensing Civil Forfeiture: Approved (4-1).
- Appointments: David Russell and Sheena Gilbert appointed to Planning Board.
- Next Steps: Town Administrator will schedule a non-public meeting for July 22; goal-setting meeting set for August 12; council will work on charter amendment proposals; cell tower report forthcoming.
Meeting Transcript
That's why I want to be able to do that. Jim, how are you this evening? You just were mailing it to me because I guess I didn't get you that of the thing. Oh, good. I don't know. I was off. Okay. So you want the statement? Yes. Who's Alacas? You're in my you're in my neck of the woods. I know I told you. Correct. Yeah, that's okay. Thank you. Pick a lane, maybe. Antonio go by Tony. Oh, oh, oh. Sorry. I will bring the uh meeting to order. I see that we have the uh council here. We do have one counselor missing was the counselor Walzik. Um so uh before we g begin uh um given that this is the first meeting of the fiscal year um with the council. What typically takes place at this first meeting is the election of officers. Uh once the officers are selected, then they will take over the meeting and and guide the meeting through its agenda. Um posted agenda. We do have proof of posting of the um meeting. This right here. And um can we uh have somebody volunteer to take the uh roll call? I'll volunteer. Oh, thank you very much. Uh counselor Smith present counselor the Liberty. I'm here, Counselor Sullivan. Here counselor Lapierre, present. Counselor Walzik, Councillor Duhaim here, Councilor Le Cass. Here thank you, Counselor. Uh since I forgot to say it, uh my name is Andre Garrin, I'm the town administrator, and in accordance with the uh town procedure, uh uh town council rules of procedure. Again, I will be um uh beginning opening the meeting of the town council until such time that a uh officer is selected. Once the um chair is selected, the chair will then proceed with the um nominations of the vice chair and secretary. So that being said, those who can please rise for the puzzle of relations. Okay, so I'll do a quick review of the uh upcoming um uh agenda and then I'll get into the elections. Uh again, we have uh the first part of it would be the um towns to council reorganization. We have a um uh uh assignments uh for the uh council thereafter and the adoption of the um rules of procedure. We have a public hearing tonight with uh Elm Grove companies um for a community development block grant application and um and then uh have the TA report, the town administrators report. Uh we have under schedule appointments, we have Karina Town, uh town clerk to proceed with the silver forfeiture process, licensing dogs for the 2026 year. We have updates from the um from our land use boards, zoning board of uh uh zoning board of adjustments and the planning board, and uh and then we have under nominations and appointments uh 2026 term renewals, and then after that we just have the approval of the minutes and we do have uh a couple items for non-public um uh once we conclude the public portion of the meeting. So with that being said, um can I like to open up nominations for chair of town council? Do I have nominations? Yes, sir. Uh Ministry, I'd like to nominate Lindsay La Liberty as chair of the town council.
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