Hooksett Conservation Commission Meeting - August 10, 2026

The Hooksett Conservation Commission met on August 10, 2026, at 9:30 AM. The meeting covered routine approvals, appointments, project updates, and strategic discussions. Key actions included approval of invoices, a letter of support for a wetland variance, a site walk for emergency vehicle access, and a tabled proposal for Quimby Mountain engineering. The commission also approved bench donations, kiosk repairs, mowing services, and a warrant article request.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes of the June 8, 2026 meeting were approved with two abstentions (Joe Carroll and Philip Fitonitas, who were not present at the June meeting).
• Invoices Approved:
  • Moosewood Ecological invoice for $3,807.50 (unanimous).
  • Three Stantec invoices: #2513031 ($6,065.75 for January), #2584095 ($600 for June), #2599482 ($1,069.50 for August) – all for Heads Pond trail design work. Approved unanimously.
  • Reimbursement to Joe Carroll for $93.95 for signs at Heads Pond parking lot. Approved with Joe Carroll abstaining.

Discussion Items

• Emergency Access at North Candia Road (Captain Woolinski): The Fire Department requested a parking/turnaround area at the end of North Candia Road (class six road) to allow emergency vehicle maneuvering and public access. The commission agreed to schedule a site walk to assess feasibility and identify town-owned parcels. No vote was taken; the item was referred to future action.

• Wetland Variance Request (Gary Roy): Mr. Roy requested a letter of support for a zoning variance to build a single-family home on a 1.28-acre lot (Lot 92 on Chester Turnpike). The proposal involves 1,100 sq ft of wetland impact and 1,850 sq ft of buffer impact. DES approval was obtained. After discussion, a motion to send a letter of support passed 4-3, with Sheena Gilbert voting nay due to insufficient updated Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) data.

• Quimby Mountain Stewardship Plan – Engineering Proposal: The commission debated a $36,000 Stantec proposal for design and permitting of an access road and parking lot. Concerns were raised about the lack of a total project cost estimate, absence of a town engineer, and the need for a strategic plan. A motion to table the proposal until the next meeting passed 4-3 (Joe Carroll, Alan Stein, Bob Barker, Philip Fitonitas opposed). The commission will seek guidance from the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions and the acting town planner.

• Heads Pond Trail – Additional Drainage Work: An additional $4,300 for a culvert and grading to prevent flooding under Route 3 was approved. The motion passed unanimously.

• Bench Donations:

  1. Estelle Smith donated $2,000 for benches at Heads Pond. Approved unanimously.
  2. A memorial bench (natural stone) for Logan Prescott, donated by a teacher and group, was approved. Motion passed 7-1, with Bob Marker voting nay due to concerns about material durability and maintenance.

• Kiosk Repair at Heads Pond: Approved up to $2,000 for materials (roof, plexiglass, map) to repair the kiosk. The commission also authorized reaching out to Home Depot for donations. Motion passed unanimously.

• Riverwalk Trail – Mowing and Invasive Treatment: Approved a $4,700 bid from Keep It Native for brush hogging field one and invasive treatment in field three in 2026. Motion passed unanimously.

• Riverwalk Trail – Haying License Issue: The commission discussed a farmer's non-compliance with the haying license on field four. A motion to ask the town administrator to send a certified letter to the licensee notifying them of the violation and requesting cleanup within 30 days passed unanimously.

• Warrant Article Request: Approved a request to place a $30,000 warrant article on the 2027 town election ballot for ongoing conservation property maintenance. Motion passed 7-1, with Bob Marker voting nay.

• Ordinance Updates: Referred proposed hours-of-operation ordinance (6 AM to 8 PM) to the Land Use Subcommittee for further development. Additional items (e-bike restrictions, no smoking) were noted for future agenda.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Letter of support for Gary Roy variance: Passed 4-3.
  • Tabling Quimby Mountain engineering proposal: Passed 4-3.
  • Additional Heads Pond drainage: Approved unanimously.
  • Bench donations: Both approved (7-1 for memorial bench).
  • Kiosk repair: Approved unanimously.
  • Mowing contract: Approved unanimously.
  • Haying license letter: Approved unanimously.
  • Warrant article: Approved 7-1.
• Next Steps: Site walk for North Candia Road access; town administrator to send letter to haying licensee; research on NRI and training toolkit; workshop planning for November 16, 2026; Old Home Day table volunteer solicitation; follow-up on Stantec proposal with NHACC.
• Deferred Items: Bike use on Riverwalk Trail, e-bike ordinances, and ordinance updates postponed to future meetings.
• Informational: Easement monitoring scheduled for October; timber harvest notice from state for Fairbrook Park; annual report and magazine distributed.