Conservation Commission Meeting – September 14, 2026

The Hooksett Conservation Commission met on September 14, 2026, to discuss a variety of topics including a memorial bench donation at Heads Pond, trail safety concerns on the Access for All trail, invasive species management, a stewardship plan for Clay Pond, beaver activity, deck repairs on the Riverwalk Trail, and the proposed Quimby Mountain parking lot. The meeting included public comments, votes on invoices, and motions for future actions.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the August 10, 2026 meeting were approved as amended (corrections to member designations and addition of a property identifier on line 70).
• Sign Invoice: A $53.97 invoice for signs placed on the Heads Pond trail (to ask people to stay off new grass) was approved (one abstention).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Gregoire (Manchester resident, teacher in Hooksett): Proposed a memorial bench at Heads Pond for his friend's 13-year-old son who passed away from cancer. The bench would be made of natural stone boulders (not finished granite), about 6–8 feet long, with a small brass plaque. Gregoire offered to provide labor and machinery. He stated the bench would be low-maintenance and blend with the environment. He requested approval to install it in a clearing about half a mile in, off the trail.

Discussion Items

• Memorial Bench at Heads Pond: Commissioners debated whether to standardize bench designs. Joe Carroll expressed concern about opening a "Pandora's box" of varied DIY benches. Others noted the stone bench would not rot and would simply look like a pile of rocks if it fell apart. A motion was made to approve the bench provided it is on town property and the plaque language is approved separately. An amendment was added that Alan (co-chair) would approve the ground materials (e.g., river rock) and the footprint area. The motion passed with one opposed.
• Heads Pond Access for All Trail – Safety & Design: Several commissioners raised concerns about the trail's gate opening (narrow for wheelchairs), the actual trail width (8 feet vs. the promised 10 feet), and a steep drop-off near a culvert. John Peroni stated the trail was not welcoming to people with disabilities and called the drop-off a "lawsuit waiting to happen." He criticized Stantec's oversight, saying the engineer should have flagged the need for a fence earlier. Others noted the trail was designed to U.S. Forest Service accessible trail standards. A motion was made to obtain quotes for a safety fence or railing along the entry trail that meets the same standard to which the trail was built. The motion passed (votes not recorded, but no opposition noted).
• Stantec Invoice: Discussion ensued about approving a $3,124 Stantec invoice (final for design work). Some commissioners wanted to table it until the trail issues were discussed. Ultimately, a motion to approve passed (one opposed, from a commissioner who had voted against the whole project).
• Keep It Native Estimate: An estimate of $4,700 was presented for invasive species treatment on Field 3 and brush hogging/mowing on Field 1 at Riverwalk Trail. Commissioner Peroni expressed opposition to using glyphosate near the river. The motion to approve the work passed, with one opposed (Peroni). The funding source was designated as the Conservation Land Improvement Fund.
• Clay Pond Stewardship Plan: A contract with Moosewood Ecological for $12,000 (plus $150 for additional insurance) was approved for a stewardship plan at Clay Pond. An invoice for $3,807.50 (first of at least two) was also approved. Both were to come from the Conservation Land Improvement Fund.
• Hini Property (Map 26, Lot 4): A 27-acre landlocked parcel adjacent to the middle school was discussed. The owner had offered to sell to the town. The commission considered a motion to express interest in acquiring the property by donation or minimal cost. The motion failed in a 3–3 tie (Phil, Steve, John in favor; others opposed).
• Beaver Activity on Riverwalk Trail: A landowner reported beaver activity blocking a brook. The commission voted to have a trapper handle the beaver on the trail as well. The motion passed unanimously.
• Riverwalk Trail Deck Repairs: Several decking boards were reported as spongy and dangerous. Commissioners noted the wood (pressure-treated southern yellow pine) had deteriorated due to UV exposure, not moisture. Some felt the engineer (Stantec) should be responsible, but others noted the deck is 11 years old. An emergency motion to spend up to $500 to replace the worst boards passed unanimously. A longer-term discussion on full deck replacement was tabled.
• Quimby Mountain Parking Lot: The commission reviewed a $36,000 Stantec estimate for design and permitting of a 10-car parking lot. Several commissioners wanted a total cost estimate for the entire project (design + construction) before approving the design work. A motion was made to request from Stantec a total estimated cost for designing and building a gravel parking lot for up to 10 cars (including fire department turnaround) on the Quimby Mountain property. The motion passed (one opposed). Public comment from Mark Lacas (34 Quimby Mountain Road) raised concerns about the parking lot location being too far from the road, potentially attracting illicit activity. He suggested a site closer to the road for better visibility.

Key Outcomes

• Memorial Bench: Approved with conditions (must be on town property; plaque language to be approved; materials and footprint approved by Alan).
• Safety Fence/Railing: Motion passed to obtain quotes for a barrier along the Heads Pond Access for All trail entry.
• Stantec Invoice: Approved ($3,124) from Conservation Land Improvement Fund.
• Keep It Native Work: Approved ($4,700) from Conservation Land Improvement Fund; one opposed.
• Clay Pond Stewardship Contract: Approved ($12,000) and first invoice ($3,807.50) from Conservation Land Improvement Fund.
• Hini Property: Motion to express interest failed (3–3 tie).
• Beaver Trapping: Approved.
• Riverwalk Deck Emergency Repair: Approved up to $500 from current budget.
• Quimby Mountain Parking Lot: Motion passed to request a total estimated cost from Stantec for design and construction of a 10-car gravel parking lot with fire truck turnaround.
• Old Home Day: A volunteer (Steve) offered to staff the Riverwalk Trail booth for two hours on September 19, 2026, if the shuttle event occurs.
• Farming Issue on Riverwalk Trail: A certified letter was sent to a farmer regarding improper practices and debris; no response yet (30-day response window).