Hooksett TIF Committee Meeting on Sewer Infrastructure Project

The Tax Increment Finance (TIF) committee met on October 7, 2026, to discuss a multi-million dollar sewer extension project aimed at connecting businesses on the west side of the Merrimack River. Key topics included cost estimates for pipeline and pump station, potential bond amounts, public-private partnerships, and strategies to secure support from the Town Council and voters. The committee reviewed cost breakdowns by acreage, debated bond size and TIF fund usage, and set next steps for a Town Council meeting and a future TIF information night.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the September 22, 2026 meeting. (Motion by Alden, second by Mike Summers; all in favor.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• James Sullivan (resident): Stressed the importance of showing how much money has already been spent on the project (original $2.5M bond with ~$800,000 remaining), warning that stopping now would waste prior investment. He urged providing the Town Council with the current TIF fund balance ($2.4M), annual TIF revenues, and clear maps. He noted that voting 'no' on the bond does not return spent TIF funds, so blocking the project only wastes past money.
• Jim Petrie (resident): Supported the idea of drafting a sample letter for major businesses (Walmart, Market Basket, Bass Pro) to sign, and then using those to encourage smaller businesses like Mr. Gas to join, demonstrating broad support.

Discussion Items

• Cost Estimates and Allocation: Ken Connor, Wastewater Superintendent, presented per-pipe cost estimates: Quality Drive pipeline - $1.7M; north project (to storage units) - $1.8M; the longest pipe serving most properties - $3M. Costs were divided by acreage to allocate to each business. The total for the river crossing, pump station, and piping to Bass Pro/Walmart area was estimated at approximately $6.5-8.5 million (with $3.5M for the river crossing and pump station).
• Financing Strategies: Committee members explored lowering the bond amount by securing contributions from large businesses (Walmart, Market Basket, Bass Pro) estimated at $1.2M each, reducing the bond to ~$5.5M. Andre Garin (Administrator) noted the TIF committee recommended using $1M from the $2.4M TIF fund for the river crossing pipe, leaving $1.4M for future pump station costs and an additional $800,000 in bonding authority, potentially reducing the bond request to $3.5M.
• Public-Private Partnership Concerns: The committee discussed the feasibility of clawback provisions for early contributors and the need for a formal mechanism for private contributions. It was noted that the TIF fund can support bond payments, and that businesses like Bass Pro are spending ~$400,000 on septic systems, making a sewer connection a cost-effective alternative.
• Business Support Letters: The committee agreed to draft a sample letter for major businesses expressing support for the sewer project, without committing to specific contribution amounts. The letters will be sent quickly for signatures before the October 14 Town Council meeting. Additional outreach to Mr. Gas, Old Dominion, Elm Grove, Polaris, Amazon Park, and Davidson was suggested.
• Town Council Presentation on October 14: Andre Garin will present the TIF committee’s recommendation to fund the river crossing pipe with $1M from TIF funds. The committee discussed the need to emphasize that the project has been in planning since 2019 (voter-approved $2.5M bond) and that stopping now wastes prior investment. Several members expressed concern that some councilors might vote 'no' to pressure the state on traffic issues, but argued traffic and sewer are separate and being addressed concurrently (e.g., Exit 11 rotary, Main Street improvements, meetings with Governor’s transportation council).
• Future Bond Amount: Members debated aiming for a $4–4.5M bond (down from last year’s failed $9.5M) to improve voter palatability, especially given a modest town budget increase of 1.24%. The committee noted that a lower bond could pass, and that the TIF info night on November 9 would help gauge voter appetite.

Key Outcomes

• Vote: Unanimous approval of September 22 minutes.
• Decision: The committee will draft a letter from the TIF chair (and separately from the Economic Development chair) supporting the project, to be sent to the Town Council before the October 14 meeting.
• Directive: Ken Connor and Andre Garin will share cost breakdowns with Walmart and Bass Pro and ask for letters of support. Mike Summers will draft sample letters for businesses, and Anthony will compile contact information.
• Next Meeting: The committee scheduled a follow-up meeting for October 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM (to avoid conflict with the 6:00 PM Town Council meeting) to discuss the outcome of the October 14 Council meeting, finalize warrant language for a March bond vote, and determine the exact bond amount to propose.