Hooksett Town Council Meeting - October 14, 2026

The Hooksett Town Council met on October 14, 2026, to address a range of items including appointments, strategic goal acceptance, town administrator recruitment options, warrant articles for the upcoming ballot, a reorganization proposal, and other business. Multiple roll call votes were conducted, reflecting a mix of unanimous decisions and split votes on key issues.

Consent Calendar

• Appointed Cindy Gagney to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board with a term ending June 30, 2029 (unanimous voice vote).
• Accepted the Primex goal setting summary as part of the strategic plan (unanimous voice vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No direct public testimony was recorded, but councilors referenced public input regarding the town administrator search, suggesting an in-house approach with help from the current TA and HR coordinator. A single public attendee expressed that the assistant town administrator reorganization should be a warrant article.

Discussion Items

• Town Administrator Recruitment: Debate on whether to contract MRI for the search ($15,000) or use alternative firms. Some councilors favored waiting to assess interest and allow time for job description updates. After discussion, a motion to table the decision to the November 18, 2026 meeting passed unanimously via voice vote.
• Warrant Articles – Revaluation: Motion to place $220,000 from fund balance into the capital reserve for a 2028 statistical revaluation passed 5-0 (roll call #7).
• Warrant Articles – Fire Department:
  • A motion to combine three fire capital reserve articles (apparatus, radios, air packs/tools) into one warrant article was supported by consensus, with a plan to bring a combined article to the November 18 meeting.
  • Fire Prevention Vehicle ($90,000) passed 4-1 (roll call #8; Councilor Duhaim opposed).
• Warrant Articles – Police Department:
  • Two fully equipped police cruisers from fund balance ($150,000) passed unanimously (roll call #9).
  • Police capital reserve ($150,000) passed unanimously (roll call #10).
  • Police detail fund amendment (allow purchase of patrol vehicles from detail fund) passed unanimously (roll call #11).
• Town Administrator Reorganization Proposal: The council debated reclassifying the current project coordinator to assistant town administrator, with a salary increase to $96,387 (a 38% increase). Some councilors argued this should go through the budget process. The motion passed 3-2 (roll call #12; Councilors Lapier and Duham opposed).
• Light Up the Village Use of Town Property: Approved request to use town facilities (courthouse, dog park, Riverside, Prescott Library, parking lots, fire pits) for the event. Councilor LeCass abstained due to involvement in organizing.
• Minutes and Unsealing: Unsealed non-public minutes of May 28, 2025 (unanimous voice vote). Approved September 16, 2026 public and non-public minutes (unanimous). Approved September 23, 2026 public and non-public minutes (unanimous).
• Non-Public Session: Motion to enter non-public session under RSA 91-A:3 II(d) passed 5-0 (roll call #13).

Key Outcomes

• Appointment: Cindy Gagney appointed to Parks and Recreation Board.
• Strategic Goals: Primex goal setting summary accepted.
• Recruitment Decision: Tabled to November 18, 2026.
• Warrant Articles: Revaluation (passed), fire prevention vehicle (passed), police cruisers (passed), police capital reserve (passed), police detail fund (passed). Fire capital reserves to be combined and re-presented.
• Reorganization: Assistant town administrator position approved (3-2), effective January 1, 2027.
• Event Approval: Light Up the Village use of town property approved.
• Minutes: Unsealed and approved as noted.
• Non-Public Session: Entered at 9:46 p.m.