Robert Hebert

The Town Council meeting featured several public hearings concerning financial matters. The first approved the acceptance of a $13,124.67 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, requiring a $4,374.89 town match. The second hearing addressed financing the Rte. 3A Tax Increment Finance project up to $9,540,000.00 for sewer system upgrades, which generated discussion regarding traffic impact and fund allocation. The third public hearing concerned financing the construction of a new scale house and retaining wall at the Transfer Station through a bond of $1,325,840.00, to be paid using facility fees. Other significant actions included the authorization to sign a one-year contract for assessing services with Granite Hill Municipal Services for $140,200.00 and the movement of the FY 2026-27 default budget of $24,643,338.00 to the budget committee. The Council also declared a vacancy on the Planning Board due to a member's non-attendance and voted to repair a gate on North Candia Road while removing its locking function.

The Town Council meeting included a Public Hearing regarding proposed amendments to the Floodplain Ordinance #00-7, necessitating updates to Flood Insurance Study and Rate Map references due to effective date changes. Key agenda items involved the Economic Development Advisory Committee's annual update, and the acceptance of a donated bullet and stab protective vest for K9 Ares of the Hooksett Police Department. Old Business focused on reviewing the 2025-2026 Town Council Goals and finalizing preparation for the FY 2026-27 Budget and Warrant Articles, which included discussing sewer expansion bond articles and a police radio console replacement project funded by reserve funds. New Business covered obligating remaining Roadway Impact Fees for Route 3A roundabouts, formally amending the Floodplain Development Ordinance to reference new effective dates, and adopting new ambulance billing rates per Senate Bill 245.

The special meeting included an entry into and subsequent return from a Non-Public Session, conducted under NH RSA 91-A:3 II. Key agenda items involved a recommendation to place the Teamsters Local 633 Police Patrol & Dispatch Union and Town of Hooksett Collective Bargaining Agreement, effective July 1, 2026, on the ballot for public consideration. Additionally, a motion was brought forward to rescind two votes made during the December 10th Town Council Meeting, which ultimately failed. The council also discussed scheduling a future Special Town Council meeting regarding the Budget Committee's Operating Budget.

The Special Meeting addressed New Business, specifically a Petition Monetary Warrant Article for lighting the village area, including the Lilac Walking Bridge, the Town Tree, Historical Society, Old Town Hall, and current Town Hall, for holiday lighting from December to March. The motion to recommend this article in the amount of $12,900.00 passed with a 3-1 vote. Discussion among councilors centered on the recommendation despite the Town's history of a default budget, and concerns were raised about the implied cost to the Town given prior understandings regarding the event funding.

The meeting includes discussions and potential actions on several key areas. These include collective bargaining agreements with Teamsters Local 633, the 2026 Hooksett Summer Camp in collaboration with the YMCA, and accepting a donation for the Hooksett Fire-Rescue Department. The council will also consider the surety release of a landscaping cash bond for the SNHU Athletic Facility, the nomination of an Alternate to the Library Trustees, the unassigned General Fund Balance history and tax rate, the FY 2026-27 budget and warrant articles, roadway impact fees, amendments to floodplain development ordinances, and the adoption of ambulance billing rates. Additionally, there will be discussions on the Town of Hooksett and NHDOT project #43851 regarding improvements to the Hackett Hill Road/Rte. 3A and Main Street/Rte. 3A intersections.