[{"_1":2,"_134":-5,"_135":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,110,122],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6148695,"mediaKeyId","5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b","parentId",5513663,"title","Votes at a glance: Somersworth City Council actions, June 16, 2025","audioSeconds",1400,"startMs",4416000,"endMs",5816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b&start=4416&end=5816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b/thumbnail_4416000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6148695/New-Hampshire/Votes-at-a-glance-Somersworth-City-Council-actions-June-16-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148695-3d87b1aadb88dc840b6c7df11fdbbcbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179555&Signature=htqfKUFqula~9nsMrq8IgQxovGgHdEGp-X8X3M~asaGxGqz10EYnGWXdaCBxJADmQoPlvnQKPM52aAmerXm0lbk0Vkt~WrdgCf4Qr0R53qAnCYmARrX3~~qLqAG5fxY36k0GVGkll8Dx-eSHALjU2XuM-S2f5DJIGJC0NVoXR8kfURvJEL7qAtYW~Ee~TWKoJYbKbdXdDSpzeqJpDBm0jDNDLh~Msk3TghZxGAS9njTbVFlZovILJ9WrZePeHifGlP2Z7vk~v18N7Doh2nJjLvVEN~Rex~B3fmUw6Rdv3RJXUDUrcpl0taErt~yB0kt8nCHFlFDEKy2kJ9KbUxm~OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Somersworth NH","date","2025-06-16T00:00:00Z","article","The Somersworth City Council recorded the following formal outcomes at its June 16, 2025 meeting. Vote tallies and mover/second information are drawn from the meeting roll calls.

Ordinance 19-25 — Amend Chapter 19 (Accessory Dwelling Units)
Motion: Move for the adoption of Ordinance 19-25 (adopt amended ADU language).
Mover/Second: Councilor Witham / Councilor Gibson.
Roll call: Witham — yes; Goodwin — absent; Cameron — yes; Barry — yes; Pepin — yes; Benson — yes; Gibson — yes; Charity Catanzaro — yes; Michu — yes. Outcome: Adopted.

Ordinance 26-25 — Amend Chapter 4 (Personnel Rules & Appendix 2 compensation schedule; 3% increase)
Motion: Move for adoption.
Mover/Second: Councilor Witham / Councilor Michu.
Roll call: Witham — yes; Cameron — yes; Barry — yes; Pepin — yes; Vincent — yes; Gibson — yes; Parady Catanzaro — yes; Michu — yes. Outcome: Adopted.

Ordinance 27-25 — Transfer between departments for FY 24–25 ($95,000)
Motion: Move for adoption.
Mover/Second: Councilor Witham / Councilor Vincent.
Roll call: Witham — yes; Cameron — yes; Barry — yes; Pepin — yes; Vincent — yes; Gibson — yes; Parady Catanzaro — yes; Michu — yes. Outcome: Adopted.

Resolution 58-25 — Grant agreement with NH Office of Highway Safety for traffic enforcement patrols ($8,500)
Motion: Adopt resolution.
Mover/Second: Councilor Barry / Councilor Pepin.
Roll call: Pepin — yes; Vincent — yes; Gibson — yes; Parady Catanzaro — yes; Michu — yes; Witham — yes; Cameron — yes; Barry — yes. Outcome: Adopted.

Resolution 60-25 — Name a private road “Saint Martin’s Way” (private-road naming)
Motion: Adopt resolution.
Mover/Second: Councilor Pepin / Councilor Gibson.
Roll call: Parady Catanzaro — yes; Vincent — yes; Gibson — yes; Parady Catanzaro — yes; Michu — yes; Witham — yes; Cameron — yes; Barry — yes. Outcome: Adopted.

Resolution 61-25 — Authorize manager to sign deed to convey former National Guard Readiness Center at 15 Blackwater Road to developer and accept easements (access to monitoring well and Little League field)
Motion: Move for adoption.
Mover/Second: Councilor Witham / Councilor Cameron.
Roll call: Witham — yes; Cameron — yes; Barry — yes; Parady Catanzaro — yes; Michu — yes; others recorded yes; outcome: Adopted.

Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive Program — Nostos MMA application (1 Somersworth Plaza)
Motion: Approve CRTRIP application (motion amended from seven years to five years to conform with ordinance language).
Mover/Second: Councilor Parady Catanzaro / Councilor Barry.
Roll call: Parady Catanzaro — yes; Michu — yes; Witham — yes; Cameron — yes; Barry — yes; Pepin — yes; Vincent — yes; Gibson — yes; Benson — yes; Goodwin — absent. Outcome: Approved for five years.

Each item above was recorded in the city clerk’s roll-call minutes. For full motion text, ordinance language and the final signed documents, see the city clerk’s official records.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Somersworth NH, City Council Meeting - 06/16/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its June 16 meeting the Somersworth City Council adopted zoning and personnel ordinances, approved departmental transfers and several resolutions, and approved a downtown tax-incentive application; roll-call votes are listed for each adopted item.","taxTitle","Somersworth City Council, Somersworth City , Strafford County, New Hampshire","taxId",76002,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6148700,"Somersworth thanks retiring city manager Bob Belmore for two decades of service",945,2207000,3152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b&start=2207&end=3152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b/thumbnail_2207000.jpg","/articles/6148700/New-Hampshire/Somersworth-thanks-retiring-city-manager-Bob-Belmore-for-two-decades-of-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148700-62cf00ab3ae2795119f277abbe2bce11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179555&Signature=VrCAjZo98rU12xfjf00EjKzn~To3iNnsPLZHEcU835tylDZmzWL19uZUjEyPqRNZ1S1EMDA3J6xsAyPN4NgspQC1gzQCJQlucqBJQrm5GzRXcRMjZJUny8zU82R5ABj7rN09ttPNbXoKGCRJeoQDMq-Fg8MX8Nl1kfw8ylIf0m0scSHta4s1eYS0XF1O5YAIaDkhVNztVIKpiqSNRC7DuoZec1xSceuUf9bTnpTfm73aOMpQNnijTy7fNIhE9eJyK6Vcv2vEc~FTTyoDjD2iJXUyN1chHC5~NnJNgzPtRAVchdwx2tpl8tI5W9VU31BXp3gIfajUE09pwtAPN0hFmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Bob Belmore received formal thanks and tributes from the Somersworth City Council at his final meeting before retirement. Councilors and staff highlighted a two-decade tenure that included infrastructure projects, economic development and institutional leadership.

Mayor Matt Gurden opened remarks praising Belmore’s leadership and cataloged accomplishments including a new police station, a new fire station, improvements to the city’s wastewater and water treatment facilities, downtown revitalization projects, and work on housing and economic development. Multiple councilors and department heads offered personal remarks about Belmore’s accessibility, long hours and stewardship.

Belmore thanked staff and council and singled out long-serving department staff, noting Scott (Deputy/Finance staff) and Brenda (executive assistant) by name for long collaboration. He described the work as “an honor” and praised the city’s professional staff across departments.

Councilors also used the occasion to thank long-serving staff members and to note awards and recent city achievements referenced by Belmore, including a PrimeX recertification that yields a 2.5% insurance premium discount and Planner of the Year honors for Michelle Meyers, planning director.

Belmore’s retirement will trigger a transition the council said it will manage through the city manager search process and internal staff responsibilities. Councilors and staff indicated plans to present tokens of appreciation and to request continued engagement from Belmore in the community after his retirement.","Council and staff honored City Manager Bob Belmore at his final meeting; councilors and staff lauded his 20-plus years of service and listed major projects completed during his tenure.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6148705,"Public Works committee backs Option 3 for Noble Pines water tank siting; geotechnical work next",311,3206000,3517000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b&start=3206&end=3517","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b/thumbnail_3206000.jpg","/articles/6148705/New-Hampshire/Public-Works-committee-backs-Option-3-for-Noble-Pines-water-tank-siting-geotechnical-work-next","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148705-ceb01307bbdaedfa188efc1f1a1cff42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179555&Signature=QVqbIE2bHJrIpkrOYy4LbJY63HmNb~Zene1et6lVib-6-qhD9ap8~Z2qHl5ta0yupoj3uGb84439HXnbs0kNz~Sog6Xvt5BOyRchNA76BDUe8hv~C-nE1spHVOWW3mcB45BUDibzKNFCxZOwaoM9rBG1A70OyfxbWUdvFUKgipdwctVL6sDndCBdrWHMmi1uMNTeAxRFra5pmriDwGvyc6euVyO4KV0ieu-yGNXXdSAZBa8u7BmVeNSNcNthNL1UrmNR0NGjYadZ8bw~13UHWX2IusmguthiQpod3cu7SX7i0j8yYnNJE-joqbbfQQonZVygpli~YYzG7yLm8F7dgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somersworth Public Works & Environment Committee unanimously endorsed “Option 3” — a site behind the existing Nobles Pines water tank — as the preferred siting location for a replacement water tank, committee chair said.

Wright-Pierce engineers presented three siting options during a walking tour of Noble Pines and later at City Hall. Committee members and several abutters reviewed painted outlines on the ground for each option. Committee discussion focused on visibility, impacts to recreational facilities, the number of trees requiring removal and construction logistics.

Committee members favored Option 3 because it would minimize impacts to recreational uses at Noble Pines (it would not require relocating park elements or courts) and would be less visually prominent than Option 1, which was sited in an open area. The committee noted that Option 2 — adjacent to the skateboard park — and the idea of a blended site proposed by an abutter were also considered.

The engineers said the next step is geotechnical borings at the proposed site to confirm soils and foundation feasibility. The chair said the city would construct the new tank before dismantling the existing structure and that the city owns the only feasible hilltop parcel, making the Noble Pines site the most practicable option.

The committee also discussed related maintenance and neighborhood requests, including a Cameron Farms HOA inquiry about street-light ownership and maintenance, and flagged a Public Works assessment for the alley and parking area behind the plaza. The committee will forward a recommendation to full council to ratify Option 3 at a future meeting.

Separately, City Manager Belmore updated the committee that the city received a state revolving fund award for Phase 2 of the wastewater treatment-plant upgrade, a project estimated at about $22 million; council action on contract oversight and next steps will be scheduled later.","The council’s Public Works & Environment Committee reviewed three siting options for replacing the Noble Pines water tank and unanimously endorsed a location behind the existing tank (Option 3); engineers will perform geotechnical borings next.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":44,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":50,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6148707,"Council adopts revisions to accessory dwelling rules to expand ADU options",170,4586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b&start=4416&end=4586","/articles/6148707/New-Hampshire/Council-adopts-revisions-to-accessory-dwelling-rules-to-expand-ADU-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148707-85789d6858dec4eaa5f7ece3403fe316/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179555&Signature=L3XZBxklUOSpH6KOTyJaNSB-4t5lTNhF4L-7ID9rbq3ifG08RTJYbZG5FnDKcxe3MG9tdZbFSaMHmfFagzfo53j1EGpRSA95bEoLBaSB7qsDP8o8uawA2GjX899vLKtAiONq6MwnJvzKxVkabqSKu-msJHnlFL5rsV5s2kPAO9DSXVsAlAMo577fuvvprmTZ0mek8EUYrFWadPZvGSwGDUGlKBjJnohz87Bf6GMKvW-3qk3Kgwv4JY-cXDyzmQVa7Jj4loBTXPFw6fWM3EFnhJyaFPIX3HWtv9PFdiGPV5POhkLeMf5se2duaKVwQNrsq0Zv4VY-zl6te2GFxpCiPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somersworth City Council adopted Ordinance 19-25, an amendment to Chapter 19 (zoning) that updates rules governing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), including a clarified definition of accessory dwelling units and expansions to where and how they may be created.

Councilor Witham, who moved for adoption, said the ordinance “expands the ability for properties to utilize accessory dwelling units” and noted the council had spent extensive time discussing square-footage and habitable-space definitions. Councilors said the language strikes a balance between increasing housing options and preventing unintended overdevelopment.

The ordinance had been amended at an earlier meeting and the adoption followed two public hearings held that evening; no members of the public testified at the hearings. After the motion to adopt, the City Clerk conducted a roll-call vote. The recorded votes were: Councilor Witham — yes; Councilor Goodwin — absent; Councilor Cameron — yes; Councilor Barry — yes; Councilor Pepin — yes; Councilor Benson — yes; Councilor Gibson — yes; Councilor Charity Catanzaro — yes; Councilor Michu — yes. Ordinance 19-25 was adopted.

Councilors and staff said the ordinance can be amended in future if implementation reveals unforeseen issues. The council asked staff to monitor outcomes and report back if changes are warranted.","Somersworth City Council adopted Ordinance 19-25, an amendment to Chapter 19 that expands accessory dwelling-unit rules, after committee review and two public hearings.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6148708,"Councilors debate Seton Academy reuse of Pinewood Medical Center; state law limits local planning review",578,798000,1376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b&start=798&end=1376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b/thumbnail_798000.jpg","/articles/6148708/New-Hampshire/Councilors-debate-Seton-Academy-reuse-of-Pinewood-Medical-Center-state-law-limits-local-planning-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148708-d3aef6bfe08c77bcc82003bd53755fa5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179555&Signature=Tq5gtwyxesNW42Z90HR54k1EvV-v3x~z10miHnO8F1lxtZFZb5VVxmKkJWNGCn3s1EPUNRl0CqyxOZSv0IVEXwgamnlbmYjRdx-FywgfdcWojxodCS-I1A2MfdoH4NvoyZZMZf4y~CNz4DNYgmXsUufBHpIedWSSD6ZtbK6LIfP2vdnSJTiVxBXFNuYmkBB1SOcgeS6zkwarQ6aOwiuLFge8MoQJNP~amgGPZRl29myndxnd08WAHOMWH7J8KCCv8MI9~mBWdkGPAyyIPurz2z1rKLvDUXvji5Uyvns4-5CWdbRKmBMPAxUbZNDtaT1Uke82Zq3bq~X1R8zglZ~Ymw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Somersworth City Councilors and residents discussed plans by Seton Academy, a private religious school, to occupy the former Pinewood Medical Center on Route 108 and raised concerns about neighbor outreach, traffic and tax implications.

Councilor Witham told the council the building had been for sale for months and that Seton Academy’s placement of a banner and yard signs alerted neighbors before staff or council were contacted. He said the change “seemed to be a rather dramatic reuse of the property” and said residents had expressed worries about traffic and noise.

City staff informed councilors that New Hampshire enacted legislation about 18 months earlier that, as described in the meeting, removes Planning Board oversight for religious institutions and religious schools when occupancy occurs without an increase in building footprint. City Manager Bob Belmore said that, under that description, Seton Academy does not require site-plan approval if it does not expand the building’s square footage.

Councilors said the change is lawful but criticized the approach Seton Academy used to inform neighbors. Witham, Vincent and others said the academy should have proactively contacted abutters to discuss pick-up and drop-off patterns and other neighborhood impacts. Councilor Vincent said he had spoken with a property owner who indicated the school planned to bus students to the site for morning services, but Vincent expressed concern about afternoon releases and possible on-street parking on Pinewood Drive.

Councilors also noted a fiscal concern: Seton Academy is a nonprofit religious institution and, if tax-exempt, could reduce taxable property value along a high-valued corridor (the Route 108 medical corridor), potentially lowering local property tax revenue. Witham and others tied that issue to larger state-level debates about property tax structure and the fiscal impacts of education-voucher-like programs funded at local levels.

No city action was required that evening; councilors said the law limited their authority over land-use review in this case. Witham and other councilors urged the academy to engage neighbors and staff to address traffic and parking questions. Residents in the audience also expressed mixed views, and one speaker at the end of the meeting urged a constructive approach to new institutions seeking to serve local families.

Staff flagged that if Seton Academy proposed building additions or other changes that expand the square footage, the project would then trigger Planning Board site-plan review.","Councilors and residents raised traffic, outreach and tax concerns after Seton Academy erected signs at the former Pinewood Medical Center; staff said state law restricts planning-board review for religious institutions that do not expand building footprint.",{"_33":123,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":124,"_41":125,"_43":126,"_45":127,"_47":128,"_49":129,"_51":130,"_53":131,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":132,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":133,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6148709,"Somersworth council approves five-year tax relief for Nostos MMA at Somersworth Plaza",5639,161000,5800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b&start=161&end=5800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5513663-9279d79ec2706513adab6eea5af23a3b/thumbnail_161000.jpg","/articles/6148709/New-Hampshire/Somersworth-council-approves-five-year-tax-relief-for-Nostos-MMA-at-Somersworth-Plaza","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6148709-4404e295c1072be13b3cde55502c6a21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179555&Signature=emfXc9veyjx1GISabSYZ~KNaNvEXQypWc9Ek2oUd7fg0Wf1ZST-j96d0GN~lPVQl--c-AgQwUJ8lgNKAIvNBkqDap2P1tA6ZhogWAPYc~uHFFHNrIZ7bOl4j0OksYE4nnxmdlzl9Au5eb5vLqV9dhWgwanR-jcD0Gn2LkVLOPHL-asSNY-ltQMaoyDEAoInk1BZeFk~sl~N~iK25FolzklPvp2NZrTccXlOz4oOK8nNEXziQhYGmORWQ6v6x8e1tzdPQlMc628qQnhVMdtAA2UyTIvCViffz0VKSa1PZJsKHyJ6gm49GN8v8zTDYUX21PWyS6lOOvqabhcBc60l-Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somersworth City Council voted to approve a five-year Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive Program (CRTRIP) application from Devin Powell of Nostos MMA Gym for redevelopment of 1 Somersworth Plaza, the former Lucky’s supermarket.

The approval came after a public hearing in which Devin Powell described his business, said he operates Nostos MMA with his wife, Carolyn, that the academy has “over 300 students,” and requested space that would double his current footprint and provide better parking. Powell said the gym offers community programs including free months for bullied children and partnerships with UNH for self-defense training.

Councilors discussed the plaza and downtown revitalization at length during the council workshop and at tonight’s meeting. Several councilors said they oppose use of eminent domain on the plaza and favor creative solutions that keep existing tenants while improving the site. Councilor Parady Catanzaro, who made the motion to approve, said the CRTRIP is designed “exactly for this” type of investment; Councilor Barry noted the award should help drive downtown foot traffic. Councilor Vincent and others pressed city staff and public works to explore maintenance and access improvements to the plaza and alley.

City staff and the Economic Development Committee recommended approval for five years under the city ordinance. City Manager Bob Belmore told the council that the municipal ordinance allows up to five years of relief; additional years are permitted only in specific cases (new non-subsidized residential units or historic rehabilitation), which do not apply to this project.

The council formally amended a motion that had initially proposed seven years and approved the five-year award by roll-call vote. The City Clerk recorded the approval with the following votes: Councilor Parady Catanzaro — yes; Councilor Michu — yes; Councilor Witham — yes; Councilor Cameron — yes; Councilor Barry — yes; Councilor Pepin — yes; Councilor Vincent — yes; Councilor Gibson — yes; Councilor Benson — yes; (Goodwin absent). The motion carried and the CRTRIP application was approved for five years.

The council and speakers said the CRTRIP is intended to attract established businesses into underused storefronts and to stimulate nearby retail activity. Powell said he hopes the new space will let the academy expand without leaving Somersworth.

Next steps listed by staff include finalizing the CRTRIP agreement and working with the developer and public-works staff on any site access or parking issues. Councilors asked that the new city manager and public works review alley and parking maintenance near the plaza as a complement to the award.

Votes at the meeting that affected this item are recorded in the council’s official minutes and summarized in the city clerk’s roll calls.","The Somersworth City Council approved a five-year Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive Program award for Nostos MMA’s planned redevelopment at 1 Somersworth Plaza after public comment and committee review; councilors discussed downtown revitalization and rejected eminent-domain plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Somersworth City Council actions, June 16, 2025

Somersworth thanks retiring city manager Bob Belmore for two decades of service

Public Works committee backs Option 3 for Noble Pines water tank siting; geotechnical work next

Council adopts revisions to accessory dwelling rules to expand ADU options

Councilors debate Seton Academy reuse of Pinewood Medical Center; state law limits local planning review

Somersworth council approves five-year tax relief for Nostos MMA at Somersworth Plaza