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Hooksett commission approves up to $6,500 for Heads Pond ‘Access for All’ survey; Kiwanis pledged partial funding
Summary
The commission approved a not-to-exceed $6,500 survey for the Heads Pond “Access for All” trail improvements (option 2 by Stantec) and discussed DES permitting, potential easement with NHDES/lot ownership questions, and partial funding from the Kiwanis.
The Hooksett Conservation Commission voted 5-0 July 1 to authorize surveying work for the Heads Pond “Access for All” trail project, approving an amount not to exceed $6,500 should an easement on Lot 31 be required.
Commission members discussed two survey-cost scenarios presented in the packet: a basic survey estimated at $4,400 if no easement is needed, and a higher-cost option—$7,290—if additional on-site work is required to support an easement across Lot 31, a parcel the commission said is owned by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). To avoid unknowns, the commission approved a conservative cap “not to exceed $6,500” to cover likely extra work.
Joe Carroll (staff member) described the design options aimed at making the trail more accessible for wheelchairs, strollers and people with limited mobility and said project consultant Stantec provided the quotes. Carroll also noted the commission’s recommendation to follow a local accessibility standard (referred to in the packet as “ASD”) rather than full ADA compliance because the ASD option is less demanding; members did not adopt a final technical standard at the meeting.
Members noted additional costs at the construction stage: a New Hampshire DES permit will be required for work within 250 feet of a public water body and was estimated roughly at $2,500. Funding support was discussed: the Kiwanis committed $2,100 toward the survey and $20,000 toward construction.
The motion approved Stantec’s survey Option 2, with a not-to-exceed authorization of $6,500 to account for potential easement-related work. Dan (town staff) will pursue discussions with DES about the Lot 31 easement and any permit requirements. Members asked that permanent survey monuments be included in quotes if the survey proceeds.
The commission did not vote on construction funding or final design at this meeting; those items will return when full plans and permitting details are available.
