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Conservation commission signs off on seasonal dock permit with a condition: increased use triggers new review
Summary
Keyland Enterprises sought and received the Conservation Commission's authorization for a DES wetlands permit‑by‑notification to install a seasonal floating dock on the Merrimack River near Hackett Hill/Route 3A, subject to a condition that any change or increase in use (including fueling or commercial operations) will require return to the town.
Alden Bochman of Keyland Enterprises asked the Hooksett Conservation Commission to sign a wetlands “permit by notification” for a seasonal floating dock on the Merrimack River near the property his firm owns at the corner of Hackett Hill and Route 3A. The application specifies a seasonal floating dock (two 6-by‑16 sections and one 8‑foot section, with a 3‑by‑20‑foot gangway) and describes the structure as removable each season.
Bochman said his proposal is primarily for personal use of the landowner and tenants; he noted one plane owner may occasionally base a seaplane at the dock. “At this point, it's for our own use,” Bochman said. He added that “the plane won't be getting fueled up there,” and that he had not planned fueling or maintenance operations at the site.
Commissioners reviewed Natural Heritage comments and a wetlands scientist’s review. The presenter said the wetland scientist found no wetland impact on the site; Natural Heritage had flagged nearby habitat concerns (milkweed), but the applicant said none of the flagged resources were on the immediate dock location.
Members approved a motion to authorize the commission to sign the wetlands permit application, but they amended the approval to include a condition that any material change in use — for example fueling, regular commercial operation, or a clear increase in the number of aircraft or vessels based at the dock — would trigger a return to municipal review and the Conservation Commission. Commissioners and the applicant discussed a practical cap to avoid ambiguity; the applicant said the dock would typically hold one seaplane and up to two boats at once (or up to three small boats when a plane is not moored). The commission recorded a recommendation that the docks remain limited to that scale and that any substantial increase in usage or introduction of fueling or maintenance be reviewed by the town and the commission.
Votes and action: The motion to authorize signature on the wetlands permit, amended to add the conditional-review requirement, passed on a voice vote recorded on the meeting minutes.
