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Commission authorizes Stantec survey for Heads Pond Access‑for‑All project, flags DES permit and funding sources
Summary
Hooksett commissioners approved a not-to-exceed $6,500 survey by Stantec for the Heads Pond Access‑for‑All project, discussed easement requirements with NHDES for Lot 31, noted a Kiwanis contribution to the survey and flagged a future NHDES permit and permit cost estimate for construction near the waterbody.
The Hooksett Conservation Commission voted 5–0 on July 1 to authorize Stantec to conduct surveying for the Heads Pond Trail Access‑for‑All project, with a not-to-exceed cap of $6,500 if the work requires an NHDES easement on Lot 31.
Commission members discussed three quoted price points: $4,400 for a basic survey if no easement is required; $6,290 for the more precise survey required when an easement is expected; and an additional $1,000 if the surveyor must return later for supplementary on‑site work. The motion recorded on the meeting floor capped the commission’s exposure at $6,500.
“Dan is gonna have that discussion with DES,” commission chair Jo Carol Woodburn said of staff follow-up to determine whether NHDES controls Lot 31 and whether the commission must secure an easement or a land transfer. Alan Stein, vice chair, noted that the commission and its engineering reviewer were satisfied with the contractor work referenced elsewhere on the agenda.
Commissioners also noted that the Kiwanis will contribute $2,100 toward the survey; Stantec was reported as the low bidder among two survey firms. Woodburn and other commissioners flagged that construction associated with the project will occur within 250 feet of a public water body and therefore will require an NHDES permit; an estimated permit fee mentioned in the meeting was about $2,500. Woodburn said full plans must be completed before a DES application can be submitted.
The commission’s vote authorizes procurement of the survey only; commissioners did not authorize construction. Next steps recorded in the meeting include confirming whether an easement on Lot 31 is needed and obtaining the final survey and plans before applying to NHDES for construction permitting.
