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Planning board discusses sewer extension, cost‑sharing and coordinated steps to unlock development
Summary
Hooksett Planning Board members on April 7 discussed sewer capacity and a proposed sewer extension that would serve several parcels and could unlock residential and commercial development; members urged staff coordination with the sewer superintendent and potential use of memorandums of understanding or financing mechanisms.
During the April 7 meeting the Hooksett Planning Board spent substantial time discussing the possibility of extending public sewer to serve multiple properties along and near Granite Street, Thompson Avenue and the DW Highway corridor. Board members said a coordinated sewer extension could enable development of several properties — including parcels identified near University Heights, Manchester Sand & Gravel (a parcel the board said is for sale), and a large site associated with the former Cigna/SNHU holdings — but that the extension requires funding, design and agreement among property owners.
Board members and staff discussed financing and coordination options. Suggestions included an MOU among property owners to share design and construction costs, phasing the work with reimbursement mechanisms, or using an approach similar to a previous local project that financed infrastructure and recovered costs over time. Staff and one board member said the sewer department and superintendent must be involved early; the board agreed staff should coordinate with Sewer Superintendent Ken and report back to the board with an update.
Town staff and members noted several constraints: sewer capacity at the Merrimack Street pumping station, the need for engineered design and permitting, and the time required for design work. Board members said preliminary design and cost-sharing commitments will make properties more attractive to developers and could materially change the prospects for projects already under consideration, such as townhouses, retirement housing and commercial uses.
No formal vote was taken; the board directed staff to follow up with the sewer superintendent and to gather data and potential funding strategies for future discussion. Several members recommended placing a sewer-extension strategy on the agenda for an upcoming meeting and coordinating with the Capital Improvement Program and the town engineer.
