Hooksett officials reapply for Martins Ferry Road bridge funds; district court closure was removed from shortlist

Hooksett town officials told a meeting held without a quorum that a federally funded Martins Ferry Road bridge and intersection realignment project must be refiled after the town missed earlier funding rounds, and that the project’s estimated cost has risen from about $1.5 million to roughly $2.8 million.

"We did apply for federally directed spending through Congressman Pappas' office last year," said Andre Garen, town administrator, describing the town's application and the subsequent need to update cost estimates and support letters before resubmitting. Garen said the town secured additional letters of support this cycle, including one from Southern New Hampshire University.

Why this matters: The project is intended to replace a failing culvert, correct an unusually aligned intersection where crashes have occurred, and protect an underlying sewer line. The town has identified a mix of possible funding sources — federally directed appropriations, hybrid bridge aid and developer impact fees — but officials said rising materials costs have significantly increased the local share or funding request.

Garen said the project previously advanced farther in the congressional appropriations process than in prior years, but changes in federal timing and administration required the town to update its submission. He said the town will continue to pursue federal funding while using hybrid bridge aid and impact fees where possible.

Town officials also described a recent threat to the local district court. State budget proposals had listed several courts for closure, including Hooksett’s district court, which the town leases to the state. Garen said local officials and law-enforcement leaders appealed to state lawmakers and a senate finance committee and that the court was removed from the closure list for now.

"So far, it has been removed from the list, meaning that it's gonna remain open right now," Garen said. The town earlier reported a five-year lease revenue figure of $407,000 from the state for the courthouse property (about $81,000 per year); officials said losing the court would reduce that revenue and raise operating costs for police because of longer travel times to a more distant court.

Officials noted that the town is operating under a second consecutive default budget and that state-level cuts or reallocated revenue streams (for example, highway block grants or rooms-and-meals distributions) could further squeeze municipal finances. Garen said the town council would review proposed cuts at an upcoming meeting and that the default budget is scheduled to take effect July 1 if no change is approved.

The administration described outreach to regional partners, including Manchester, the Sewer Commission and SNHU, and said the Martins Ferry project could produce ancillary benefits — such as sewer-line upgrades — that encourage partner support. The town will continue to monitor state budget negotiations, federal appropriations timing and local funding options as it pursues the project and works to protect courthouse lease revenue.

No formal town actions were recorded at the meeting because participants lacked a quorum.