Hooksett commission approves up to $2,000 to repair rotted Riverwalk boards after safety incident

Members of the Hooksett Conservation Commission discussed a report of rotted boards on a 10‑year‑old Riverwalk bridge during their Nov. 11 meeting after a user scraped themselves when a board failed. Public Works placed a sheet of plywood as a temporary cover and the commission reviewed photos showing rotted 2x6 deck boards and deteriorating 4x8 side members.

Commissioners debated repair options: volunteer carpentry and materials procurement, contracting a professional crew, or engaging DPW for an inspection and fix. One member recommended using marine‑grade or appropriately specified outdoor lumber for longevity rather than store pressure‑treated boards; another member offered volunteer tools and truck support. The commission also discussed performing a more systematic inspection to ensure there are not additional weak areas in the bridge structure.

The commission approved a motion to allocate up to $2,000 for materials needed to repair the damaged, rotted wood. Members asked the chair and DPW to coordinate repairs and to document expenses; if the repairs exceed volunteer capacity or reveal broader structural issues, the commission will consider hiring a contractor or arranging an engineering inspection. Volunteers (including a well‑equipped member) offered to help with labor to reduce costs.

Next steps: DPW to perform or coordinate a closer inspection; commission volunteers may perform board replacement work using purchased materials; the commission will review the work and consider professional inspection if additional deterioration is found.