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Hooksett public hearing draws residents opposing end to condominium trash reimbursement
Summary
At a packed Aug. 27 public hearing, residents urged the Hooksett Town Council not to remove a partial tip-fee reimbursement for condominium associations; staff said the current-year cost to the town is $71,613 and that the change was proposed as a budget cut under a second default budget.
Hooksett council members opened a public hearing Aug. 27 on proposed amendments to the town—ollection and recycling ordinance that would remove a partial tip-fee reimbursement for condominium associations. Ben, the town PW director, told the council the line item cost in the current year is $71,613 and that the program covers 1,341 condominium units; when broken down per unit that is about $53.40.
Residents from multiple condominium developments said the proposed change would be unfair and place a disproportionate burden on elderly and fixed-income residents. Frederick Bishop, a Stonegate resident, told the council: "This is discriminatory and blatantly unfair," adding that many condo residents already pay private contractors and also pay town property taxes. Alan O'Brien of Cedar Management Group, who manages several condo communities, pressed staff for details about private-road pickups, security at compactor sites and whether consolidated compacting would be treated as a commercial activity.
Councilors and staff answered technical questions about the ordinance's definitions and the town's historic practice. Ben explained how the 2003 policy distinguished single-family lots and condominiums and confirmed there are examples of town crews accessing private roads under written agreements; Andre, the town administrator, said the reimbursement removal was proposed as part of a search for roughly $900,000 in budget reductions and that the recommendation originated with the administrator's office. The council closed the hearing for the night and said by law any vote cannot occur sooner than seven days after the hearing closes; the item will return for further consideration and the council asked staff to provide past ordinance adoption and amendment dates and a detailed cost breakdown.
Why it matters: The change would save the town a modest but visible amount ($71,613 annually) while removing a benefit that condo residents said compensates for services they do not receive (such as plowing and hydrant access). The council framed the proposal as a budgetary reduction while residents framed it as an equity and practical concern. Next steps: staff will collect requested historical documents and cost detail; the council may take up the ordinance after the statutorily required interval.
