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Board urges stronger advocacy as state delays Hackett Hill, Main Street roadwork
Summary
Planners discussed failing intersections on state roads, the town's limited leverage over DOT scheduling, and possible strategies — reallocating impact fees or negotiating off-site improvements with developers — while urging legislative advocacy.
Planning-board members spent a lengthy portion of the workshop expressing frustration with delayed state road improvements and exploring ways to reduce traffic impacts from ongoing and approved development.
Members repeatedly described Hackett Hill and Main Street intersections as functionally failing and said state scheduling—rather than local funding—dictates when improvements happen. "To me, it's just the state does not like to work with Hooksett," a member said, arguing the town has funding but needs DOT prioritization. Staff reported that some projects are on the state's 10‑year plan and that portions of local shares and federal roundabout funds exist, but the town remains constrained by state timetables.
The board discussed more strategic use of impact fees, including the possibility of transferring fees to support off‑site improvements on state roads in some legally permissible cases. Staff cautioned about limitations and said the town's impact-fee practices need clarification with legal counsel to avoid returning funds unused. Members suggested increased outreach to state representatives and exploring whether the town attorney could press DOT to accelerate critical projects. The board requested staff to follow up with the administrator and to ask legislative representatives and DOT for clearer timelines and commitments.
