Hooksett Town Council elects Tim Santoulis as chair and James Sullivan as vice chair

The Hooksett Town Council kicked off its fiscal year with a significant reorganization meeting on July 9, 2025, marking a new chapter for the council as it transitions to a seven-member body, down from nine. The meeting began with the election of Councilor Tim Santoulis as chair, a decision that passed unanimously after a nomination by Councilor Walczak and a second from Councilor Laliberte.

Following the chair's election, Councilor James Sullivan was nominated and confirmed as vice chair, also without opposition. This swift reorganization sets the stage for the council's operations moving forward, with Vice Chair Sullivan taking over the meeting in Santoulis's absence.

The council also appointed Randall Lafayette as secretary for the upcoming year, further solidifying the new leadership structure. Lafayette's appointment was met with general approval, despite one abstention.

In addition to leadership roles, the council adopted procedural rules that will guide their operations, ensuring that the framework for governance is established early in the fiscal year. These rules are designed to facilitate the council's work and can be amended as needed throughout the year.

As the council embarks on this new structure, the focus will now shift to assigning subcommittees, a crucial step in distributing responsibilities among council members. The changes reflect the council's commitment to effective governance and responsiveness to the community's needs.