[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6587710,"mediaKeyId","5558960-cb6ce4be77f0d5561fd35acf5f3d3b6a","parentId",5558960,"title","Quimby Mountain inventory finds more than 500 species, notes young American chestnuts; stewardship plan review planned","audioSeconds",309,"startMs",4778000,"endMs",5087000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558960-cb6ce4be77f0d5561fd35acf5f3d3b6a&start=4778&end=5087","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558960-cb6ce4be77f0d5561fd35acf5f3d3b6a/thumbnail_4778000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587710/Hooksett/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Quimby-Mountain-inventory-finds-more-than-500-species-notes-young-American-chestnuts-stewardship-plan-review-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587710-fe73cfbeb67552eaca153521fe89ae44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136789&Signature=mqNjo4weboXgAHEw21K4wos0mAAfWhx43gY5f1X3YISOOqzl-ZRfzHE2QHxw8wSEonKwH59VKZ5LO~drukgcdAQ4JJm~Ji2luI6eip~UNmOvXm7Bodf8HaZxPXiDhze3fYqTEBdwRVinQWq4ZYW6gPFUS~Lt5Kco45nh3J42HaPSp3bgeY96btG5E1m3zCUN7CCMMQaIMVkqFzaWXtTTFfLvKvHvMN1S~E~-S7HPALIDcMzPiyViKGj6BvAOW0cZlZhxpj2xJyq6zDUGg0JyQXWMQXpUsMmV1GYVK6~fZds2SXN8ihJbfxlxZeXFqgKu5TquYXBgCRqq~pamVPW7IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hooksett","date","2025-08-11T00:00:00Z","article","Hooksett conservation contractors working at Quimby Mountain have documented a large species list and ecological features that the commission said it will review in a forthcoming stewardship-plan draft.

Joe Carroll, chair of the Hooksett Conservation Commission, summarized an update from consultant Jeff (name on file) saying the ecological inventory team has completed seven of eight planned field visits and recorded over 500 species, including two uncommon plants (cyperus sedge and yellow screw stem), a robust population of young American chestnut saplings and several birds and insects of conservation concern.

Carroll said the inventory found at least 50 young chestnut trees (some up to about 5 inches in diameter) but noted the species is affected by blight and that no mature nut-producing chestnuts were observed. The consultant also reported monarch butterflies and a breeding population of a lustrous reed beetle in a southern wetland — a species the team said has been recorded at only three other locations in New Hampshire.

Next steps: The consultant will prepare a detailed report and the commission expects a draft stewardship plan to be presented for public review in the fall. The committee said it will consider parking and access recommendations as part of stewardship planning, and that any final plan will be presented to the town council for acceptance.

Why it matters: Quimby Mountain is a local conservation holding with ecological value; the inventory will guide stewardship actions, public access recommendations and any management decisions such as timber inventories or habitat protections.

Ending

The commission said it will circulate the consultant’s report to members and schedule a public meeting this fall to review the draft stewardship plan before finalizing recommendations to the town council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hooksett - Conservation Commission","oneSentenceSummary","Consultant work at Quimby Mountain has documented more than 500 species, two uncommon plants, monarch butterflies and a notable population of young American chestnut saplings; the conservation commission expects a draft stewardship plan and a fall public meeting.","taxTitle","Hooksett, Merrimack County , New Hampshire","taxId",68560,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587715,"Votes at a glance: Hooksett Conservation Commission approves co-chair arrangement, minutes, donation and stewardship funding",3079,156000,3235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558960-cb6ce4be77f0d5561fd35acf5f3d3b6a&start=156&end=3235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558960-cb6ce4be77f0d5561fd35acf5f3d3b6a/thumbnail_156000.jpg","/articles/6587715/Hooksett/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Votes-at-a-glance-Hooksett-Conservation-Commission-approves-co-chair-arrangement-minutes-donation-and-stewardship-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587715-f4a4013a806c1b2f1d3c22321976ca85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136789&Signature=ZrMHxwV6cSp2QYLCV~PGVz4kAhjl7Mnci~I6Uw-LGBoUC966nvN~keWyPBvp2sL68IHMDG4Zgpj-3BSTgPMZj4L9ZfKWJm1uvNOt5-h1TSjOkoq1dZHg-ZNFuAgWKaFOZ5xhFwm8zswUfBpDQN0IX~taH2kz9VwoGwSojQF5ws1JAaKS2ffI9kOLMNCUzu9MpWQbqUytmZ-L3oThGyIv~hTdTbnaXCPQW5ssrP7F8TyJ4Cip4-OCvafwXODwDgsfFi7mDtcWMZNLmAETHLUitCc9X3mr5CCc2hHzMvULLgVLFdeJUQpT4TiOO1B~Jhm4MeCWLCX-dUrXy9a9oXKZdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hooksett Conservation Commission took several formal actions at its Aug. 11 meeting, including appointing a co-chair arrangement, approving minutes, accepting a donation and authorizing funds for a stewardship-plan update. The commission also declined to pursue conservation interest in two town-owned parcels.

Summary of formal actions (motions and outcomes)

- Co-chair arrangement: The commission voted to create a co-chair arrangement so that Alan Stein may serve as co-chair alongside Joe Carroll. The motion passed with a voice vote and no recorded opposition. The commission stated both co-chairs will receive all commission communications and either may chair meetings.

- Minutes approvals: The commission approved minutes from the regular meeting of June 9, 2025 and the special meeting of July 1, 2025. In each vote there were recorded abstentions from members who were not present at the meeting being approved; minutes were otherwise approved.

- Consent agenda: The commission approved the consent agenda, which included the Hooksett Conservation Commission annual report and materials related to an agreement for remediation at 325 Hackett Hill Road; the consent agenda passed with an affirmative voice vote.

- Letter of no objection for car wash with information requests: The commission voted to send a letter to the Zoning Board and Planning Board stating it had no objection to the applicant’s request and asking for MSDS, vacuum-filtration specifications and clarification on sludge/wastewater handling. The motion passed (see related article on the car wash project).

- Donation acceptance: The commission accepted a $2,100 donation to support survey and wetland delineation work for the Heads Pond Trail access ramp. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Clay Pond stewardship-plan funding: The commission authorized up to $12,000 to update the Clay Pond stewardship plan and to include the recently acquired Heroux property (about 70 acres); the motion included direction to consult town staff about single-source contracting with the prior consultant. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Town-owned parcels: The commission reviewed two town-owned parcels on Hooksett Road (Map 41 Lot 721101 and Map 25 Lot 7) and voted not to pursue conservation easements or acquisition for those parcels; the motion passed.

Why it matters: These actions set the commission’s near-term priorities (stewardship planning, park access work, and responding to state and local permit requests) and allocate local conservation funds toward plan updates and surveys. Several votes included follow-up steps for staff and applicants.

Ending

Several votes were unanimous or passed with routine abstentions when members were not present for prior meetings. The commission set a follow-up schedule for requested documents on the car-wash project and instructed staff to circulate updated budget/fund-balance information when available.","At its Aug. 11 meeting the Hooksett Conservation Commission approved a co-chair arrangement, approved minutes and consent agenda, accepted a $2,100 donation for Heads Pond work, authorized up to $12,000 for a Clay Pond stewardship plan update, and declined conservation interest in two town-owned parcels on Hooksett Road.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587719,"Conservation commission raises questions, sends 'no objection' letter for proposed Hooksett car wash; requests filtration and chemical data",1985,584000,2569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558960-cb6ce4be77f0d5561fd35acf5f3d3b6a&start=584&end=2569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558960-cb6ce4be77f0d5561fd35acf5f3d3b6a/thumbnail_584000.jpg","/articles/6587719/Hooksett/Merrimack-County/New-Hampshire/Conservation-commission-raises-questions-sends-no-objection-letter-for-proposed-Hooksett-car-wash-requests-filtration-and-chemical-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587719-d09c3c39e72688900c818c6ec3593f5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136789&Signature=GcSvI-7WYA2o2gr-Ejg2NcCerYDooNChfwEZpIkUxPGkC7FrejVR~4T1S0TNv51TyxvSiaArV9MBcoaTcPDcSG2jvT4-laQRtUbyHud3oaTpz6fYtcO0tJSd9-KfQYWDRBvJoceB2ojMKT4p1E-vLZe2jwHUcE5vdoARv36PPXeqY0mQyy6xORTvYD~~muviEUn8jFVAealEUZh4KbXqT70O9iOVZ0snYq0464IzSztL6NqQLCaX3HDE93wCnk22oEL-DZubFJuwdUlEc-nygwdIvV2IReZCS4-0qnhO0irdsd8U-nAVt3BChNMngxjvqW6w0AD9sriDI~9yPE93KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Aug. 11 meeting, the Hooksett Conservation Commission voted to send a letter to the Zoning Board and Planning Board saying it had no objection to a proposed tunnel car wash redevelopment on the former auto-dealership site, while requesting additional technical information about filtration and chemical handling.

The project team from GPI (Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.) described plans to demolish an existing auto dealership, reduce roughly an acre of impervious surface and construct a new tunnel car wash with associated vacuum stations and stormwater best-management practices. Pat McLaughlin, project manager with GPI, said the filing now estimates 965 square feet of wetland disturbance for a short culverted section at a rear “pinch point.”

The commission’s request to the applicant and the town asks for: (1) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or product data for chemicals and waxes used on-site; (2) specifications for the central vacuum filtration and any exhaust filtration; and (3) clarification of how the operator disposes of the roughly 32% of water the presenters said would not be recycled on-site.

Why it matters: The site sits adjacent to a channelized wetland that the applicants say was altered historicall,y and the commission’s letter asks the Zoning Board and Planning Board to consider water-quality and air-filtration controls alongside the minor wetland impact. The state Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) must still review and approve a shoreland/wetland application and culvert design sized to the 50-year storm, the presenters said.

Key details from the presentation and discussion

- Project team and roles: Pat McLaughlin (project manager, GPI) and Jason Bolduc (certified wetland scientist, GPI) presented the wetland assessment and grading plan. Crystal Robbins, construction manager for Washwell Car Wash, attended on behalf of the operator and answered operations questions about the vacuum system.

- Wetland impact and stormwater: McLaughlin said the team proposes routing the existing flow through an embedded culvert sized to meet NHDES requirements for the 50-year storm event (the team estimated a 36-inch culvert) while removing approximately one acre of existing pavement and adding above-ground stormwater treatment BMPs.

- Extent of disturbance: The project team reported 965 square feet of wetland disturbance (project estimate filed with staff). McLaughlin confirmed that figure when asked by a commission member: “Yes. Thank you.”

- Water recycling and disposal: Presenters said the car wash would recycle about 68% of the wash water; the remaining 32% would be discharged to the municipal sewer system. When the commission pressed for detail, the construction manager, Crystal Robbins, said the car-wash vacuums are filtered: “The vacs are filtered,” she said, and offered to obtain the specific filtration specifications from operations staff.

- Air and solids from central vacuum system: Commissioners raised concern about airborne contaminants and PFAS in vacuum debris. The project team said the central-vac system is interconnected and filtered, but did not have product-level filtration data at the meeting.

- Alternatives and siting constraints: Commissioners asked whether moving the tunnel building slightly could avoid wetland impact. The team said shifting the building would create steeper grades, more earthwork and greater overall disturbance and would interfere with required circulation for fire apparatus. The team also noted the site benefits from reduced impervious area and added stormwater treatment compared with existing conditions.

Commission action and next steps

The commission voted to send a letter to the Zoning Board and Planning Board stating there are no objections from the conservation commission and requesting the additional documentation listed above (MSDS, vacuum-filtration specifications, and clarification of sludge/wastewater handling). The motion included a request that a copy of the letter be sent to GPI. The NHDES application and state review remain required, including culvert sizing and a natural-bottom design consistent with DES rules.

The presenters agreed to provide the requested information to the commission and to the town as the project proceeds through Planning Board, Zoning Board and NHDES review.

Ending

Commission members noted the project reduces impervious area on a heavily paved lot and adds stormwater treatment, but several members emphasized they wanted the requested filtration and chemical-contents information documented in the record before final local approvals. The commission’s letter will accompany the application materials to the Zoning Board and Planning Board and a copy will be sent to GPI.","The Hooksett Conservation Commission voted to send a letter of ‘no objection’ to the Zoning Board and Planning Board for a proposed tunnel car wash that would disturb about 965 square feet of wetlands, while asking the applicant for MSDS sheets, details on vacuum filtration and sludge disposal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Quimby Mountain inventory finds more than 500 species, notes young American chestnuts; stewardship plan review planned

Votes at a glance: Hooksett Conservation Commission approves co-chair arrangement, minutes, donation and stewardship funding

Conservation commission raises questions, sends 'no objection' letter for proposed Hooksett car wash; requests filtration and chemical data