The Hooksett Town Council on Oct. 8 approved the release of a $500,000 off-site surety bond for the Granite Woods TIF sewer project after the town engineer reported project completion.

Town Engineer Bruce Thomas told councilors that Granite Woods had posted contractor bonds covering most of the work but that the $500,000 off-site bond had served as additional insurance in case the contractor ceased work. “It was just, as an insurance factor, but the project is kinda long completed by now, so it's time to release that one,” Thomas said.

Councilor [mover recorded in minutes] moved to approve the surety release; the motion was seconded and then carried on a roll-call vote recorded by the clerk. Roll-call results as read at the meeting were unanimous: Councilor Duham, Councilor Laliberte, Councilor Smith, Councilor LaPierre, Councilor Walzack, Councilor Sullivan and Chair Santoulis all registered aye.

Councilors asked whether sewer operations were functioning; the town engineer and staff reported the pump station is online and that they had not received complaints. The motion resulted in the bond release; no additional conditions were announced.

Action: surety release approved (roll-call vote, unanimous).