On second thought, maybe I’m not so surprised as one of his former employees. I do believe it is his job as police chief to maintain safety on the streets of Hooksett and this is really what special details are all about. As motorists, how many times have we unsafely crossed into another lane to get around a utility vehicle? I always feel more comfortable having an officer present to direct me safely.

I’m sure Chief Agrafiotis would argue with my statements claiming I’m a disgruntled, exemployee who’s married to a police officer (former Hooksett officer). I can honestly say I’ve moved on (a long time ago) and as far as my husband, he works for a department that understands the importance of police details for the officers and for the community.

As a Hooksett taxpayer traveling the streets with three children, I would respectfully request that Chief Agrafiotis and the budget committee keep the safety of the motorists in mind when considering the future funding of police details. It’s a no-brainer. After all, police details are reimbursable, and that makes them a wash item anyway!

Dawn Chabot
Hooksett

First, sewer lines will finally come to the west side of Hooksett and our sewer plant will be upgraded. We who live on the west side have never had sewer service while the rest of Hooksett has had public sewer for decades. We didn’t even get public water until our water was contaminated by underground runoff from the Hooksett dump where the rest of Hooksett dumped their garbage.

The alternative is to wait until the old bridge that supports the existing sewer line falls completely into the river. That is what will happen because I don’t think this voting community will want to pay for a bond to fix it, until it completely breaks and we are forced to pay for it on our own. Here is a chance to let Cabela’s pay for it before it falls into the river.

Second, a dramatic increase in property values will occur. This was proven by the TIF bond at Exit 10 (which, by the way, contributed over $1 million to Hooksett’s general fund during the past two tax years). For example, the three-acre lot on which Dunkin’ Donuts now sits was purchased for $1 million two years ago. I know the man who sold that property over 10 years ago. He should have waited. Your property values are highly likely to increase because land demand will increase as Hooksett becomes a popular place to come to.

Third, jobs will come to this community. Probably several hundred. Many will pay $50,000 to $100,000 a year. Many will pay a wage that is consistent with payscales in the retail industry. Also, with a strong retail base and available residential land, high-tech and manufacturing companies are more likely to locate here. These companies prefer to locate where these quality of life resources are available.

Matthew Quiet asked, “Why doesn’t this town seek out technology and software companies that will bring in much higher paying jobs?” Attracting such companies take a full-time effort. It’s doubtful that the Hooksett taxpayer would be willing to pay for an economic development director’s salary. Voters complain about giving paltry 2 percent pay increases for the value provided by Hooksett’s teachers to educate their children. Might as well forget about paying for economic development.

If this article fails, this opportunity will go away and Cabela’s will locate elsewhere. Just the same way several other potential suitors for this Exit 11 property have already done over the past few years. Why? Because Hooksett hasn’t invested in what it takes to attract them here (forget about attracting technology). Judging by the sentiment of last week’s letters to the editor, many people will vote to let the sewer pipe fall into the river. But hey, at least we’ll have our “small town values and priorities.”

Hooksett is not a small town anymore. It has three major interchanges on Route 93 which runs at least eight lanes between exits 10 and 11. Exit 10 could have had sewer back in the 1990s when the developer had plans to build office buildings to house technology companies. But the voters turned it down.

I’ve lived in this town for nearly 50 years. My parents lived here, and my grandparents lived here. My 8-year-old son lives here. I hope the past trends of neglect don’t continue into the future. Invest in our community by voting in favor of Article 5. And let Cabela’s pay for it!

Steve Korzyniowski
Hooksett

When Cabela’s approached the town for development of a store, they wanted a TIF for approx $10 million and needed 58 acres of land for development using the entrance way from Palazzi’s. This all seems good.

The town then added approximately $4 million for town upgrades that were not needed, for example sewage to west side and talk of a sewer line that will fall into the river (although no engineer report seems to comfirm this).

Cabela’s does not need sewage as they were going to develop on a gravel pit the same as Exit 10 (which has septic).

Then the town also needed to add the easement issue for the Palazzi entrance which will cost the town another $2 million to purchase from the state.

Finally Cabela’s then added that they wanted to include a museum for another $4 million. So now the total is $18 million.

Now if the town aquires a TIF of $18 million over 20 years, the payment is roughly $2 million per year. Cabela’s assessment value (around $40 million) will not cover the tax base. The town will need a tax base of $90 million to cover bond, which is very different from the $2 million bond for Exit 10.

So they are hoping other companies will come and develop out the rest of the roughly 150 acres. So what about the great extra for the general fund? The money most likely will not exist. There will not be the tax stream to bring in extra money.

Finally, Cabela’s has asked the town that any additional tax revenue go towards paying down the TIF and not go to the town. Depending on how the bond is written will determine how it is paid. The answer that the town officials give is to just “trust us” to make the right choice. I have issue trusting those who turn a $10 million TIF into a $18 million TIF and use tactics of water lines and sewage (not needed) to get Cabela’s into this town.

In the coming weeks, Cabela’s will be in town and ask them the real questions: Has the board of directors approved the plan, including no prepayment of the bond? Why does the bond need to include a museum (nontaxable)? Why does a $1 billion company need a TIF?

Just thought everybody should know what they are signing up to get. You should always get both sides of the story, not just the town officials’ smoke and mirrors.

Matthew Quiet
Hooksett

Any farmer depending on such chance events would soon be seeking a new profession. Only those who plant have a chance to prosper!

This Exit 11 TIF district is a lot like a farm. We are planting seeds that eventually will grow into a significant cash producing crop. Some say that the crop could grow on its own … just wait for the birds to pass over. And admittedly, that could happen. But, that approach brings its own risk. I would argue that it is far greater gamble to hope that a little bird drops its seed on our land than it is to roll up our sleeves to make it happen. Many will be the hungry nights waiting for birds to do our work.

In last week’s Banner, a writer made the claim that the TIF really does cost the taxpayers. Not directly mind you, but were the anticipated tax revenues not being used to pay off the bond, they would be flowing into the general fund.

How can we harvest a crop that has yet to be planted? It is true that the anticipated tax revenues will be used to pay off the bond, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that we don’t have those revenues now.

Cabela’s will pay all taxes assessed on its property. They have further committed to ensure any additional revenues needed to cover the bond payments while the TIF district is being built out to a self sustaining level. This is a key provision of the plan, without which, the bond issuance cannot proceed.

In conclusion, this is a plan for the future. An investment made today will pay off handsomely in a few years.

Michael J. DiBitetto
Hooksett

Let me give you but one example. (And there are many, many more.)

When I saw the boundaries of the proposed TIF District, I was puzzled. Why do the lines include a 30+ acres of land owned by the town and projected as a conservation, open-space area right next to the Pinnacle residential neighborhood, and another tract of pristine 3,500 feet of Merrimack River frontage owned by the Manchester Water Works? It made no sense, so I asked the town council to reconsider their obvious, earlier mistake. Their answer: In your face!

They weren’t going to revisit this arbitrary line-drawing. A majority refused to even hold a public hearing on the issue! So much for representative government; so much for competence.

There is a hidden agenda here. This group of the Town Council and others seem intent on transforming these natural areas, which generations to come will be able to walk through, sit along and enjoy, into high density commercial, retail and residential development. Why?

The folks who live in the Pinnacle residential neighborhood should be particularly alarmed and opposed to this arbitrary line-drawing. Folks, do you want an office park or retail strip mall abutting your back yards? Do you want to double the traffic, and the time it takes you to get out onto Route 3A while giving away tax dollars which could stabilize or even lower your property tax bill? I doubt it.

If you want to preserve parts of Hooksett that are worth preserving – like 3,500 feet of Merrimack River frontage and 30+ acres of natural woodland in the heart of the Village, vote no on Article 5 at Town Meeting on May 9.

State Rep. David W. Hess
Hooksett

We had a very successful yard sale with over 40 tables and were able to raise $250 for Make- A-Wish Foundation, as well as money to run service projects that will benefit the community. We had a good turnout and may make it an annual event.

A big thank you goes out to all of the businesses and individuals that helped with the fundraiser. Thanks to Merchant Motors, Freihofer, the PTO, Cafe Services, parents of the NJHS and Builders Club and others that helped so much on Saturday. It really was a “community” event.

Carla Gallivan and Susan Sokul
Cawley Middle School

For more Letters to the Editor, please pick up the printed version of the Hooksett Banner.