January 2026 MPO Minutes (PDF)
The SNHPC MPO approved the December 16, 2025 minutes via a motion by Mr. Rhodes, seconded by Ms. Kunhardt, carried with Mr. Nelson and Ms. Sherburne abstaining. Members voted to adopt Fiscal Year 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment #3 unanimously; no public comments were received. The MPO considered 2026 Regional Safety Performance Targets, with staff recommending support for state targets for non-motorized fatalities and adoption of regional targets for other measures to align with the Safe Streets for All goal of zero fatalities by 2050. Motion by Ms. Kunhardt to adopt targets passed with Mr. Snyder, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Battaglia, and Mr. Whitten opposed. Staff noted the adoption deadline is February 27 to avoid Federal Highway Administration corrective measures. Mr. Griffin motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Rhodes, ending the meeting at 12:16 PM. Source: https://www.snhpc.org/DocumentCenter/View/2590/January-2026-MPO-Minutes--PDF
1 Minutes of the SNHPC METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION January 27, 2026 11:30 A.M. Meeting held in-person at the SNHPC office (438 Dubuque Street, Manchester, NH). Virtual participation was also accommodated via Zoom. MEMBERS PHYSICALLY PRESENT Auburn Bill Jean, Chair Bedford Marc Snyder Bedford Ed Comiskey, Alt. Candia Ron Laverdure Deerfield Erroll Rhodes Derry Richard Tripp Francestown Linda Kunhardt Goffstown Barbara Griffin Manchester Peter Capano Manchester Raymond Clement, Treasurer MTA Mike Whitten Windham Peter Griffin Windham Edgar Lapointe MEMBERS VIRTUALLY PRESENT Bedford John Nelson Bedford Nadir Ali, Alt. Chester Deb Munson Derry Jeff Moulton Goffstown Jacob LaFontaine Londonderry Arthur Rugg, Secretary Londonderry Brian Battaglia Londonderry Deborah Lievens Manchester Kevin Sheppard, Alt. NHDES Jack Wade NHDOT Denise Sherburne Strafford RPC Colin Lentz Windham DJ Withee MEMBERS EXCUSED Chester Andrew Hadik Deerfield Fred McGarry Derry John O’Connor Goffstown Jo Ann Duffy Francestown Gary Schnakenberg, Vice Chair Francestown Jennifer Vadney, Alt. Londonderry Suzanne Brunelle Manchester Dan O’Neil MTA Ryan Renauld-Smith, Alt. MTA Tracey Whitehead, Alt. New Boston Ellen Kambol NHDES Mac Bevier VOTING REPRESENTATIVE SEATS VACANT Candia Weare Manchester Airport MEMBERS ABSENT Auburn Chris Sterndale Auburn Jeffrey Porter, Alt. Bedford Danielle Evansic Bedford Dan Heath Bedford Rebecca Hebert Chester Dana Theokas, Alt. CNHRPC Craig Tufts CNHRPC Matthew Baronas FHWA Leigh Levine Hooksett Jarrod Williams Hooksett Sheena Gilbert Londonderry Jeff Penta, Alt. Londonderry Patrick Cheetham, Alt. Manchester Elyza Agosta Manchester Marcus Ponce de Leon, Alt. NHDOT Bill Watson New Boston Jonathan Willard RPC David Walker Windham Tom Earley STAFF VIRTUALLY PRESENT Adam Hlasny Sr. Transportation Planner Anthony Summers Field Technician Cameron Prolman Senior Planner STAFF PHYSICALLY PRESENT Sylvia von Aulock Executive Director Nathan Miller Deputy Executive Director Aloyo Yen Office & Finance Administrator David Tilton Sr. Transportation Planner James Vayo Principal Planner Suzanne Nienaber Principal Planner Zachary Swick Senior GIS Analyst Liliana Vornehm Assistant Planner GUESTS VIRTUALLY PRESENT Londonderry Kristan Farr NH Housing Sarah Wrightsman 2 CALL TO ORDER Chair Jean called the meeting to order at 11:32 AM. A quorum was present. ACTION ON MINUTES OF DECEMBER 16, 2025 Motion by Mr. Rhodes to approve the minutes of December 16, 2025. Motion was seconded by Ms. Kunhardt, and carried with Mr. Nelson and Ms. Sherburn abstaining. The vote was taken in conjunction with the roll call. OLD BUSINESS (none) NEW BUSINESS Consideration of FY 2025-2028 TIP Amendment #3 Senior Transportation Planner David Tilton noted that there had been no public comments or changes to the draft Fiscal Year 2025-2028 TIP Amendment #3 since the previous meeting. Ms. Kunhardt made a motion to adopt the TIP Amendment #3, seconded by Mr. LaPointe. The motion passed unanimously. Consideration of Proposed 2026 Regional Safety Performance Targets Mr. Tilton and Senior GIS Analyst Zachary Swick discussed SNHPC’s proposed 2026 Regional Safety Performance Targets. Mr. Tilton provided background on the five federally mandated safety performance measures: • Number of Fatalities • Fatality Rate • Number of Serious Injuries • Serious Injury Rate • Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries. Mr. Tilton noted that MPOs have the flexibility to set their own safety targets or support the State- level performance targets. For 2026, SNHPC staff recommended that the SNHPC MPO support state targets for non-motorized fatalities while adopting regional targets for other measures. Mr. Tilton noted that the proposed regional performance targets were based on the objectives detailed in the SNHPC’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan, which includes a commitment to zero fatalities by 2050 and a 50% reduction of 2023 fatalities by 2035. Mr. Swick presented an analysis of the projected number of fatalities in the SNHPC region in comparison to the State of NH’s five-year targets. Ms. Griffin inquired about the advantage or purpose of setting a different target from the state. Mr. Swick explained that SNHPC made a commitment with its SS4A program and that the proposed targets reflect what is necessary for the region to meet that goal. Mr. Tripp asked if SNHPC has the number of serious injuries for 2025. Mr. Swick said that SNHPC does not have the numbers for 2025 yet. 3 Ms. Griffin asked where the crash data will be used when SNHPC applies for grants for its communities and whether there is funding available for advocating this type of work. Mr. Tilton noted that SNHPC uses crash data for road safety audits and other transportation planning efforts. A discussion ensued regarding the merits of realistic vs. aspirational targets. • Mr. Moulton commented that real data should be driving the decision on the performance targets. Mr. Miller noted that while safety is the highest criterion when SNHPC selects projects, SNHPC controls only a small fraction of the programming of transportation funding in the state. Additionally, many behavioral factors that contribute to fatal and severe injury crashes are beyond the MPO's control, including speeding, impairment, and distraction. Mr. Moulton agreed that SNHPC cannot control behavioral factors but noted that SNHPC should set expectations for what a realistic target is. • Executive Director Sylvia von Aulock noted that setting realistic, but aggressive targets allows SNHPC to ask its communities or NHDOT what can be done to change the outcome and move beyond the status quo. She believes the SS4A report is a good step in the right direction to address these issues. • Mr. Snyder suggested setting the targets to zero would be more meaningful. Mr. Swick noted that some MPOs choose aspirational targets of zero. • Mr. Laverdure said that it’s easier to set zero as the ideal point, which allows people to see clearly how far off they are from the target. • Ms. Griffin said that, as a planning organization trying to map out a future course for the use of funds and planning in SNHPC communities, setting the target at zero is not realistic. • Mr. LaPointe noted that the only difference he sees between setting the proposed targets and setting the targets at zero is patience. Ms. Kunhardt said that patience enables SNHPC to reach the best solution eventually. • Mr. Whitten commented that the proposed targets lack real-world meaning and that he doesn’t find them useful. • Mr. Ali said that the focus should not be on what the target is, but rather on determining why certain targets were not met, looking at future projects, and developing action plans to ensure the targets are met. • Mr. Rhodes added that if SNHPC receives the funding needed to take these steps, it’s a public good, and SNHPC cannot afford to set the targets anywhere other than zero. • Ms. von Aulock suggested that SNHPC could invite NHDOT to a future meeting to advise on the state’s target setting process. She mentioned NHDOT’s plan to visit high schools and speak with young drivers about safe driving. She also proposed that SNHPC coordinate with its communities to arrange for high schools to have NHDOT conduct presentations on safe driving. Mr. Laverdure agreed. Chair Jean inquired about the consequences of not adopting the targets. Mr. Miller explained that the deadline to adopt is February 27 and missing it could result in corrective measures from the Federal Highway Administration. Thus, each year, SNHPC aims to present the proposed targets in December and recommends that the MPO adopt targets in January. 4 Action: Motion by Ms. Kunhardt to adopt the proposed 2026 Regional Safety Performance Targets, seconded by Mr. LaPointe. The motion passed with Mr. Snyder, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Battaglia, and Mr. Whitten opposed. OTHER BUSINESS (none) ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Mr. Griffin, seconded by Mr. Rhodes, and carried unanimously. Chair Jean declared the meeting adjourned at 12:16 PM. I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the January 27, 2026 meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization of the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission. _________________________________ Sylvia von Aulock, Executive Director _____________________________________________ Aloyo Yen, Office and Finance Administrator/Recording Clerk