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March 2026 MPO Minutes (PDF)

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SNHPC 
Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission 
438 Dubuque Street, MMchester, NH 03102-3546, Telephone (603) 669-4664 Fax (603) 669-4350 
www.snhpc.org 
Minutes of the 
SNHPC METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION 
March 24, 2026 
11:30A.M. 
Meeting held in-person at the SNHPC office (438 Dubuque Street, Manchester, NH). Virtual 
participation was also accommodated via Zoom. 
MEMBERS PHYSICALLY PRESENT 
VOTING REPRESENTATIVE SEATS VACANT 
Auburn 
Bill Jean, Chair 
Candia 
Auburn 
Chris Sterndale 
Weare 
Bedford 
Ed Comiskev, Alt. 
Manchester Airport 
Bedford 
Marc Snvder 
Chester 
Andrew Hadik 
MEMBERS ABSENT 
Chester 
Deb Munson 
Auburn 
Jeffrev Porter, Alt. 
Deerfield 
Erroll Rhodes 
Bedford 
Dan Heath 
Derry 
John O'Connor 
Derry 
Richard Trioo 
Bedford 
Danielle Evansic 
Bedford 
Nadir Ali, Alt. 
Francestown 
Garv Schnakenberg, Vice Chair 
Goffstown 
Barbara Griffin 
Chester 
Dana Theokas, Alt. 
CNHRPC 
Matthew Baronas 
Goffstown 
Jo Ann DuffV 
FHWA 
Leigh Levine 
Londondenv 
Arthur Ruaa. Secretarv 
Francestown 
Jennifer Vadnev, Alt. 
Londondenv 
Suzanne Brunelle 
Hooksett 
Jarrod Williams 
Manchester 
Dan O'Neil 
Hooksett 
Sheena Gilbert 
Manchester 
Elvza Aaosta 
Londonderry 
Brian Battaolia 
Manchester 
Kevin Sheaaard, Alt. 
Londonderry 
Jeff Penta, Alt. 
Manchester 
Peter Caoano 
MTA 
Mike Whitten 
Manchester 
Ravmond Clement Treasurer 
Manchester 
Marcus Ponce de Leon, Alt. 
New Boston 
Ellen Kambol 
NHDES 
Jack Wade 
New Boston 
Jonathan Willard 
NHDES 
Jessica Wilcox 
Windham 
Peter Grtffin 
NHDOT 
Bill Watson 
Windham 
Edgar Lapointe 
RPC 
Tim Roache 
Strafford RPC 
Colin Lentz 
MEMBERS VIRTUALLY PRESENT 
Windham 
Tom Earley 
CNHRPC 
Craia Tufts 
Derrv 
Jeff Moulton 
STAFF VIRTUALLY PRESENT 
Goffstown 
Jacob LaFontaine 
Adam Hlasny 
Sr. Transportation Planner 
Londonderrv 
Deborah Lievens 
Anthony Summers 
Field Technician 
NHDOT 
Denise Sherburne 
Cameron Prolman 
Senior Planner 
Windham 
DJ Withee 
STAFF PHYSICALLY PRESENT 
MEMBERS EXCUSED 
Svlvia von Aulock 
Executive Director 
Bedford 
John Nelson 
Nathan Miller 
Deoutv Executive Director 
Candia 
Ron Laverdure 
Aloyo Yen 
Office & Finance 
Deerfield 
Fred McGarrv 
Administrator 
Francestown 
Linda Kunhardt 
David Tilton 
Sr. Transoortation Planner 
Londonderrv 
Patrick Cheetham. Alt. 
James Vavo 
Princioal Planner 
MTA 
Rvan Renauld-Smith Alt. 
Suzanne Nienaber 
Princioal Planner 
MTA 
Tracey Whitehead, Alt. 
Zacharv Swick 
Senior GIS Analyst 
NHDES 
Mac Bevier 
Liliana Vornehm 
Assistant Planner 
RPC 
David Walker 
GUESTS PHYSICALLY PRESENT 
GUESTS VIRTUALLY PRESENT 
Manchester DPW 
Robert Robinson 
Parsons 
Moll Foster 
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CALL TO ORDER 
Chair Jean called the meeting to order at n:36 AM. A quorum was present. 
ACTION ON MINUTES OF JANUARY 271 2026 
Motion by Mr. Rhodes of Deerfield to approve the minutes of January 27, 2026. Motion was 
seconded by Mr. Rugg of Londonderry, and carried with Mr. O'Connor, Mr. Schnakenberg, Ms. 
Duffy, Ms. Brunelle, Ms. Agosta, and Ms. Kambol abstaining. The vote was taken in conjunction 
with the roll call. 
OLD BUSINESS (none) 
NEW BUSINESS 
Guest Presentation: Manchester CSO Project 
City of Manchester Combined Sewer Overflow Project History 
Robert Robinson, Chief Engineer of the Manchester DPW Environmental Protection Division, 
provided an overview of the Manchester Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)' project's history, 
tunnel design, and current construction status. He explained that the project began in the 1990s 
with engineering studies and initial separations, followed by Phase 1 from 1999 to 2009, which had 
a budget of $58 million and included eight separation contracts on the west side of the city. Phase 
I included new/rehabilitated sewer and drains. Added benefits of the program were reconstructed 
roads, new/reset curbing, new sidewalks, and more. 
Phase II is a continuation of the CSO effort, centered around a project to construct the Cemetery 
Brook Drain Tunnel. 
Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Project Overview 
A video of the City of Manchester's Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel project was shown, featuring 
Mayor Jay Ruais. Mayor Ruais highlighted the project, a major infrastructure initiative in 
collaboration with the US Environmental Protection Agency and the New Hampshire Department 
of Environmental Services. The project involves constructing a 2.25-mile, 12-foot-diameter 
stormwater tunnel beneath Queen City Ave and Mammoth Road to reduce sewer overflows and 
improve water quality. Key construction activities include mechanized excavation of a rock shaft, 
installation of drop shafts for tunnel access and machine retrieval, and construction of a 
stormwater inlet and outfall structure. The project has been planned to minimize disruptions 
through limited impact areas, noise and vibration controls, pollution controls, and ongoing 
community outreach. 
Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Route and Project Details 
Mr. Robinson discussed the details of the Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel project and locations of 
seven drop shafts (DS 1-7) along a railroad corridor, which begins near Queen City Ave by the 
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Merrimack River. The drop shaft sites will be developed sequentially along streets such as Brown 
Ave, Queen City, Beech, Union, Somerville, Maple, Wilson, Valley, Taylor, and Massabesic. It 
crosses near Elliot Hospital, with key sites like DS-6 and DS-7 involved in drainage and tunnel 
infrastructure, extending from Queen City Ave to Massabesic Street. Mr. Robinson noted that the 
active launch zone and drop shafts 1-3 targeted for construction from summer 2025 to fall 2026. 
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), disassembled in Germany, is expected to arrive in late May 
and be assembled at the Queen City location, with drilling to begin around fall 2026 and last 
approximately 18 months. Detailed subsurface mapping will ensure proper tunnel development. 
Subsurface Investigation 
Prior to starting design, the geotechnical exploration was initiated, involving approximately 170 
borings over two and a half years along the profile, extending 80 feet underground in some areas. 
The drilling allowed mapping of subsurface conditions crucial for tunnel design. 
Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel Design and Construction 
Senior Engineer Molly Foster reviewed the design and construction sequencing of the Cemetery 
Brook Drain Tunnel project, including the tunnel's path through various soil types and rock, with 
the machine progressing approximately 40 feet per day. She discussed the launch site excavation 
and the outflow structure, which has features incorporated to slow water before it enters the river, 
protecting wildlife and preventing washout. Logistical challenges include multiple work sites, 
utility coordination, and spoils management. 
Discussion: 
• 
A question was asked about the handling of residue produced by the tunneling. Mr. 
Robinson explained that the material expelled during tunneling with the TBM will be 
directed to various locations depending on its composition. Material will be tested as it is 
removed. He noted that the type of soil to be encountered varies, including both rock and 
other soil types. In the case of pure rock, the material can potentially be reused, as it is 
considered valuable and suitable for reuse. 
• 
A question was asked about the dimensions of the rock. Mr. Robinson explained that cores 
are extracted, typically two inches in diameter, and drilled through after boring. The depth 
varies. 
• 
Ms. Lievens asked if there would be effluent water going into the pipes, if so, how it 
would be treated before it gets to the river. Mr. Robinson said it would be purely 
stormwater and that it would not be treated. 
• 
A question was asked about property acquisitions. Mr. Robinson said they acquired four 
properties and had to establish easements and subterranean easements. 
• 
A question was asked about the total cost of the project and where the funding comes from. 
Mr. Robinson said that the TBM contract costs $360 million, and total CSO project 
expenses, including engineering, property acquisitions, and future separation, exceed $600 
million. He noted that the program spans 20 years and is funded by sewer revenue bonds. 
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• 
A question was asked about the bike path near the outflow. Mr. Robinson said that the bike 
path will be rerouted around the outfall structure. 
• 
Ms. Griffin inquired about the quantitative measures of water quality improvement after 
the project is completed. Mr. Robinson said that it's not something that can be easily 
measured. 
Overview of FY 2025-2028 TIP Amendment #4 
Senior Transportation Planner Dave Tilton explained the Project Development Process and how 
the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) fits within it. He noted that the Metropolitan 
Transportation Plan (MTP) is a document produced by the MPO that identifies regional projects 
for the Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (TYP). The TYP is a state-level process and is 
currently in the hands of legislators. The TIP covers the first four years of the TYP, focusing on 
projects closest to implementation and construction. This is the fourth amendment in the current 
cycle. 
Mr. Tilton presented the proposed changes to the Fiscal Year 2025-2028 TIP Amendment #4. He 
mentioned that the changes will be released for public comment starting April 1ih. The MPO will 
consider adopting the following changes at a public hearing on April 28, 2026: 
• 
Derry-Londonderry 13065C: Moving the construction phase funding beyond the TIP 
horizon due to additional time needed for right-of-way acquisitions. 
• 
Hooksett 29611: Decreasing right of way funds by moving a portion of right of way funding 
outside of the current TIP horizon. The project development schedule now has right of way 
phase work continuing beyond FY 2028. Construction phase work for this project is now 
scheduled for 2031 - 2033. 
OTHER BUSINESS (none) 
ADJOURNMENT 
Motion to adjourn by Mr. Hadik of Chester, seconded by Mr. Capano of Manchester, and carried 
unanimously. Chair Jean declared the meeting adjourned at 12:44 PM. 
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the March 24, 2026 meeting 
of the Metropolitan Planning Organization of the Southern New Hampshire Planning 
Commissio . 
Sylvi von Aulock, Executive Director 
Aloyo Yen, Office and Finance Administrator/Recording Clerk 
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