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Economic Development Council Agenda 9/2/2026 (pdf) (minutes)

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TOWN OF GOFFSTOWN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
In attendance: Chair Chet Bowen, Vice Chair Richard Bruno, Charlie Birchmeier, Oscar 
Arevalo, Darrell Halen, Timothy Searles, Selectmen’s Rep Joshua Douglas, and Jo Ann Duffy, 
Planning & Economic Development Director.
Excused: Samantha Kearns
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/ROLL CALL
Chair Bowen called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ACCEPTANCE/CORRECTION OF MINUTES
The Committee reviewed the draft minutes from the August 5, 2026, meeting. Two corrections 
were noted: member names required adjustment, and Vice Chair Bruno's name was absent from 
the attendance list despite his having voted at that meeting. Both corrections were incorporated 
prior to the vote. 
Motion: Vice Chair Bruno motioned to accept August 5, 2026, meeting minutes as presented. 
Seconded by Oscar Arevalo. VOTE: 5-0-1. Darrell Halen, as a newly appointed member not 
yet sworn in at the time of that meeting, did not vote on this item. Motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
No old business was raised.
NEW BUSINESS
Welcome Darrell - New Board Member!
The Committee welcomed Darrell Halen as a new board member. The Planning Director 
administered the oath of office in her capacity as a notary, and Darrell Halen signed the required 
paperwork. It was noted that a copy of the signed paperwork would be provided to Mr. Halen at 
the next meeting or transmitted via email attachment.
OTHER BUSINESS
Contact With Commercial Realtors – Lease/578 Mast Rd, Lease/70 Depot St/577 Mast 
Rd/12-14 Pleasant St - Update
Chair Chet Bowen reported on outreach made to commercial realtors on the Committee's contact
list. Key updates were as follows:
578 Mast Road (Parris Auto Body): The Planning Director confirmed she had spoken directly 
with a potential new tenant. The lessee intends to sell cars from the open lot area, which can 

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accommodate 20 vehicles, and will use the existing auto body shop in the rear solely for washing
vehicles prior to sale. No mechanical or auto-body repair work will be conducted.
70 Depot Street: Chair Chet Bowen reported that half of the space has been leased to a doggy 
day care business, while the remaining half remains available. The property is managed by Doug
Martin, who is also involved with the Rite Aid site and reported making significant progress 
there. Mr. Martin indicated he would connect the Committee with his business partner and any 
prospective tenants with interest in Goffstown properties. He also offered to provide property 
blurbs suitable for posting on the town website or social media. The Planning Director was added
to the related email correspondence.
Capital City Realty: Chair Chet Bowen reported that a voicemail was left and that follow-up 
contact would continue.
It was also noted that Putnam's and Sawyers are now listed for sale, and that their future use, 
whether as a restaurant or otherwise, remains unknown. Additionally, the Wicked Salon in the 
co-located roofing company space appears to have been vacated, as the owner closed the 
business due to illness. 
Chair Chet Bowen committed to following up with realtors regarding these newly available 
spaces.
PLANNING BOARD ACTIVITY
Multi-Family – Henry Bridge Road
The Planning Director provided an update on recent multifamily development activity. She noted
a trend of investors seeking variances to increase residential density on existing parcels where 
the town's zoning definitions do not clearly permit multifamily use.
As background, she referenced a recently approved project on South Mast Road in which a 
duplex was added to the rear of a single-family property. That applicant received several 
variances from the Zoning Board and was subsequently approved by the Planning Board prior to 
this meeting.
A similar application is now before the Planning Board for 40 Henry Bridge Road. The property 
features a single-family home, described as an old structure from the 1700s,  with an accessory 
dwelling unit that functions more like a two-family residence, to which the applicant seeks to add
a new duplex. The applicant received three variances: permission to develop multifamily use, 
permission to build multifamily served by public water and septic (whereas the town requires 
both public water and public sewer for multifamily), and a third variance related to use.
The Planning Director observed that both applicants are investors rather than owner-occupants 
and are effectively increasing residential density through variance requests that work around the 
existing zoning definition of multifamily. In response to a question from Vice Chair, Bruno 
confirming this characterization, the Planning Director affirmed that these are "very much" 
workarounds.

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She indicated that staff would be reviewing potential zoning amendments for the following year 
to address these gaps. Areas under consideration include expanding the definition of lot coverage
to encompass impervious surfaces such as pavement, currently the ordinance addresses only 
building coverage, and drainage requirements. She noted that the town does requires drainage 
studies for even small projects, which must be reviewed by the town engineer before Planning 
Board approval.
The Planning Director also observed that while inventory has been limited in recent months, 
there are currently more homes for sale in town on Zillow than there were just a month or two 
prior.
Doggie Day/Night Care
The Planning Director clarified that the doggy day care appearing before the Planning Board is 
located in the former Shaw's Plaza and is distinct from the doggy day care at 70 Depot Street 
discussed under Other Business. This applicant is returning to the Planning Board to address 
concerns related to the outdoor area, specifically potential odor issues and drainage impacts on 
neighboring residential properties. The applicant proposes to remove existing pavement, install 
permeable pavers, and cover the surface with artificial turf for outdoor dog use. The Planning 
Director noted that the Department of Environmental Services (DES) has confirmed it does not 
consider the setup to be a septic system. The applicant is scheduled to return to the Planning 
Board the following week.
Items For Next Agenda – Date: 10/7/26
The following items were identified for the October 7, 2026, agenda:
Chair Chet Bowen indicated he would return with further updates from outreach to commercial 
realtors. Oscar Aravolo noted a potential update on the police station ad hoc committee, pending 
confirmation of meeting schedules. It was also noted that Doug Martin may refer to a prospective
business to present to the Committee.
Select Board Vice Chairman Douglas provided additional context on the police station 
committee process, noting that names have been submitted, that the police chief is aware of the 
interest and timing concerns, that the budget committee is in the process of selecting a 
representative with at least one name already put forward, and that the planning board has 
submitted two names. It was anticipated that Committee members would hear about next steps 
soon.
Additionally, the topic of the proposed county jail was raised under this agenda item by Vice 
Chair Bruno, with broader discussion occurring among the Committee. While the matter was 
acknowledged as primarily a select board-level concern, it was noted as relevant for monitoring 
from an economic development perspective, particularly with respect to the town's image and the
potential for future infrastructure expansion,  such as sewer and natural gas service,  to support 
commercial development on county-owned land. Select Board Vice Chairman Douglas clarified 
that any proposed facility would be a county jail, not a prison, involving short-term inmate stays,
and that nothing is scheduled for action or funding this year. He confirmed the Select Board sent 

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a letter to the county commissioners expressing that the town was not in favor of proceeding 
without further discussion, and that the town's representatives were similarly opposed to moving 
forward without broader deliberation. No response from the county had been received as of the 
meeting date. The Planning Director noted she had reviewed the jail feasibility study and raised 
concerns regarding acreage requirements (approximately 20 acres), limited highway access due 
to the Route 114/114A intersection being a limited access highway, the absence of nearby public 
water and sewer infrastructure, and the lack of public transportation for individuals being 
released.
Respectfully submitted,
Jo Ann Duffy, (prepared with assistance of AI, ClerkMinutes.com)
Planning & Economic Development Director