On this year’s town ballot, Petition Article 23 asks voters to raise and appropriate $12,900 to fund seasonal lighting in Hooksett’s village area from December through March. This includes the Lilac Walking Bridge, the Town Tree, the Historical Society, Old Town Hall, and Town Hall, along with support for the town’s holiday kick-off event, Light Up The Village.
The estimated tax rate impact is $0.004 — less than one cent. For the average Hooksett home assessed at $500,000, that translates to approximately $2 per year on your total tax bill — less than the cost of a cup of coffee.
For roughly $2 per household, this article delivers one of the strongest returns on investment for the community. The lights remain up for four months, not just one night, creating a welcoming winter atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.
The Lilac Walking Bridge lighting is dual-purpose. It creates a beautiful, iconic backdrop that residents can enjoy and that the town can leverage in marketing materials — helping put Hooksett on the map as a destination for winter photos, proposals, family memories, and special moments. At the same time, the lighting improves visibility and safety for pedestrians walking through the village and crossing from east to west after dark.
This is a quality-of-life initiative that benefits all generations — families, seniors, local businesses, and visitors — throughout the entire winter season.
It is also worth noting that prior to 2023, the town regularly appropriated funds for the annual Town Tree lighting. Petition Article 23 builds on that history of municipal support for seasonal lighting.
The lights funded through this article would be installed on town-owned buildings and property, including Town Hall, Old Town Hall, the Town Tree, and the Lilac Walking Bridge — all public assets that serve as focal points for the community.
It’s important to note that this request does not cover the full cost of the event and seasonal lighting. Light Up The Village costs approximately $20,000 per year on average to produce. The nonprofit, all-volunteer committee continues to fundraise to make up the difference.
A “yes” vote helps stabilize a portion of the funding so volunteers can focus less on closing budget gaps and more on growing and enhancing this cherished Hooksett tradition for years to come.
Beyond the lights themselves, this initiative represents the beginning of a broader movement to revitalize Hooksett’s historic village. Light draws people in. It creates gathering spaces. It fosters community pride. It builds momentum.
Voting yes on Petition Article 23 is a vote for:
