BY SUSAN WARE
Hills Road in Auburn is a quiet, tree-lined street that ends in a cul-de-sac surrounded by woods. The neighborhood is tranquil and the residents want to keep it that way. But the cul-de-sac is actually just an unfinished section of road, and a developer is in the process of breaking through the wooded area at the end of Hills Road and connecting it to Hills Road in Hooksett so that more homes can be built.
On Friday, May 21, residents turned out for the Auburn Board of Selectmen meeting and, according to meeting minutes, had concerns over increased traffic in their neighborhood, drainage issues and how homes will be numbered once the cul-de-sac becomes a through street.
Also, the road is being narrowed from 30 feet to 24 feet as a traffic-calming measure and residents had questions regarding curbside landscaping and connections to their driveways during this process. By reducing the width of Hills Road, not only does it deter speeding, but it provides ample sidewalks for residents to bike and walk pets, noted the board.
Some Auburn residents have fought against the opening of Hills Road, saying that it will become a cut-through road for Hooksett residents wanting to reach Route 101 quicker.
But according to Kathy Lafond, secretary for the Auburn Board of Selectmen, Hills Road was never meant to remain a dead end.
“The connection of Hills Road in Auburn with Hills Road in Hooksett was passed by both planning boards many years ago. It has been a right of way since the 1970s. There is nothing anyone can do at this point,” said Lafond.
Hills Road is not alone. Lafond said there are other dead-end roads and cul de sacs that are actually right-of-ways and can be opened up any time. She pointed to dead-ends off of Eaton Hill Road and Rattlesnake Hill Road among others in town.
“People assume that a dead end will always be that way. But it isn’t always the case,” said Lafond.
At the May 21 meeting, the board promised to address concerns with Hooksett officials regarding drainage, since the detention pond for the new homes will be in Hooksett and street numbering.