Properties added to State Register

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:12:00 GMT

The New Hampshire Department of Historical Resources announced that 12 properties have recently been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, including three in Hooksett and one in Allenstown.

The New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places recognizes and honors properties that are meaningful in the history, architecture, archeology, engineering or traditions of New Hampshire’s residents and communities. It is one part of the state’s efforts to encourage public and private efforts to identify and protect historically significant properties throughout New Hampshire.

“These irreplaceable resources are the physical manifestation of our state’s history and identity,” said New Hampshire’s state historic preservation officer Elizabeth Muzzey. “They create New Hampshire’s distinct identity and serve as the backbone to the state’s heritage tourism economy.”

The most recent additions to the New Hampshire State Register are:

• Head Chapel and Cemetery, Hooksett. Originally an 1839 school, the Head Chapel was remodeled in 1922 to serve as a chapel for the cemetery, which has been in use since 1800. The chapel was a model school, being not only one of the most substantial schools in the area and representative of local brick manufacturing, but also remains one of the most intact one-room schoolhouses left in the region.

• Hooksett Village Bridge, Hooksett. Known locally as the “Lilac Bridge,” this 1909 structure is one of the state’s nine surviving metal truss bridges designed by engineer John William Storrs, the only bridge design specialist in the state in the early 20th century. The three-high-span truss bridges an important crossing of the Merrimack River, first bridged after 1804 by the proprietors of the Londonderry Turnpike.

Arah W. Prescott Library, Hooksett. Prominent citizen Arah W. Prescott donated the funds to build the town library in 1909, and designed the building himself. Completed in 1910, the building and the institution it houses have contributed significantly to the education of the citizens of Hooksett.

• Allenstown Public Library, Allenstown. Erected circa 1934- 35 by Works Progress Administration workers, this Colonial Revival structure is the only building in Allenstown constructed expressly as a library. The design by Harold, Homes, Owen, Inc. has well served the community for more than 70 years.

Anyone wishing to nominate a property to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places must research the history of the nominated property and document it fully on individual inventory forms from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Having a property listed in the Register does not impose restrictions on private property owners. For more information, visit http://www.nh.gov/nhdhr

New Hampshire’s Division of Historical Resources, the “State Historic Preservation Office,” was established in 1974 in order to preserve the historical, archaeological, architectural and cultural resources of New Hampshire that are among the state’s most important environmental assets. Historic preservation promotes the use, understanding and conservation of such resources for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of New Hampshire’s citizens. For more information, visit www.nh.gov/nhdr or call 271-3483.

Proposed building worries condo owners

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:27:00 GMT

BY SUSAN WARE

Residents of the Mount St. Mary’s Condominiums are gearing up to fight a proposed 73-unit building with underground parking that Brady Sullivan LLC wants to construct 100 feet from the historic landmark’s back door.

On Friday, Aug. 3, residents rallied in the ballroom to strategize against the developer, who also built their units.

“We all feel like we were lied to. Around here, we call them ‘Shady Sullivan,’” said Lori Dupont, a Mount St. Mary’s resident with a wooded view that could soon look out onto an apartment building.

Dupont and others allege they asked Brady Sullivan’s sales team if there were plans to build directly behind their building, especially in light of the heavy construction going on at University Heights next door. Dupont said they all were told no.

“There are a lot of people here that can attest to being deceived by Brady Sullivan’s sales staff. We asked if anything was ever planned to be built directly behind Mount Saint Mary and our saleswoman looked us dead in the eye and said ‘no, never,’” said resident Sean Joncas.

For Dupont, the construction of these apartments will mean a change of quality of life – more traffic and congestion, and a cherished wooded view that will no longer exist.

“The sales staff assured me that if they ever built behind us, they would leave a 150-foot tree line and that it would be something decent. Now, if this thing gets built, my unit will be worthless,” she said. In September the Planning Board asked Brady Sullivan LLC to have an independent study done as to how these two buildings would affect property values at Mount St. Mary’s. Dupont said they are still waiting for results.

When asked about residents’ claims that sales staff deceived them, Arthur Sullivan, principal and partner at Brady Sullivan LLC, said he has no idea what they are talking about.

“I don’t know anything about that. I don’t remember ever making any promises of that nature,” said Sullivan.

Dupont said she has contacted all of the 73 units in Mount St. Mary’s and said all are on board.

“We are going to fight this tooth and nail. We were promised one thing, and now we are getting something else. I’m really angry about this, angry that I am going to have to look at a Brady Sullivan slum everyday,” said Dupont.

John Deachman, an attorney for Brady Sullivan LLC, said he has met with residents several times and their input is critical to this plan. Deachman said there are several plans on the table, because they are looking at what the best option is.

“We want to find a project that meets as many goals as possible,” said Deachman.

As for the residents’ claims that sales staff deceived them, Deachman said he knows nothing about that.

“I don’t have any idea what they might have been promised because I wasn’t involved,” he said.

Joncas and Dupont said meetings with Brady Sullivan LLC representatives have been fruitless.

“We’ve yet to have a proper representative from Brady Sullivan come to a meeting at the building or the town. All we get is a Brady Sullivan lawyer that is quick to say he doesn’t know anything and an engineering team that takes notes but has yet to apply any of our suggestions,” said Joncas.

Engineers for Brady Sullivan LLC are preparing to go before the Technical Review Committee in September.

Although discussion of this plan began last fall, it’s still in the beginning stages, said Deachman.

“I think it’s shameful what Brady Sullivan is doing here and elsewhere. The beauty of one of Hooksett’s most historic pieces is at stake for greed. This new building, given its sandwiched location, will become a slum. I think if the town of Hooksett has any interest in preserving this area or dignity they’ll tell Brady Sullivan to get lost,” said Joncas.

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Properties added to State Register

Proposed building worries condo owners