By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

A new committee that could ultimately serve to raise property values in town, as well as enhance the overall quality of life, was recently approved by the Hooksett Town Council.

In September, the council unanimously approved an aesthetics and beautification committee, appointing local architect Yervant Nahikian as chairman. Resident Doris Sorel and Hooksett Heritage Commission Chairman Kathleen Northrup were also appointed as committee members.

"The main idea is to foster enhancements that will spread throughout the town and the community," said Nahikian, a Hooksett resident for the past 16 years, who's led architectural projects throughout New England.

Nahikian hopes the new committee will serve every resident positively.

"People are naturally drawn to beauty," he said. "We hope we can initiate improvements that will give people in Hooksett a sense of pride about their community."

Town Council Chairman Michael DiBitetto explained the committee's likely role.

"As I understand it, they'll essentially be functioning in an advisory capacity to the planning board," he said. "We certainly welcome them. I think they could be a benefit to everyone."

Town Administrator David Jodoin said committee members will soon come before the town council with proposals for composition, charge and guidelines.

Nahikian said he hopes the committee members will have a diversity of backgrounds and areas of expertise. He said he hopes the committee can also work in concert with both the Hooksett Heritage Commission and the Conservation Commission.

The committee, said Nahikian, will likely focus on projects that could affect commercial, industrial and residential projects.

He cited the Village area, with the Merrimack River, historic buildings and bridges, as an area of town that the committee would work to protect, while many existing retail and industrial properties could be targets for enhancement.

Nahikian said the committee will also likely encourage residential property owners to protect as much of the natural landscape as possible.

"It's not like Hooksett has a major downtown to preserve," he said. "What we're really looking at are views, landscapes and neighborhoods."