Support Voiced Amidst Crickets During Two Public Hearings

North Hampton selectmen didn't get the turnout for which they hoped during two public hearings Monday night, although the one response they received during the brief sessions was positive.

Roughly half a dozen residents were present during hearings on the , and only one of those residents made a comment about either proposal, both of which will be on the town meeting ballot on May 8.

"I think this is a good idea," said resident Kelly Perrot of the town meeting change. "I think we have a very low turnout the second time around, so combining the vote [into] one date makes sense in my mind."

One of the selectmen's goals of the town meeting date change, which would move town meeting voting to the same day as the school voting in the second week in March, is to boost attendance.

No residents spoke Monday to the vehicle registration surcharge increase — money which officials have said will go into a special fund to help offset road maintenance.

Town Administrator Steve Fournier said $5 is the maximum increase allowed by state law, and selectmen said they hope residents recognize the need for the increase.

"I apologize to our residents and hope they understand why we're doing this," said Chairman Jim Maggiore after Selectman Larry Miller said that the fee, even with the $5 increase, is still $25 less than a couple of years ago. "This will certainly help in the current economic circumstances we have."

Each of the public hearings lasted only about one minute.