Town Meeting Date Change, Vehicle Surcharge Hearings Coming

Two controversial changes will be at the center of public hearings Monday at North Hampton Town Hall.

North Hampton selectmen will moderate discussion at 7 p.m. Monday on the proposal to in 2013, as well as a proposed additional $5 surcharge to vehicle registration fees in order to help cover the costs of road repairs.

Selectmen voted earlier this year to place a town meeting change article on the warrant for this year's May 8 town meeting. Town meeting voting had been conducted in March until 2009, when voters agreed with the board that it was logical to bump it back two months to give the town more accurate revenue projections.

Town Administrator Steve Fournier has said the revenue reporting structure has since changed, and he has said there won't be significant differences in the March 2013 and May 2013 numbers if voters approve the article next month.

Selectmen and Fournier have also said a change would make it easier for residents to vote, as the article would return the municipal balloting to the same day as the school balloting, saving money on election costs.

Selectmen shifted town meeting voting day to May to make it easier for summer residents to attend, although participation at the town and school sessions have actually been lower the last couple of years, according to selectmen.

A full copy of Monday's agenda can be found here. Also on the agenda is a discussion about a proposal for new construction, which has been during talks about the .