Budget Watch

Bill Would Prevent Town Meeting 'Gymnastics'

Selectmen are supportive of a local politician's proposal to drastically change the annual town meeting process.

A state representative from Hampton is proposing a significant change to town meeting law in order to make the petitioned warrant article process "smoother" and "easier" while better protecting the right for residents to propose expenditures and projects. State Rep. Fred Rice, R-Hampton, is sponsoring a bill that would prohibit any changes to petitioned warrant articles during municipalities' and schools' annual deliberative sessions. Laws were changed two years ago to prevent changes to the wording of any petitioned warrant articles that passed legal muster, although registered voters are still able to alter the bottom line of petitioned warrant articles at deliberative session. Rice said that means residents looking to vet an idea …

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Selectmen Bag Adding More 'Muscle' to Trash Talks

The board was again accused of micromanagement before voting on a proposed enforcement-based warrant article.

The Hampton Board of Selectmen voted 3-2 Monday not to sponsor a warrant article that some feel may give small teeth to ongoing efforts to increase the overall level of recycling in town. Resident Norm Silberdick, representing the Hampton Recycling Committee, appeared in front of the board Monday to request selectmen sponsor a recycling committee article that would've allowed town employees to enforce recycling noncompliance. The committee proposed that taxpayers vote at the March town meeting whether to require residents use clear plastic bags or plastic grocery bags as trash bags and whether to allow Hampton Public Works crews to issue warnings if they see any recyclable items in those bags while the trash is emptied into packer trucks …

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Budget Watch

Board Signs Off on $350K+ in Purchases

A massive paving project, a new plow truck and a custom door were among the approved expenditures.

The North Hampton Select Board green-lighted the final stages of the Town Hall restoration project and the beginning of the 2012 paving program Monday while making motions that approved more than $350,000 worth of appropriations and purchases. Three motions were unanimously approved Monday: one for a $9,950 expenditure for a custom-made replacement door and corresponding frame for Town Hall that will look historically accurate and be made of mahogany; a motion for a $342,480, five-road paving program; and a lease and purchase agreement for a Ford F-650 plow truck. The exact dollar figure for the lease and purchase agreement wasn't available at the time this article was written. The paving program and truck purchase were expenditures …

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'Blow Up' Large Assembly Ordinance? [POLL]

Do you think the Fuller Gardens situation shows a change is needed, or is the document enforceable?

Jim Maggiore, chairman of the North Hampton Select Board, mentioned this week that many individuals have called for the town to "blow up" the current large assembly ordinance because it's flawed and unintentionally interfering with the culture of the community. Repealing the ordinance or making any changes to the document would require a town meeting vote, though, whether it be through a special town meeting, a town meeting in conjunction with the Sept. 11 state primary, or a vote next March during the annual town meeting. Since the Fuller Gardens issue came to light, took several twists and ultimately was resolved thanks to an exemption based on a new interpretation of the ordinance itself, many potential issues with the ordinance have …

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Fuller Gardens Saved from 'A Bloody Mess' of an Ordinance

Selectmen believe they have found ways to allow four events to occur despite a limiting law on the books.

The North Hampton Select Board ruled Monday night multiple events shouldn't be affected by the town's large assembly ordinance, although the decision will likely lead to more questions than answers about the controversial local law. Selectmen determined Monday the ordinance isn't applicable to Fuller Gardens' annual garden party and a large private birthday party, and ruled a Seacoast Harley-Davidson event also isn't applicable is certain changes are made to the itinerary. The three 2-1 votes will allow all three events to occur — assuming conditions are met on the Harley-Davidson event — without having to go through a permit process many residents have called problematic. Selectmen joined those calls Monday, deeming the document a "…

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rds

8:53 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012

The Seacoast event has been held for a few years. I've attended them and the crowds have not only been manageable but more than well behaved. As a former LE officer, I'd welcome such a great event for a great cause. the town should have no issues with it. The ordinance is flawed as suggested. Throw it out and start over. I agree the town should be aware of large events that could affect …   more ›

'Power' Articles Only Articles Defeated at Town Meeting

Only two of the 25 total warrant articles were defeated during a slow annual town meeting Tuesday.

While there weren't many voices heard during a "pitiful," lower-than-usual voter turnout at town meeting Tuesday, two clear messages were sent by the 476 North Hampton residents who did cast a ballot: residents want to support town employees and assets, and residents don't want selectmen to have more power. The budget, union contracts and every other special funding article passed soundly Tuesday, and the only two articles that failed on the 25-article warrant were articles that would've given the selectmen authority to appoint the town treasurer and a petitioned article some residents said they feared would allow selectmen to control residential property changes on Mill Road. "I think it's too much power," said resident Peter Horne about …

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All Money Articles, Town Meeting Change, Contracts Pass

The May 8 North Hampton town meeting results are in.

North Hampton voters overwhelmingly passed most of the 25 articles on the 2012 town meeting warrant Tuesday. Voters passed all but two articles. The articles that passed included the $5.68 million budget, two union contracts, a proposal to move town meeting back to March, a vehicle registration surcharge increase, a large assembly ordinance and a code of ethics policy. The articles that failed were a proposal to give selectmen the authority to appoint the town treasurer — an elected position — and another that would've designated Mill Road as a scenic road. The vehicle registration article had the closest margin of acceptance — 248 "yes" to 212 "no" — out of all the articles that passed. A full list of the warrant article results can be …

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