Town Meeting 2023: Here are top issues facing voters in Hampton area towns

Staff report
·10 min read

Hampton area voters will decide a number of issues at the March 14 Town Meeting that could shape the future of their communities for years to come.

Hampton voters will be asked to approve a zoning amendment to pave the way for a massive development off Liberty Lane.

Hampton Falls is asking voters to support two warrant articles to boost development along Route 1 with a goal to ease the tax burden for residents, while Seabrook hopes to stop more vape shops from coming into town, which they say are sickening the town's youth.

Here's a look at the top issues and contested races in the Hampton area.

Hampton area voters will head to the polls on March 14 to decide contested races and big-ticket items on the Town Meeting ballot.
Hampton area voters will head to the polls on March 14 to decide contested races and big-ticket items on the Town Meeting ballot.

HAMPTON

Town Meeting voters will address 36 warrant articles, including a request for $165,945 to hire an architect to draw up plans for a community center to be known as the Hampton Hub and a $3 million bond to rebuild the deteriorating seawall at Bicentennial Park.

Selectmen are asking voters at the March Town Meeting to approve a $3 million bond (Article 8) to repair the deteriorating seawall.
Selectmen are asking voters at the March Town Meeting to approve a $3 million bond (Article 8) to repair the deteriorating seawall.

Also on the ballot is a proposed town operating budget of $34.5 million, a 14% increase and nearly $4.3 million more than the 2022 town budget. Driving the increases are new positions approved at last year's Town Meeting, contractual obligations, and increases in gas, utilities, retirement costs and insurance. If the budget is rejected, the default budget of just under $33.1 million will go into effect.

Two warrant articles are included that would equip Hampton police officers and cruisers with cameras. One article seeks $404,283 over five years to purchase body-worn and dash cameras and to provide training, while another seeks a second lieutenant for $134,175 a year to oversee the implementation and maintenance of the systems. Both articles need approval for the project to move forward.

On the ballot:Noise complaints about Hampton music venues sparks entertainment ordinance change

Voters will decide whether to adopt an amendment to the town's Entertainment Activities Ordinance officials say will give residents more control over entertainment-related noise that at times outraged local neighborhoods. The goal of the changes is to control disruptions to citizens' peace and quiet, remove ambiguities that made enforcement problematic, and give owners of entertainment venues a clear picture of what is and isn’t permitted.

A massive development is being proposed on the 104 acres of land known as Liberty Lane East.
A massive development is being proposed on the 104 acres of land known as Liberty Lane East.

Seven zoning amendments are on the ballot, including Article 8 creating a zoning overlay district to expand allowable uses for 104 acres of land off Liberty Lane. The Kane Company is looking to construct 400 apartments, 34 townhouses, and commercial retail space on the property currently zoned for industrial and adult use.

What will it mean for Hampton?Project to add 400 apartments, 34 townhouses and retail

There are five contested races on the ballot, but at the top of the ticket, Selectmen Chuck Rage and Rusty Bridle are running unopposed.

Five people are running for two seats on the Budget Committee. Incumbents Steve Henderson and Larry Quinn are challenged by Alan Barclay, William R. Dibiasio, and Anne Marie Galanis.

In the race for two seats on the Planning Board, incumbents Alex Loiseau and Ann Carnaby are challenged by Ward Galanis and Tor Larson.

The race for two seats on the Zoning Board consists of Bryan Provencal, Ken Sheffert and incumbent Tom McGuirk.

Three people are running for two seats on the Trustee of the Trust Funds. They are James Dearden, Chris Nevins and Corey O'Neil.

Running for one library trustee seat are Brian Abasciano, Laura Barclay and Andrew Morse.

To view a sample ballot, visit https://bit.ly/3ymjCF4.

HAMPTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

The race for a seat on the Hampton School Board pits incumbent Andrea Shepard against political newcomer Megan Holbrook.

Also on the ballot are five warrant articles including the school district's proposed operating budget of $26,809,604, which is a 4.53% increase over last year's budget.

Two of the articles are citizens' petitions which sparked controversy at the school district's deliberative session in February.

For decades Hampton voters consistently approved a petition warrant article on the Hampton School District’s annual ballot to fund non-religious child benefit services for Sacred Heart School. This year, the school is requesting $57,503.

Hampton School District Meeting:Should SAU 90 give funds to private, religious schools?

However, in recent years some residents questioned whether the town should provide funding for a religious school even though it's allowed under state law.

A competing not-binding article was initially placed on this year's ballot calling for "funds to not be dispersed or redistributed to any private, charter, or religious school or institution,” but it was amended at the town's deliberative session, changing its intent.

The article now reads "funds in the SAU 90 budget may be dispersed or redistributed to any private, charter, or non-profit school or institution."

To view a sample ballot, visit https://bit.ly/3ymjCF4.

HAMPTON FALLS

Town officials are seeking voter approval on two warrant articles, which officials say could lead to more development and economic growth in the town’s Route 1 corridor. Both articles are intended to shift the current tax burden, which rests almost entirely on the shoulders of residential property owners, by encouraging development and expanding the commercial sector.

Lafayette Road is the town’s primary commercial area and Article 15 would offer a five-year, sliding scale of tax exemptions to businesses on new commercial construction along Route 1. Officials hope the tax incentive will encourage property owners to make property improvements without as much financial risk.

Hampton Falls officials are looking at the possibility of bringing sewer to Route 1 to spur development.
Hampton Falls officials are looking at the possibility of bringing sewer to Route 1 to spur development.

Long needed to encourage commercial growth and development along the town’s business section, Article 16 requests voters approve acquiring a $100,000 state loan to undertake an engineering study for the addition of a public sewer along Route 1.

Voters to decide:Hampton Falls eyes tax incentives, sewer to spur development on Route 1

Also on the ballot is the town's proposed $3,339,275 operating budget, which represents a $328,253 over last year. The increase, according to selectmen, is predominantly due to hikes related to winter road maintenance, the required property revaluation and higher staff health insurance premiums.

All the town races on the ballot are uncontested.

To view a sample ballot, visit https://bit.ly/3JjmTv8.

HAMPTON FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Hampton Falls School District ballot includes three warrant articles including a new teachers' contract and its proposed operating budget of $6,963,012, which reflects a decrease of 0.5% or a $35,248 reduction from last year's budget.

The budget includes the reduction of a full-time classroom teacher based on shrinking enrollment, a part-time custodian, and a decrease in special education tuition costs for out-of-district placements.

To view a sample ballot, visit https://bit.ly/3JjmTv8.

NORTH HAMPTON

On the Town Meeting ballot, voters will decide 20 articles including the town's proposed operating budget of $8,980,101.

Articles 17, 19 and 20 all relate to the controversy surrounding the Select Board's now-withdrawn proposal to take an easement by eminent domain across Lori and Ron Cotter’s yard for a cell tower.

Dead zone:North Hampton Select Board, not residents, initiated land taking for cell tower

Article 17, proposed by the Select Board, would give the board permission to lease town land for a term of up to five years without the approval of voters. Currently, the Select Board can only lease town properties for one year.

Article 19 in effect zeros out the amount of taxpayer money the Select Board can spend to obtain “an Eminent Domain easement in connection with a cell tower” in town, while Article 20 requires the board to review the possibility of siting a cell tower somewhere on the 85-plus acre behind the school

There are four contested races on the ballot, including incumbent Selectman James Sununu is being challenged for his seat by political newcomer Brendan Fennell.

Four people are running for two slots on the Budget Committee. They are former selectman Larry Miller, Andrew M. Raucci, Tom Von Jess and Jerry Gnazzo.

The race for two Planning Board seats pits incumbents Nancy Monaghan and Rob Omberg against Scott Baker and James Avallon.

Running for two seats on the Zoning Board are Phelps Fullerton, Mark Janos and Audrey Prior.

To view a sample ballot, visit https://bit.ly/3IVuTkJ.

NORTH HAMPTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

There are six articles on the ballot including a new teachers' contract and the school district's proposed operating budget of $9,773,661, which is an increase of 0.86% or an $83,020 increase from last year's budget. The proposed budget reflects an 0.87% or $84,151 increase compared to the default budget of $9,689,510.

Driving the increase includes cost escalation across multiple accounts due to price inflation, an SAU-wide non-union staff salary cost-of-living adjustment, and the replacement of the gymnasium divider and addition of ceiling fans to the cafeteria.

To view a sample ballot, visit https://bit.ly/3YzlLb3.

SEABROOK

Voters will decide 47 warrant articles including the town's proposed operating budget of $30,143,574 and new contracts for the Seabrook Supervisory Employees Association and Seabrook Firefighters Association.

Article 30 on the ballot asks for $1,064,432 to add 8 full-time firefighters to the Seabrook Fire Department. The additional firefighters, according to Fire Chief Bill Edwards, will bring staffing per shift from 5 to 7 and will reduce overtime costs by $400,000 a year. He said the department has not added a new firefighter in 20 years despite the town's significant growth both residential and commercial along Route 1.

Also on the ballot is a zoning amendment to prohibit more vaping stores in town, in response to concerns from the community and health officials. According to the town, 13 new licenses were issued for vaping businesses in Seabrook in recent years.

To view a sample ballot, visit https://bit.ly/41QTmQP.

No more:Seabrook looks to ban new vaping shops from coming into town

SEABROOK SCHOOL DISTRICT

Four are running for two seats on the Seabrook School Board with incumbents Jennifer Hubbard and Kelli Hueber being challenged by Ashlee Bennett and Maria Brown.

The school district ballot includes four warrant articles including a new teachers' contract and the district's proposed $16,892,885 budget, which is an increase of 5.05% or a $812,269 from last year's budget. The proposed budget reflects a 0.36% or $59,916 increase compared to the default budget of $16,832,969.

To view a sample ballot, visit https://bit.ly/3kQDsp4.

WINNACUNNET SCHOOL DISTRICT

The race for the Hampton Falls seat on the Winnacunnet School Board features a choice between candidates Tony Delano, Desiree Potter and Charles Shannon.

Also on the ballot is a new teachers' contract and the school district's $30,273,491 budget, or a 2.57% or a $758,433 increase from last year's budget. The proposed budget reflects a 1.33% or $396,918 increase compared to the default budget of $29,876,572.

Budget drivers include cost escalation across multiple accounts due to inflation, increase in electricity and heating fuels and SAU-wide non-union staff salary cost of living adjustment.

To view a sample ballot, visit https://bit.ly/3YuHOzJ.

Hampton area voters will head to the polls on March 14 to decide contested races and big-ticket items on the Town Meeting ballot.
Hampton area voters will head to the polls on March 14 to decide contested races and big-ticket items on the Town Meeting ballot.

Where to vote in the Hampton area

Hampton

Time: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: Winnacunnet High School, 1 Alumni Drive

Hampton Falls

Time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: Lincoln Akerman School, 8 Exeter Road

North Hampton

Time: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: North Hampton School, 201 Atlantic Ave.

Seabrook

Time: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Seabrook Community Center, 311 Lafayette Road

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Town Meeting 2023: What Hampton NH area voters need to know