Town of Hampstead

The Hampstead Master Plan 2022 serves as a guiding document for land use and development, reflecting the social and economic values of the town's residents. It outlines eleven main goals: guiding town decisions, preserving community character, protecting the environment, balancing municipal services, enabling recreation, encouraging beneficial commercial services, striving for diverse housing, advocating for clean water, providing safe roadways, protecting historic and cultural resources, and encouraging civic engagement. The plan aims to maintain Hampstead's quaint village atmosphere, preserve its rural New Hampshire countryside, ensure reliable local government infrastructure, protect natural and cultural heritage, provide open spaces, and foster a vibrant community for all residents.

The Master Plan Subcommittee focused heavily on the Master Plan Survey, reviewing outreach plans, finalizing survey questions, and discussing publicity strategies. Later meetings centered on reviewing survey results (with 800 responses received), drafting the vision statement, and developing goals based on survey data and existing plans. Discussions progressed to structuring the master plan using themes, developing an implementation plan detailing actions and metrics, and seeking input from various town boards and departments. The committee planned for public input sessions, including weekday and Saturday events, and discussed utilizing an online framework like StoryMap for transparency and tracking implementation.

The Planning Board meeting addressed new business items, including a site plan review for the demolition of an existing structure and construction of a multi-tenant retail building at 406 Emerson Ave, which involved discussions on parking, stormwater management, and utilities, culminating in conditional approval pending final comments from the town engineer. A second new business item involved the subdivision of land for two lots on Mills Shore Drive, where the board granted a waiver regarding required line of sight distance for the driveways. In old business, the board extensively reviewed the Hampstead Heights 72-unit senior condo project, focusing heavily on an amended waiver request related to road length regulations. Proposer representatives addressed numerous technical concerns regarding traffic impact studies, road grade, site distance, and crucially, fire protection concerns, proposing enhanced water infrastructure via new hydrants. Public commentary raised concerns about project scale, traffic impacts, road safety, and the validity of the waiver request based on public welfare and existing neighborhood character. Due to the complexity of the Hampstead Heights waiver request and the late receipt of supporting documentation, the public hearing for this item was continued to the next meeting.

Key discussions during the Selectmen meeting included visitor comments regarding the Ordway Park work and an Eagle Scout project proposal, requiring follow-up from Selectmen Eaton and Warnock. The Police Department requested and received approval to purchase a 2026 cruiser from CMG Colonial and Island Tech Services, bypassing the standard bidding process. Billing rates for police details were reviewed and increased, effective April 1, 2026, with a potential late fee policy under investigation. The Chief and Deputy Chief's personal detail rates were also adjusted. Approval was granted to hire Rick Chambers as a part-time officer for details. The Library Director requested and secured the appointment of Kevin Hodge as an alternate Library Trustee, and provided updates on upcoming library events. New Business included the acceptance of the 2024 Management Discussion and Analysis Report and the 2026 Voter's Guide, with a correction noted for the latter. Liaison reports covered work commencing on the Affinity Lighting project, upcoming RFP deadlines for ballfield maintenance, and discussions concerning new ballot boxes and storage options for town records. The meeting concluded with the dissolution of the Ordway Park Committee.

The Budget Committee reviewed and approved several articles pertaining to the 2026 Town Meeting warrant. Key discussions included the approval of Article 4 concerning the Fire Department collective bargaining agreement, with the committee recommending the Selectmen consider staffing difficulties when reviewing the terms. The committee supported establishing separate maintenance funds for town and library buildings (Articles 6 and 7). Major debate occurred regarding the allocation of the town's unassigned fund balance, specifically whether to use $1.9 million for capital projects like road and drainage reconstruction or preserve it for tax relief. The committee ultimately approved appropriating $475,000 for roadway capital projects with no tax impact. Furthermore, discussions focused on revising Article 10 regarding the Ambulance Revolving Fund, with a proposal to limit it to $150,000. The committee also reviewed and voted on establishing a formal account for cable fund revenues (Article 17) and revising veteran disability property tax credits (Article 18).