Hampstead public meetings in 2022
15 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
The board continued two scheduled hearings because the Chairman could not review plans or hear testimony while attending via telephone. Both matters were rescheduled for February 1, 2023.
- Continued rehearing for Mary Margaret Burke to February 1, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Continued request of John and Andrea Peters to February 1, 2023 (Unanimous)
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen approved the acceptance of Hadley Road and Merryfield Road extensions. They also authorized a $35 monthly cell phone reimbursement for specific positions and approved a $3,132 ARPA fund payment to St. Christopher’s Church.
- Accepted Hadley Road (Extension) and Merryfield Road (Extension) (5-0-0)
- Approved carrying over remaining K9 grant funds into 2023 (5-0-0)
- Set cell phone reimbursement rate to $35.00 per person per month for listed positions (5-0-0)
- Approved $3,132.00 in ARPA funds for St. Christopher’s Church AA program (5-0-0)
- Authorized Chairman to sign letter to auditors closing the 2021 audit (5-0-0)
- Approved moving forward with an amended lot line adjustment for the police station lot (5-0-0)
Planning Board
The board approved a change of use for an automotive repair shop and a barber shop. A temporary limit on the number of barber chairs was imposed pending state septic approval. The board also appointed a member to fill a vacancy.
- Approved change of use from pallet manufacturing to automotive repair at 34 Hazel Drive (4-3)
- Approved change of use from cabinet display to barber shop at 2 Starwood Drive, limited to two chairs until NHDES approval (7-0)
- Appointed Lewis Eaton to fill Ryan Gray's vacant seat until the March 2023 election
- Accepted 12/5/2022 meeting minutes (7-0)
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen approved the creation of a Master Plan Steering Committee and hired a new full-time police officer. The board also accepted several grants and gifts totaling over $600,000 and approved the 2021 Management Discussion and Analysis report.
- Approved Master Plan Steering Committee as proposed (5-0-0)
- Hired Shane Morton as a full-time police officer (5-0-0)
- Accepted grants/gifts including $451,840.53 in ARPA funds (5-0-0)
- Accepted donation of a Trex bench from the Civic Club (5-0-0)
- Encumbered $1,722.24 for tennis court work (5-0-0)
- Encumbered $10,950.00 for fire department overhead doors (5-0-0)
- Terminated Level 2 water restrictions effective 12/18/22 (5-0-0)
- Approved MD&A to finalize fiscal year 2021 (5-0-0)
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen met in a nonpublic session to review recommendations from Municipal Resource Representative Steve Parkinson regarding personnel and department structure. No formal votes were taken on staffing changes, though the board discussed the potential creation of a Department of Public Works Director role.
- Entered nonpublic session to discuss hiring of public employees (5-0-0)
- Exited nonpublic session (5-0-0)
Planning Board
The Planning Board performed a site walk at 70 & 90 Depot Road to review proposed plans and test pits. No formal approvals or denials were made; the board requested additional information regarding well locations and a landscape plan.
- Requested identification of well locations for abutting properties
- Requested a formal landscape plan
- Adjourned meeting at 9:50 AM (4-0)
Zoning Board of Adjustment
The Board denied a variance request for a replacement deck at 30 Summer Street. A request for a rehearing regarding an addition at 29 Ells Rd was granted, while a request for a detached garage at 31 Shore Dr was continued for a site walk.
- Granted rehearing request for Robert Hilse regarding 29 Ells Rd (3-2)
- Denied variance for replacement deck at 30 Summer Street (unanimous)
- Continued hearing for 600 sq ft detached garage at 31 Shore Dr to Dec 29, 2022 (3-2)
- Approved amended November 2 minutes (unanimous)
Planning Board
The board granted 90-day conditional approvals for a subdivision at 20 Bonnies Way and a lot line adjustment at 233 Emerson Ave. It also accepted jurisdiction for an elderly housing development at 70 & 90 Depot Road and scheduled a site visit. A bond for the Merryfield Lane Extension was reduced to $10,000.
- Granted 90-day conditional approval for 20 Bonnies Way subdivision (7-0)
- Granted 90-day conditional approval for 233 Emerson Ave lot line adjustment (7-0)
- Accepted jurisdiction for 70 & 90 Depot Road elderly housing development (5-2)
- Continued 70 & 90 Depot Road hearing for site visit on 12/10/22 and public hearing on 1/3/23 (7-0)
- Continued Hampstead Heights elderly housing hearing to 1/3/2023 (6-0-1)
- Reduced Merryfield Lane Extension bond to $10,000 (7-0)
- Approved 11/21/2022 workshop minutes (7-0)
Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen reaffirmed a revised 2022 tax rate and approved a memorandum of understanding between the local police and NH State Police. The Board also clarified snow removal contractor stipends and declined a property acquisition after a price counter-offer.
- Reaffirmed 2022 tax rate at $23.68 (5-0-0)
- Approved MOU between Hampstead Police and NH State Police regarding hospital responsibilities (5-0-0)
- Authorized use of Special Duty fund for Turkey Trot race officer costs (5-0-0)
- Withdrew November 14 motion regarding plow size and rates (4-0-1)
- Confirmed sanding/salting contract stipend at $100 per hour for 85-hour minimum
- Declined pursuit of a property acquisition following a price counter-offer
Planning Board
The Planning Board approved the amended minutes from the November 7, 2022, public hearing. The board discussed the 2023 filing schedule, Master Plan implementation, and various zoning definitions and ordinances, but took no formal action on those items.
- Approved 11/7/2022 minutes as amended (5-0-1)
Conservation Commission
The commission approved a list of 10 conservation easement parcels and descriptions to be placed on the 2023 warrant. Members also discussed trail maintenance and land encroachment at 405 Main Street.
- Approved minutes of 10/19/22 (8-0)
- Approved minutes of 9/22/22 (7-1)
- Approved conservation easement list of 10 parcels for the 2023 warrant (8-0)
Board of Selectmen
The Board approved the 2022 tax rate and authorized several equipment purchases for the Fire and Highway departments. They also approved funding for fire station door replacements and updated snow plow contract rates. A school renovation plan was presented, though no formal vote was taken on the project.
- Set 2022 tax rate at $23.81 (4-1-0)
- Approved $23,215 UTV purchase from DaSilva Motorsports and $9,950 trailer from HK Powersports (5-0-0)
- Approved $27,500 for Central Fire Station door replacements (5-0-0)
- Increased snow plow sanding rates by $10 to $110 and $120 (4-0-1)
- Approved using local gas station averages for fuel escalator calculations (4-0-1)
- Authorized 5-year lease for Highway Department Ford F550 (5-0-0)
- Approved following IRS guidelines for Flexible Spending Plan contributions (5-0-0)
- Accepted resignation of Dale Blaine from Board of Adjustment (5-0-0)
Planning Board
The Planning Board granted a conditional use permit for an accessory dwelling unit on Laura Lane and a 90-day conditional approval for an amended site plan at Route 111 Auto Sales. A public hearing for the Hampstead Heights elderly housing development was continued to December 5, 2022.
- Accepted jurisdiction for ADU application at 115 Laura Lane (7-0)
- Granted conditional use permit for ADU at 115 Laura Lane (7-0)
- Granted 90-day conditional approval for amended site plan at 415 Emerson Ave (Route 111 Auto Sales) (7-0)
- Continued Hampstead Heights elderly housing public hearing to 12/5/2022 (6-0-1)
- Approved 10/17 workshop minutes as presented (6-0-1)
Zoning Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment granted special exceptions for a home bakery and the demolition and rebuilding of two houses and a garage. A request to permanently use a metal storage unit as a shed was denied. The board also accepted the resignation of member Dale Blaine.
- Approved special exception for home bakery at 60 Buttrick Road (Unanimous)
- Approved demolition and rebuilding of house with 400 sq. ft. addition at 75 Cottage Lane (Unanimous)
- Approved rebuilding of garage at 69 Cottage Ln (Unanimous)
- Approved demolition and rebuilding of house at 59 Cottage Lane (Unanimous)
- Denied permanent use of metal storage container as a shed at 3 Cherub’s Way (Unanimous)
- Approved October meeting minutes (Unanimous)
Board of Selectmen
The Board approved multiple equipment and infrastructure purchases using ARPA funds, including police and fire department vehicles and equipment. The Board also voted to hire a full-time highway laborer and seek legal counsel regarding a ZBA appeal.
- Approved $192,542 in ARPA funds for a voting machine, police Ford Expedition, police radios, less-lethal kits, transfer station packer, fire department UTV/trailer, and softball field (5-0-0)
- Approved $43,220 in ARPA funds for fire station radio monitors (5-0-0)
- Approved hiring a full-time highway laborer (4-1-0)
- Approved seeking Town Counsel recommendation on appealing a Housing Appeals Board decision (4-1-0)
- Approved allowing the Chair to sign the HealthTrust 2023 rates agreement (5-0-0)
- Voted to seal all nonpublic sessions (5-0-0)