Hampton Has Competitive Town And School Races March 9

HAMPTON, NH — Voters in Hampton will go to the polls on March 9 and make decisions on town issues and candidates, as well as local and regional school budgets and other items.

Voting will take place in Hampton from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Winnacunnet High School on 1 Alumni Drive.

On the town ballot, voters have five competitive races.

Four candidates are running for two, three-year board of selectmen seats: Sharleene Page Hurst, Richard Sawyer, Jim Waddell, and Mary-Louise Woolsey. Four residents are seeking access to two, three-year library trustee seats: Theresa Evans, Elizabeth Keroack, Kimberly Olson, and Karen Ragle. Four candidates are also seeking two, three-year budget committee seats: Katherine Harake, Michael Plouffe, Matthew Saunders, and Brian Warburton. There are two, three-year seats up on the planning board and three candidates seeking those seats: Anne "Tocky" Bialobrzeski, Tracy Emerick, and Ken Sheffert. Four candidates are also seeking two, three-year zoning board seats: Norma Collins, Erica De Vries, Fred Gillis, and Bill O'Brien.

Are you a candidate running for office in Hampton town? Fill out this Patch Candidate Profile Form, and email a photo to tony.schinella@patch.com, and we'll let voters know about your candidacy.

Town voters also have a number of planning and zoning articles to consider.

Article 2 proposes a "use change" to the historic district zoning language while also requiring officials to safeguard residents and recreational guests of the town. Article 3 proposes to clarify setback requirements and add minimum lot area per dwelling unit requirements. Article 4 proposes the submission of a certified plot plan for single-family homes that are enlarged. Article 5 defines porches in town and also includes them in wetlands setbacks. Article 6 addresses roofs on accessory buildings such as garages.

Article 7 proposes spending $15.7 million to reconstruct High Street and Winnacunnet Road while also upgrading sewer pipes and drainage systems.

Article 8 seeks approval on a $29.1 million town budget with a default budget of $29.2 million, if the lower budget is nor approved.

Article 9 is raises for DPW employees while Article 10 is pay increases for firefighters. Article 11 is raises for supervisory firefighters while Article 12 is raises for police employees who are members of Teamsters 633.

Article 13 proposes spending $565,000 on a recycling truck and rear loader while Article 14 proposes spending $486,000 in street repairs and Article 15 proposes spending $300,000 in road improvement capital reserves. Article 16 involves more than $183,000 in grants for 21 human service agencies on the Seacoast.

Other articles include:

• Article 17: $90,000 in civil forfeiture spending by police.
• Article 18: $72,100 for a lawn mower for parks and rec as well as repairs to tennis courts, pickleball nets, and other items.
• Article 19: $27,500 for PPE and turn out gear for firefighters.
• Article 20: $20,000 for the Hampton Conservation Commission Fund for open space and easements.
• Article 21: $3,000 to offset the cost of the 2021 Christmas Parade and related activities.
• Article 22 proposes an updated code of ethics for the selectmen to include a social media policy and create a committee for appointed and alternative committee members, too.
• Article 23, a citizen petition, if approved, would disallow any future selectman to create a new paid position in town unless the board submits a warrant article to voters for approval.

Hampton School Ballots, Candidates

Hampton voters will also eye two ballots for the Hampton School District and the Winnacunnet Cooperative School District, which oversees activities at the high school.

On the local school ballot, there is only one competitive race: Four candidates seeking two, three-year school board seats. The candidates are Frank Deluca, Wendy Rega, Kathleen Terry, and Gerald Znoj.

The district is proposing a $24.4 million budget which, if not approved, will go to a $24.2 million default budget.

Voters will also consider a $407,000 package of pay increases for Seacoast Educational Association employees and $300,000 to repairs, long-term maintenance, and work for the Marston and Centre schools — ADA improvements, LED lighting upgrades, and an HVAC for the Centre School. Article 4 is a citizen petition proposing a $69,542 for child benefit services for Hampton School District residents who sent children to Sacred Heart School, a K-8 Catholic school.

There is only one competitive race on the regional school ballot: A single, three-year at-large school board race, between Leslie Lafond and James Sununu.

Voters will also consider approval of a slightly less than $28.8 million budget. If that budget is rejected by voters, a default budget of $28.9 million will be approved. Voters will also consider a proposal to spend $325,000 on a replacement HVAC system.

To view a sample ballot in .pdf format, visit this link.

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