Hampton Falls meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Hampton Falls boards review budget, liquor license, and historic survey

This week's Hampton Falls government meetings were all agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no final decisions are reported. The most consequential items appeared on the Board of Selectmen's agenda, including a $1.18 million accounts payable warrant and a proposed liquor license.

Board of Selectmen (Aug. 19)

The Board of Selectmen's agenda included the town's largest financial items. The General Fund balance was reported at $4,045,155.35 as of Aug. 11, and the Accounts Payable warrant #8.14.26 totaled $1,182,075.91. The board was set to consider a liquor license for Cathedral Ledge Distillery, a new hire for Sean Cotter in the Fire Department, and a wage/pay plan and updated budget. Also on the agenda: trust fund requests, an A/V upgrade, an electronic sign update, and setup/breakdown for the Sept. 8 primary.

Conservation Commission (Aug. 11)

The Conservation Commission's agenda included a meeting with the property owner at 18 Marsh Ln to review an encroachment, a motion to pay for parking lot work at Marsh Ln and Raspberry Farm, and continued review of Wetlands Ordinance edits. The agenda also listed mowing at Raspberry Farm, removal of stakes, and removal of a tree stand and game cameras from the Bates property.

Heritage Commission (Aug. 12)

The Heritage Commission discussed a proposal from Preservation Company of Kensington for a town-wide historic house survey, including funding options with property owner Reagan Reudig. The commission also considered proactive measures regarding possible demolitions, including a property on Exeter Road—specifically Janvrin Lumber at 348 Exeter Rd. The meeting was primarily for discussion and planning.

Coming up

• **Energy Committee (Aug. 24):** The committee will prepare for the second phase of the Town Hall HVAC project, led by Scott Bieber, and review the secretary's report and action items.
• **Planning Board (Aug. 25):** A public hearing will be held for Case #26-08-01, a site plan review for Village Silversmith at 34 Lafayette Road. The application includes a 750 sq/ft addition for a fire suppression pump house, a 360 sq/ft shed, and a 1,900 sq/ft water feature at Map 7 Lot 54. The board will also discuss tree removal on Drinkwater/Cider Hill Road and an update on the HOP Grant.
• **Zoning Board of Adjustment (Aug. 27):** This meeting has been cancelled; no applications or business will be considered.

Hampton Falls boards meet on wetlands, Brown Road, cemetery projects

Hampton Falls town boards held three meetings over the past two weeks, taking up proposed wetland regulation changes, updates on a Brown Road property and a billboard proposal, and cemetery maintenance and capital planning. No official decisions are public yet, as minutes from all three meetings have not been published.

Planning Board: Wetland regulations

The Planning Board held a public hearing July 28 on proposed wetland regulation changes forwarded by the Conservation Commission. The agenda also included recommendations from the Rockingham Planning Commission and a discussion of data warehousing. No details of the proposals were provided in the agenda.

Planning Board: Brown Road and other updates

Also on July 28, the Planning Board received updates on three pending matters: 84 Brown Road, the Seabrook Billboard Proposal, and the Montrone Property. The agenda included approval of minutes from the board's June 23 meeting. No votes or outcomes were reported.

Cemetery Trustees

The Cemetery Trustees met Aug. 6 to review July minutes, maintenance updates, and a sexton burial report. Old business included three approved projects on Frying Pan Lane, an Oak Lawn pathway approved by the Board of Selectmen, and gravestone repairs at Hawes and Old Brookside. The trustees also discussed a capital improvement program for 2027-2032, with worksheets due Aug. 27 to Andria. No decisions were reported.

Coming up

The Energy Committee will meet Aug. 24 to prepare for the second phase of the Town Hall HVAC project, led by Scott Bieber. The agenda includes the secretary's report and clarification of action items.

Hampton Falls Roundup: Energy Committee to Seek Town Hall HVAC Funding; Zoning, Planning Boards Take Up Variances and Wetland Rules

Energy Committee Targets Town Hall HVAC Upgrade

The Energy Committee voted unanimously on July 20 to present the second half of a Town Hall HVAC upgrade to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) in September. The committee's August meeting will focus on preparing that CIP presentation.

Members also discussed a $59,000 first phase of building controls for the school and noted an 80–90% increase in heating oil usage between 2024 and 2025. The committee agreed to review its web page to remove outdated material.

No dollar figure for the Town Hall HVAC upgrade was included in the minutes.

Recreation Commission Sets Fall Calendar

The Recreation Commission approved minutes from its June 15, 2026, meeting and welcomed new member Fiona Coughlin at its July 20 meeting.

The commission scheduled and confirmed a slate of upcoming activities:

• Chair Yoga resumes September 15, 2026
• Seniors Ice Cream Social on August 5, 2026
• Chi Qigong on July 31, August 7, and August 14
• FBI "Insights Over Lunch" on August 13 and September 10
• Echoes of 1776 ceremony on July 25, 2026
• Participation in Boo Bash with LAS PTO
• Support for the Library Book Sale on September 19

Members also coordinated schedules for the Christmas Market.

Zoning Board to Hear Garage Variance at 3 Wadleigh Lane

The Zoning Board of Adjustment met July 23 to hold a public hearing on Case #26-06-01, a variance request from Michael and Angela Stafford for a 2-car garage with space above at 3 Wadleigh Lane. The request involves a proposed 10-foot encroachment into the 50-foot setback for the garage foundation.

The board was also scheduled to review and approve minutes from its March 26, 2026, meeting. Minutes from the July 23 session have not yet been published.

Planning Board Takes Up Wetland Rules and Pending Projects

The Planning Board held two sessions on July 28.

The first was a public hearing and business meeting by the Ordinance & Regulations Committee to consider proposed changes to wetland regulations submitted by the Conservation Commission, along with RPC recommendations and data warehousing topics. The agenda did not include detailed descriptions of the proposals.

The second session covered updates on three pending matters: 84 Brown Road, the Seabrook Billboard Proposal, and the Montrone Property. The board was also scheduled to approve minutes from its June 23 meeting and take public comment.

Minutes from both July 28 sessions have not yet been published.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should watch for posted agendas from the Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Energy Committee as September approaches, when the Energy Committee is scheduled to present its Town Hall HVAC proposal to the CIP.

Hampton Falls Meeting Roundup: Cemetery Path Proposal Heads to Selectmen, Other Boards Light on Action

Hampton Falls boards held a light stretch of meetings in late June and early July, with most agendas focused on procedural items and follow-ups. All four meetings on the schedule were agenda-only with minutes not yet published, so outcomes and votes cannot be confirmed from the available record.

Cemetery Trustees — July 2

The Cemetery Trustees' agenda included the most substantive items of the period. A proposed 3-foot-wide center path on Oak Lawn Road, based on an original map and with an estimate from Olafson, is pending Board of Selectmen approval scheduled for July 15.

Trustees also planned to discuss a bylaw revision addressing corner marker requirements, review GPR survey results on empty Westview lots conducted June 29, and consider herbicide recommendations for brush control. The agenda listed a sexton burial report and maintenance updates as well.

The agenda noted that 13 volunteers are needed for a graveside appearance at the Echoes of 1776 event.

Because minutes have not been published, it is not yet known which items were voted on or what decisions were made.

Energy Committee — June 22

The Energy Committee agenda called for a vote to approve previous meeting minutes and a review of ongoing efforts to reduce energy costs in Hampton Falls municipal buildings. Members also planned to follow up on analysis of the LAS program, track energy-related legislation, and clarify action items.

No dollar figures, specific legislation, or findings were included in the agenda. Minutes are not yet available.

Planning Board — June 23

The Planning Board meeting was largely procedural. The agenda listed an Ordinance and Regulations Subcommittee meeting, a public comment period, and approval of previous minutes. No rezonings, contracts, or ordinances were listed.

Zoning Board of Adjustment — June 25

The Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting was cancelled because there were no cases to review. No public hearings or business items were discussed.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. The next known action item is the Board of Selectmen's July 15 review of the proposed Oak Lawn Road cemetery path, which residents following cemetery matters may want to attend.

Cemetery Trustees Discuss Path and Bylaw Revisions; Zoning Board Cancels Meeting

The Hampton Falls Cemetery Trustees took up a proposal for a new path and bylaw changes at their July 2 meeting, while the Zoning Board of Adjustment canceled its scheduled session due to a lack of cases. No final votes were recorded for any board this past week, as official minutes were not yet published for meetings held between June 22 and July 2.

Energy Committee (June 22)

The Energy Committee’s agenda included approving previous meeting minutes, reviewing energy and cost-saving measures for Hampton Falls municipal buildings, following up on an analysis of the LAS program, tracking energy-related legislation, and clarifying action items. No outcomes were reported because minutes were unavailable.

Planning Board (June 23)

The Planning Board held a routine meeting with an Ordinance and Regulations Subcommittee session and a public comment period. No specific rezonings or ordinances were listed on the agenda, making it a procedural gathering. Minutes were not published.

Zoning Board of Adjustment (June 25)

The Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting was cancelled. According to the agenda notice, there were no cases to review, meaning no public hearings or business items were discussed. The cancellation was announced in advance.

Cemetery Trustees (July 2)

The Cemetery Trustees discussed several items. A proposed 3-foot wide center path on Oak Lawn Road, based on an original map, was reviewed with an estimate from Olafson. The path requires Board of Selectmen approval, which is expected to be considered on July 15. The trustees also discussed a bylaw revision for corner marker requirements, results from a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey on empty Westview Cemetery lots (conducted June 29), herbicide recommendations for brush control, and the need for 13 volunteers to assist with graveside activities at the “Echoes of 1776” event. No votes were taken, and minutes are pending.

Coming up

No upcoming public meetings were listed for the next two weeks as of July 5, according to the town’s posted schedule.