Big Town Plan's Layout Set, But Now What'll It Look Like?

Locals will soon have a chance to influence the overall aesthetic of the multimillion-dollar municipal complex plan, a significantly smaller concept for which was recently set by the North Hampton Select Board.

Selectmen will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday at Town Hall to take input on the 26,000 square feet of new construction within the project, which now also includes the renovation of the existing North Hampton police station into a roughly 8,000-square-foot administrative building.

Previously, the project called for 32,000 square feet of new construction and a $6.5 million price tag. The decision not to erect a new administrative building along with other changes — none of which affect Town Hall, which is listed as a historic structure — have dropped the cost to about $6.2 million, according to Town Administrator Paul Apple.

Apple said he expects "a lot of discussion" Monday about how the historic stone building — which currently houses the Town Clerk's Office — will be used once the Atlantic Avenue campus is completed, as some officials fear the structure will fall into disrepair if not used frequently.

"The purpose of the meeting is really to listen to what citizens have to say," said Apple. "Obviously I think 'need' will be a question [as well as] cost."

The new plans also no longer feature a connection between the stone building and the new public library due to historical and cost concerns. Apple said an "open colonnade" is proposed for the area where that connection used to be on the plans.

Selectmen have placed a $7 million cap on the municipal complex project, as they believe that may be the break point for many residents come town meeting next year. 

There has also been discussion about separating various portions of the project into their own ballot questions so people can express themselves clearly at the ballot box.

This decision would also allow the library trustees to finish the fundraising they are required to do. This fundraising obligation is included in the estimated $6.2 million price tag for the complex.