Selectmen Back Article to Roll Over Grist Mill Funds

Hampton will ask voters this March to officially protect unspent funds that were appropriated for upgrades to the Deacon Tuck Grist Mill.

Voters had approved a $34,260 warrant article in 2012 for restoration efforts at the historic High Street property, although $28,678 hasn't yet been spent because the deficient Old Mill Pond dam hasn't yet been removed, according to Deacon Tuck Grist Mill Committee member Candy Stellmach.

Selectman voted 4-1 last week to sponsor a warrant article that would prevent those funds from lapsing this year. Stellmach requested the board construct a warrant article for that purpose in order to show the public the project has the town's support.

Stellmach said her committee is "kind of reacting to the dam." She said the upgrades haven't yet occurred because contractors have informed her that changes to the dam could require additional changes to the grist mill should the building be repaired before the town removes the dam.

"We have no idea how long it takes to fix the dam," said Stellmach. "We don't want it to stop the work on the grist mill."

Among the upgrades planned to the grist mill are significant repairs to the building's foundation and roof. The article, if passed in March, would prevent the unspent funds from lapsing before the work is completed or until five years after the article's passage.

Selectman Mike Pierce voted against the motion to create a selectmen's article for the project because he said it's "unacceptable" that the request came in as "late" as it did.

Chairman Dick Nichols said he doesn't have a problem with the measure being requested through a selectmen's article, though.

"I think that this makes sense," said Nichols.

Selectmen also discussed a variety of other warrant articles last week, including an amendment to the proposed entertainment ordinance which would help better protect businesses with entertainment noise emanating from within a fully-enclosed building, and an article that would change and simplify the existing sewer connection fee to a flat $300 charge for each residential and non-residential property.

Selectmen also finalized the paperwork to withdraw from the Southeast Regional Refuse Disposal District during their meeting on Jan. 6.