Annual report of the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire

Town Manager's Report
The voters at the 1998 Town Meeting generously approved six labor
contracts, and a very aggressive program of projects and services. The
overwhelming support for almost every article was a reminder of the trust the
citizens have placed in their elected and appointed officials. It was a gratifying
and humbling experience for which I say "Thank You!"
As a result of the 1998 Town Meeting it was a very busy year. A few
highlights include the completed engineering work on the Winnacunnet Road
Lift Station and a construction bid that will save us almost $900,000 from the
original estimate; a fire sprinkler system is installed at the bank, and the
engineering for Highland Avenue reconstruction is completed. Sewer plant
upgrades were finished early in the year, and the pilot study continues toward
completion next year. The Sun Valley sewer project was completed with
connections beginning in April. Sidewalks were constructed at the beach and on
Mill Road while Church Street work is awaiting spring. Underground fuel tanks
at the Public Works yard, the town office, and the library were all safely
removed. Streets from North Shore to Glen Hill received fresh overlay coats.
The police facility study was completed and plans will be presented at the 1999
Town Meeting. With the end of the year, a brightly burning torch of leadership
in the Fire Department will pass from the hands of a retiring
Chief William
"Skip" Sullivan to his replacement. Working together with Skip has been a
personal "treat" and a professional pleasure.
Turning to the future, the proposed budget and warrant for
1999 includes
another aggressive schedule. It includes two new positions. A Parks Coordinator
would provide year round, full-time support for landscaping and beautifying the
Town's parks and common areas. A Technology Coordinator is to manage the
wide variety of technology issues that face the Town. This position will help
lead Hampton into the 21 st
Century with information services for our residents
and unified technology management for our departments.
Plans for 1999 include the move to the former bank building. Budget
proposals include improvements at Tuck Field and the Campbell properly. More
road work, sidewalks, sewer lines, and drainage projects are included in Public
Works. Of note, we expect the Route 1 reconstruction to finally begin in 1999.
A Beach Redevelopment Master Plan study is proposed. With the prospects
of a new era of cooperation between the State and Hampton, efforts to enhance
the aging beach infrastructure and develop a vision for the next 100 years of
Hampton hold the promise of strengthening the tax base and the economy.
As we stand together, poised on the eve of the new century and the new
millennium, unparalleled challenges and opportunities lie before us. How we
face the future will be remembered by generations yet unborn. It is up to us
what we make of that future.
Respectfully,
James S. Barrington
Town Manager
Behold, they are one people,. . . now
nothing which they propose to do will
be impossible for them.
Genesis 11:6