Hampstead Town Newsletter - 12/20/2021

Hampstead School District

Budget Meetings
The Hampstead School Board will hold two separate public hearings on January 11th beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Hampstead Middle School cafe.  The purpose of the public hearing is to seek input from community members on the proposed 2022-2023 school year budget and the proposed bond for the addition at the Central School.  Additional budget information can be found at:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18S_-kv1cLZfxwUI7mHwkXhfauDtqVOOZ

Strategic Planning
The Hampstead School District is currently engaged in the strategic planning process. The goal of this work is to develop a strategic plan that provides vision, creates priorities and prepares our students for the future. A critical component of this work is gathering feedback from all community stakeholders. We are asking for parents to take a few minutes to provide input using an online tool known as ThoughtExchange. A link to the Exchange can be found at:  https://tejoin.com/scroll/899294941

Reminder: All school board meetings will be livestreamed on the HSD channel on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrHv9UP1RTjFc_6CORYKmQ 

Hampstead Library

The Hampstead Public Library is closed on Friday & Saturday, December 24 & 25, as well as Friday & Saturday, December 31 and January 1. All other days that week have regular business hours. All online services are available 24/7.

Pavilion Project
After consulting with building contractors and town officials, the Hampstead Public Library Board of Trustees plans to build a 20 x 40 ft. shingle-roofed, pavilion (similar to Ordway Park) on the front lawn to facilitate outdoor programs and events. The proposed structure will be wheelchair-accessible and equipped with electricity and wireless internet connection. 

We need your help. The Library Pavilion Project will be funded entirely by grants and donations from community members like you. To kick-off this massive fundraising effort, the Hampstead Public Library is asking the public to sponsor a commemorative brick to be incorporated into the finished walkway linking the new pavilion to the parking lot.

Bricks can be purchased to commemorate a loved one, celebrate a birth or special event, publicize a business or highlight your club or organization. Inscribed with your personal message each brick purchased supports our ongoing mission to enrich present lives, encourage lifelong learning, and prepare for our ever-changing future. To order a brick, please go to https://www.fundraisingbrick.com/online-orders/hampstead/

Virtual Holiday Light Tour
Send us pictures or videos of your holiday light decorations and they will be printed out to display at the library for all to enjoy. The week of December 20th all the pictures will be posted together on the Library’s social media pages to create a Virtual Holiday Light Tour. This will help those who are unable to drive at night still enjoy the festivities around town!

Send your pictures to circulation@hampsteadlibrary.org

Check out the group events that happen at the library!

• The Spinners and Knitters group meets the second Saturday of each month from 10am to 12pm. It is comprised mainly of knitters and spinners, who create their own yarn on spinning wheels. However, all needle-workers are welcome to join.
• Bridge Club has returned to the Library on Mondays, starting at 1pm. Players of all levels are welcome. Come meet old friends or make new ones. Please note: no instruction is given, and the club does not meet on weeks where there is a Monday holiday.

Stay in touch with the Hampstead Public Library and be notified of upcoming events! 

Click here to sign up for the Library newsletter

Hampstead Conservation Commission

West Road Conservation Area 5k Loop
Thanks to Ethan Charles and Boy Scout Troop 33 Hampstead, the Hampstead Conservation Commission is pleased to introduce the "Hampstead Community 5k Cross Country Route". Ethan implemented this 5k route in the West Road Conservation Area as part of his Eagle Scout project. The route starts/finishes at the West Road parking lot and is marked on the trails with posts with 5k text, directional arrows, and mile markers. It will help users of the trails easily navigate a longer route through the various trails. The downloadable "Western - Complete" map has been updated to include the 5k course and a new map called "Western - 5k" has a zoomed in view and written trail descriptions. Both maps are GPS enabled and compatible with Avenza and can be downloaded here: https://www.hampsteadnh.us/conservation-commission/pages/trail-maps

QR codes and download directions are also available for both maps at the West Road trailhead.

Let's all give a big thank you to Ethan and Boy Scout Troop 33 for this great new addition for the Hampstead community!

 

Hampstead Recreation Commission

Turkey Trot
The Hampstead Recreation Commission would like to thank everyone who came out for this year's Turkey Trot! There was a great turnout with 315 registered runners! 

Senior Holiday Dinner
Saturday December 4th was the Senior Holiday Dinner. The Senior dinner is an event that is looked forward to each year, and though this year again was a little different, it was still a joy to see everyone and have fun conversations in the drive thru line. This year we served 250 meals to Seniors. A huge Thank you to all the people in the kitchen who made this possible! Kathy Costa, Joe Tabbi, Louise Capelli, Kim Colbert, Jaye Dimando, Tina Harrington, Meaghan Colbert, Liz Rudd, and Samantha Bulman. Also big thank you to the Hampstead Middle School Students for a stellar job on bag decorating. Thank you to Elliot Ingraham and the Recreation Commission elves (Angie Ingraham, Missy Denton, Melissa Colburn, Sara Arroyo, & Erin Pellegrini) for directing traffic and delivering the food. Thank you to St. Annes for allowing use of your kitchen, and the civic club for the gift cards that were given to each Senior. 

Hampstead Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

If you have served on foreign soil, you may be eligible to join the Hampstead VFW Post.  If you are interested, contact the Post Commander Howie Steadman at 603-329-4288.

Hampstead Trash & Recycling

Household Hazardous Waste
Waste Oil, car batteries and thermostats are collected at the Town Garage on the first and third Saturdays of the month 8 am to 1 pm. 

Hampstead Code Enforcement Office

As a reminder to those Residents of Hampstead citizens living in zoned residential areas (basically any non-recreational, non-mobile home, and non-commercial area of the town):

Cargo trailers are prohibited for a period of more than three weeks, except by a special exception from the Board of Adjustment. The long-term use of a cargo trailer shall not be detrimental to the neighborhood.

The definition of a cargo trailer is: A metal structure, with or without wheels, that is normally intended to carry cargo on the road, rail, and/or sea. (Adopted - 3/13/2007)

Any questions should be directed to the town Code Enforcement office: https://www.hampsteadnh.us/building-health-code-enforcement

Upcoming Meetings and Events

You can see any upcoming committee meetings and events on the town calendar at https://www.hampsteadnh.us/calendar

Share your News!

Want to contribute your town committee or department information for publication in the next newsletter? Contact the Communication Committee by visiting: https://www.hampsteadnh.us/communication-committee

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