Hilltop residents press New London officials over address renumbering and safety after recent fires

Several Hilltop Place residents used the public comment period at the June 15 Select Board meeting to seek clarity on a proposed renumbering and renaming of streets in their cluster and to press for transparency about recent fires.

A speaker identifying herself as president of the Hilltop community association asked the board to point to the law authorizing renumbering and to explain when the board decided to implement the plan, how the work ranks among town priorities and whether the change would be an unfunded mandate for condominium associations. "We are wondering when the board decided to implement this plan… and in the list of town priorities where our change comes," the resident said, asking for cost estimates and public meetings on the subject.

Town staff replied that a Q&A had been shared with community members and that a follow‑up meeting was scheduled; staff also said they would provide a contact email and further documentation. During the exchange a town staff member identified the statutory authority as RSA 106‑H, administered by the Division of Emergency Services and relating to enhanced 911/addressing functions, and said staff would research and share the statute language with residents.

Phyllis Petro, a Hilltop resident, pressed the board on two issues: whether the renumbering constitutes an unfunded mandate and the status of an investigation into recent fires in the complex. "It is the firm belief throughout the Hilltop community that that fire was caused by an arsonist," Petro said, asking why residents have not been given a fuller update. Board members said the matter likely involves higher authorities and that staff would contact the attorney general’s office and report back.

Select Board members responded that public hearings are required when the board reaches the street‑naming and numbering stage and that staff would continue to meet with the development’s representatives and the post office to coordinate address changes. No board action on renumbering was taken at the meeting; staff were tasked to follow up with the residents and provide statutory references and cost expectations.