Select Board keeps town‑hall property line, moves toward four‑bay firehouse option after site constraints

The Hampton Select Board on June 22 voted to keep the existing property line for the town‑hall parcel and move toward a four‑bay design for the proposed fire station expansion after hearing engineering constraints and public‑works concerns.

Designers and staff reported that a five‑bay layout would require significant excavation into a north‑side embankment, possibly larger right‑of‑way access across a townhouse property, and variances from required setbacks. Several board members and committee representatives said the change could reduce the reuse value of the old town hall parcel, which other committees and grant work are trying to preserve.

Highway Department head Mark Langoni told the board he opposed use of the highway yard or a shared highway driveway as an exit route for station traffic, citing operational and safety concerns. “I just wanted to at least raise my concern,” Langoni said, noting the highway department’s own storage and access needs.

Board members noted tradeoffs between an optimal five‑bay solution favored by firefighters and fiscal and property‑value concerns raised by the town‑hall committee. After discussion, the board retracted earlier direction to move the property line and voted to proceed with the property line as currently drawn; staff will pursue the required zoning variance(s) and ANR steps and finalize a plan that fits the parcel (the transcript shows the board’s motion and second; vote recorded by voice, tally not provided).

Why it matters: decisions about station size and siting affect emergency response capability, long‑term capital costs, neighboring property value and town planning for the reuse of the old town hall. The board balanced operational needs against budget constraints and the potential impact on the town‑hall parcel’s redevelopment options.

Next steps: staff will submit materials to the Zoning Board of Appeals for any needed setback variance, complete ANR/plan filings, and return design alternatives that fit the existing property line for the board and town‑hall committee to review.