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Hampstead council hears seasonal service updates, festival turnout and planning notes
Summary
Council received updates on fall paving, hydrant flushing, bulk trash pickup, Farmers Market wrap and Christmas market planning, a tree planting event and progress on local planning items including Tractor Supply’s site plan.
Council members and town staff on Oct. 14 briefed residents on a range of seasonal services, community events and planning updates.
Diane, representing the Farmers Market Advisory Team, thanked vendors and volunteers for another successful Hampstead Farmers Market season and said the market’s agritourism passport program runs through Oct. 31. Planning for a Christmas market is underway; Diane said it is scheduled for the Friday before Thanksgiving from 4 to 9 p.m. at Saint John’s Church and that vendors may clear out either Friday night or Saturday morning.
Public works and paving: Town Manager Jim said the council-approved fall paving project (contracted to White Pine) will start in the next two weeks, covering Bridal Lane, Christopher Way, North Carol Street and Dogwood Drive, with completion scheduled by Nov. 21. Jim said no-parking signs will be posted before work starts on a given street.
Service reminders and utilities: Jim reminded residents that bulk trash pickup is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 (place items curbside the prior evening) and that tires, construction material, paint, motors, items with refrigerants, oil and other hazardous wastes will not be collected. Public works will flush fire hydrants beginning at 9 p.m. on Oct. 15; residents were asked to run cold water until clear if they observe discoloration.
Town operations: Auditors have completed testing of fiscal year 2025 and staff expect a draft of the financial statements within about a week, Jim said. Town offices will be closed on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day and the council’s regular meeting will move to Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Community events: David and Main Street Partnership leaders reported a strong turnout for Fall Fest — an internal count estimate given at the meeting was about 4,300 to 4,500 attendees and roughly 70 vendors — and said vendors and organizers expressed satisfaction. Wayne reported the Hampstead Train Station is closed for the season and music-in-the-park has concluded for the year.
Planning matters: The Hampstead Planning and Zoning Commission heard a final site plan for Tractor Supply Co., including materials and a monument sign; the company expects county reviews to finish in November or December, staff said. The town’s interim county liaison will be Claire Stewart, the meeting was told.
Parks and trees: The Tree Commission plans a planting of 27 trees at Panther Park on Nov. 1 and invited volunteers to assist.
Water usage and drought status: Public works staff (Ben) reported average daily water use of 367,000 gallons in September and 347,000 gallons so far in October, with September rainfall at 2.71 inches and October at 0.58 inches as of Oct. 9; staff said conditions remained in the “abnormally dry” category.
Why it matters: The items affect daily life (paving, hydrant flushing, trash) and community planning; Fall Fest attendance and the Tractor Supply plan are of local interest. Town staff provided dates and instructions so residents can plan around service impacts and events.
