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Proposal for Hampton Beach pier advances amid questions about cost, maintenance and local impacts
Summary
A bill to create a fund and enable private donations for a public pier at Hampton Beach was advanced by the committee; supporters cited accessibility and tourism benefits, opponents cited cost, maintenance liabilities and incomplete planning.
Senator Abarth (District 12) presented Senate Bill 241, which would establish a Hampton Beach State Park Pier Fund and authorize the division of parks and recreation to use gifts, grants and private donations to site, permit, design and construct a public pier at Hampton Beach. "We're not asking for anything other than a dollar and to set up the fund," the senator said. "We want to make it so that private donations, grant money can be put into the fund for the construction of the pier."
Senator Abarth emphasized accessibility benefits and said the pier could let people with limited mobility enjoy the beach and extend the season for tourism. "I think this would be a wonderful thing for individuals who are handicapped to be able to stroll out on ... the pier," the senator said, describing meetings with users and anecdotal support.
Opposition testimony…
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