Hampton’s ARM Project received Governor and Council approval for project funds; the Conservation Commission said federal mitigation plan responses to Army Corps questions must be completed before federal approval and access to funds, and town staff hope to use existing academic data to reduce upfront engineering costs.

The Town of Hampton 79‑E Advisory Committee reviewed a proposed Coastal Resilience Incentive Zone (CRIZ) on Aug. 12, 2026, debating a tiered abatement tied to project cost versus a single‑amount approach and raising how the program should treat Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage triggers.

Dr. Ben Ritt presented the Coastal Resilience Roadmap and the compensatory flood storage concept, proposing on-site and off-site replacement ratios and a credit/funding strategy; the Board asked staff to return with a refined ordinance draft and models of other communities’ credit programs.

Representatives from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission discussed roles, funding, and outreach goals with the Hampton Conservation Commission, and encouraged local commissions to raise wildlife and habitat questions for agency assistance and rulemaking guidance.

The Hampton Planning Board reviewed draft regulatory language, developed with the Rockingham Planning Commission under a HOP grant, that would cap workforce housing sale prices and rents to NHHFA limits, require 25-year restrictive covenants, and authorize enforcement under RSA 676:17.

A staff presentation showed commercial collection accounted for 54% of curbside disposal costs; the Board directed staff to draft a commercial cost-recovery policy using $3.07 per-cart as a baseline and to verify data before implementation.

Town Planner Jason Bachand outlined a preliminary 2027 zoning amendment package including a Phase III ordinance audit, harmonizing definitions and uses, flexible-sized dwelling units, compensatory storage, temporary pop-up uses, and draft language for tiny homes and THOWs; the board noted HB 1588 (multi-family in commercial districts) and HB 1681 (tiny homes) will require local ordinance changes.

After discussing safety concerns about the NHDOT Seabrook/Hampton bridge project, the Select Board voted to send a letter to Governor Ayotte and Executive Councilor Stevens supporting efforts to add pedestrian safety lighting; board members said state leaders are aware and advocating for solar lighting.

The committee placed emphasis on resilience: resident education and one-to-one technical assistance for flood-hazard mitigation, a municipal climate impact assessment using scientific modeling, and evacuation route mapping with signage and protocol considerations for Route 1A.

At its July 13 meeting the Hampton Select Board approved acceptance of private nonprofit funds for police technology, authorized a single-source replacement of the police fire-alarm panel and UPS, and approved up to $15,000 for a temporary public information officer to manage crisis communications; several other routine motions also passed.

The Town of Hampton launched a consultant-led update to its Stormwater Management Regulations, with a project kickoff in June 2026, community surveys planned for Sept 2026 and July 2027, and multiple public meetings; the town received an EMP Small Grant from SHEA to assist funding.

Town Manager James Sullivan and DPW leaders told the Select Board the department is down roughly 10 of 40 positions, prompting discussion of reduced recycling pickup or Transfer Station days; Board asked Finance for cost figures and heard public comments urging alternatives to reduce tipping fees.

Select Board authorized Aquarion to clear and pave roughly 300 feet of the Exeter Road service road for a replacement water tank and filed for timber cutting; Aquarion and Unitil representatives said a pending company sale will not change local service amid severe drought and outdoor watering restrictions.

Finance Director Kristi Pulliam reported May revenues of $3,689,929 and year-to-date spending of $14,399,346, leaving the town about $2.19 million (5.77%) under budget; Town Manager Jamie Sullivan warned staffing shortfalls — particularly in DPW — could strain service delivery and capital projects.

The Hampton Select Board unanimously authorized a $1,060,000 bond and loan agreement with the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank to replace about 2,200 feet of vitrified clay sewer on Ross Avenue, Kentville Terrace and Charles Street, aiming to cut 10,000–20,000 gallons per day of inflow and infiltration.