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PETITION TO SAVE ISLAND PATH MARSH/SARGENT’S ISLAND
REQUEST FOR SECOND TOWN MEETING VOTE
On Petition of Jim Keefe and on behalf of the Town of Hampton Taxpayers & Residents,
We the undersigned residents, taxpayers & neighbors and at least twenty-five registered voters of the Town of Hampton do hereby petition and request The Town of Hampton and Board of Selectmen review and revise ARTICLE #61 OF THE 2000 TOWN WARRANT TO INCLUDE THE LANGUAGE AND USAGE AS OUTLINED BELOW BY THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION to be presented to the residents of The Town of Hampton for a SECOND TOWN VOTE. Leave Nature as Nature.
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ARTICLE 61 OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING RESULTING OF BALLOTING ON MARCH 14, 2000
Written as follows:
“On Petition of Ellen Goethel for the Conservation Commission and at least twenty-five registered voters of the Town of Hampton: to see if the voters will place a Town owned 5.75 acre parcel of land located on the south side of Island Path between Garland Street and #184 Island Path, abutting the marsh, shown on Tax Map #281 Lot #1, under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission. The Commission will make use of the parcel as an educational area for the study of the marsh and it’s wildlife. The passage of the article will be at no cost to the town”. Moved by Ellen Goethel Seconded by James Tierney Article 61-passed YES 2781 NO 751
Ellen Goethel of the Conservation Commission presented the following plan to the Board of Selectmen: as a result of the approved ARTICLE 61. ISLAND PATH MARSH PROJECT
According to Mrs. Goethel, the plans presented were to include a Parking Lot, Buses, Gate, Observation Platforms, Trails of Crushed Stone, Six (6) Foot Wide Walkways to be constructed of Vinyl and Wood, Boardwalks, Blinds and Signage (8-10) to be erected on and around the site.
We the undersigned agree that the voting was based on the premise that the Conservation Commission would CONSERVE AND PROTECT THE SALT MARSH AND WETLANDS. and hereby protest the planning of any construction on the site, which was formerly a Town Dump. After fifty (50) years, the area has now turned into a natural habitat for wildlife such as fox, deer, hawks, ducks, PLOVERS, geese, egrets, rabbits and birds.. To excavate a parking area for buses and build walkways onto the marsh itself would destroy the natural habitat that has taken years to rebuild.
IN ADDTION, AT THE SAME TOWN MEETIING (2000) Article 38 was presented and read as follows: “On petition of Vivianne G. Marcotte for the Conservation Commission and at least twenty-five registered voters of the Town Hampton: to raise and appropriate the amount of Fifteen thousand dollars,for the purpose of continuing the restoration of our degraded salt marshes.This will enable the Conservation Commission to apply for matching funds from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ducks Unlimited, Gulf of Main Council, the Office of State Planning NH Coastal Program and others to accomplish projects costing twice this amount and more. (By petition) Moved by Ellen Goethel - Seconded by Bonnie Searle - Ms. Goethel stated this is an ongoing project. There was no further discussion. Article 38 passed YES: 2709 NO: 955
ARTICLE 61 STATED “the passage of this article would be at no cost to the town.” According to Article 38 it is in fact costing the Town of Hampton and more than just money. The residents were not informed or involved in the initial planning of this project, by our initial voting, most resident felt that by turning the land over the C.C. the land would be protected not inhabited. What wildlife is down there now will only disappear with the public access.
We the undersigned feel that The Conservation Commission is here to protect our Salt Marsh and Wetlands. NOT CONSTRUCT ON IT. The language in Article 61 was not sufficient to include these plans.
Privacy Issues for residents who will be within 20 feet of this walkway are concerned. The fact that Island Path is a Dead End street with no thru-way, will result in extensive traffic problems The Town of Hampton has Island Path and Sargent’s Island listed as HISTORICAL SITES as outlined in the Hampton Beach Master Plan. and in our Town Records No school buses are allowed down Island Path, why should we allow tourist buses? The parking lot located on Island Path between Brown Ave and Jones Ave has 240 parking spaces available. The Town of Hampton is seeking OPEN SPACE. Finally, SECURITY ISSUES of this project has become a national threat. The Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant has closed down it’s visitors site, added security to Lafayette Road, yet nothing has been done on this side of the border facing the plant, which is less than one mile. The neighborhood had no idea of these plans and would have voted against the Article if they were informed of the actual plans to build on the SALT MARSH.
MARSHES are wetlands, not wastelands, in land use classification in their natural state wetlands have the following economic values according to the U.S. Dept. of Interior Fish & Wildlife Service:
1. Reduction and prevention of erosion
2. Stabilization of runoff of excess water from inland
3. Home for waterfowl and shore bird population, with resulting recreational appeal and source of the nutrients for shellfish harvest.
4. Forage fish habitat. Our tidal waters are among the most fertile of the sea with large fish cruising within striking distance of the tidal food supply.
5. Tidal marshes are very valuable as a buffer for storm tides that damage houses and move rocks. |
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http://www.ourtownmeeting.com/...
ARTICLE 38 AND ARTICLE 61
http://www.hampton.lib.nh.us/h...
Letter To The Editor: Marsh is there for EVERYONE TO ENJOY… In response to the comments written by an Island Path resident last Friday stating that her neighbors are “selfish and self centered” and, who apparently enjoys traffic.
NEIGHBORS ONLY WANT WHATS BEST AND PRUDENT
I live in “the neighborhood” along the corner of Island Path and Battcock Ave. When I take my final right turn off Brown Ave. onto Island Path and my home I see the Dead End sign…Twice. When I moved here and “I did my research” as the writer stated I should have, it was taken into consideration. I know that if I want loud and crazy I take a walk up to the beach. If I want some peace and quiet I come to my home. Everyone knows if you want to sleep up here during the summer you may want to live on the back of the beach. My research and the location of where I chose to live was with all the above in mind. Living East on Island Path, I’m sure the writer was in fact aware of all the traffic and people this area brings. And I too enjoy seeing all the people walking up to the beach throughout the season.
However, have the trash, bus traffic and SAFETY issues been raised and addressed? I don’t know because I have not been made aware of or asked to be involved in this project and it concerns me. That is what the neighbors want. I don’t even think the buses could make the turn at Brown Ave., which would mean additional construction work at that intersection to widen the road.
To say we are “Selfish and Self Centered” is quite the contrary to what I and I’m sure other neighbors are actually saying or feeling. But Thank God we live in a Democracy. We could all sit back and let the Conservation Committee do whatever they want. Then down the road complain to know avail, because we have problems that were not addressed and be told WE NEVER SPOKE UP.
The last town meeting on this project was “closed” with respect to resident’s speaking or asking any questions. This meeting showed that as a neighborhood, we want to and need to participate. I am so glad that Hampton has people who care enough to get involved.
The Conservation Committee knows what they want. Our concern is genuine and being aware and caring about what goes on in your neighborhood is not being selfish, it’s being Democratic. We haven’t had the chance to express what we feel, because we haven’t been given the opportunity. And I’m not just talking about the people in my neighborhood; I’m talking about EVERYONE in Hampton.
I don’t have any problem with the project itself from what I know thus far, which is very little. The problem is the location. What I do have a problem with is in fact SAFETY and SECURITY issues.
After 9/11 I would drive home from work via Rt. 101. Coming down the home stretch, when I arrive at Hampton Beach crossing the bridge I look across and what do I see? The Seabrook Nuclear Plant. I wonder how many people are thinking what I’m thinking when I pass this part of the road. How easy it is to get out of my car right here and take some clear shots (pictures) of the Nuclear Power Plant. I’m sure everything is being done for security purposes, but still my concern is very high with respect to safety.
When I drive or walk down to the end of Island Path Rd. where this parking lot is supposedly being put, not only am I ALOT closer to the Nuclear Power Plant than Rt. 101, but if I could park my car amongst strangers and get out and walk around, etc. and hell, I can even drive down in a big yellow bus with supplies! I don’t want to go any further… you get my point. I don’t even think the town can legally do this because of the new federal security safety guideline distance this suggested site is from the Nuclear Power Plant. Do our State Officials know what is going on here? Has the Seabrook Plant been advised of additional security that may be needed?
Since the terrorists attacks many State and Safety officials have met and discussed the vulnerability of the Seabrook Nuclear Plant. The U.S. is at war right now and we, as a Country should not let our guard down. It is in our best interest to scrap this idea before we all look like village idiots. I love birds too and I have no problem with anyone walking down this dead end road to see “the marsh” as they have in the past. But to bring buses and build walkways and parking lots for what I see is a National Security Threat only makes me wonder ‘what are they thinking?”
Isn’t the Conservation Committee here to preserve? Conservation means protecting the marsh and wildlife. Not inhabiting it with carbon monoxide breathing buses and six-pack plastic floaties in the water to endanger our fish and birds. I don’t think they can guarantee our safety and that’s what makes me disapprove of this project totally at this location. And the children? I’m here to protect mine.
Do you really think making this location more accessible to the public is prudent? The first thing I see is the Nuclear Power Plant, Not the birds, Not the Marsh. The first thing I think of is 9/11. How depressing, this plan is for the birds!
As it stands now, I do see families or people with their dogs walking down Island Path Rd. and they have the right to do so. I see a lot more people walking down that way in the summertime and I’m sure they’re enjoying themselves. When the RESIDENTS see anyone or anything out of the ordinary or suspicious they are able to call the police to report it. Making this a parking lot, bringing in additional traffic in addition to people coming from the beach down to the “mosh parking lot” which I’m sure all the kids will be made aware of, would make this a thing of the past. Residents will tend to “not want to get involved” because they don’t know what’s out of the ordinary anymore. It’s public now, leave it be.
Will the Police and Fire Departments be involved in this project? Have they had their input? Has the Safety Officer of Hampton reviewed any of these issues? Children drown too! If you can’t legally turn around a school bus, how can you legally turn around a Yellow Bus or Fire Truck or Emergency vehicles down there? Although the Town probably won’t mind picking up the extra trash once a week, has anyone asked them? Are we going to have police down there on Friday nights like they do up at the beach? Will motorcycles and young kids wanting to get off the beach and away from their parents and police end up down there doing things “they shouldn’t be doing” with no one to supervise? Is anyone worried about the danger we may be putting ourselves in or the additional costs we will be facing down the road?
The writer comments that she will volunteer to pick up trash, seeing us “selfish neighbors” won’t, I pick up trash around my house from Spring to Fall. She has my approval to go down their daily at 6:00 a.m. to pick up the trash, broken bottles, needles and God knows what else. SHE MAY BE ALL FOR IT but doesn’t she want to know more? This has nothing to do with the children of Hampton, who could benefit in a lot more ways. Maybe the site improvements and walkways should be put up by the beach where thousands of people actually walk each year.
Thank God for my neighbors who care and look over their community and who WANT to be informed. The writer may not know it, but the “neighbors” actually have her best interest in mind too. To make the comments she made about a neighborhood she lives in and obviously doesn’t know (me at least) is wrong and only enforces the lack of intelligence, information and support “the neighborhood” is actually receiving due to misunderstandings and a rush to judgment.
I could live on the other side of Hampton and still not want this project. Take a ride down and see for yourself. As you look at the Nuclear Power Plant, think about how easy it was for the terrorists to blow up the world trade center. How bizarre it all was and why we should not open and allow an access route to such a secured site.
LET THE BIRDS BE!
HAMPTON BEACH TAXPAYER AND RESIDENT
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Recognizing these economic, historic and scientific values conservation minded citizens and organization since 1957 have worked to create interest in conserving a part of the town’s natural resources, its Salt Marshes. In 1962 at Town Meeting it was voted to establish a committee of seven conservation –minded citizens to study about acquiring “ a portion (350 acres or more) of Hampton Marshland, to be PRESERVED FOREVER in its natural state for wildlife and conservation purposes, under the protection of the U.S. Dept of Interior Fish and Game Wildlife Service and other state agencies”. (The Hampton Salt Marshes by Ruth G. Stimson)
Residents of Island Path and Historical Sargent's Island, Taxpayers of Hampton New Hampshire, concerned citizens for the wildlife and wetlands. |
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