Political newcomer Beriont wins Hampton Select Board seat
HAMPTON – Political newcomer Carleigh Beriont won a seat on the Board of Selectmen, ousting incumbent Richard Sawyer at Tuesday's town election.
Beriont was the top vote-getter along with James Waddell in the three-person race for two seats on the board.
“I'm hoping to give the people of Hampton a new voice on the select board,” she said. “I'm a mom of two. I teach public policy and leadership. I love Hampton and want us to have some new perspective represented on the board.”
Beriont, originally from New Jersey, said she has lived in New Hampshire for seven years with her husband. Her children are both in the early stages of their school years: one is in kindergarten at Centre School and the other will join soon.
She said one of her goals is to offer a new approach to connect with voters about how and why our tax dollars are spent.
"When our town asks voters to approve a budget, we deserve to understand how that spending will make our lives better," she said. "Hampton voters need clear communication about the issues we face so that we can make better decisions together about our town's future."
Beriont spoke about life on the campaign trail during the season's final stretch, noting that she had made 900 phone calls in the past four days, in addition to knocking on 300 doors and sending out 1,000 letters and 500 postcards.
Waddell said he sought reelection to continue the work their board has accomplished in the last few years. He said that includes keeping the tax rate from increasing and completing several key projects like road improvements.
Waddell pointed to road projects like the ongoing High Street construction that passed for $7 million at the 2022 Town Meeting. The work includes the replacement of sewer from Lafayette Road to Locke Road, as well as new drainage.
“We have a board that works well together,” Waddell said. “I think we continue to get things done and help the town to grow in a positive manner.”
Hampton resident Patty McKenzie was at Winnacunnet High School on Tuesday, holding signs at the polls. She voted for Beriont.
McKenzie said she looks for candidates who are sharp, informed, dedicated, civil, reasonable, and “not crazy.”
“Carleigh is a person who supersedes all those categories,” McKenzie said. “She's a rock star.”
In other election results, Bill O'Brien and Erica de Vries were reelected to the Zoning Board while John Tirrell and Jeff Grip won seats on the Planning Board.
In a four-way race for two seats on the town's Budget Committee, Scott Blair and Alan Barclay defeated former member Steven Henderson and incumbent William Dibiasio.
Hampton approves $34.8M budget, contracts
Voters approved the town's budget of $34.8 million, an increase of $1,711,457 or 5.16% over the 2023 budget.
The budget covers new positions approved last year, new equipment, increased utility costs and additional funds for the Police Department to staff outside agencies to help fill the ranks during the summer tourism season.
Also, voters approved new contracts for town employees, public works, firefighters and Fire Department supervisors.
Voters also approved a $2.5 million bond request to replace the sewer on Ross Avenue, Kentville Terrace, and Charles Street and to increase the elderly tax exemption for qualified residents over the age of 65 and for residents with disabilities.
There were also several petition warrant articles put forth on the ballot by resident Joe Torelli that were approved to add "transparency and clarity" to town spending. One article calls for the cost of each money warrant article to be shown based on a $400,000 home valuation, and another for the town to adopt a zero-based budgeting approach, a method of budgeting in which all expenses must be justified for each new budget year.
Also approved was a citizens' petition to create a telecommunications committee to revise the town's Telecommunication Facility Ordinance. The article was filed in the aftermath of a now-rejected cell tower project on Barbour Road.
Hampton approves school budget, funding for Sacred Heart
Incumbent Wendy Rega and political newcomer Molly McCoy St. Jeanne were elected to the Hampton School Board.
St. Jeanne will replace Frank DeLuca on the board, who opted against running for another term.
"As a school board member, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of the parents, teachers, staff, and admin are all heard with equal urgency and consideration," St. Jeanne stated.
Voters also approved the school's $28.8 million operating budget and a citizens' petition request to pay $52,521 for student benefit services to Sacred Heart School in Hampton.