Chapter 216-J: Hampton Beach Area Commission

There is established a Hampton Beach area commission which shall assist the town of Hampton and the state of New Hampshire, its agencies and departments in the long range planning for the Hampton Beach area by the implementation of the Hampton Beach master plan.

I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

(a) Two members representing the town of Hampton, appointed by the selectmen.

(b) Two members representing the Hampton Beach village district, appointed by the precinct commissioners.

(c) One member representing the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, appointed by its board of directors.

(d) One member representing the Rockingham regional planning commission, appointed by its board of directors.

(e) The commissioner of the department of natural and cultural resources, or designee.

(f) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.

(g) One member to be appointed by a majority vote of the commission.

II. (a) Effective November 1, 2009, members of the commission shall serve staggered terms as follows:

(1) One of the members appointed under subparagraph I(a) shall serve a 3-year term and the other member shall serve a 2-year term.

(2) One of the members appointed under subparagraph I(b) shall serve a 3-year term and the other member shall serve a one-year term.

(3) The member appointed under subparagraph I(c) shall serve a 2-year term.

(4) The members appointed under subparagraphs I(d) and I(g) shall serve one-year terms.

(b) Following the staggering of terms, subsequent terms of commission members appointed under subparagraphs I(a)-(d) shall be for 3 years. The term of members designated to serve under subparagraphs I(e)-(f) shall be coterminous with his or her term in office. Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term in the same manner and by the same body as the original appointment was made.

III. The division of parks and recreation and the town of Hampton shall provide administrative assistance to the commission as necessary for the commission to discharge its responsibilities.

IV. The commission shall annually elect one of its members as a chairperson, one as a vice-chairperson and one as secretary-treasurer.

Subject to available funds, the Hampton Beach area commission shall:

I. Consult and advise the state and the town on implementation strategies for the Hampton Beach master plan including capital improvements.

II. Assist in the promotion, periodic review, and recommendation of updates of the Hampton Beach master plan.

III. Assist the state and town in acquiring lands and rights in lands, to ensure a consistent management of the plan.

IV. Assist the town to develop building and zoning code language and design review guidelines and procedures for the plan area.

V. Provide advice and counsel to the state and the town on proposed land use developments and capital projects for consistency with the plan.

VI. Consult with the Hampton Beach area businesses and residents to promote the plan.

VII. Meet at least quarterly, with a quorum of at least 5 members, to conduct any business relevant to the purposes of this chapter.

VIII. Meet at least annually with the selectmen and precinct commissioners and provide a written report annually, on or before November 1, to the selectmen and precinct commissioners, the governor and executive council, president of the senate, and speaker of the house of representatives on its activities and its recommendations for implementation of the plan.

The commission is authorized to institute a program to solicit and receive any gifts, grants, or donations made for the implementation of the master development plan and to deposit such gifts, grants, or donations in the Hampton Beach master plan fund.

There is hereby established in the office of the state treasurer a fund to be known as the Hampton Beach master plan fund which shall be kept separate and distinct from all other funds and shall be continually appropriated to the commission. Such fund shall be the depository of all gifts, grants, or donations made to the commission pursuant to RSA 216-J:4. Implementation expenses, the expenses of the commission, its commissioners, any employees of the commission, and operations and initiatives of the commission, shall be paid from such fund. Any moneys in such fund shall not lapse into the general fund of the state.