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HAMPTON – Lt. Tom Gudaitis retired this week from the Hampton Police Department, after spending the past 40 years of his life serving the community.
“For me to list every duty he’s been assigned during his years here would be impossible,” said Hampton Police Chief David Hobbs. “He’s just has a wealth of knowledge and a unique set of skills. He’s a true professional with a great attitude and work ethic, and he’s a tremendous leader.”
Gudaitis started at Hampton PD in 1981 as a part-time officer, while he was still in the Air Force after being stationed at Pease Air Force Base in Newington. When he retired from the military in 1989 after more than 13 years with the service, he decided he liked police work and became a full-time patrolman in Hampton.
HAMPTON New Hampshire State Parks is planning on a “close to normal” summer at Hampton Beach with parking lots open at 100 percent capacity, nightly entertainment on the Seashell Stage, and other events taking place on state property.
Phil Bryce, director of the state’s Division of Parks and Recreation, told selectmen Monday that will be the agency s recommendation to the governor for the upcoming summer tourism season. We are trying to get as close to normal operating as we possibly can, Bryce said. “…We are looking forward to a really big season this year.
Bryce said state parks will continue to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols including promoting social distancing and mask-wearing. However, they would like to see all other park operations return to what they were pre-COVID.
Hampton voters reject $15.7M project to fix pothole plagued streets
HAMPTON – A $15.7 million bond project to reconstruct pothole-plagued Winnacunnet Road and High Street hit a roadblock at Tuesday’s Town Meeting.
While the majority of voters supported the project by a vote of 1,576 to 1,353, it didn’t receive the 60% needed to gain approval.
“I’m disappointed,” said Selectman Rusty Bridle. “Some of the biggest complaints in this town in the last three years has been the condition of the roads.”
“I guess they want to drive on those roads,” said Selectman Regina Barnes.
The article, which included funds to replace sewer/drainage and sidewalks, called for the town to bond $13.7 million over 30 years. The remainder of the balance would have come from the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund and the town’s unassigned fund balance, at a million each.
Hampton selectmen candidates weigh in on Facebook posts controversy
HAMPTON The four selectmen candidates running for two seats on the board in the town s March 9 election answered questions from the public Monday, including whether elected officials should be held to a higher standard for posts they make on social media.
The selectmen s race features incumbents Mary-Louise Woolsey and Jim Waddell, along with former state rep. Sharleen Page Hurst and retired Hampton police chief Richard Sawyer. All four participated in a virtual Zoom video conference candidates night hosted by the Hampton PTA.
The question regarding social media was in response to a non-binding petition article on the March 9 ballot calling for selectmen to add a social media policy and to create an ethics committee to field complaints from residents. A group of Hampton residents put forward the petition citing Selectman Regina Barnes’ political posts made on Facebook and Twitter that some, including Bl