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HAMPSTEAD – A committee of Hampstead residents attempting to incorporate the area is moving forward and has created a map displaying what would be the boundaries of the Town of Hampstead .

The committee, calling itself “Join Our Town,” released a press release and map showing the borders.

According to the committee, the borders would be north from the center of the southern end of Sloop Point Loop Road, south to approximately 500 feet beyond the southern boundary of Whitebridge, east to the Intracoastal Waterway and west approximately 500 feet off the western side of Hwy 17.

“The map closely resembles previously proposed maps,” stated Barbara Eastman, chairman of the steering committee of Join our Town. “In 1998-1999, a similar map was actually accepted by the NC Legislative Committee on Incorporations. And in late 2005-2006, Representative Carolyn Justice proposed a nearly identical map during her series of community meetings on incorporation.”

According to steering committee member Jack Swann, some members argued strongly for going further north.

“Unfortunately the Commission on Incorporations imposes some constraints on how big an area we can include at first,” Swann stated. “Once we are incorporated, those people immediately to the north who want to join our town will be more than welcome.”

Swann also stated that the southern end of Sloop Point Loop Road is currently the northern boundary of the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization, which has been studying traffic in Scotts Hill and Hampstead since May 2006.

“It means the whole town will fall within their jurisdiction,” Swann stated. “That’s great news for Hampstead, because it means we will benefit from their services and experiences – not to mention funding – for some much needed traffic improvements.”

On Tuesday, steering committee member Nicholas Pryor said the next step for the committee is to prepare a complete proposal for the NC Legislative Committee on Incorporations and residents.

For the legislative commission Pryor said the group needs to present, among other things, a new petition.

“It has to contain 15 percent of people within the footprint of the town and in this case it would be about 700 people,” said Pryor. “Currently canvassing efforts are taking place and a telephone campaign is being done to reach the people that signed the old petition.”

To better inform the people supporting incorporation Pryor said Join Our Town will have an open house at the Hampstead Community Center on May 17.

“It will be all day and it will provide possible answers to questions,” said Pryor.

While people are encouraged to come Pryor reiterated this open house is for people in support of incorporation to learn more.

“We want it quiet and non-confrontational,” said Pryor. “Those against incorporation will have their chance to speak later at forums that will be run by the (Hampstead) civic association.”

Pryor, who has been collecting names on a petition to incorporate Hampstead since the issue was voted down in a straw poll vote in January 2006, said this process has not been easy but it is on schedule.

“This is much more complicated than I anticipated,” said Pryor.

The entire proposal to the state legislative committee will include the map, a charter, a tax rate, services and an initial five person council and its members..

“I want to have everything done by April 15 at the latest, because once (the state legislative committee) gets it they have to check-up on everything,” said Pryor.

While not alone in gathering information needed, Pryor said the county staff has been extremely helpful in helping the group gather the needed information.

Should the legislative committee approve Hampstead incorporating Pryor said his group would ask local legislatures to put the issue on the ballot wording it so that should it pass the community would become a town.

By Ken Clarke