Hampstead wants to become town

HAMPSTEAD -- The village of Hampstead wants to become an official town. Leaders met at the community center to get the process rolling. Members of "Join our Town" say the area has grown rapidly in recent years and there has been little regulation or input from the people living there. They are especially concerned with growth along Highway 17. They say traffic has become dangerous near a gas station and strip mall. Incorporating to town status would allow locals to control zoning laws and regulate construction in the area. Hampstead resident Barbara Eastman said, "It's growing tremendously. I mean it's a beautiful place to live, and we want to keep it like this and we know what's best for Hampstead." Barbara Eastman is the chairman of "Join our Town." She says the next step for Hampstead is to get around 700 registered voters in the area to a sign a petition. It will be sent to the North Carolina legislative commission on incorporation.