Should Hampstead become incorporated?

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — As Hampstead grows so does the cry for the community to become incorporated.

Because of that, a public meeting was held Tuesday at the American Legion on Highway 17 where residents could learn about the pros and cons of becoming a city or town.

This was one of six information meetings that have been planned by community leaders in Hampstead.

If incorporated, Hampstead could become the 55th largest city out of more than 500 in North Carolina.

For the last decade, the community has certainly grown.

Suzann Rhodes and other community leaders have been doing research for the past year.

“It’s all about trying to inform the public about the facts,” Rhodes said. “About the changes in demographics. About the pros and cons of incorporation.”

Rhodes says the last time anyone tried to make Hampstead an incorporated city was back in 2007, which is why leaders are holding meetings to talk about what this could mean for the community.

“We just are interested, concerned citizens, and feel it’s time to have the discussion again,” Rhodes said. “It’s been 12 years. A lot has changed. The population of the area went from around 5,000 to 15,000.”

The cost of becoming a city would be about a $1.10 a day for the average homeowner, Rhodes said.

Ada Aniniba has owned a business in Hampstead for two years. She says if it becomes incorporates, people will have a say in the growth of their own community.

“If it gives us locals residences and businesses more control over what happens here, I’m all for it,” Aniniba said. “Traffic is great, but too much traffic isn’t great. If being incorporated helps us make decisions that are best for our community, I’m for it.”

Rhodes adds Hampstead could then have their own services like police and fire.

Rhodes says petitions to make Hampstead incorporated will be at each meeting. They will need around 1,900 signatures to bring the petition to the General Assembly.

Other public information meetings will be held Saturday at 1:30 p.m., Feb. 21 at 2 p.m., and Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.

Two meetings are scheduled in March at the Hampstead Library, one on the 16 at 10 a.m and another on the 23 at noon.