As one who was born and brought up In the town of Hampton, I am naturally interested in town affairs, and was very sorry when I learned of the burning of the Town Hall; first thru a letter from my mother, and later from Hampton Union which I receive weekly.

When such a prominent building as the Town Hall burns and can no longer be used, the first thought that comes to the minds of many people is to replace it immediately, and with even a larger structure than the original. Upon second thought, however, wouldn't it be wise to analyze the situation and determine, in light of present conditions and existing facilities, just what is needed in the way of a replacement?

One method of accomplishing this would be to make an analysis of the groups and organizations which have used the Hall during the past five or ten year period, the size of the groups and with what frequency they met. Then determine what halls are available now in existing buildings, both private and public, that could be used to meet the needs of these groups. A survey such as this might show that by making greater use of the present facilities for large assemblies, (resulting also in more efficient and economical operation of them) there would only be needed a Town Hall building to provide for the necessary offices. This building could then be similar in size and architecture to the Library. Such a building might be designed so as to provide later for an attached auditorium, if in the future it became apparent that some such addition was needed. Possibly by that time too, building costs would be down, (another advantage in waiting) and it might so happen that be such structure would ever be needed.

Unless it is found necessary to build a large and costly Town Hall it would seem wise not to add to the tax rate at this time. The recent trend in taxes has been upward, but with the very considerable building going on in the town, this should be an advantagous time to reduce taxes, rather than to further increase them.

Reference to the town's $80,000 clock puzzled me. Perhaps you can enlighten me and others who may not have been aware of any such valuable piece of mechanism as that in the Town Hall.

Willard. E. Nudd,
Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

(Ed. Note -- The clock in the town offices is often referred to as the "$80,000 clock" since it is the only thing the town of Hampton has to show for the [Exeter, Hampton & Amesbury] Street Railway system purchased about 30 years ago {February 1, 1921} for that sum.)