Freedom — September 3, 2009 — Freedom could soon have new regulations on the use of tents and campers on private property. Ned Hatfield, who serves as Freedom’s Code Enforcement Officer, appeared before the the Selectmen Monday night to outline his recommendations on camping and to get the board’s input on amending the zoning ordinance.
Hatfield said new regulations are needed to address what he called resident camping, which includes the use of tents and campers as extensions of private homes to accommodate visitors. Such camping is currently unregulated.
After a brief discussion, the selectmen agreed to support Hatfield’s recommendations, which will now go to the Planning Board where there will be a public hearing. If the Planning Board approves the recommendations, a change to the zoning ordinance will be drafted and presented to voters at March’s Town Meeting.
[Editor’s note: This story has been edited from a previous version to correct an error].
Please note: This story has been edited to correct the statement that the proposed regulation would cover public lands, including the Town Forest. The proposal only covers private residential land. We regret the error.
The town of Freedom sounds more like a communist country . Dont these so called law makers have something better to do?????????????????????????????? Everyone buy a tent and leave it on your property. These laws are stupid and so isn’t the town of Freedom.
HARD TO BELIEVE? A BEAUTIFUL TOWN WITH THE NAME FREEDOM? LIBERALISM IS TAKING OVER. I PRAY OUR STATE MOTTO LIVE FREE OR DIE WILL BE A MEMORY LIKE OUR OTHER SURRONDING STATES.
So much for Freedom, eh. Of course a good number of people that these laws will affect can’t vote or even voice their opposition at a town meeting.
at election time give these law makers the boot
The has to be a better way. If abuse like too many tents, or tents for too long a period are a problem why not deal with it in a rational way without prohibiting tents altogether. Campers and RV’s are a different matter. If I store a camper or RV on my lot, is that going to be allowed, or are the great minds in Freedom going to next prohibit what I store on my lot? Short of creating a junk yard (some covenants make sense) what I do with my property is no-one elses business. This town is in need of a political makeover. I’ve got a good idea. Lets send all of our overflow guests to the Ossipee Lake Marina land.
Long live the marina
I’m not clear on what the intent is and who would be affected; individual homeowners / residents on their own property? Or are we talking about seasonal campgronds – Danforth-Bluffs/Wabanaki/Huckins/Robin Hood/Totem Pole? All of the above??? “Resident camping” on “private property” is defined as ??? Regardless of the target audience, not sure what is driving it and what the risk is of use of a tent so long as no real health or disturbance violations are involved? Are these tents up for an unreasonable period of time? I haven’t seen any vagabonds in the area.
So kids won’t be able to camp out in the backyard anymore without breaking the law? Is a camper stored on your property illegal, or only if someone is in it? There is no “freedom” in Freedom! What has brought this ‘problem’ up?
Your elected officals have nothing better to do. Give them the boot at election time.
I heard a rumor that there are ‘vagrants’ living in the ‘Town Forest’. They even have a portable generator. Maybe this is what all the fuss is about.