Roy Harmon seethed as Hampstead's Town Council passed a law limiting merchandise displays on town sidewalks, a law Harmon believes was designed specifically to hurt his antiques business.

The measure prevents curbside displays, saying no merchandise may occupy the sidewalk within 48 inches of the curb. Town leaders argued that the law would allow most merchants to display their wares on the sidewalk while also allowing motorists to enter and exit their cars safely and easily.

But what seemed to be a simple proposal - approved by the council Tuesday night - has prompted a fierce public debate on relations between the council and its most vocal critic.

Harmon, who has a history of mutual antagonism with the council, maintains that the law will significantly hurt his business, the Hampstead Movie House Mall on Main Street. The sidewalk in front of the store is about 8 feet wide, he said, so he will still have room to display furniture and other wares. But the merchandise will be farther from passing motorists and they will be less likely to stop, he said.

Harmon, who will have to make more changes to his display than most town merchants, said he has a long list of testimonials from customers who said they stopped to shop because of his curbside displays. He also said he has kept the displays neat and left room for passing walkers and joggers.

"I have never received a complaint, not one," he said after the meeting. Without such evidence, the law can only be construed as an attack on him, he said.

Several councilmen said they were insulted by Harmon's accusations that they had pursued the law as a form of revenge for his criticism. Residents and business owners packed a public hearing on the ordinance last month, and many said they believed the council was considering the law to punish Harmon for criticizing the council.

"We weren't required to send notice to business owners who might be affected or to have a hearing," said Councilman Wayne Thomas. "We did it because we felt this was an issue that needed to be discussed above board, because we wanted people to know what we were doing. ... I'm really tired of hearing what a crook I am."

Councilman Lawrence H. Hentz introduced the initial version of the law at the council's meeting last month, explaining that he found Harmon's displays unattractive and believed they should be regulated. His suggestion that the town should police aesthetics drew a round of scathing comments from residents and business owners.

But several town officials said such displays also might constitute a safety issue because the town is legally responsible for keeping public thruways open. Those officials acknowledged at the meeting last month that the town hadn't received complaints about Harmon's displays.

The council delayed further discussion of the proposed law until Tuesday's meeting, when Thomas introduced a revised version that would set specific size limits for displays and keep the curb clear.

Harmon appeared incensed by what Thomas called a compromise, arguing that the council had begun emphasizing safety issues only after drawing criticism for trying to regulate aesthetics.

Harmon was not alone in his disgust.

"I don't think you realize the importance of setting a few things out," said Robert Klingenberg, who owns the building that houses Harmon's store and ran his own business on Main Street for decades. "There's a tradition that's grown in Hampstead of being able to see things out on the sidewalk."