Hampton Public Works Director Keith Noyes was charged with driving while intoxicated in Exeter Friday night.

Noyes was pulled over for a driving violation by Officer Justin Ranauro at about 11:30 p.m. on Portsmouth Avenue and subsequently charged with DWI, according to Exeter Police Chief Richard Kane.

"I was stopped while driving after I had taken a prescription medication," Noyes told Patch. He claimed he wasn't drinking alcohol but declined to say what kind of medication he was taking. Kane said his department is investigating to determine what the substance was.

Noyes, 57, lives in Exeter. He became Hampton's public works director in mid-2011 after years serving in the same capacity in Exeter

Noyes was released on $1,000 bail following the arrest. He is scheduled for arraignment in Brentwood District Court at 8 a.m. on Jan. 2.

Noyes is the second Hampton official in recent weeks to be accused of DWI. Jude David, the chair of the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival and the state parks facilities manager for Hampton Beach, recently pleaded not guilty to DWI after being arrested following an incident at the 401 Tavern in downtown Hampton.

Noyes recently put together a plan to start a boat tour business in downtown Exeter, but he put it on hold after opposition from some town officials and residents.