’26 Article 14 – Improvements to Public Streets & Sidewalks – $950,000 with a Partial Offset

To see if the Town of Hampton will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $950,000 for the purpose of improvements to streets, sidewalks, and driveway openings; replacements to drainage and/or sewers; curbing maintenance or installation; and improvements and repairs to Town parking lots, parking areas, and cemeteries.  Said appropriation to be offset by the State Highway Block Grant estimated to be $332,750. Any remaining balance after receipt of any grant funds shall be raised through taxation.  This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the improvements are completed or by March 31, 2031, whichever occurs sooner.

What it Means: Hampton anticipates receiving a NH DOT Highway Grant for $332,750 to help maintain Class IV and Class V “highways” (compact sections of town roads). Funds are applied to specific projects identified by DPW and approved by the Board of Selectmen. Taxpayer funding is used to supplement the Highway Block Grant provided by the State to improve Town Roadway Networks (including paving). The focus for 2026 funds will be Lafayette Road, based on its condition and heavy use. PCI is a rating system for the condition of a road, which is scored between 0 and 100, with 100 being a perfect surface. Lafayette Road has a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 46.  Hampton’s overall PCI is 71.

Note: The project identified for this Grant project last year included the travel lanes of Lafayette Road.  However, work to Mace Road preempted that work. The 2026 plan is to pave the entire width of Lafayette Road including the center lane, and also to do sidewalk work on Route 101 for ADA compliance.

No one spoke for or against this Article at Deliberative Session, other than to explain it.

Fiscal impact: The estimated tax rate impact in 2026 is $0.10 per thousand. The estimated tax impact for a home valued at $600,000 is $60.81.