’26 Article 17 – Freightliner Refuse Collection Truck – $412,666 (Grant Money + UFB)

To see if the Town of Hampton will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $431,000 for the purpose of purchasing a Freightliner Refuse Collection Truck with dual articulating arms including all associated equipment to put the vehicle in service. The new vehicle will replace a 2006 Diesel Rear Loader. Said appropriation to be offset by the Granite State Clean Fleets reimbursement program for projects that propose to reduce diesel emissions and is estimated to be 80% of the vehicle’s cost ($330,133), and the remainder ($100,867) to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance. The replaced vehicle to be scrapped or sold, whichever is most beneficial to the Town as determined by the Town Manager and Director of Public Works. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the purchase is completed or by March 31, 2031, whichever is sooner.

What it means: The new trash vehicle will be purchased with funds that come 80% from a grant, and 20% from the Unassigned Fund Balance.  As with other specialty vehicles, the lead time is such that the Town may still need to wait for delivery.

Those in favor say: The Town has struggled with the lack of functioning sufficient trash collection trucks.  Some of the trucks in the fleet are simply not reliable, and the vehicle to be replaced is a rear loader, whereas the more efficient trucks have the wing arms for automated pickup

Those opposed say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: No tax impact in 2026, as the funds will be a combination of grant money ($330,133) and a withdrawal from the Unassigned Fund Balance ($82,533).