Here’s how Article 10 will read on your ballot:
Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and a appropriate the sum of $2,000,000.00 for the purpose of constructing the necessary upgrades to the Waste Water Treatment Facility Septic Receiving Station by purchasing and installing a Raptor Septic Acceptance Plant or its equivalent in order to process septic effluent containing materials that otherwise can a) clog pumps and valves, b) decrease the effectiveness of plant aeration, dewatering and filtering equipment, and c) decrease maintenance costs. Attached thereto will be a vehicle and equipment wash down facility that will accommodate all Town equipment and operate in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Water and Air Acts. Such appropriation includes improvements to the Recycled Wastewater Yard Piping to include the upgrading and replacement of the piping systems for the delivery of plant water to increase the efficiency of the Treatment Plant. Suc h appropriation includes safety improvements to the Sewer Plant valve pit, a hazardous work environment that employees must enter to operate the flow valves that control flow from the primary nd sludge thickener tanks. Included in the appropriation is the design, engineering, purchasing and installing an emergency generator to power the aeration blower system that is not now connected to emergency power. A loss of power means a loss of secondary treatment in the plant that the Town is required to maintain under law and its State and Federal permits.
Such sum to be raised by the issuance of municipal bonds or notes for a period not to exceed thirty (30) years under and in accordance with the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and
To authorize the Board of Selectmen and the Town Treasurer to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; and
To authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, contract for, accept and expend any Federal, State or other available funds towards the projects in accordance with the terms and conditions under which they are received and to borrow in anticipation of the receipt of such and or the issuance of such bonds or notes as provided in the Municipal Finance Act (RSA33), as amended; and
To authorize participation in the State Revolving Fund (SRF) (RSA 486:14) established for the purpose, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept, and expend such monies as they become available from the Federal and State Governments; and
To authorize the Board of Selectmen to implement such cost effective solutions as a re presented in the future that they deem to be in the best interests of the Town that may result in a lesser a mount of expenditure than is authorized by this warrant article; and
To authorize the Board of Selectmen to take any and all actions necessary to carry out the project in the best interests of the Town of Hampton? (3/5ths vote required)
What it means: This Article seeks to raise $2,000,000 via bonds or notes to upgrade the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Improvements include:
- Installation of a Septage Acceptance Plant and a New Grit Box
- New location for wash down area and connection to Septage Receiving
- Installation of new pumps, drives and pressure reducing system for plant recycle water
- Relocation of the suction intake pipe
- Emergency generator for the Plant Aeration System
Here is the breakout of the cost request, as provided at Deliberative Session:
| • Septage Receiving Station: | $950,000 |
| • Wash Down Facility: | $330,000 |
| • Internal Yard Piping Improvements: | $ 80,000 |
| • Safety Improvements Valve Pit: | $ 90,000 |
| • Emergency Generator for Aeration Tanks: | $550,000 |
Those in favor say: The future quality of our water is at stake. This is an important effort that should be supported. All of the equipment being purchased with this bond has a life expectancy longer than the life of the bond (bond anticipated to be 30 years or less). The current equipment was installed in the 1940’s and 1950’s. The completed system will be safer for the employees and more environmentally friendly. Although the probability of needing emergency power for the aeration system is not great, if the town does need it and we do not have quick access, the problem and resulting DES fines could be significant.
Those against say: The cost of the individual items has not been presented. The Town needs to demonstrate why this equipment is needed. There is a low risk of keeping the system as is, and an undefined improvement in the risk level by investing in the new equipment. This is a bundle of 4 decisions, so we don’t know the cost and rationale for the individual items.
Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $ 329,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $8.50 if this Article passes. Since it will be financed with long-term debt, it will have tax impacts into future years.
