Article 14: State Highway Block Grant – $486,231 (Estimated Net of $180,614 Due to a Grant)

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $486,231 for improvements to streets consisting of: paving, adjustments to structures to permit paving, repairs and replacements to drainage and/or sewers, repairs to sidewalks and driveway openings, crack sealing, weed control, curbing maintenance or installation, and improvements and repairs to Town parking lots and parking areas. Said appropriation to be offset by the State Highway Block Grant estimated to be $305,617. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the projects are completed or by March 31, 2023, whichever occurs sooner? (Majority vote required)

 What it means: The Town of Hampton has been successful in receiving a NH DOT Highway Grant Block that helps to maintain Class IV and Class V “highways” (basically compact sections of town roads). Funds are applied to specific projects as identified by DPW and approved by the Board of Selectmen. Streets that will be the focus of these funds in 2021 are Elaine & Richard Streets (utility upgrades completed in 2020); and Mill Road from Ann’s Lane to Town Line (utility upgrades completed 2020).

 Those in favor say:  This is an article that we see every year to help DPW improve the roads that do not have infrastructure issues, but are in need of top-level repairs. Helps return roads to smooth working order. The cost will be offset by a block grant from NH DOT.

Those against say: No one spoke against Article 14 at Deliberative Session.

 Fiscal impact: A household valued at $400,000 will see a tax increase of $19.20 in 2021 if Article 14 is approved. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is 4.8 cents in 2021.