For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session
What it means: The costs represent a negotiated agreement between the Town and the union representing the Police Department patrolmen.
Estimated Increase (over previous year level)
2025 (39 weeks) $241,348
2026 (52 weeks) $214,395
2027 (52 weeks) $179,717
2028 (13 weeks) $ 42,945
Hampton’s fiscal year begins in January, but the Town Meeting to approve expenditures occurs in March. Thus, the first year with increased wages in place will have only 9 months (April to December), the second two calendar years represent 12 months and the final 3 months of the contract fall into the last year (2028).
Those in favor say: Getting to competitive wages helps control costs, since the Town is not constantly having to go through repetitive hiring cycles. Since the last contract, Hampton has lost 6 more patrolmen, 5 of whom have gone to other Police Departments in the area for higher pay. During negotiations, the Patrolmen made some financial concessions (versus the going in position) and also agreed to a lesser, more cost-effective medical plan. The full-time force also agreed to take on some “priority” shifts in the summertime to help make up for the lack of willing recruits for the part-time work in summer. These shifts were previously outsourced to other agencies at a high taxpayer cost. The willingness of the Hampton Patrolmen to pick up some of the excess work will result in a net savings for the taxpayers.
Fiscal impact: If Article 15 is approved, a property valued at $650,000 would see a tax increase of $26.00 in 2025. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is .04 cents in 2025. Subsequent years would see proportional increases added to the Town’s budget.
Note: We use the average cost per property for Hampton. There is “Cost per Warrant Article Calculator” on the Town’s website that allows you to enter your specific property value, and the see the cost for all Warrant Articles. You can access the Calculator here.