Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $105,334 for the purpose of employing two (2) additional full-time Laborers for the Hampton Department of Public Works, over and above existing positions funded by the 2022 operating budget, starting on April 1, 2022, and for the balance of 2022, with the estimated full year cost in 2023 of these full-time positions being $140,446, including salary and benefits, and all future costs to be included in the Hampton Department of Public Works annual budget and the default budget going forward? (Majority vote required)
What it means: The Department of Public Works is asking for two additional full-time Laborers to be added to the roster. The Article is asking for this to be ongoing, with future year salaries and benefits being included in the Operating Budget. This request is being put before the voters as a separate item, as opposed to including it in the Operating Budget.
Those in favor say: The Public Works Department is understaffed, and has resulted in taking on increased workloads and overtime for existing employees. There have been more new developments, more roads, more permits, more laws, more projects to complete because the town is growing and needs these services on an ongoing basis, as well as in response to emergency situations and seasonal fluctuations. The Department of Public Works needs to be available when the Town needs it. A speaker noted that the state is considering legislation that would officially designate Public Works as an emergency responder.
Two Additional Full Time Laborers – There Have Been No New Employees in Over 10 Years
- Additional Demands on DPW:
- Increase in Paved Roads,
- Increase in WWTP Processing,
- Increase in Trash and Recycling Disposal
- New Drains and Sewers to be maintained
- Increase in Population and New Development
Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at the Deliberative Session.
Fiscal impact: In this fiscal year, a property valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $10.80 if this Article passes. Using 2022 valuations for the tax base, there would be an increase of $14.40 in 2023, which would be the full year value. In subsequent years, the compensation for these extra laborers would be included in the Operating Budget. To calculate the effect on your own property, use .027 times your valuation divided by 1,000 in 2022 and .036 in 2023.