What it means: This CBA covers 36 people: (4) fire alarm operators and (32) firefighters’ positions. The proposed agreement would bring our firefighers, who work in a more active community than many of the other towns studied, up to the average mark of compensation in the region.
Those in favor say: Firefighter salaries for Hampton were compared to Seabrook, Exeter, North Hampton, Rye, Dover and Portsmouth. Hampton was found to be the lowest, and this factor is making it difficult to hire and retain employees. This causes difficulty hiring. We currently have 4 openings, and only 10 applicants – not all of whom are qualified.
Fiscal impact: If Article 16 is approved, a property valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $30.40 in 2024, with lesser increases in each of the subsequent years in the contract period. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is .076 cents in 2024.