Article 18: Appropriate $353,000 for 3 DPW Trucks

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $353,000 for the purchase of the following replacement vehicles for the Department of Public Works; one (1) one-ton truck with dump body, plow and wing; two (2) 35,000 pound Gross Vehicle Weight dump trucks with plows and wings; the replaced vehicles to be traded in if deemed to be prudent by the Public Works Director, Town Manager and Board of Selectmen.   This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until these purchases are completed or by March 31, 2017, whichever is sooner? (Majority vote required)

 What it means: The referenced equipment would be replaced if the voters approve.

Here is the breakout of costs, as provided at Deliberative Session:

Those in favor say: This is not the first time that this equipment has been before the voters. In the ensuing time, there have been large expenditures to keep the 28-year old equipment road-worthy. There is significant under-carriage corrosion. We have had to fund expensive repairs. These trucks are the lead in the snow clearing fleet and it is getting harder to keep them in good working order.

Those against say: No one spoke in opposition at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $329,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $41.78 if this Article passes.