Photos show existing vehicles in the fleet needing to be replaced.
Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $243,165 for the purchase of the following replacement vehicles for the Department of Public Works: one 1-ton dump truck with plow and wing; two (2) 3/4 ton trucks with plows, and two (2) sidewalk maintenance vehicles; replaced vehicles to be traded in if deemed to be prudent by the Public Works Director, Town Manager and Board of Selectmen, with said sum of$243,165 to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance. 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, 2020, whichever is sooner? (Majority vote required)
What it means: This Warrant Article allows for the replacement of 5 trucks in the DPW fleet that have served the town for periods ranging from 10 years to 17 years. The funds will be taken from the Unassigned Fund Balance (money previously raised and not used).
Those in favor say: DPW experienced a high degree of repair costs in recent years as a result of maintenance required on these vehicles. The high repair costs mean that we are essentially re-buying the vehicles every 4-5 years, which is not a wise investment for the community. The two sidewalk maintenance vehicles are not reliable. Both had to come back into the shop during a recent storm, and parts are no longer available in the US, but need to be imported at considerable expense.
Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.
Fiscal impact: There is no tax impact because the money was appropriated in prior tax years. This Article is allowing the withdrawal of the money from the fund for the specified purpose.