For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session
What it means: Funds from the state parking meters are distributed to towns according to population. Hampton chooses (by earlier Town Vote) to dedicate those funds to the improvement and maintenance of recreational facilities. Each year, the voters must approve the use of these state funds for the purposes identified for that year.
Those in favor say: There is little in the Recreation Department’s budget for maintenance. Money in the Parks and Rec fund is used to improve recreational facilities. The ability to offer good, safe recreational opportunities to residents is part of the culture of our town and this expenditure, which does not require new taxes to be raised, is a crucial part of that. UNH did a study a few years back that indicated that the average cost for Parks and Rec is $70 per person, whereas Hampton’s is $17 – largely because of this funding mechanism.
Fiscal impact: There is no tax impact, as the funds are put aside for this purpose and only need voter approval for the intended use.