Shall the Town of Hampton vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen with the aid and assistance of the Fire Chief to purchase a used Fire Engine Pumper to temporarily replace Fire Engine 2 that has been dead-lined due to frame failure, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $150,000 to fund said purchase with said sum to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance, a fund containing unexpended appropriations from prior years, as of December 31, 2016, and with no amount to be raised by further taxation. Said used Pumper will be utilized for at least four years until the normal replacement of Engine 2 in accordance with the long rage capital expenditures program. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the purpose is completed or until March 31, 2018, whichever is sooner? (Majority vote required)
What it means: The truck would be expected to serve the town for 4 years, when the long range capital expenditure program indicates the town would be purchasing a new truck. This interim vehicle will be funded from the unassigned fund balance, so no new taxes will need to be raised.
Those in favor say: This is a “second line truck” meaning that when one truck is out for servicing, this truck is put into service. The goal will be to look for a used fire pumper that does not have existing maintenance issues. This is a reasonable way of serving the needs of the Fire Department while keeping costs reasonable for the taxpayers.
Those against say: No one spoke against this article at the Deliberative Session.
Fiscal Impact: No tax impact.