Article 31: Town War Memorial $5,000

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000, said sum of $5,000 to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance, a fund containing unexpended appropriations from prior years, as of December 31, 2015, and with no amount to be raised from taxation, to provide partial funding for the planning of a Town War Memorial dedicated to the Town’s sons and daughters who have served in the Militia for the protection of the community in Colonial Wars from 1638 to 1774, and who have fought in wars for our Nation from 1775 to date, and to provide appropriate space on such memorial for those who shall serve in future wars. The Board of Selectmen to work with the Hampton Post 35 of the American Legion and such individuals as the Board of Selectmen shall appoint to plan the memorial, and its place of erection on a parcel of Town owned land, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept, and expend for such purpose any funds from the State of New Hampshire, the Federal Government, or any private source, as may become available, to add to the sum. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the project is completed or by March 31, 2019, whichever is sooner? (Majority vote required.)

What it means: This Article would support the withdrawal from surplus funds in the amount of $5,000 to create a memorial to those from Hampton who have served in various conflicts on behalf of their country. The memorial would list the more than 2,000 people who served from 1638 – 1774, and from 1775 – present.

Those in favor say: Several speakers, including a representative from the American Legion Post, expressed support for this Article.

Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: There is no direct tax impact, however the $5000 would not go into the General Fund to help offset taxes. This is expected to be a one-time expenditure.