Article 32:  Hazardous Waste Collection Day – $10,000

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to conduct a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day during calendar year 2018; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen (a) to permit the Towns of Hampton Falls and New Castle to participate in said collection day at their own expense; and (b) to apply for, accept and expend for such purposes any funds from the State of New Hampshire, the Federal Government, and any private source as may become available?

What it means: The Town previously had a fund to run the Hazardous Waste Collection Day, but the fund is now depleted.  If Hampton residents wish to continue this event, it needs to be funded. Hampton Falls and New Castle would be invited to participate at their cost.

Examples of Hazardous Waste: Products such as paint thinner, spot remover, oven cleaner, furniture polish, drain opener, pool chemicals and hair spray are considered hazardous because they contain chemicals that are corrosive, explosive, reactive, flammable or toxic.  Products containing mercury, including thermometers, thermostats, electrical switches and relays, fluorescent light bulbs, button cell batteries.

Those in favor say: Hazardous Waste Collection Day assures that hazardous materials are not left on the street or thrown in the trash.  The town has applied for a Household Hazardous Waste Grant from NHDES to supplement the program.  In prior years, the cost was $20,000 but with offsets, this year will be half that.

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

Fiscal Impact:  The average Hampton home valued at $408,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $1.22 if this Article passes.  The tax impact is for this year only.  The cost per thousand of property valuation is .003.