Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 for the purpose of removing trees from the High Street Cemetery in order to protect grave sites, gravestones and abutting properties and roadways, such sum to be used by the Tree Warden to contract for the removal of the trees and for the restoration of said Cemetery caused by such removal, and to authorize the Tree Warden in consultation with the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and the Cemetery Trustees, to contract the work for said purposes, and to authorize funding said appropriation through the withdrawal of $50,000 from the principal in the Cemetery Burial Trust Fund, which has a principal balance of more than $500,000 generated from the sale of cemetery burial plots? (Majority vote required)
What it means: This Article would allow the Town to withdraw $50,000 from the Cemetery Burial Trust Fund (currently having a principal balance of $500,00 generated from the sale of cemetery burial plots) for the purpose of removing trees from the High Street Cemetery causing damage to graves, gravestones, roadways, and abutting properties. Funds also would cover the cost of restoration caused by such removal.
Those in favor say: The trees are causing damage to the roads, stones, and graves. Many are bug infested and are in danger of falling, causing more damage.
Those against say: It is a shame to remove the trees, as they add aesthetic value.
Fiscal impact: There is no tax impact because the money will come from the Cemetery Trust Fund. This Article is allowing the withdrawal of the money from the fund for the specified purpose.