Shall the Town of Hampton vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey to the Hampton School District, upon such terms and conditions as the Selectmen may determine are appropriate and in the best interests of the Town, all of the Town’s right, title and interest in two separate vacant parcels of land, the first commonly known as the Arnold property (Tax Map 161-51) which has been under lease to the Hampton School District for the purpose of an off-street bus loading/unloading area in accordance with Article 43 of the 1988 Annual Town Meeting, and the second commonly known as the Martel property (a part of tax map 176 Lot14, a subdivision may be required), over which the Hampton School District has an easement for a travel lane also in accordance with Article 43 from the 1988 Annual Town Meeting, both located on Academy Avenue, these conveyances are contingent upon the successful passage of the currently proposed bond issue for renovations of the Hampton Academy and the carrying out of that project, and are further to be made subject to a reverter of title to the Town of Hampton of said parcels should they no longer be needed by the Hampton School for school purposes? (Majority vote required)
What it means: There are two small parcels of land which are owned by the Town and which have been leased to Hampton Academy since 1988 (for $1.00 per year) to provide a space for off-street bus loading and unloading. This Article authorizes the Board of Selectmen to deed the two parcels to the school. There is another Article on the SAU 90 ballot that authorizes SAU 90 to accept the transfer. If the voters approve this transaction, it would be contingent upon the Hampton Academy renovations being approved, and contingent upon the property being needed by the school going forward. If the school does not need it for school purposes in the future, the small parcels of land would revert to the town. The SAU 90 bond request (on the school ballot) must pass in order for this Article to be acted upon.
Those in favor say: This was also on the ballot last year and it passed by a strong margin. Since the Hampton Academy renovation did not pass last year, but is on the SAU 90 ballot again this year, it is necessary to again ask the voters for the approval to transfer these two parcels of land for the purposes of the reconstruction work that is planned for Hampton Academy, in the event that Article is successful this year.
Those against say: No one spoke against this article at the Deliberative Session.
Fiscal Impact: No tax impact.