Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 to be placed in the Hampton Conservation Commission Fund; this fund to be used to “acquire, maintain, improve, protect or limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly utilize,” open spaces and conservation easements in Hampton in accordance with RSA 36-A, Sections 1 through 4, inclusive? (Majority vote required)
What it means: This fund is a way of saving for opportunities, similar to the Capital Reserve Fund. Voter approval of this Article each year is primarily how the Conservation Commission replenishes the fund it uses to purchase, preserve and maintain open spaces.
Those in favor say: The Town needs to support conservation land for the recreational value as well as to help manage excess storm water, maintain clean water, and preserve wildlife habitat. Open spaces previously protected by these funds have made possible the Victory Garden, the Town Forest, hiking trails, skating on Ice Pond, etc. These types of opportunities are very important to the quality of life in Hampton. The fund permits timely action when opportunities present themselves.
Those against say: No one spoke against this article at the Deliberative Session.
Fiscal impact: The $20,000 cost in 2020 will create an additional tax cost for a Hampton home valued at $400,000 of $2.00. This decision affects the current year only. Take your property value divided by 1000 times .005 to get your cost.