On the petition of G. Berkley Bennett and at least 25 Hampton registered voters, shall the Town of Hampton raise and appropriate $6500 to reimburse the American Legion Post 35, The Hamptons, for the purchase of 200 bronze service flag holder grave markers? American Legion Post 35 would, with the assistance of community volunteers, place or replace the markers so that the Town of Hampton may continue to properly honor the graves of our veterans in the High Street and other Hampton cemeteries.
What it means: Last year’s Warrant Article of $6,500 for cemetery markers for veterans failed. The petitioner is requesting that the townspeople reconsider the amount of $6,500 that would about cover 200 markers to replace missing flag holders.
Those in favor say: The flags show respect for our veterans. If some markers have been pulled up, they should be replaced.
Those against say: Some believe it is inappropriate for a non-profit to ask taxpayers to pay for the markers, suggesting that the American Legion should be fundraising and buy what they can each year. The community supports the veterans, but the marker money should be in the cemetery operating budget rather than as a separate Warrant Article.
Fiscal impact: The $6,500 cost in 2020 will create an additional tax cost for a Hampton home valued at $400,000 of $.80. This decision affects the current year only. Take your property value divided by 1000 times .002 to get your cost.