Article 45: Construction of Sidewalk Where There Is None Now – $520,000

(As Petitioned) Shall the town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $520,000 for the construction of an Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliant six-foot sidewalk on the West side of Mace Road including installation of ADA compliant ramps and crosswalks connecting Mill Road to High Street.

What it means:  The petitioners who put forward this article are asking for just over a half-mile of sidewalk to be installed along Mace Rd. There are already sidewalks along 2 portions of a large triangle including Mill Road and High Street.  But Mace Road, used by many families to access Five Corners Park, Marston School and Hampton Academy as well as to jog and ride bikes, does not have a sidewalk.

Those in favor say:  DPW has assisted with identifying the engineering requirements and the cost estimate for the project.  No property would need to be taken by eminent domain, because the Town already owns the land necessary to compete the work.  In fact, the homes along the route would likely have improved “curb appeal” because there would be a sidewalk separating them from a highly-utilized vehicular roadway.  The project is about the safety of the townspeople and especially the children who use the road daily.

Those against say:  Although there does not seem to be any disagreement that this would be an improvement for the town and for the area, those who are against it point to either the cost or other pressing priorities in town.

Fiscal Impact:  The average Hampton home valued at $408,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $63.63 if this Article passes.  The tax impact is for this year only.  The cost per thousand of property valuation is .156.