Article 46: Remove and/or Trim Dead or Dying Trees in Town Cemeteries – $50,000

On the petition of MaryRae Preston and at least 25 registered voters, shall the Town of Hampton raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 to remove and/or trim dead or dying trees in the Hampton cemeteries for health, safety, and aesthetic purposes.

What it means:  The Town of Hampton owns cemeteries in town, the largest of which are the High Street cemetery and the Pine Grove cemetery.  There are many trees, and quite a few are dead or dying or have large branches that are compromised.  The Trustees put forward Article 46 because they feel that it is a basic maintenance obligation of the Town and that the hazard exists for visitors, cars passing by and neighboring homes (especially true of Pine Grove).

Those in favor say:  The cemeteries are on town-owned land and we need to address this safety issue.

Those against say:  No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact:  The average Hampton home valued at $408,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $6.12.  The cost per thousand home valuation is .015.