Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,020,000 for the purpose of reconstructing High Street, to include upgrading and replacing sewage and drainage systems, and may include replacing sidewalks, curbs, pavement treatments and other necessary improvements, said costs to include bid documents, the bid process, construction, construction administration, and other necessary actions. Reconstruction of the roadway may include the upgrade of the existing signal controls to a camera system at the intersection of High Street and Mill Road. The application of final new pavement may occur in the year following the installation of the sewer and drainage upgraded and replaced systems to allow for the proper settlement of the excavated roadbeds.
$6,520,000 of such sum to be raised by the issuance of bonds or notes for a period not to exceed thirty (30) years under and in accordance with the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and
To authorize the withdrawal of $500,000 from the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund; and
To authorize the Board of Selectmen and the Town Treasurer to issue, negotiate, sell, and deliver such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof in accordance with the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and
To authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, contract for, obtain, accept, and expend any Federal, State, or other available aid or funds toward the project in accordance with the terms and conditions under which they are received and to comply with all laws applicable to said project and to borrow in anticipation of the receipt of such funds and or the issuance of such bonds or notes as provided in the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and
To authorize participation in the State Revolving Fund (SRF) (RSA 486:14) and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept and expend such monies as they become available from the Federal and State Governments; and
To authorize the Board of Selectmen to implement such cost-effective solutions as are presented in the future that they deem to be in the best interest of the Town that may result in a lesser amount of expenditure than is authorized by this warrant article; and
To authorize the Board of Selectmen to take any and all actions or to pass any other vote necessary to carry out the project in the best interest of the Town of Hampton? (3/5ths vote required)
Fiscal Impact Note (Finance Dept). If a bond is issued in 2022, the first bond payment will be due in 2023. The estimated 2023 tax rate impact is $0.161 per $1,000 valuation (sixteen point one cents per thousand dollars of valuation). The total of the bond’s principal and interest payments over a 20-year period at an interest rate of 2.50% are estimated to be $8,946,500.
What it means:
Last year, DPW proposed the restructuring of both High Street and Winnacunnet. The townspeople rejected the plan (it did not garner the necessary 60% “yes” vote), and subsequent discussion seemed to suggest that residents were against doing the 2 roads at the same time. Article 9 is DPW’s response to that – and it includes High Street only.
If Article 9 passes, the following would be included
- Reconstruction of High Street
- Final Bid and Construction Phase Services
- Sewer Replacement – Removed I/I, Root Infiltration, Pipes, Pipe Cracking, Joint Dislocation
- Drainage Replacement Roadway Repaving,
- Sidewalk Upgrades
- Potential Signal Upgrades
Because this is a bond article, by state law it must receive a 3/5ths majority vote (60%).
Those in favor say: High Street is a major roadway through Town and in terrible condition. Underground systems are in dire need of repair or replacement. Work would include the ADA sidewalk improvements previously approved at the 2020 Town meeting. Many people have been complaining about the condition of HIgh Street, and this Article would allow DPW the funds to repair it.
Those against say: No one spoke against this Article at the Deliberative Session.
Fiscal Impact: A household valued at $400,000 will see a tax increase of $64.40 in 2023 if Article 9 is approved. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is .161 cents in 2023. There will be payments in similar amounts for the life of the (expected) 20-year bond.