Hampton Electric Aggregation Program
For those who were unable to attend the Community Electric Aggregation Meeting on April 4th, here is a link to the recording of that meeting.
http://reflect-hamptonnh.cablecast.tv/CablecastPublicSite/show/1658?site=1
Trash and Recycling Delayed
Trash and Recycling collection for Thursday will be delayed by one day due to the storm. Please make sure to bring your carts in and secure them if necessary. Thursday’s collection will be picked up on Friday. If you believe your collection has been missed prior to Thursday – please call the DPW office at 603-926-3202.
Ice Pond and Grist Mill Pond Field Work RESCHEDULED
Due to the pending storm, the field visits scheduled this week for Ice Pond and Grist Mill Pond have been rescheduled for next week.…
Following the passing of article 22 in 2023 funding an ecological study for Ice Pond and Grist Mill Pond, a small team from GEI Consultants will be conducting field visits to Ice Pond and Grist Mill Pond next week. They are scheduled to be on the ponds April 9th and 10th. They plan to start on Ice Pond and then move to Grist Mill Pond. The field work will involve mapping the pond’s bottom, sediment sampling and surface water quality. They will be taking a boat out onto both ponds. If you have any questions, please reach out to Brianna O’Brien, Conservation Coordinator, at 603-929-5808 and bobrien@hamptonnh.gov.
Notice of Mosquito Control Measures
The Hampton Mosquito Control program begins the week of April 8. Crews from Dragon Mosquito Control, Inc. will be checking swamps, salt marshes, woodland pools, ditches, catch basins, storm drains and other shallow, stagnant water for mosquito larvae. When mosquito larvae are found, treatment may occur using one or more insecticides. A list can be found here: List of Insecticides and Additional Details.
Beginning in June, a truck mounted sprayer will disperse Duet (prallethrin 1% & sumithrin 5%) along roadways at night. Road spraying may continue into September. It is not possible to predict the dates of treatment this far in advance. The frequency of night time spraying along roadways is based upon mosquito surveillance data and weather conditions.
Further communication will be given if emergency spraying is going to take place.
Residents who do not want mosquito treatment to on their property may use Dragon’s No- Spray Registry online at www.dragonmosquito.com/no-spray-registry or you may write to Dragon Mosquito Control, PO Box 46, Stratham, NH 03885. Be sure to include your name, physical address, phone number, house color and acreage. Residents may call 603-734-4144 or email Help@DragonMosquito.com for further information regarding dates, times, locations, insecticides, precautions, and other concerns.
SAU 21 Article 1: Operating Budget of $33,135,855
What it means: The proposed budget reflects a 6.9% increase over the FY 2023-2024 and is +0.5% ($175,608) higher than the default budget of $32,960,247. Some of the cost drivers for both budgets (versus last year’s $30,273,491) are price inflation; increase in special education costs (particularly the tuition costs for out of district placements); increased transportation costs; significant increase in the health insurance premiums; investment in Alternative to Suspension Program; transfer of 504 Coordination position from ESSER grant to operating budget; Vocational Program cost increase due to higher participation levels and tuition rate increase; and a rise in students requiring services for English as second language.
• Section 504 regulations require a school district to provide a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school district’s jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability.
Hampton is responsible for 47.1% of SAU 21’s appropriations.
Those in favor say: There were both increases and decreases in expense items that affected the operating budget for SAU 21 this year. The Board and staff worked hard to keep expenses reasonable for taxpayers.
Fiscal Impact: Using the example of a home valued at $400,000, adoption of the Proposed Operating Budget for SAU 21 will cause an increase in taxes of $135.90 versus last year, compared to the Default Budget that would cost that same homeowner $127.56. The difference is $8.34.
Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiplied by .340 to get the tax impact for your property (if Article 1 passes), or .319 if Article 1 fails.
SAU 21 Article 2: Seacoast Education Assoc Collective Bargaining Agreement ($27,380 Hampton’s share)
What it means: The CBA is a cooperative agreement at SAU 21. As such, the CBA warrant article needs to pass in all five (5) school districts within SAU 21 – in order for it to take effect in any one district. If one school district CBA warrant article fails, they all fail.
Those in favor say: A speaker stated that this article was unanimously supported by all members of the School Board, and discussed the importance of the educational associates. He talked about the need for this article to pass in order to retain the best educational associates and to be able to hire high-quality new associates. He discussed the high turnover rate and stated that we currently provide uncompetitive compensation and benefits to these important employees.
If the CBA fails, paraprofessionals do not receive pay increases, steps, or health insurance offerings. Hampton’s paraprofessionals are currently paid $15 – $19 per hour and are only eligible for single-person health insurance. This is not competitive with surrounding school districts, or businesses and retailers. Hampton loses paraprofessionals at a 40% turnover rate.
SAU 21 paraprofessionals are in the classroom every day working with teachers and supporting students to allow for individualized and personalized instruction. They assist with hands-on learning opportunities and educational experiences. These professionals work in both general education and special education, providing services for students as required by their IEPs.
Those opposed say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.
Fiscal Impact: A Hampton home valued at $400,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $ 2.76 in 2024 if SAU 21 Article 2 passes, and for each year of the contract, the cost is below $3.00. Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiplied by .007 to get your cost.
Note: These costs for taxpayers are calculated at 47.1% of the appropriations, which is Hampton’s share.
SAU 21 Article 3: HVAC Upgrades $188,400 (Hampton’s share)
What it means: The School Board proposes to raise and appropriate $400,000 to fund the planned HVAC upgrades project per the HVAC replacement plan and five-year capital improvement plan (CIP).
Those in favor say: The proposed HVAC upgrades project reflects the scheduled upgrades per the plan. The project is part of the ongoing HVAC replacement cycle that includes ongoing HVAC replacement, upgrades, controls integration, and duct cleaning.
The HVAC replacement cycle helps minimize large one -time expenditures for multiple system replacements and levels the spending over multiple years.
Those opposed say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.
Fiscal Impact: A Hampton home valued at $400,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $ 18.99 in 2024 if SAU 21 Article 3 passes. Take your property valuation divide by 1000 and multiply by .047 to get your cost.
Note: These costs for taxpayers are calculated at 47.1% of the appropriations, which is Hampton’s share.
SAU 21 Article 4: Replace and repair Winnacunnet HS Roof $459,225 (Year 1) (Hampton’s share)
What it means: A total main school building and gymnasium roof replacement is scheduled for 2024-2026 at an estimated cost of $3,500,000 including all translucent panels and skylights. This will be phased into a multi-year project (3 years) starting in the summer of 2024.
Those in favor say: In order to minimize tax payer impact, funding will be over two years with the bulk of the funding raised in 2025-26 to coincide with expiration of the building bond, which will offset the cost.
Those opposed say: No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.
Fiscal Impact: A Hampton home valued at $400,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $ 46.29 in 2024 if SAU 21 Article 4 passes. Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiplied by .116 to get your cost.
Note: These costs for taxpayers are calculated at 47.1% of the appropriations, which is Hampton’s share.
SAU 90: Article 1: Operating Budget of $28,894,429
What it means: The SAU 90 Proposed Operating Budget is more than last year by $2,084,825. That consists of $1,255,849 that will be included in the Default Budget, and $828,975 that is being proposed to cover additional expenses.
Note: The school district is seeking a 5% salary increase and associated benefits for 57 Non-Union employees; including those who work in Custodial, Support Staff, Technology, ABA Techs (behavioral support), Social Worker, and Administrators. These salary and benefit increases represent 44% of the Proposed Budget increase over the Default ($359,868).
Additionally, the Proposed Budget includes Special Ed costs to support an increasing number of students identified as needing out-of-district placements; as well as funding for increases in Transportation and facilities costs.
Those in favor say: Regarding the increases to the salaries and benefits for the 57 non-union employees, the school district is competing with other schools to hire support staff such as custodians, food service, etc. It has been very challenging to find people, and some of this is due to potential applicants not being able to afford to live in this area. The modest 5% increase will help to make these jobs more attractive.
Special Education costs reflect the changing needs of the students; we are required to educate any child that comes through our door. Every attempt is made to keep the children within our district, but at times we need to place them outside for services we are not prepared to deliver. When we have a move-in who needs out-of-district services that we did not budget for, that increases our costs by $100,000 to $200,000 per student (including transportation). The school has no control over move-ins, and no option once the need is identified for services the district does not offer. Since these occurrences may take place within the budget year, any such diversion of funds means that less funds are available for the rest of the student body. The Proposed Operating budget asks for recognition of these unforeseeable costs so that all students can receive the education they deserve.
Funds that were previously available due to the effects of the pandemic, notably ESSER funds (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund) were concluded as of last year. That means less dollars available to offset district costs.
Those against say: No one spoke against the Article at the SAU 90 Deliberative Session.
Fiscal Impact: The difference between the actual budget from 2023-24 and what is proposed for 2024-25 is $2,084,824. That difference will add .53 per thousand of property valuation, or $212.00 to the tax due for a household valued at $400,000.
Should Article 1 fail to pass, the Default Budget will add $128.00 to the tax bill versus last year for a property valued at $400,000. Thus, the difference between accepting or rejecting the Proposed Operating budget is $84.00.
Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiply by .53 to get your cost increase versus last year for the Proposed Operating budget, and .32 to get the cost for the Default budget.