Here’s a link to the Article as it will appear on the Ballot:

Article 41.pdf

What it means: This Article would authorize the Town or representatives to gather information about generating electricity by installing solar panels on top of the landfill. There is no immediate tax impact because it is a study only.

Those in favor say: Since this is only a study, why not look into it?

Those against say: Those against this Article were those with knowledge of the cover that was put on top of the landfill. Apparently, it was not done very well and previous attempts to use the landfill for various community amenities have not been successful. The landfill membrane is weak and would not sustain the stone blocks that would be needed to hold the solar panels in place. It would be neither safe nor effective without proper support.  They say it would be a waste of time to explore that particular location for solar panels.

Fiscal Impact: No tax impact.

Here’s a link to the Article as it will appear on the Ballot:

Article 42.pdf

What it means: The Child Advocacy Center is requesting to be added to the town’s list of agencies that receive an annual donation. They have not previously appeared on the ballot for a donation. Therefore, they were not added to Article 20 this year (Social Services Agencies), but to a separate Article so voters could weigh in. If Article 42 passes The Child Advocacy Center would be part of the Social Services Agencies list next year. The dollar amount requested is derived from the number of children from Hampton who are being represented by the group.

Those in favor say: The Child Advocacy Center speaks on behalf of children who are victims of abuse and their case is being handled in the court system. The Child Advocacy Center becomes the voice for those children.

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

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $329,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $.15 if this Article passes.

Here’s a link to the Article as it will appear on the Ballot:

Article 43.pdf

What it means: This is an annual donation to Experience Hampton to help fund the Christmas parade in town.

Those in favor say: The parade takes place early in December, and tries to involve many groups within town, including businesses, schools and local officials.

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

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $329,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $.35 if this Article passes.

Here’s a link to the Article as it will appear on the Ballot:

Article 44.pdf

What it means: The town has a capital reserve for items relating to the upkeep of the cemetery. This Article seeks approval to use the funds to replace a failing plow truck. There would be no tax impact, as the funds are already in reserve.

Those in favor say: The existing truck has been “jerry-rigged” into continued functionality, but it needs to be replaced.  If the snow plow is not working, outside services must be contracted to do the plowing.  So proponents say this will save money in the long run.

Those against say: A speaker made a procedural comment that the Cemetery Commission did not hold the required meeting (or there was no record of it) and yet they produced a budget.

Fiscal Impact: No tax impact.

Here’s a link to the Article as it will appear on the Ballot:

Article 45.pdf

What it means: When the Operating Budget is defeated (as it has been in 4 of the last 6 years) non-union town employees do not get their scheduled raises because the “default” budget is defined as last year’s budget, plus any contractual obligations, debt service and the cost of petitioned Warrant Articles.  Nothing more. The Town Clerk is requesting that the voters approve a salary increase even if the proposed budget is defeated. If Article 12 (2015 Operating Budget) passes, these funds would come from the Operating Budget, and no additional funds would be expended via Article 45.

Those in favor say: The Hampton Town Clerk is underpaid for her position, based on comparisons with similar-sized towns. The revenue handled and production required of the office has increased over the past several years.

Those against say: No one spoke against the Town Clerk deserving this raise. A concern was expressed, however, that this sets a dangerous precedent because other town employees might also seek to protect their incomes by having separate Warrant Articles for salary increases. The taxpayers are not in a position to evaluate the work of town employees, or whether they are adequately paid.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $329,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $.44 if this Article passes.

Here’s a link to the Article as it will appear on the Ballot:

Article 46.pdf

What it means: The owners of the referenced property currently have 2 seasonal structures on one small lot (.13 acre lot). This Article seeks to remove a deed restriction that disallows more than one year-round dwelling on a lot.

Those in favor say: A neighbor said this is a nice family that would be welcomed year-round.

Those against say: People who are opposed to this make several points.  The lot is too small for 2 dwelling units if one of them is to be year-round.  The homeowners have the option of taking down both small cottages and replacing it with the year-round home they wish to build.  Lot sizes in town take into consideration issues such as snow storage, runoff, drainage, etc.  Asking for a deed restriction to be removed via Town ballot is in effect attempting an end-run around the appropriate Boards in town.

Fiscal Impact: No tax impact.

Here’s a link to the Article as it will appear on the Ballot:

Article 47.pdf

What it means: After 100+ years, the dam at Ice Pond has failed. The Conservation Commission purchased the dam and part of the Pond on behalf of the Town in 2007, with the promise that the pond would be available for passive recreation. If the dam is not replaced, the recreational value of the property is likely to be diminished or eliminated. Aquatic and wildlife habitats would be disrupted. The Conservation Commission has dedicated $40,000 to the repair of Ice Pond dam. They are seeking $90,000 more to complete the project, which is necessary to maintain the pond so it can be enjoyed for fishing, ice skating and other recreation.

Those in favor say: This is the only protected pond in Hampton that is open for the recreational use of townspeople. It is a frequently-used pond, with many ice skaters in the winter, and people fishing and birding or just enjoying the view in the warmer months. The intended new dam will be a low-maintenance concrete dam with stop-logs that will allow for control of storm waters. It is part of the heritage of the town as it was used to supply businesses with ice prior to the era of refrigeration. Without a dam, downstream flooding may occur, recreation opportunities will no longer be available, and the pond is likely to return to a meadow within a period of time. More information at: http://www.hamptonicepond.org

Those against say: There was some discussion of the pond contributing to up-stream flooding, but a subsequent speaker indicated that an engineering firm was hired to investigate the causes of flooding upstream, and the cause was found to be not connected with the Ice Pond area at all. Another speaker expressed a concern about maintenance costs.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $329,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $10.64 if this Article passes.

Here’s a link to the Article as it will appear on the Ballot:

Article 48.pdf

What it means: The Hampton Municipal Budget Committee currently consists of 12 at-large members, and 3 representatives from other boards for a total of 15. This Article seeks to reduce the size of the committee to 6 at-large members, plus the 3 from other boards for a total of 9. The reduction in the size of the committee would be accomplished via attrition: Starting in 2016, as existing terms expire, no new candidates would be sought, until the number of filled seats falls below 6. At that point, candidates would be sought to maintain the size of the board at 9 members (6 at-large and 3 appointed from other Boards as they are now.)

Those in favor say: The sheer size of the Budget Committee makes it unwieldy. It takes more time to get things done both for the Budget Committee itself and for the Department Heads who must present their budgets and rationales. No other board in town has as many members as the Budget Committee does. The NH statutes allow for Budget Committee members ranging from 3 – 12 at-large members.

Those against say: Those who were against the Article were concerned not so much about reducing the size of the Committee, which was generally thought to be a good idea, but about losing experienced members and not being able to choose who would stay on the board in the short term.

Fiscal Impact: No tax impact.

Here’s a link to the Article as it will appear on the Ballot:

Article 49.pdf

What it means: “N” street is in a part of town that is heavily congested in the summer. There are area deed restrictions that disallow a fence from being higher than 3 feet. This means that the residents are not able to distance themselves from the noise and lights from the heavy Hampton Beach traffic each summer. A developer is doing some work on lots in this area, and wishes to provide higher fences for the privacy of the residents.

Those in favor say: A speaker stated that he supports this Article and had suggested that the developer submit an Article to remove that particular deed restriction from all the lots in the area, but the developer only asks the voters to consider lifting the deed restriction for a specific group of lots.

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

Fiscal Impact: No tax impact.

The vote is not at Marston School this year!  It will be held at Winnicunnet High School on Tuesday, March 10th from 7 AM to 8 PM .  You can bring your “My Voting Choices” checklist with you to the ballot box.