Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $147,500 for the purpose of replacing the outfall culvert below the Grist Mill Dam on High Street and to perform a drainage study of Meadow Pond, and to fund said appropriation the sum of $73,750 to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance, a fund containing unexpended appropriations from prior years as of December 31, 2015, and the sum of $73,750 to be raised by taxation? (Majority vote required.)

NOTE: In 2014 the Town appropriated $235,000 for this purpose, which was to be supplemented by $147,500 from the State of New Hampshire if the dam was breached. In March of 2015 the Town voted not to breach the dam but to rebuild it reversing its prior vote, the State withdrew its assistance of $147,500 to replace the culvert and to do the study. This Article will fund the remaining appropriation of $147,500 needed to complete the work. If this article does not pass, the previously raised amount will be surrendered to surplus and the project cancelled.

 What it means: The Town originally voted to decommission the Grist Mill Dam. In conjunction with that, a state grant was available to re-build the culvert under High Street. When the voters subsequently voted to reconstruct the dam rather than take it down, the state funding was lost. This Article seeks to raise the funds via additional taxation.

Those in favor say: The culvert is undersized for the flow of water it handles, and replacing it has been on the list of needed items since the late 80’s. There is a lot of flooding in the area and replacing the culvert will help. The drainage study will help guide the Town’s efforts to resolve the flooding issues in the most efficient way possible. Proactive replacement of the culvert and doing the drainage study is in line with recommendations of the Coastal Risk and Hazards Commission. Better to do the work in a planned way rather than reacting in a crisis.

Those against say:  One concern is that we don’t know yet if the Grist Mill Dam will be able to be reconstructed or if it will need to be decommissioned (based on issues having to do with the dam itself and the cost to repair it). Whatever the answer, it will affect how we proceed with the culvert. Better to await the final resolution of the Grist Mill Dam and then do a drainage study with that information in hand. Another concern with the Article relates to whether or not there is flooding on High Street, or whether or not the problem is bad enough to warrant fixing it – as opposed to many other areas of poor drainage in town.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $329,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $8.55 if this Article passes. This appropriation request only affects 2016.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $300,000 to be added to the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund created under Article 16 of the 1998 Annual Town Meeting in accordance with the provisions of RSA 35 for the purpose of maintenance and/or reconstruction of streets? (Majority vote required)

What it means: The stated amount of money would be added to the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund, which was initiated in 1998. This is the fund that will be used for repair of roads in the future.

Those in favor say: This fund is intended for large projects and significant issues, such as the re-building of Lafayette road. There is a 5-member team who controls this line item. They accept recommendations from the Department of Public Works, but the decisions are made by an outside committee.

Those against say: No one spoke in opposition at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $329,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $35.53 if this Article passes. This approval affects 2016 only.

“What is a Cadillac Tax?”  click here to learn more.

Article 12: One-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with Fire Fighters

 Shall the Town of Hampton vote to approve the cost items included in a one-year collective bargaining agreement reached between the Hampton Board of Selectman and the Hampton Fire Fighters Local 2664, which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing levels:

2016    $42,906 (39 weeks) over 2015 level

2017    $14,302 (13 weeks) over 2015 level

And further to raise and appropriate the sum of $42,906 to fund the cost items related to the Hampton Firefighters Local 2664 salaries and benefits for 2016.   Such sum represents the additional salaries and benefits (over the 2015 budget level) for the 2016 portion of the one year that is contained in an agreement between the Town of Hampton, by its Board of Selectmen, and the Firefighters Local 2664, pursuant to RSA 273-A.   The estimated total cost of the agreement in salaries and benefits for the one-contract year is $57,209? (Majority vote required)

What it means: Town representatives have negotiated with the Firefighters union to negotiate a one-year agreement. The voters now need to either ratify the negotiated terms or reject the agreement. The dollars represent a 1.75% increase for the firefighters.

Those in favor say: This is a one-year maintenance agreement. The firefighters are always there for us and we should support them.

Those against say: No one spoke in opposition to this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $329,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $4.94 for 2016, with an additional obligation of $1.65 in 2017.

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Article 13: One-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with Fire Officers

 Shall the Town of Hampton vote to approve the costs items included in a one-year collective bargaining agreement reached between the Hampton Board of Selectman and the Hampton Fire Officers Local 3017, which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing levels:

2016    $17,751 (39 weeks) over 2015 level

2017    $ 5,917 (13 weeks) over 2015 level

And further to raise and appropriate the sum of $17,751 to fund the cost items related to the Hampton Fire Officers Local 3017 salaries and benefits for 2016.   Such sum represents the additional salaries and benefits (over the 2015 budget level) for the 2016 portion of the one year that is contained in an agreement between the Town of Hampton, by its Board of Selectman and the Fire Officers Local 3017, pursuant to RSA 273-A. The estimated total cost of the agreement in salaries and benefits for the one-contract year is $23,668? (Majority vote required)

What it means: A yes vote approves the salary increases negotiated via the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Fire Officers.

Those in favor say: Those who spoke at Deliberative Session expressed support for this and echoed the points made for the firefighters.

Those against say: No one spoke in opposition to this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $329,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $1.97 if this Article passes.

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Article 14: Three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with Police Officers

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to approve the cost items included in a three-year collective bargaining agreement reached between the Hampton Board of Selectmen and the Hampton Police Association (Officers), which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing levels:

2016    $ 72,616 (39 weeks) over 2015 level

2017    $110,583 (52 weeks) over 2016 level

2018    $114,445 (52 weeks) over 2017 level

2019    $ 26,353 (13 weeks) over 2018 level

And further to raise and appropriate the sum of $72,616 to fund the cost items related to the Police Association (Officers) salaries and benefits for 2016. Such sum re presents the additional salaries and benefits (over the 2015 budget level) for the 2016 portion of the three years that are contained in a collective bargaining agreement between the Town of Hampton by its Board of Selectmen and the Hampton Police Association (Officers), pursuant to N.H. RSA 273-A. The compounded, cumulative cost impact over the three contract years is estimated to be $660,273? (Majority vote required)

 What it means: A yes vote approves the salary increases negotiated via the Collective Bargaining Agreement. This agreement covers 3 years starting in April of 2016. Of the three years (156 weeks) 39 weeks fall into 2016; 52 weeks into 2017; 52 weeks into 2018; and 13 weeks into 2019.

Those in favor say: This agreement represents 6 months of negotiations. The Town was able to move away from a health insurance plan that would have triggered a “Cadillac tax”. The pay increase is being partially offset by concessions by the union that allows for use of comp time as opposed to overtime pay. Because we have not passed contracts and wages have stagnated, we lost 4 part timers to the Manchester Police Department. We need to keep their pay competitive so that we are not spending the money on training replacements.

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 $8.55 if this Article passes.

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Article 15: Three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with Police Sergeants

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to approve the cost items included in a three-year collective bargaining agreement reached between the Hampton Board of Selectmen and the Hampton Police Association (Sergeants), which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing levels:

2016     $12,934 (39 weeks) over 2015 level

2017     $14,199 (52 weeks) over 2016 level

2018 , $37,555 (52 weeks) over 2017 level

2019     $11,420 (13 weeks) over 2018 level

And further to raise and appropriate the sum of $12,934 to fund the cost items related to the Police Association (Sergeants) salaries and benefits for 2016. Such s um represents the additional salaries and benefits (over the 2015 budget level) for the 2016 portion of the three years that are contained in a collective bargaining agreement between the Town of Hampton by its Board of Selectmen and the Hampton Police Association (Sergeants), pursuant to N.H. RSA 273-A The compounded, cumulative cost impact over the three contract years is estimated to be $133,422? (Majority vote required)

What it means: The terms for the agreement with the Police Sergeants is the same as for the Police Officers. The dollars represent a 3% increase.

Those in favor say: We need to support our Police Sergeants. Half of the Officers down at the beach have less than 2 years experience and need good supervision.

 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 $1.65 if this Article passes.

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Article 16: Three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with Teamsters

 Shall the Town of Hampton vote to approve the cost items included in a three-year collective bargaining agreement reached between the Hampton Board of Selectmen and the Teamsters Local 633, which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level:

2016    $41,259 (39 weeks) over 2015 level

2017    $58,004 (52 weeks) over 2016 level

2018    $47,205 (52 weeks) over 2017 level

2019    $ 9,809 (13 weeks) over 2018 level

And further to raise and appropriate the sum of $41,259 to fund the cost items related to the Teamsters Local 633 salaries and benefits for 2016. Such sum represents the additional salaries and benefits (over the 2015 budget level) for the first of the three years that are contained in a collective bargaining agreement between the Town of Hampton by its Board of Selectmen and the Teamsters Local 633 (Clerical, PW Foremen, PO Dispatchers), pursuant to N.H. RSA 273-A. The compounded, cumulative cost impact over the three contract years is estimated to be $336,855? (Majority vote required)

What it means: This is a negotiation that covers employees in several departments for a 3 year period. The dollars represent raises ranging from 2.5% to 3.3%.

Those in favor say: Similar to other negotiations, there were tradeoffs relating to health insurance coverage. This is a fair agreement for both the Town and the employees.

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 $4.94 if this Article passes.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, the amounts set forth on the budget posted with the warrant as amended by vote of the first session, for the purposes set forth therein, totaling $26,599,431.00? Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $26,528,092.00, which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Town of Hampton or by law or the governing body may hold one special meeting in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. (Majority vote required).

What it means: The proposed budget of $26,599,431, if approved by voters, will be the Operating Budget for the fiscal year beginning January 2016. This represents less than one-tenth of 1% increase over 2015, which was a Default Budget

A “No” vote means: The Default Budget of $26,528,092 will be the Operating Budget for the fiscal year beginning January 2016. This is essentially the same as last year’s budget, which was a Default Budget. The Default Budget is defined as the prior year’s budget increased by contractual obligations, debt service and any Warrant Articles passed by the voters.

Those in favor of approving the proposed budget say: The Town’s Department heads did a good job of managing as best they could with the dollars provided last year, including cutting back where possible to make sure there was a reasonable amount for contingencies. A certain amount of excess for unforeseen events is prudent. Increases were absorbed; and line items were changed as needed, and as legally allowed. Any further cutback will affect the departments and what they can accomplish for the town.

Those against say: Even last year’s Default Budget had excesses. The Board of Selectmen moved money around without voter approval. New items were added to circumvent voter approval.

Fiscal Impact: The average Hampton home valued at $329,000 would bear an increased annual tax cost of $11.19 if this Article passes, and $2.63 if it were defeated. The difference is $8.56.

To calculate the effect on your property tax (for your specific property):

• Divide the Tax Assessor’s Valuation of your home by 1,000. (Example: for a $329,000 assessment, the number to use would be 329.) Use your latest tax bill, or go to: http://gis.vgsi.com/hamptonnh/Search.aspx Enter your street address to get your valuation.
• Multiply the result in #1 by .034 to get the tax impact of the proposed Operating Budget. Multiply the result in #1 by .008 to determine the tax impact of the Default Budget.

 

Article 2: Zoning – Clarify Language re: Non-Conforming Use Ordinance

 Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 1 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article 1 – General, Sections 1.2 and 1.3 to clarify and improve the existing language regarding the reconstruction of non-conforming uses, and also the expansion, alteration, and abandonment of nonconforming uses.

Click here to see what the Zoning Ordinance would look like if this Article passes:

Art 2 Amend 1_Non-Conforming Uses

What it means: This article is intended to clarify the Zoning Ordinance regarding non-conforming uses in the two referenced sections. It does not change the intent or meaning of the Ordinance.

Those in favor of Article 2 say: No one spoke in favor of this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Those against Article 2 say: No one spoke against this Article at the Deliberative Session.

 

Article 3: Zoning – Require Planning Board Approval for All Change of Use Plans

 Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 2 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article 1 – General, Section 1.6 to modify the definition of “Use Change,” requiring Planning Board approval in all instances where the current and proposed uses are dissimilar, referencing the previously adopted Use Change approval requirements of the Town Center District, and clarifying that Use Changes are subject to Site Plan and Subdivision approval (when applicable).

 Click here to see what the Zoning Ordinance would look like if this Article passes:

Art-3-Amend-2_Section-1.6-Definitions-Use-Change.pdf

 What it means: This article updates and expands the definition of “Use Change” by including the circumstances under which Planning Board approval is required, and by including the approval requirements for Change of Use in the Town Center District. This article does not change the existing Use Change approval requirements.

Those in favor say: No one spoke in favor of this Article at the Deliberative Session.

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

 

Article 4: Zoning – Include Vernal Pools in List of Protected Wetlands Areas

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 3 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article II – Districts, Section 2.3.1 Purposes to include vernal pools in the list of areas protected by the Wetland Conservation District.

Amend Article II – Districts, Section 2.3.2 B Definitions – “Inland Wetlands” to add examples of inland wetlands such as non-tidal portions of ponds, rivers and streams.

Click here to see what the Zoning Ordinance would look like if this Article passes:

Art-4-Amend-3_Purpose-and-Definition-Clarification.pdf

What it means: This article adds ‘vernal pools’ and examples of types of inland wetlands to more completely describe the areas already protected within the Town’s Wetland Conservation District.

Those in favor say: No one spoke in favor of this Article at the Deliberative Session.

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

 

Article 5: Zoning – Create a 100 foot Buffer for 1^st through 4^th Order Streams

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 4 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article II – Districts, Section 2.3.2 E Definitions – “Buffer” to creat a 100’ buffer for a specified list of select 1^st throuigh 4^th order streams and rivers (Ash Brook, Drakes River, Little River, Nilus Brook, Old River, Taylor River, and Winnicut River).

Amend Article II – Districts, Section 2.3.3 Permitted Uses to add a new section that covers the permitted uses within the 1^st through 4^th order streams and their buffers.

Amend Article II – Districts, Section 2.3.4 Use Restrictions and Prohibited Uses (B, D, and F) to include appropriate references and clarifications with regard to the 1^st through 4^th order streams and its 100’ buffer.

Amend Article II – Districts, Appendix to include a reference to the accepted scientific paper that established stream order.

Click here to see what the Zoning Ordinance would look like if this Article passes:

Art 5 Amend 4_1st through 4th Order Streams

 What it means: These changes reference a new, graduated 100’ wetlands buffer only on the specific streams and rivers included in the article, describe the uses in each 25’ section of the 100’, and include language that adds the new buffer to the existing format of the Ordinances. See explanatory graphic here.

Those in favor say: The implementation of this additional, graduated buffer is needed to protect our primary fresh water streams and rivers closer to their sources.

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

 

Article 6: Zoning – No Permanent Adverse Impacts to the Wetlands Conservation District

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 5 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article II – Districts, Section 2.3.7, Special Provisions (C1 and C2) to add a sentence to clarify that no proposed development within the contiguous area shall result in any permanent adverse impacts to the Wetlands Conservation District.

 Click here to see what the Zoning Ordinance would look like if this Article passes:

Art-6-Amend-5_Contiguous-Area.pdf

What it means: This warrant article makes it clear that development planned in the contiguous area of a parcel cannot include any permanent impacts to the Town’s wetlands, to poorly and very poorly drained soils, or to their buffers.

Those in favor say: No one spoke in favor of this article at the Deliberative Session.

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

 

Article 7: Zoning – Aquifer Protection District Ordinance

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 6 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article II – Districts, Section 2.5 (Aquifer Protection District Ordinance) to add definitions for “Impervious Surface,” “Low Impact Development,” and “Sanitary Protective Radius;” to provide for review of reports involving zone designation by the Aquarion Water Company or its successor; to modify the Use Regulations as they pertain to Site Drainage, Prohibited Uses, Conditional Uses, and Non-Conforming Uses; to require notice to the Aquarion Water Company or its successor of any application within the Aquifer Protection District requiring a public hearing; and other general codification and consistency changes.

Click here to see what the Zoning Ordinance would look like if this Article passes:

Art 7 Amend 6_Section 2.5 Aquifer Protection District

What it means: These definitions and explanations is intended to add clarity and consistency to the Ordinance.

Those in favor say: No one spoke in favor of this article at the Deliberative Session.

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

 

Article 8: Zoning – Cross-Reference Existing Use Regulations in Other Sections of Ordinances

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 7 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article III – Use Regulations to add notes cross-referencing the existing Use Regulations located in other sections of the Zoning Ordinance.

Click here to see what the Zoning Ordinance would look like if this Article passes:

Art 8 Amend 7_Article III Use Regulations

What it means: These ‘housekeeping’ changes is intended to make it easier to find references to the Use Regulations.

Those in favor say: No one spoke in favor of this article at the Deliberative Session.

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

 

Article 9: Zoning – Use Regulations re: Elderly Housing

Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 8 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows?

Amend Article III – Use Regulations to add new Section 3.48 regarding Elderly Housing, which relocates the use table currently in Article XV and identifies applicable types of elderly housing.

Amend Article XV – Elderly Housing Standards to delete the use table (to be relocated under Article III) and to clarify the existing language.

Click here to see what the Zoning Ordinance would look like if this Article passes:

Art-9-Amend-8_Elderly-Housing-New-Section-3.48-and-Ameded-Article-XV-1.pdf

 What it means: This establishes a new Section in the Ordinances pertaining to Elderly Housing and moves the use table to that Section.

Those in favor say: No one spoke in favor of this article at the Deliberative Session.

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