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 V – Signs as follows:  Section 5.2 to add definitions for “Air Dancer” and for “Feather, Sail, or Teardrop Sign”; Section 5.4.1 to state (within new Subsection “h”) that air dancers are expressly prohibited in all zones; Section 5.4.2 to provide requirements for feather, sail, or teardrop signs (within new Subsection “j”); Table I to identify the zoning districts where air dancers and feather, sail, or teardrop signs are permitted or not permitted; and Table II to specify that feather, sail, or teardrop signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in zoning districts where permitted.

What it means:This warrant article amends Article V – Signs, to add (Section 5.2) definitions for “Air Dancer” and “Feather, Sail or Teardrop” signs; (Section 5.4.1) to state that air dancers are prohibited in all zones; (Section 5.4.2) to provide requirements for feather, sail and teardrop signs; (Table 1) to identify zoning districts in which air dancer, feather, sail or teardrop signs are permitted or not permitted; and (Table II) to specify that feather, sail and teardrop signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in zoning districts where permitted.

Those for and against say:  No one spoke either for or against this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: No tax impact.

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 VI – Parking. Section 6.3.10 as follows: To delete the stacked parking language pertaining only to Condominium Conversions of Pre-existing Non-conforming Uses, replacing it with a new Section 6.3.11 which states that on any lot containing one (1) or more dwelling units, stacked parking shall constitute one parking space regardless of the number of parking spaces in the stack.

What it means:This warrant article amends stacked parking language pertaining to Condominium Conversions of Pre-Existing Non-Conforming Uses, adding Section 6.3.11, defining stacked parking on a lot containing one or more dwelling units. The new definition is that stacked parking shall constitute one parking space, regardless of the number of vehicles that can be parked end-to-end in that space.Stacked parking refers to vehicles parked in front of one another, rather than next to each other.

Those for and against say: No one spoke either for or against this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: No tax impact.

With 36 Articles, they don’t all fit on one web page!  If you are reading down the page, press “Next Page” at the bottom, or if you are looking for something specific, use the search box above left.

A Master Plan helps to identify what sorts of development and in what locations will shape the Town the way the residents wish.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $18,000 for the purpose of contracting professional planning services for the completion of a series of Phase I tasks intended to provide the foundation for a future update of the Hampton Master Plan. Per RSA 674:1, it is the duty of the Planning Board to prepare and amend from time to time a master plan to guide the development of the municipality. Further, RSA 674:3.11 states that revisions to the plan are recommended every 5 to 10 years. Most chapters of the existing Town of Hampton Master Plan are considerably older than ten years, and the Plan as a whole is not in a user-friendly format.

This Article is for Phase I only, and the proposed tasks to be completed during this initial phase of work include establishing and facilitating a Master Plan Steering Committee, facilitating inter­municipal coordination, initiating a visioning process resulting in a draft Vision Chapter, and preparing (with Steering Committee guidance) a Master Plan Template outlining anticipated chapters and general content areas. It is also anticipated that technology will be utilized to engage with the residents of Hampton. The deliverables from Phase I will provide the Town of Hampton Planning Board with options for pursuing Phase II of the project, which would involve the full update of the Town’s Master Plan. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the purpose of this Article is completed or by December 31, 2021, whichever is sooner? (Majority vote required)

What it means: This warrant article would fund a professional planning service to complete Phase I tasks associated with a future update of the Town of Hampton Master Plan. The deliverables from Phase I will provide the Planning Board with a framework and options for pursuing Phase II, which would involve a full update of the Town’s Master Plan.  Phase I work is expected to take about 15 months, and will consist of the following steps, as presented at Deliberative Session.

Steering Committee Facilitation	Convene up to 8 Steering Committee meetings, facilitate discussions, provide technical and guidance information	$4,500	March to Dec 2019
Inter-municipal Coordination	Coordinate input and review of documents etc. with Departments and staff, and land use boards and commissions
Vision Session and Chapter	Conduct 1-2 public Visioning Session and prepare a draft Vision  Chapter including up to 6 Steering Committee meetings and 2 presentations to the Planning Board	$5,500	Apr 2019 to June 2020
Outreach	Coordination with boards and commissions; implement a public outreach campaign for the Vision Chapter and Master Plan Template	$3,500	Mar 2019 to June 2020
Master Plan Template	Draft template outlining chapters and general content areas, and appendices (with Steering Committee guidance)	$4,500	Aug 2019 to June 2020
Cost		$18,000	15 months

Those in favor say:  A Master Plan is required by statute. Revisions to the plan are recommended every 5 to 10 years. The current Master Plan was adopted in 1985, with some subsequent chapter amendments since that time.  It has been 34 years since the last comprehensive update.  Having a current Master Plan will allow the Town to be more competitive for grant funding.

Lots of decisions are made with reference to a Master Plan, which was last updated when our population was about 8,000 people – roughly half what it is today. The process of establishing a revised Master Plan will encourage better relationships between the various departments because everyone will be referring to the same roadmap.  It’s for the future, and it’s by the people – what do we want our community to look like?  We need something to guide development.

Those against say: Phase II will be expensive.  Phase I is not detailed enough to indicate what work will be accomplished.  There were questions about the usefulness of the document.

Fiscal impact:  The $18,000 cost in 2019 will create an additional tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $2.04.

The Operating Budget allows the Town to pay for the Fire Department, Ambulance, the Police Department among many other functions.

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 $28,141,882. Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $27,595,116, 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 voters are presented with 2 budgets. The Default Budget is regulated by RSA 40:13 and is determined by the amount of the previous-year approved budget, as adjusted by debt service, and contracts/ obligations mandated by law. The Default Budget will be the Operating Budget for the Town in the event the Proposed Operating Budget does not pass.

The Proposed Budget as presented by the Budget Committee, includes items not allowed by the RSA to be included in the Default Budget, such as increased but not-voted contractual costs, and anticipated needs determined by the various Town Departments.  The difference between the Default Budget and the Proposed Budget is $546,766.  Of this increase, $208,846 is due to anticipated increases in Waste Disposal costs.  Should the Proposed Operating Budget fail to pass, absorption of these costs will require decreased services in other areas.

The Default Budget adds $0.224 per $1,000 valuation or $90.72 for the average-value home in Hampton. The Proposed Budget adds $0.387 per $1,000 valuation or $156.73 for the average-value home in Hampton ($66.01 more than required by the default budget.).

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 the average assessment of $405,000, the number to use would be 405.) Use your latest tax bill, or go to: http://gis.vgsi.com/hamptonnh/Search.aspxand enter your street address to get your valuation.
• Multiply the result in #1 by .387 to get the tax impact of the proposed Operating Budget. Multiply the result in #1 by .224 to determine the tax impact of the Default Budget.

Those in favor say: This is the proposed operating budget for the Town of Hampton for 2019, created with input from department heads, committees and commissions, and vetted by the Board of Selectmen and the MunicipalBudgetCommittee. It represents what the Department Heads believe they need to meet the demands of the residents of Hampton.  There was a strong commitment to keep taxpayer costs reasonable, and still be responsive to the needs of residents. Almost 40% of the difference between the Default Budget and the Proposed Budget ties to the increases in solid waste disposal fees, over which The Town has no control.

Those opposed say: There is a concern about the overall tax bill, and how it is increasing over time.  One speaker said that we should be looking at other revenue sources such as impact fees to help offset increasing Town responsibilities.

Fiscal impact: The average Hampton home valued at $405,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $66.01 in 2019 if the Proposed Operating Budget is approved, as compared to the Default Budget.  (Total increase would be $156.73, $90.72 of which is unavoidable).

 

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to approve the cost items included in the 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 current staffing levels, over the amount paid in the prior fiscal year:

Estimated Increase (over previous year level)

2019 (39 weeks)           $ 21,275

2020 (52 weeks)           $ 32,001

2021 (52 weeks)           $ 27,528

2022 (13 weeks)           $   6,221

And to further raise and appropriate $21,275 for the current fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels? (Majority vote required)

 What it means:  This Article provides a 2.8% salary increase, in line with the federally defined cost of living, meaning that Hampton Sergeant’s salaries will keep pace with inflation if this Article passes.

 Those in favor say:  Helps the town to attract and retain both regular police officers and the summer personnel who are handling an ever-increasing tourist crowd during the summer months.  If we want good people, we need to pay them fairly.

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

Fiscal impact: The average Hampton home valued at $405,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $3.87 in 2019 (39 weeks); and (if total property valuations and exemptions remained the same) $7.37 in 2020 (for 52 weeks); $5.90 in 2021 (for 52 weeks) and $1.14 for 2022 (for 13 weeks) at current staffing levels.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Hampton Board of Selectmen and the Hampton Police Assoc (Patrolman), which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at current staffing levels, over the amount paid in the prior fiscal year:

Estimated Increase (over previous year level)

2019 (39 weeks)	$ 80,204
2020 (52 weeks)	$131,484
2021 (52 weeks)	$129,954

2022 (13 weeks)                                   $ 30,950

And to further raise and appropriate $80,204 for the current fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at current staffing levels? (Majority vote required)

What it means: These Article provides a 2.8% salary increase, in line with the federally defined cost of living, meaning that Hampton Patrolmen’s salaries will keep pace with inflation if this Article passes.

Those in favor say: Helps the town to attract and retain both regular police officers and the summer personnel who are handling an ever-increasing tourist crowd during the summer months. If we want good people, we need to pay them fairly.

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

Fiscal impact: The average Hampton home valued at $405,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $15.91 in 2019 (39 weeks); and (if total property valuations and exemptions remained the same) $26.08 in 2020 (for 52 weeks); $25.78 in 2021 (for 52 weeks) and $6.14 for 2022 (for 13 weeks) at current staffing levels.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to adopt the optional tax credit for combat service under the provisions of RSA 72:28-c in accordance with the procedure of RSA 72:27-a, with said exemption to be $500. The tax credit for combat service shall be subtracted each year from the property tax on the qualifying service member’s residential real estate, as defined in RSA 72:29, II. To qualify for the tax credit for combat service, a person shall be a resident of this state engaged at any point during the taxable period in combat service as a member of the New Hampshire National Guard or a reserve component of the Unites States Armed Forces, called to active duty. For purposes of this section, and in accordance with Internal Revenue Service Publication 3, Armed Forces Tax Guide, “combat service” shall mean military service in one of the following areas: (a) An active combat area as designated by the President in an Executive Order, for which the service member receives special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger as certified by the Department of Defense. (b) A support area as designated by the Department of Defense in direct sustainment of military operations in the combat zone, for which the service member receives special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger as certified by the Department of Defense. (c) Service in a contingency operation as designated by the Department of Defense, for which the service member receives special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger as certified by the Department of Defense. The application for the tax credit shall be accompanied by the service member’s military orders, and shall include such information as may be required for the assessor’s off ice to verify the dates of combat service. The service member shall be eligible for the credit in each tax year in which the combat service occurs, but the credit may be prorated in the second tax year based on the duration of combat service. The tax credit for combat service shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, the optional veteran’s tax credit under RSA 72:28 or the all veterans’ tax credit under RSA 72:28- b? (Majority vote required)

What it means: This new credit would allow eligible service members to receive an optional $500 property tax credit for combat service under RSA 72:28-c.

This optional $500 property tax credit would be available to eligible service members in the year that they serve in combat as a member of the New Hampshire National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces called to active duty in accordance with IRS Publication Guide 3, Armed Forces Tax Guide.  Service members would provide required information with their application and once dates of combat service are verified, the service member would be eligible for the credit in each tax year based on the duration of combat service (possibility of proration in the second year based on duration of combat service).

This credit would be in lieu of the other optional veterans tax credits (RSA 72:28or RSA 72:28-b) already offered/available to qualified service members.

Those in favor say: While Hampton has other tax credits this would be an additional offering for those who go to combat zone. The point was made that this credit is not just for those engaging in combat, but for all service members that are called to active duty in a combat zone.

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

Fiscal impact: As a new credit, it is not possible to estimate 2019 costs. It is unknown if and how many current service members will be called to combat service.

This is a file image of some of Hampton’s proud veterans, not necessarily connected with the referenced tax credit.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to increase the amount of the property tax credit for the veterans’ optional tax credit previously adopted by the Town in 1991 from $500 to $750 in accordance with the authority provided by Chapter 148 of the Laws of 2018? (Majority vote required)

What it means: The Town currently offers a $500 optional veteran’s tax credit  (RSA 72:28). A “yes” vote would increase the credit to $750, in the tax year beginning April 1^st.  The optional veterans’ tax credit would be subtracted each year from the property tax on the veteran’s residential property.

According to the Town Assessor, 793 Hampton veterans received the credit in 2018 totaling approximately $396,500 reduction in collected tax revenue.  If the proposed increase is passed, the foregone tax revenue would increase to approximately $595,000 if all 793 veterans applied for the credit, an increase of $198,500.

Those in favor say:  The credit was adopted in 1991 and hasn’t been increased since.  Those in favor would like to continue the Town’s support for our veterans, and do not want to see longtime residents move due to property tax costs.

Those opposed say:  Residents will need to consider their tax rate impacts and understand that budgets may need to be trimmed in other areas to account for the increased expense to help support veterans.

Fiscal impact:  There is no direct “cost” so the Article reads “no tax impact”.  However, there will be less revenue collected in the amount of $198,500.  That will create an additional tax burden for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $23.94. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .059 to get your specific tax impact.)  That cost will remain for future tax years.

This is a file image of some of Hampton’s proud veterans, not necessarily connected with the topic of the Article.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to increase the amount of the property tax credit for the veterans’ permanent service-connected disability previously adopted by the Town in 1991 from $2,000 to $4,000 in accordance with the authority provided by Chapter 105 of the Laws of 2018? (Majority vote required)

What it Means: The Town currently offers a $1,400* (not $2,000 as stated in the warrant article) property tax credit for veterans who have total and permanent service-connected disabilities  (RSA 72:35).

A “yes” vote would increase the credit to $4,000 (from $1,400), in the tax year beginning April 1^st.  The optional veterans’ tax credit would be subtracted each year from the property tax on the veteran’s residential property. A surviving spouse of a resident who suffered a service-connected death may have the amount subtracted from the property tax on any real property in the same municipality where the surviving spouse is a resident

According to the Town Assessor, 33 Hampton veterans received this credit in 2018 totaling approximately $46,200 to those veterans who applied for it. If the proposed increase passes, the cost would increase to approximately $132,000 if all 33 veterans applied for the credit, representing foregone tax revenue of $85,800.

Those in favor say:  The credit was adopted in 1991 and hasn’t been increased since.  Those in favor would like to continue the Town’s support for our veterans, and do not want to see longtime residents move due to property tax costs.

Those opposed say: Residents will need to consider their tax rate impacts and understand that budgets may need to be trimmed in other areas to account for the increased expense to help support veterans.

Fiscal impact: There is no direct “cost” so the Article reads “no tax impact”.  However, there will be less revenue collected at an estimated amount of $85,800 if this Article passes. That will increase taxes for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 by $10.35. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .026 to get your specific tax impact.)  That cost will remain for future tax years.