Shall the Town of Hampton vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund in accordance with the provisions of RSA35 for the purposes of purchasing Firefighters Turn Out Gear/Personal Protective Equipment for the Town of Hampton Fire Department and for that purpose to raise and appropriate the sum of $200,000 to establish such Capital Reserve Fund, with said sum of $200,000 to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance, and to appoint the Board of Selectmen as Agents to expend from said fund with such fund to be used only to replace Firefighter Turn Out Gear/Personal Protective Equipment? (Majority vote required)

What it means: A Capital Reserve Fund will put money aside to assure that Firefighters always have appropriate protective gear. It has become increasingly apparent that burning materials can cause cancer for firefighters. This reserve fund will help to purchase protective gear that is tailored for each individual firefighter, and helps to prevent him or her against carcinogens they may encounter while controlling fires and protecting the life and property of Hampton residents.  The manufacturer states that this gear should be retired no more than 10 years after the date of manufacture, so there will be a regular need to replace gear that is damaged or that needs to be pulled out of service.

Those in favor say: Having a Capital Reserve Fund will allow our Firefighters to remain at constant state of readiness to protect life and property while maintaining the highest possible level of personal safety.

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

Fiscal impact: There is no tax impact because the money was appropriated in prior tax years.  This Article is allowing the withdrawal of the money from the fund for the specified purpose.

Photo Credit: Keith Sullivan, taken from Hampton Firefighters & Fire Officers Facebook page.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $414,616 for the purpose of employing 4 additional full time Fire Fighter/EMT’s for the Hampton Fire Department, over and above those positions funded by the 2019 operating budget, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, contract for, accept and expend Federal Homeland Security SAFER funding, estimated to equal $276,405 to be applied against said appropriation. The cost in year two is estimated to be $390,062 with Federal funding estimated to be $290,446, and in year three the total cost is $397,622 with Federal funding estimated to be $138,187. Federal SAFER grants pay for salary and benefits. This article shall be null and void if the Federal funding is not approved or received? (Majority vote required).

What it means:  The FEMA SAFER Grant would allow the Town of Hampton to hire firefighters with a government subsidy equaling 75% or wages and benefits for the first two years and 35% in the third year. Hampton would be responsible for 25%, 25% and 65% of the wages and benefits through the three-year grant cycle. After the third year, the Town would be responsible for the full cost of the four Firefighters. The Warrant Article factors into the first year all costs associated with hiring that are not covered by the grant, including medical clearance, background check, driving record check and gear costs.  If this Article passes, the Town of Hampton will hire four additional Firefighters/ EMT’s. That would bring each shift from the current nine Firefighter/EMT’s to ten.

Those in favor say: Since 2012, Hampton has added 1.4 million square feet of real estate. There are fifteen new roads, with 102 new homes. Condos have been built where there once stood seasonal studio motels. With more and larger-square-footage structures being built, more first responders are needed to respond safely to a given emergency.  Even with the approval of this Article, Hampton will still be five firefighters below national standards for response to a residential structure fire – and that is when no one is out due to injury or illness. The national standard calls for 15 Firefighters on the initial residential response.  The Town has also added several commercial structures – a courthouse, a memory-care facility, a hotel and a trade school to name a few.  Having ten Firefighters per shift will mean two officers and eight firefighters. It will allow Hampton to operate two staffed ambulances and will make every response to a fire safer for the Firefighters and the community.

The Department has been seeking the addition of 4 Firefighters since 2005 when 4 firefighters were laid off due to a budgetary crisis arising from a default budget.  The grant allows the Town to do this in a gradual way for taxpayer purposes.

 Those against say: Voters need to be able to examine the personnel needs and evaluate that independent of the grant opportunity.  One speaker at Deliberative Session felt that the grant was a “camouflage”. Another speaker was concerned about the longer-term impact on the budget when the grant expires.

Fiscal impact: The 2019 cost of $138,187 would cost the average Hampton property owner about $32.41 assuming the Article passes and the grant is subsequently forthcoming. No Firefighters will be hired if the grant is not secured. In the long run, the Article would cost $49.00 per year for a home valued at $405,000 once the grant has expired.  (Note: The first year cost includes Firefighter gear (10 year life) and all hiring costs.  The majority of those costs would not need to be repeated in subsequent years.)

Photo by MJ Kent, taken from Hampton Fire & Rescue Facebook page.

Article 18 on Hampton’s 2019 Ballot asks voters to approve 4 additional firefighters, with the first 3 years being substantially offset by a FEMA grant.  A reasonable question is – do we need 4 more firefighters?  When the grant money has expired, the cost of the additional personnel (assuming they are kept on) will become part of the Hampton budget.  At the same time, we want our community to be protected and we want the firefighters responding to emergencies to have the number of personnel that it takes to be safe and to do the job right.  Here are some facts to help you consider this question:

How many Firefighters per shift is considered safe and effective?

National FEMA standards call for 15 Firefighters on an initial response to a fire at a residential structure.  Hampton currently has nine (seven Firefighters and two Officers.). There are four such groups, for a total of 36.

That staffing of nine leaves the team short by 40% (compared to the FEMA standard of 15.)

When an Officer is out, another person fills that role.  But when a Firefighter is out, the Department runs with fewer Firefighters.  So although the theoretical number per shift is currently nine, a call could be made with eight or even seven responders in total including 2 officers.

Why Four More?

There are four shifts to the Department’s staffing strategy.  Increasing headcount by four allows for a balanced response, regardless of when a call comes in because the number of firefighters would be increased to 8 per shift, plus the 2 officers across the four shifts.

Four more firefighters will allow the Fire Department to operate two staffed ambulances and will make every response to a fire safer for the Firefighters and the community.

The other side of that: being short on every shift means each response to an emergency carries increased risk for both the firefighters and town residents.

Does our community need the additional manpower?

Since 2012, Hampton has added 1.4 million square feet of real estate. Fifteen new roads, with 102 new homes. Condos have been built where there once stood seasonal studio motels. This means that the demand is higher.  Calls come in two and three at a time with increased frequency.

The Fire Department has seen a great number of simultaneous calls, such that Hampton in 2018 needed to call on surrounding towns for mutual aid because of a lack of staff to handle its calls. We had 35 calls for mutual aid last year, and provided mutual aid to other towns 18 times. That means Hampton requested help twice as often as Hampton was asked to help.

There is an ever-increasing need for staff training. Ice Rescue, Open water (Ocean) rescue, Hazardous Materials and the always changing need to be up on the latest technology. Performing a rescue with hydraulic tools and cutting into a hybrid electrical car is far different and demands more knowledge than cutting into cars from a generation ago.

As a physical job, there are regular cases of employees being out due to injuries or illness.  Having an extra headcount per shift also provides the department with greater flexibility with regard to scheduling, to assure proper staffing when the calls come in.

What does the grant do?

The FEMA SAFER Grant would allow the Town of Hampton to hire four Firefighters with a government subsidy equaling 75% of wages and benefits for the first two years and 35% in the third year. Hampton would be responsible for 25%, 25% and 65% of the wages and benefits through the three-year grant cycle, and the full cost thereafter.

A “yes” vote would allow the Town of Hampton and Hampton Fire/Rescue to pursue the FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant.

What about the tax impact?

The 2019 cost of $138,187 would cost the average Hampton property owner about $32.41 assuming the Article passes and the grant is subsequently forthcoming. No Firefighters will be hired if the grant is not secured. In the long run, the Article would cost $49.00 per year for a home valued at $405,000 once the grant has expired.  (Note: The first year cost includes Firefighter gear (10 year life) and all hiring costs.  The majority of those costs would not need to be repeated in subsequent years.)

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $150,000 to engage the services of a licensed revaluation firm to perform a Town-wide revaluation of property in the Town of Hampton as required by the State Constitution and the Department of Revenue Administration during the tax year 2019. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will not lapse until the revaluation is completed or by March 31, 2021, whichever is sooner? (Majority vote required)

 What it means: The $150,000 will fund the revaluation of all properties in Hampton.  The last town-wide valuation was in 2016.

Those in favor say: This is a self-funding expenditure for most homeowners, because with all the new construction in town the updated valuation will distribute the tax burden more fairly.

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

Fiscal impact: The $150,000 cost in 2019 will create an additional tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $18.36. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .045 to get your specific tax impact.)

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to instruct the Town Manager to appoint a Code Enforcement Officer, who, under the supervision of the Building Inspector would be responsible with the Building Inspector, Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager, for the enforcement of all Town building codes, zoning and land ordinances, by-laws and regulations; State and Federal laws, codes, and administrative regulations. This position shall be a part-time employee of the Town who shall report to the Building Inspector and the Town Manager and to raise and appropriate the sum of $17,136 to fund the part-time salary from April1, 2019 with the annual cost thereafter of $22,847 for such position? (Majority vote required)

What it means: A part-time person will be hired with the sole responsibility of ensuring that our Building Codes and Zoning Codes are enforced.  The full-year cost will be just under $23,000.

Those in favor say: It makes little sense to enact new Building, Zoning or Planning Ordinances if there is no one to make sure that once a project is approved, the owners follow through with what has been stipulated, especially when a variance has been approved with certain conditions. Having a Code Enforcement Officer is similar to having a Police Department, in that the community is safer and healthier when a dedicated person is in place to assure that laws/ordinances/variances are followed.

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

Fiscal impact:  The full year cost of $22,847 will create an additional ongoing tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $18.36. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .045 to get your specific tax impact.)

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $590,170 for improvements to streets consisting of paving overlays, adjustments to structures to permit paving, re pairs and replacements to drainage, re pairs and replacement to sewers if needed for pavement repair, repairs to sidewalks and driveway openings, crack sealing and curbing installation and improvements and repairs to Town Parking Lots and parking areas. Upon completion of the work scheduled in this warrant article, if funds remain unused the DPW may proceed to the next street(s) on their priority repair list until said unused portion is spent. Said appropriation to be offset by the State Highway Block Grant estimated to be $316,231. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the projects are completed or by March 31, 2021, whichever occurs sooner?

What it means: The Town of Hampton has been successful in receiving NH DOT Highway Grant Block aid that help to maintain Class IV andClass V “highways” (basically compact sections of town roads). Funds are applied to specific projects as identified by DPW and approved by the Board of Selectmen.

Those in favor say: This allows the Town to pursue improvements to roads including paving overlays, repairs, crack sealing, curbing and associated utility improvements with a considerable offset from the NH highway grant program.  Last year, this covered the Ann’s Lane project (final paving of which will occur in the Spring of 2019).  Roads under consideration this year are Elaine and Richard Streets (pending possible sewer improvements), Palmer, Sicard and Biery Streets (no infrastructure improvements), Nor’east Lane (overlay) and Park Ave (if the Eaton Park and Tuck Field culvert improvement Warrant Article 24 is approved).

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 $33.46 if this Article passes. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .082 to get your specific tax cost.) This decision affects the current year only.

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: $300,000 would be appropriated and added to the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund. This fund will be used for large projects to repair our roads in the future. The current balance is $1,912,800, which includes the appropriations approved by voters in prior years. There was a Warrant Article in 2018 that approved a withdrawal for the Lafayette Road work.  That money will come out of the fund when the bills are ready to be paid, likely starting this summer, but is currently part of the balance.

Those in favor say: This fund is intended for large projects and significant issues.  There is a 5-member team that controls this line item.  They accept recommendations from the Department of Public Works, but an outside committee makes the decisions.

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

Fiscal impact: The $300,000 cost in 2019 will create an additional tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $36.31. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .089 to get your specific tax impact.) This decision affects the current year only.

Photos show existing vehicles in the fleet needing to be replaced.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $243,165 for the purchase of the following replacement vehicles for the Department of Public Works: one 1-ton dump truck with plow and wing; two (2) 3/4 ton trucks with plows, and two (2) sidewalk maintenance vehicles; replaced vehicles to be traded in if deemed to be prudent by the Public Works Director, Town Manager and Board of Selectmen, with said sum of$243,165 to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until these purchases are completed or by March 31, 2020, whichever is sooner? (Majority vote required)

What it means: This Warrant Article allows for the replacement of 5 trucks in the DPW fleet that have served the town for periods ranging from 10 years to 17 years.  The funds will be taken from the Unassigned Fund Balance (money previously raised and not used).

Those in favor say:  DPW experienced a high degree of repair costs in recent years as a result of maintenance required on these vehicles.  The high repair costs mean that we are essentially re-buying the vehicles every 4-5 years, which is not a wise investment for the community.  The two sidewalk maintenance vehicles are not reliable. Both had to come back into the shop during a recent storm, and parts are no longer available in the US, but need to be imported at considerable expense.

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

Fiscal impact: There is no tax impact because the money was appropriated in prior tax years. This Article is allowing the withdrawal of the money from the fund for the specified purpose.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $246,500 for the purpose of replacing the Eaton Park Culvert and the associated Arch Pipe Culvert crossing under Park Avenue to Kid’s Kingdom Parking Lot as the existing Eaton Park culvert is deteriorated and safety improvements into Kid’s Kingdom need to be made; and for the replacement of a major existing 24″ drainage culvert under Park Avenue with two culverts to provide adequate flow for the drainage received from the area of High Street, Towle Avenue, Academy Avenue, Tuck Field, Park Avenue, and Winnacunnet Road, as the current culverts are undersized and deteriorated, causing drainage obstructions and reduced flows and cannot be constructed as a larger sized culvert without interfering with an adjacent sewer main. The sum shall be used for the engineering, design, permitting, and construction of the culverts. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the culverts are installed or by March 1, 2022, whichever is sooner?

What it means: The existing Eaton Park Culvert is undersized and deteriorated, causing drainage obstructions and reduced rate of water flow.  It is not feasible to replace one larger culvert without interfering with an adjacent sewer main.  Thus, two culverts are being proposed.  The project will entail construction of a new larger drainage manhole (DMH), a new catch basin (CB) and a reconstructed head wall.  The cost for this, and the associated Arch Pipe Culvert will be $246,500.

Those in favor say: This drainage project will alleviate flooding within Tuck Field Parking lot, improve safety for the roadway into King’s Kingdom Parking Area and will improve water flow in a large adjacent area.  The improvements to King’s Kingdom that were approved by voters on last year’s Warrant cannot be completed until these culvert issues along Park Avenue are resolved. Additionally, a representative from the Mosquito Control Commission stated that the drainage issue is contributing to a larger-than-normal mosquito population in the area, and that will hopefully also be resolved with this project.

Those against say: No one spoke against this article at theDeliberativeSession.

Fiscal impact: The $246,500 cost in 2019 will create an additional tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $29.78. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .073 to get your specific tax impact.) This decision affects the current year only.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a 5-year lease­ purchase agreement for a Mack &Wheel Dump Truck with plow, patrol wing and Stainless Steel Sander in the amount of $210,050 and to raise and appropriate the sum of $42,010 to fund said lease-purchase agreement in year one; said lease-purchase agreement shall contain a non­appropriation clause? (Majority vote required)

What it means: This vehicle will replace a 1997 dump truck with over 80,000 miles. Voters are approving only the first-year lease price.  The non–appropriation clause enables Hampton to terminate the lease agreement at the end of the current appropriation period without further obligation or penalty if for any reason the Town is unable to obtain funding for future payment obligations on the lease.

Those in favor say: Rather than ask Hampton taxpayers to support the cost of an outright purchase in one year, the lease arrangement allows us to spread the cost over 5 years.  An additional benefit is that (aside from normal wear and tear) any major repair work will be the responsibility of the lease-holder.  In 2018, repairs consumed a significant amount of taxpayer dollars.

Those against say: No one spoke against this article at theDeliberativeSession.

Fiscal impact: The $42,010 cost in 2019 will create an additional tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $5.30. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .013 to get your specific tax impact.) This decision affects the next 5 years tax cost.