Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $91,000 for the purchase of a trash ejection trailer required for over the highway transportation and disposal of solid wastes and recycling collected at the Transfer Station. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until this project is completed or by March 31, 2020, whichever is sooner.(Majority vote required)

What it means:  This request is for a new ejection trailer to join six others used to collect and transport trash and recycling. Use of the Unassigned Fund Balance to pay for this purchase means that there will be no increased tax cost in 2019.  The life expectancy on the purchase is 15-20 years.

Those in favor say: There has been rapid growth in amount of trash that DPW picks up, especially in the summer or over long holiday weekends when it is not unusual to transport 400 tons of trash each day.  At such times, capacity in the current trailers is limited.  Since refuse cannot be shipped on weekends and holidays, the contents must be dumped in order to make use of existing trailers for additional pick-ups. But critters get at the piles of trash/recycling, glass gets crushed and more staff time is required to clean up the mess. Having an additional trailer would allow trash/recycling to remain in the trailer until it can be transported, thus reducing workload during heavy periods and helping throughout the year when trailers are out for repair.

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

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 vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $85,750 for the purpose of the replacement of the water line that services the Public Works Department Office and Garage. The replacement of the water line will serve to repair a water leak to the DPW garage and office building as well as complete the first phase of providing fire protection, will relocate the current service line away from the wastewater treatment plant facility, will repair the existing leak and the new line to be provided with this appropriation will be of sufficient size to provide hydrant service. Any future water line additions will be able to be looped to provide proper flows through the facility including additional hydrants for fire protection. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the purchase and installation is completed or by March 31, 2022, whichever is sooner? (Majority vote required)

What it means: There is a leak in a 1” pipe that services the DPW office and a garage building.  Despite several attempts, the leak has not been located. A new line will be installed that will connect to an existing 4” water line.  The proposed funding will remove ledge, install a new pipe, and provide readiness for future fire protection steps.

Those in favor say: This Warrant Article addresses the leak issue, and also will improve safety because the size of the current water line does not support fire suppression in the affected building.

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

Fiscal impact: The $85,750 cost in 2019 will create an additional tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $10.61. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .026 to get your specific tax impact.) This decision affects the current year only.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $245,241 for the purpose of replacing approximately 872 existing street lights with more energy efficient LED lighting. Further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into an agreement with Affinity Led Lighting and accept an expected rebate from Unitil Electric in the approximate amount of $122,120? (Majority vote required)

 What it means: Unitil Electric has a program whereby they will provide 50% rebate to support the replacement of existing light fixtures with energy-saving LED fixtures.  The Town still owes payments on the existing light fixtures.  This rebate program absorbs the owed amount by reducing savings in the first five years, referred to as the Buyout Period.  Even during this initial period, the Town will experience lower costs for electric use for the LED lights versus the current fixtures. After the Buyout Period, the savings go up significantly, and the program pays back completely in the seventh year.  Subsequently, the Town saves about $65,000 per year.  The LED lights are rated for 120,000 hours or roughly 25+ years of use.

Those in favor say:  The new fixtures have an integrated backlight shield, to be more “night sky friendly”, with a built-in bird guard.  They are easier to maintain versus the current fixtures.

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

Fiscal impact: The $122,120 cost (after Unitil offsets) in 2019 will create an additional tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $14.83. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .036 to get your specific tax impact.) This decision affects the current year only.

 

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to establish a Sidewalk and Americans with Disabilities Improvement Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35 for the purpose of estimating, designing, building new, replacing and improving sidewalks in either concrete or asphalt depending on location, signage and illuminated crosswalk infrastructure including accessibility pursuant to the Americans Disabilities Act and to raise and appropriate the sum of $100,000 to go into said Capital Reserve Fund and appoint the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend from said Fund. Further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept and expend any Federal, State or local grants and funds for the purposes of estimating, designing, building new, replacing, and improving sidewalks, signage and illuminated crosswalk infrastructure including improving accessibility pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act with said grants and funds to be added to the Capital Reserve Fund created hereunder? (Majority vote required)

What it means: Similar to the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund, this will allow the gradual accumulation of funds for large-scale projects so that taxpayers are not asked for funding all at once.

Those in favor say: Having a Sidewalk Capital Reserve Fund greatly improves the Town’s ability to get grants because matching funds are already available, as compared to a town that has to put forward a Warrant Article with an unsure outcome.  The fund will also allow the Town to complete projects more cost effectively.  An example is when the road has been dug up for sewer work, or culvert work, the sidewalks could be addressed at the same time rather than having to do the sidewalks at a future time and possibly need to dig up newly paved roadways to accomplish the work.  Another speaker indicated that a Town can be forced to make all streets ADA-compliant at once if it is determined that they are not making good faith progress towards compliance.

Those against say: Those who questioned this Article wondered how we know how much is enough in the Capital Reserve Fund and questioned how the money would be expended.

Fiscal impact: The $100,000 cost in 2019 will create an additional tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $12.24. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .03 to get your specific tax impact.) This decision affects the current year only.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 for the purpose of conducting two (2) household hazardous waste collection days during calendar year 2019; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to permit the Town of New Castle to participate in said collection days at their own expense; and to apply for, accept and expend for such purpose any funds from the State of New Hampshire, the Federal Government, and any private source as may be made available? Majority vote required)

What it means: This is the opportunity for homeowners to responsibly dispose of corrosive or flammable items that would be a danger if they were to end up in the regular trash. Products such as paint thinner, spot remover, oven cleaner, furniture polish, drain opener, pool chemicals and hair spray are considered hazardous because they contain chemicals that are corrosive, explosive, reactive, flammable or toxic. Trash disposal of products containing mercury is banned, including thermometers, thermostats, electrical switches and relays, fluorescent light bulbs, button cell batteries.

Those in favor say: There will be two Hazardous Waste Collection Days this year, as a result of feedback from residents via a survey taken at last year’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day.  The current plan is for one in June and one in August.  Hazardous Waste Collection Day assures that hazardous materials are not left on the street or thrown in the trash. The town has applied for a Household Hazardous Waste Grant from NHDES to offset the costs, and this allows the Town to offer the service at a reasonable cost for taxpayers.

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

Fiscal impact: The $20,000 cost in 2019 will create an additional tax cost for the average Hampton home valued at $405,000 of $2.45. (Take your property value divided by 1000 and multiply by .006 to get your specific tax impact.) This decision affects the current year only.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $11,000 for the purpose of completing the construction and enclosing of the Cemetery Building at the High Street Cemetery, including a) strapping and insulation of the garage/work area; b) sheet rocking and joint taping; c) installation of LED lighting fixtures and 2 electrical outlets and, remounting of light switches; d) installation of 45,000 BTU LP heating system with gas piping and exhaust piping and, appropriate wiring and thermostat and to authorize funding for said appropriation through the withdrawal of $11,000 from the principal in the Cemetery Maintenance Trust Fund, which has a principal balance of more than $500,000 generated from the sale of cemetery burial Lots? (Majority vote required)

What it means: The work described will be performed using principal from a fund that was set up specifically for cemetery maintenance. This fund was previously set up such that only the interest could be withdrawn and used annually for maintenance. In 2016, voters passed a Warrant Article to allow money to also be deducted from the principal.

Those in favor say: These are Town-owned cemeteries, and the Town is responsible for their upkeep. The work needs to be done, and the funding available to the Cemetery Trustees is limited. The annual interest from the fund was $16,000 last year and about $20,000 this year. This is not enough to fund the larger expenses, as well as pay for general annual maintenance. Articles 31, 32 and 33 outline work/equipment of $103,000.

Those against say: The issue with Articles 31, 32 and 33 is that the Cemetery Maintenance Fund was set up to use the annual interest to support upkeep.  If the principal is reduced by the amounts requested in these 3 articles, it will reduce the fund by about 20%. This in turn will substantially reduce the interest in future years that is available to support needed annual care of the cemeteries.

Fiscal impact: There is no direct tax impact because the money will be taken from a dedicated cemetery fund. However, removing principal will reduce the available funding in future years.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $42,000 for the purchase of a new New Holland Tractor/Loader for the Cemetery Department and to authorize funding for said appropriation through the withdrawal of $42,000 from the principal in the Cemetery Maintenance Trust Fund, which has a principal balance of more than $500,000 generated from the sale of cemetery burial lots? (Majority vote required)

What it means: The Tractor/Loader will be used for work at all the cemeteries in town, and the purchase price will be taken from the principal of the Cemetery Trust Fund. The Tractor/Loader will be purchased using principal from a fund that was set up as a funding source from which annual interest was to be disbursed annually. This use of the principal was allowed via Article 33 in 2016, which passed.

Those in favor say: These are Town-owned cemeteries, and the Town is responsible for their upkeep. The work needs to be done, and the funding available to the Cemetery Trustees is limited. The annual interest from the fund was $16,000 last year and about $20,000 this year.  This is not enough to fund the larger expenses, as well as pay for general annual maintenance. Articles 31, 32 and 33 outline work/equipment costs of $103,000.

Those against say: If the principal is reduced by the amounts requested in these 3 articles, it will reduce the fund by about 20%. This in turn will substantially reduce the interest in future years that is available to support needed annual care of the cemeteries.

Fiscal impact: There is no direct tax impact because the money will be taken from a dedicated cemetery fund. However, removing principal will reduce the available funding in future years.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000 for the purpose of removing trees from the High Street Cemetery in order to protect grave sites, gravestones and abutting properties and roadways, such sum to be used by the Tree Warden under contract for the removal of the trees and for the restoration of said Cemetery caused by such removal, and to authorize the Tree Warden in consultation with the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and the Cemetery Trustees, to contract the work for said purposes, and to authorize funding for said appropriation through the withdrawal of $50,000 from the principal in the Cemetery Maintenance Trust Fund, which has a principal balance of more than $500,000 generated from the sale of cemetery burial lots? (Majority vote required)

What it means:  The Town of Hampton owns cemeteries, among the largest of which is the High Street cemetery. There are many trees in the cemetery, and quite a few are dead or dying, or have large branches that are compromised. The Trustees put forward Article 33 because they feel that it is a basic maintenance obligation of the Town and that a hazard exists for visitors and vehicles. The tree removal will be performed using principal from a fund that was set up as a funding source from which annual interest was to be disbursed annually. This use of the principal was allowed via Article 33 in 2016, which passed.

Those in favor say: Removing trees and doing long-overdue pruning represents an important safety issue. These are Town-owned cemeteries, and the Town is responsible for their upkeep. Last year’s request for $50,000 to remove dead trees failed, receiving only 29% approval vote.  The work needs to be done, and the funding available to the Cemetery Trustees is limited.  The annual interest from the fund was $16,000 last year and about $20,000 this year. This is not enough to fund the larger expenses, as well as pay for general annual maintenance. Articles 31, 32 and 33 outline work/equipment of $103,000.

Those against say: The issue with Articles 31, 32 and 33 is that the Cemetery Maintenance Fund was set up to use the annual interest to support upkeep.  If the principal is reduced by the amounts requested in these 3 articles, it will reduce the fund by about 20%. This in turn will substantially reduce the interest in future years that is available to support needed annual care of the cemeteries.

Fiscal impact: There is no direct tax impact because the money will be taken from a dedicated cemetery fund. However, removing principal will reduce the available funding in future years.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $124,750 for the following purposes of the Park and Recreation Department: (a) Perform a needs assessment study for future parks planning $12,000; (b) Replace/fix fencing at Inline Rink and throughout Tuck Field $30,000; (c) Renovate/ update Eaton Park Building $8,000; (d) Purchase playground surfacing materials for 2 playgrounds $12,000; (e) Purchase a Snow plow for Recreation truck $5,000; (f) Install a share structure for 5 corners park/playground $15,000; (g) Replace two (2) dugouts at Tuck Field $15,000; (h) Replace Cave Building/Tuck Building doors with new lock system $3,000; (i) removal and trimming of trees in dangerous condition in and around Tuck Field $24,750; as determined by the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager and the Director of Parks and Recreation, and to authorize the withdrawal of $124,750 from the Recreation Infrastructure Special Revenue Fund established for the purpose under Article 44 of the 2007 Annual Town Meeting? (Majority vote required)

What it means: Every year, the needs of the Parks and Recreation Department are identified, and the voters need to approve withdrawal of the requested dollars from an established fund.

Those in favor say: The projects will contribute to a safer play environment for the children of our town, and the costs have been covered by revenue generated from TownParking lots.

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

Fiscal impact: There is no tax impact because the money will be taken from a separate fund put aside for this purpose. This Article is allowing the withdrawal of the money from the fund.

Shall the Town of Hampton raise and appropriate the sum of $71,668 for the purposes of continuing the upgrade of the Town Information Technology systems including software, hardware, and services for Police, Fire, Public Works and other Town Departments, and to replace and upgrade computers and other equipment, upgrade the Town office phone system and equipment to a VOIP (Voice over IP) system and to purchase and upgrade the Vision Assessing Database Software, including all necessary services and support, with said sum of $71,668 to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the work is completed or by March 31, 2021, whichever is sooner? (Majority vote required)

What it means:  The noted upgrades will be put in place, and the dollars will be withdrawn from the unassigned fund balance, which are tax funds that were appropriated in a prior year.

Those in favor say: Technology demands updates for security and functionality reasons.  These upgrades are necessary and will add to staff efficiency.

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.