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 Fire Department Supervisory Association, affiliated with the Hampton Professional Firefighters Association, Local 2664, IAFF, 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)

2021 (39 weeks)            $18,643

2022 (52 weeks)            $25,013

2023 (52 weeks)            $26,402

2024 (13 weeks)             $ 6,668

And to further raise and appropriate $18,643 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: The Article 11 Collective Bargaining Agreement covers 13 positions within the Fire Department, as follows:  Secretary & Part Time Fire Prevention Secretary, Fire Prevention Officer, Lieutenants (working supervisors who ride on the trucks and manage the operations of the beach fire station), Captains (shift commanders who ride on the trucks, manage the day-to-day operations of their shift, and develop daily work schedules, and Deputy Fire Chief (oversees the day-to-day operations of the fire department. This position is not currently filled and not eligible for OT).

The stated increases amount to 1 .4% in 2021; 1.9% in 2022 and 2.0% in 2023.

Those in favor say:  These positions support critical emergency service in our Town and the people involved have worked diligently in difficult situations, despite having their increases rejected last year.

Those opposed say: No one spoke against Article 11 at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: A household valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $2.00 in 2021, and an increase of $3.14 for the highest cost year in the contract period (2023), if Article 11 is approved. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is one-half of one cent in 2021.

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 with the Teamsters Local 633, 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)

2021 (39 weeks)                      $47,532

2022 (52 weeks)                      $50,809

2023 (52 weeks)                      $46,221

2024 (13 weeks)                      $ 9,301

And to further raise and appropriate $47,532 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:  Article 12 would increase salaries by 1.4% in 2021; 1.9% in 2022 and 2.0% in 2023 for the following represented positions.

 At the Hampton Police Department: two Senior Secretary Positions, the Communications Specialist Supervisor, Communications Specialists, the Animal Control Officer and the Senior Custodian.

At the Public Works Department: Public Works Foreman, Public Works Operations Coordinator, Public Works Transfer Station Foreman and Vehicle Maintenance

At the Town Office: the Assistant Building Inspector, the Building Department Secretary, the Deputy Town Clerk, Assistant Clerks and the Bookkeeper in the Town Clerk’s Office, the Welfare Clerk, the Deputy Tax Collector, the Account Payable and Account Receivable Clerks and the Payroll Supervisor in the Finance Department.

 Those in favor say:  The employees who will benefit from the passage of Article 12 are “behind the scenes” folks who help you register your car, license your dog and remove unwanted critters from your property.

 Getting to competitive wages helps control costs, since the Town is not constantly having to go through repetitive hiring cycles. That not only costs the Town money that could be better invested in its employees, but high turnover also hampers the ability to build cross-department rapport, which is critical for the smooth functioning of the Town.

Those against say:  No one spoke against Article 12 at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: A household valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $5.20 in 2021, and an increase of $6.05 for the highest cost year in the contract period (2022), if Article 12 is approved. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is 1.3 cents in 2021.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $565,000 for the purchase of the following vehicles and equipment for the Department of Public Works, one (1) Freightliner side load refuse/recycling truck, and one (1) Freightliner 16-yard rear loading refuse/recycling truck; both with associated equipment. Any replaced vehicles to be traded-in, or sold, if deemed to be prudent by the Public Works Director, Town Manager and Board of Selectmen. Said sum of $565,000 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, 2023, whichever occurs sooner? (Majority vote required)

What it means: This would cover the outright purchase (as opposed to a lease) of two vehicles and associated equipment.  It would reinstate Unit 92, Trash/Recycling Collection Truck (2 side arms) that is no longer in fleet (traded in 2019). This truck will put DPW back to the original 6 trucks it had prior to 2019.  Approval of the Article would also replace Unit 96 Trash/Recycling Collection Truck (Rear Loader) 2007 International truck chassis with Labrie packer. The existing vehicle has over 96 thousand miles on it and cost the Town almost $60,000 in the past 3 years in repair and maintenance costs.

 Those in favor say:  The vehicles are needed for the fleet. DPW does not have “back up” vehicles, so when one is down, it causes disruptions throughout the schedule.  This is particularly problematic in months when tourists and summer-only residents dramatically increase the town’s population.

Those opposed say: No one spoke against Article 13 at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact:  There is no new tax impact. Article 13 would allow the withdrawal of the money from the Unassigned Fund Balance for the specified purpose.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $486,231 for improvements to streets consisting of: paving, adjustments to structures to permit paving, repairs and replacements to drainage and/or sewers, repairs to sidewalks and driveway openings, crack sealing, weed control, curbing maintenance or installation, and improvements and repairs to Town parking lots and parking areas. Said appropriation to be offset by the State Highway Block Grant estimated to be $305,617. 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, 2023, whichever occurs sooner? (Majority vote required)

 What it means: The Town of Hampton has been successful in receiving a NH DOT Highway Grant Block that helps to maintain Class IV and Class 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. Streets that will be the focus of these funds in 2021 are Elaine & Richard Streets (utility upgrades completed in 2020); and Mill Road from Ann’s Lane to Town Line (utility upgrades completed 2020).

 Those in favor say:  This is an article that we see every year to help DPW improve the roads that do not have infrastructure issues, but are in need of top-level repairs. Helps return roads to smooth working order. The cost will be offset by a block grant from NH DOT.

Those against say: No one spoke against Article 14 at Deliberative Session.

 Fiscal impact: A household valued at $400,000 will see a tax increase of $19.20 in 2021 if Article 14 is approved. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is 4.8 cents in 2021.

 

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:  This fund helps pay for road work in metered doses, rather than all at once.

Those in favor say: This fund helped to offset the costs of the recent repair of Lafayette Road, and is proposed to offset $1 MM from the upcoming work on Winnacunnet and High Streets. As of the end of 2020, the fund was valued at roughly $2.3 MM.

Those against say: No one spoke against Article 15 at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact:  A household valued at $400,000 will see a tax increase of $31.60 in 2021 if Article 15 is approved.  Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is 7.9 cents in 2021.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $183,539 for the cost of Hampton’s contribution to twenty-one (21) human service agencies in the Seacoast in the amounts corresponding to the agencies’ requests in the right-hand columns as follows:

These twenty-one (21) human service agencies shall each be required to give a written report at the end of the calendar or fiscal year 2021 to the Board of Selectmen highlighting what the funds were used for and what impact the funds had in assisting to achieve their goals and objectives? (Majority vote required)

NOTE: Lamprey Health Sr. Transportation has discontinued their service and Rockingham Meals on Wheels has taken responsibility for same.

 What it means:  Each of the listed agencies will receive a donation from the town in the noted amount.  The funds raised and donated last year are provided for comparison.  This is an “all or none” Warrant Article.  If the Article passes, all the listed agencies receive the specified donations.  If it fails, none do.

Those in favor say: This is something we do every year.  These agencies handle issues that the Town would need to handle if the agencies were not, so these donations avoid other, possibly higher taxpayer expenses.

Those against say: This sort of funding should be voluntary, not mandated via property taxes.  A person should not be required to support all of these agencies if he or she does not wish to do so for any reason.

Fiscal Impact: A household valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $19.20 in 2021 if Article 16 is approved. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is 4.8 cents in 2021.

The link below when clicked will open in a new tab on your device.  It provides individual links to the websites of the agencies listed, if you wish to learn more about them.

SocSvcs.Links

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $90,000 to carry out all lawful functions allowed under federal, state and local criminal justice forfeiture programs and to authorize the withdrawal of said sum of $90,000 from the Police Forfeiture Special Revenue Fund created for that purpose under Article 55 of the 2003 Town Meeting? (Majority vote required)

What it means: During normal police operations, items of value may be forfeited by individuals. There are expenses associated with the management of such property, including storage, auctioning, returning items where appropriate, etc.  NH law permits the auctioning of abandoned property where appropriate, and the monies so received are put into a fund.  This Article seeks approval to use the funds to cover the cost of managing the forfeiture process and other activities approved via the RSA’s.

 Those in favor say: This is a standard, annual procedure to allow money to be withdrawn from the fund.

Those against say: Those opposed take issue with taking the property of others in the first place (as opposed to the withdrawing of money from the fund); or have issues with how the funds are spent.  Both of these issues are defined at the state level and are not affected by the decision on this Article.

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

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $72,100 for the following purposes of the Parks and Recreation Department: to purchase a Scag 61” Cheetah II commercial lawn mower and attachments, to purchase a field line striper sprayer, to repair the Eaton Park picnic area and add or replace equipment as needed, to repair and resurface the Tuck field tennis courts, including repainting the tennis courts and lines, to purchase and install pickleball nets and line striping, and to contribute to the repair, service or maintain the fields, grounds and equipment, as determined to be in the best interests of the Town, and to authorize the withdrawal of said sum of $72,100 from the Hampton Recreation Infrastructure Special Revenue Fund established for these purposes 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 better recreational environment for the residents of our town, and the costs have been covered by revenue generated from Town Parking lots.  The Recreation Department does not have much of a maintenance budget, as it is anticipated that the funds will be withdrawn from this fund annually.  The ability to maintain the recreational environment of the Town is depending on the passage of this Warrant Article.

Those against say:  Although no one spoke against this article, there was discussion about the amount, which was reduced by $34,850 by action at Deliberative Session.  A similar amount was added to the Operating Budget with the concept that the infrastructure money should reside there.  However, as was pointed out at a point when it was too late to revisit the Operating Budget, there is no obligation for the Operating Budget to be spent on any particular line item.

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 vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $27,500 to be added to the Firefighters Turn Out Gear/Personal Protective Equipment Capital Reserve Fund created under Article 17 of the 2019 Annual Town Meeting in accordance with the provisions of RSA 35. Said sum of $27,500 to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance? (Majority vote required)

 What it means: In 2019, voters approved a $200,000 funding of a new Capital Reserve Fund for the replacement of Firefighter’s Protective Gear.  This fund needs to be added to each year so that as gear expires and funds are depleted, additional funds will be available for future needs.  It is a way to prevent taxpayers from being presented with a large bill all in one year. This Article would transfer the funds from the Unassigned Fund Balance to the Capital Reserve Fund.

 Those in favor say: This is a standard, annual procedure to keep our firefighters safe.  The Article allows the use of the Unassigned Fund Balance for this purpose.

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

Fiscal impact: There is no new tax impact because the money was appropriated in prior tax years.  This Article is allowing the withdrawal of the money from the Unassigned Fund Balance to be transferred to the previously-established Firefighters Protective Equipment Reserve Fund.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 to be placed in the Hampton Conservation Commission Fund; this fund to be used to “acquire, maintain, improve, protect or limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly utilize,” open spaces and conservation easements in Hampton in accordance with RSA 36-A, Sections 1 through 4, inclusive? (Majority vote required)

 What it means: This fund is a way of saving for opportunities, similar to the Capital Reserve Fund.  Voter approval of this Article each year is primarily how the Conservation Commission replenishes the fund it uses to purchase, preserve and maintain open spaces.

Those in favor say: The Town needs to support conservation land for the recreational value as well as to help manage excess storm water, maintain clean water, and preserve wildlife habitat.  Open spaces previously protected by these funds have made possible the Victory Garden, the Town Forest, hiking trails, skating on Ice Pond, etc.  These types of opportunities are very important to the quality of life in Hampton. The fund permits timely action when opportunities present themselves.

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

 Fiscal impact: A household valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $2.00 in 2021 if Article 20 is approved. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is half of one cent.

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