Shall the School District vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $300,000 to continue long term maintenance, repair and modernization work to include technical and/or engineering services at Hampton’s Marston and Centre school buildings and grounds? This article is a continuation of an annual program planned to keep the buildings updated and in good condition, thereby protecting the taxpayer’s investment. Projects planned for 2022-25. are listed below. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 VI and will not lapse until these projects are completed or June 30, 2025, whichever is earlier? (Majority vote required.)

What it means: This article is a continuation of an annual program to keep the buildings updated and in good condition.  The School District was successful in getting a grant to help offset costs of the HVAC piece, as follows:

Those in favor say: Regular maintenance and upkeep helps protect the taxpayer’s investment and helps prevent more costly repairs down the line. Centre School has been in need of an HVAC upgrade for at least 15 years.  The pandemic has focused more attention and more urgency on the air quality.  The school has been using air scrubbers (acquired through a grant) to clean the air, but this is a “band-aid” approach.  The school needs the HVAC work.

It pays to continually invest in the maintenance of the schools.  At Centre School, there are three buildings dating to 1927, 1959 and the “new” addition dates back over 20 years to 1999.   If we needed to replace the square footage of Centre School, it would cost the taxpayers over $13 million dollars ($250 per square feet; 53,000 square feet.)  Similarly, Marston School would cost $18 million to replace 71,000 square feet.

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

Fiscal Impact: A Hampton home valued at $400,000 would bear a tax cost of $31.20 in 2022, the same amount as last year, meaning no increase versus your last tax bill.  Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiplied by .078 to get your cost. This decision is for the current year only.

Shall the School District vote to raise and appropriate funds in the amount of $65,308 to provide child benefit services, in accordance with RSA 189:49, for students who are residents of the Hampton School District and attend Sacred Heart School located in Hampton, New Hampshire?   BY PETITION.  (Majority vote required.)

What it means: Sacred Heart School is a private school in Hampton. Some Hampton students attend Sacred Heart as opposed to attending the Hampton public schools. This Article asks for an offset for child benefit services in lieu of the taxpayers paying for the students to attend public school.  The amount sought is $4,234 less than the amount requested in 2021, last year’s number having been inflated due to pandemic-related enrollment changes.

Those in favor say: These students would otherwise be attending the public schools at an average cost per student of $15,000. These funds help to cover a nurse, educational technology, supplies and textbooks. Funds are not used for any religious purposes.

Those against say: Some people have expressed concerns about supporting a religious organization, even if the funds are not specifically used for religious purposes.  Others feel that any funds raised by such an Article should be shared by any private school in the Town.

Fiscal Impact: A Hampton home valued at $400,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $6.70 in 2022 if this Article passes. Take your property valuation divided by 1000 and multiplied by .017 to get your cost. The funding request is less than last year, so there is a slight decrease versus your last tax bill.

 

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $7,020,000 for the purpose of reconstructing High Street, to include upgrading and replacing sewage and drainage systems, and may include replacing sidewalks, curbs, pavement treatments and other necessary improvements, said costs to include bid documents, the bid process, construction, construction administration, and other necessary actions. Reconstruction of the roadway may include the upgrade of the existing signal controls to a camera system at the intersection of High Street and Mill Road. The application of final new pavement may occur in the year following the installation of the sewer and drainage upgraded and replaced systems to allow for the proper settlement of the excavated roadbeds.

$6,520,000 of such sum to be raised by the issuance of bonds or notes for a period not to exceed thirty (30) years under and in accordance with the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and

To authorize the withdrawal of $500,000 from the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund; and

To authorize the Board of Selectmen and the Town Treasurer to issue, negotiate, sell, and deliver such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof in accordance with the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and

To authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, contract for, obtain, accept, and expend any Federal, State, or other available aid or funds toward the project in accordance with the terms and conditions under which they are received and to comply with all laws applicable to said project and to borrow in anticipation of the receipt of such funds and or the issuance of such bonds or notes as provided in the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and

To authorize participation in the State Revolving Fund (SRF) (RSA 486:14) and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept and expend such monies as they become available from the Federal and State Governments; and

To authorize the Board of Selectmen to implement such cost-effective solutions as are presented in the future that they deem to be in the best interest of the Town that may result in a lesser amount of expenditure than is authorized by this warrant article; and

To authorize the Board of Selectmen to take any and all actions or to pass any other vote necessary to carry out the project in the best interest of the Town of Hampton? (3/5ths vote required)

Fiscal Impact Note (Finance Dept). If a bond is issued in 2022, the first bond payment will be due in 2023. The estimated 2023 tax rate impact is $0.161 per $1,000 valuation (sixteen point one cents per thousand dollars of valuation). The total of the bond’s principal and interest payments over a 20-year period at an interest rate of 2.50% are estimated to be $8,946,500.

What it means: 

Last year, DPW proposed the restructuring of both High Street and Winnacunnet.  The townspeople rejected the plan (it did not garner the necessary 60% “yes” vote), and subsequent discussion seemed to suggest that residents were against doing the 2 roads at the same time. Article 9 is DPW’s response to that – and it includes High Street only.

If Article 9 passes, the following would be included

• Reconstruction of High Street  
• Final Bid and Construction Phase Services  
• Sewer Replacement – Removed I/I, Root Infiltration, Pipes, Pipe Cracking, Joint Dislocation  
• Drainage Replacement  Roadway Repaving, 
• Sidewalk Upgrades  
• Potential Signal Upgrades

Because this is a bond article, by state law it must receive a 3/5ths majority vote (60%).

Those in favor say: High Street is a major roadway through Town and in terrible condition.  Underground systems are in dire need of repair or replacement.  Work would include the ADA sidewalk improvements previously approved at the 2020 Town meeting.  Many people have been complaining about the condition of HIgh Street, and this Article would allow DPW the funds to repair it.

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

Fiscal Impact: A household valued at $400,000 will see a tax increase of $64.40 in 2023 if Article 9 is approved.  Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is .161 cents in 2023. There will be payments in similar amounts for the life of the (expected) 20-year bond.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,700,000 for the purposes of preliminary design, final design, bid documents, and construction of the comprehensive wastewater treatment plant upgrades across all processes identified in the 2017 Facilities Plan, including but not limited to: primary clarifier replacement, gravity thickener replacement, secondary clarifier upgrades, WAS and RAS pump upgrades, primary sludge pump and grinder upgrades, installation of an automated septage receiving facility and various sludge dewatering system upgrades.  Such sum to be raised by the issuance of bonds or notes for a period not to exceed thirty (30) years under and in accordance with the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and  To authorize the Board of Selectmen and the Town Treasurer to issue, negotiate, sell, and deliver such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon and the maturity and other terms thereof in accordance with the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and  To authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, contract for, obtain, accept, and expend any Federal, State, or other available aid or funds toward the project in accordance with the terms and conditions under which they are received and to comply with all laws applicable to said project and to borrow in anticipation of the receipt of such funds and or the issuance of such bonds or notes as provided in the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33); and  To authorize participation in the State Revolving Fund (SRF) (RSA 486:14) established for this purpose, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for, accept and expend such monies as they become available from the Federal and State Governments; and  To authorize the Board of Selectmen to implement such cost-effective solutions as are presented in the future that they deem to be in the best interest of the Town that may result in a lesser amount of expenditure than is authorized by this warrant article; and  To authorize the Board of Selectmen to take any and all actions or to pass any other vote necessary to carry out the project in the best interest of the Town of Hampton? (3/5ths vote required) 

Fiscal Impact Note (Finance Dept). The first debt payment is expected to be due in 2026. The total of the bond’s principal and interest payments over a 20-year period at an interest rate of 2.00% are estimated to be $18,997,000.

What it means:  Necessary upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Facility were identified 5 years ago.  In order to make the workload manageable, the project was divided into 3 phases.  Taxpayers have already approved Phase 1, and that work was completed.  This Article relates to Phase 2, which will become part of the tax appropriations in 2026, as aspects of the work are completed and payments become due.

Comprehensive Treatment Plant Upgrades identified in the 2017 Facilities Plan, to be done under Phase 2, as allowed with the passage of Article 10:

• Preliminary, Final Bid and Construction Phase Services
• Primary Clarifier Replacement
• Gravity Thickener Replacement
• Secondary Clarifier Upgrades
• AS and RAS Pump Upgrades
• Primary Sludge Pump and Grinder Upgrades
• Installation of an Automated Septage Receiving Facility
• Various Sludge Dewatering
• System Upgrades

Those in favor say:  This is work that needs to be done in order to support not only the current demands on the system from year-round residents, but also the increased demand seasonally.  No one wants to think about this – we just expect that when we “flush”, it goes away.  But handling of waste matter is central to the functioning of any town and cannot be ignored.  

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

Fiscal impact: A household valued at $400,000 will see a tax increase of approximately $174.27 in 2026 if Article 10 is approved.  Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is .4357 cents in 2026. There will be tax impacts in similar amounts for the life of the (expected) 20-year bond.

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 $30, 206, 241. Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $30,184,194, 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)

Fiscal Impact Note (Finance Dept.). The proposed operating budget figure of $30,206,241 is an increase of $1,081,047 more than the budget amount adopted in 2021 of $29,125,194. The net estimated 2022 tax impact of the proposed operating budget is $0.281 per$1,000 valuation (twenty-eight point one cents per thousand dollars of valuation). The default budget figure of $30,184,194 is an increase of$1,059,000 more than the budget amount adopted in 2021. The net estimated 2022 tax impact of the default budget is $0.275 per $1,000 valuation (twenty-seven point five cents per thousand dollars of valuation).

What it means: The voters are presented with two possible budgets.

The Default Budget is regulated by RSA 40:13, and starts with the prior year’s approved budget, and is increased by obligations mandated by law, debt service, and contracts lawfully entered into, and is reduced by one-time expenditures contained within the operating budget, salaries and benefits of positions that have been eliminated in the proposed budget. 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 not-yet-voted contractual costs and anticipated needs determined by the various Town Departments.  For 2022, the Proposed Budget is summarized as follows:

Those in favor say: Budget Committee is satisfied that the Proposed Budget is a thoughtful conclusion from discussions with all Town Departments.  The Proposed Budget keeps costs as low as possible while maintaining services for the residents.

Those opposed say: Some suggested that wage increases for non-union Town employees, which are built into the budget, should be passed as a warrant article same as union employees. The Proposed Budget does not allow for anticipated increase in utility/fuel costs.  It was also noted that there was a surplus of $763,000 from 2021 which indicates that the Default Budget would be sufficient for 2022.

Fiscal impact:  Proposed Budget impact is $0.28 per $1,000 valuation.  Default Budget impact is $0.275 per $1,000 valuation.

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

Divide the Tax Assessor’s valuation of your property by 1,000 (Example: for an assessment of $400,000, the number to use would be 400.)  Use your latest ta bill or go to:

http://gis.vgsi.com/HamptonNH/Search.aspx  and enter your street address to get your valuation.

Multiply the result by .281 for the tax impact of the Proposed Budget and by .275 for the Default Budget.

 

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $148,960, including salary and benefits, for the purpose of employing two (2) additional Full-Time Patrolmen for the Hampton Police Department, over and above existing positions funded by the 2022 operating budget, starting on April 1, 2022, with the estimated full year cost in 2023 of these Full-Time positions being $198,614, including salary and benefits, and for all future costs to be included in the Hampton Police Department’s annual budget and the default budget going forward? (Majority vote required)

What it means: The Police Department is asking for 2 additional Full-Time Patrolmen to be added to the roster.  The Article is asking for this to be ongoing, with future year salaries and benefits being included in the Operating Budget.  This request is being put before the voters as a separate item, as opposed to including it in the Operating Budget.

Those in favor say:  In the recent past, we relied heavily on Part-Time officers to help augment the Full-Time capacity. This is no longer feasible due to the lack of candidates willing to take on police work for Part-Time pay. In fact, the state of NH canceled the Part-Time Police Academy in the first quarter due to a lack of candidates. With the increase of year-round residents in Hampton and the surge of tourists on a seasonal basis, the need is there.  With Part-Time options less available to us, we need to staff up our Full-Time force in order to have the manpower required to keep everyone safe.

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

Fiscal impact: In this fiscal year, a property valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $15.60 if this Article passes.  Using 2022 valuations for the tax base, there would be an increase of $20.80 in 2023, which would be the full year value.  In subsequent years, the extra salaries and benefits would be included in the Operating Budget. To calculate the effect on your own property, use .039 times your valuation divided by 1,000 for 2022 and use .052 for 2023.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $309,573 for the purpose of employing four (4) additional full-time Firefighters for the Hampton Fire Rescue Department, over and above existing positions funded by the 2022 operating budget, starting on April 1, 2022, and for the balance of 2022, with the estimated full year cost in 2023 of these full-time positions being $412,764, including salary and benefits, and all future costs to be included in the Hampton Fire Rescue Department’s annual budget and the default budget going forward? (Majority vote required)

What it means: The Fire Department is asking for 4 additional Firefighters to be added to the roster.  The Article is asking for this to be ongoing, with future year salaries and benefits being included in the Operating Budget.  This request is being put before the voters as a separate item, as opposed to including it in the Operating Budget.

Those in favor say: 

• The reason for requesting 4 Firefighters is that we have 4 shifts for round-the-clock coverage (24/7). The number equates to one additional Firefighter per shift.

• An independent panel of nationally-recognized fire experts was brought in last year to review the Hampton Fire Department, and one of their recommendations was that we need to increase staffing.

• In the past 30 years, the year-round population of Hampton has increased 32%, the number of structures are up 38% and the number of emergency medical calls have doubled. In that same period, the Full-Time equivalent personnel (responding personnel as well as headquarters-based) of the Fire Department is up slightly at about 7%.

• While Hampton’s year-round population is around 16,000, the estimated “nice weather” population is about 100,000. That’s a huge increase, and it is not efficient to serve those needs without proper staffing.

• Over the years, countless additional streets have been added with many new homes. These homes have contributed to both the demand for emergency services, and to the taxable valuation. The 2020 taxable base is $3.76 Billion , up 182% versus the $1.33 Billion in 1990 (includes new homes and escalating valuations on existing homes).

• In the beach district there are now multi-story, multiple-family condominiums where there once were single story, seasonal cottages in the same footprint. These properties do not reflect an increase in the population for Hampton because many of these properties serve as second homes or short-term rental properties. But nonetheless, they add to the demand for emergency services, and present a significant fire hazard due to the tightly knit construction with very limited geographical access. Manpower is always important, but more so when there are more lives that may require search and rescue in a given emergency event.

• There is a federal grant (SAFER) available and the Fire Department has completed and submitted the application.  If successful, Hampton will have 100% mitigation of wages and benefits in the first 3 years.

• Increased staffing will allow for better response times to emergencies.  The Fire Department will be able to assemble an adequate number of Firefighters on scene in an appropriate amount of time. When a call comes in for help, time is everything. Mutual Aid is invaluable, but it is often not as timely as needed.

• Important elements in limiting the spread of fire are the quick arrival of sufficient personnel and equipment to attack and extinguish the fire as close to the point of its origin as possible.  These are things to consider when you vote on March 8th.

Fiscal impact:

A property valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $32.00 if this Article passes.  Using 2022 valuations for the tax base, there would be an increase of $42.67 in 2023, which would be the full year value.  In subsequent years, the compensation for these Firefighters would be included in the Operating Budget. To calculate the effect on your own property, use .08 times your valuation divided by 1,000 in 2022 and .1067 in 2023.  Note that Hampton has a strong chance of getting a SAFER grant, which would provide 100% coverage of wages and benefits for the first 3 years. If that is the case, the full tax impact would not be felt until 2025.