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What it means:  

1. Replace Unit 85 – Sludge Truck – A 2011 flatbed Roll-off Hauler with 161,637 miles was taken out of service in 2022. It was used to haul waste from the Waste Water Treatment Plant to the disposal facility in Rochester. Currently this service is being contracted through a third-party at a cost of over $200,000 per year. The new truck will be used at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and at the Transfer Station to manage yard recycling and trash containers.
2.  Replace Unit 43 – 6 Wheel Dump w/Plow Wing – This truck is a frontline responding vehicle used to treat roadways and is integral to plow operations. It is a 2001 vehicle with 51,051 miles, recently needing frame & body repairs, fuel tank, air canisters, coolant tank, brake valves, plow cylinders, chains and hooks. Condition issues will likely make this vehicle not inspectable due to safety concerns in the near future.

No one spoke for or against this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: There would be no new tax impact in 2023.

Click here to see the wording of this Article as it appears on your ballot.

What it means: The plan is to upgrade the roof, HVAC system and security systems at Town Hall, paying for the improvements with transfers from the Unassigned Fund Balance.

Those in favor say: The HVAC system that is being replaced is over 30 years old. There will be some efficiencies with newer technologies, but essentially these are needed upgrades to maintain the integrity of the mechanicals in the building.

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

Fiscal impact: There would be no new tax impact in 2023.

Click here to see the wording of this Article as it appears on your ballot.

What it means: In 2020, the State of NH set up a commission to address Law Enforcement reforms, which resulted in recommendations for police body-worn and vehicle mounted cameras. This Article is requesting the funds necessary for the purchase of the equipment, accessories, training, and support materials to be paid off over a 5-year period. The costs for years 2-5 would be included in the annual budget and default budget for years 2024-2027. This program would also require the hiring of an additional full-time police lieutenant. The funding for the additional lieutenant is requested in Article 18. Failure to pass this Article would make Article 18 null and void.

 Those in favor say: Studies have shown that there is an 88% decrease in police department complaints when body-cams have been worn, and a 78% decrease in “use of force” complaints. The program is expected to enhance transparency and decrease liability for the Town. It provides protection for both the officers and the public. A $50,000 grant has been obtained from the NH Dept of Justice which would help defray costs, and more funding is being sought.

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

Fiscal impact: Cost per $1,000 valuation is $0.023. A household valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $9.20 for 2023. In subsequent years 2024-2027, the cost of this equipment would be included in the Operating Budget.

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What it means: Should Article 17 pass, a position within the Police Department would be needed to manage the body-worn camera information. The video information could be used for training purposes, officer evaluation, or to evaluate what is happening on the streets. A law enforcement individual at the lieutenant level would have the decision-making skills to be able to evaluate the content of the videos, and use it in the most beneficial way. If this Article does not pass, Article 17 would be null and void.

Those in favor say: There are 28 towns in the area using body-worn cameras, and all but one has a lieutenant or higher level officer in the position.

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

Fiscal impact: Cost per $1,000 valuation is $0.034. A household valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $13.60. In subsequent years, compensation for this position would be included in the Operating Budget at a comparable per-year cost.

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What it means: A certain portion of the parking meter revenue that goes to the Town (as opposed to the State) is deposited in the Recreation Infrastructure Special Revenue Fund, which has been designated by Hampton voters as a set-aside for the needs of the Parks and Recreation Department. Every year, needsare identified,andthevotersare askedto approve withdrawal oftherequested dollars from thefundfor infrastructure projects.

Those in favor say: Within the scope of the work for this year will be replacing the downtown holiday lights (which have failed); replacing sections of fencing, windows and window sills in multiple facilities; and addressing some trip hazards at the skate park.

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

Fiscal impact: There would be no new tax impact, as the Recreation Infrastructure Fund will be tapped.

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*Note: The Richie McFarland Center merged with Waypoint but continues with the services provided, so the donations that were previously separated were merged into the one larger payment to Waypoint.

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.

No one spoke for or against this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is $0.049. A household valued at $400,000 will see a tax cost of $19.60 in 2023. A similar Article was passed last year, and was part of your tax calculation. This year’s number is roughly the same, so the increase over your tax bill from last year would be negligible if this Article is passed. Of course, if the Article is defeated, there would be a savings compared to last year’s tax bill.

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What it means: The Hampton Hub is envisioned as a central facility where residents can engage in many different community activities all within the same walkable area of town. If approved, Article 21 will allow the Library and Recreation Department to create a framework to build a community center. This involves forming a steering committee, and hiring engineers, architects, and planning professionals to do site plan analysis, need assessments, and case studies. These efforts will produce a Final Concept Design Report with plans, design renderings, and a visual representation of the options.

There is an opportunity at the state level for a grant to cover either the full or partial costs associated with the design work. Since the availability of the grant funding is uncertain at this point, the Article is requesting voter approval. If the voters approve and the grant is secured, the funds will be returned to the General Fund.

Those in favor say: Over 1,400 Hampton residents have participated in surveys and online visioning to establish the community need. Those involved in the planning are committed to minimizing the financial impact on taxpayers. Several people referenced the importance of community in difficult times, and how important it is to have a safe, local “spot” to convene with others. The population of seniors is expected to double in the next twenty years, and they will need an ADA-compliant space in which to have activities. The Town has been discussing a community center for over 40 years, each time with conceptual support but folks who felt and “it was not the right time”. This is a good, logical next step to making the collective wishes of the community come to fulfillment.

Those against say: This may not the right time for this kind of an expenditure with so many other town needs. One speaker was unclear about the relationship of the proposed facility to the Tuck Field Community Center, which was just opened. Someone inquired about unused space in the basement of the Library as a solution.

Fiscal impact: Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is $0.042. A household valued at $400,000 will see a tax increase of $16.80 in 2023. Any grant funding will offset the cost of the design work.

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What it means: The Ice Pond and Grist Mill Pond are owned by the Town, under the care and management of the Conservation Commission. The Commission believes that both ponds are significantly impaired, due to the rapid, uncontrolled growth of vegetation in the waters. Each year, as vegetation dies back, the dead plants fall to the bottom and add to the amount of silt. The more silt, the higher the bottom of the pond, the easier for sunlight to encourage even more growth the next year, and the cycle continues at an ever-increasing rate. Before developing a plan for restoration of the ponds, the Commission needs to have a clear understanding of the nature and scope of the impairments, as well as the options for improving the health of the ponds. This study will provide that information so the Commission can decide the best path forward.

Those in favor say: Left alone, the ponds will continue to get silted in and choked by the vegetation. If the issues are not addressed, both ponds will eventually fill in and become meadows. Residents will be better able to fish and ice skate if the vegetation is controlled. Many people used the outdoor spaces of the ponds during the pandemic shutdown, and there continues to be widespread use of the recreational aspects of the ponds. Approving Article 22 will help to maintain these beautiful resources and help improve the capacity of the ponds to contain excess water, thus mitigating against flooding.

Those against say: The suggestion was made that perhaps the town should be polled regarding what they want to use the pond for before any restoration work is planned or initiated.

 Fiscal impact: Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is $0.025. A household valued at $400,000 will see a tax increase of $10.00 in 2023. Your decision on this Article affects this year’s taxes only.

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What it means: This funding will be used to grind the pile of materials that is created from processing of bricks, cement, soils, ceramics etc. disposed at the Transfer Station. The pile covers the large western portion of the Transfer Station yard. Over time, unless it is removed, the pile will become unsafe and additional materials will not be able to be accepted. A bid earlier in 2022 resulted in higher than expected costs that were not able to be covered by the existing budget, thus resulting in a Warrant Article request.

Those in favor say: Holding material to be ground for multiple years is more efficient than doing it each year, because the biggest expense is bringing in equipment. Therefore, it makes economic sense as an every-couple-of-years effort. This year, the cost was much higher than it has been, and warranted a separate Warrant Article.

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

Fiscal impact:  $100,000 cost is being proposed to be withdrawn from the Unassigned Fund Balance. Those funds were either appropriated in prior years and not spent, or the funds accumulated as a result of unanticipated positive cash flow. If approved, the money would be withdrawn from these excess funds, and there would be no new tax cost for property owners.

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What it means: Hampton’s sewer system is located adjacent to and sometimes within the borders of our estuary, harbors, marshes, and roadways. The current condition of some of the manholes allow large quantities of inflow into the sewer system, increasing flow to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. A sewer overflow or discharge into roadways or near beaches could create unsafe living conditions, or cause environmental damage.

The purpose is to assess the vulnerability of approximately 25 manholes that appear to be in poor condition, and where failure would have a negative impact on our community. The loan, once funds are approved and expended, would be forgiven through a grant from New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). This Article requires a 60% (3/5ths) vote to pass.

No one spoke for or against this Article at the Deliberative Session, other than to explain it.

Fiscal impact: Cost per $1,000 valuation is $0.009. A household valued at $400,000 would see a tax increase of $3.60 for 2023. This money will be returned to the Town via loan forgiveness.