For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session

What it means: DPW is proposing this study to better understand Hampton’s capabilities and limits as it relates to pollutant discharge into the Waste Water Treatment facility, thus giving a basis for limiting such inputs in the future, and ensuring that the Town can effectively treat the wastewater and comply with environmental regulations. The cost of this study will be offset by principal loan forgiveness. It requires 60% of the votes to pass (3/5ths), because it is technically a loan.

Discussion: There was discussion about how the financial impact statement is worded, but no one at Deliberative Session spoke to the Article itself, other than to explain it.

Fiscal impact: Cost per $1,000 valuation is $0.02. A household valued at $650,000 would see a tax increase of $13.00 for 2025, a cost that would be reimbursed to the Town.

Note: We use the average cost per property for Hampton. There is “Cost per Warrant Article Calculator” on the Town’s website that allows you to enter your specific property value, and the see the cost for all Warrant Articles. You can access the Calculator here.

For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session

What it means: The voters are presented with two possible operating budgets. The Proposed Operating budget is what the Town departments feel they need to manage the Town efficiently, safely and effectively. The Default Budget is a calculated budget defined by RSAs (New Hampshire state legislature), which specify certain costs that must be covered in the Town’s Budget. Both budgets for 2025 reflect cost of Warrant Articles approved at prior Town Elections.  The difference between the two budgets is relatively insignificant this year, with the Proposed Operating budget lower than the Default budget by $67.00.  Both budgets represent a 4.189% increase over the 2024 adopted budget.

A 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, salaries and benefits related to positions that may have been eliminated. The Default Budget will be the operating budget for the Town in the event the Proposed Operating Budget fails to pass.

Those in favor say: The Budget Committee, sensitive to the impact of the recent reevaluation, met and worked with each Town department to review the needs and obligations of each department. Each line item of the budget was thoroughly reviewed by the Department Heads, Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and the Budget Committee. The Proposed Operating Budget funds what is necessary to maintain the current level of services to the Town.

Those Opposed say: A proposal at Deliberative Session to cut the Proposed Operating Budget by $2M was defeated. Those who spoke against the Proposed Operating Budget expressed the negative impact of the recent revaluation, and the increasing cost of expenses to run the Town.

Fiscal impact: The impact of both the Proposed Operating Budget and the Default Budget is $0.24 per $1,000 valuation over 2024. A household valued at $650,000 will see a tax increase of $156.00 in 2025.

Note: We use the average cost per property for Hampton. There is “Cost per Warrant Article Calculator” on the Town’s website that allows you to enter your specific property value, and the see the cost for all Warrant Articles. You can access the Calculator here.

For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session

This article will appear on your ballot, but it has been zeroed out because the matching funds that DPW had anticipated will not be available this year. No one spoke to this, other than to explain the reason for the withdrawal. It does not matter how you vote on this Article – the result is the same – it will not be pursued.

 

For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session

What it means: The costs represent a negotiated agreement between the Town and the union representing the Police Department patrolmen.

Estimated Increase (over previous year level)

2025 (39 weeks) $241,348

2026 (52 weeks) $214,395

2027 (52 weeks) $179,717

2028 (13 weeks) $ 42,945

Hampton’s fiscal year begins in January, but the Town Meeting to approve expenditures occurs in March. Thus, the first year with increased wages in place will have only 9 months (April to December), the second two calendar years represent 12 months and the final 3 months of the contract fall into the last year (2028).

Those in favor say: Getting to competitive wages helps control costs, since the Town is not constantly having to go through repetitive hiring cycles. Since the last contract, Hampton has lost 6 more patrolmen, 5 of whom have gone to other Police Departments in the area for higher pay. During negotiations, the Patrolmen made some financial concessions (versus the going in position) and also agreed to a lesser, more cost-effective medical plan.  The full-time force also agreed to take on some “priority” shifts in the summertime to help make up for the lack of willing recruits for the part-time work in summer.  These shifts were previously outsourced to other agencies at a high taxpayer cost.  The willingness of the Hampton Patrolmen to pick up some of the excess work will result in a net savings for the taxpayers.

Fiscal impact: If Article 15 is approved, a property valued at $650,000 would see a tax increase of $26.00 in 2025. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is .04 cents in 2025.  Subsequent years would see proportional increases added to the Town’s budget.

Note: We use the average cost per property for Hampton. There is “Cost per Warrant Article Calculator” on the Town’s website that allows you to enter your specific property value, and the see the cost for all Warrant Articles. You can access the Calculator here.

For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session

What it Means:  See the “What it Means” discussion under Article 15 above.

Estimated Increase (over previous year level)

2025 (39 weeks) $57,400

2026 (52 weeks) $48,552

2027 (52 weeks) $37,129

2028 (13 weeks) $ 8,730

Those in Favor Say:  Sergeants represent the most important employees in the Police Department.  They are the backbone of our Police Department.  Every shift, every division is supervised by a Sergeant.  They are responsible for the safety of each shift and the decisions that are made on that shift. They work with the Patrolmen to assure training and standards are met.  There needs to be an incentive for the employees to step up and take on this critical responsibility.

Fiscal impact: If Article 16 is approved, a property valued at $650,000 would see a tax increase of $6.50 in 2025. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is .01 cents in 2025.

Note: We use the average cost per property for Hampton. There is “Cost per Warrant Article Calculator” on the Town’s website that allows you to enter your specific property value, and the see the cost for all Warrant Articles. You can access the Calculator here.

For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session

What it means: Article 17 asks for an expenditure of $400,000 to replace equipment used to help firefighters breathe when they enter a burning structure.  This would be taken from the Unassigned Fund Balance.

Those in favor say: The current SCBA equipment is past its useful life of roughly 25 years, and for safety reasons must be replaced.

Fiscal impact: No tax impact in 2025, as the funds will be withdrawn from the Unassigned Fund Balance.

Note: To better understand the Unassigned Fund Balance, reference this article: About the Unassigned Fund Balance

 

For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session

What it means: The Town is seeking to add $500,000 to a  Capital Reserve Fund that will help spread the cost of needed road work over multiple years. Savings will be available for future maintenance and improvements to the roadways and associated sidewalks within the Town of Hampton. Approval is required by Town Meeting (your vote) to make use of this Fund in the future. The current value of the fund without this appropriation, is $3,538,801.  Note that the voters approved the use of $500,000 from this fund for the High Street project, but we did not need it, so the fund continues to grow and can be used to offset larger projects when the time is right.

Those in Favor Say: This is a way of saving money for larger projects so that the town is less reliant on costly bond funding, and can avoid “all at once” expenditures for the taxpayers.

Fiscal impact: A property valued at $650,000 would see a tax increase of $52.00 in 2025. Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is .08 cents in 2025.  The same amount was in the 2024 budget that passed, so there is no incremental impact in 2025.

Note: We use the average cost per property for Hampton. There is “Cost per Warrant Article Calculator” on the Town’s website that allows you to enter your specific property value, and the see the cost for all Warrant Articles. You can access the Calculator here.

For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session

What it Means: In 2023, a study was approved by the voters to identify manholes that were contributing to an increase in storm waters infiltrating the Wastewater Treatment System. These structures are often covered with flood water causing concern about saltwater seeping in to our sewer lines, causing corrosion and adding to the volume of water – and thus the cost – of wastewater treatment. With the problem areas now identified and photographed, this request for funding will cover the design, bid, construction and associated work for the rehabilitation of approximately 22 problematic manholes.

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

Fiscal impact: Cost per $1,000 valuation is $0.07. A household valued at $650,000 would see a tax increase of $45.50 for 2025.

Note: We use the average cost per property for Hampton. There is “Cost per Warrant Article Calculator” on the Town’s website that allows you to enter your specific property value, and the see the cost for all Warrant Articles. You can access the Calculator here.

For the full wording of the Article, see this link: Link to the Warrant as Amended following Deliberative Session

What it means: Hampton anticipates receiving a NH DOT Highway Granthat helps to maintain Class IV and Class V “highways” (compact sections of town roads). Funds are applied to specific projects identified by DPW and approved by the Board of Selectmen. The taxpayer funding is used to supplement the Highway Block Grant money provided by the State to improve Town Roadway Networks (including paving). The focus for 2025 funds will be Lafayette Road, based on its condition and heavy use. PCI is a rating system for the condition of a road, which is scored between 0 and 100, with 100 being a perfect surface. Lafayette Road has a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 46.  Hampton’s overall PCI is 71. This funding helps DPW improve roads that do not have extensive infrastructure issues, but do need top-level repairs. The work helps to return roads to smooth working order.

 Fiscal impact: Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is $ 0.05. A household valued at $650,000 will see a tax cost of $32.50 in 2025. A similar Article was passed last year, and was part of your tax bill. This year’s number is slightly lower; so there would actually be a decrease for this item vs. last year, if approved.

Note: We use the average cost per property for Hampton. There is “Cost per Warrant Article Calculator” on the Town’s website that allows you to enter your specific property value, and the see the cost for all Warrant Articles. You can access the Calculator here.