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

What it means: Our existing fleet of trash/recycling collection vehicles consists of 6 vehicles – all which are needed to provide collection service. Unit 96 (to be replaced) is a 2007 International Packer with +/-116,600 miles with severe rust and engine issues. Our existing fleet of 7 hauling trailers are all needed to store and haul the collected trash and recycling. Six of these trailers including T-6 (to be replaced) are 2012 Steco Ejector models that are reaching the end of their life span. Not replacing these units now only prolongs and potentially increases the cost to replace vehicles that are needed to provide reliable service to Hampton property owners.

 Those in favor say: It takes about a year to receive a truck once ordered, and the Town cannot afford to be without it.  The Trailer would likely come in sooner, but they both have age and condition issues, and it would be better if we could replace them before they are completely out of commission.

 Fiscal impact: Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is $ 0.09. A household valued at $650,000 will see a tax cost of $58.50 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: The Article is asking to establish a Capital Reserve Fund (CRF) specifically for town owned buildings. The $100,000 that will be deposited to the new CRF is coming from the Unassigned Fund Balance, and will not have a fiscal impact in 2025.

Those in favor say: According to the most recent Annual Report, Hampton owns buildings valued at $47 million.  Some of these properties are aging, and as with any physical property will need occasional repairs beyond routine maintenance.  Establishing a Capital Reserve Fund means that we can earmark the funds for needed repairs, and avoid the need to increase taxes for an “all-at-once” expenditure.

Fiscal impact: There will be no tax impact in 2025, because the funds will be transferred from the Unassigned Fund Balance to the new Capital Reserve Fund if this Article is approved.

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 Hampton Public Safety Pier was constructed in 2005 entirely with federal funding, and is used by the fire department, the New Hampshire Marine Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard. Uses include marine rescue, law-enforcement patrols and access for the U.S. Coast Guard in case of an emergency.  The pier is now 20 years old, and needs attention.

Those in Favor Say: The pier is a very important resource for Hampton, and requires maintenance.

 Fiscal impact: The funds will be withdrawn from the UFB and will not affect taxes in 2025.

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: Hampton has seen significant damage from flooding in recent years, and has had to put resources behind recovery efforts. Grants that become available for coastal resilience work often require that the town match the grant money. Having funding that is readily available will prevent delays in additional funding for preparation and mitigation efforts prior to and recovery efforts following flooding events.

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.

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: Funds from the state parking meters are distributed to towns according to population.  Hampton chooses (by earlier Town Vote) to dedicate those funds to the improvement and maintenance of recreational facilities. Each year, the voters must approve the use of these state funds for the purposes identified for that year.

Those in favor say: There is little in the Recreation Department’s budget for maintenance. Money in the Parks and Rec fund is used to improve recreational facilities. The ability to offer good, safe recreational opportunities to residents is part of the culture of our town and this expenditure, which does not require new taxes to be raised, is a crucial part of that. UNH did a study a few years back that indicated that the average cost for Parks and Rec is $70 per person, whereas Hampton’s is $17 – largely because of this funding mechanism.

Fiscal impact: There is no tax impact, as the funds are put aside for this purpose and only need voter approval for the intended use.

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

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: Several people at Deliberative Session rose to support this Article, noting that the people of Hampton benefit from the efforts of these agencies.  The services provided would not be as easily attainable, and would certainly be more expensive, if the Town had to step in to fill even a portion of the roles currently provided by these non-profits. However, one speaker did suggest that the report submitted by the agencies at the end of the year should be made more readily available (as opposed to having to go to Town Hall to see it.)

Those Opposed Say:  No one spoke against this Article at Deliberative Session.  However, Article 36 also addresses this funding mechanism for the Social Services Agencies.  The reader is advised to review the discussion for that Petitioned Article.

Fiscal impact: Cost per $1,000 valuation is $0.03. A household valued at $650,000 would see $19.50 incorporated in the tax bill for 2025. However, since a similar cost has been part of the tax base for some time, there is essentially no increased tax (and in fact a slight reduction in the tax bill.)

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: During police operations, items of value may be forfeited by individuals. There are expenses associated with the management of such property, including storage, the return of items where appropriate, etc. NH law permits the auctioning of abandoned property, and the proceeds are put into a fund. This Article would allow the funds to be withdrawn to cover departmental costs, as approved via the RSAs. The actual amount is unknown at voting time. The $90,000 is seen as the upper limit of what may be available to withdraw.

Discussion: No one spoke to this Article at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal impact: There would be no tax impact, since this money is in a set-aside fund. This is a routine measure to allow the withdrawal of the funds for various Police Department needs.

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

What it Means: The Zoning Ordinance is referred to for any development in Hampton. Most structural or land use projects must be guided by the Zoning Ordinance. The Master Plan has indicated that making the Zoning Ordinances more organized, readable and clear is a key priority for Hampton. One of the important steps is to identify redundancies, unclear language and sections where the Zoning Ordinances are not aligned with the Master Plan. A robust public participation process is planned for this project.

Those in favor say: The Ordinances were first published in 1949, and there have been many updates since that time. In that decades-long process, many inconsistencies have arisen. It makes sense to identify where the Ordinances are serving the community, and where changes need to be made.

Fiscal impact: There will be no tax impact in 2025, because the funds from the Unassigned Fund Balance will be used if this Article is approved.

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: In 2019, voters approved $200,000 for a new Capital Reserve Fund for the replacement of Firefighter’s Protective Gear. This fund needs to be added to regularly, so that as gear is replaced using money withdrawn from the fund, additional funds will be available for future needs. This Article would transfer the funds from the Unassigned Fund Balance to the Turnout Gear Reserve Fund.

Those in favor say: This is an annual procedure to keep our Firefighters safe. A single set of firefighting gear costs upwards of $6,000. There are strict standards with regard to the amount of service before the gear must be replaced, and that has meant 4-5 new sets of equipment each year. To cover this expense, a reserve fund was established and needs to be regularly replenished. This Article allows funds to be taken from the Unassigned Fund Balance for the replenishment. The value of the fund at the end of 2024 was just over $130,000.  Since it started with $200,000, it is clear that need for funding is stronger than the annual donations.  In the future, the contribution to the Turn Out Gear Fund may need to be increased.

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

Fiscal impact: There is no new tax impact in 2025. This Article is allowing the transfer of funds from the Unassigned Fund Balance to the previously-established Firefighter Turnout Gear Reserve Fund.

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: This Article was represented as a “housekeeping” change that deletes unnecessary or outdated language.

Fiscal Impact: There is no cost for this Article.