To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to enter into a long-term lease/purchase agreement in the amount of $1,800,000 payable over a term of seven annual payments for the purpose of acquiring an Aerial Ladder Fire Apparatus and all related equipment, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $308,712 for the first year’s payment for that purpose. (3/5^ths Ballot vote required)

What it means: The Town would enter into a seven-year lease for the fire equipment; at the end of this time, the Town would own the ladder truck. Because the Town would enter into a multi-year arrangement (essentially obligating future groups of taxpayers), a 60% approval by the voters is required by state law.

Discussion: The ladder to be replaced is a 2006 vehicle, with a 20-25 year life expectancy.  It takes two to four years to order and receive the new vehicle.  The current vehicle is costing more to maintain and has corrosion issues due to our marine environment.  If approved by Town Meeting, the Fire Chief would search for the best vehicle to meet the needs of the Town.  The maximum budget is the $1.8 million that is listed.

The current ladder truck cost taxpayers $135,000 in repairs in the last five years alone and over $375,000 over the 20-year ownership span.

Fiscal impact: The estimated tax rate impact in 2026 for first lease payment is $0.05 per thousand. The estimated tax impact for a home valued at $600,000 is $30.41.  This obligation would continue until 2032.

To see if the Town of Hampton will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100,000 for the purpose of performing a Copper Compliance and Outfall Study Phase II to include additional investigation and studies in accordance with the Phase I Copper Compliance and Outfall Study recommendations. The Town was issued an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) in March 2022 by the EPA to address non-compliance with the total copper WWTF discharge limits. As a result of the AOC and based on the results of the original pilot test using chemicals, and the Phase I findings, the Town has been evaluating other alternatives for compliance with total copper WWTF discharge limits.  Phase II will include dye studies and additional investigation in an outfall relocation.

Said appropriation to be offset by $100,000 in principal loan forgiveness under the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF); and to authorize participation in the State Revolving Fund (SRF) (RSA 486:14) established for the purpose, and to authorize the Select Board to accept and expend such monies as they become available from the Federal and State Governments. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the project is completed or by March 31, 2031, whichever occurs sooner.  (3/5^ths Ballot vote required)

What it Means: Hampton was issued an Administrative Order of Non-Compliance from EPA in 2022 regarding Wastewater Treatment Facility discharge of total copper beyond allowable limits. This is damaging to aquatic life.  The Town is required to take corrective action.  This study allows the Town to understand the causes of the higher amount of copper, and to investigate potential solutions. Phase 1 was completed and approved in 2025. Phase 2 will include dye studies and additional investigation regarding the possibility of outfall relocation. To be offset by $100K in principal loan forgiveness under the NH Dept. of Environmental Services Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

No one spoke for or against this Article at Deliberative Session, other than to explain it. However, someone asked – if funds are being raised for this purpose, and then we get reimbursed, what happens to the funds at the time of reimbursement?  The answer is that if the funds come in the same year, then it is a “wash” – meaning that the extra revenue does not have to be raised by taxes.  If the reimbursement is in a subsequent year, the reimbursement revenue is added to the General Fund to offset taxes in the subsequent year.

Fiscal impact: The estimated tax rate impact in 2026 is $0.02 per thousand. The estimated tax impact for a home valued at $600,000 is $9.85.

To see if the Town of Hampton will 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 $38,236,520.  Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be $37,748,568 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.

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 2026 reflect cost of Warrant Articles approved at prior Town Elections.  The difference between the two budgets is $487,952.

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.  80% of both the Proposed Operating Budget and the Default Budget is driven by wages, benefits, contracts and debt. The Proposed Operating Budget represents a 5.26% increase over the 2025 approved Operating Budget.  The Default Budget represents a 4% increase.

Those in favor say: The Budget Committee worked with each Town department to review needs and obligations. 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 while reducing costs where possible. The Proposed Operating Budget includes a 3% increase in wages for non-union employees. Other cost increases include computer software upgrades, IT support fees, and the leasing of two trash trucks for use during the summer months.

Those opposed say: One speaker noted that in review of the 2025 expenses, there was $2.2M of unspent funds from the 2025 approved Operating Budget. A proposal at Deliberative Session to cut the Proposed Operating Budget by 2% was defeated. Those who spoke against the Proposed Operating Budget expressed praise for the level of services the Town provides but noted that care needs to be taken not to tax people out of their homes.

Fiscal impact: The estimated additional tax rate impact for the 2026 Budget is $0.31 per thousand. The estimated tax impact for a home valued at $600,000 is $188.12. The estimated additional tax rate impact for the Default Budget is $0.24 per thousand. The estimated tax impact for a home valued at $600,000 is $142.98.

If the Proposed Operating Budget passes, the additional cost will be $45.15 for that $600,000 property.

To see if the Town of Hampton will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $950,000 for the purpose of improvements to streets, sidewalks, and driveway openings; replacements to drainage and/or sewers; curbing maintenance or installation; and improvements and repairs to Town parking lots, parking areas, and cemeteries.  Said appropriation to be offset by the State Highway Block Grant estimated to be $332,750. Any remaining balance after receipt of any grant funds shall be raised through taxation.  This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the improvements are completed or by March 31, 2031, whichever occurs sooner.

What it Means: Hampton anticipates receiving a NH DOT Highway Grant for $332,750 to help 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. Taxpayer funding is used to supplement the Highway Block Grant provided by the State to improve Town Roadway Networks (including paving). The focus for 2026 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.

Note: The project identified for this Grant project last year included the travel lanes of Lafayette Road.  However, work to Mace Road preempted that work. The 2026 plan is to pave the entire width of Lafayette Road including the center lane, and also to do sidewalk work on Route 101 for ADA compliance.

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

Fiscal impact: The estimated tax rate impact in 2026 is $0.10 per thousand. The estimated tax impact for a home valued at $600,000 is $60.81.

To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $750,000 for the purpose of adding to the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund previously established under Article 16 of the 1998 Annual Town Meeting.

What it means: $750K will be added to the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund. This is essentially a savings account that allows the Town to plan needed road work without having to ask for all of the needed funds in one tax year.  Although the funds accumulate, they may not be spent except by approval of the voters via warrant articles at Town Meeting.

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

Fiscal impact: The estimated tax rate impact in 2026 is $0.12 per thousand. The estimated tax impact for a home valued at $600,000 is $73.89.

To see if the Town of Hampton will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $624,500 for the purpose of repairing the culvert crossing Exeter Road, constructing a new headwall, and conducting stream/bank erosion control; and to authorize the withdrawal of $624,500 from the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund. This funding will support the design, engineering, construction, replacement, and other associated items of the project identified as needing work.  This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7 VI and shall not lapse until the work is completed or by March 31, 2031, whichever is sooner.

What it Means:  There is a deteriorating culvert that runs under Exeter Rd, where there is a north-to-south running stream. The current failure of the culvert is eroding the bank, ruining vegetation and destroying the yard of an adjacent property.  The funds needed to assess, consult and implement repairs to the culvert would be withdrawn from the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund.

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

Fiscal impact: No tax impact; money will be withdrawn from the Road Improvement Capital Reserve Fund.

To see if the Town of Hampton will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $431,000 for the purpose of purchasing a Freightliner Refuse Collection Truck with dual articulating arms including all associated equipment to put the vehicle in service. The new vehicle will replace a 2006 Diesel Rear Loader. Said appropriation to be offset by the Granite State Clean Fleets reimbursement program for projects that propose to reduce diesel emissions and is estimated to be 80% of the vehicle’s cost ($330,133), and the remainder ($100,867) to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance. The replaced vehicle to be scrapped or sold, whichever is most beneficial to the Town as determined by the Town Manager and Director of Public Works. This shall be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and shall not lapse until the purchase is completed or by March 31, 2031, whichever is sooner.

What it means: The new trash vehicle will be purchased with funds that come 80% from a grant, and 20% from the Unassigned Fund Balance.  As with other specialty vehicles, the lead time is such that the Town may still need to wait for delivery.

Those in favor say: The Town has struggled with the lack of functioning sufficient trash collection trucks.  Some of the trucks in the fleet are simply not reliable, and the vehicle to be replaced is a rear loader, whereas the more efficient trucks have the wing arms for automated pickup

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

Fiscal impact: No tax impact in 2026, as the funds will be a combination of grant money ($330,133) and a withdrawal from the Unassigned Fund Balance ($82,533).