Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raised and appropriate the sum of $21,057 for the purpose of hiring a part-time paralegal in the Town Counsel’s Office?

NOTE: The warrant article contains the cost for 39 weeks from April 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.  Total yearly cost is $28,075.

What it means: For over ten years, Town Counsel was assisted by a legal assistant who then became Assistant Town Counsel.  But since 2014, that position has been vacant.  Some work has been contracted to outside services and at some points in time, Town Counsel has been assisted by an intern.  With current workloads and resources considered, the voters are asked to again support an on-staff part-time legal assistant.

Those for and against say:  No one spoke either for or against this Article at the Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact:  The average Hampton home valued at $408,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $3.26 for a 52-week period if this Article passes. The cost per thousand of property valuation is .008.

Shall the Town of Hampton raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 to engage the services of a professional financial advisor/engineer to study and report back to the Board of Selectmen to advise the Board and the Town on whether a sewer enterprise fund should be created that would remove sewer costs and expenses from the annual budget as a tax supported sewer system, as opposed to one that is supported by billing based upon volume of input into the system.  The report should include drafts of potential billing rates in accordance with statutes, the impact, if any, on the difference between billing for sewer changes verses maintaining said system on the property tax base, including the costs of bond payments for sewers by either method of payment, with said sum of $20,000 to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance.  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, 2020, whichever is sooner?

What it means: Currently, the cost of processing household waste via the Wastewater Treatment Facility is borne by taxpayers based on the valuation of their property.  This may not be the most equitable way to do it because those who make more use of the facilty (example: restaurants and hotels) pay on the same basis (valuation)  as those who use it only minimally (example those whose homes are not connected to the town’s sewer system and only use the WWTF as a receiving point when their septic tank is pumped.)  The study would evaluate various methods of charging by usage, and removing the costs from the tax base.  It would need to be determined how structural costs (plant upgrades as an example) would be handled as well as how businesses and state facilities would participate.

Those in favor say: Having an outside review is a good way to make the transition from a long-standing system to a completely different way to charge for sewer usage.  The Town needs to be certain that all costs are covered in a new system, and that it is fair to all residents.

Those against say: Those who are against the Article simply question whether it is necessary, or if someone already employed by the Town couldn’t figure out all the issues and how best to charge.

Fiscal Impact:  No tax impact because the dollars would be withdrawn from the Unassigned Fund Balance.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $40,000 to be placed in the Hampton Conservation Commission Fund; this fund is used to “acquire, maintain, improve, protect or limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly utilize,” open spaces and conservation easements in Hampton in accordance with RSA 36-A: Sections 1 through 4, inclusive.  Recent acquisitions such as the Batchelder Farm Conservation Easement, have significantly reduced the size of the Fund, and the goal is to return the Fund to adequate levels to enable the Commission to conserve additional lands on behalf of the Town of Hampton?

What it means: This fund is a way of saving for opportunities.  Voter approval of this Article each year is primarily how the Conservation Commission replenishes the fund it uses to acquire, preserve and maintain open spaces.

Those in favor say:  Support of conservation land incrases recreational opportunities and helps maintain open spaces to mitigate impacts of excess storm water and reduce resultant flooding.  The availabilty of this fund has made possible the Victory Garden, hiking trails, skating on ice pond, etc.  A taxpayer at Deliberative Session made the point that once open space is gone – it is gone forever.  He felt the need to keep the balance of the fund at a level that allows quick action when parcels become available, and he was successful at Deliberative Session in getting the requested funds increased from $20,000 to $40,000 to be contributed to the fund in 2018.  The Conservation Commission also uses this money for maintenance of town-owned open spaces and this year was able to replace the Ice Pond Dam out of funds previously made available through this Capital Reserve Fund.

Those against say:  One speaker at Deliberative Session expressed a concern about the cost of contributing to the fund and the potential of escalating requests for the fund in future years.

Fiscal Impact:  The average Hampton home valued at $408,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $4.89 if this Article passes.  The tax impact is for this year only.  The cost per thousand of property valuation is .012.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000 for the ongoing maintenance of the Town-owned Historic Blacksmith’s Shop located off of Barbour Road, with said sum of $20,000 to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance.  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, 2020, whichever is sooner?  NOTE – This structure is in need of a foundation, sill replacements, and replacement of selected siding.

Those in favor say:  The old blacksmith shop, located at Victory Garden on Barbour Rd, is part of our cultural heritage.  Right now, it isn’t open to the public because the work that needs to be done makes the building unsafe.  If this Article passes, and once the work is completed, the objective would be to open it for the public to appreciate.

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

Fiscal Impact:  No tax impact because the dollars would be withdrawn from the Unassigned Fund Balance.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000 for the purpose of replacing the exterior doors on the Town Office Building.  The doors would be replaced by sliding doors to prevent wind damage that is a continuing problem.  Repairs to the doors, mostly from wind damage, has expended the sum of $11,153 since 2009 and expenses are continuing?

What it means: The entry doors to Town Hall would be replaced by sliding doors.

Those in favor say: In the long-run, this will save the taxpayers money as the current doors have been costly to repair due to wind damage.  It is also a safety issue.

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

Fiscal Impact:  The average Hampton home valued at $408,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $2.04 if this Article passes.  The tax impact is for this year only.  The cost per thousand of property valuation is .005.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000 to conduct a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day during calendar year 2018; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen (a) to permit the Towns of Hampton Falls and New Castle to participate in said collection day at their own expense; and (b) to apply for, accept and expend for such purposes any funds from the State of New Hampshire, the Federal Government, and any private source as may become available?

What it means: The Town previously had a fund to run the Hazardous Waste Collection Day, but the fund is now depleted.  If Hampton residents wish to continue this event, it needs to be funded. Hampton Falls and New Castle would be invited to participate at their cost.

Examples of Hazardous Waste: Products such as paint thinner, spot remover, oven cleaner, furniture polish, drain opener, pool chemicals and hair spray are considered hazardous because they contain chemicals that are corrosive, explosive, reactive, flammable or toxic.  Products containing mercury, including thermometers, thermostats, electrical switches and relays, fluorescent light bulbs, button cell batteries.

Those in favor say: Hazardous Waste Collection Day assures that hazardous materials are not left on the street or thrown in the trash.  The town has applied for a Household Hazardous Waste Grant from NHDES to supplement the program.  In prior years, the cost was $20,000 but with offsets, this year will be half that.

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

Fiscal Impact:  The average Hampton home valued at $408,000 would bear an increased tax cost of $1.22 if this Article passes.  The tax impact is for this year only.  The cost per thousand of property valuation is .003.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to petition the State of New Hampshire, the United States Congress, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the New Hampshire Port Authority to undertake the following with federal funds:  a) to dredge Hampton/Seabrook Harbor, b) to restore the south shoreline of the Hampton River that has eroded some 120 feet of shoreline, west of the Hampton Harbor Bridge, and c) to construct an addition to the previous impervious barrier on both sides of Middle Ground, so called, separating the Blackwater River from Seabrook Harbor and the Hampton River to preserve the Middle Ground clam beds and to stop erosion of the Middle Ground and the silting of Hampton and Seabrook Harbors?

What it means: The Town will pursue all methods to encourage the various named entities to dredge the harbor as a way of restoring shoreline, helping to restore clam beds and making it easier for commercial and recreational boats to pass.  Here is a link to a Hampton Union article discussing the issue.

Those in favor say:  The silting in the harbor has progressed to a point where at low tide, boats have a difficult time getting through the harbor.  A portion of Hampton’s tax base is dependent upon boating activities.

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

Fiscal Impact:  No tax impact.

Shall we allow the operation of keno games within the town?

What it means: State legislation has been passed allowing Keno to be played in NH towns.  The proceeds will be distributed to municipalities throughout the state to offset the costs of all-day kindergarten. Towns do not need to approve keno to be qualified for the grants. Businesses that host Keno can keep up to 8 percent of the revenue generated, in addition to the extra sales of drinks and food boosted by increased customer participation.

Those in favor say: Why not allow the game to be played in Hampton, and gain the revenue from those who  might otherwise go elsewhere to play?

Those against say: Portsmouth City Council recently voted against allowing the playing of Keno, and North Hampton did not put it on the ballot, deciding to wait and more carefully evaluate the pros and cons.  The downside might be said to be the social issues that accompany any gaming activity, as well as a distrust of whether the educational funding will be reliably and equitably distributed to municipalities going forward.

Fiscal Impact:  No tax impact.

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to adopt the provisions of the All Service Veterans’ Tax Credit contained in RSA 72:28-b in accordance with the provisions of RSA 72:27-a that provides for a $500 annual tax credit that is the same amount as the optional veterans tax credit under RSA 72:28 that has already been adopted by the Town.  A person shall qualify for the all veterans’ tax credit if the person is a resident of this state who served not less than 90-days on active service in the armed forces of the United States and was honorably discharged, or an officer honorably separated from service, or the spouse or surviving spouse of said resident, provided that Title 10 training for active duty by a member of a national guard or reserve shall be included as service under this paragraph; provided however that the person is not eligible for and is not receiving a credit under RSA 72:28 or RSA 72:35?

What it means:  Currently, a qualifying veteran (or surviving spouse) can claim a $500 credit against property taxes by way of service in specific wars or armed conflicts.  RSA 72:28-b, which would be adopted in Hampton if Article 35 passes, provides that credit to all veterans with at least 90 days service time and an honorable discharge, regardless of whether they were engaged in armed conflict.

Those in favor say: All who spoke at Deliberative Session were in favor of this Article, stating that it is another way to support our veterans.

Those against say: No one spoke against Article 35 at Deliberative Session.

Fiscal Impact:  The property tax base will be slightly reduced to the degree that Veterans take advantage of the tax credit (which must be applied for).  However, there will be no direct impact to taxpayers if this Article passes

Shall the Town of Hampton vote to amend Entertainment Activities Ordinance Chapter 149 of the Code of the Town of Hampton as follows:

Section 149-15. A. (1) by striking the items in the box labeled Day/Night and substituting therefore the following: 12Noon to 11PM* Monday through Thursday 75 dB

Section 149-15. A. (1) by striking the items in the box labeled Late Night and substituting therefore the following 11PM to 11:59 PM Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays defined in RSA 288, 75 dB

Section 149-16.  Police Attendance.  by removing the figures 30% in the last line and substituting the figures 50% so that the last line in Section 149:16 reads “Payment for services of these personnel shall be borne by the licensee at current wage rates, plus 50%.

What it means: Passage of Article 36 would change the days and hours at which establishments could play music or any other entertainment above the noted decibels.  It also increases the costs for businesses to utilize police detail when such additional support is deemed necessary.

Those in favor say: This is a good compromise between allowing the businesses to thrive and contribute to the tax base, while allowing their residential neighbors to enjoy their homes in peace.

Those against say: The ordinance would cause the entertainmenet businesses at the beach to essentially shut down after 11 pm.  Considering that many of the businesses are only open for a limited number of months, removing hours of operation represents a significant revenue cutback for the owners, the employees and the bands or other entertainment sources.  It will also reduce after-show options for those who attend an event at the Casino.Those who are against this Article point to Articles 39 or 40 as viable alternatives.

Fiscal Impact:  No direct tax impact.