Good evening and welcome to the October 27, 2025 meeting of the Hampton Select Board and Board of Health. We are meeting in the townhouse auditorium briefly before going to an executive session. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. As you said, we are going we have a posted executive session in our uh office. We will be
basically leaving you with a beautiful view of the the auditorium and then coming back here to conduct our business once that meeting is uh over. So that we are broadcasting on Zoom as well as here in the auditorium. Is there anybody else
recording this meeting? Justin Rivers from the Hamlin Times as well as Are you recording Sarah? >> I will be. Yes. Sarah Henan in Reminder Publishing. >> Okay. But not yet. >> Not yet. >> You didn't get this beautiful speech. >> Sorry. >> Okay. I'll get by. All right. So, I will entertain uh let's do the minutes first.
Let's knock on the minutes. All right. Yeah. The minutes of October 14th. >> I mean, she worked hard on them, Don. >> Wow. >> There was a lot of talk about the uh town meeting. There was a great meeting
with our financial team talking about our current expenses, our future expenses, our free cash, and how we should aortion that at the upcoming town meeting. Motion to approve. >> Can I move a second? >> Favor. I meeting on the 20th
shockingly was a lot of the same. We did meet with a couple members of the park and recck department to talk about their upcoming warrant article. We talked about the upcoming public safety night which I will mention the three of us were there in attendance and it was
an awesome awesome event. I think we have to give kudos to the Hammond Fire Department for putting it on such short notice. Um um a report from the board of health about the food vendor. >> Excellent. Excellent. The the burger and
fried onions were good. And then I did go back for a steak and cheese night cap. What was the report on the steak and cheese? How was that? >> Good. It was good. >> Excellent. >> Well, that's thorough, Don. I appreciate that. Make sure you submit your expenses. >> And then I had a Mrs. Davenport. I
didn't have any goodies there. I just >> Well, guess that's out of the bag. All right. So, motion on the minutes of the 20th. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I entertain a motion to go into executive session. And will we go into
executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining? Uh as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on our bargaining position. We'll return to this is the highway union. We will return to public session after the executive session. >> Okay. Second.
>> All in favor by name John Flynn. I >> Don Dport. I >> Eric Vanderly I. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Don't go through our secrets. >> Don't go through this. >> She already did. >> She already did. Okay. We're back on. >> Okay, we are back in here. We have
concluded our executive session and we're back on the agenda. uh approval revote is there is the things are proceeding along Brian as far as you're aware >> that right now there is no license because they are not complete with their
application >> I believe their application is complete right >> the new I believe it's complete the copies of the new documents that >> is it any of them on I don't know. Twin is late, but
>> we have anybody here for them? >> Were they aware of it? >> Oh, they were aware. He told, right? You think I told them what time? How long that would take? >> Are you seeking? It's been corrected. Yeah.
>> Pledge approval. I believe it was the um was the unemployment certificate was expired. That's valid now and list all the uh other locations. >> Yeah, the other location 6D you said 6A
>> 6. Yes, they have other locations. >> Lime Metal and Springfield. Correct. >> Okay. >> All right. So looking at the uh application of the missing parts have been corrected and brought up to
uh what the board had requested. >> Brian, you you're good with the application? >> Yeah. >> Don, any questions about it? >> Okay, you're good with it now. All right. So we have seen a uh complete
application for the transfer license from AMN liquor incorporated to Four Seasons Wine and Liquor. Board in favor of this. >> So moves >> second. All in favor? >> I thank you.
>> We have we have to sign something done here. >> Okay. Next, the fire department building committee. I don't see them. So, so first off to the fire department,
great job Friday night. Great job putting that together in such a quick fashion and that was a terrific public safety night. So, thank you. Thanks association, fire department association
putting that together. >> They did a great job. All right. So, um Mark, what do you got? >> All right. So, we have got a updated proposal from our first selection for OPM.
Um and it is 26,000. that's for the OPM services for the duration of the project which we know was something that we have to hire. >> Um
he updated his proposal shaved a couple months off of sort of construction time >> and also taking the OPM out of the FFN process which is you know the furniture fixtures
equipment stuff towards the end where they would be monitoring it. They took it off and that's something that they would something that we can do something. >> So to reduce their price they're not going to be doing FFN. >> So as far as the court
>> who So who will be managing it? >> Your committee >> committee. >> So recap then. You had how many? You had uh you had whittleled it down to three or four. >> Three. >> Correct. >> Right. >> Yes. And the company you recommended is
experienced in this step. >> Absolutely. >> All right. >> Yes, they have the the most experience. >> And you were concerned about some of the other ones having too much going on as well. I think I heard that maybe they wouldn't be able to put the level of attention to this project that we would
want. >> Right. Okay. >> Correct. >> All right. Who oversees him? Who guards the guardian? Yeah. Who oversees, you know, if there's a who does he go to and say, "Look at
there's a contingency that we have. Who approves that?" >> I think it would be a first of all, it would come back to the board at some point, but the committee via Brian too. >> What's his what's his fee based on? I mean, is it a percentage? Is it a
>> It comes out to a percentage. It's based on time. It's time. Individuals, >> somebody there each day. Is it based on the 8 and a.5 million or 8.3 million? >> 8.3. >> What if you don't get the 8.3? >> Again, it's it's based on time. So, no,
they've listed how >> so so if if for instance the we have a going forward the town all the towns are in a little bit fiscal uh dilemma here. We're not we're not
getting funding federal funding. We're not getting a lot of state funding is going away and that type of thing. So we're running at crunch time in a lot of different projects. So the question is the the town meeting when they passed the the
article it was with the approval of the the treasurer could borrow with the approval of the select board. What if the second board says look at we don't want to spend 8.5 million we only want to spend six million or 5 million. What happens with his fee?
>> The bigger question of what happens to the state >> to the project, right? To the project. >> Well, it has to be revised. I mean, we put I think John pointed out we put several bills, several large things for uh se large buildings for for the
highway department for, you know, less than a million dollars. So I know there's a lot of safety things that need to be done there, but you know I think we have to be cognizant of what's happened fiscally particularly this isn't going to happen probably for a couple years. So what if the select
board says look at you know we don't have 8.5 million we can't borrow 8 and 12 million we only can borrow 6 million >> a lot of other problems happening at the same time. Yeah, >> we're we were planning on 8.3 and we're
planning not to exceed that. Correct. And um >> Yeah, but you don't know. We don't you don't have a design guy yet. Even >> you don't have an architect yet. >> That is the next step. Know what we're going to budget for an architect.
>> We are. >> We're not going to exceed our number. You don't know that >> turn back. >> I guess my point is have you considered that we might have to go with a lower number. Maybe we don't have a second floor or maybe we don't I don't know have the
>> second floor is is from the gain the height of trusses. We're not planning to do anything with that second floor other than put mechanical up there. >> I think I just I I just I'm actually I'm a little bit shocked at
$425,000 based on 8.3 when you don't know that's what's going to happen. So I'm not I understand I understand we're required to get one. I understand this is the way they do it. I understand they they suck as much money out of the towns as possible, you know, because you know
they're required to do that. But I'm just trying to figure out how we maybe can save a million or two going forward because we're headed for real fiscal danger here in town. >> Well, one thing we can do to to to save is to keep things moving. Every every
month we lose is is >> I know I I hear I >> I hear that all the time. We have to do it now because it's going to cost us more later. But, you know, I understand. >> I think relative to the fees, if you were building a
$20 million station, the fee would be less than 5%. The problem is at some point you have hours you have to cover and principles are involved in some of the meetings, etc., etc. So, I don't say it's necessarily cheaper to build a
smaller building. When you look at the fees, fees are about the same. If the building were 20 million and they were going to do it on the same number of months, it would be less a percentage. But the fact is that on a smaller building
um it's the same charge more hours etc etc. >> I don't know that we can too much about that part of it. Um it's always been the plan to be as austere as we can >> on certain things.
The next phase would be the architect. >> Yes. >> Right. >> And that would be the actual drawings to build the project. >> Correct. >> Right. >> And that cost would be ballpark >> 800,000. >> Yeah. Again,
>> 10%. 10% of 8.3 million to be 800,000, right? >> Well, no one's saying it is 10%. That's the thing. That's that's why it goes out and we solicit the 8.3 is with all those fees put in
>> building construction less. >> What if an architect came back and said I've got a project and no go Don's point and says I've got a way we can make this smaller in my drawings and accomplish the same thing. Would that work to Don's point? >> Be definitely up for consideration.
Sure. I'm a little confused. You're you're anticipating some shortfall in funding from the operational budget standpoint. Yes. >> Mhm. >> I don't understand how spending less on a debt exclusion is going to help that. You can't take the money from here and
put it to there. >> No. But the way it's going way it's going to help it is that it's going to keep the tax rate down. The tax how much tax people get paid down a little bit. >> The bill down. Yeah. >> The bill keep the bill the tax bill down. Not the tax rate. tax build out. And plus,
we need we may need bonding for other projects. And if we have an $8.5 million bond out there and we need to spend a million dollars to do something someplace else, then it's going to affect our bond rating. >> There was no anticipation of other
projects at the time this was put forward. >> Sure. There's there's a Thornton Bridge School. There's a senior center. There's the something to do with this building >> bridge, >> you know, the bridges. >> So, we're always looking at these type of things always. That's why we're asking questions.
>> Yeah. No, I I get it. I just Okay. I'm a little confused why we're looking for looking at it after the fact versus if it was only a couple months ago went to uh went to vote, why wasn't it got prior to? >> Well, I think at all point part of our job is to always look at what we're
spending and going forward. So, and plus the fiscal, >> but it makes managing the project a little bit difficult when in midstream all of a sudden you start throwing else. >> Well, well, you've got this you got the the regional high school that's looking for some serious capital improvements.
We got Mayhem. >> That's a new development >> that just recently up the bleachers and the and the havoc the the system at the middle school which they're asking us to pay a portion of which we've been fighting not to but you know we may have to because our kids go there.
>> Right. >> So we're just trying I'm just trying to figure out if there's a way we can save some money. That's all. >> Just to just to put a cap on it though. This I think is for a future discussion because I think you sense where the board is. You're here for the OPM. We have other things and we have the uh
advisor hearing set for 7 o'clock, >> right? >> So, we have to kind of I say cut the short. You get a sense of the boards wanted to be engaged with you on this. >> But for the OPM contract, are we okay with at least getting that moving along?
>> Yes. Yeah, we have to move forward. We have to move forward with the project. >> So, a motion to authorize the town ministry to sign that contract. >> So, moved. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> abstain. >> Okay. All right, that's done. Okay.
>> And we're feel free to come to any meeting. We'll always have that plate here for you. All right. >> Thank you. >> So, next on the agenda before the advisory wanders up here, Paul, >> how are you? >> Good, sir. Yourself? >> Well, thank you.
>> So, Paul Maruna has uh give us a report on the holiday lighting. >> Free lighting. Yes, sir. >> Free lighting. I'm told there's a uh >> well, I'm sorry. >> I'm told there's a new player at the uh at the location. >> There is. There's a new tree.
>> There you go. >> Um obviously this has taken a few twists and turns. The you know the original plan of lighting up Main Street or you know Allen Street uh from Hampton Road, East Road, Wilbertton Road
was uh derailed by uh Verizon. So we, you know, took a step back, thought about banners, but banners being at night, you can't see them. So we we pivoted. Um,
then we we met last week or two weeks ago at TWWB. Uh, and I'm pleased to say that we had a tree planted today uh on or around the same space that we talked about while we were on site. Mhm. >> Uh I was in
Connecticut last week and looked at some lighting that we that's at our disposal at no charge. I just have to get it here. >> Uh I sent a link to I think Brian and you might have been on that email of a family that had this lighting display up in Nashville, New Hampshire. It rivals
uh Bright Nights. >> Really, really quality. Um, so fast forward, uh, I think this year we can light a tree. I can get some, um, mechanical trees, if you would, you know, with with rope lighting on it. We
can get those in place. >> Um, we can do some really nice stuff around the gazebo. Um, I do need to, uh, employ electrician, not employ, you know, I asked Kevin Sako >> to look at the gazebo. I think that was
a question that we had as far as capabilities at that facility. He's agreed to donate some time and materials to kind of get that where we need it. >> Um do we can, you know, utilize it and in a safe manner. >> Uh what I need to know is what your
timeline is. What when are you looking to have your tree lighting festivities take place so I have a calendar to work against >> um and go from there. >> Right. So, I think I reported to the board last week that Brian, Dan, and I met with uh Paul, was it a
week and a half ago? Roughly, >> yeah, we looked over the gazebo and I think I mentioned the the work that uh parks, the garden club, uh some community members as well have done to improve the gazebo is incredible. We saw it this weekend a couple of times both at the truck or tree, which was a great
event, Dan, >> and for the uh uh hand the night out. What Paul's proposed here is pretty much upgrading the gazebo to make it ready for the the tree lighting ceremony. We talked about having some display there,
potentially having the choir that Free Medals provides, sitting in the gazebo, perhaps singing from there. I think a date, typically the date has always been the first Sunday in December. >> Okay, >> which would be the 7th. Uh we might have
a we're still looking for who can basically honcho that because we had a terrific person who pretty much ran the tree lighting for the past few years and right now this will be on Lauren and she is pretty well you know
she has a lot on her plate right now. So we're investigating that but I would say tenatively December 7th will be that date that we have the event there. Dan has assured us we'll love snow. >> Not too much. >> Not too much. Thanks, Dan. Uh, we
already met with Highway. They're willing to plow. So, um, that's where we're looking. >> Okay. >> You know, we'll continue to meet with you, see what's happening. Dan, you're comfortable with Sacko doing the work. We looked at those outlets, etc.
>> He's in town. would the one question would be is he willing to put underground to the tree and put a stub out there. >> I don't know. I think right now he's focusing on the gazebo, you know, >> right? But I mean, we want to light the tree obviously, even though it's not
exactly Rockefeller Plaza tree, but >> how are we going to get power out to it? >> It's been underground, you know, obviously in front and we have a stub out there. >> I think we need to look at it. you know, we need to get out there and and assess
what's currently there, what can be salvaged. >> Let me just say, we don't expect him to donate everything. >> If he says, "Look, I'm happy to wire it for you. If you buy the PVC to get it out there and the parts, I'll put it in for you." I'm sure the board can find a
way to make that happen. We have count event money, things like that. Okay? >> So, if he's saying, "Look, I'll do the labor, but I'm not going to be out parts. Come back to us, please." >> Agreed. And I think that would be if it was all controlled from the gazebo. That would be the way I think we'd like it. >> You know, the breaker box there,
>> the junction box there. >> Yeah, I think I think so. Um >> cuz that may be his thing. Look, I'm happy to help out, but we could take care of parts and he got the skill in the license. >> That would be the thing. >> That box should probably be replaced. >> Yeah. Anyhow, right. >> Scary. >> We talked about that.
>> Send me the at some point. Herb's going to find out where that box goes to in the school. >> He showed it to me. >> Oh, you found the breaker. >> You found the breaker. Okay, good. All right. So, that's where we are. >> So, that date again was December >> 7th. It would be the first Sunday in December. >> February day. >> Paul, I'll reach out to talk to you
about the grand transportation of those lights if that's going that's going to happen. >> The goal would be I I uh there's a mover that's in our building in Springfield. Yeah. Meeting hopefully meeting him out there on Sunday. >> Okay. >> Um >> how many trucks How many trucks are we
talking do you think? How many loads are >> Look like a lot. There's a lot there. I'm sharing it with the trolley barn in in Connecticut. >> Yeah. >> Um so really it depends on how big we want to go. Okay. >> You know, I mean I'm going to store some
in Springfield. >> Um really just bring up here this year or, you know, in the near future what I want to put out there this year. >> Okay. >> And this year is really the gazebo and the trees. Um that I could send you a picture of. When I was there Friday, I illuminated one of the trees. And I want
to bring nine trees back to put um on the front lawn of TWWB to augment the uh lit tree. >> Y >> and there's also dozens and dozens and dozens of cases of string lighting >> that I want I'd like to put in the existing trees to the left of the
driveway as you pull in. >> Yep. >> You know, just kind of string just string them through the trees just to add another dimension to the display. >> Okay, great. >> Cool. So, you know, this will evolve. >> Yeah. >> And grow as much as we want to grow it.
Um, >> you we you need staff to put up the snowflakes and all the snowflakes. >> Okay. But I mean, >> all right. We got advisory at seven. So, we can >> number six. >> It's our material.
>> Okay. >> Paul, thank you for everything you're doing. >> We're going to talk about this going to come up here, right? Yes, we're going to vacate our chairs. We'll leave the cookies here. >> I'm going to take one with me just in case I get hooked. >> You are the board held chair.
>> Can't make it. Can't make it. Electronic trees here. And then we have >> your folder or you want through it or it's up to you. Just moving our stuff out of the way at least. Yeah, you don't mind. >> Yeah, >> thank you.
>> I'll email. >> Okay. >> He'll get us in touch. >> Yeah, I want to get >> anytime. I mean, likewise. Thank you. Any way we can help. I mean, I appreciate. Thanks. >> I'm not here to steal a cookie.
>> Good. >> Please do. You can't expect me to sit in front of that plate. >> Yes, absolutely. >> I'll keep going over here. >> Here, why don't you keep an eye on >> Hey, Daniel.
>> I got to move over. >> There you go. Don's Don's doing his part. There you go. >> Three seconds. Halfway through the cookie. >> I got a Pop-Tart. I can't have cookies down here, >> bro. I'll be every pen that I take.
>> You got the cookies. >> Oh my god. from the village mark. >> Hey, I'm Ha. >> Well, there you go. That's your dinner. >> All righty. >> Started.
>> All right. Good uh good evening everybody. Um we're going to start the uh the advisory public hearing. Thank you. >> Uh my name is uh Doug Boyd. I'm chair of the advisory committee. Uh this is a
public hearing which we're required to have uh by law uh in in advance of the special town meeting which is scheduled for next Monday, November 9th. Um the warrant um is there's I believe there's extra
copies on the back table if anybody needs them. >> There there's some under the table there too. >> Okay. We have them in two two two different locations. Uh the purpose of this meeting is to take uh public input on the articles um
to uh answer any questions or raise questions that people may have and either answer them or find the way that we're going to answer them. So what I would ask is that as we go through these articles, if anybody has anything which um any questions they they would like to ask or any comments is please just raise
your hand and wait for me to recognize you so we do this in some type of an orderly fashion. Um with that uh we'll start with article one uh which is to amend um the Hampton general bylaws for a 6:30 p.m. annual town meeting start
time. Uh, this is an article, I believe, being proposed by the board. >> I was going to say this is an article that's been brought by the uh by the board. Pretty self-explanatory. Just moving it from 7:00 back to 6:30 to try and accommodate people's schedules. Anybody have any questions or comments
on that? Uh, article two is additional funding for the townhouse maintenance account facilities manager. Uh this is a request for an additional $38,08. Uh this is to fund uh a full-time
position for the facilities manager uh for the I guess we're going to continue to call it TWWB for the time being. Um but uh to to basically manage uh and take care of that building.
>> Well, pardon all town buildings. all town buildings but based in based in >> right now I'm focused on that but it'll be overseeing all municipal >> and I'm assuming that that that job description will evolve as as time passes and we get some more
experience with it. >> It says that now >> right because there's quite a few town properties. It's uh okay but this is this is to bring that to a full-time position. >> Yes. >> There there was money at at the annual town meeting that was 40,000. This is an additional 38 to bring it up to a
full-time position. Uh any questions on that? Okay. Article three is additional funding for the insurance account employee benefits. Uh this is uh request for $56,000.
Uh this is essentially as it says this is primarily for uh increased health insurance costs. Although employee benefits as a broad category involves lots of different benefits. Uh John, do you want to add anything to that? >> Yeah. So, basically, we had obviously
put this number in at the town meeting and we had an employee that put in for retirement after the budget was voted in May. So, uh there wasn't enough money in employee benefits to cover the buyout package for that person. And this will
basically add that. uh we're told from the uh treasurer that the number we have in employee benefits right now is good for health for the we anticipate for the upcoming year. >> All right.
>> You never know right there. >> Are uh articles two and three are those uh raise and appropriate? uh they can be raised and appropriate or transferred and I'll I'll explain at the end what we have for available funds in terms of how we can approach these.
Um any any further questions on article uh three the additional funds for employee benefits? Um article four transfer from uh the county retirement account uh to the council on aging account. This is a
request for $10,000. Uh this is an internal transfer uh from the county retirement line to the council on aging. So uh there's a federal grant that pays
part of the salary of one of the employees at the senior center. That grant was terminated. Uh so there's a shortfall of $7,500 in that salary line. We get a discount because the treasurer is prompt on
paying the invoice to county retirement. So there will be more than enough left over in that appropriation to cover the 7500 needed for the transfer. It's not $10. It is 7500 and then the rest left in there was just
roll the precash at the end of this. >> Let me let me just quickly explain. We we receive the assessment letter from the H the Hampton County Retirement Board uh usually in um December and
they comes it comes as a a flat number but there's a provision where if we pay it early pay it by a certain date we receive a discount. Um we always budget the larger number because payment of the full amount is dependent on on cash flow. We've been
fortunate in recent years to have enough cash flow to pay the the number sooner. So we we end up with a savings that's somewhere in the 3 to 4% of the assessment and three John you're looking confused.
>> No, I want to know if Dick had a savings. >> Yeah, we spoke we spoke earlier this evening about in terms you're talking about the the overall total savings. How much do we save on a year? >> The the discount is only applied to the the first half of the payment. So
there's there's two payments each six months apart. So we get a discount on the first six-month payment. The assessment this year was a little over $900,000. So by paying that early, we free up a certain amount of money, which is why we
can do this transfer out of that account without affecting, you know, the ability to pay. what the difference the savings was >> what the savings was >> between asking people >> yeah I mean I mean when we pay that
early we're saving >> 15,000 >> 10,394 they said that was the shortfall is only7500 >> now let me just put this out there because we we have done this we've
handled the the Hampton County retirement assessment this way for the past several years knowing that we were we were going to have then have these savings roll into our free cash and be available you know in the next year. So by doing this
transfer now what we're doing is we're we're not going to have these funds available next year when we looking at free cash. So you know it's changing things the way we've done things a bit. U saves us money now but it's going to deprive us of having that money
available next year. Um any any further questions on on article 4? U article five is uh to repurpose funds for the HVAC system replacement at the
Hampton Senior Center. Uh this is not any new money. This is a to reccharacterize $120,000 which was previously appropriated at town meeting. Um, I know
Gary's here from the building committee if anybody has any questions, but you know, this this is there's no new money here. Anybody have any questions about that, Rita? >> We we voted 140,000 at the annual
>> Gary, >> that's correct. Um, I think at town meeting we explained that the committee had targeted three priorities for ongoing maintenance. the roof, bathroom upgrades, and minor work on the septic
system. Um, and so the budget breakdown or the numbers that we had at the time were about 120,000 for the roof, 5,000 for the septic system, and 15,000 for the bathroom upgrades.
Um, as of now, um, the bathroom upgrades are under contract. We're hoping that they will get underway in November. Uh the septic system has been upgraded in accordance with the title 5 report. So
there was 120,000 for the roof that um we're looking to repurpose for the HVAC. Quite frankly, um we were planning on coming with a warrant article for about $90,000
for windows. However, if I can't jump to >> Sure. >> six, five, >> five and six come together. >> Um, a after the town meeting and after um Brian put out a a
request for bids for the bathrooms in August, the Hbacks or the actually the the air conditioning system uh had leaks. So, we had BG Mechanical come in. Um, they were able to unfreeze the the
condensers and had them do a review of both the system, uh, the heating system and and the cooling system. uh also with the help of the facilities manager we had Pioneer Valley also give us a second
look at the system and both their conclusions were that after 25 years the system really was needing to be replaced. So, in talking with the um select board, it was understood that we
would repurpose the roof money at this point in time um and ask under warrant article six for an additional 130,000 uh so that we can replace the HVAC the
whole HVAC system um based on estimates given by BG and Pioneer Valley. So, the two warrant articles go together. Um, the roof is being, if you will, put off till next year. Um, if you will, one of
the good things about not doing the roof is that the system is in the attic crawl space and replacement looks like it probably will go through the roof. So, that um if we had done anything on the roof, uh, it would have been redone. So,
um, that's that's what the two articles uh entail at this point. >> All right. Um, anybody have any other questions about the article five, the the 120? >> No. >> If I can. You'll be coming back for roof
repairs or roof time. Yes. >> So, at the annual town meeting. >> Yes. >> You'll go and get some possibilities, some new estimates. Yeah, the estimates for the roofing uh were done in March of this year. So
obviously everything is going up. So um we will be getting new estimates. Um bad word assuming town meeting um would vote for the new HVAC system. Um we'll be working on specifications and and
working with um talking to a number of vendors because of the technologies that we may be looking at. But uh once we settle then we'll be getting specifications and hopefully a bid of as soon as possible because again everybody here recognizes that the senior center
is a heating and cooling center for the town of Hampton in cases of emergency. Right. Um, article six. Um, as Gary said, this is the the second part of the HVAC
system at the senior center. This is a request for 130,000 in new money. Um, and this is essentially to complement the repurposing of the the 120 so that there's enough to do the the entire project. Um,
and as John brought up, I mean, this leaves the roof um, status quo. So, the the roof obviously is going to still need work. Um, so it's not going away. It's just being deferred. Gary,
>> and as the bearer of bad news also, um, we originally focused on four priorities. I talked about the three, but the windows also are in need of replacement. At the request of the select board prior to town meeting in
the spring, we removed that article or that that priority from um what we were asking for to the tune of about $90,000 again based on estimates that we went out and got. So, we're trying to be
proactive here as we go along. Um, honestly, the roof would be out to bid by now and if the HVAC system hadn't decided to uh give up ghost. It's still functional and we don't mean to say that
it's it's not working. It is, but it's at its life's end, if you will. >> So, so essentially the building committee has rep prioritized the needs based on your experience and >> this is what this is what we have to do. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Anybody have any questions on does that mean that the HVAC system is going to cost 250,000 because I've got 120 coming for the additional 130 >> right 250 total. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other sir?
>> So where does that leave the windows? >> Leave the windows on the to-do list. >> Okay. >> With the roof. Um, article 7, HVAC system installation at the New Hampton Town Hall, formerly
Thuron W. Burgess School. Is that what we're going to call it? We're going to call it the New Hampton Town Hall. >> Okay. >> Former one. >> Okay. Um, this is a request for $300,000
um to do essentially that uh repair and installation of HVAC at at Thorton Burgess. Um, I don't know if you want to speak to that at all or >> it's mostly, correct me if I'm wrong, Brian, mostly the northern part of the
school which consists of the library pod and that area there really is the bulk of the money. uh because obviously the bulk of the square footage plus uh some of the additional offices along the front and it's just a lot of technology.
You see that from the request for how the senior center that equipment cost money. So what is the other part of the the school slashtown hall? >> Some already has correct Brian >> newer or working
>> working is the guy you need to ask because he has been >> yes they're up and working they probably they probably got six six years behind them seven years behind them as we move the transition group out of there we need to put them in because certain kids had IEPs so we had to put them in. Um,
so they're about six years old. So I I have never had a problem with them. They turn up, they turn up, they they they clean out homes. So them wouldn't have to be replaced for a while, I would say. >> So the old part of the or the bulk of the school is not working very well.
>> You have two you have and the whole main office is uh actually a unit on the roof which we're looking at to put to control most of the library which would be a unit on the roof. um would take up the
library and we have to put another unit on to split off to take care of the other sections of the building. But you're looking at additional seven. Um we're coming in with um the whole front office is completely AC and heat um so
that whole main office is all set. >> So are they they're not working well now or >> Well, no. They're working fine. It's just we're it's rooms that we're putting offices in that we're going to require AC units in it. >> Okay. So for AC they don't have
>> they don't have it. >> They're not touching the AC units that are in there now. There's no reason to touch them at this point. >> So the majority of the cost of 300,000 is the library space. >> Go ahead. >> So it's the it's the interior library the existing interior library space. And
then they're all they also have uh three classrooms towards the roadside that's going to be repurposed as the children's library and the Rochester reading room. None of those uh none of those spaces have cooling or humidity control. So that was a request from the library to uh to get that installed as soon as
possible to >> Okay. So it's primarily for air conditioning that doesn't exist. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> And then B was right. There's there's I think there's six or seven other classrooms that seven will be spaces that that could benefit from from having
cooling >> and I left my office out of it. >> And there so that will leave um there will be a number of spaces not air conditioned. We're not trying we're not the whole building. >> It's not the entire building just selected portions of it.
>> Yeah. >> I accept him. That leaves out the the wreck classrooms as well on the other side at this point. You know, maybe if it comes down to, you know, we have some extra money, we could throw some sport units in that as well. We we tried to lay back as much as we could possibly
lay back, but like they said, it's a library taking up probably 80% of that project. Mhm. >> Just just by way of an update if I could, you may have heard that it was a a $90,000 state year mark for uh the camera systems and the electronic access
control and thankfully the governor released those funds >> um last week. So >> So it's 9,000 cost to the earmark and then we'll have additional funds. >> So is that like a grant per se? I mean is there >> was a state earmark but it comes through as a grant. So, it's a request that we
sent to uh >> So, does the li library industry have anything? >> Um, I if there was any funding that they could apply for and they didn't think that there was. >> Okay. >> That's something we'll keep exploring as we, >> you know, as we continue to get into the
building and use it. Yeah, >> I was just just wondering um why this is coming in the fall and not back in the spring as part of the whole upgrade and renovation of the building. Was it not
known then or um I don't guess I don't have an answer to that question system at that point. >> Just curious. Yeah, >> I think I think it's also a matter of fitting it into our finances. Um, you
know, we know we knew that there'd be free cash available in the in the fall. Obviously, we didn't know how much, but um and we'll get to that discussion about the free cash and about how we can make some of these expenditures without actually um having to raise new funds,
increase the taxes. I can ask John. >> Um, you'll be using in probably not the library space, but the other classrooms that are going to become offices. Those will be split units.
>> More than likely, it would be a cheaper way to put the unit up top and then put off six units off that unit. >> Okay. >> Um, that's a lot of guys like to do because you're only buying that one compressor. >> Gotcha. >> Um, and you can do that in the heat in in the heat pump stuff. Yep. >> Okay.
>> Is that size just for th that amount of space or could you add on to it in the future if you need to or you need to buy a whole new unit? >> Good question. We did ask that question. Um and again, it comes up to the money. It's it's how how much you want to spend to get that up to where you can add on
and stuff like that as we go. right now. Do we look at maybe getting the library done and then take the additional money and get that done and then maybe put a heap uh a split system in some of the single offices. You know, it John will
tell you the prices on split units are coming down a little bit. Um it's the gas that's messing everybody up. They're changing all these gases and they mess around with all these gases. Now, that's where the senior center lies into that mess. You're talking gases or you're
talking about the within the system freon >> the refrigerants. >> I want I don't want people to think it's natural gas. That's another expense. >> We tried to save as much money as we can. We thought about pulling these out of here, but again, you're going to run into that gas problem. >> Then it's not going to be compatible to
what they might build, >> right? And I think Kevin, to your point, we might be able to go bigger on the PTUs on the main system, but without, so to speak, attaching them to the rooms and then down the road. >> That's what I meant. Can you for a small
amount of money go a little bit bigger and then add on in the future >> capacity to expand in the future? >> Yep. >> All right. Any other comments, questions? Article 7. Right. Article eight is electrical
upgrades and new signage at the Hampton Transfer Station. >> So that's 10. So we're asking $10,000. We have two sheds there. One of them has no no electricity in it.
They have a generator that works. And the that's the one by the cycling center. And the other one has a heater blower in there that doesn't work. It's supposed to been replaced years ago and hasn't. So, our hope would
be to get 10,000 miles to get some electricity in there so those guys can have heat and light. Why they want that, I don't know. And the fix the bullet blower. Uh the signage we're going to put off. we might be able to pay for
that out of the a little bit of revenue there that's coming in. So, it's $10,000. All right. Any any comments, questions? Right. Article nine. Um purchase of a
new police cruiser. Um this has a number of $70,000 associated with it. >> Right. We discussed that and uh at this point we think we're going to just keep looking at the mileage that we're and
put that off till the uh spring that people have more input on what the fleet is going to look like at that point. Hold that. He's got since he's in town, he can use a bike. >> Ebike.
>> By the way, this is the new chief here. You stand up. >> Well, welcome. Welcome. >> You say welcome to L right up the road. Thank >> y Yeah. All right. So, the police cruiser
is going to be taken off for this meeting. Okay. Article 10, purchase of a compact um compact wheel front loader. Um so, same thing in light of I think
you guys have done you all have done a terrific job in explaining where the town stands from a financial standpoint. The board acknowledges the need for this. Uh we also acknowledge the need for, you know, what we're looking at for the
upcoming taxes. We were requesting to put that off to the spring. Some news has come up today that might give us a different funding source that won't affect the tax rate. So, we're going to be exploring that in the next week or so, but at this point,
we're requesting no action on that article. if I can. >> Okay, >> John. >> Um, if we don't approve, if the town does not approve, where does that put us as
far as replacement schedule for equipment in the highway department? >> I'm Does >> again, we'll no more if what just this just came up today. >> Yeah. So it was if what we're discussing
right now with Mark, Brian, and the board happens, we'll be right on schedule. >> Okay. >> And we'll be able to take advantage of the discounted price that this was going to give us. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Potentially no impact to that. >> All right. So
>> now we're using your >> Yeah. Honda. my little I'm my little it is important for people to understand the fact that we're you know we're taking these articles off doesn't mean that the need is going away.
>> Exactly. >> You know finding another funding source is good news for us. >> Yes. Um all right. Article 11, purchase of a pickup truck. Uh this is a request from Parks and Wreck and I believe this is a
$20,000 request. >> Yep. So, we had um I think it was in August, our pickup truck died. Uh Steve's uses it daily. Uh the the the quote from Corbies to repair it was $7,650.
The truck is maybe worth nine. Um if that was if it was in good condition, but it's not. Um in Corby's opinion, uh the truck is not worth repairing. Um, you know, it's just sort of like every department, we have a need there
for this. Um, but we understand that, um, you know, now is a very difficult fiscal time. That's sort of why we came with $20,000, a lower number. We recognize we don't need a $50,000 new truck for parks and wreck. Um, however, we do need a vehicle. Um, we transport
equipment and supplies, haul materials, trash, debris. Uh, we do trailer the lawn mower still back and forth. They use tandem mowers now during the fall for the leaf cleanup. Um, it supports our programs and events like uh rock in the summer. Uh, we would have used it
for trunk or treat if we had it and it was it doesn't run at all. It's out of service. Uh, we use it in the Memorial Day parade. Um, rock in the summer and we use it for any events that we need to move things around for. We use it to winterize and dewinterize the splash pad.
Um, the other things are the other thing that comes up is Steve is using his personal vehicle right now. Um, I don't know where that falls liability wise with the town. We did reach out to the Brian reached out to the uh insurance
agent and she did say whenever possible it's best to have employees using town owned vehicles for work. Um there's also so now we have some mileage being resubmitted um which we hadn't had in the past um and that's an expense that we had not uh forecasted for the year.
So that's sort of taking away from some of our programs. Um, not that this matters, but $20,000 looks like it's about 2% on the tax rate. And for the average assessed value of $419,000 for handed, uh, the tax bill,
each a person's tax bill at $419,000 would increase by $8.38 a year approximately. Um, we're we understand the fin the the financial situation of the town, so we are open to waiting till the spring. However, that does, you know, those
funds typically don't become available until July. So, that puts us almost a full year without a vehicle. Um, so that's why we're coming, but we understand if you would prefer to take no action at this time. Um, but the need is there. And so, that's sort of why.
>> Um, I'm just wondering you you indicated that you use it in opening and closing the spray park. >> Yeah. They put they move some of the some of the structures >> the fixtures >> and they use it to get height to take down some of the things. >> Okay. Because I I thought there was there was a contractor that was brought in.
>> We have a guy but they we Steve works with them and they do it together. We cut that bill down in by about half by helping >> because I I seem to recall we were paying quite a bit to >> it was and we got rid of them. >> They were out of what? They were out of Eastern Mass and we got a local guy
that's much better. Um, any any comments, questions? >> No. >> I do. >> John, >> can I ask you what failed for $7,650? >> You got it. Um, we have it needs a oil
pan replacement, that was $700. Transfer case and linkage, $1,500 to $2,000. Coolant leak, $450. Transmission cooling lines, which are no longer available. He says he probably can't fix those. Uh, and it needs an 8ft. the bed is about to
fall off of the truck. Um, so that's 4500. And we we received this truck in July of 23 from the highway department. Just a little history. Uh, it was a plow truck for them. In September of 23, we had to put $2,300 into it. And then in April of
24, we put another 500 into it. So, um, it to me it's not financially responsible to repair this vehicle. >> Mark, you got rid of rid of it at the right time. >> He helped us out with some of those charges. So, I think that's half because he he picked up half the tab on some of
those. So, >> um, any anything else? Any other questions, comments? Okay. Thanks. Um, article articles 12 and 13 are both community preservation. Um, community
preservation is meeting Wednesday night to consider two requests. We have a request from the housing authority for um replacement of concrete sidewalks in the um Spring Meadow. Uh the request for
that is $42,8225. Um anybody have any questions on that one? No. Uh, article 13 is a request from the cemetery commission for uh $27,000 for
um let me think how to describe this best is is essentially to put in a a turnaround on the the old cemetery. When you go into the old cemetery and you go up to the left, up to the back left, it
currently just stops. Um, this is a request from the cemetery commission to essentially put in a a turnaround at the top of that. Um, they've flagged it out. Um, and there there's some Well, there's some discussion to be had on this one yet,
but Dwayne, do you want to say anything on that? Would this particular boat basically get in right about where Robert Sess, the Tea Party person, I was recently uh restooned in my cemetery to
about 30 ft from that location. It's an area where it the elevation is such that turning around people are either backing into the cemetery we're driving out into with the new sections which has graves. In some cases they're
driving over those graves. So it it has a dual function there protecting existing trees. We have four as a cemetery and move to six trees that will have to go there to
build this. In addition to that, um it's um it's almost impossible when there's a coming up a funeral, the cemetery lines up there and people either have to back
out or or it's almost impossible to turn out. >> Thanks. Um the these both community preservation um articles would be funded out of the community pre preservation account which currently has about $690,000
in it. Um that's money that's already in the bank. So expenditure from these accounts does not impact our tax rate in any way. Um anybody have any questions on article 13, the cemetery article?
No. Okay. Uh moving on, article 14 uh is to accept local room occupancy tax. I believe this is coming from you, Don. Um chapter 64 G3A
allows communities to impose a room occupancy and lodging tax in addition to the state's tax. Uh the department of revenue currently lists uh seven uh places in Hampton in which they collect
room occupancy or short-term rental tax. Uh it would be 6% the money would the 6% tax would come to the state but to the town. It's and it's not uh not a lot of money but it'll
help the coffers a little bit. The town doesn't have to do anything other than to do file and tell the state that they have opposed this tax. The state will collect the money and quarterly send a check to the state for whatever monies they collected for that 6% tax.
If we vote for it at the town special town meeting, we'll have to notify the state by December 1st and they'll begin collecting the money on April 1st. uh calling it le collected the money on March 1st sending it
>> is that 6% of whatever is collected by the owner for the rental >> of the rent 6% of the rent >> $100 a night it's six bucks there's currently seven in town there may be an eighth but there's seven in town included
>> are like bed and bath what are they bed and breakfast Ben, breakfast, uh, >> lodging, lodging, Airbnb lodging. Give a great horse. They have four or five build out
>> and we have like seven in town. >> Seven in town. >> And who collects that tax? >> The state collects the state collects the tax now. So the owner of the so you you rent the building say it's $100 a night you pay 106
you know your bills 106 six bucks is tax for the state we would add an additional $6 bill we get the $6,000 state >> how do we keep track of that who does that is that the >> state does >> how do we get our $6
>> the state oh >> they do everything they >> the owner of the property has file the same. They just add it to the form as they file with the state and the statement sends them. >> Thank you. >> So there's there's no new administration
associated with this. >> Just the just the initial part the town clerk would have to send them the form that says we accepted this and the vote, >> right? >> You can do that. Of course, there's a form.
Hey, Gary. >> Is the state taxing them now? >> Yes. >> At how much? >> 6.7%. >> So, this is going to be 12% >> that that each of those people are going to be paying. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> It's passed on to the renter though,
right? I mean, >> yeah, >> it's really passed on to the renter. It doesn't >> It not passed on. The business doesn't pay for it. >> The person who's renting the the room pays for the building, right? >> Just like any hotel anywhere. Yeah. All right. Any other questions,
comments? I suspect that'll generate a few comments that uh next next week, but uh we can do that. We could do the mail tax too. >> One thing at a time. >> Yeah. All right. Article 15 is transfer
from free cash to the water department extension project. Um this is um somewhat convoluted, but this is somewhat of of a makeup uh article. It's
request for 650,000 money that um we had voted in the spring to transfer out of stabilization to for applying to I can't remember if it was the tax rate specifically or the water project. >> Actually, it was last fall.
>> Last fall. Um, and because of an an accounting issue, uh, we weren't able to do that. That's part of the reason our free cash number is as large as it is is because of an accounting accommodation that the state was willing to make uh, with the way these funds
were were handled. So, it's 650,000. Uh, the request for the article, the intent is that this is going to be coming out of free cash. Um, so in in a sense, this is not new money. This is money that we appropriated last
year. I know it's somewhat convoluted, but um John, you're looking puzzled. >> We transferred transferred out of civilization to apply it towards the tax rate, >> right? Yeah. Um
any questions on that? I know it's not the clearest explanation, but this is money that we were essentially finishing applying to the water district, which is what we intended to do last year. Um,
article 16 is transfer from free cash to reduce the tax rate. Um article 161 17 is reducing is transfer the general stabilization to reduce the tax rate. Article 18 transfer from free
cash general stabilization fund. Um we when I say we advisory the select board the accountant the treasurer we've not yet had those discussions um but um obviously those discussions will happen.
Let me give you a quick summary of of where the town's finances are. Um the free cash number that was certified by the state um was 1,820,769. Now that's a much larger number than we
have historically seen by a magnitude of about two. Um and that's because of the accounting accommodation with the the transfer from stabilization last year. Um so the expenditures which we've just
reviewed tonight, we have this free cash of 1,820,000 available. If we look at all of those transfers, if my math is correct, the the articles
count calling for new money uh of 1,24,08. That's if all of those articles pass. Um, so that that would leave the balance of approximately $600,000 um of free cash.
Now, we also um have about $1.3 million in our stabilization account and we have a levy limit. I know this is getting into the weeds a little bit, but for those people who understand this, it'll make sense.
Um, our levy limit is currently at about $1.3 million. Um, depending on on what we do with those last three articles about reducing to transfer uh to to reduce the tax rates and whether we put any money into stabilization
um will affect what that stabiliz what that levy limit will end up being at. Obviously, we want to keep that levy limit at a reasonable level so that we don't run into Proposition 2 and a half issues
um going forward. Um I I think it's fair to say that given the way the finances are going both for the town, for the school district, and for the state that
the there's been a a constriction in the accounts. There's less flexibility um both for the schools and for the town uh as the funding has has tightened up. So what that means is in the next couple
of years that levy limit um may may be gone. That would leave us with the ability to raise taxes at the 2 and a half% of the existing levy and any new growth. And given the the operations of
the town um it would not be possible to maintain level services um at a 2 and a.5% levy limit. So going forward, we're going to be asking departments to be tightening the belts because we're anticipating
um that that things are going to be tight the next few years. Um I know that's sounds a bit a bit dire, but I don't think it's overstating things. Rita, >> may I ask a question about accounts that that weren't covered in here?
>> Sure. What account paid for the paving at the senior center the um parking lot? >> Um well I think I know but I don't want to I don't want to misspe. >> Basically it's part of the general
>> that's what I thought. Yeah. Mark was able to put it into his paving account >> the highway. >> Yes. Yes. So that that's no there's no new money. There's no money coming out of the senior c center's budget for that. >> Basically, he had almost a million
dollars in paving allocation this year between chapter 90 was a fair share thing. >> There was some extra state money, emergency state money that for the two years we've gotten >> for the town. >> Thank you.
>> Absolutely. It looks good, too. Sarah >> Doug, um, can you explain this to me? Why, so why in 17 are we transferring money out of the general stabil stabilization fund to lower the tax
rate, but then putting money back into the general stabilization fund from free cash? >> Why not just take it out of free cash and put it in? We we put those those last three articles there so that so that we the town has the ability to
determine the best way to approach that. Now, we wouldn't it's unlikely we would do both. We would do one or the other depending on how whatever articles pass, we'll be able to look at what available funds we have. That's when a decision will be made whether or not to to
transfer money into these various accounts. So by putting these articles on the warrant, it gives us the ability to have the maximum flexibility with the funds. Anything else? Any other questions? All right. Thank you everybody. Um we'll
see you next Monday. >> Motion to move. You were taking copious notes. >> That's my job. >> Every time he used the word levy limit, substitute excess levy capacity. >> That was my one of my questions. I
>> was using the wrong term. >> Okay. >> But I didn't think anybody else in the room mattered except that's going to be in print. >> Thank you. >> No problem. >> I was planning to ask about it because I knew that wasn't the right word to adjourn their meeting now. We kept it open. >> Slide board has got to come back to
>> Okay. >> Um So based on >> do you happen to have written down there what the stabilization fund is that? >> I don't have the exact it's about 1.3 million >> and that's about the same amount as the
excess capacity. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um, >> and remind me again that's your your excess you're pushing right >> the excess levy capacity >> I don't think that's
>> is money that >> without having to go into >> and the reason that we have that that excess capacity over the past we have under tax we have not taxed at 2
and 1 half% so what happens whatever that least savings is each year. >> So over the last 20 years excess capacity of tax of 1.3 million.
>> Okay. So if you needed to if you taxed a full 2 and a half% plus new growth like you're allowed under the law and you still could not fully fund all of the town's needs, you could cut into that 1.3
Correct. We can we can we can access the 1.3 without without a two and a half dollar. This requires a timely invoke, >> right? >> We also have money in stabilization. It's a savings account, right? We can also tap >> fund shortfall. So we have both
available to us. So this these expenditures are going to take a pretty good dent out of our excess levy capacity. They probably can't even fathom that. >> Do you would you dig into your stabilization before your excess levy capacity? Is that like your stop
even like your >> That's That's the judgment call that's made. >> Yeah, exactly. You can go either way on those things. >> And there's a benefit having money stabilization account, >> right? It looks really good for the
>> get you get better rates on borrowing, all that kind of stuff. Okay. >> You know, when I say we, >> literally, it's all of us kind of >> Well, I mean, not me. I don't live here. >> You're welcome. You're welcome to contribute. >> I bet
I think we're done. >> Steal this cookie. >> Yeah, I'm >> I think we have plenty of time to talk about I have here the collect board and I believe they would like to make a motion. Eric, would you Derek, would you
like to make a motion to adjurnn? >> You second, >> Derek. >> What? >> Second, >> Derek. >> Any discussion? >> Any discussion? >> No discussion. >> No discussion. I'll call for a vote. >> All in favor? I I
>> I'm sorry, Brian. Did you have something to say? Nope. >> Okay.