Barnes: Hampton Important 2021 Warrant Articles

Dear Editor,

Important articles to be voted on at the Hampton town election
Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Article 2 (Amend Change of Use Zoning Ordinance)

The proposed article reads "in the opinion of the building inspector or the town planner" both these positions are employees of the town and non-elected bodies. If this article passes, these two positions will determine whether a change of use requires planning board approval. Seems a bit arbitrary.

Article 9 & Article 12 (DPW & Teamsters Union Contracts)

Hampton Public Works employees who work very hard, year-round for our community. The "season" never ends when it comes to the public works' operations in Hampton (article 9). Town Employees that work behind the scenes much of the time for the benefit of the town, without their diligent efforts, the town would not function (article 12.)

Article 13 (Public Works Vehicles)

These vehicles were requested at the March 2020 town meeting and the request did not pass. Public Works has presented the need again for 2021. These two trucks will bring their trash truck fleet back up to 6 vehicles, what it has most always been in the past. As noted by Director Jacobs, unlike the police department, DPW does not have "backup vehicles," if one truck is down that results in trash and recycling pick-up delays as well as an increase to overtime line items. The money is requested to come from the Unassigned Fund Balance, which is tax money that has been previously raised but NOT used, there will be NO future tax impact by passage of this article.

Regina Barnes
Hampton, NH