The proposed FY2018-2019 Town Government Budget represents the best efforts of the Board of Selectmen to maintain and preserve the services and properties of Hampton.

The largest difference from the current budget is the return of contributions to the Capital and Non-recurring Accounts, funds that are set aside for the future needs of the Department of Public Works for trucks and equipment, for future purchases of the Fire Department and the Ambulance Corps, and for improvements to Town buildings. The FY2017-2018 Budget froze all of the CNR accounts to adjust to the uncertainties of a State Budget that had yet to pass. This year’s plan proposes to return a total of $111,000 into these various accounts.

This year’s proposal also includes increases in health insurance for qualifying Town Employees, with two additional employees seeking health insurance this coming year, and premiums for the Fire Department Volunteer Incentive policy. A 3% cost-of-living adjustment is factored in for all Town employees as well.

To minimize financial impacts, $5000 was cut from the Contingency Account, $2000 from the line item for legal services, $3,500 from Auditing, and $15,000 from fuel oil, mileage and equipment line items to reflect present actual expenses.

The overall budget proposal represents a 7% increase, but the bulk of the hike is in banking for sustaining Hampton’s future.  A Public Hearing on May 8, at 7PM in the lower level of Town Hall, will be held to discuss this and the elementary school’s budget proposal, as well as plans to construct an addition to the Fire House. The Annual Town Meeting and subsequent referendum are tentatively scheduled for May 22 and May 29, respectively.