Again the Board of Selectmen is challenged with crafting a Town Government Budget to administer Hampton to our high standards during uncertain State of Connecticut times.

On the plus side, we have enjoyed modest growth on personal property of 5% to generate an additional $105,000 in revenue.  Our student assessment toward Regional District#11 has dropped to 23% of the school’s total student population and budget responsibility. On the negative end, the State is proposing additional cuts in Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) and low Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP) funds, with possible contributions to the Teacher Retirement Board.

The largest increase to the Town budget is towards maintaining public safety.  I propose an additional $20,000 to remove diseased, dead and dying trees within the Department of Public Work’s budget. The cost of running the transfer station will rise 10% as the market rises upwards to ship recyclables and garbage. The total volunteer ambulance coverage that we have been privileged with for decades is no longer sustainable.  This year, over $60,000 is budgeted to provide day time emergency medical coverage.  A 2% cost of living adjustment is proposed for town employees.

The Board of Selectmen has added and restored funding of $15,000 to building capital accounts (CNR) to continue improving town properties in support of our 5-Year Plan.  Hampton will still maintain shared services with Scotland for the transfer station, and 15 other towns via Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG), pursuing cost savings and revaluation, animal control, veteran support, Geographic Information System services, and the Northeast transit district.

The Board of Selectmen has made cuts and adjustments wherever possible with the goal of maintaining tax rates, property value and the quality of life in Hampton.

Allan Cahill, First Selectman