Hampton Selectmen Coalition?

A  Hampton Selectmen Coalition!

Is there a pattern of voting by three selectmen on the Hampton Board that would strongly suggest a coalition?  Rational Taxpayers of Hampton thinks so based on an analysis of the voting records and the minutes of the meetings in the past year.

As illustrated below, since the start of the new Board of Selectman in early 2012 there appears to be a clear and distinct trend of 3 to 2 voting with Selectman Griffin (the Chairman), Selectman Moore and Selectman Bean lining up on one side of a budget or money issue with Selectman Nichols Selectman Pierce on the other side.

Rational Taxpayers of Hampton reviewed all the minutes of the Selectman meetings beginning in March, 2012 through February, 2013. The minutes are on line on the Town of Hampton web site and can quickly and easily be reviewed. It appears that a definite pattern has surfaced suggesting a coalition with Chairman Griffin seen as the lead. Following is that summary.  Abbreviations mean: (G/M/B) Griffin/ Moore/Bean, (N/P) Nichols /Pierce.

Date                                    Issue                                                         G/M/B      N/P 

4/2/012   Motion for non-public on Town manager contract              No       Yes

            (Issue: Transparency)

4/23/012 Motion to send the Fire station architecture to bid             No       Yes

            (Issue: Town policy versus cost) 

7/16/012 Motion to authorize purchase of trash truck                      Yes      No

            (Issue: validating unauthorized purchase)

9/13/ 012 Motion to take another look at the Town Budget               No      Yes

            (Issue: Fix emerging discrepancy in the budget spending)                   

9/17/012 Motion on the route 1 intersection project                        Yes       No

            (Issue: Continue to spend money without involving total plan)

11/26/012 Motion to correct unenforceable noise ordinance              No       Yes

            (Issue: Bring order at the notorious trouble spot, Wally’s Pub) 

1/7/013      Motion to approve $500K wash down facility                 Yes        No

            (Issue: Lack of accuracy of bid and need versus tax impact)

1/7/2013   Motion to approve Sewer and Drain Bld. Warrant.           Yes        No

                 Note: Had been voted this way on 11/26/012 as well

1/14/013   Motion to cancel 100k encumbered 012money*               No        Yes

1/28/013   Vote to encumber 14 k for a code book update **           Yes       No

*State Dept. of Revenue and Town legal recommended on 1/25/013 that the encumbrance should be voided and the money to go to surplus and it did!

** Being challenged as well as Nichols and Pierce saw it as illegal and identical in nature to the 100k encumbrance! This was reaffirmed on 2/4/013 meeting of BOS. Rational Taxpayers of Hampton has filed a complaint with the NH Department of Revenue.

In summary, there is a definite divide on how money is budgeted and spent and where analytical thought is required, on issues where special interests are involved, and on adherence to Town policies and State laws. This coalition is not seen as a healthy situation for the town and certainly is not to the benefit of the taxpayers of Hampton. Rational Taxpayers of Hampton will continue to monitor this situation very carefully in 2013 and report accordingly.

For a more detailed discussion on each of the items listed above visit the RationalTaxpayersofHampton.org web site.

Norman Silberdick

Rational Taxpayers of Hampton