The Walpolean

Meeting of the Selectboard

May 1, 2024

Selectboard Present: Cheryl Mayberry, Chair; Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Guests Present:  Tom Ronning, Steve Varone, Stan Hutchings, Jean Kobeski, Greg Lent, Katy Hass, Francesca Cowgill, and Carolyn Norback.

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Walpole School Withdrawal Study Committee

Ms. Mayberry presented the Mission/Call to Action from the Selectboard to the Committee.  She asked that they set the next meeting date and elect a chair. They will meet next Wednesday, May 8^th at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall.  Ms. Vose will be the Selectboard liaison.  The Committee will report back to the Selectboard by Monday, September 16, 2024, in case a warrant needs to be prepared for Town Meeting.  Whatever the Committee recommends, we need to ensure community support before there is a vote.  The focus will be on K-8 and the issue is that we need to control the quality of education for Walpole students.   

The Walpole School Withdrawal Study Committee departed and at 7:19 PM the meeting turned to regular business.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $32,247.30 dated 5/3/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,471.27. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – April 25, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 25, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Selectboard Non-Public Session – April 25, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve & seal minutes of the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of April 25, 2024. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Committee Reports

Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

• North Walpole Village District Commissioners Meeting – April 2, 2024 

• North Walpole Village District Commissioners Meeting – April 9, 2024 

• North Walpole Village District Commissioners Meeting – April 16, 2024 

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

Timber Yield Taxes Assessed and Warrant

Op # 23-461-05, Map and Lot # 011-033-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Timber Taxes Assessed and Warrant for $489.07.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Op # 23-461-06, Map and Lot # 004-033-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Timber Taxes Assessed and Warrant for $3,919.69.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Current Use

Maps and Lots 018-013-000 and 016-011-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve Current Use application for Maps and Lots 018-013-000 and 016-011-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Excavation Intent

Map and Lot # 012-073-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Intent to Excavate for Map and Lot # 012-073-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Building Permit

2024-14, Map and Lot# 011-033-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit# 2024-14, Map and Lot# 011-033-000 to construct a 120’ x 15’ shed addition to a barn. Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-15, Map and Lot# 020-006-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit# 2024-15, Map and Lot# 020-006-000 to construct a 14’ x 10’ summer reading shed with a deck. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

Pending Further Action:  Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, and Houghton Brook Bridge.

Reservoir Dam:  Mr. Dalessio reported that they are currently doing borings on Reservoir Dam in preparation for seismographic testing.

Joint Letters with North Walpole Village:  The letters are being prepared but are awaiting additional details that need confirmation.

New Business

Great River Hydro Confidentiality Agreement:    Walpole needs to share assessing information with Avitar as part of the assessment.  Both Walpole and Avitar and signing confidentiality agreements with Great River Hydro. Ms. Vose moved that Selectboard Chair, Ms. Mayberry, sign the confidentiality agreement with Great River Hydro.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the agreement signed.

Thank You Letter from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): A thank you letter was received from CASA for the Town’s annual donation in support of abused and/or neglected children.  Ms. Mayberry acknowledged receipt of the thank you letter.

Hooper Trustees

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into the Hooper Trustees meeting at 7:33 PM.  Mr. Dalessio seconded.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms.  Vose in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 7:35 PM.

Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) (c)

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (b) (c) at 7:35 PM. Ms. Vose seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:42 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

I thought April flew by and now I am making May go even faster. These minutes are from 4/25, not 5/25. – Lil

Selectboard Present: Cheryl Mayberry, Chair; Steven Dalessio and Carolyn Vose

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary

Call to Order: Ms. Mayberry called the Selectboard meeting to order at 6:33 PM in the Walpole Town Hall. Ms. Mayberry introduced the Selectboard, and staff present.

Payroll

Ms. Vose moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $29,784.07 dated 4/26/2024 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $5994.42.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio, and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Selectboard Meeting Minutes

Selectboard Meeting – April 18, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 18, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. Mr. Dalessio abstained since he was not present at this meeting.

Selectboard Non-Public Session – April 18, 2024:   Ms. Vose moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public session of April 18, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. Mr. Dalessio abstained.

Committee Reports

Ms. Vose brought to the chair’s attention the following committee reports:

• Cemetery Trustees Meeting – April 10, 2024

• Cemetery Trustees Meeting – April 18, 2024

• Police Building Committee – April 15, 2024

• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – April 17, 2024

• Planning Board & ZBA Joint Meeting – April 22, 2024

Ms. Mayberry acknowledged these minutes.

Warrants

Walpole Water Fees:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Walpole Water Fee Warrant for $41,198.45.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.   With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Walpole Sewer Fees:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the Walpole Sewer Fee Warrant for $74,455.99.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.   With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

North Walpole Sewer Fees: Ms. Vose moved to approve the Walpole Water Fee Warrant for $56,474.63.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.   With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Refunds

Map and Lot # 030-056-000:  Ms. Vose moved to approve the refund for Map and Lot # 030-056-000 for $34.27.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Timber Yield Taxes Assessed and Warrant

Op # 23-461-16, Map and Lot # 003-074-001:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the taxes assessed and warrant for $3,875.02.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Building Permit

2024-12, Map and Lot# 012-044-020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2024-12 for Map and Lot # 012-044-020 to construct a 54’ x 32’ detached garage. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

2024-13, Map and Lot# 004-044-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit #2024-13 for Map and Lot # 004-044-000 to construct (5) 320 sq. ft. and (2) 384 sq. ft. glamping site platforms.Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Old Business

Pending Further Action:  Parking Policy, Generators, Old North Main and High Street Bridges/Culverts, Houghton Brook Bridge, Reservoir Dam, and Joint letters with North Walpole Village

Letter to SWRPC re: support for Vilas Bridge project on the DOT 10 Year Plan list: Mr. Dalessio moved that the Selectboard sign the letter to SWRPC supporting the Department of Transportation’s 10 year plan list.  Seconded by Ms. Vose.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved, and the letter signed.

Drinking Water Sustainability Grant Reimbursement Request:  Ms. Vose moved Mr. Dalessio to sign the Drinking Water Sustainability Grant Reimbursement Request.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Vose, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved, and the letter signed.

New Walpolenh.us Website:  Each Town department will have a way to update their page when the site goes live.  In the meantime, each department needs to get their page finished and ensure all the information is up to date.  The new site will be activated once all departmental information is entered.  

Skating Rink Takedown:  The Highway Department picked up the skating rink liner today.  There are a large number of punctures in the liner. Ms. Vose will address the condition of the liner with the Recreation Department and plan for next winter.

New Business

MS-232:  The MS-232, the Report of Appropriations Actually Voted is complete.  Ms. Vose moved to approve the MS-232.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion approved, and the form signed.

Pickleball Fundraising Question re: if a 501(C)3 can be created: The issue was discussed, and it was determined that there is no need to form a not-for profit.  The funds raised will go to the Town which is already tax exempt and can apply for grants.

Purple Heart Community:  The Selectboard decided to post a request in the Walpolean for information on current and past residents of Walpole who received a Purple Heart for their service to our Country. Our response to the Purple Heart Community will depend on what we learn.

May Staff Meeting Topic:  The next in-person Staff Meeting is May 16^th.  After discussion it was decided to continue this item next week after further work on possible topics.

Thank You Card from Community Volunteer Transit Company (CVTC):  It was announced that a thank you card was received. The Town budget includes donations to some service organizations that serve Walpole residents.

Non-Public Business RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c)

Ms. Vose moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (b) (c) at 7:29 PM. Mr. Dalessio seconded. With Ms. Vose, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:31 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Non-Public Session Minutes be sealed. Seconded by Ms. Vose. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Vose and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Adjournment: Ms. Mayberry declared the meeting adjourned at 8:31 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Bauer, Recording Secretary