TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
JULY 31, 2014

Selectboard Present: Chas Street (Chair); Steven Dalessio, (Absent: Whitney Aldrich)

CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Street called this meeting to order at 6:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall with six people in attendance.
These are unapproved Minutes.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:
MR. RED SMITH: Mr. Smith stated that the park was a disaster. The lawn had not been mowed in a long time, weeds had grown and were taking over. They gave it to the Town with the understanding that the Town would maintain it. Mr. Street advised that the Selectboard would speak to Mr. Terrell about this. Mr. Bob Crotty, speaking on behalf of Mr. Bob Hubbard, said Mr.Hubbard saw the park a few days ago and was bothered by the condition. Mr. Hubbard had deeded it to the Foundation and they deeded it to the Town. Mr. Crotty called Connecticut Valley Yard Works and they spent the better part of two days this week re-claiming it. At this point he is wondering if the Town deeded it back to them then they would take care of it. Mr. Street wants to check on what the terms of the agreement were. Mr. Dalessio felt the Town should honor the agreement. Both Selectmen felt if the Town cannot maintain it they will consider giving it back to Mr. Smith and Mr. Crotty to make other arrangements. Mr. Crotty advised that in the meantime he will have Connecticut Valley Yard Works continue to maintain it.

MR. DALE WOODWARD: Mr. Woodward pointed out that in last year’s budget the Cemetery Trustees put $2,000 in with the agreement that the Highway Department would extend the roadway. Their aim in the next year or two is to get Section E ready for sale; Section D is more than half full. They need the roadway loop. Mr. Woodward has been there several times trying to find the boundary markers because they need parking in the back both for the cemetery and the trail. There is no designated parking area now; it is just field. Before they can get Mr. Terrell to do anything they need to know what the boundaries are. Over the years the leaf dumping is out there and every year the Trustees ask the Highway Department to push the leaves back so they think the boundary markers have also been pushed back. On the east boundary of the new cemetery, Sections A, B, C and D, the tree line boundary with Hubbard has had no maintenance therefore there are dead trees, limbs down and other debris so they want to clean back that boundary line. The Trustees do not have any money in their budget for a survey to define the boundaries; Mr. Aldrich recommended that he come in to talk to the Selectboard to work something out to get the markers back. The last survey was done in 1990. The northeast and the northwest boundaries need to be defined; he would also like the southeast boundary defined. Mr. Dalessio pointed out that they can use the money in the Trust. No one has spent Trust money in many years. Mr. Street clarified that they should give the bill to the Selectboard who will forward it to the Trustees of the Trust Funds. The Selectboard had no objections with Mr. Woodward contacting DiBernardo & Associates to do the survey.
Relative to the tombs, Mr. Woodward contacted Kevin Gardner, who does the stone walls, and he is coming to look at the tombs. Mr. Gardner wants to bring someone else in who is knowledgeable about this type of work. It is still on the Agenda; likely not to happen this year. Mr. Woodward would like to get a plan in place. Mr. Street would like to see some type of a cover to seal that off. Mr. Woodward noted that the interior is perfect therefore he felt they should wait until after Mr. Gardner looks at it.

MR. RAY BOAS: The Selectboard wanted to talk to Mr. Boas as they are not sure what procedures are being done to reconcile the books. Mr. Boas pointed out that until the new Full Charge Bookkeeper is hired there is no one for him to do that with. He is basically maintaining his own set of books. He is balancing with the bank statements and checks on everything. Mrs. Clough pointed out that the Town was audited for 2013; the auditors will present their report to the Selectboard and they will attend a
meeting if requested to do so by the Selectboard. Mr. Boas noted that the auditors’ only question to him was on some of the Trust Funds; they wanted to see some back-up. There was discussion relative to the process currently being done between the Selectboard office, Town Clerk’s office and Mr. Boas.

MR. JACK FRANKS: Mr. Franks submitted his synopsis of what he observes and a packet of information relative to the Avanru Development property and comparable property assessments. He feels it is important to mention that 1.5 acres is wetlands that he cannot use and there are limitations with what they can do; they can only build a certain amount on a lot because 30% of it has to be green space. Mrs. Clough advised that Mrs. Martin is waiting for his information. Mr. Dalessio suggested that Mr. Franks look at RSA 79:A10 that will give him the guidelines of challenging a Current Use tax. Mrs. Clough felt he is challenging the Current Use tax and the assessment value. The assessment value will not change until after the next tax bill goes out at which time he can file for an Abatement. After Mrs. Martin has reviewed the information she will make a recommendation to the Selectboard.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest for checks dated August 01, 2014, in the amount of $85,182.69. This includes a payment of $30,998.02 to the Health Trust and $48,226.15 to Cold River Materials for paving. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Dalessio looked through the last two bank statements and felt they could cut back on the number of small checks by about 50% by combining some items. This will, in turn, cut down on the workload.

PAYROLL:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending July 26, 2014, for checks dated August 01, 2014, in the amount of $25,427.88. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the electronic transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $5,274.51 for checks dated August 01, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – July 24, 2014: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 24, 2014, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:
 Recreation Committee – July 24, 2014;
 Hooper Institute Committee – July 8, 2014;
 Cemetery Committee – July 17, 2014; and
 North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – July 22, 2014.

Relative to the Recreation Committee, Mrs. Clough reported that they are planning to close the pool on August 17th which is a week earlier than last year. Mr. Cassarino mentioned that they will be losing some employees due to fall sports and/or going to college. Mrs. Clough wondered if they could keep it open that last week with limited hours. Mr. Cassarino will still be working but he is limited as well. Mr.
Street pointed out that they have funding through Labor Day. Mr. Street recommended that Mrs. Clough ask Mr. Cassarino and Mrs. Pickering to come in to talk to the Selectboard at the next meeting.

BUILDING & DEMOLITION PERMITS:
O’KEEFE, Adams Lane, Map & Lot #003-001-001: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit No. 2014-28 for Shane O’Keefe and Elizabeth ‘Keefe to “Construct a 24’ x 12’ 1 Story Addition” at 5 Adams Lane, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ABATEMENTS:
RICCI, March Hill Road, Map & Lot #008-095-000: Mrs. Clough did some research on this property as it goes back to when Mr. Sawyer sub-divided his property. Mr. Ricci bought one of these lots.
Mr. Dalessio moved to grant this Property Tax Abatement in the amount of $6.00 plus interest for Christopher S. Ricci on March Hill Road. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

WARRANTS:
Property Tax Warrant:
SAWYER, March Hill Road, Map & Lot #008-095-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Tax Collector’s Property Tax Supplement Warrant in the amount of $6.00 plus interest for Sheldon Sawyer on March Hill Road. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Timber Tax Warrant & Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed:
GRAVES, Graves Road, Map & Lot #005-009-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Timber Tax Warrant and Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed, #13-461-12-T, in the amount of $198.06 for Peter Graves on County Road. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

FRANKIEWICZ, Old Drewsville Road, Map & Lot #015-005-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Timber Tax Warrant and Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed, #14-461-02-T, in the amount of $931.45 for Ronald Frankiewicz and Marcia Frankiewicz on Old Drewsville Road. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:
McMAHON, Adams Lane, Map & Lot #003-001-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Mary McMahon on Adams Lane, as submitted. Sconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:
COLD RIVER ROAD CLOSING: Mr. Street had talked to Mr. Terrell regarding the closure of a section of Cold River Road from the Walpole/Langdon Town line going east to the first house in Langdon. Todd Porter had determined that Cold River Road is not safe at this time due to being undermined by the River. Langdon has closed their section of the road. The road is sloping toward the River. Mr. Dalessio’s concern was that they do not land-lock anybody on the Walpole side. Mr. Cunniff, Administrative Assistant for the Town of Langdon, called today and talked to Mrs. Edkins regarding a meeting between Walpole and Langdon Selectboards at the Town line on the Cold River Road on Monday, August 25th at 7:00 pm to discuss the future of the road. Both Mr. Street and Mr. Dalessio will plan to attend.

PERSONNEL FORM: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the recommended promotion of Christopher Manwaring as the Head Life Guard with the pay raise as indicated. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

HEATING OIL CONTRACT: The Selectboard reviewed heating oil prices from both Rymes Heating Oil, Inc. and Allen Bros. Oil for the period of August 2014 to June 30, 2015. Houghton and Company does all the service work for the Town. Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the contract from Allen Bros for $3.349/gallon and cap it at 7,500 gallons. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ELECTRIC RATES: There was a consensus of the Selectboard to wait until next week to look at electric rates as they anticipate a report from Mrs. Teague at the Fall Mountain Regional School District.

OLD BUSINESS:
WALPOLE RECREATION FUND CAPITAL TRUST: Mr. Street advised that the Selectboard received information from Mrs. Pschirrer, Trustee of Trust Funds, with her interpretation of the guidelines on this Trust. Mr. Dalessio would encourage the Recreation Committee to start using the money.

WATER SHUT OFF UPDATE: A water and sewer shut off update on overdue bills was received from Mrs. Edkins.
WATER SHUT OFF NOTICE: The Selectboard reviewed and signed the Shut Off Notice To Tenants at 22-24 School Street that will be posted on all the tenant’s doors.
BOOKKEEPER JOB OPENING: Mrs. Clough had put copies of the applications in the Selectboard’s folders. There are some good qualified applicants.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (b) Hiring. Mr. Street seconded the motion, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:29 PM.
The regular meeting resumed at 8:20 PM. No announcements were made.

OTHER BUSINESS:

AVITAR ASSOCIATES: Mrs. Clough talked to Chad at Avitar Associates about the digital mapping. He hopes to have everything finished by the first of next week. Southwest Regional Planning Commission and Mr. Houghton are anxious to have this data.

TOWN HALL – Downstairs Space: Mrs. Clough would like to clean up the foyer and the basement so they can utilize those spaces.

TOWN HALL – Painting & Repairs: Mrs. Clough talked to Mr. Cook, he came to look at the building and will give the Selectboard some options on the siding for the back side. Mr. Street had talked to him about having a limited budget. Mrs. Clough noted that his biggest concern on the back side is that the scaffolding will have to go over the fence.

WEB SITE: Mr. Dalessio hopes to be in the office on Monday to finish that work.

NEW FLAGS: The Selectboard announced that the new American and State of New Hampshire flags are up on the Common.

RUGGIERO DISPOSAL SERVICE: Following a discussion the Selectboard asked Mrs. Clough to contact Mr. Gildersleeve at the Solid Waste Management in Concord to advise that the Town of Walpole was never notified of the Ruggiero Disposal Service application to handle municipal solid waste. The Selectboard have had some concerns therefore want to request a copy of the notification.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:
Mr. Dalessio moved to recess this Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved at 8:40 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:54 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Street. With all in favor, the motion was approved at 8:55 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary