TOWN OF WALPOLE
MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD
OCTOBER 23, 2014

Selectboard Present: Chas Street (Chair); Whitney Aldrich, Steven Dalessio
CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Street called this meeting to order at 6:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall with five people in attendance.
These are unapproved Minutes.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:
HOOPER HILL HOPPERS – Marcia Galloway: Mrs. Galloway was representing the Hooper Hill Hoppers Snowmobile Club. The Club plans to replace their existing old, low level bridge on the Walpole Town Watershed Lot on NH Corridor 5. The bridge will be ten feet north of the present location for improved trail alignment. There are three trees that need to be cut down – 1 leaning hardwood and 2 softwoods. This project will have minor impact on the land. Mrs. Galloway submitted a copy of her letter to Emily Haegue, Stewardship Director of the Monadnock Conservancy, and they have no problem with this. This property is off Reservoir Road. The Town is not liable for any accidents.
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve this request from the Hooper Hill Hoppers Snowmobile Club to replace the existing bridge with a new more modern bridge off Reservoir Road on NH Corridor 5. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

HORSE THIEVES – Annual Meeting: Mr. Sheldon Sawyer advised that the Horse Thieves have an annual meeting coming up on the first Saturday in January 2015. Previously they used the Town Hall at no charge but now he understands there is a significant charge for non-profits. Mrs. Edkins explained that there are different rates for non-profits. Several non-profits that use the Town Hall on a regular basis make a nominal payment for the year. These fees help toward the heat and electricity. Mr. Sawyer’s concern is that not too many years ago $550,000 of taxpayer money was used to re-do this building to make it usable for the Town’s residents. The Selectboard’s original intent, at that time, was that residents of Walpole could use it for special events. This annual business meeting will be for about 20 people.
Mr. Dalessio pointed out that there are two different meetings: 1) There are routine meetings such as weekly or monthly meetings and/or holding an event; and 2) We should not be charging for a general meeting once a year.
Mr. Dalessio moved to waive the fee for the annual business meeting of the Horse Thieves in January 2015, as this is a local Walpole civic organization. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest for checks dated October 24, 2014, in the amount of $16,837.71. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:
Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the payroll voucher for the week ending October 18, 2014, for checks dated October 24, 2014, in the amount of $19,762.99. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. 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 $4,379.68 for checks dated October 24, 2014. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:
SELECTBOARD MEETING – October 16, 2014: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 16, 2014, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – October 16, 2014: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 16, 2014, as submitted. The Minutes will remain sealed. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:
 Hooper Institute Committee – October 14, 2014;
 Hooper Institute Committee – September 9, 2014;
 Planning Board – October 14, 2014; and
 North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – October 14, 2014.

Mr. Dalessio mentioned that Eloise Clark, Hooper Institute, had some concerns because a lot of their budget has been passed onto maintenance of the other Hooper buildings. There is only one line item for Hooper buildings. It was commented that Mrs. Pschirrer wants the Hooper Institute separated from the Mansion and cottage.

Mr. Dalessio asked the Library Trustees who they get their electric from. They get a separate bill from Liberty Utilities therefore they are not a part of that bigger picture that includes the Town Hall. It is the same with the Hooper Institute. He recommended that the Institute, Library and all the other Town buildings be included in the UMG agreement, which would help reduce electric costs.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:
PATNODE, Merriam Road, Map & Lot #003-055-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Judith Patnode, No. 14-461-11-T, as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING and DEMOLITION PERMITS:
EMONT, Webster Lane, Map & Lot #007-017-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Demolition and Building Permit No. 2014-36 for Seth and Nancy Emont to “Demolish and rebuild a 50’ x 24’ 2 story garage”. Seconded by Mr. Aldrich. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PALMER, Barnett Hill Road, Map & Lot #009-048-001: Mrs. Edkins explained that Mr. Hal Wilkins brought in this Building Permit #2014-37 to “Construct a 36’ x 24’ Garage” for Robert and Margaret Palmer. He advised that he was designated to sign for the Palmer’s and that the Planning Board had a copy of that agreement however the Selectboard office does not have a copy of that agreement. She left messages for both Mr. Wilkins and Mr. and Mrs. Palmer but she did not hear from either party. It was noted that building a garage did not go before the Planning Board.
Mr. Aldrich moved to table this Building Permit until they have confirmation from the owners. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

FRANCIS, Ramsay Hill, Map & Lot #011-007-001: Mrs. Edkins advised that Mr. Francis was not specific about the size of the addition.
Mr. Aldrich moved to table Building Permit #2014-38 for Mr. Francis until they know the correct dimensions of the addition. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:
ROAD NAME CHANGE: A memo was received from Jim Terrell to advise that the owners of Rice Mountain have requested a road name for the driveway going to the main house and buildings now addressed as 138 Rascal Mountain Lane. There are three buildings on that road so it does qualify under addressing guidelines and Mr. Mark Houghton told him that this makes sense for emergency responses.
Mr. Aldrich moved to rename the driveway at the junction to “Liberty Trail Lane”. It was mentioned that Mr. Terrell and Mr. Houghton had no objections. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With all in favor, the motion was approved.

MAPLEWOOD NURSING HOME: Mr. Street reported that the County is proposing to close Maplewood Nursing Home and re-build a new facility in Keene. There does not seem to be much opposition to it. Mr. Dalessio had a copy of the report from the County web-site. He recommended that they defer this until the next meeting to allow the Selectboard more time to do research on this proposed project.

TOWN HALL RENTALS: Mrs. Edkins explained that the Orchard School in Alstead has rented the Town Hall for the week-end before Thanksgiving. The Farmers’ Market is on the Common that week-end on Saturday. The Congregational Church has their Christmas Bazaar and St. John’s Church has their Mistletoe Mart that week-end on Saturday. In September Gwen Yardley, who is representing the Congregational Church, called to ask if the Orchard School had reserved the Town Hall; she was very concerned because there is so much traffic and parking spaces are limited in the area. She wondered if the Orchard School could move their event to the previous week-end however the Town Hall was booked for that week-end. Mr. Ray Boas then reported to Mrs. Clough that there is discussion of the Church renting the Walpole Pre School Bus to transport vendors to and from the Walpole School to alleviate parking issues. There is concern about telling people that rent the Town Hall that they cannot park here. The Orchard School, who has a craft fair, has already rented the Town Hall for next year. The Congregational Church feels that due to the parking issue they lost people which lowered their sales. It was suggested that the Town not rent the space next year on that week-end because the Orchard School is an out-of-town group. It should be just a Town of Walpole week-end. Several options were discussed. Mr. Dalessio recommended that they ask Police Chief Paquette to monitor the traffic on that Saturday and provide a report to the Selectboard. If Mr. Boas wishes to discuss this matter with the Selectboard he is invited to do so.

CHANGE IN ZBA NOTICES: Mrs. Mansouri handed in a copy of the “New Law Requires Expanded Municipal Notice Requirements to Property Owners When Considering Changes in Zoning Districts” HB 1210 (Chapter Law 161). Mr. Dalessio pointed out that they have a proposed zoning change coming up on the water area. This will be brought to the attention of the Planning Board to be sure they are following the rules of notification to the abutters. This new law expands the notification requirement in three ways.
1) It allows for any person owning property in the municipality to request notice of all public hearings on proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance. The municipality must provide that notice, at no cost to the person, electronically or by first class mail.
2) If a proposed amendment to a zoning ordinance would change a boundary of a zoning district and the change would affect 100 or fewer properties, notice of a public hearing on the amendment must be sent by first class mail to the owners of each affected property.
3) If a proposed amendment to a zoning ordinance would change the minimum lot sizes or the permitted uses in a zoning district that includes 100 or fewer properties, notice of a public hearing will be sent by first class mail to the owner of each property in the district.

OLD BUSINESS:
TOWN HALL RENOVATIONS: Mr. Street advised that Mrs. Clough did not yet get quotes from the contractor. This was tabled until the next meeting.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:
Mr. Aldrich moved to recess this Selectboard meeting. The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With all in favor, the motion was approved at 6:50 PM.
The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:48 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:
Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:49 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary