TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JULY 16, 2015

Selectboard Present:     Steven Dalessio (Chair); Whitney Aldrich; Peggy Pschirrer

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:00 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  He advised that this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record.  There were seven people in attendance.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

PAULA GALLAGHER – Handicapped Parking:  Mrs. Paula Gallagher and her daughter, Ms. Erin Gallagher, were present.  Mrs. P. Gallagher recently had an incident when she parked near the pool as she is unable to walk from the parking lot.  Mr. Cassarino spoke to her granddaughter and advised that parking was not allowed by the pool; a few days later a lifeguard told her the same thing.  Mrs. Gallagher then called Mrs. Pickering who said it was only used for emergencies.  When she contacted Fire Chief Hurlburt he stated that there is enough room for a vehicle that has a handicapped plaque.  Mr. Dalessio advised that this was previously discussed with Mr. Cassarino.  The Selectboard is not opposed to having her park there but they have to research the road situation as the Town does not own that road.  He is not sure what the terms of the agreement are that were made many years ago with the Hubbard family.  Emergency access has never been an issue.  If they opened up that space it would have to be restricted and kept under control.  The Selectboard will get back to Mrs. Gallagher after the research has been done.  Ms. E. Gallagher explained that her mother’s car is parked close to the fence.  She displayed pictures of other employee’s cars parked in that area; they would be blocking the emergency access.  Mrs. Gallagher also feels that the ramp is not ADA compliant.  Mr. Dalessio said they would also check on the ramp.  In the meantime the Selectboard felt she could park in that area.

BRUCE BLANCHETTE– Re: Main Street and Prospect Hill Junction:  Mr. Blanchette had submitted an email regarding an accident his friend, Ruth Venezia, had at the intersection of Main Street and Prospect Hill; it is a cut-through that was recently paved.  It is very hard to see the ditch when you are in a vehicle and there is no indication that it is there. He displayed some pictures.  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged that the Selectboard did receive an email and also his letter.  Mr. Blanchette is aware of at four other vehicles that have gone into that ditch.  Ms. Venezia was parked on the south side of the connector road from about 5:00 to 8:00 PM.  Mrs. Pschirrer explained that they discussed this with Mr. Terrell of the Highway Department.  He had signs there before but they disappeared.  A decision was made that he will put more signs up to mark the culvert plus a distinct new sign that says “No Right Turn”.  That cut-off was designed so people could avoid the intersection by coming down Wentworth Road or the Old Keene Road and turning right to go up Prospect Hill or for the people to come down Prospect Hill and cut over to Wentworth Road or Old Keene Road.  It was never meant for anybody to come around to the Main Street intersection.  Mr. Blanchette feels this is a fine solution.  Mr. Dalessio advised that they are waiting for a copy of the Police report, after that they will have another discussion about it and will let Ms. Venezia know what their decision is relative to payment of her damages.

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT:  Mrs. Myra Mansouri reported that there is no zoning violation with reference to the batting cage matter.  It is in a Residential A Zone and it is not a permanent structure.  It was placed there as it is a level section on the property.  Both property owners were present at the ZBA meeting.  Mrs. Pschirrer requested that Mrs. Mansouri write a response letter to the Selectboard to acknowledge that this matter was brought up at a ZBA meeting and to state what their decision was so the Selectboard can write a letter to the neighbor who brought this to their attention.

Mrs. Mansouri advised that another issue is the painter signs and the internet signs that are around Town but do not conform to the zoning regulations.  They are occasionally picked up on Route 12 but a few days later the signs are back again.  It was suggested that the Town pick up a few on the Town roads and contact the advertiser to request that they pick up their signs.  There are phone numbers on the signs.

Mrs. Mansouri will be on the Agenda for the next meeting to discuss an issue in a Non-Public Session.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #1:

Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (c) Reputations.  Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 6:28 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 6:56 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $567,139.01 for checks dated July 17, 2015.  This includes a payment in the amount of $488,319.18 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Payroll voucher for the week ending July 11, 2015, in the amount of $23,771.99 for checks dated July 17, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the electronic transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA taxes in the amount of $5,305.73 for the week ending July 11, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – July 9, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of July 9, 2015, as submitted.  This includes the attachment for the NH Department of Transportation meeting on the Westminster Bridge.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #2– July 9, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session #2 of July 9, 2015, as submitted.  The Minutes will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed the Minutes of the following meetings:

• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – July 7 and July 14, 2015;
• Walpole Planning Board – July 14, 2015.

BUILDING PERMIT:

McGILL, 530 Wentworth Road, Map & Lot #004-047-001:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2015-29 for Kenneth McGill and Hope McGill to “Construct a 34’ x 20’  1 Story Bedroom, Bathroom and Playroom Addition”, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

TERRA MAP’S – The Terra maps are expected to arrive soon.

TOWN ORDINANCE, PROCEDURE AND POLICY MANUAL:  Mrs. Pschirrer continues to work on this manual.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN OPERATION GUIDELINES:  Mr. Dalessio will have a draft ready for review at the next meeting.

PIANO – Town Hall: Mr. Dalessio reported that they need to have both the Highway Department and Recycling Center get the piano down from the second floor.  It will cost $.30 a pound to dispose of it.  They will ask Mr. Terrell and Mr. Colburn to work together on this project.  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that they need to move the other piano away from the light switches.

NEW BUSINESS:

“CHICKENS ON THE LOOSE” 5K REQUEST: A request was received from Ms. Emily Frithsen and Ms. Sarah Manning of the Walpole Parent Teacher Group, requesting that they be allowed to hold their 2^nd annual “Chickens on the Loose” 5K run on Saturday, October 17^th, 2015 at 10:00 AM.  This is the main fundraiser for the group and it was very successful last year.  They provided their course directions and will contact Police Chief Paquette and the Walpole EMS for their assistance that day.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the request from the Walpole Parent Teacher Group to hold their “Chickens on the Loose” 5K run on Saturday, October 17^th, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NORTH WALPOLE REQUEST FOR FUNDS:  A request was received from the North Walpole Village District for $150,000.00 from the Town’s General Fund.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the North Walpole Village District’s request for $150,000.00 for deposit into the General Fund account to cover their operating expenses.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

GRANT WRITING SEMINAR:  Mr. Kreissle expressed an interest in attending a Grant Writing seminar.  There was a consensus of the Selectboard that they appreciate his interest in attending this seminar however they would prefer to put this on his list for next year as he still has not gone through a full financial cycle for the Town.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mr. Aldrich moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:13 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:35 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION #2:

Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and (c) Reputations.  Mrs. Pschirrer seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:55 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:57 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary