TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JULY 30, 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 four people in attendance.

These are unapproved Minutes.

BUILDING PERMITS:

PALMER, Valley Road, Map & Lot #013-008-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that Mr. and Mrs. Palmer meet all the set-backs for their home.  Currently they are living above the garage.  An email had been sent to Mrs. Mansouri, Chair of the ZBA, who then sent it through to the ZBA members who had no objections to this application as it meets all the Zoning regulations.  Mr. Palmer hopes to build the house within two years.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve Building Permit No. 2015-31 for Douglas Palmer to “Construct a 38’ x 70’ 2 Story Home” with the following conditions:  Permission has been granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment (7/29/15) to allow the owner to live in the existing apartment / garage while the home is under construction.  Pictures of the apartment are to be submitted to the Zoning Board prior to construction of the home.  Pictures of the unoccupied apartment space to be supplied to the Board upon completion of the home.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer recused herself from the following Agenda item.

PEGGY M. PSCHIRRER FAMILY TRUST, Old North Main Street, Map & Lot #020-042-000:

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve Building Permit No. 2015-30 for the Peggy M. Pschirrer Family Trust / Peggy M. Pschirrer, Trustee, to “Move existing barn door and build a cover over walkway from the house to the barn”.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.  Mrs. Pschirrer had recused herself from this vote.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $158,127.46 for checks dated July 31, 2015.  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 25, 2015, in the amount of $24,311.06 for checks dated July 31, 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 $5,362.35 for the week ending July 25, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – July 23, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of July 23, 2015, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD MEETING #1 – July 23, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting #1 of July 23, 2015, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD MEETING #2 – July 23, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard meeting #2 of July 23, 2015, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain 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:

• Walpole Conservation Commission – July 6, 2015; (see note below from the WCC Minutes)
• Walpole Town Library, Board of Trustees – July 14, 2015;
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners – July 28, 2015.

Note:  Peter Bergstrom, Rockingham Conservation Commission, was present to give more information regarding the waterfall next to the Village of Bellows Falls.  The Abenaki name “Kitchee Pontegu” means Great Falls.  The VT State Library Board must approve any name as well as the US Board of Geographic Names.  Mr. Peska will check with the Walpole Historical Society to be sure that they approve “Great Falls” as well.

OLD BUSINESS:

RECREATION CENTER HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY:  Mr. Dalessio reported that the discussion is on-going with Hubbard Farms regarding the handicapped access to the Town pool.

MUNICIPAL WORK ZONE AGREEMENT; Westminster Bridge Project: Mr. Dalessio advised that this Municipal Work Zone Agreement on the Westminster Bridge Project is the document that the Department of Transportation wanted the Town to sign to allow the State to use flaggers rather than local police.  Police Chief Paquette is not in favor of signing this agreement as he feels the State should talk to the Town when they are ready to start.  He is concerned about the traffic lights as people are not used to seeing them there as they will be close to the bridge.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that they have to communicate with Mr. David Scott about the safety issue involving the location of the lights and the traffic volume.  Mr. Dalessio will follow-up with an email to Mr. Scott to advise that the Selectboard will send him a letter with their concerns.  Mr. Dalessio will draft the letter for the Selectboard’s consideration at the next meeting.

PROSPECT HILL INTERSECTION: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the letter from Ruth R. Venezia, dated July 24, 2015, expressing her concern about having a sign and visible barriers installed at this intersection.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that Mr. Terrell has ordered a “No Right Turn” sign but is waiting for it to arrive.  The Selectboard are waiting to respond to Ms. Venezia until after they have received and reviewed the Police Report that they expect soon.

ASSESSING INFORMATION FEE SCHEDULE:  Mrs. Clough had prepared her recommendation for Pricing for Assessing Information plus broke the prices down into various categories.  They have the capability to print-out different reports.  People want specific information rather than the whole Warrant.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the recommendations on pricing for the assessing information.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

MEETING WITH TRUE NORTH NETWORKING:  The meeting with True North Networking is scheduled for Friday, August 7th at 11:00 AM.

TERRA MAP’S:  The Terra Maps should be received soon.

TOWN HALL RENOVATIONS:  Mrs. Clough has been trying to find someone to do the foundation work but has not received a call-back.  Mr. Travis Kemp is going to look at it and, if it a project he is able to do, he will provide a quote.  Mr. Dalessio requested that “Do Not Force Open” signs be put on the upstairs windows that could not be opened.  Mr. Kemp has been at the Police Station building doing maintenance work.  He will pressure wash the Gazebo and repair the lattice work.  Mr. Dalessio mentioned that a light bulb needs to be replaced in the Gazebo.  He asked Mrs. Clough to keep track of Mr. Kemp’s time on the Gazebo as it should come out of the Maintenance Fund for the Gazebo.

TOWN ORDINANCE, PROCEDURE AND POLICY MANUAL:  Mr. Dalessio read through the Policies.  Starting next week he will take out 4-or-5 for the Selectboard to start the process of going through them.  They are considering a numbering scheme for better organization.    

BOARD OF SELECTMAN OPERATION GUIDELINES:  Mr. Dalessio will email the third draft of the Board of Selectman Operation Guidelines for Mr. Aldrich and Mrs. Pschirrer to review.

PIANO:  Mr. Colburn and Mr. Terrell are discussing removal of the piano from the second floor.

NEW BUSINESS:

GROUNDWATER MONITORING RESULTS – Walpole Landfill: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the “April 2015 Groundwater Monitoring Results on the Walpole Landfill” from Brackett Geosciences.  There are no concerns.

CEMETERY DEED: Hicks – Lot D475:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for Samuel and Dianne Hicks for the Walpole Cemetery, Lot #D475.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

FALL MOUNTAIN FOOD SHELF:  Mrs. Clough advised that a Selectman from Langdon and a Selectman from Alstead will be coming to a meeting in August to discuss the Fall Mountain Food Shelf.  They also plan to attend a meeting in Charlestown

NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS:

Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard 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 6:50 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 6:59 PM.

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 7:00 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:22 PM.

OLD BUSINESS (Continued):

Town Credit Cards:  Mrs. Clough obtained the credit cards and they have been distributed to the Department Heads. Mr. Dalessio will write a Credit Card Policy that the Department Heads will have to sign.  It will be ready for the next Staff Meeting.  Mrs. Pschirrer requested that Mrs. Clough attach a list of where the Town has charge accounts as the individual credit cards will not have to be used there.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:28 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary