TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

AUGUST 6, 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 two people in attendance.

These are unapproved Minutes.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 912-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.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 6:26 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Accounts Payable check register and manifest in the amount of $105,428.75 for checks dated August 7, 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 August 1, 2015 in the amount of $26,630.05 for checks dated August 7, 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 $6,067.96 for the week ending August 1, 2015.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – July 30, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of July 30, 2015, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD MEETING – July 30, 2015:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of July 30, 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 Cemetery Trustees – July 22, 2015; and
• Walpole Conservation Commission – August 3, 2015.

WARRANTS:

LAND USE CHANGE TAX WARRANT and FORM A-5:

Mr. Dalessio explained that back in June 2014 the properties at Map & Lot #012-013/014 were taken out of Current Use because of removal of the top soil.  When that was taken out of Current Use the other two properties no longer qualified for Current Use because ten or more acres of contiguous property are required under the same ownership.

AVANRU DEVELOPMENT, Main Street, Map & Lot #012-013-003:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Tax Collector’s Land Use Change Tax Warrant for Avanru Development Group, Ltd. in the amount of $22,500.00 at 504 Main Street.  Current Use acreage coming out is 4.330 acres.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

AVANRU DEVELOPMENT, Main Street, Map & Lot #012-013-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Tax Collector’s Land Use Change Tax Warrant for Avanru Development Group, Ltd. in the amount of $22,500.00 at 504 Main Street.  Current Use acreage coming out is 4.070 acres.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

TIMBER TAX WARRANT & CERTIFICATION OF YIELD TAXES ASSESSED:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Warrant for the Timber Tax Levy, Tax Year – April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 and the Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed for the following:

• CHARLES CASERTA, Wentworth Road, Map & Lot #005-001-000, Operation # 14-461-13-T in the amount of $1,747.41;
• JUDY NORTHCOTT, TRUSTEE, ROXANNE DAMAZIAK TRUST, Cheney Hill Road, Map & Lot #013-053-001, Operation #14-461-18-T in the amount of $214.38;
• JUDY NORTHCOTT, ROXANNE DAMAZIAK TRUST, Cheney Hill Road, Map & Lot #013-054-000, Operation #14-461-19-T in the amount of $796.63;
• SCOTT & JUDITH NORTHCOTT, Cheney Hill Road, Map & Lot #013-054-001, Operation #14-461-17-T in the amount of $810.13.

The total Timber Taxes due is $3,568.55.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

RECREATION CENTER HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY: Mr. Dalessio received a response that Hubbard Farms do not have a problem with the Town using the road to the pool but asked that a sign be posted indicating “Emergency, Handicapped and Maintenance Vehicles Only” and they will place a post out where they would like the sign put.  Mr. Dalessio will email Mrs. Pschirrer with the wording for the sign plus the handicapped signs that are going to be needed for the Recreation Center.  She will notify Mr. Terrell.  The signs are to be charged to the Recreation Department.

MUNICIPAL WORK ZONE AGREEMENT; Westminster Bridge Project:  Mr. Dalessio had emailed Mr. Scott advising that the Selectboard do not want to sign the Municipal Work Zone Agreement and their recommendation would be for the NH Department of Transportation to meet with Police Chief Michael Paquette.

PROSPECT HILL INTERSECTION: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that one of the signs that still has not come in is for the Prospect Hill Intersection.  The Selectboard received a copy of the Police Report and based on the statement from the driver and the evidence at the scene it was concluded that the primary reason for the crash was that the driver did not see the ditch on the right side of the road.  Mrs. Pschirrer will draft a letter to Ms. Venezia stating that the sign was ordered but has not been received and that based on the accident report there was a consensus of the Selectboard to not pay the towing charge.

MEETING WITH TRUE NORTH NETWORKING:  Mr. Dalessio mentioned that there will be meeting with True North Networking tomorrow at 11:00 AM.  Mr. Aldrich and Mrs. Pschirrer are welcome to attend.

TERRA MAP’S:  Mrs. Clough advised that they are waiting for Mrs. Loren Martin, Avitar Associates, to return from her vacation to review the maps before they are delivered to the Town but the maps are done and should be here next week.

TOWN ORDINANCE, PROCEDURE AND POLICY MANUAL:  The Selectboard reviewed the following documents:

Policy on Overspending Budget- Effective June 6, 2001:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to reaffirm the policy on Overspending Budgets “No Department Head or Elected Official may spend their budget without first receiving permission from the Board of Selectmen.”  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Policy on Budget Directive – Effective January 2006:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to rescind this policy on Budget Directive issued January 1, 2006 which dealt with over-spending the budget.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Policy on Curb Cuts:

There is a question relative to who is responsible for the curb cuts; is it the Town or the Road Agent.  Mrs. Pschirrer will check the RSAs before next week; they do give the authority to the Town for curb cuts.  It should tie back to the RSAs.

Policy / Statement – Eaton Road – 2011:

The Selectboard discussed designated emergency roads/lanes.  Mr. Dalessio felt it should be a policy that the Selectboard will designate emergency roads based on the recommendations of Mr. Mark Houghton of the Fire Department, the Road Agent, etc. and in accordance with the RSAs.  Mrs. Pschirrer will re-write this policy.

Policy – Current Use – Effective November 1997: 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to rescind this policy on Current Use that became effective on November 26, 1997 as it is out of date.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.:

Policy Regarding Completion Of Requested Information – Effective June 7, 2001:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to rescind this policy regarding Completion Of Requested Information as it is inadequate.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

The review of the Town Ordinance, Procedure and Policy Manual will continue next week.

BOARD OF SELECTMAN OPERATION GUIDELINES:  Mr. Dalessio had distributed Draft #3.  Mrs. Pschirrer re-read this draft and had no other comments or corrections.  Mr. Dalessio will delete the word “Draft” so it will be ready for signatures next week.

PIANO:  Mr. Dalessio reported that Mr. Terrell and Mr. Colburn are working out their schedules so it can be done next week.

NEW BUSINESS: 

NH DES POOL INSPECTION REPORT:  Mr. Dalessio advised that the pool had a surprise inspection from the Department of Environmental Services and they passed.  He notified Mr. Cassarino that the Selectboard was very happy with the report.

NH DES AUTHORIZATION TO WORK, TRANSCANADA HYDRO NORTHEAST:  A letter was received from the NH Department of Environmental Services advising that a recent dive inspection discovered a six foot deep scour hole underneath spillway bridge pier #4.  The Conservation Commission and Board of Selectboard shall be notified prior to the start of work.

NH RETIREMENT SYSTEM AUDIT:  Mrs. Clough received a letter from the New Hampshire Retirement System stating that the Town of Walpole is due to be reviewed for accuracy and compliance with the NHRS Statute and Administrative Rules.  She has not been able to find any record of a previous audit.  Both Mrs. Clough and Mr. Kreissle have been working on a form that needs to be filled out.  The Selectboard requested that Mrs. Clough scan and send them copies of the email from the NHRS.

EMPLOYEES APPRECIATION DINNER:  Mrs. Clough and Mrs. Edkins started to think about the Employees Appreciation Dinner on December 19^th.  In the past the office staff has done all the shopping, preparation of the food, clean-up, etc.  They are not opposed to continue doing all the organizing but would like to have the food catered.  The Selectboard approved this request as well as hiring somebody to do the set-up and clean-up.  It was recommended that Mrs. Clough contact Lisai’s to do the catering and talk to the ROTC about doing the set-up and clean-up.  The Selectboard expressed appreciation about all the work that was done by the office staff in previous years.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:  Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session #2 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 7:14 PM.

The regular meeting resumed at 7:23 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.           

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:47 PM.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary