TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

JUNE 23, 2016

 

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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 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 six people in attendance.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

MEETING WITH MYRA MANSOURI:  Mrs. Myra Mansouri (Chair), Mrs. Jan Galloway-LeClerc and Mr. Robert Anderson were present from the ZBA.  Mrs. Mansouri explained that when the ZBA met on Wednesday and Mr. Dalessio asked the question about what the next step was in the process; he said they may appeal for a rehearing in 30 days and then it goes to the Selectboard.  However Mr. Dalessio then contacted Mr. Tom Crouse to correct his statement that Mr. Crouse’s next step would be to go to Superior Court.  Mr. Anderson received the following legal opinion from the New Hampshire Municipal Association: “When an applicant is aggrieved by a decision of the ZBA denying a variance, the applicant first files a motion for rehearing under RSA 677:2.  If the ZBA does not grant the rehearing, or rehears the case and again denies the variance, then the applicant may appeal to the Superior Court under RSA 677:4.  This is also described in detail in the OEP ZBA handbook.”  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that Mr. Crouse would have to come to the Selectboard office within 30 days to file his motion for a rehearing in writing.  He suggested that the ZBA send Mr. Crouse an email to advise that at the meeting they were not sure about the next step and outline the correct process.

Mr. Dalessio recommended that they do not destroy the recordings of meetings as, on occasion, attorneys want a transcript of the minutes.  Minutes summarize the meeting; it is not a word-by-word document.  Mrs. Pschirrer stressed that it is essential that they preserve recordings of their meetings.  Mrs. Mansouri will contact Mrs. Marilou Blaine to advise that recordings need to be preserved.  Mr. Dalessio mentioned the Selectboard will look into a PA system as sometimes the discussion on the recordings is difficult to hear especially comments from the audience.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Aldrich moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $46,506.55 for checks dated June 24, 2016.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Aldrich moved to accept the Payroll voucher for the week ending June 18, 2016, in the amount of $21,821.19 for checks dated June 24, 2016.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Aldrich moved to accept the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes for Withholding, MEDI and FICA in the amount of $4,751.61 for the week ending June 18, 2016.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

TOWN OF WALPOLE STAFF MEETING – June 16, 2016:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Town of Walpole Staff meeting of June 16, 2016, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the Minutes were approved.  

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – June 16, 2016:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of June 16, 2016, as submitted.  These Minutes will not 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:

• Walpole Planning Board – June 12, 2016;
• Hooper Institute Committee – June 14, 2016.

BUILDING PERMIT:

CAILA PALMER, 290 Valley Road, Map & Lot #013-007-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign Building Permit No. 2016-25 for Caila Palmer to “Construct a 104’l/6” x 28’ 10-1/4”, 1 Story Home” at 290 Valley Road, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS:

NH PUBLIC RADIO – Forms to Sign; Approved at April 27, 2016, Selectboard Meeting:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to sign the Property Tax Abatements for the NH Public Radio that were previously approved during the April 27, 2016, meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Dalessio requested that Mrs. Downing research ownership of this tower.  Several documents identify different owners.  The Selectboard will then request a break-down of the companies transmitting from that tower for tax purposes.

OLD BUSINESS:

North Street Run-off Water Plan: Mrs. Pschirrer asked Mr. Rau to talk to them about a solution to do the ditching near the Caskin property, down North Street and that an estimate will be needed before proceeding.  Mr. Rau felt with the Highway Department doing the work and for the material it will cost approximately $3,500 to $5,000.  They will need a lot of seven-inch rock.  A culvert will be needed and the culvert across Colonial Road needs to be up-graded.  The engineer made a similar suggestion.  Mr. Rau proceeded to explain the water flow and diverting the water in that area to keep it channeled.  They will never solve all the drainage problems but try to avoid further damage.  Mr. Dalessio explained that if water from the Town road is damaging private property the Town can go in to make repairs with an agreement.  The other option is a Warrant Article to do the other side of North Road which would be much more expensive. Following their discussion there was a consensus of the Selectboard and Mr. Rau to contact Mr. Caskin to schedule a site walk of his property the week of July 4^th.

Mr. Dalessio got a call from Sergeant Justin Sanctuary who wanted to thank Mr. Rau for paving Russell Street and the impound area.  Mr. Rau advised that they had enough mix left over to also do Cray Road, Brady Street, Capron Street and Oak Street, finished Burt Street and the cut where the wash-out was in North Walpole.

Pleasant Street Signage and Striping Proposal:  Mrs. Pschirrer asked Mr. Rau about Pleasant Street and the striping project.  Mr. Rau replied that the water line project is complete.  The street will be paved and they will paint a white line on the north side of the street to show where the driving area is.  It will improve safety but will not be designated as a walking area.

 

Mr. Rau went to Colonial Drive to find a leaning tree; he found one but it would not endanger the road or traffic.  The Selectboard and Mr. Rau will look for the tree when they do the site walk in that area.

The Selectboard mentioned that the railing going into the Town Hall will be repaired soon by an independent contractor.  Mr. Rau reported that the Highway Department will do some trimming of bushes around the Town Hall.  They will not do any paving the week of July 4^th but will start again the week of July 11^th.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Mr. Aldrich seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with all in favor, the motion was approved at 7:20 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:27 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Session of June 23, 2016, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Dog Licensing Report – June 23, 2016:  Mrs. Downing reported that the Town Clerk’s office did an initial mailing to everyone on the Unlicensed Dog List.  Some people paid for the dog license; some advised that they no longer have the dogs.  Mrs. Downing was asked to get a copy of that letter for the Selectboard’s information.  What is the deadline, the penalty and fee?  The Selectboard felt that Mrs. Smith should proceed to handle this as she has in the past.

Gazebo Repairs: Mrs. Downing reported that one quote was received but she will seek one more quote.

Written Response to Police Station Safety Audit:  Mr. Dalessio drafted the letter to respond to the Police Station Safety Audit.  He will have it ready for signatures next week.

New Hampshire RSA Books: Mrs. Downing advised that one set (31 volumes) of the RSA books is $676.00.  This includes updates.  The last set was purchased in 2006.  A CD is for only one user.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to buy one set of the RSA books (31 volumes) for $676.00 that includes updates.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.  Mr. Aldrich was opposed as the RSAs are available on-line.

Employee Policy Handbook Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer and the committee continue to work on the Employee Policy Handbook Update.  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that nothing that goes on in that committee has been approved so they should not try to implement any of the revisions until the Selectboard has signed off in full or in part.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted that they have only implemented the 30 days probationary period instead of the one year probationary period.

Procedure Manual:  Copies of the Procedure Manual that Mrs. Clough created for Mrs. Downing were distributed to the Selectboard.

Town of Walpole non-DOT Testing Policy:  Mr. Dalessio read through the Non-DOT Testing Policy but it is confusing therefore the Selectboard will work on it over the next couple of months.  Mr. Dalessio would re-write it as the Town of Walpole Testing Policy rather than the Non-DOT Testing Policy.  The DOT and the Town should have one drug testing policy.  Mrs. Pschirrer will work on the re-write policy.  They should reference the DOT testing.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

ZBA, Oath of Office – Judy Trow: Mrs. Trow is filling the unexpired term of Mr. Ernie Vose on the ZBA until the next Town election on March 2017.  The Selectboard signed the appointment document for Mrs. Judy Trow.

ZBA, Oath of Appointment – Thomas Murray (Alternate):  Mr. Murray will be filling the unexpired term of Mrs. Trow as an alternate member on the ZBA from June 2016 to Town Meeting in March 2018.  The Selectboard signed the appointment document for Mr. Thomas Murray.

Thank You Letter from Southwestern Community Services:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a Thank You letter from the Southwestern Community Services for the Town’s annual donation.

Invitation to Appreciation Mixer on July 13, 2016, Sponsored by Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce:  The Selectboard received an invitation to an Appreciation Mixer on July 13, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Waypoint Center in Bellows Falls, VT.  This is sponsored by the Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The Restaurant at Burdick’s Celebrations:  July 14 and September 30-October 1, 2016:  A letter was received from the Restaurant at Burdick’s to advise that they have celebrations that occur outside under a tent.  These celebrations often include outdoor music and other activities.  This year they are looking to host Bastille Day on July 14^th and their Oktoberfest event on September 30^th and October 1^st.  Their activities are always contained to the tent located in front of the Restaurant entrance at Main Street.  In recognition of those that live close by they are looking to start these events no earlier than 11:30 am and will end no later than 9:00 pm.  They are requesting approval in writing from the Selectman to be able to serve alcohol (beer and wine) outside under the tent.  Mr. Dalessio mentioned that these are their annual events.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to permit the Restaurant at Burdick’s to hold their Bastille Day on July 14^th and their Oktoberfest event on September 30^th and October 1^st, 2016, and that food, beer and wine may be served outside under the tent.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

South Entrance Handicap Access Railing Repair: Mrs. Downing will call a railing contractor to look at the handicap access railing at the south entrance to the Town Hall and obtain an estimate.

Computer System:  Mr. Dalessio advised that battery back-ups for all the computers in the office and the Town Clerk’s office will be about $1,000.00.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve purchasing the back-up batteries for all of the computers in the offices.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Fire Department:  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that a letter was received from the Fire Department on the Abenaki Springs building.  There are some issues and concerns with the building.  This letter will be attached to the Building Permit.

Personnel Forms:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Selectboard accept and sign the Personnel forms for one police officer and for all the summer students that have been hired to work at the Hooper Institute and Town pool.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved. 

Salary Review Study:  Mr. Dalessio noted that at the beginning of the budget season they committed to do a salary review study.  He talked to two companies that will do it for us but they want copies of the job descriptions for all the departments.  He would not include the Directors at this time as they will be separate; they will start with the hourly employees.  Mrs. Pschirrer told the Directors that they need a job description for each employee because they will not be able to do Performance Reviews with one.  Mr. Dalessio said if they do not get this information in by the end of July the study will not be done this year.  When the Selectboard get closer to being ready, the chosen company will come in and do a presentation but the background work needs to be done first.

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. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved at 8:00 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:25 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:  Mr. Aldrich moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 26 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary