Monthly Archives: August 2016

Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – 7/11/16

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Minutes for the Regular Meeting of the

Walpole Conservation Commission

July 11, 2016

 

Present:  Tom Beaudry (Chair); John Peska, Lew Shelley, Kelli Wilson, Alicia Flammia, Jackie Kensen,

Joseph Aldrich (Selectboard Representative)

Alternates:     Elaine Heleen, Myra Mansouri, Gary Speed

Call To Order:  Mr. Beaudry, Chair, called this meeting to order at 7:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.

Seating of Alternates:  Since a full Board was present there was no need to seat alternate members.

 

Review and Approve Minutes:  Mr. Peska moved to accept the Minutes of the June 6, 2016, meeting with the following correction:  Mr. Palmiotto had requested that on page 1, under Fanny Mason Forest, “Antioch College” be changed to “Antioch University New England”.  Seconded by Mrs. Flammia.  With all in favor, the motion and amendment were approved.

  1. PETER RHOADES – Water Company Timber Harvest and Town Forests: Mr. Rhoades was unable to attend this meeting.

PUBLIC SESSION – Report From Chair:

Treasury / Budget:  Mr. Beaudry did not have the bank statements for the end of June.

Correspondence:

Mr. Beaudry received the following correspondence:

  • Town and City magazine – July/August issue.

NEW BUSINESS:

NH Route 12 Repairs:  Mr. Peska attended this NH Department of Transportation meeting and reported that the time line is they are looking at soliciting bids in October and awarding a contract this November.  The start date will be in the spring of 2018.  There was lots of discussion relative to the revised plan.  They went with the low option as it is about half what the cost would be for the plan to move the railroad.  They opted for an armored retaining wall and steel enforced embankment with natural vegetation.  The Hydrologic Study has not been done so they do not know what the impact will be further downstream.  They looked at how the flow of the River will be impacted.  Almost 7,000 vehicles travel in both directions on that road daily.  The last major flooding was in 1996.  Some folks who live along the River clearly had concerns about the quality of their wells and erosion along those banks.  Mrs. Lucy Weber, State Representative, was there.  The DOT will have another Public Hearing prior to awarding the contract.  At that time Mr. Peska hopes they will have an opportunity to look at the Hydrologic Study.

Fanny Mason Forest:  There was nothing new on the Fanny Mason Forest.

Garland Lumber Company:  Mr. Beaudry reported that the contract has been signed with Garland Lumber Company and the Town of Walpole.  He asked Mr. Aldrich if one of the signed contracts was returned to Garland.  He will check on it.  Mr. Beaudry has a signed copy.  Mr. Shelley had a question from the Monadnock Conservancy on where the Management Plan was; it is needed for the Easement.  Mr. Beaudry said Mr. Rhoades did a Management Plan.  Mr. Shelley told the Conservancy that nothing is happening now.  They would like to have a copy when the cut begins.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Current Use Change Payment:  Mr. Aldrich did not have an answer but he contacted the Department of Revenue Administration to verify if the transaction was done in the right manner.  As soon as he has a response from the DRA he will report to the Conservation Commission.

Up-date – TransCanada Dam Relicensing: Mr. Peska noted that on the sign-in roster at the DOT meeting on the Route 12 project that two TransCanada representatives were there.  He asked how far down the Hydrologic Study would go but they did not have an answer.  They did admit to doing the dredging in North Walpole last year.  Mr. Beaudry mentioned that TransCanada is coming out with their second survey on erosion on Friday.  TransCanada has a re-licensing web-site where they release information; it is involved.

Mason Forest – Clean-Up: Mr. Shelley suggested Saturday, July 30th.  They will meet at 10:00 AM and do the clean-up until about Noon.  He will send out two reminders to the members.  (Mr. Watson came into the meeting but he has not yet taken the Oath of Office). 

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

NH Association of Conservation Commissions:  Mr. Beaudry received a booklet from the NH Association of Conservation Commissions that he passed around.  There is an article on invasive plant species.  It looks at projects done in all sections of the State.  We do pay dues to them.

Antioch University New England:  Mr. Beaudry has not heard from the student who did the study in the Fanny Mason Forest.

Natural Resources Advisory Committee:  Mrs. Flammia attended the most recent meeting as she took over Mr. Palmiotto’s seat.  There was a presentation from a member of the US Fish and Game out of Amherst, Mass.  They have a program called “Connect the Connecticut”; she passed around the booklet entitled “Connect The Connecticut – A Roadmap for Conserving the Connecticut River Watershed for Future Generations”.  This is a landscape co-op group with a shared vision.  Twenty organizations are a part of this group.  They want to restore aquatic productivity and look at areas that are right for conservation and stewardship. Their first report came out in June; “connecttheconnecticut.org” has all the documents and information. Mr. Beaudry expressed his concern with the Wildlife Refuge; the land will no longer be used for agriculture as they take out that use.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Reservoir Dam:  Mr. Peska and Mr. Mark Houghton have not heard from the Department of Environmental Services (DES).  Mr. Peska will be happy to attend the inspection with Mr. Houghton when they receive notification of the date from the DES.

Merriam Farm Property:  Mr. Shelley had a visit with the new owner of the Merriam Farm property.  They discussed putting an Easement on some of the property.

Hooper Golf Course:  Mr. Speed discussed the CC pond by the Hooper Golf Course as it appears the golf course side of the pond is not going down as fast as the CC part.  In the past members of the golf course asked for permission to use some of that CC pond water but recently they have not done so.  Mr. Peska does not want the Fire Department to run low as they use the CC pond to pump water.  The Community Garden is no longer taking water from the pond.  Mr. Beaudry explained that Cranberry Meadow is on the other side of the CC pond.  The new folks running the golf course might just be turning on the water and not realize where it is coming from.  The lower water level will have an impact on the pond vegetation.  Mr. Beaudry will talk to Mr. Joe Goodhue about this.

 

Next Meeting:  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 1st, 2016, at 7:30 PM.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Peska moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Flammia.  With all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

(Note:  These are unapproved Minutes.  Any corrections will be found in the Minutes of the August 01, 2016, Conservation Commission meeting.)

CLARION SEPTEMBER 2016 Issue — DEADLINE – Wednesday, August 24

Uncategorized 08/17/2016 Leave a comment

I know, I know, and I have been reminded, where has the month gone. But as you get ready for school, or back from vacation, life returns to “normal” and deadlines “loom up.”

And, the deadline for the September CLARION is a week from tomorrow, August 24th. So, please do not forget. I have been working on some articles, and others I know are in the works, but for the nice reading and news mix we offer, I would like to have your “routine announcements” to include, and any other items of interest.

Thank you, RAY

Zoning Board Agenda – 8/17/16

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Agenda for Zoning Board of Adjustment

Wednesday,  August 17, 2016

Walpole Town Hall – 7:30 pm.

 

Roll Call: Appointment of alternates if needed

Minutes: Review minutes of June, Executive Session.

 

New Business: Signage

Samantha Wilheim – signage Unity

JC Automotive, Joel Stoddard, Route 12 Sign on building. 2-feet-by-10 1/2-feet.

 

Continued work on matrix or Flow Chart..

Junkyard digital copy.

 

Gravel Inspections

 

 

Next meeting Wednesday,  September 21, 2016

Yoga to Start Again – 9/8/16

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yoga

YOGA in WALPOLE

ON THURSDAY’S AT 5
AT THE HASTINGS MEMORIAL PARISH HOUSE
Please join me September 8 for our first class of the “new” yoga year. If you have a friend who would like to try our class, please bring them and on September 8 their class is free.
fees:
*$350 whole year
$40/month
$120/10classes
$16/one class
*best deal-this comes out to $8.75/class

Results from Hooper Open

Uncategorized 08/17/2016 Leave a comment

Janet Wilson writes:

Hooper Open Tournament on Saturday was a very successful fund raiser for Meeting House West LLC!  Thanks to all who participated.

The results were:

1st place team: Randy Hicks, Joe Goodhue, Mitchell Zehr, Chris Judkins, score of 55 (16 under par)

2nd place team: Phil Hicks, Chris McLaughlin, Joe Dirusso, Mike Snide, score of 57 (14 under par)

3rd place team: Noel Cassidy, Ed Johnson, Kirk Quinn, Myles Quinn, score of 59 (12 under par)

 

Closest to the pin on hole 4/13: Tie– Mitchell Zehr and Cassidy Neal

Closest to the pin on hole 6/15: Jeff Miller

 

Longest drive contest:  Matt Tommila

Longest Whiffle Ball drive contest: Matt Tommila

 

The Hooper Club championship is on Saturday/Sunday,
September 24/25;
sign up deadline is September 17th.

Lynn Lyons Speaking – 9/8/16

EVENTS 08/17/2016 Leave a comment

You may remember hearing Lynn Lyons speak at FMRHS a couple of years ago.  She was so well received she is returning for a follow-up.  If you were there, I am sure you will be happy to see that she is back.  If you missed it, I would urge you not to make the same mistake again.  She is not only entertaining, she is very practical in her approach. – Lil

Parent/Community Presentation
“Managing Anxiety at School and Home: Strategies to Interrupt the Worry Cycle”
Presented by Lynn Lyons

Lynn Lyons, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who lives in Concord, New Hampshire and is in private practice there. For 26 years, Lynn has specialized in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults and children.
With a special interest in breaking the generational cycle of worry in families, she is the coauthor of two books on anxiety, Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous & Independent Children, and the companion book for kids, Playing with Anxiety: Casey’s Guide for Teens and Kids. Her latest book, Using Hypnosis with Children: Creating and Delivering Effective Interventions is a how-to guide for helping professionals looking to incorporate hypnotic strategies for the treatment of depression, anxiety, medical procedures, pain, and sleep.
In addition to her private practice in Concord NH, she presents internationally to mental health and medical providers, educators, school nurses, and parents. She is known for her focus on providing concrete, usable skills and her integration of humor, homework, and clinical hypnosis.
http://www.lynnlyonsnh.com/

Thursday, September 8, 2016 – 6:00-8:00 pm
Fall Mountain Regional High School Auditorium

This free program will provide strategies to parents, grandparents, caregivers and educators for working with children of all ages.

This event is paid by Title I Grant funds.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – 8/4/16

SELECTBOARD 08/12/2016 Leave a comment

TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE SELECTBOARD

AUGUST 4, 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 three people in attendance.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mr. Aldrich moved to accept the Accounts Payable check register in the amount of $552,277.04 for checks issued August 5, 2016.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

The above amount includes a monthly payment of $513,448.72 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.

PAYROLL: Mr. Aldrich moved to accept the Payroll Register for the week ending July 30, 2016, in the amount of $26,731.79 for checks issued August 5, 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 taxes in the amount of $5,829.95 for the week ending July 30, 2016.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – July 27, 2016:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the regular Selectboard meeting of July 27, 2016, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Abstained: Mr. Aldrich as he was not present at this meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard received and reviewed Minutes of the following meetings:

  • Cold River Advisory Committee – May 26, 2016;
  • Walpole Cemetery Trustees – July 23, 2016.

BUILDING PERMIT:

WILLIAM and ELIZABETH SILVERSTEIN, 70 Reservoir Road, Map & Lot #010-033-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant Building Permit No. 2016-30 for William and Elizabeth Silverstein to “Construct a 22’ x 22’ Great Room Addition” pending receipt of the Energy Audit approval.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

NOTICES OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:

ELISSE McGUIRK LIVING TRUST, Valley Road, Map & Lot #012-076-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to grant and sign the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Elisse McGuirk / Elisse McGuirk Living Trust off the Valley Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

ELISSE McGUIRK LIVING TRUST, 167 Valley Road, Map & Lot 013-015-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to grant and sign the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Elisse McGuirk / Elisse McGuirk Living Trust off the Valley Road.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

TIMBER TAX WARRANT and YIELD TAXES ASSESSED:

RONNIE KINGSBURY, 125 Kingsbury Lane, Map & Lot #008-120-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Certification of Yield Taxes Assessed for Ronnie Kingsbury in the amount of $866.94.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to submit the Original Warrant Yield Tax Levy to Sandra J. Smith, Collector of Taxes for the Town of Walpole, NH, for Ronnie Kingsbury in the amount of $866.94.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

CURRENT LAND USE CHANGE TAX (LUCT) WARRANTS:

KIMBERLY BOGAR, 286 Old Keene Road, Map & Lot #007-025-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Land Use Change Tax (LUCT) Warrant for Kimberly Bogar in the amount of $85.00.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

JOSHUA and JAMIE DRUKE, 171 Reservoir Road, Map & Lot #010-028-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Land Use Change Tax (LUCT) Warrant for Joshua and Jamie Druke in the amount of $400.00.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, Church Street, Map & Lot #027-005-000:  Mr. Aldrich moved to approve and sign the Tax Collector’s Land Use Change Tax Warrant to Sandra J. Smith, Collector of Taxes for Walpole, NH, for the State of New Hampshire in the amount of $320.00.  They removed 1.86 acres from Current Use.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

North Road:  The Selectboard discussed options regarding the water problems on North Road.  Mrs. Pschirrer will draft a letter to Mr. Caskin outlining the Selectboard’s decision on North Road.

Credit Card Use Policy:  The Selectboard signed this Credit Card Use Policy that was approved during their meeting last week.

South Entrance Handicap Access Railing Repair and Gazebo Repairs Contract: The Selectboard signed the contract with Keene Commercial Construction to do both of these projects.

Revised Town Hall Rental Information and Rental Agreement; Sample Agreement from Primex:  The Selectboard reviewed their revised Town Hall Rental Agreement and the sample agreement received from Primex.  They discussed the Indemnity clause.  Renters will be required to have their own rental insurance; coverage can be obtained from Primex.  Proof of rental insurance will have to be submitted to the Selectboard office before renters are given the key to the Town Hall.  Mr. Dalessio recommended asking Primex about the groups that do not get charged for using the Town Hall; do they still need to carry the insurance.  What if they do not have separate insurance.  Mrs. Downing was asked to formulate the Selectboard questions and submit the list to Primex.  Mr. Dalessio noted that after they receive answers they will have to notify the users of the Town Hall.           

Boston Post Cane Response Update: Mrs. Downing reported that they still have inquiries out to the public for the oldest Walpole resident.

Town of Walpole DOT Drug Testing Policy:  Mrs. Pschirrer has a draft proposal.  There are two existing policies: 1) the Walpole Substance Abuse Policy for non-DOT employees and 2) the Walpole Substance Abuse Policy for DOT employees.  They are almost verbatim in accordance with the federal regulations.  She is proposing that they have one policy and reference the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT) policy because it affects people with CDL licenses.  It details drug testing.  This applies mostly to the Highway Department and Recycling Department.  It also covers people who are on a drug that was prescribed for them which affects their physical ability to work but this must be reported to their supervisor.  Mr. Dalessio recommended that this draft policy be sent out electronically to the Selectboard to review and a decision will be made at the next meeting.

Building and Demolition Permit and Water and Sewer Application Forms:  Mrs. Downing had sent these forms out electronically to the Selectboard for their review.  Mr. Dalessio requested that a copy of the Water and Sewer application form be sent to Mr. Mark Houghton for his input.

708 Main Street:  Ms. Cheryl Mayberry reported that the North Walpole Board of Commissioners talked about this proposed donation to the Town at their last meeting.  The Fire Chief was going to inquire as to whether or not there was any interest in this property and will report back to the Commissioners.

Dog Bite Report:  Mr. Dalessio advised that this dog bite is being handled by the appropriate people.

Volunteer Service Statement and Agreement:  Mrs. Pschirrer will review this Volunteer Service Statement and Agreement and research it in the RSAs.

Employee and Volunteer Appreciation Picnic – September 25th; need to e-mail a ‘Save the Date’ and Then Quickly Create Invitations: Mrs. Downing is working on the Employee and Volunteer Appreciation Picnic.  The Selectboard will look at the Open Container Ordinance before the picnic.    

Employee Policy Handbook Update: Mrs. Pschirrer has a draft Employee Policy Handbook that will be distributed to the Selectboard for their review.

Leases and Contracts: Mrs. Downing has not heard from the Library as the Librarian has been away.  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that they should keep working on this.

Town Seal:  Mrs. Downing will continue to work on the Town seal.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Complete Streets Update:  Ms. Cheryl Mayberry reported on a Transportation Advisory Meeting she attended last Monday.  They went over the Route 12 South corridor.  The Ten-Year Plan was approved by the DOT.  She met with Mr. J.B. Mack of the Southwest Regional Planning Commission as Mary was not in the office.  Their plan is to visit with the Planning Boards to go over the Complete Streets up-date and see if they want to add it to their Town Plans.  Ms. Mayberry attended a meeting that was held in Troy.  The towns need to consider the following; if the crosswalks are in appropriate places, the sidewalks, bicyclists and pedestrians, visibility; should they have a bike path or not, etc.  Consider all flows of transportation and think about changes to their roadway in a complete way.  Swanzey just wrote a Complete Streets Plan; they are about the size of Walpole.  Some wording and policy issues are considered across the board.  Ms. Mayberry plans to attend the Walpole Planning Board meeting when it is scheduled.

2016 Revised Estimated Revenues – 2016 MS-434:  This form needs to be turned into the DRA in September.  Mr. Dalessio thanked Mr. Kreissle for doing a draft for them in August as it allows time to study and make changes if required.  Mr. Kreissle was asked to talk to Mrs. Smith about the Town Clerk’s office and Mr. Paul Colburn about the Recycling Center as it appears revenues are going down in these two departments.  Mr. Dalessio would also like Mr. Mark Houghton to review the Water and Sewer portion of this report.  The Selectboard will look at this again before it is sent into the DRA.  This form helps set the tax rate.

Cemetery Deed for Lots D403 & D404, James and Patti Neal:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Cemetery Deed for the sale of lots D403 and D404 to James and Patti Neal.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Town of Walpole Investment Policy and PDIP: Mr. Dalessio advised that this Town of Walpole Investment Policy and PDIP are well written.  He will talk to Mr. Goins about remembering to make changes when the RSAs are amended.  He will also discuss numbering these documents so they can begin indexing them.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve and sign the Town of Walpole Investment Policy and PDIP as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

Welfare Reports:  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to have Mrs. Clough submit written quarterly Welfare reports.  They would like to have her come in once a year at budget time; October would be a good time.

Wage Review:  Mr. Dalessio reported that Municipal Resources, Inc. did a study on organizational issues for the Town a few years ago.  He encouraged Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Aldrich to read this report that is in the Selectboard office.  He feels MRI is the best choice to do this new Salary Review.  They will match up Walpole to other towns of similar size.  It will be a thorough review.  Mr. Dalessio suggested that the study be done for 10-to-15 employees.  Mrs. Pschirrer recommended contacting Primex about doing the study as it might be less expensive than the per person quote from MRI.  Perhaps a labor attorney should be consulted as there are so many new edicts.  Mr. Dalessio recommended that they do their own internal study first and then make a decision on what direction they want to go.  He now has copies of all the job descriptions so will send them over to MRI and have them submit a proposal.

Strength and Honor Foundation Karate:  A request was received to use the Town Hall for classes from the Director of the Strength and Honor Foundation Karate.  There was discussion about the Town Hall being very busy now.  The Selectboard felt it needs to be denied at this time.  Mr. Dalessio suggested having Mrs. Edkins handle this.

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 8:07 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:16 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Mr. Aldrich moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  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 8:23 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 4, 2016, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the motion was approved.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Water Rationing: Mr. Dalessio had received calls about water rationing in Cheshire County.  He contacted Mr. Mark Houghton who advised that this is not an issue in Walpole at this point.

ADJOURNMENT:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Aldrich.  With all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:24 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

Planning Bpard Meeting Minutes – 8/9/16

PLANNING BOARD 08/12/2016 Leave a comment

Walpole Planning Board

Walpole Town Hall

August 9, 2016, 2015 Minutes

7:00 pm

 

 

Presiding Members: Robert Miller (Vice-Chair), James Aldrich (Secretary), Steve Dalessio (Selectboard Representative), Dennis Marcom, Jason Perron, Jeff White. Alternates: Ed Potter and Joanna Andros. Absent: Jeff Miller (Chair).

Recording: These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the August 2015 meeting for corrections, additions and/or omissions.

Meeting Opened: Mr. R. Miller called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Roll Call: Five members were present at the time of roll call, which was sufficient for a quorum. Mr. Potter walked in shortly after the minutes were accepted as written, so he was asked to sit as a board member. Mr. Perron and Ms. Andros arrived a few minutes later.

Minutes: Mr. Dalessio made a motion to accept the July minutes as written. The motion was seconded and passed by the board.

Old business:

            Public Hearing No. 1. Aquilla and Shirley Gorton, Lot Line Adjustment. Town Map 8,          Lots 118 and 118-1 in the rural/agricultural zone.  Lot 118-1 is 10.9 acres and will have .1 acre annexed from Lot 118 to make a total of 11 acres. Frontage 250 feet on Kingsbury Road. 

Mr. Gorton explained what he planned to do by using a map. Originally, the lot was 10.9 and he wanted to increase it to at least 11 acres. The lot is mostly surrounded by family-owned property with the exception of two abutters. The dotted line showed where the extra land would be taken, making Lot 118-1 now 11.03 acres. Mr. Marcom asked if the road shown on the map was Kingsbury Road. Mr. Gorton said it was.

Mr. R. Miller asked if there were any questions or comments. There being none, Mr. Miller closed the public hearing. Mr. Marcom made a motion to approve the Lot Line Adjustment as stated. The motion was seconded and approved by all at the meeting.

 

Fuzzy Bros. LLC, special exception recommendation. Ben Northcott. Map 13, Lot 34-5,             rural/agricultural district. Change of use. The Fuzzy Brothers want to use the property to repair and store large earth-moving equipment. Fuzzy Bros received conditional approval from the ZBA. There were three conditions:

That they store and repair only Fuzzy Bros equipment.

That they plant trees so passers-by cannot see the equipment.

That they receive a recommendation from the Planning Board.

Mr. Ben Northcott distributed pictures of existing conditions of the property. He said he was not planning on changing very much. He would paint the barn and do some driveway work. Things that had been neglected were being fixed, but there were going to be no major changes.

The land is a subdivision. a five-acre section of what was a larger piece of land. There would be two barns being used – the large red one and another one – for shop space and repair. The other buildings are basically sheds, he said. He will use the area behind the buildings as storage mostly during the winter months..

Mr. Dalessio asked what the special exception was for. Mr. Northcott said change of use in rural ag.

Mr. Marcom noted the three ZBA conditions. Mr. Northcott said he would plant trees between the barn and the driveway and some of the few treeless spots that are viewable from the road.                       

Mr. Aldrich said he wouldn’t go out of his way to plant all those trees. There are other places in town where equipment like his can be seen from the road. There’s a junkyard on Valley Road that doesn’t have trees. “I think this is an undo hardship. It’s going to be a hardship on Fuzzy Bros. who can only work on their own equipment.” If a neighbor’s tractor breaks down, why can’t they fix it? If a piece of the Highway Department breaks down, it might be cheaper to have them fix it. I think the Zoning Board is overstepping its bounds by putting hardships on people coming before their board. “

Mr. Northcott was asked about fixing only Fuzzy Bros. equipment. “I don’t know,” he said. “ I assumed if a family member’s car broke down, we could fix it.”

Mr. Dalessio said, “Not according to the special exception. This is the problem with these types of special exceptions.”

“Anyway, it’s not enforceable,” Mr. Aldrich said. “Who’s going to monitor it. …….This is where the Zoning Board is stepping out of bounds.”

Mr. Dalessio said to Mr. Northcott that he could go back to the Zoning Board to clarify what he can do. The trees, he said, were actually something the Planning Board had suggested.

Mr. Northcott said, “I don’t have any problem with the trees. We have plenty of equipment to move trees and we have plenty of trees there. It’s not as if we’re going to go out and buy trees.

Mr. Marcom asked, “So you don’t see that, as respect to the trees, as a hardship?.” Mr. Northcott said no.

Mr. Miller asked, How close are your nearest neighbors? Mr. Northcott said it would probably be the Pickerings across the street. On one side is pasture. Later he said the area where we will be working is about 200 feet from the road and they would not be working out front on the property but behind or in the barn.

Anything that Ben does to that property would be an improvement, Mr. Dalessio said. Mr. R. Miller said but he was just looking at the map and didn’t personally know the property. It’s cleaner now than it has been in years, Mr. Dalessio said.

Mr. Dalessio made a motion to request a non-binding recommendation to the Zoning Board. It passed 6-1 , with Mr. Aldrich saying no.

 

2.

New Business:

Voluntary Merger – Sidney Craven, Map 22, Lots 16, 100 North Road LLC transferred.

Mr. Dalessio and Mr. Marcom were wondering what the two lots were that were being merged. There is only one mentioned in the document that was provided and there was no one at the meeting to explain. The Voluntary Merger was passed over.

 

Walpole Fire Department: Additon to their building on the side abutting the Chocolate          Factory.

Mr. Dick Hurlburt explained the addition and gave out pictures of the fire station. The colored ones were the current facility; the black and white show the addition.

By statute, municipal buildings are exempt from site plan review so the building committee heard about the addition and just want to know what the fire dparrtment was going to do. The Board appreciated someone from the fire department taking the time to explain the addition.

Mr. Hurlburt said it would be on the north side of the buidling. – the one next to the chocolate factory – and eveything would match what was already there – the brick, the trim, the roof pitch. The reason for the addition is that the fire department has seven (7) trucks and sometimes the one that’s needed is stuck between two other trucks. Work on the additions is starting on Thursday.

 

Zoning Board Conditions: Ms. Myra Mansouri, chair of the Walpole Zoning Board, said that we don’t make conditions just to make conditions. This is what people who come to Board request. In one of the latest meetings that conditions were made was a person was appearing for a special exeption to get a firearms license. He requested those conditons, Ms. Mansoouri said.

So these were his conditions, Mr. R. Miller asked. Ms. Mansouri answered yes.

Mr. Dalessio said he wanted to reprhase that. He didn’t ask for them to be conditons. He simply made statements during the meeting and the Board imposed or read them as conditions.

 

Ruggerio appeal: A court meeting held this week was to hear an appeal for an amendment to the Ruggerio appeal. The appeal was about the petition that was passed in March. Mr. Dalessio said the meeting was to combine the two appeals, one for denial of the site plan and one for the amendment on the petition. Mr. Dalessio said this consolidates the two cases. He said it was routine and took only a few minutes.

 

Detached Dwellings: There was spirited discussion of the pros and cons of detached dwellings and where these dwellings should be allowed in the town. Some agreed that lot size in the village made it difficult to have detached housing on those lots. But other situations, where there are many acres, may be ideal. The topic will be revisited.

 

Workshop: A workshop was scheduled for Tuesay, August 23 at 7 pm in the basement conference room.

Respectfully submitted,

Marilou Blaine, secretary

Keyboard Needed

Uncategorized 08/12/2016 Comments: 5
Ellie Shaw sent a request for a donation. – Lil
The Missions Committee of the First Congregational Church is looking for an electric keyboard piano to ship to our sister church in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe. Our sister church has requested an organ, and we are hoping to ship the keyboard over on the “Light for Zimbabwe” container that will be loaded in Keene on Saturday, September 10. IF ANYONE IN OUR WONDERFUL VILLAGE OF WALPOLE HAS AN ELECTRIC KEYBOARD PIANO THEY WISH TO DONATE, PLEASE LET BONNIE WOODWARD KNOW BY AUGUST 28. Thank you!

New Selectboard Member

Uncategorized 08/12/2016 Leave a comment

Funny that Whit Aldrich and I don’t seem to know enough to quit while we are ahead.  He is back on the Selectboard, as I am on the School Board. – Lil

 

Dear Team Walpole,

Effective August 8, 2016 Selectman Joe Aldrich resigned from the Selectboard for personal reasons.  We thank Joe for his willingness service to the community and wish him all the best.

In accordance with RSA 669:63, the Selectboard has appointed Whit Aldrich to fill the vacancy effective August 11, 2016.  Whit will remain in this position until the March 2017 elections.  In 2017 an individual will be elected for two years to complete Joe’s unexpired term.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Selectboard office, Peggy or myself.

Steve Dalessio, Selectboard Chair