Selectboard Present:Steven Dalessio (Chair); Peggy Pschirrer; Cheryl Mayberry

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 7:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting follows a Joint Meeting with the Town of Rockingham Selectboard.  He advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record.  There were five visitors in attendance.  

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

PLASTIC BAG BAN PETITION WARRANT ARTICLE: Ruby Frithsen and Sidney Curven were present.  They brought in a copy of their “Plastic Bag Ban Petition” but asked for clarification on an issue they encountered in getting signatures.  Mr. Dalessio explained that NH is not a “home rule” state meaning that the town can only do what the State authorizes them to do.  In the last legislative session they did not take action on a plastic bag ban so it is questionable as to whether or not, even with the Petition and the Warrant Article passed, that it would be legal.  It will be reconsidered in the next legislative session.  Responding to a question from Ms. Curven, Mrs. Pschirrer explained when the Petition is handed in to the Selectboard it has to go to the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) for their approval.  The DRA reviews everything a town will bring before their Annual Town Meeting.  They have the potential to come back to say there is no RSA that permits this.  They can move forward with the Petition but need to be aware of the fact that it might not be on the Town’s Warrant.  She referenced an article in the Keene Sentinel yesterday that up-dated banning plastic bags in the legislature.  They could contact the Keene Sentinel to tell them about their project so they might get some publicity.  They could also contact Senator Jay Kahn and Representative Lucy Weber.  If they want to distribute hand-outs suggested places were the Recycling Center, outside the post office and Mr. Boas accepts them for the Clarion.              

 

BILL SUDSBURY – Whipple Hill Road:  Mr. Sudsbury was the first person to build a home on Whipple Hill Road in 1982.  There is now a “Dead End” sign at the end of Whipple Hill Road.  He asked what happened to the cul-de-sac.  In the 1980s there were plans for a development in that area and the road was accepted by the Town, at a Town Meeting, following a recommendation from former Road Agent, Mr. Smith, but the road was never maintained.  It is now more like a path.  At one time Whipple Hill Road was a dead end road.  He provided a brief history on the road.  Mrs. Downing explained on the map where the Class V and Class VI sections begin and end.  Mr. Sudsbury said Whipple Hill Road was never meant to be a “Dead End” road.  There used to be a cul-de-sac at the end of the road for the development but it is no longer there.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that a research of Town Meetings in the early 1980s will need to be done.  Mr. Dalessio summarized that the Selectboard will provide a response to Mr. Sudsbury in about two weeks.  The sign and location will be discussed with Mr. Rau, Road Agent.  It appears the “Dead End” sign should be moved in a little further on the road.  A suggestion was to have a “No Thru Traffic” sign at the end of Whipple Hill Road.          

 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the amount of $92,319.26 for checks issued November 8, 2019.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Kreissle will be asked to verify the E.E. Houghton invoices before sending out that check for $738.00 to be sure it is not a duplicate.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessioin favor, the motion was approved.

The above amount includes a payment in the amount of $39,692.83 for Granite State Minerals Inc for highway salt.  

 

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending November 2, 2019, in the amount of $28,650.05 for checks issued November 8, 2019, and the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $5,822.24.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – October 31, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboardmeeting of October 31, 2019, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessioin favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – October 31, 2019:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 31, 2019, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee report:

 

BUILDING PERMIT:

Permit No. 2019-42 – RALPH D. and VICKI S. BARNES, 52 Blackjack Crossing, Map and Lot #001-006-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Building Permit No. 2019-42 for Ralph D. and Vicki S. Barnes to construct a “14’ x 24’ Screened In Porch” at 52 Blackjack Crossing.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessioin favor, the motion was approved.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Recreation Revolving Fund Request:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the request of Justin Cassarino and the Recreation Committee to pay the second (final) payment in the amount of $499.50 to the Murder Mystery Company.  This payment will be taken from their Revolving Fund.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

NFPI re: ZBA Flood Plain District: Mrs. Downing found language on the Flood Plain District in the ZBA ordinance.  The maps need to be found.  There will be a “Flood Plain Administrator 101” course on December 9th from 1:00-to-4:00pm in Keene at Southwest Community Services.  Mrs. Downing was asked to sign-up Mr. Dalessio to attend.           

 

Ramsay Hill Right-Of-Way:   Mr. and Mrs. Coughlin will meet with the Selectboard soon on the Ramsay Hill Right-Of-Way.  

 

Tax Deeded Properties:  Mr. Dalessio advised the Town did not receive any response from either former property owner.  November 6, 2019 is the “Deadline to receive written notice to repurchase”.  In 90 days the Town can sell the two properties.  Prior owners have 15 more days to request access to remove items. That deadline is November 21st.  Mrs. Downing was asked to get the final amounts due on these properties.  The Town can move forward with the sale of these two properties in January 2020.

 

Conservation Commission re: Dam Repairs:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the Walpole Conservation Commission met on November 4th.  The Selectboard discussed issues concerning the Reservoir Dam.  Mr. Dalessio suggested scheduling a meeting for an up-date with everybody involved.  The Selectboard office should be the “keeper” of all the documents.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised it is important to continue to move forward with this project.    

 

Conservation Commission re: Diseased Trees:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that another issue the Walpole Conservation Commission discussed during their November 4th meeting was diseased trees.  Mr. Alex Barrett gave good reports on some Town forests.  Mr. Palmiotto asked about the ash borers that are destroying ash trees in New England.  Mr. Barrett replied that they should be inspecting the ash trees especially where they can cause damage if they fall along the road sides, near schools or important buildings.  The trees should be removed while they are still healthy.  One of the first things they should do is identify ash trees.  Mr. Dalessio asked if a WCC member would be willing to identify and mark those trees.  Mrs. Pschirrer will be attending their next meeting on December 2nd and plans to discuss this.  She will then report back to the Selectboard.         

 

New Locks for Town Hall:  Mr. Kreissle had distributed copies of two proposals to the Selectboard.  Mr. Dalessio advised a decision will be made at the next Selectboard meeting.

 

Brownfields Grant:  Mrs. Pschirrer spoke to Attorney Hockensmith about preparing an Amendment To Contract For Sale and Purchase of the Estate of Nils Westberg so they can transfer the funds he is holding in escrow to the Town of Walpole.  The funds can then be deposited in the PDIP and earn some interest while we are waiting to use the funds.  The document was sent to the Westberg Estate and they have now signed and returned it but it requires the Selectboard signatures.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve and sign the Amendment ToContract For Sale and Purchase of the Estate of Niles Westberg for real property designated as Lots 65 and 66 on the Town of Walpole Tax Map 20.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

FMRSD Parking Lot:  Ms. Landry, Superintendent of the FMRSD, had asked Ms. Mayberry if the Selectboard would share all the information they have on the parking lot including documents and a map.  The FMRSD wants the Town to do the Title Search.  Mrs. Pschirrer will work with Ms. Landry.  

 

Pending Further Actions:

New Reuse Center Plans:  This continues to be a work-in-progress project.  Ms. Mayberry noted they also took down the salt shed which makes the area look so much better.  

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Fall Mountain High School Sports Fundraising T-Shirt Advertisement Request: Mr. Dalessio acknowledged receipt of a request from a T-shirt producer about being a sponsor regarding the Fall Mountain High School Sports Fundraising T-Shirt Advertisement. The Selectboard does not believe they can sponsor a sports T-shirt fundraiser.  

 

Harassment Awareness re: Attendance Requirement:  There was a consensus of the Selectboard that employees who miss the Harassment Awareness presentation on Friday, November 15th at the Walpole Town Hall must complete an online course and provide a certificate.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:  

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public SelectboardSession  pursuant to RSA 01-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Ms. Mayberry seconded the motion and, on a roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 8:52 PM.

 

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 9:02 PM.

 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 7, 2019, be sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

 

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 9:15 PM.  

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 9:16 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary