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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  He advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record.  There were two visitors in attendance.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

FACT-TV:  Mr. Alex Stradling and Mr. Bill Staats from FACT-TV were present to record this meeting.  Mr. Stradling explained that they are here because FACT-TV is located in Bellows Falls, VT and they cover local government meetings.  A lot of Walpole residents have asked if they could film these meetings.  They are trying to connect Walpole, NH and Bellows Falls, VT asresidents have a great interest as to what is going on.  We are connected in a lot of ways not only with the Emergency Services and Mutual Aid but now other mutual issues like the Vilas Bridge.  This is an open public meeting therefore it is open tothe press.  The citizens have every right to know what is going on with their local government. They are not here to accost the Selectboard.  After many local governments have started this filming they realize this is a great service.  FACT-TV has recordings they keep to use as a back-up.  These recordings can be seen on FACT-TV, their web-site, Facebook page and recordings will be kept in their archives.  He hopes theSelectboard can see this as a benefit.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $52,390.33 for checks issued January 31, 2020.  This includes a payment in the amount of $42,329.50 to the HealthTrust.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending January 25, 2020, in the amount of $29,868.97, for checks issued January 31, 2020, and the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $5,940.43.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – January 23, 2020:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboardmeeting of January 23, 2020, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – January 23, 2020:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of January 23, 2020, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

WARRANTS:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the following three Warrants for the Collection of Fees:

Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

VETERANS TAX CREDITS:

Ms. Mayberry moved to grant the following three Veteran’s Tax Credits for:

Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

TIMBER INTENTS TO CUT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the following three Notices of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber:

Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Whipple Hill Road Signage:  Mr. Dalessio reported that Mr. Mike Rau, Road Agent, has been discussing Whipple Hill Road signage with Mr. Bill Sudsbury and other property owners on the road.  Mrs. Pschirrer was unable to find anything in her research to indicate there was a cul-de-sac at the end of this road.    

Water and Sewer Receipts to Date:  Mr. Dalessioacknowledged receipt of the Water and Sewer Receipts to Date 01/29/2020, from Mrs. Jodi Daigle.  Total Owed for Quarter 3 – 2019 Billing was $178,447.39.  Total Receipts for Quarter 3 – 2019 Billing is $163,234.11 or 91.4%.  Total left to collect for Quarter 3 – 2019 Billing is $15,213.28.    

Letter to Property Owner of 73 Main Street – Map and Lot #020-052-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that 73 Main Street is a mixed-use building in a commercial district that requires a building permit, as well as a Site Plan Review.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve and sign the letter to the property owner of 73 Main Street to ask that they contact the Zoning Board of Adjustment to determine whether they would need a special exception and/or a variance.   Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Pending Further Actions:

Lights re: Walpole, NH – Rockingham, VT 42277 Bridge Renovation Project:  Mr. Dalessio has not yet had a response from the NH Department of Transportation regarding the lights.  Ms. Mayberry met with the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners last Tuesday.  Mr. Patrick Kiniry reminded her that some years ago they met at the base of the Arch Bridge and did a walk through with the NH Department of Transportation (DOT) representatives.  The Selectboard, at that time, indicated an interest in more signage and paying for the lighting.  She questioned if we were allowed to put additional official signage on State roads.  It would be advantageous to talk to the NH DOT about additional signage.   Examples would be to have “YIELD” painted on the bridge, a sign to “Please Use Your Turn Signal” because when people come over the bridge from VT they are not always signaling they intend to turn and go north.  A train going through can cause a congestion problem in this area.      

Joint Meeting Request from Bellows Falls Board of Trustees: The Walpole Selectboard is waiting for a Joint Meeting date and time from the Bellows Falls Board of Trustees.  

Town Deeded Properties:  Mrs. Downing is preparing the Town Deeded Properties Tax Sale packets for the two properties.

NEW BUSINESS:

2019 Town Report – Front Cover:  The Selectboard looked at four (4) samples using Hooper Institute themed photos.  A decision was made to use the fall scene at the Hooper as the front cover.  Because the Library was just renovated, the back cover will be an interior picture.  

2020 Initial Boundary Validation Program Form:  Mr. Dalessio requested that this be carried over to the next meeting to allow more time to look at the maps.  This is for the U.S. Census Bureau.

Concerts on the Common:  Mr. Dalessio acknowledged a request from the Savings Bank of Walpole to continue their Concerts on the Green series this summer.  The first concert will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2020 and then every Sunday thereafter through August 9, 2020.  The concert on June 28st will be  a Walpole Old Home Days event.  The Scouts will open and close the Town Hall for them every Sunday as they have in past years.  

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to send a letter to the Savings Bank of Walpole to approve the use of the Town Common for their Concerts on the Green from June 21, 2020 to August 9, 2020.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SWRPC Winter Meeting Invitation:  Mr. Dalessio advised the Selectboard has been invited to attend the Southwest Region Planning Commission’s Winter Meeting to be held at the Cheshire Medical Center/ Dartmouth-Hitchcock, in Keene, NH on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The Topic will be “Addressing Opioid Addiction in the Monadnock Region: Challenges for Communities”.  Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry plan to attend.  

Swipe Key List for Town Hall:  The Selectboard reviewed and approved the list of swipe card holders.  Mrs. Downing explained they are still in the transition period.  

OTHER BUSINESS:

Brownfields Cleanup Grant Program – Central Plating Site:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the first Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report for the Brownfields Cleanup Grant Program for the former Central Plating Site has been approved and filed by Ransom Consulting.  Mr. Kreissle and Mrs. Downing also worked on this report which includes reimbursement of their time and a computer that needed to be purchased for this grant.    

ADJOURNMENT:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to close this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mr. Dalessioasked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was closed at 7:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary