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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM.  She advised that the Selectboard members are in three separate locations.  This meeting is being recorded remotely by Mr. Alex Stradling of FACT-TV.  It is available for viewing on the internet.  Also attending this meeting is Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, in the Walpole Town Hall, and Ms. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, by telephone at a separate location.

Mrs. Pschirrer advised there will be no public comments at this meeting.  Comments are to be emailed to Mrs. Downing at the Walpole Town Hall.  Mrs. Downing will display the Agenda.  That will be followed by documents as they are being discussed.  

Mrs. Pschirrer announced that today at 2:00 PM the Governor advised that remote learning will continue for the rest of this school year for both public and private schools.  When asked what he meant by the end of the year, the Governor said that was up to the local school districts as they all have different closing times. Fall Mountain Region School District will begin their spring vacation break on April 20th and end on April 24th. The Governor is working on and will be meeting with the governors of other states near New Hampshire as they are expected to agree to do the same thing for other openings.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the amount of $749,492.63 for checks dated April 17, 2020.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. Mrs. Pschirrer advised that this amount includes a $615,232 monthly payment to the Fall Mountain Region School District. She asked if there was any discussion. There was none. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending April 11, 2020, in the amount of $24,737.13 for checks dated April 17, 2020, and the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $4,971.61.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – April 9, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 9, 2020, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

The North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners has suspended meetings until further notice.

CURRENT USE APPLICATION:

MAP and LOT #003-012-003:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Current Use Application for Map and Lot #003-012-003 for a 31.89 acre parcel located off of March Hill Road.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

TIMBER TAX WARRANTS:  

MAP and LOT #012-044-500:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for Timber Tax Certification of Yield Taxes in the amount of $3,444.40 for Map and Lot #012-044-500.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #008-118-002:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for Timber Tax Certification of Yield Taxes in the amount of $829.28 for Map and Lot #008-118-002.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #005-011-002:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for Timber Tax Certification of Yield Taxes in the amount of $619.00 for Map and Lot #005-011-002.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #009-006-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for Timber Tax Certification of Yield Taxes in the amount of $185.78 for Map and Lot #009-006-000.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

ORIGINAL WARRANT YIELD TAX LEVY:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Original Warrant Yield Tax Levy for a combined total amount of $5,088.46.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

NOTICE OF INTENT TO EXCAVATE:  

MAP and LOT #001-016-002:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Notice of Intent to Excavate for Map and Lot #001-016-002.  This is for a renewal to excavate over 1,000 cubic yards.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Broadband Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported the Broadband Committee met this week via ZOOM.  They will meet again next Wednesday. The Broadband Committee had asked for a couple of contract corrections that were made.  We now have a new contract.  Attorney Hockensmith had said unless there were any significant changes he did not feel he had to review the contract again.  If the Committee approves the contract next week, it will be forwarded to the Selectboard.  They are getting close to having a contract which is good. Mr. Rich Kreissle has been working steadily on the Bond Bank application that is nearly finished. The application is extraordinarily detailed.  They had the help of Mr. Jim Fenn filling in the FMRSD information and Mrs. Sandra Smith filling everything in on past tax levies, etc.  They have been told that should the Bond Bank not be available to us there are numerous banks that willwillingly ake this 20-year Bond.  It is a concern.  Six towns will be going to the Bond Bank with similar contracts.  On April 22nd Mr. Dennis Marcom, who is our local contact with CCI, is meeting with an engineer of CCI who will be taking a tour of the Town to look at where the splitter boxes will be placed.  There will be six boxes in Walpole and four boxes in North Walpole.  Mr. Marcom asked Ms. Mayberry if she would like to do the tour of both North Walpole and Walpole but follow in her own car.  Ms. Mayberry asked Mr. Patrick Kiniry, Chairman of the North Walpole Board of Commissioners, if he would like to do the tour.  He said “yes” so she put him in touch with Mr. Marcom.          

North Street Drainage Plans:  Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged receipt of a diagram, picture, plans and a proposed easement that had been sent out earlier today from Mr. Mike Rau, Road Agent. Ms. Mayberry asked if the dry well would be on Mr. Stevens property and Mrs. Pschirrer confirmed that it would.  Mr. Stevens had a few questions that included if the area would be cleaned up.  Mrs. Pschirrer felt they could say “yes, it would be after the work was finished”.  The clean-up would include the North Street area as well.  Mr. Stevens asked if grass would grow over the dry well cover.  Mr. Dalessio replied that there would be grass up to the cover but not on the cover so it can be readily found.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that the Selectboard will be sure the easement has all the appropriate information in it.  Mr. Stevens is willing to sign this Drainage Easement. This easement will be recorded with the Registry of Deeds.  

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the North Street Drainage Plan as submitted by Mr. Mike Rau.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer will let Mr. Stevens know that the Selectboard approved this easement.  Ms. Mayberry will notify Mr. Rau.  

ZBA Letter re: Jiffy Mart Signage:  Last week Mrs. Pschirrer said she would write the letter to the Jiffy Mart as requested by the ZBA. But, after she and Mr. Dalessio researched the ordinances, “oscillating” is in the current ordinance, but the others left that out.  She suggested the Selectboard write to the ZBA and ask them to write a new ordinance if this type of sign troubles them.  It is a different sign; a temporary sign.  She would be more comfortable if they had something more definitive in an ordinance that deals with these signs and enforcement.  There was a consensus to have Mrs. Pschirrer write a letter that will be available at the next meeting.  She has talked with several of the ZBA members.    

Sewer Easements:  Mr. Dalessio advised they finally got the documents needed for the sewer easements on Huntington Lane.  Mr. Smith will be able to connect to the sewer line.  It gives the Town room for expansion and the line will be maintained by the Walpole Sewer Department.  Mrs. Downing and Mrs. Daigle will get the required signatures on the sewer easements.

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Sewer Easements as presented.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.      

Town Closure Notice Update and Whitcomb Recreation Area:  Mrs. Pschirrer explained they need to approve the updated Town Closure Notice dated April 16, 2020.

Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the updated Town Closure Notice for the Whitcomb Recreation Area, closed to the public until further notice.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Relative to enforcement, Mrs. Pschirrer heard that this parking lot, which the Town is taking over from the FMRSD, has cars parked in it some days.  Should cones be set up similar to the school parking area?  

Mr. Dalessio felt drivers would just go around the cones.  Mrs. Pschirrer is going to suggest to the Police Department that the Town follow the AG’s guidelines for enforcement.  First – people will be reminded/ warned not to go down there; however,if they continue to do so, the Police have the right to issue a misdemeanor; if it still continues, they can issue a citation.  Mrs. Pshcirrer will have this discussion with the Police Department.  Mr. Dalessio feels this should be enforced all through the Town.

Pending Further Actions:

Recreation Area Parking Lot:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised they are still working on this.  Attorney Hockensmith is looking for the survey.  

North Walpole School Flashing Sign: Mrs. Pschirrer drove up to the North Walpole School to see what signs were up in that area.  Ms. Mayberry explained that Ms. Celeste Aumand is concerned with traffic going up the hill when school is in session.  The Aumands would allow a speed limit sign in their yard; a reminder sign.  Vehicles come up the hill too fast.  Mrs. Pschirrer will follow-up on this with the Police Department.  Mr. Dalessio would be interested in knowing the cost for a solar speed sign.  

Highway Road Paving List and Equipment List:  Ms. Mayberry requested these lists from Mr. Rau. Therefore, she will do a follow-up with him.

ARM Funding List of Mitigation Areas:  Mrs. Pschirrer will work on this project as soon as the Broadband Bond documents are complete and have been submitted.

Lights re: Walpole, NH – Rockingham, VT 42277 Bridge Renovation Project:  This will continue to be an agenda item.

Town Deeded Properties: Mrs. Pschirrer advised that the Town may not deed properties at this time.  

NEW BUSINESS:

BTLA Notice to All Tax Collectors:  Ms. Mayberry advised that Mrs. Sandra Smith, Town Clerk/Tax Collector, certifies that she has taken care of everything before sending it to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA).  The last property tax bills were sent out on November 21st, 2019.  

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:  Mrs. Pschirrer announced that the regular Selectboard meeting is being recessed.  The Selectboard will enter into a Non-Public Selectboard session.  FACT-TV discontinued their filming and left the meeting.  

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and (c) Reputations.  Ms. Mayberry seconded the motion.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:29 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:09 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of April 16, 2020, will be sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Ms. Mayberry moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 8:10 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:16 PM.

OTHER BUSINESS:

ZOOM License:  Mrs. Pschirrer would like Mrs. Downing to make arrangements for the Town to have a second ZOOM license.  We may want to use it for the Hooper Institute and other boards/committees.

2020 BUDGET:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the agenda for next week will include 2020 Budget line items that she asked the department managers to look at to see what can be cut or reduced.  The Selectboard is hearing the department managers have nothing to cut, but she feels there is always something that can be found.  Mr. Dalessio is concerned about the cash flow but does not want to cut the budget too much.  At the next meeting,he would like the Selectboard to make a decision about once the foundation for the Reuse Building is finished at the Recycling Center should they wait to do the rest of the work.  Most Reuse Centers are closed at this time.  Spacing is an issue.  But they will get it done.  Ms. Mayberry will talk to Mr. Ben Hoy about touching base with her as soon as the Reuse Building foundation is finished.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted the Town collected quite a bit of money from tax liens in the past week.  They would make budget cuts if the Town was in a crisis, but they are not.    

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:24 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary