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 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.  

Fall Mountain Region School District:  Mrs. Pschirrerannounced that Ms. Lori Landry, Superintendent of SAU 60 Fall Mountain Regional School District, is present to discuss the district and CARES funding.  Ms. Landry thanked the Selectboard for giving her the opportunity to provide an update on the FMRSD for the community.  She met recently with the FMRSD Board and, after a lengthy discussion, the Board made the decision that their last school day will be Friday, June 5th, 2020.  Notices were sent home to parents yesterday.  Teachers will continue to work until Wednesday, June 17th.  During this time they will hold different types of professional development and have closure for the year.  Remote learning is different.  With this closure, they can put an end to this year and look forward to the next year.  They are planning for the fall and what school will look like.  All the teachers have done a wonderful job.  They worked together and made remote learning successful.  There are a lot of unanswered questions but they are having those conversations now.  

Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that the Selectboard is pleased to have Mr. Justin Cassarino as the new Assistant Principal of the Walpole School.  Ms. Landry advised that Mr. Sam Jacobs will be back with us to mentor and provide guidance for next year.  It will be a good working relationship for everyone.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted that colleges are thinking about remote learning next year.  Is that something the FMRSD is considering?  Ms. Landry said they do not know what will happen in the fall but they need to be prepared.  They are looking at what needs to be done between now and June.  What do they need to accomplishsuch as graduation, the Senior Prom and how do they celebrate the successes.  Every year they offer a Summer Program.  They do not know what will happen but are planning on remote learning as well.  For the fall they are hoping for the best.  The first thing is the safety of their students and they are concentrating on that.  The Commissioner of Education has put together a task force.  As she learns more she is more than happy to visit with the Selectboard and the community again.  The school district continues to hear from the Governor and the Commissioner of Education.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that we are all waiting to hear from the Governor tomorrow as we expect he will tell us how we will function through the next month or so.  Mr. Dalessio is hopeful that the school district is getting federal aid to help them through all this.   Ms. Landry said they were told that the CARES Act would provide additional assistance. They do not know what the dollar amount will be.  They hope to know more on Friday but are trying to be conservative.  It is a hard time for everyone.  Mrs. Pschirrersummarized that we are very grateful for her information.  She can come back at any time.  Ms. Landry left the meeting.                 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $59,345.26 for checks dated May 1, 2020.  This includes a $42,345.26 payment for the Police vehicle and equipment to MHQ.  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.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending April 25, 2020, in the amount of $26,280.59 for checks dated May 1, 2020, and the electronic fund transfer for the 941 Employer Taxes in the amount of $5,279.26.  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 23, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 23, 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.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – April 23, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of April 23, 2020, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain 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 Minutes were approved.

WARRANTS:

WALPOLE WATER FEES:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Water Fees in the amount of $40,319.04.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrerasked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

WALPOLE SEWER FEES:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $65,393.18.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.   Mrs. Pschirrerasked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

NORTH WALPOLE SEWER FEES:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of North Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $56,048.24.  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.

BUILDING PERMIT:

Permit No. 2020-11:  Sharon Doward, 53 North River Road, Map and Lot #018-012-002:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-11 for Sharon Doward to build a “40’ x 10’ Front Deck” at 53 North River Road, Map and Lot #018-012-002.  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.

OLD BUSINESS:

Police Vehicle and Equipment Purchase Orders:  These purchase orders were covered under warrants that were approved by the voters at the Annual Town Meeting on March 14, 2020.

Purchase Order No. 331079:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept Purchase Order No. 331079 in the amount of $38,569.20 for the Police replacement cruiser that was damaged and unable to be used.  These funds will be taken from the Police Capital Reserve Fund.  He crossed off “Cost not to exceed $42,000”.  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.

Purchase Order No. 331080:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept Purchase Order No. 331080 in the amount of $1,703.00 for Police equipment in the replacement cruiser.  These funds will be taken from the Police Capital Reserve Fund.  He crossed off “Cost not to exceed $3,000”.  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.

Purchase Order No. 331081:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept Purchase Order No. 331081 in the amount of $2,272.20 for equipment for the new Police cruiser.  These funds will be taken from the Town’s General Fund – Warrant Article #8.  He crossed off “Cost not to exceed $15,000”.  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.

Letter to Trustees of Trust Funds:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds requesting that they withdraw $40,272.20 from the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund for the replacement of the damaged Police cruiser and attendant equipment.  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.

Dexpart Letter:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the letter from Dexpart.  Ms. Mayberry mentioned the letter does not indicate how many lilac trees they plan to plant; the letter says “multiple”.  Mr. Dalessio reported they did a lot of work cleaning out cars.  He sees Mrs. Kara Dexter out on the roadsides collecting trash all the time.  She is doing a good job all over Town.  It is helping the community.  She deserves to be recognized for keeping Walpole clean.  Ms. Mayberry is impressed with the tonnage.  They removed 72 bags and 701 lbs. of litter on their first clean-up day that was April 20th.  They are sponsoring a two-mile section of highway on Route 12 in Walpole.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that the Selectboard is very impressed with what they are doing to keep Walpole clean.    

Water and Sewer Receipts to Date 04/28/2020:  Mrs. Daigle mailed invoices for Q4 2019 on January 31, 2020; payments were due by March 1, 2020.  Total receipts for Q4 2019 Billed: $147,519.78 = 92%.  Total left to collect for Q4 2019 Billing: $12,740.75.

Broadband Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the Broadband Committee met again this week and worked out differences with Consolidated Communications Inc.  They do not have a final contract yet.  By email today they filed their application with the Bond Bank and a copy went to our bond attorney.  They are now in the system.  It required a lot of work from Mr. Jim Fenn, Mr. Rich Kreissle, Mrs. Sandra Smith, Mrs. Sarah Downing and Mrs. Jodi Daigle.

Pending Further Action:

Recreation Area Parking Lot: Lot Line Adjustment and Deed with Letter:  Mr. Dalessio recommended that Mrs. Pschirrer wait to draft the letter until after she goes to the Planning Board meeting.  The letter with the book and page number will then be attached to the deed and recorded.

Highway Equipment List:  Mr. Rau is in the process of creating the Highway Equipment List. It is not yet finalized.

Town Deeded Properties:  Mr. Dalessio would like to have Mrs. Downing finish the packets for the two Town Deeded properties and distribute them to the Selectboard for their review.  Mrs. Downing had this on-hold because of the situation with the economy and State restrictions.  They are almost finished.  

Lights re: Walpole, NH – Rockingham VT 42277 Bridge Renovation Project: Mr. Dalessio asked if there was an update on the lights on the Arch Bridge.  Mr. Trembley from the DOT wants to respond to us but is missing some email addresses.  This information will be forwarded to him.  Ms. Mayberry stated it would be great if the Department of Transportation (DOT) would support the lighting plus re-painting the lines.      

NEW BUSINESS:

Funding for Reservoir Dam – Request from the Conservation Commission:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised they have received an official request from the Walpole Conservation Commission regarding funding for the Reservoir Dam repairs.  She will draft a letter from the Selectboard and have it ready for the meeting next week.  This had already been voted on.

Mill Pond and Beaver Activity:  The water from the Mill Pond is rising and moving closer to the John Davey home which abuts the pond.  When the beavers build their own dam, it floods his property.  Mr. Davey had been told to contact the Conservation Commission. However, Mrs. Pschirrer told him she would bring this up at this meeting.  There have been several emails between everyone involved.  Mrs. Flammia suggested looking at a website “Beaver Diverters”.  Mrs. Pschirrer feels it is our responsibility to call the company to see if this is a reasonable solution.  Mr. Rau will be asked to look into this.  Mrs. Pschirrerwill follow-up with Mr. Davey to let him know he should expect to hear from Mr. Rau.

2019 Total Equalized Valuations from the Department of Revenue Administration:  Mrs. Downing advised that the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) is using $436,733,601 as the basis for the State Education Property Tax.

Thank You Letters:  The Selectboard acknowledged thank you letters from Big Brothers Big Sisters of NH and Our Place Drop-in Center for the Town’s donations.  

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mr. Dalessio moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  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 at 7:10 PM.  

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:14 PM.

FACT-TV:  Mrs. Pschirrer announced that this concludes the regular Selectboard and Hooper Trustees meetings.  Both the Selectboard and the Hooper Trustees will be entering into Non-Public Sessions.  FACT-TV ceased filming and left the meeting.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Selectboard will enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and (c) Reputations.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  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 7:15 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:07 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of April 30, 2020, 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:

Mr. Dalessio moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Hooper Trustees will enter into a Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel and (c) Reputations.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  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 8:08 PM.

The meeting resumed at 8:20 PM.  

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Hooper Trustees Session of April 30, 2020, will remain 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.  

OTHER SELECTBOARD BUSINESS:

Recycling Center:  Ms. Mayberry reported that they are pouring concrete for the foundation of the new Reuse Center.  Mr. Dalessio talked to Mr. Hoy. He may be able to start the framing in June.  It is dependent on the collection of property taxes.  Mr. Dalessio advised they should not spend any money they do not have until we see how property taxes are being paid due to the economy.

ADJOURNMENT:  Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrerasked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary