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 in the Walpole Town Hall.  She introduced Selectboard members Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry.  Also attending is Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Ms. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.  This meeting is being recorded.  She asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record.  There were sixvisitors in attendance.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

VOTING PROCEDURES:  Mr. Jack Wozmak, Town Moderator, will provide an update on his preparations for the September 8^th Primary Election Day.  He began by explaining the set-up of the room keeping in mind the distancing.  It will be different than in past years.  Voters will come in the lobby door, go left by the checklist and polling booths will be on the sides.  They intend to keep people separated as quickly as possible. There will be a separate exit.  In North Walpole they will do a similar plan with a separate entrance and exit. There are exceptions for handicapped access at both locations.  To set up the room will take longer than in the past.  Mr. Wozmak has a good supply of personal protective items, sanitizers, masks, pens, etc.  Poll workers will be protected.  He has 26 volunteers and would like to have a “rehearsal” day to be sure they are ready.  In Walpole he would like to begin the set-up on Thursday, September 3^rd, and then on Monday evening at 6:30 PM have the actual “practice run”.  In North Walpole the “practice run” would be on Monday evening at 5:30 PM.  It is possible that set-up in the Walpole Town Hall will require some time on Friday, September 4^th.  The Selectboard had no objections to Mr. Wozmak’s setting up on Thursday, September 3^rd during the day as there is a regular Selectboard meeting that evening at 6:30 PM.  Mr. Wozmak feels this schedule will work for setting-up and training.  He feels it is appropriate for the Selectboard to be present in the voting area.  This is a community event.  He could have them take the Oath as Assistant Moderators.  Ms. Mayberry will be in North Walpole.  Mr. Wozmak advised that not everybody will be able to wear a mask; it could be medical reasons.  Therefore they will have a separate table and the voter will be referred to an outside worker.  Both Walpole and North Walpole voting locations will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.  Absentee ballots can be mailed in or brought into the Town Clerk’s office.  They will be collected at the polling locations until 5:00 PM on September 8^th.  If someone arrives at the polling location with their absentee ballot after 5:00 PM it will not be accepted but they will still be allowed to vote until 7:00 PM.                          

TOWN COMMON:  Mr. Ray Boas had sent a complaint letter via email, dated August 15, 2020, to the Selectboard regarding last week’s concert on the Common.  He has lived on the Common for about 18 years and has witnessed a lot of activity there.  There has never been more loud noise on the Common until the concert last week.  It is his understanding that there was some confusion over scheduling this private event impacting upon neighboring properties.  He is frustrated.  What he would like to see is some sort of application procedure established.  That way they will have some time to state “there is a problem”.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted in 2016 this Selectboard talked about this and have since last Saturday prepared an application.  The person who was organizing this event came into the Town Hall but her information was incomplete.  They neglected to say it was a musical concert.  The group came on the Common in good faith thinking they had permission.  Since their conversation last Saturday she has had a number of positive comments.  It gave people an opportunity to get out and see people they had not seen in several months.  Officer Landry did not respond because the Police Department received another call that took precedence.  Officer Prince did respond.  He called Mrs. Pschirrer to say they had cut their sound system down in half.  He said most people were wearing masks except some family groups and some people were dancing.  From Mrs. Pschirrer’s back yard about a block and half away she heard a muffled sound.  We came up with a better format for the application and will ask different questions.  They do not like to find out about events on the Common through Facebook because it catches them off guard however this is how they found out about this concert with an anticipated 50-to-60 people attending.  The Selectboard will now put out some announcements through the Walpolean.  Lots of small unorganized groups meet on the Common regularly.  It is a public space but they like to know what is happening on it.  It would be interesting to have somebody write about the history of Commons.  Mr. Boas has three books.  The concert was to be from 5:00-to-7:00 PM but they started sound testing about 4:30 PM.  Mr. Dalessio found out about the concert on Facebook the night before the event.  It would be good to know about events through the office.  Mrs. Lil DeCoste has lived on the Common for many years and feels this goes with the territory.  She does not particularly enjoy band concerts but would not want to live anywhere else.  This particular event was loud and the music was not pleasant.  Mrs. Pschirrer will write an article next month for the Walpolean in terms of communication.  The Common is open space for all of us to enjoy.      

Pastor Richard Malmberg of the First Congregational Church of Walpole, UCC, mentioned there will be a community gathering on the Common on Friday, August 21^st at 7:00 PM.  He is inviting anyone and everyone interested in participating in positive change to gather on the Common and start making change.  Wear a mask / Observe Safe Distancing.                   

RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PANELS:  Mrs. Helen Washer and Mr. Bill Washer had inquired about the owners of Map and Lot #010-022-000 installing solar panels in the field close to their house.  They were told it was conservation land and nothing could be built there.  However they can see the panels from their property.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised the Selectboard has prepared a letter to send to the owners because Building Permits are required before any solar panel installation begins and they have not applied for one.    Mrs. Downing noted the map is clearly marked for the conservation easement and the section down to the pond is in Current Use.  Mrs. Washer hopes they will put up a row of trees to block out the panels.  Mr. Dalessio feels if they brought their concerns to the owners they would listen to their concerns.    

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the amount of $938,936.21 for checks dated August 21, 2020.  This includes a $615,232 payment to the Fall Mountain Regional School District and a $292,179.33 payment to All States Asphalt.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were 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 August 15, 2020, in the amount of $30,314.69 for checks dated August 21, 2020, and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $5,801.43.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – August 13, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 13, 2020, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – August 13, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 13, 2020, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were 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:• Town Library Board of Trustees Meeting – August 11, 2020;• Planning Board Meeting – August 11, 2020.

BUILDING PERMITS:

Permit No. 2020-29 – THOMAS DURNFORD, 154 Barnett Hill Road, Map and Lot#009-058-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-29 for Thomas Durnford to add a “677 square foot roof mount solar array” at 154 Barnett Hill Road, Map and Lot #009-058-000.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Permit No. 2020-30 – WESLEY BRUCE BICKFORD, JR., 188 Upper Walpole Road, Map and Lot #012-039-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-30 for Wesley Bruce Bickford, Jr. to construct a “20’ by 14’ storage shed with two 16’ x 20’ attached lean-tos” at 188 Upper Walpole Road, Map and Lot #012-039-000.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Permit No. 2020-31 – KRISTEN M. THIBAULT, 65 Alstead Center Road, Map and Lot #015-017-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-31 for Kristen M. Thibault to build a “28’ x 24’ two car garage with an attached 16’ by 6’ mudroom” at 65 Alstead Center Road, Map and Lot #015-017-000.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

COVID-19 Travel Policy:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the COVID-19 Travel Policy dated August 20, 2020.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Downing will distributed copies of this policy to employees.

Mill Pond Beaver Activity:  Ms. Mayberry reported this is taking longer at Mill Pond than the Beaver Deceiver’s planned on.  They are still working there.  When they have finished in this area they will work on Hennessey Pond in North Walpole.

Recreation Area Parking Lot: Lot Line Adjustment and Deed With Letter:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised they are waiting for the new Deed that Attorney Hockensmith is writing.  

Pending Further Actions:

Houghton Brook Fish Ladder:  Mr. Dalessio received a reply from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) following their submission of the Pre-qualified Grant application.  The full application is due August 31^st.  We have a good chance of funding for bridge replacement.  Estimated cost is $520,000; there would be a Grant for $250,000 but the Town would have to come up with $270,000.  The Town would need $8,000 for the application.  Fuss & O’Neill had submitted the pre-qualification application.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted this bridge was on the State’s red-listed list for many years.  Mr. Dalessio explained that to move forward the Town needs to tell DESwhere the $270,000 will come from.  The Town has money in the TransCanada Fund; capital reserve and/or unassigned fund balance that could be used.  There would be no State funding for the bridge repair project as it was never approved by DES.  Mr. Dalessio feels we should try to get the $250,000 Grant. Mrs. Pschirrer wants to be sure this money includes the fish ladder.  

Reservoir Dam:  Mr. Dalessio reported there is a turn-over in personnel in the DES office and that is delaying approval of this project.  This is the perfect time to do this because it is a dry spell.  The Town is ready to go.  Mr. Dalessio recommended they talk to Fuss & O’Neill about this project.    

Huntington Realty, Karlson Realty and Chamberlain Machine Sewer Easement Agreement.  Mr. Dalessio recommended removing this item from the Agenda.  Mr. Smith no longer wants to move forward with the project.  

NEW BUSINESS:

FACT-TV Letter:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve and sign the letter to the Falls Area Community TV (FACT-TV).   Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Residential Solar Building Permit Letter:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve and sign the letter to the owners of Map and Lot #010-022-000 regarding solar panels.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

TrueNorth Quote for Managed Services:  There was a consensus to continue this Agenda item for the Selectboard meeting next Thursday.

2020 Fall Recreation Soccer Sign-Up: Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Harlow talked about soccer posters and sign-ups.  They sent information to Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio to be sure they did not have any concerns about it.  Ms. Mayberry had talked to Ms. Landry.  They worked out getting permission from Mr. Cassarino to use the fields at the school.  Mrs. Pschirrer likes what Mr. Harlow is doing.  

Harassment Awareness Training: Mrs. Downing asked if the Selectboard wants to have any in-person or on-line Harassment Awareness Training at this time or not have it this year.  There was discussion relative to printing out a Certificate of Completion after an employee has completed the training.  Mr. Dalessio feels it is important to have the training.  He would start with Department Managers.  Small groups, maybe three employees who need assistance, could be scheduled to watch it on-line in the Town Hall.  Set a completion deadline date for December 31^st, 2020.  Mrs. Downing was asked to look into programs and costs and report back to the Selectboard.                 

Employee Appreciation Lunch:  Mrs. Downing had talked to Mrs. Pschirrer about having an Employee Appreciation Lunch.  Perhaps a nice hot lunch could be provided and delivered to each department or an employee could pick theirs up.  There would be approximately 42 full-time employees plus several part-timers.  

Mr. Dalessio moved to allow Mrs. Downing to go ahead with planning for a lunch for each employee on a “To Go” basis.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.       

North Walpole Library:  Ms. Mayberry spoke to the North Walpole Village District Commissioners about Mr. Brad Nash and the Library cleaning supplies he left in a closet that were removed.  The closet the Library used was in the central hallway and was unmarked.  People may not have been aware that the supplies were not theirs to use.  The Commissioners suggested the closet be labeled “For Library Use Only”.  The Fire Chief will mention this to the firemen who have their own closet.  

Old Drewsville Road – Rumble Strips:  Ms. Mayberry reported that Mr. Rau understands this needs to be done.  He wants direction from the Selectboard as to the placement and if they go across the whole road.  Mr. Rau does not believe it should be done.  Ms. Mayberry will ask Mrs. Gowdy how often they move their cows across the road.   However this is more about slowing people down when driving on the hill.  It is a safety issue.  A resident was cut off the road coming out of his own driveway by a speeding vehicle.  Mr. Dalessio mentioned looking into a solar powered magnetic flashing light that can be attached to the sign and used when the Gowdy’s are doing a cow road crossing.            

School Busses:  Ms. Mayberry was asked about unloading kids on the school busses at the bottom of Mountain View.  She thought it would be fine.  She was sent a proposal on how all the busses would run in the Town of Walpole.  This will be given to the Selectboard for their review at the next meeting.  She is encouraged with having Mr. Justin Cassarino in the Walpole School.  

Highway Projects:  Mr. Dalessio asked when the dry well will be done at Mr. Merv Stevens because it is so dry now and a good time to do the project.  Ms. Mayberry will check with Mr. Rau.  She knew they had started the road striping.   

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 were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 8:18 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:21 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer, the motion was approved at 8:21 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:25 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 20, 2020, be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 8:26 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:28 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary