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

CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Pschirrer called this meeting of the Walpole Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  She introduced Ms. Cheryl Mayberry and Mr. Steven Dalessio who are the other two Selectboard members.  Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, are also in attendance.  This meeting is being recorded.  

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 and (c) Reputations.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  On a voice call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 6:32 PM.  

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:28 PM.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised the Non-Public Selectboard Session was recessed.  The Selectboard will reconvene later in the meeting to complete their business.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $71,284.88 for checks issued September 11, 2020.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  Therewere 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 totaling $16,721.06 for checks dated September 11, 2020, the Payroll Check Register totaling $17,664.41 for checks dated September 11, 2020, and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $7,047.91.  The Police have a separate payroll register.  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 – September 3, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 3, 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 – September 3, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 3, 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.

OLD BUSINESS:

Houghton Brook Bridge and Fish Ladder:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept and sign the letter of support on the Houghton Brook Connectivity Restoration Project to Mr. Michael Rau, Road Agent.  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.   

63 River Road, Map and Lot #007-011-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to authorize the Chair of the Selectboard, Peggy L. Pschirrer, to sign this Agreement and Deposit Receipt for 63 River Road, Map and Lot #007-011-000, dated September 10, 2020.  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.

The closing date on this property was set for September 24, 2020, at 6:30 PM.

Westminster Entrance Ramp and Adding Railings: Mrs. Pschirrer reported that this is a follow-up to discussion during Primary Election Day.  They realized the Town is out of compliance because when you leave the side double doors on Elm Street there are no railings.  If there is money in this budget, it should be done soon.  The railing will need to hold-up in the weather.  Some people had trouble going down those steps on Primary Election Day.  The other concern is they will probably use the lobby space in the front of the Town Hall as voting space.  There were 16 voters outside and they had people dropping off their absentee ballots.  We will need handicapped access for voting in November. Therefore, we should look into renting a ramp.  Mrs. Pschirrer would like to discuss having one there at all times.  Ms. Mayberry agrees; we should have something permanent.  There was a consensus to investigate the cost and what kind of material it should be.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that the handicapped ramp at the other end of this building is disintegrating.  Mr. Dalessio suggested they talk to Mr. Mark Houghton about buying heated mats for this winter.  Mrs. Pschirrer advised they will look into putting a permanent ramp out there because that entrance is used a lot.  

Town Streetlights:  Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged receipt of a letter from a citizen in Town who has raised concern that they potentially discussed changing the streetlights to LED lights.  Mrs. Pschirrer contacted Mr. Steven Grenier, but he had no information for them at this point.  If the Town goes through with this project, this citizen would like her streetlight removed.  We also have another citizen who would like an added streetlight.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that they need to do some investigating as there is a good deal to consider.  After they receive more information, it will be more pertinent to discuss these requests.     

Pending Further Actions:

Reservoir Dam Repairs:  The Selectboard will discuss this after their Budget Meeting on Monday at 4:00 PM.  Mr. Mark Houghton and Mr. John Peska will attend.

Recreation Area Parking Lot Deed and Sales Agreement: Mrs. Pschirrer will contact Attorney Hockensmith about when they should expect to receive the deed.

Flu Shot Letter to Employees:  Mrs. Pschirrer will draft this letter for the next meeting.

Letter to Attorney General’s Office:  Mrs. Pschirrer will draft this letter for the next meeting.  

NEW BUSINESS:

NH Association of Assessing Officers Ballot:  The Selectboard was asked to cast a vote for the NH Association of Assessing Officers.  

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Chair of the Selectboard, Peggy L. Pschirrer, be authorized to sign the NH Association of Assessing Officers Ballot as she feels appropriate.  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.   

HealthTrust Public Hearing Notice:  A Public Hearing Notice on Rate Setting for Plan Years Starting in 2021 and Return of Surplus for FY2020 was received from the HealthTrust.  There will be two virtual sessions on September 24, 2020, at 9:30 am and 3:00 pm.  

8 Prospect Hill Sign Complaint:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a number of emails from a person objecting to the signage at 8 Prospect Hill Road.  There are a number of political signs in the yard.  The person living in that house is an artist who runs a business from his home in a residential area.  His sign on the barn is small and not a violation.  The political signs are considered temporary; they will come down eventually.  The person submitting the complaint is asking the Selectboard to support his interpretation of the ordinance that the signs should not be there.  Mr. Dalessio does not feel there is a violation of the Zoning Ordinance.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted this resident can request an Appeal to the Zoning Board.  The Selectboard feels this is a matter of “Free Speech”.              

Sewer Bond Comment Letter:  A letter was received regarding the Sewer Bond.  Mr. Dalessio talked with Mr. Mark Houghton.  Right now we are charging one bond payment to one meter.  Consideration should be given to changing this so units with multiple residents would pay a higher fee for the bond.  This gentleman is bringing this to their attention because he feels it is not fair.  Mr. Mark Houghton is going to attend the Budget Meeting on September 14^th to discuss this matter further.  We may not be billing enough to cover the bond payment.  The water account is doing well, building a surplus. But, the sewer account is not.

2021 Annual Meeting:  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that some people feel they should not have had their 2020 Annual Meeting last March when they did because COVID-19 had already started.  She started thinking about what they should plan on for the 2021 Annual Meeting. Mrs. Pschirrer suggested they ask about using the Walpole School Gym.  It is a bigger space, people can spread out, it has bleachers and a large floor space.  It had been used in the past for Town Meetings and she would like to do that again.  Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio agreed.  Mrs. Pschirrer will write a note to Ms. Lori Landry to request permission to use the Walpole School Gym.  The Town will be responsible for all sanitizing costs.  Masks will be required.             

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 were any questions or comments.  There were 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 8:12 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION (Continued):

Mrs. Pschirrer advised that the Non-Public Selectboard Session will now reconvene at 8:13 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:44 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 10, 2020, will 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.

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 8:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary