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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  She introduced Ms. Cheryl Mayberry and Mr. Steven Dalessio, 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 SelectboardSession 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 voice roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 6:31 PM.

The Selectboard had recessed the Non-Public SelectboardSession until the end of the regular Selectboard meeting.  The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 6:55 PM.

POLICE DETAILS POLICY:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Police Details Policy dated October 1, 2020 and attached to this policy will be the Detail Schedule Guidelines from Police Chief Michael Paquette dated October 1, 2020.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Mrs. Pschirrerasked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

POLICE DEPARTMENT INVOICES:  Police Chief Paquette advised they will now be submitting all invoices to Mr. Richard Kreissle for processing.  The job number and other pertinent information will be put on all invoices.  

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $9,767.80 for checks issued October 2, 2020.  This includes a monthly payment in the amount of $2,135.83 to Avitar Associates.  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 September 26, 2020, in the amount of $33,994.48 for checks dated October 2, 2020, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,913.89.  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 24, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboardmeeting of September 24, 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 24, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 24, 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.

BUILDING PERMIT:

Permit No. 2020-39:  KIM SURLES, 132 Hooper Road, Map and Lot #008-015-002:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit No. 2020-39 for Kim Surles to construct a “80’ x 54’ Single Story Home w/Attached Garage” at 132 Hooper Road, Map and Lot #008-015-002.  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:

Notice to Dog Owners: Mrs. Pschirrer wrote a new “Notice to Dog Owners” at the request of the Police Department.  There are many RSAs that deal with dogs.  She took the most important issues that dealt with licenses and vaccinations; restraining dogs; dogs, a menace, a nuisance or vicious; and penalties.  Penalties were vague in the last Notice to Dog Owners.  She got specific as to what it will cost someone if they violate any of these issues.  Chief Paquette reported that they were having an increased number of calls and the Town does not have an Animal Control Officer.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned this notice does not have to be approved at this meeting. They can read the document and check the RSAs.  Mr. Dalessio looked at RSA 466 and feels they should add a definition for an at-large dog.  Mrs. Pschirrer will research expanding this in No. 3.  This will be an agenda item for next week.  It will also give Chief Paquette the opportunity to comment on the notice as well.  

Walker Road Conservation Property:  Mr. Ray Boas and Dr. Charles Shaw had come into the meeting.  Mr. Boas advised that he and Dr. Shaw had talked about the Walker Road property.  A request had been sent in and Mrs. Alicia Flammia, Chair of the Walpole Conservation Commission (WCC) responded.  They feel they have come up with an approach that might be able to take care of the discontentment.  They were to preserve that property and protect the river; that was accomplished.  They feel the townspeople should have access to the river and utilize the area for recreation; that was why people donated to purchase the property.  The final solution was going to be to conserve the land.  It seems the WCC should have the oversite for the property.  What was not addressed was the recreational use.  Ms. Mayberry had an email from Mrs. Flammia who apologized for not being able to attend this meeting.  Mr. Boas does not believe the WCC’s Charter gives them the opportunity to address recreational use.  People have been upset about access for canoeing/kayaking.  They have hiking.  There have been questions about camping on Town property.  Two sort-of-uses that go hand-in-hand can be conservation management and recreation use.  Moving through fall and winter, they would like to propose working on recreation. People might like to come forward, join the discussion and get involved with the Recreation Committee.  Ms. Mayberry disagrees.  WCC has not had enough time since the Walker Road area has been under their stewardship to be able to develop it for recreational use.  She agrees there should be some partnering but it should not be divided out.  Mr. Boas was not looking at dividing responsibilities. However, there needs to be an involvement of people with recreational interests.  Ms. Mayberry said it needs to be worked out with the WCC.  This conversation is better with them, keeping in mind the conservation goals. She thinks they will have a favorable conversation. They fully support recreation. There is someone willing to work on the road and she feels that the gate can be left unlocked for access. There should not be any resistance to it, but they should go the route of talking to Conservation first and then if they need support from the Selectboard, ask for it. There is just confusion on how to leave it open and accessible.

Ms. Mayberry feels there is support from the townspeople.  Mrs. Pschirrer agrees in that she would not get the Recreation Committee involved at this time.  The WCC handles all the trail work.  Maybe they need a huge “nudge”.  When Ms. Mayberry was at the last WCC meeting, she did not feel any resistance (Mrs. Flammia could not attend).  She heard how they could keep it manageable, safe, etc.  Mrs. Pschirrer said Mr. Tom Murray’s article in the Clarion started that “nudge”.  Mr. Mark Houghton offered to take care of the road.  Mr. Murray spent over 20 hours cleaning up that area.  Mr. Dalessio had calls from young parents wanting to take their children down to the riverby driving rather than walking that distance.  Mr. Boas stated it sounds like they are all on the same path but need to get it going.  Ms. Mayberry advised the next WCC meeting is the first Monday in October.         

Ordinance Relative to Face Coverings:  Mrs. Pschirrer noted we should continue to wear a mask, wash our hands and keep a 6-foot distance.  The Governor’s Emergency Order was extended forward for three weeks from September 20^th.  She is not sure about putting out a policy for the entire Town when most of the local business and public buildings are all requiring masks.  Dr. Shaw would be in favor of having a policy for the benefit of some business owners who would like to have something in writing.  A good reason to have a policy is for communication with the community and the schools.  Mr. Dalessio liked the idea of education.  There could be posters, hand-outs and meetings.  Dr. Shaw said a policy makes a good public statement.  Ms. Mayberry said there has been a lot of push-back from parents because the school has a mask requirement.  Ms. Landry, Superintendent of Fall Mountain Regional School District, feels a Town policy will help them with their mask requirement.   Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that the Selectboard can adopt this policy with the changes that have been made, publish it but there is no way to enforce it if it is accepted.  Mr. Dalessio feels they should hold-off and take educational steps to get some signs made and get the message out there without enforcement.  Dr. Shaw likes having something in place because it gives people a base line to operate from.  Mrs. Pschirrer suggested that instead of “Ordinance” we could say adopt the following “Recommendations”.  Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Dr. Shaw were in favor of this change.  Mrs. Pschirrer will go through the document to be sure “Ordinance” is replaced with “Recommendation” and get it distributed.

Halloween:  Dr. Shaw had listened to the meeting by the Attorney General and NH Health Officers.  This year Halloween is on a Saturday.  Many towns discussed what they were thinking of doing; such as, a time from 4:00-to-7:00pm, etc.  They are trying to do something in a safe way considering the COVID-19 virus but yet not lose the event.  They encouraged one-way traffic on specific roads.  A Halloween mask is not a virus mask. Therefore, they should also wear protection for their mouth and nose.  Families should stay in pods.  Encourage people who are giving the wrapped treats to do it in a 6-foot distance.  This is considered medium-risk; low-risk is to stay home.  Some parents could get together and come up with a safe plan.  It can be a fun time.  Ms. Mayberry mentioned some towns do “Trunk-or-Treat”.     

Health Insurance of Surplus Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised the Health Trust will be meeting on October 6^th, 2020.  The notice of approved amount to be sent to the Town will be after that date.

Pending Further Actions:

Recreation Area Parking Lot Deed and Sales Agreement: A note was received from Attorney Hockensmith that he is working on the Sales Agreement.

NEW BUSINESS:

NH School Funding Fairness Project:  The NH School Funding Fairness Project Forum for Cheshire and Sullivan Counties will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2020, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.  This forum will be held via Zoom Webinar.  Ms. Mayberry suggested they change the Selectboard meeting time to enable them to participate in this forum at their homes.  

Change Time for Next Selectboard Meeting – Thursday, October 8, 2020:  There was a consensus to change the meeting start time from 6:30 PM to 5:30 PM on Thursday, October 8, 2020.  There will be a limited agenda because the Selectboardwill be participating in the NH School Funding Fairness Project.

Warrant Article:  Ms. Mayberry mentioned they were holding off on committing the balance of the funds that were set aside for general maintenance under the warrant Article.  She asked if $12,000 is still available for the pool building roof and if $1,400 is available for the North Walpole Park shed roof.  A quote was received for both projects.  Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrerwould like additional quotes.  Ms. Mayberry was asked to contact Mr. Mike Rau for the name of a contractor.

Boy Scouts:  Mr. Dalessio advised that the Boy Scouts will be having their Food Drive on November 7^th and 14^th.  Last year they requested to be at the Recycling Center.  This year they are requesting that they be allowed to do it again.  On November 7^ththey give out door hanger tags and on November 14^th they collect the food.  This is their third year of doing a food drive.  On November 14^th they park trucks at the Post Office, Recycling Center, Mr. G’s and Shaw’s Store to collect the food.  Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry approved this request.         

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION (Continued):

Mrs. Pschirrer had previously recessed the Non-Public Selectboard Session.  At this time she re-opened this meeting at 8:02 PM.    

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:14 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 1, 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.   

ADJOURNMENT:  Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrerasked 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 8:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary