Selectboard Present:​Peggy Pschirrer (Chair); Cheryl Mayberry (late); 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 Selectboard member Mr. Steven Dalessio.  Ms. Cheryl Mayberry, the other Selectboard member, will be a little late.  Mrs. Jodi Daigle, Water & Sewer Clerk and Administrative Assistant, was in attendance. There was one resident present in the audience: Mr. John Peska.

PUBLIC HEARING –Adoption of the Town of Walpole Emergency Operations Plan–Update 2020:

Mrs. Pschirrer called this Public Hearing for the Adoption of the Town of Walpole Emergency Operations Plan – Update 2020 – to order at 6:31 PM on the First Floor Meeting Room of the Town Hall.  “The purpose of the hearing is to discuss the adoption of the Town of Walpole Emergency Operations Plan Update 2020.  Residents may read the conditionally approved plan at the Town Hall during normal business hours prior to the public hearing.”  

Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any comments to be made.  Mr. Peska noted it is a sound document.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Selectboard accept this Town of Walpole Emergency Operations Plan – Update 2020 – and to authorize the Chair of the Selectboard, Peggy L. Pschirrer, to sign this document on October 29, 2020.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer announced that this document is available for viewing in the Walpole Town Hall during normal business hours.  Mrs. Pschirrer closed this Public Hearing at 6:34 PM.  

Mrs. Pschirrer opened the regular Selectboard meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:

Reservoir Dam Repairs:  Mr. Dalessio advised that the report from Fuss & O’Neill, dated October 20, 2020, was received and distributed to Mr. Mark Houghton, Mr. John Peska and the Selectboard members.  It looks like the process of getting to the repairs will be a long and expensive.  Fuss & O’Neill has this on-hold for now; they are not doing any work on it.  There are a number of options they can talk about; that is where they are at today.  Mr. Peska clarified they went from an initial estimate of $30,000-to-$40,000 to complete some repairs as listed in the Department of Environmental Services (DES) Deficiency Reports.  As a result of the recent characterization, they are now facing a DES change of status.  The work extends beyond the dam area itself; to North Road and School Street.  This work would exceed $420,000.  He had sent out an email stating that all the work they did on the dam so far was to clean up the spillway, removal of some trees the DES had requested, they brush-hog it regularly (at least once a year), etc.  The longer they proceed with this, it will become more expensive.  Mr. Dalessio agrees with those statements.  He believes they need to meet to discuss what their next steps should be going forward.  Mr. Peska advised that the Conservation Commission did discuss the possibility of removing the dam. However, it was determined that the dam held a high recreational benefit.  The sentiment was that the Town would keep and maintain it, but that was under a different set of rules and estimates.  Mrs. Pschirrer agreed it was at a different price at that point.  She feels there needs to be another meeting.  Mr. Dalessio will do an email to find out everybody’s availability.  He will contact Mr. Mark Houghton tomorrow.      

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $166,368.82 for checks issued October 30, 2020.  This includes a payment of $88,420.68 to the Village of Bellows Falls. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending October 24, 2020, in the amount of $33,307.62 for checks dated October 30, 2020, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,740.50.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – October 22, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 22, 2020, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – October 22, 2020: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard session of October 22, 2020, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:• Library Board of Trustees Meeting – October 13, 2020;• Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – October 21, 2020.

WARRANTS:

Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Water Fees:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Water Fees in the amount of $53,506.31.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.  

Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Sewer Fees:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $74,699.47.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Warrant for the Collection of North Walpole Sewer Fees: Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of North Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $63,702.67.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT:

Building Permit #2020-47, MAP and LOT #012-057-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to grant Building Permit #2020-47, for the owners of Map and Lot #012-057-000 to build an “Additional Garage, Loading Dock & Rooms in Egg Center Totaling 6,340 Sq Ft”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS (Continued):

Town Street Lights:  Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged receipt of an email from Mr. Steve Grenier regarding his research on Town street lights.  He is aware of the concerns of some people who had approached Mrs. Pschirrer about the new lights being too bright, etc.  Mrs. Pschirrer feels the lights can be controlled so they will not bother any people.  They could be directed down.  They are needed in some areas.  If people want to know what they would look like, they can be seen in the parking lot of the Walpole Chocolate Factory on Main Street.  If they were to approve this change, Mr. Dalessio suggested it could be paid for out of the Highway Block Grant funds.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that this change will save the Town money and will be more efficient in terms of lighting patterns around Town where they need them.  

Mr. Dalessio moved to authorize Mr. Steve Grenier to act on behalf of the Town and to obtain a contract with Liberty Utilities for the Selectboard to review.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any questions or comments.  There were none.  With Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.     

Ms. Cheryl Mayberry came into the meeting.

Sewer Bond Fees:  Mr. Dalessio has been discussing the “Sewer Bond Payment Based on Units of Water” with Mrs. Jodi Daigle in the office.  What they looked at last week is no longer valid.  They are going to run a model based on the last quarter’s billing.  The goal is to pay the bond and the excess sewer bond payments would go into the PDIP account for use against future bond costs.  Mr. Dalessio explained they will come back to this in a few weeks after more research has been done and revised numbers have been calculated.

Houghton Brook Bridge Repair and Grant:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported the Selectboard has not yet received an official decision as to whether their request for a grant was accepted or rejected.  This will continue to be on-hold.

Thanksgiving Market on Town Common:  Mrs. Pschirrer advised that the Farmers’ Market had originally asked about using the Town Hall for a Thanksgiving Market. However, they have decided to have it on the Town Common on Saturday, November 21^st, 2020, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  If the weather turns stormy, they might have to cancel the event.  At this point they have eight confirmed vendors.  There may be some craft vendors as all local holiday bazaars have been cancelled.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted this is an informational item. The Selectboard will ask that the vendors wear masks and maintain social distancing.

Mrs. Pschirrer will write a short article to be posted and put in the Clarion and on the Walpolean that all events to be on the Town Common should be scheduled in the Town Office.  This is just for informational purposes and to avoid a duplication of events on the same day and time.

Pending Further Actions:

Quote for Pool Roof:  Ms. Mayberry has not yet received a quote for the pool building roof.

NEW BUSINESS:

Selectboard Meetings Dates re: Holidays: Mrs. Pschirrer requested they look at the Holidays and change regular meeting dates and times.  There was a consensus to make the following changes:• Thanksgiving:  Change from Thursday, November 26 at 6:30 PM to Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 9:00 AM;• Christmas:  Change from Thursday, December 24 at 6:30 PM to Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 9:00 AM;• New Year’s:  Change from Thursday, December 31 at 6:30 PM to Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 5:30 PM.

Selectboard Budget Meeting with Department Managers:  There was a consensus to schedule this meeting for Friday, December 11^th, 2020, at 8:30 AM.

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.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:00 PM.  

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:24 PM.  

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 29, 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 7:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

(Transcribed from Recorder)