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.  There were seven members of the public in attendance.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

ATV/OFF ROAD VEHICLES ON CLASS V AND VI ROADS:  Mr. Peter Graves, Mr. Tom Dupell, Mr. Ronnie Kingsbury, and Mr. Justin Kingsbury came into the meeting.  Mr. Dupell advised their main question is that they want to understand what the vehicle requirements on Class VI roads are in the Town of Walpole.  Mrs. Pschirrer replied that, in accordance with recent emails, off highway vehicles are managed and controlled by the NH State Fish & Game.  The Town of Walpole does not do this.  Mr. Dupell said right now on Class VI roads you can drive on them with a vehicle, a snowmobile, a dirt bike, a motorcycle.  Side-by-side vehicles are not allowed even if they are registered.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted Fish & Game controls off road vehicles.  What is that definition?  Mr. Dupell said Fish & Game is saying the Class VI road is restricted.  This was brought up before.  Mrs. Pschirrer stated that since the COVID-19 virus some people have been complaining about damage being done to private property.  Mr. Dupell noted it is not fair to shut down the roads to one utility vehicle.  Mrs. Pschirrer said the State controls off highway recreational vehicles; the Town has not taken any action.  Mr. Graves said utility vehicles can be driven on all the other Town roads; they come in to the Village to gas-up at the local gas station.  Mr. Dalessio pointed out that the Selectboard will recheck but are quite sure there are no Town ordinances.  The Town has not gated any Class VI roads.  Mrs. Pschirrer felt they should invite the Fish & Game officer to attend a meeting.  Mr. Graves asked where the laws come from because in the northern part of the State these vehicles run all over.  Mr. Dalessio advised it comes down to who is responsible for enforcement.  Off Highway vehicles on Class VI roads fall under the enforcement of Fish & Game.  Mr. Dupell explained this all started when his wife got stopped in a fully registered vehicle on the Class VI road and could not get home.  She had started out on Scovill Road and took a left turn.  Mr. Dalessio explained that homes can be built on Class VI roads, but the owners have to sign waivers from liability that have to be recorded and they maintain the road themselves.  There was discussion relative to various types of MV plates, Class VI roads and emergency lanes.  Mr. Dupell said not all the Town’s citizens tear up the roads, so the privilege should not be taken away from them.  Mrs. Pschirrer summarized that the Town does not have an ordinance. The Selectboard will have a conversation with Fish & Game and she will read all the RSAs that are pertinent to these roads and vehicles.  The State makes regulations.  TheSelectboard cannot give them an answer tonight at this meeting.  Mr. Dalessio advised if the Town passed an ordinance, the Town’s Police Department would be responsible for enforcement.  Ms. Mayberry advised that the Town can make stricter rules than the State but not less than the State.  As far as enforcement, Fish & Game officers are spread out but they have become more aware of these issues; that is why they are more visible.    

Replying to a question from Mr. J. Kingsbury about if the Selectboard was to put in a requirement about utility vehicles operating on Class VI roads, Mrs. Pschirrer replied if there is an ordinance it has to go to Town Meeting for the voters to make the decision.  If the Town of Walpole had over 10,000 people,the Selectboard could make the decisions.  Replying to a question about Emergency Lanes, Mr. Dalessio explained the Selectboard usually follow the recommendations from Mr. Mark Houghton at the Fire Department and the EMS crew. 

Mr. Graves brought up the issue of the Police Department doing special detail work. Mr. Dalessio explained the Town charges a fee for use of the cruiser and the officer.  These projects do not cost the Town any money.  This is an unusual year.  Consolidated Communications was doing the Broadband project.  We could go years until we have another big infrastructure project.

Mrs. Pschirrer summarized that the Selectboard will do some research and respond to the people who attended this meeting within a few weeks.  The conservation officer will be invited to attend a Selectboard meeting to present his comments.                      

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $60,268.59 for checks issued November 13, 2020.  This includes a payment of $30,217.98 to the NH Retirement System.  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 for the week ending November 7, 2020, in the amount of $33,741.01 for checks dated November 13, 2020, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,151.34.  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 – November 5, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 5, 2020, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  Ms. Mayberry requested a clarification change under Old Business in 2020 Preliminary Tax Rate to change 14% to 5%.  

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Amendment.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Amendment was approved.

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes, as Amended, of the Selectboard meeting of November 5, 2020.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any other questions or comments.  There were none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – November 5, 2020:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 5, 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:• Walpole Conservation Commission Meeting  – November 2, 2020;• Hooper Institute Board Meeting – November 4, 2020.

OLD BUSINESS:

2020 Preliminary Tax Rate:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the 2020 Preliminary Tax Rate was received from the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) late this afternoon.

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the 2020 Tax Rate submitted by the Department of Revenue Administration and that the Selectboard will sign the Tax Warrant tomorrow afternoon.  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.

Mrs. Sarah Downing will work on the Tax Warrant tomorrow morning.  The Selectboard agreed to come back tomorrow afternoon to sign the Tax Warrant.  Mrs. Sandra Smith, Town Clerk – Tax Collector, will get the tax bills out by the middle of next week.    

MRRTC Support Letter:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept and to sign the letter of support for the Monadnock Region Rail Trail Collaborative (MRRTC).  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.

Pending Further Actions:

Sewer Bond Fees:  Mr. Dalessio continues to work on the Sewer Bond Fees.

Town Street Lights:  Mr. Stephen Grenier continues to work on this project.

Tax Deeded Property Sale:  This item will remain on the Pending Further Action on the agenda.

Houghton Brook Bridge Repair and Grant:  Mr. Dalessio reported that the Town received the ARM Grant for $250,000 for this project.  The paperwork is being processed.

Reservoir Dam Repairs:  Mr. Dalessio advised there is an existing purchase order still open for $10,000 on the Reservoir Dam Repairs.  Fuss & O’Neill would like to have the Town close this purchase order out and create a new purchase order for $25,000 to cover the two-dimensional work that has to be done.  This money would come out of the PDIP account.

Mr. Dalessio moved to close-out the existing purchase order for $10,000 and create a new purchase order for $25,000 to cover the two-dimensional work for Fuss & O’Neill.  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.

NEW BUSINESS:

Moose Plate Grant’s Certificate of Municipality:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Moose Plate Grant’s Certificate of Municipality and to authorize the Chair of the Selectboard, Peggy L. Pschirrer, to sign this document.  It benefits the Walpole Historical Society.  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.  

Promotional Items re: COVID-19 Education:  Dr. Charles Shaw and Ms. France Menk came into the meeting.  Dr. Shaw spent over an hour today on the NH Health Officers Association update on the COVID-19 virus in New Hampshire.  They are all worried about the virus in the months of December, January and February.  The CDC said masks not only help the people wearing the masks but the other people as well.  The incubation period can be as long as two weeks.  The City of Manchester does their own contact tracing.  Westminster has had no cases, Walpole has had under five cases, surrounding small towns have low counts.  The timing for the promotional/educational products is good.  Hopefully they can get them out by the end of the month.  Ms. Menk displayed revised sketches.  She distributed quotes from a local printer for the magnets, pins, yard signs and T-shirts. It was noted there are three schools and a field for the signs.  Signs will also be placed on the village commons and several miscellaneous locations.  Ms. Menk suggested ordering a small amount of T-shirts at $8/each; maybe start with 50 at a time.  See how well they sell.

Mr. Dalessio moved to authorize using up to $1,200 from the Welfare account for pins, magnets, yard signs, T-shirts that will be used as promotional / educational items for wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distances that all deal with COVID-19.  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. Pschirrer mentioned that last week the Selectboard talked about their concerns of continuing to have meetings in this large meeting room.  Perhaps they should go back to Zoom meetings in another month or so.  Dr. Shaw felt they should consider going back to Zoom meetings.  During the meeting he attended today on COVID-19, the presenter from the City of Manchester discussed five main points:  Masks, Distances, Wash Your Hands, Stay Outdoors and Avoid Large Gatherings.   Activities, offices, and sports are shutting down again.   Dr. Shaw and Ms. Menk left the meeting.

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 roll call vote with Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved at 7:36 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:17 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 12, 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, 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 8:18 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary