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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting via Zoom to order at 6:31 PM.  The Selectboard members are in three separate locations.  Also attending this meeting is Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, in the Walpole Town Hall and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, by telephone at a separate location.  This meeting was being recorded.  There were two members of the public in attendance.

Ms. Mayberry called for a voice roll call of the Selectboard present:  Steven Dalessio was present; Peggy Pschirrer was present and Cheryl Mayberry was present.  This meeting will be in accordance with Virtual Meetings, Emergency Order #12, which has been effective since March 2020.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $648,659.42 for checks issued April 16, 2021.  This includes a monthly payment of $607,559.42 to Fall Mountain Regional School District. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending April 10, 2021, in the amount of $37,887.28 for checks dated April 16, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $7,976.62.  This payroll represents the 2% Cost-of-Living increase approved by the voters in March; they are pro-rated back to January 1, 2021.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – April 8, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 8, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – April 8, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of April 8, 2021, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – March 30, 2021;
• Conservation Commission Meeting – April 5, 2021.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO EXCAVATE:

MAP and LOT #001-016-002:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Excavate for the owner of Map and Lot #001-016-002.  This is located off Wentworth Road.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

NH DOT RT 12 PROJECT 14747:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Excavate for the NH Department of Transportation (DOT) Route 12 Project 14747.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Dalessio mentioned there will be two Route 12 projects being done at the same time. Therefore drivers will need to be cautious starting next week as it will be hectic in that area.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:

MAP and LOT #027-008-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for the owner of Map and Lot #027-008-000.  This property is located off Route 12 near the Charlestown border.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

North Walpole Library Lease:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Selectboard approve and sign the North Walpole Library Lease which has now been signed by the North Walpole Village Board of Commissioners.  This is a one-year lease.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion. There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Elm Street Project – Notification to Abutters Letter:  The Selectboard approved the Elm Street Project – Notification to Abutters Letter – that will be mailed out tomorrow.

Houghton Brook ARM Grant and Scope of Services Agreement:  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that the letter that came with this agreement suggested that Mr. Michael Rau would be signing it.  Mr. Dalessio confirmed that Mr. Rau is the official representative mentioned in the contract.  He recommended they authorize Mr. Rau to sign the document.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Selectboard authorize Mr. Michael Rau, Highway Director, to sign the Houghton Brook ARM Grant and Scope of Services Agreement with Fuss & O’Neill.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Recreation Pool House Replacement Roof Bids:  Ms. Mayberry reported two bids were received:  one from Longs Roofing with standing seam metal ($26,528.40) and shingle ($16,892.60) along with a second one from Eric Franklin ($15,200) for shingle.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted it is within the approved Warrant Article #13. 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the bid from Eric Franklin for the Recreation Pool House Replacement Roof bid in the amount of $15,200.00 for shingles.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Mrs. Pschirrer, on behalf of the Selectboard, thanked Mr. Smith of Longs Roofing for his bids.     

Vachon Clukay Representation Letter for Tax Collector Audit:  Mr. Dalessio moved to authorize the Selectboard Chair, Cheryl Mayberry, to sign the Vachon Clukay Representation Letter for the Tax Collector Audit.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, motion was approved.

Letters to State and US Representative re: Vilas Bridge Repair: Both Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry felt the letters that Mrs. Pschirrer wrote were great letters.  Mrs. Pschirrer wants all the material given to them by Mr. Gary Fox to be sent to Senator Kahn along with his letter.  This includes a lot of pictures that indicate the bridge is not getting any better.  There are pictures that show holes in the bridge where you can see the water below.  The Selectboard agreed to send the whole package to Congresswoman Kuster as well. Mrs. Pschirrer advised there is a lot of money out there for water and sewer projects.  We should be taking advantage of it. 

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the letters to Representative Weber, Senator Kahn and Congresswoman Kuster.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.         

Walk in Walpole with Exec. Councilor Warmington: Ms. Mayberry advised the Walk in Walpole with Exec. Councilor Warmington is scheduled for the afternoon of April 30^th.  Meeting place is the Town Hall; time is 3:00-to-3:30 PM.  The Selectboard tentatively scheduled their walk to go by the grocery Store, the Artisans’ store and the flower shop.  If they were doing a drive-by, they would consider the Hungry Diner (Farm to Table) and Hubbard Farms.  After the walk Ms. Warmington is willing to go back to the Town Hall to talk with residents who would like to visit with her. 

Tax Pre-Payments:  A request letter was received from the Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office regarding the acceptance of tax pre-payments.  Mrs. Gohl told Mr. Dalessio their system can easily handle this.  Mr. Dalessio talked with Mr. Rich Kreissle who feels it is a good idea.  Most payments come from escrow companies.  Mrs. Pschirrer stated the Town would not pay interest.  She is concerned about their increased workload. Cash flow is not a problem in Walpole. Mr. Dalessio would approve tax pre-payments for one year but not until he sees good written procedures. Many towns are doing this. 

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve accepting Tax Pre-Payments for one year upon a review and approval of a written procedure document.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.       

OHRV Signage Request for Whipple Hill Road:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the letter from Jody Spivey.  Ms. Mayberry mentioned he had reached out to Lt. William Boudreau of the NH Fish & Game.  Mr. Spivey is requesting signage in three locations where OHRVs travel from.   Mrs. Pschirrer advised the Town added 3-or-4 signs in that area in the last three years.  She pointed out there is a virtual conference coming up on May 6^th, 2021, that will cover a lot about Class VI roads.  She would like to wait to find out more about what one can do on Class VI roads and OHRVs.  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to table this signage request for Whipple Hill Road from Jody Spivey. 

Central Plating Brownfields Project Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported the tree came down but left a huge stump.  They discovered there is a wire fence that runs through the tree.  Some special saws and other equipment had to be purchased to take care of this. 

Pending Further Actions:

Tax Deeded Property Sale, Mill Pond Dam Inspection; Reservoir Dam:

There were no new up-dates for these pending agenda items.

NEW BUSINESS:

Vachon Clukay 2020 Audit Engagement Letter:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize the Selectboard Chair, Cheryl Mayberry, to sign the Vachon Clukay 2020 Audit Engagement Letter.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Donation Thank You Letter: The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the Donation Thank You letter from Camp Takodah YMCA.

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:  Mr. Dalessio moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:00 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:06 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:  Mr. Dalessio 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 Mrs. Pschirrer.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:46 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of April 15, 2021, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberrry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Town Hall Meeting Room:  Mr. Dalessio asked if Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry had given any consideration to beginning in-person meetings with restrictions in the Town Hall Meeting Room.  Mrs. Pschirrer explained the governor lifted the mask mandate effective tomorrow. The governor felt it was up to individual towns to decide if and/or when they would lift their mask mandates.  She does not feel they should lift the Walpole mask mandate in Town buildings effective tomorrow. There was a consensus to wait until May to make a decision on in-person meetings. 

The Selectboard discussed having a better sound system for in-person meetings.  Microphones have to be charged, checked and in good working order.  Everybody should be heard.  Mr. Dalessio suggested seven be set up permanently so each Board member has one.  Sound will be worked out before the next Planning Board meeting. 

Brownie Group:  Mr. Dalessio reported at the end of April the Brownie Group will not have a place to meet.  They asked if they could meet in the Town Hall every other Friday evening.  There are 10-to-12 children in the group. They have been unable to find another suitable meeting place.  There was a consensus to allow them to use the Town Hall temporarily. 

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any additional discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary