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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry, Chair of the Walpole Selectboard, called this meeting to order at 6:32 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting was being recorded.  There were two members of the public in attendance:  Mr. Joe Fennessey and Mr. Tyson Smith.  

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.  Also attending this meeting was Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONES – HUBBARD LLC:  Mr. Michael Bergeron and Ms. Bridgett Beckwith attended this meeting via Zoom to discuss a minor tax credit, state funded, for five (5) Walpole properties.  

Mr. Michael Bergeron is the Senior Business Development Manager, Division of Economic Development, for the Department of Business and Economic Affairs in Concord, NH.  Ms. Bridget Beckwith is the administrator of the program.  She provided the following information.

The State of NH has a minor tax credit program for companies located in Economic Revitalization Zones.

These are geographic areas with vacant land or buildings in a town that are designed to help retain or attract new business that are creating new full time jobs and making capital investment into the building(s) in the same calendar year.  Over 200 towns have more than one zone.  Once the zone is created, any new business in that zone that meets the criteria can apply.  It is an easy process.  It benefits all the business owners in that zone.  If there are questions they can contact either her or Mr. Bergeron.  

The company credit is up to $240,000 each calendar year, depending on the salaries, investment, and amount of money in the state funds each year.  The money comes from the State Legislature and is not from the NH town or city.  There are no losers; everybody gets a portion of it.  

Mr. Bergeron advised that many communities around Walpole have already established these zones; Claremont is one of them.  The zones are very helpful.

Mr. Dalessio asked if it could just be a general zone; example, all of Route 12.  Ms. Beckwith said it should be more specific.  Mr. Dalessio said can it be a specific lot that is undeveloped.  They have some open space they would like to get developed.  Ms. Beckwith replied “yes”.  Don’t be afraid to do more than one zone. Mrs. Pschirrer wanted to be sure this would not diminish the property taxes a business would have to pay.  Ms. Beckwith said it does not.  Mr. Dalessio asked what the Selectboard will need to do.  Ms. Beckwith noted they have to fill out an application.  They will be looking for meeting Minutes where the Selectboard approved it plus a narrative on what is happening in Walpole.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that they do not want Hubbard to leave Walpole.  They could include the five (5) Hubbard sites plus the Industrial Park and/or Bensonwood.          

Hubbard is expanding and/or investing $22M in their 8 NH sites, most of which are in the five (5) Walpole locations.

Ms. Beckwith advised the decision process in the Town is with the Board of Selectman.  Once the Select Board approves, it goes to their office, where the Commissioner signs.  Then a company has to apply to their office if they are in a zone and are hiring and investing in the town.

Ms. Mayberry asked them to send the application(s) to Mrs. Sarah Downing and they will begin the process. She thanked them for attending this meeting.

DREWSVILLE – New LED Lights:  Mr. Joe Fennessey advised that on Saturday, June 5th Liberty Utilities had changed the lights on Poles 1, 2 and 4.  It has not been night time since then.  They are really bright lights.  It is like a plane is flying into their window.  They talked about the angle of the lights.  He has “black-out” shades on his room window and yet, he could still read in there.  Mr. Dalessio can see the glow from pole #4 from his driveway.  He is maybe 50 yards down the road.  Mr. Fennessey spoke with Mr. Steve Grenier about the lights and said it is unacceptable.  Mr. Dalessio advised it is being addressed by Mr. Steve Grenier.  They talked about why they need so many lights in that small corner; it is possible they will remove one of them.  Mr. Smith said his motion lights will not even come on because it is so bright.  Mr. Dalessio summarized that it will be taken care of soon   Mr. Smith pointed out that Mr. Jim MacLean has snow plowed that area for many years and he does a fantastic job.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted they will pass this on to Mr. MacLean; he has been working for the Town for over 20 years. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $701,453.64 for checks issued June 18, 2021.  This includes a monthly payment in the amount of $610,559.42 to the Fall Mountain Regional School District.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  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 June 12, 2021, in the amount of $28,642.64 for checks dated June 18, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,441.16.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – June 10, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of June 10, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION MINUTES – June 03, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of June 03, 2021, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION MINUTES – June 10, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of June 10, 2021, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  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:• Conservation Commission Meeting – June 7, 2021;• Library Trustees Meeting – June 8, 2021;• Planning Board Meeting – June 8, 2021.

PROPERTY REFUNDS:

MAP and LOT #004-019-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $2,734.00 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #004-019-000.  This is due to a double payment.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMITS:

Building Permit #2021-26 – MAP and LOT #003-067-000: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant Building Permit #2021-26 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #003-067-000 to construct a “44’ x 34’ Addition In-law Apartment”.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Building Permit #2021-27 – MAP and LOT #003-042-002: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant Building Permit #2021-27 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #003-042-002 to build a “30’ x 24’ Attached Two Bay Garage”.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Town Hall Copiers:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to authorize the Chair of the Selectboard, Cheryl Mayberry, to sign the Cost Per Image Agreement and Non-Appropriations Amendment for the Town Hall copiers.  The three Selectboard members will sign the Purchase Order.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Selectboard Meeting Minutes – May 13, 2021: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to amend the May 13, 2021, Selectboard Minutes on page 5, under Whipple Hill Road, to reflect Mr. Spivey’s statement, “When we bought the property we were completely unaware that this was potentially a snowmobile trail.”  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.    

Reservoir Dam:  Mr. Dalessio reported the Selectboard and other people involved will meet with Fuss & O’Neill to discuss this project on June 18, 2021, at 3:30 PM.  They are at a point where they need to make a decision on how they want to proceed.

Pending Further Actions:

Tax Deeded Property Sale, Mill Pond Dam Inspection, Vilas Bridge, Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Avenue and Bensonwood, Insurance for Utility Trailer.

Houghton Brook Bridge:  Mr. Dalessio reported they have a purchase order in the amount of $102,400.00 for the work on the Wentworth Road Houghton Brook Bridge.  

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the purchase order in the amount of $102,400.00 for the work on the Wentworth Road Houghton Brook Bridge.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none. With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Webinar:  Mr. Dalessio attended the webinar Representative Weber mentioned “Distribution of ARP funds to Non-Entitlement Units of Government”.  The application period started today.  He would like Mr. Kreissle to get started on some of the information that will be required.  Our water system can easily assume the amount of money because we have to rebuild our water pumping stations. Good infrastructure will improve the quality of the water.  Ms. Mayberry also attended this webinar and said unless your sewer system is affecting the quality of your water that is the only way she sees us as being eligible. Mr. Dalessio said sewer/wastewater was not in the criteria.  We have to get the application started.           

Tax Deeded Property Sale:  Mrs. Downing reported that Mr. Brad Nash will work on the clean-up of 24 Homestead Ave. in preparation for the sealed bid property tax sale.

NEW BUSINESS:

Subgrant Agreement with NH DES re: Central Plating Site Clean-up:  

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into and approve a Brownfields Cleanup Subgrant Agreement with the DES in the amount of $100,000 to Walpole for the former Central Plating site and to authorize the Manager of Administration, Sarah Downing, to sign paperwork associated with such grant on behalf of the Town.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio andMs. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  

Cheshire County Meeting Invite:  The Selectboard received an invitation advising there is a Cheshire County Meeting on Monday, June 21, 2021, at 6:00 PM regarding the American Rescue Plan Funds that the County is to receive.  It is a hybrid meeting.   

Unlicensed Dog List:  The Unlicensed Dog List was received from the Town Clerk.  Ms. Mayberry said it is important that they up-hold the law. Therefore, we should start reaching out to the people on the list.  There was a consensus to prepare a draft notice to be sent to the people who did not register their dogs to let them know they will be fined if they do not do so.  Ms. Mayberry likes the idea of a post card.  This is getting out of hand.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted they had an increase in dog incidents.  Mr. Dalessio would like Mrs. Meghan Hansson to draft the notice.  He will bring this up on Tuesday when he meets with her.  

RECESS SELECTBOARD MEETING:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to recess this Selectboard meeting.  The Selectboard will enter into a meeting as the Hooper Trustees.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:28 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:32 PM.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to enter into a Non-Public Selectboard Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II to discuss (a) Personnel; (b) Hiring; and (c) Reputations.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:25 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of June 17, 2021, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

REGULAR SELECTBOARD MEETING (Continued):

Tax Deeded Properties:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the following properties for Deeding:• Map and Lot #028-120-000• Map and Lot #028-039-000• Map and Lot #003-082-CL8

Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Dalessio moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary