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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry, Chair of the Selectboard, called this meeting to order at 6:31 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting was being recorded.  There were two members of the public in attendance:  Mr. Tom Goins, Town Treasurer, and Mr. Dominic Perkins, Savings Bank of Walpole. Also present was Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.

COLLATERALIZATION OF THE GENERAL FUND:  Tom Goins, Town Treasurer, and Dominic Perkins of the Savings Bank of Walpole were present to discuss a change in the collateralization policy of the Town’s General Fund.  Several years ago when Mr. Goins became the Town Treasurer one of the things that had not been done was collateralization of the General Fund for a balance in excess of the FDIC insured limit of $250,000.  It has become progressively harder for the SBW to continue to set aside the collateralized amount of $500,000 when the funds could be made available to the community.  Mr. Perkins wanted to make the town aware of a new program that will free up the funds but still provide the needed collateralization for the Town. For several years now the Town has been very active in the Public Deposit Investment Pool (PDIP).  Mr. Perkins noted that PDIP was a great solution as the bank did not have to move money between PDIP and the SBW too often.  With collateralization, the SBW sets aside funds with the Federal Bank of Boston and five years ago the interest rates were relatively good.  Over the years SBW has been using Insured Cash Sweep (ICS).  It creates a pool with 3,000 other banks to ensure all the funds are available and fully insured.  FDIC likes and recommends the ICS process.  He explained how the bank currently uses the ICS process daily and that the Town would still be fully FDIC insured.  The benefit to the Town is the protection is unlimited.  The Town would get two statements each month: one from the SBW plus an ICS statement.  Mr. Goins felt Mr. Kreissle and the Town Auditors would approve this program.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked what needs to be done to make this change. Mr. Perkins replied they would need the agreement, identify the other banks and set up a target threshold.  SBW creates the ICS accounts and operations checks daily balances, etc.  Mr. Perkins would recommend keeping PDIP in place as their interest rates are currently higher making them a better investment option.        

Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the ICS proposal from the Savings Bank of Walpole after a discussion with Mr. Rich Kreissle and getting his approval.  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.       

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $5,630.18 for checks issued July 16, 2021.  This includes three (3) refund checks that were approved last week.  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 July 10, 2021, in the amount of $31,715.19 for checks dated July 16, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,019.64.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – July 8, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of July 8, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION MINUTES – July 8, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of July 8, 2021, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  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 – June 15, 2021;
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – June 22, 2021;
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting– June 29, 2021.

OLD BUSINESS:

Letters to Spencer’s Place and Burdick and Burns LLC:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve and sign the letters to Spencer’s Place and Burdick and Burns LLC.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Brownfields Cleanup of Former Central Plating Site Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported there was a pre-construction meeting.  Mr. Dalessio, Ransom Consulting, Green Site Services, the Environmental Protection Association (EPA) and NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) attended.  They discussed the final details of the project and the Public Meeting that was to be held that following week.  They had many more in-person people attending than anticipated. Ms. Mayberry felt the set-up worked well but the audio could have been better.  Ms. Shelley Tamis, Project Manager from Green Site Services, spoke clearly and very well about the scope of the project and what they should expect.  Mr. Buck Adams is the sub-contractor.  He is local and well-known.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted that everyone got the information they were looking for as questions were answered.  They have now met a term of the grant.      

Streetlight LED Conversion Project:  Mr. Dalessio spoke with Mr. Steve Grenier about the Streetlight LED Conversion Project.  Liberty Utilities will install low wattage lights but there will be some high intensity lights where required.  Some people will not have an option.  They will have to meet State requirements on Route 123, Route 12 and Prospect Hill.  They are waiting for another shipment of low wattage lights. Elm Street will be done tonight.  Mr. Dalessio encourages people to be patient.  The lights will be changed over.  It all takes time.   

Pending Further Actions:

Mill Pond Dam Inspection, Vilas Bridge, Houghton Brook Bridge, Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Avenue and Bensonwood:  There were no updates at this meeting.

Complete Streets:  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned Mr. J.B. Mack had sent them material about this quite some time ago.  It is due September 24^th and SWRPC would be happy to help us in any way they can. Is there anything they want to apply for?  Lisa at SWRPC just finished some work on the Walpole Master Plan; Transportation and Housing.  They feel we need sidewalks to the school.  If we did basic work, it is something we could apply for.  Ms. Mayberry mentioned they had talked about Safe Routes to School in the past.  Mr. Dalessio does not think it is viable to consider a sidewalk from Shaw’s to the Elementary School.  Mrs. Pschirrer questioned if they could get enough money to do all the sidewalks in Town because so many of them are falling apart all over the Town.  We have not had much in the budget for at least three years.  Before that they had been putting in $10,000/year for sidewalks.  Colonial Drive up to South Street and the sidewalk in front of this building are all in bad shape.  They are not great anywhere.  Mr. Dalessio noted they would not need any engineering.  He will ask Mr. Rau to get an estimate on all the sidewalks plus maybe two additional miles.  Mrs. Pschirrer pointed out that there are many elderly residents who walk plus walkers of all ages.  Many have to walk in the street.  Ms. Mayberry will talk to Mr. Mack about this to see what he thinks.  Mr. Dalessio attended the Community Economic Development Strategy meeting.

Southwest Regional Planning Commission:  Mr. Dalessio gave back the contract for SWRPC to continue doing the Master Plan updates.  Mr. Jeff Miller is to stop by SB Office to sign the document.

NEW BUSINESS:

Deputy Forest Fire Appointment Forms:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Deputy Forest Fire Appointment of Jason Colburn.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

US Flag/Bunting for US Holidays Citizen Comment:  Ms. Mayberry reported there was a complaint from a resident who is concerned about the lack of US flags/buntings for US Holidays.  Every other town had their flags out.  Walpole itself did not have anything.  Mrs. Downing spoke to Mr. Whit Aldrich about this.  He is going to check into this comment and will respond. 

Mr. Dalessio asked Mrs. Downing why they would fill out a Comment Form for this complaint yet they did not fill out Comment Forms for the LED lights.  It is a question of process.  Ms. Mayberry stated they want to be consistent.  Mrs. Downing mentioned the first two gentlemen who complained about the LED lights came into a meeting rather than going to the office.

Cheshire County Shooting Sports Education Fund Request to Use the Town Hall:  The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of a memo of the Cheshire County Shooting Sports Education Foundation to use the Walpole Town Hall on September 18, 2021, for a fundraiser as they are building an indoor shooting range in Keene.  Following a discussion, Ms. Mayberry stated the answer is “no” as their policy is to only allow free use of the Town Hall for non-profit groups located in the Town of Walpole.

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 7:41 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:45 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.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:46 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:15 PM.

Mr. Dalessio moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of July 15, 2021, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  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 meeting adjourned at 8:16 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary