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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called this meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting was being recorded.  Also present were Mrs. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.  There were three members of the public in attendance; Mr. Shane O’Keefe, Mr. Jody Spivey and Mrs. Barbara Spivey.

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

Mr. Shane O’Keefe:  Mr. O’Keefe assumed the Selectboard was aware of the gates that had been installed on Whipple Hill Road on the Class VI portion.  There is a game camera aimed at the gates.  As far as he knows they were not authorized by the Selectboard or anyone in the Town.  They will interfere with the use of this road by the public.  This is a violation of public rights.  Furthermore there is a gate in front of the driveway at 171 Whipple Hill Road.  Mr. O’Keefe has spoken to other neighbors who are also upset with these gates and bars.  Ms. Mayberry advised the Selectboard was notified that the gates and bars were put up but not in advance of them being installed.  Gates can be installed on Class VI roads but they cannot be locked.  The Selectboard is looking into the specifics of that with their attorney.  They are still looking into it and reviewing it at this time. 

Mr. O’Keefe has put in a request pursuant to the New Hampshire Right to Know Law (RSA 91-A) for public access, within 5 business days, to the governmental records reasonably described in his letter to the Town of Walpole dated August 16, 2021. Ms. Mayberry acknowledged receipt of this letter.  The Selectboard is looking into the specifics.  They have public Minutes available but as far as attorney information they are trying to confirm what is allowable and not allowable to be shared.  Mr. O’Keefe confirmed the dates are from July 01, 2020, to today’s date.  Ms. Mayberry noted they are looking into the specifics; they will get back to him. 

Mr. Jody Spivey:  Mr. Spivey read a statement that was titled “Decision Leading to Unlocked Gates on The Class VI Portion of Whipple Hill Road”.  The fifth paragraph states that: “they installed two unlocked gates to protect their property because they feel, as tax paying residents of this community, they are not being protected or supported.  Per RSA 231:21-a, they have a right to do so and such gates shall be capable of being opened and reclosed by highway users.  They bear 100% of the cost to maintain, repair and plow the Class VI road to their home and they receive no property tax break for that expense.  As stated earlier, they’ve upheld their responsibility as required by the Town.”             

Mr.  O’Keefe pointed out that that road is supposed to be maintained at a 20-feet width; it is not.  RSA 231:21-a states they are allowed to maintain a gate but not install it.  He submitted pictures of the gates and game cameras.  Also noted was RSA 231:45 regarding the gates or bars.         

Ms. Mayberry asked if there were any additional comments.  There were none.  She thanked Mr. O’Keefe, Mr. Jody Spivey and Mrs. Barbara Spivey for attending.  They are free to stay for the rest of this meeting if they choose to do so.  The Selectboard will move on to their other business. 

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $752,833.82 for checks issued August 20, 2021.  This includes a monthly payment in the amount of $607,559.42 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 August 14, 2021, in the amount of $33,014.67 for checks dated August 20, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,310.74.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES AMENDMENT – August 5, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting Amendment of August 5, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved.

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – August 12, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of August 12, 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 – August 12, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 12, 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 – August 3, 2021;
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – August 10, 2021;
• Planning Board Meeting – August 10, 2021.

OLD BUSINESS:

FEMA Review of Storm-water Damage:  FEMA is expected to be here on Monday, August 23, 2021.  The group will meet at 9:00am at the Highway Department to do a review of the Storm-water Damage.

Brownfields Update:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the red garage/wastewater building is to be demolished on Monday, August 23, 2021.  People should be there tomorrow, weather permitting, to remove the fence.  If some of the garage is gone they will start to dig.  When they start to dig they will stockpile dirt in various places and that will be tested.  It will take two weeks for testing to be done off-site.  The most contaminated soil will go to Canada.  PFAS soil will go to Pennsylvania. 

Boston Post Cane:  Mrs. Downing advised that Mrs. Mary Shaughnessy is willing to take the Boston Post Cane.  She is 100 years old and excited about this.  She does not leave her home on West Street in North Walpole but will come out on her porch.  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to schedule a Drive-By Parade in the later part of September.  Ms. Mayberry asked Mrs. Downing to work with Mrs. Shaughnessy’s family to make the arrangements.

Pending Further Actions:

Mill Pond Dam Inspection, Vilas Bridge, Houghton Brook Bridge, Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Avenue and Bensonwood, Complete Streets re: Sidewalks. 

There were no new up-dates provided at this meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Purchase Order for Solid Waste Bags:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Purchase Order for additional solid Waste Bags in the amount of $3,825.00 for the Recycling Center.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  

Expected Return of Health Trust FY2021 Surplus:  Ms. Mayberry reported the Town is expecting about double last year’s surplus amount.  The anticipated surplus for FY2021 is $42,306.91.  They did some calculations similar to last year.  The final amount of FY2021 Surplus to be distributed will be determined after the audited financial statements are accepted by the Board of Directors on October 5, 2021.  Ms. Mayberry will talk to Mr. Kreissle about this anticipated HealthTrust surplus. 

Landscaping Services Donation for North Walpole Park:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Purchase Order from Maple Hill Nursery in the amount of $10,670 to add shrubs, trees, and plants for the North Walpole Park.  This will be paid for out of private donations.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

Mrs. Pschirrer has received the first check.  There are two donors splitting the cost.  She spoke to Mrs. Diane Harty.  They have a very nice landscaping plan. They also talked about the Recreation Department doing one of their community movies in this park.  The Park Committee asked if the Town has a survey or map because they believe that the Town owns more land outside of the fenced areas.  Next year they would like to put in an herb garden so people can have fresh herbs.  They have money to get rid of two dead trees.  It is a phenomenal park.  Ms. Mayberry advised that they have a dedicated committee.  

Heating Oil and Propane Bids:  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to go out for bid for both Heating Oil and Propane.  Ms. Mayberry will ask Mr. Kreissle to contact the customary service providers. 

Police Department Revolving Fund Request: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Police Department Revolving Fund request to purchase two (2) Cruiser Radar Units, Stalker Dual SL, for the amount of $4,460.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  

Walpole School Newsletter:  A request was received from Mr. Justin Cassarino, Assistant Principal, to bring in their monthly School newsletters to the Town Hall for community members to take.  They want to be sure the community is aware of what is going on in the schools.  The Selectboard agreed by a consensus to give permission to Mr. Cassarino to bring in their monthly School newsletters to the Town Hall.  Mrs. Downing will contact Mr. Cassarino. 

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.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:07 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:08 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 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 7:31 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of August 19, 2021, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio 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 7:32 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary