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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  This meeting was being recorded.  Also present was Mrs. Jodi Daigle, Water and Sewer Clerk/Administrative Assistant, and Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.  There were two guests in attendance:  Brandon Ploss and Kelly Hoffman from Liberty Utilities.  

PUBLIC BUSINESS:

Liberty Utilities re: Tree Pruning of Town Properties:  Ms. Mayberry reported the Selectboard received two lists from Liberty Utilities.  She wants to better understand the definition of tree trimming.  Tree trimming had been done in the past on the Town Common.  Arborclimb came to do a tree assessment.  Some trees are lop-sided because of cutting around the wires for access.  At some point they will be removing dead trees and then looking to replace trees.  What does it mean when they trim a tree?  Is it based on the type of tree or the location?  Can they give some context for this type of work?  Mr. Ploss explained that Heather Green was unavailable to attend this meeting. Therefore, he introduced Kelly Hoffman who was present at this meeting.  Mr. Ploss advised that trimming is to do maintenance for the safety of their workers and integrity of their lines.  They have a specified set of standards; 15 feet above, 10-feet below and 8 feet to the side.  Using those numbers, the guys in the buckets will try to not trim more than they need to.  If it is a strong healthy branch, they will not trim it.  These are their guidelines, but it also depends on what the customer is requesting.  Would the Town ask for a little lighter trim?  If it is something they can work with, they will try to maintain their clearance and standards.  They try to maintain 4-, 5- and 6-yearcycles to avoid coming back every year or every other year.  Mr. Dalessio mentioned the trimming in Drewsville; they ended up with ugly looking trees.  A tree needs to be trimmed so it is aesthetically pleasing to look at.  Mr. Ploss noted some trees are hard to trim.  Ms. Hoffman talked about liability. They are trying to build an inventory of trees and when they have the funding available, they would like to address that.  They are interested in trees that do well around power lines.  Mr. Dalessio said sometrees around Town look like they were hacked.  The Town Common is used extensively. Ms. Mayberry agrees with this assessment. They are talking about getting rid of dead trees but are interested in what an appropriate plan for replacement trees would look like.  Suggestions would be helpful for them in their consideration.  Mr. Ploss distributed some literature to the Selectboard.  Mrs. Pschirrer stated they know Norway Maples are an invasive species that cannot be sold in this State.  Mr. Ploss said Eversource has trees that are great around power lines as they do not grow more than 30 feet and do not spread out.  They also have to take into consideration three phase power lines. They do the best they can and try to put a little better clearance around them to make it work for everybody.  Mr. Dalessio thinks it is a good program.  Ms. Mayberry noted they want to plant trees they know will not get “butchered” especially on the Common.  Ms. Hoffman mentioned that Ms. Green is interested in working with the Town of Walpole and the surrounding communities.  Ms. Hoffman asked if it would be helpful if one of them met with the Selectboard during day light hours.  Ms. Mayberry assumes they are trimming only where the lines are.  The Selectboard looked at the two lists.  Mr. Dalessio asked when they were going to take down the old poles.  Mrs.Pschirrer clarified that CCI owns a great many poles in Town rather than Liberty Utilities.  FairPoint used to own the poles,but CCI bought them.  

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve and sign the request from Liberty Utilities to do a light trim on the trees on the Town road properties.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry summarized that they would like to have Ms. Heather Green come to talk about specifically the Common.  They are waiting for the final assessment report to come back from Arborclimb.  They want to make sure they have a good plan in place.  She thanked Mr. Brandon Ploss and Ms. Kelly Hoffman for attending this meeting.                                          

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $93,286.30 for checks issued October 29, 2021.  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 October 23, 2021, in the amount of $28,477.03 for checks dated October 29, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $5,806.50.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES – October 21, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of October 21, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SESSION SELECTBOARD MINUTES – October 21, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 21, 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.

STAFF MEETING – October 21, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Staff Meeting of October 21, 2021, as submitted.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.  Mr. Dalessio abstained from the vote as he was unable to attend this meeting.  

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Minutes – October 5, 2021;• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Minutes – October 12, 2021;• Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes – October 20, 2021.

WARRANTS:

Walpole Water Fees:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Water Fees in the amount of $48,152.98 for the Third Quarter 2021.  Seconded by Mrs.Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Walpole Sewer Fees:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $77,440.85 for the Third Quarter 2021.  Seconded by Mrs.Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

North Walpole Sewer Fees:  Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Warrant for the Collection of North Walpole Sewer Fees in the amount of $67,614.77 for the Third Quarter 2021.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Avitar Revaluation/Update Agreement:  Ms. Mayberry reported that Avitar Associates revised their Agreement to acknowledge the previous rates of the prior year.  

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the agreement with Avitar Associates as it has been changed to reflect the original agreement. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.      

Map and Lot #008-117-000 Abatement Appeal Mediation: Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Abatement Appeal Mediation as recommended for the owner, Justin Kingsbury, Map and Lot #008-117-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Pending Further Actions:

Vilas Bridge, Houghton Brook Bridge, Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood, Arborclimb.

Arborclimb:  The Selectboard is still waiting for the final report from Arborclimb.

Vilas Bridge:  Ms. Mayberry said the deadline for written comments is the first week in November.  This refers to the GACIT Public Hearing.  

Brownfields Project:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported they are moving quickly on the Brownfields Project. She will have an update in a week or two.  She wants to talk about some proposals Mr. Steve Rickerich has as they come to the end of the work at the site.  

NEW BUSINESS:

Town Hall Roof:  Ms. Mayberry reported there are several new leaks in the Town Hall Roof.  Are they going to consider a new roof or change to something different?  Mrs. Pschirrer feels they need a new roof, or they will be “nickel-and-dimed” for a long time, but they do not have the money right now for a new roof.  They will have to repair the leaks that are the most egregious.  Unless the labor market changes, it might take two years to get a new roof done.  If they had lots of money, Mrs. Pschirrer might recommend putting artificial slate on the roof.  Ms. Mayberry summarized they all agree a new roof is needed but not this year.  Mrs. Pschirrer stated that in the meantime they have to make repairs with the money they have.  Mr. Dalessio would like to see the options.  Mr. Kreissle will be asked for a spreadsheet showing the balance left in this account.      

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 (l) Consideration of Legal Advice.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:12 PM. 

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:21 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of October 28, 2021, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  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.  Ms. Mayberry asked if there was any discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs.Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:22 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary