Selectboard Present:      Cheryl Mayberry (Chair); Steven Dalessio; Peggy L. 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. Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, and Mrs. Regina Borden, Recording Secretary.  There were three members of the public in attendance; Mrs. Jan Leclerc, Ms. Jenny Plante and her daughter, Becca.

PUBLIC HEARING:  Ms. Mayberry called this Public Hearing to order at 6:31 PM.  She read the Notice of Public Hearing as follows:

TOWN OF WALPOLE, NH

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

December 2, 2021 at 6:30 PM

‘Pursuant to RSA 31:95-b the Selectboard will hold a public meeting to receive public comment concerning the acceptance and expenditure of unanticipated revenues from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 assistance for local government.

You are hereby notified that the Walpole Selectboard will host a public meeting on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall to discussing accepting funds received from the State of New Hampshire under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).

The public is encouraged to attend and provide suggested uses for the funds received.

The Selectboard Meeting will follow the public hearing.”

Mrs. Leclerc questioned what ARPA is. Ms. Mayberry explained the American Rescue Plan Act is funding provided by the Government, similar to an extension of the CARES Act.  This one focuses mostly on infrastructure improvements.  In some cases COVID related and some are not.  There is some flexibility in how the monies can be used.  They are still trying to find out all the potential uses for the funding but they would like to use it for infrastructure.  Mr. Dalessio said the Town received $55,771.83.  Mrs. Leclerc asked if some of it will be used for the damaged roads.  Mr. Dalessio said in the previous allocation they had to comply with the Clean Water Act; that was mostly with water and sewer lines.  This will probably be more in line with roads.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the Town had a lot of damage this year.  It is probably where some of it will end up but possibly not all of it.  Mr. Dalessio advised there is a meeting with FEMA coming up.        

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Selectboard accept the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funding in the amount of $55,771.83.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry announced that with no additional public comments the Public Hearing will be declared closed at 6:34 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting began at 6:34 PM.

NEW BUSINESS:

Walpole Players and Poster Display:  Ms. Jenny Plante is on the Board of the Walpole Players.  They have a request related to the north entrance stairwell.  When she goes to various performances at other locations, she notices their displays of past performance pictures and posters.  The Walpole Players have about 30 years of history; they average about two plays a year.  She displayed some framed posters that are very light.  Would it be possible to hang them up in the north entrance stairwell?  They would have to be above shoulder height.  A lot of people in the community have been involved in their shows.  Ms. Mayberry asked how many do they have.  Ms. Plante said right now they only have a few framed pictures.  At this time they thought they would just present it to the Selectboard.  She would come back with an approximate number. Mrs. Pschirrer remembered when Mr. Boas came to them about this; he ended up putting them on moveable platforms upstairs.  They were only on display when people were in-house for a play.  Ms. Plante mentioned they could display them on the window sills. She was sure there was something they could do so it would not damage the walls or paint.  Mr. Dalessio’s question was about the mounting of them; they do not want holes in the wall.  No decision was made at this meeting.              

OLD BUSINESS:

Home Away from Home Day Care Parking and Dumpster Complaint:  Ms. Jenny Plante was present to discuss the on-street parking and overflowing dumpster complaint from an abutter.  Ms. Mayberry asked Ms. Plante to explain the parking as they have an area for people to park off the street but they are choosing to park on the street.  Ms. Plante replied it is their property even though it is on the street.  About a year ago the neighbor asked that they not park across from her driveway.  She feels this has become a personal issue because the neighbor asked about child care three times but was told there were no vacancies at those times.  She had contacted Mr. Dalessio to question if they are not allowed to park on the street across from the neighbor’s driveway.  He replied it could become an issue if she does not have adequate parking.  She has adequate parking and displayed pictures of where the cars were parking on the side of the road.  Tires are not in the street.  Mrs. Pschirrer observed four cars that she felt were parked on the street.  Ms. Plante said there is 20-feet from where their cars are parked to the end of the neighbor’s driveway. Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned the dumpsters are at the very end of the driveway; they are usually put off the street and screened behind a fence or other structure.  Ms. Plante said the dumpsters have been there for 13 years and there never had been a problem with them.  She would prefer to have them out in the back. Unfortunately, they have to be where they can be emptied easily.  They are on her property.  There is plenty of room to get in-and-out of the driveway.  The road is two-lanes and the cars are actually on her property.  Their driveway has always been as it is now.  Mr. Dalessio agreed that some cars are parked in the field.  No ordinance says they cannot park across from the driveway.  He had Police Chief Sanctuary look at the area; he indicated there are no violations. Two cars can pass each other and there is adequate room for emergency vehicles.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked about the zoning approval when she appeared before that Board.  Ms. Plante said it was never their intention to park in the driveway.  Their lot is plowed in the winter to allow for parking. There would probably be 5-to-6 cars parked there during a normal work shift.  Mrs. Leclerc pointed out that in the meeting minutes Ms. Plante stated that all cars would be parked on her property.  The neighbor has to drive over a berm to get out of her driveway and she comes home from work several times a day.  Ms. Mayberry feels the pictures show they are parking off the roadway.  Mr. Dalessio asked why all the cars could not park in the lot.  Ms. Plante explained that depending on the season the ground could be soft in spots/slushy.  She worries about people falling. She will be happy to screen the dumpsters from public view.  The Selectboard was agreeable to waiting until the spring for her to make this change.  Mrs. Pschirrer felt Ms. Plante should have a copy of the original Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting minutes for her information.  Mrs. Downing will provide her with a copy.  Mr. Dalessio would like a copy of the Zoning Ordinance being used when Ms. Plante appeared before the Zoning Board.  Ms. Plante left the meeting.                   

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $106,529.23 for checks issued December 3, 2021.  This includes a payment in the amount of $43,310.15 to the Health Trust.  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 November 27, 2021, in the amount of $31,109.41 for checks dated December 3, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,253.86.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES – November 24, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of November 24, 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 – November 24, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of November 24, 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.

WARRANTS:

Supplement Warrant for Map and Lot #003-020-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Supplement Warrant for Map and Lot #003-020-000 for $500 due to a Veterans’ Tax Credit applied in error and should not have applied.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Supplement Warrant for Map and Lot #029-036-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Supplement Warrant for Map and Lot #029-036-000 for $500 due for a Veterans’ Tax Credit that was not due to this property.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the following Property Tax Refunds:

• Map and Lot #008-101-000 for $66.00.  This home recently sold.
• Map and Lot #003-071-000 for $58.00.  This home recently sold.
• Map and Lot #029-031-000 for $36.00.  This home recently sold.
• Map and Lots #027-004-001 and #001-003-006 for $63.00.
• Map and Lot #030-072-000 for $93.30.
• Map and Lot #022-013-000 for $49.00.
• Map and Lot #019-003-000 for $40.00.  This home recently sold.
• Map and Lot #004-021-000 for $18.00.  This home recently sold.
• Map and Lot #004-002-000 for $46.00.  This home recently sold.
• Map and Lot #012-022-000 for $64.00.  This home recently sold.
• Map and Lot #006-013-001 for $43.14.  This vacant parcel was gifted recently to a family member.

Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO CUT WOOD OR TIMBER:

Map and Lots: #008-060-000, #008-061-000, and #008-062-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Notice of Intent to Cut Wood or Timber for Map and Lots #008-060-000, #008-061-000 and #008-062-000 which are the Hooper Golf Course properties.  The Monadnock Conservancy has reviewed and approved the Forest Management Plan.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

South Street Drainage Issue: Mr. Dalessio reported that Mr. Mike Rau, Highway Department/Road Agent, spoke to Mr. Chas Street to advise South Street is a State road.  Mr. Rau will go there during a rain storm to check on it.

Tree Care and Replacement Plan for the Common:  Ms. Mayberry acknowledged receipt of a proposal from Long View Forest.  The proposal does not provide for a determination of the condition of the trees.  We have a lot of residents who are concerned about preservation. Therefore, they still need to find an arborist. 

Pending Further Actions:

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

Vilas Bridge:  Ms. Mayberry talked to Mr. Tim Murphy at the Southwest Region Planning Commission. He was concerned that the State viewed the sewer problem as the Town of Walpole’s.  He thought there was some recourse; that the Vilas Bridge did not have to come off the Ten-Year Transportation Plan if the 93% was not approved.  There could be some leverage to keep it on the plan still at 50%.  We will just have to wait to see what happens with the Executive Counselors and decide if there is any further action that we could take. With infrastructure funding there could be a chance to move forward with the Vilas Bridge.  

Wooden Chairs in the Town Hall:  Mrs. Downing reported that nothing was done on the Wooden Chairs.  There was a question about selling them and, if so, for what price.  Should they go to the Recycling Center to see if they would sell there?  Ms. Mayberry felt they should think about it some more.

Walpole Players (Continued):  Mrs. Pschirrer thought it was about five years ago when Mr. Boas talked to them about posters, but they were bigger and much heavier.  The Selectboard told him they could put them up when they were having a play but then remove them.  They were upstairs on something with wheels (moveable) in the hallway and in the theatre itself.  The Selectboard did not want them permanently left on the walls. No decisions were made at this time.

NEW BUSINESS:

FEMA Recover Scoping Meeting:  A FEMA Recover Scoping Meeting is scheduled for December 14^th, 2021, starting at 1:30 pm in the Town Hall main meeting room.  Mr. Dalessio, Mr. Mark Houghton and Mr. Mike Rau will be attending.

Brownfields Project:  Mrs. Pschirrer reported that the Brownfields Committee of Southwest Region Planning Commission (SWRPC) has used its grant and ran out of money.  They are applying for other funding.  She hopes they can start it up again.   

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 7:32 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:47 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.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:47 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 8:11 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 2, 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 additional discussion.  There was none.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary