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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:31 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 no members of the public in attendance.  

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $115,478.47 for checks issued December 10, 2021.  This includes a payment in the amount of $35,692.13 to the North Walpole Village District for the second half of the payment from the Great River Hydro PILOT.  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 December 04, 2021, in the amount of $30,729.13 for checks dated December 10, 2021, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,895.20.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETINGMINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MINUTES – December 2, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of December 2, 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 – December 2, 2021:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 2, 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 REPORT:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – November 16, 2021.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS & ABATEMENTS:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the following Property Tax Refunds and Abatements for tax deeded properties:• Map and Lot #028-039-000• Map and Lot #028-120-000• Map and Lot #003-082-CL8

The combined total refund/abatement is $3,063.00 for accounting purposes.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:

MAP and LOT #029-010-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $28.00 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #029-010-000.  This home was recently sold.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

MAP and LOT #019-049-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Property Tax Refund in the amount of $123.98 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #019-049-000.  This home was recently sold.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION:

MAP and LOT #009-048-000:  Mr. Dalessio moved to grant the Solar Energy Exemption to the owner(s) of Map and Lot #009-048-000.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Tax Anticipation Note (TAN):  Mr. Dalessio moved to sign the Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) for One Million Dollars ($1,000,000).  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Houghton Brook Bridge Permit Plans and Wetlands Permit Application:   Mr. Dalessio moved to accept the Houghton Brook Bridge Permit Plans and Wetlands Permit Application and to allow Mr. Michael Rau and the Town Clerk to sign these documents.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.  

Pending Further Actions:

Vilas Bridge, Generators, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood, Wooden Chairs in the Town Hall, Trees on the Common, Walpole Players Posters:

Vilas Bridge:  Ms. Mayberry reported that the Executive Council met yesterday; their meeting was on Zoom and she listened in.  The Vilas Bridge got approved to be put back in the Ten Year Plan at 93%.  It went through without questions and/or comments.  There was a focus on a lot of bridge work.  Hopefully, it stays on the Plan long-term.  Ms. Mayberry advised the Town will continue to move forward with finding an alternative.   

NEW BUSINESS:

Recreation Committee Appointment Letter and Notice:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the appointment of Mrs. Jean Kobeski as a member on the Recreation Committee for a period of three (3) years, December 2021 through Town Meeting, March 2024.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved. 

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Liaison Meeting Request:  The Foundation members were tasked with helping prioritize projects in the Upper Basin of the Long Island Sound Watershed for the next round of funding coming out in early 2022.  Mr. Dalessio suggested this be given to the Walpole Conservation Commission and, if they feel the Town should pursue it, they will have to make a recommendation to the Selectboard.   

Thank You Note re: Stone Bench on Common:  Ms. Mayberry acknowledged receipt of a Thank You note from Mrs. Marcia Frankewicz regarding the granite bench that was placed on the Common.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned it looks good.  Ms. Mayberry had a resident express concern about why it is there when there are no other benches like it.  He asked if they would be over-run with similar benches.  Ms. Mayberry replied they are at the discretion of the Selectboard as to how, when and where but she would acknowledge the concern.  Ms. Mayberry feels it looks nice and does not take away from the Common.  

Staff Meeting for December 16, 2021:  There was a consensus of the Selectboard to cancel the Staff Meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 16, 2021.  The Selectboard will be meeting with Department Managers on Friday, December 10, 2021, to go over their proposed 2022 Budgets.  Mrs. Downing was asked to send a notice to the Department Managers.

Lunch Options for Budget Meeting: The Selectboard agreed to order lunch from Diamond Pizza on Friday, December 10th when they will be having an all-day work session to meet individually with Department Managers to review their proposed 2022 Budgets and Warrant Articles.

Zoom Meetings: Mr. Dalessio moved that the Selectboard return to Zoom meetings starting next week. This will include Staff meetings. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer. With Mr. Dalessio, Mrs. Pschirrer and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

Ms. Mayberry asked if they will urge other Boards / Committees to do Zoom meetings.  Mr. Dalessio felt they should be made aware of the Selectboard’s decision.  Mrs. Pschirrer noted this is taking into consideration the health and safety of the Selectboard and guests.  This will have to be posted.  

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 at 7:00 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting resumed at 7:30 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of December 09, 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 additional discussion.  There was none.  With Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary