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

CALL TO ORDER:  Ms. Mayberry called this Selectboard meeting via Zoom to order at 6:30 PM.  The Selectboard members are in three separate locations.  This meeting was being recorded.

Ms. Mayberry called for a voice roll call of the Selectboard present.  Steven Dalessio was present at his home in Drewsville; Peggy Pschirrer was present at her home in Walpole and Cheryl Mayberry was present at her home in North Walpole.  Also attending this meeting was Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration, at the Walpole Town Hall and Regina Borden, Recording Secretary, at a separate location. There were two members of the public in attendance: Mr. Leroy Watson and Mrs. Cheri Watson. 

SAU 60 BUDGET COMMITTEE:  Mr. Leroy Watson reported that the SAU60 voters approved Article #11 – (BY PETITION) “Shall the Fall Mountain Regional School District vote to approve the establishment of a Fall Mountain Regional School District Budget Committee pursuant to RSA 32:1?”  It passed by a 270 “YES” to 133 “NO” vote on March 8, 2022.  Mr. Watson, as Moderator, now has 15 days to appoint a Budget Committee that will serve until the next Town Meeting ballot. The seats on the Budget Committee must configure with the seats on the SAU60 School Board, with the addition of one seat appointed by the School Board, making the SAU60 Board a total of 8 members.  Except for the seat appointed by the School Board, no current School Board members may serve on the Budget Committee.  Therefore, he will be looking to appoint one member from each of the five towns and two at-large seats to serve on the initial Budget Committee.  He would appreciate any suggestions or guidance the Selectboard might have for individuals they believe could serve on the committee, either representing Walpole or one or both of the at-large seats.  Mr. Watson was also present to answer questions as to how this process will move forward.  Ms. Mayberry pointed out that this vote just missed the 2/3^rd number.  She understands this does not apply in this case.  Mr. Watson double-checked all the statutes; they go back and forth.   Education Title 195 references back to the Municipal Title 32 and it clearly states it is governed by the majority vote.  It can be abolished in the same manner.  The FMRSD which is a cooperative district falls under those parameters.  Ms. Mayberry summarized that it is a majority vote not a 2/3^rd vote.  Mr. Watson noted the Budget Committee, itself, is supposed to mirror the Board in a cooperative district.   An 8^th member is selected by the School Board; Mr. Watson appoints seven members.  Ms. Mayberry advised their terms are through the next elections in March 2023.  They would have to run for the position and be elected to it after the first year.  The terms will be staggered; some members will serve one, two or three year terms.  He will meet with Mrs. Misty Bushee to work out how those seats will look for next year’s elections.  The Selectboard mentioned several possible committee members that Mr. Watson could contact who have some knowledge of the FMRSD and/or financial backgrounds.  Mr. Watson will ask potential applicants if they would commit to more than a one year term.  He wants to maintain continuity.  He is looking forward to a group who can dig into the budget process; be able to explain to the voters why they are proposing the budget they are.  Mr. Dalessio requested the two at-large seats do not come from the same town.  Mrs. Pschirrer agreed.  Mr. Watson is asking that when the School Board meets on Monday, they will make their announcement. Ms. Mayberry felt one of the first things the Committee should do is set a time line; what needs to be posted and by when.  Mr. Watson summarized that if the Selectboard has any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to reach out to him.  He will probably not make any announcements until close to the 15-day deadline.                     

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $65,849.03 for checks issued March 11, 2022.  This includes a payment in the amount of $27,327.92 to the NH Retirement System.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote 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 March 5, 2022, in the amount of $27,723.63 dated March 11, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $5,775.24.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – March 3, 2022:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of March 3, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the Minutes were approved.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – March 3, 2022:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 3, 2022, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote 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 – February 15, 2022;
• North Walpole Village District Board of Commissioners Meeting – February 22, 2022;
• Walpole Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 7, 2022.

PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS:

Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Property Tax Refunds for the following owner(s): 

• MAP and LOT # 019-069-000 – in the amount of $7.49;
• MAP and LOT # 011-007-001 – in the amount of $46.28;
• MAP and LOT # 001-001-000 – in the amount of $65.47;
• MAP and LOT #003-082-CL3 – in the amount of $41.40

These refunds are all due to overpayment of taxes.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION:

MAP and LOT #010-022-000:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to grant the Solar Energy Exemption for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #010-022-000.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Plowing Policy: Mrs. Pschirrer was unable to do anything with the Plowing Policy last week. The Selectboard had suggested adding a section under routes regarding critical town buildings.  Mr. Dalessio spoke with Mr. Mike Rau concerning the plowing of the North Walpole Fire Station. Mr. Rau is going to contact the North Walpole Commissioners to talk about this to find out what is needed and expected.  Mr. Dalessio told Mr. Rau the Selectboard would be updating the Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy. Ms. Mayberry felt having Mr. Rau talk in-person with the North Walpole Commissioners was a good solution.

Speed Signs:  Mr. Dalessio looked into speed signs. The cost is about $3,300 to $4,000.  The more expensive units will provide information back to the Town.  If they want to pursue this he suggested taking some money from the Highway Department Block Grant.  He is not in favor of moving the signs around.  Good places to locate them might be near the schools.  Mrs. Pschirrer mentioned they have to look at that account to be sure they know how much is left before committing to another project.  Ms. Mayberry feels it is a good suggestion.      

PENDING FURTHER ACTIONS:

Generators, Wooden Chairs in the Town Hall, Trees on the Common, Walpole Players Posters, Reservoir Dam, Houghton Brook Bridge, Parking Ordinance, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood.  There were no new up-dates for these agenda items.

NEW BUSINESS:

Welfare Case Summary – January and February 2022:  Mrs. Janet Clough submitted a Welfare Case Summary for January and February 2022. 

Trail Map Box:  Ms. Mayberry advised that during the Conservation Commission meeting they talked about making trail maps available at the Town Hall.  Mr. Shelley offered to make a map holder but where would they put it?  Mr. Dalessio suggested where the tri-folds are located.  Mrs. Pschirrer stated they could consider below the table that holds the maps; maybe Mr. Shelley could make something that hangs below that space.  Mr. Dalessio felt if it was big enough they could combine all the tri-folds they have into one space.  Mrs. Pschirrer will talk to Mr. Shelley.               

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.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs.  Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the motion was approved at 7:06 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 7:28 PM.

Mrs. Pschirrer moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of March 10, 2022, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mr. Dalessio.  On a voice roll call vote 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 other discussion.  There was none.  On a voice roll call vote with Mrs. Pschirrer, Mr. Dalessio and Ms. Mayberry in favor, the meeting adjourned at 7:34 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary