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

CALL TO ORDER:  Mr. Dalessio called this meeting of the Selectboard to order at 6:30 PM in the Walpole Town Hall.  He advised this meeting is being recorded and asked anyone wishing to speak to identify themselves for the record. One member of the public was present, Mr. Paul Looney.

WALPOLE ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PLAN UPDATE:

Mr. Looney was present to bring forward changes to the Electric Aggregation Plan (EAP) that was approved at 2022 Town Meeting. The changes relate to the City of Lebanon’s EAP that was accepted by the PUC (Public Utilities Commission).  The changes in the Walpole plan mirror the changes that were made to the Lebanon plan except for areas that we are not pertinent to Walpole such as solar and sustainability programs which Walpole does not have.

Mr. Looney said there are three types of changes/edits. They are grammatical/typo corrections, some are updates since there are more towns involved and new attachments added to meet PUC requirements.  The Selectboard and Mr. Looney went through each page to discuss the changes. Mr. Dalessio asked who made the changes to the copy being reviewed? Mr. Looney said it was the CCPNH (Community Power Coalition of NH) members and operations team with recommendations from consultants.

Mr. Dalessio asked if there can be CCPNH Board changes? Mr. Looney stated there could be changes and Walpole could lose a seat on the board. Pschirrer said that the agreement would need to be amendment if there is a change. There are now 18 towns that are part of CCPNH with another 35 towns interested in joining. There was continued discussion about the changes in wording. Mr. Dalessio commented there are several layers involved in providing electricity service. Mr. Looney stated once the EAP is submitted to the PUC and approved, then the plan can be taken to Liberty Utilities to get usage data. Whatever vendor the Town chooses, the data will give the vendor an idea of usage time and volume.

Mrs. Peggy Pschirrer moved to accept the amendment to the Walpole Electric Aggregation Plan (EAP) as presented at the Selectboard meeting of September 22, 2022.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer, Ms. Mayberry and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

Mr. Looney said that a cover letter needs to be created to accompany the amended EAP. A discussion of NH Electric Coop billing occurred. The coop uses portfolio managed process to buy power. It is different from Liberty Utilities’ or the brokers’ processes. NH Electric Coop is a non-profit.

Mr. Dennis Marcom entered the meeting at 7 PM.

Mr. Looney continued that CPCNH is also a non-profit and will be using a portfolio managed buyer process while Freedom and Standard will be using brokers. Mr. Looney thought if the Town could implement a small municipal solar project, this could help the Town with understanding what is involved for long-term sustainability. If the Selectboard supports the idea of adding solar to the Recycling Center roof, Mr. Looney would be willing to solicit quotes to find the best solution to implement. Mr. Looney said he understands that Mr. Dalessio has concerns with the rate of return. Mr. Dalessio said he had an issue with a 25-year rate of return. Mr. Looney stated it was 15 years. There was a discussion of the numbers on the report. Mr. Looney said that after 25 years, although the amount of power produced decreases, but power is still generated. Mr. Looney asked the Selectboard if they would support his research into the project at the Recycling Center. Mr. Dalessio had no issue with obtaining quotes. He is concerned that the roof cannot support a solar structure. Everyone agreed this was best to have a structural engineer (PE) to look at the roof. Mr. Looney said that if the roof passes the inspection, he would then get official quotes. The site is close to 3-phase power which is very beneficial. Mr. Dalessio recapped to say his two concerns are the structural integrity of the Recycling Center roof and the return on investment (ROI).

The Community Power Committee is going to meet on Oct. 4^th to discuss Community Solar. Charlestown has a project where people from Hanover purchase panels in the array. It’s a one-megawatt system with 500 panels. This is something outside the Town and not a municipal development. There would be income tax to claim for the shareholder. Mrs. Pschirrer said that NH has not made it easy for people to put together community solar projects. It’s much easier in Vermont.

There was a discussion about extending 3-phase power to Industrial Park Drive. There was a recommendation to look at Northern Borders funding. Mr. Dalessio said that the application is difficult but doable. Bensonwood would also like 3-phase power. Mr. Dalessio recommended working with Congresswoman Annie Kuster’s Office. He also recommended finding a professional grant writer. Mr. Dalessio mentioning contacting Nancy Merrill, the Director of Planning and Development in Claremont for assistance. Mr. Looney said that the cost to extending our 3-phase power is significant since there are upgrades that need to occur with the system. Ms. Mayberry recommended calling SWRPC to find a grant writer.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $84,918.74 for checks issued September 23, 2022.  This includes a payment in the amount of $37,933.44 to HealthTrust.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

PAYROLL:

Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Payroll Check Register for the week ending September 17, 2022, in the amount of $31,036.73 dated September 23, 2022, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $6,110.13.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – September 15, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of September 15, 2022, as submitted.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved. Mr. Dalessio abstained since he was not present.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION – September 15, 2022:  Ms. Mayberry moved to accept the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 15, 2022, as submitted.  These Minutes will remain sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Minutes were approved. Mr. Dalessio abstained.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

The Selectboard acknowledged receipt of the following Committee reports:

• .
• Conservation Commission Meeting – September 12, 2022
• Planning Board Meeting – September 13, 2022

VETERANS’ TAX CREDIT:

MAP and LOT #029-043-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to approve the Veterans’ Tax Credit for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #029-043-000.  An updated PA-29 form was required due to a change in ownership name. Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

DEMOLITION PERMIT

Permit #2022-41, MAP and LOT #001-008-000:  Ms. Mayberry moved to grant Demolition Permit No. 2022-41 for the owner(s) of Map and Lot #001-008-000 to demolish a home located on Seward Road”.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Pending Further Actions:  Generators, Parking Ordinance, Three Phase Power for Industrial Park Drive and Bensonwood, Reservoir Dam, School and Union Streets Drainage Project, Letter to Jon MacClaren:

Election Results on the Town Website: There was a request from the Town Clerk-Tax Collector’s Office to post election results on the website. There was a consensus that it is fine do the posting.

Updated Website Request from Town Clerk- Tax Collector’s Office: Mr. Dalessio said it would be part of the discussions for next year’s budget.

NEW BUSINESS:

Delegation of Deposit Authority Forms:  Mrs. Pschirrer moved to approve the Delegation of Deposit Authority Forms.  The approved form allows the Tax Collector, Town Clerk and Selectboard Office to make deposits. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

SWRPC Fall Meeting: Notice received that the meeting would occur in the Keene Public Library Annex on Oct. 11^th at 5 PM. Mrs. Pschirrer is planning on attending since she’s interested in housing.

Mr. Looney and Mr. Marcom depart the meeting.

NON-PUBLIC SELECTBOARD SESSION:

Ms. Mayberry 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 Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved at 7:40 PM.

The regular Selectboard meeting reconvened at 8:33 PM.

Ms. Mayberry moved that the Minutes of the Non-Public Selectboard Session of September 22, 2022, will be sealed.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the motion was approved.

ADJOURNMENT:

Ms. Mayberry moved to adjourn this Selectboard meeting.  Seconded by Mrs. Pschirrer.  Mr. Dalessio asked if there was any additional discussion.  There was none.  With Ms. Mayberry, Mrs. Pschirrer and Mr. Dalessio in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:33 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Downing, Recording Secretary Pro Tempore