Selectboard Present:  Steven Dalessio, Cheryl Mayberry and Peggy Pschirrer, Chair

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Jordan Cannon

Others Present: Craig Vickers, Leroy Watson, Steve Varone, Wes Vickers, Roberta Nelson, Carol Lent, Greg Lent, Andrew McIntyre, Beth Vickers, Lil DeCoste

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM. 

NEW BUSINESS

Walpole Schools: Ms. Pschirrer welcomed those gathered in attendance to speak. Mr. Wes Vickers began to discuss the possible formation of Walpole Committee for a K-8 school district for Walpole.  He reflected on the FMRSD meeting Monday night wherein the school budget was discussed.  He reviewed the three “tiers” of the FMRSD being site-base, school board, and budget committee.  The budget committee used Jaffrey/Rindge school district as a baseline by the Budget Committee. This school district has the lowest budget of any school district. Mr. Wes Vickers distributed cost-per-pupil documentation to the Selectboard and to those in attendance. Conval and Monadnock were identified by Mr. Wes Vickers as “more accurate” comparisons. He then distributed documentation regarding enrollment data, student/teacher ratios, total Walpole student attendance, and Rindge school class sizes. Mr. Wes Vickers stated that there is a “fixed asset” problem and not a “variable asset” problem. He reflected on school withdrawal being on the 2019 ballot in Charlestown. He stated that the Selectboard would be asked to set up a committee to establish a K-8 school board. Mr. West Vickers expressed concern with the rise in school shootings nationwide, the importance of adhering to Homeland Security recommendations and the possibility of adding a school resource officer at Walpole Schools. He then stated that the school should be renamed in honor of Samuel Jacobs.

Mrs. Pschirrer reflected upon Mr. Wes Vickers’ comments. She stated that school resource officers can be extremely valuable. Mr. Dalessio commented on the limited capacity of Walpole Police to supply a school resource officer to the Walpole school. Mr. Dalessio urged the hiring of an attorney prior to forming a committee to leave the district. Ms. Mayberry stated that Walpole schools were awarded a safe grant for $170,750, wherein most of that money was for door locks, window film, and beacons.  Mrs. Pschirrer asked if there were any plans in the schools of what to do in case of unforeseen dangerous events. Ms. Roberta Nelson stated that in North Walpole they have an active shooter protocol. Mr. Craig Vickers then began discussing the petition that was put forth as being a litmus test. He stated that it became clear to him from being on the school board that the term “equity” is being used inappropriately in the FMRSD. Mr. Craig Vickers reflected on the differences between the terms “equality” and “equity”. In Mr. Craig Vicker’s opinion, people move to Walpole because of the quality of the schools. He wanted Walpole to remain in the Fall Mountain High School but wanted autonomy from FMRSD regarding K-8. Mrs. Pschirrer stated there is no extra money to pay for a committee, as the budget has already passed. Mr. Dalessio stated that RSAs require every town to belong to a SAU. Ms. Carol Lent stated that her children are starting a fundraising committee to keep a math teacher at Walpole Elementary School.

NON-PUBLIC BUSINESS RSA 91-A:3 II (a): 

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) (c) at 7:42 p.m. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 9:15 PM.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Accounts Payable Check Register in the total amount of $36.978.21 for checks issued April 14, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. This includes a payment of $4,466 to the AAA Police Supply for the ammunition.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Check Register in the amount of $58,127.66 dated April 14, 2023, and for the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer in the amount of $14,493.20.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – April 06, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of April 6, 2023.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – April 6, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of April 6, 2023.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved. The minutes are to remain sealed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mr. Dalessio called attention to the minutes of:

Conservation Commission Meeting- April 3, 2023

Mrs. Pschirrer acknowledged the minutes.

SOLAR ENERGY EXEMPTION:

Map and Lot# 017-013-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the solar exemption for Map and Lot# 017-013-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 008-015-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the solar exemption for Map and Lot#008-015-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

VETERAN’S TAX CREDIT:

Map and Lot# 009-033-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Veteran’s tax credit for Map and Lot# 009-033-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

EXCAVATION INTENT:

Map and Lot# 012-073-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the excavation intent for Map and Lot# 012-073-000. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Pearl Street:  Mrs. Downing stated that Mike Rau, the Road Agent, met with the Pearl Street residents. Mrs. Downing found there is an easement through the properties for access. Mr. Dalessio stated that if the residents who have deed easements are willing to pay for half of the paving costs, the Town would be willing to pave in the summer. Mr. Dalessio stated that Mr. Rau would go to the residents in the coming weeks and would discuss this matter with them. The paving would be an option for this year only, and then upon confirmation by Mr. Rau, the Selectboard would finalize the agreement.

Procurement Policy: Mr. Dalessio motioned signing the Procurement Policy for Projects Using State or Federal Funds. Ms. Mayberry seconded the motion. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

MEDC Event: Mrs. Pschirrer brought attention to an event the Monadnock Economic Development Committee is hosting on 4/19/2023. No member of the Selectboard stated their intention to attend.

Mrs. Pschirrer asked if the Selectboard completed their list of items to address in 2023. Ms. Mayberry requested this be tabled for the following week, given the lateness of the meeting. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that this item would be postponed until 4/20/2023. Mr. Dalessio briefly pointed to his list of items: being more aggressive in establishing policies and procedures, ticketing, infrastructure projects, and Vilas Bridge.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mrs. Pschirrer called the Selectboard meeting adjourned at 9:34 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,

Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary