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

Staff Present: Sarah Downing, Manager of Administration; Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary

Others Present: Kara and Peter Dexter; Peter Graves

CALL TO ORDER:  Mrs. Pschirrer called this Selectboard meeting to order at 6:30 PM. She introduced the Selectboard to those in attendance.

NEW BUSINESS:

Tree Cutting on Reservoir Road:  Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Mr. Shelton, who has purchased land off the Class VI portion of Ramsay Hill Road, has hired a logger and wants to remove two trees in the Town’s right-of-way. She stated that access will be through Reservoir Road. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Mr. Shelton is seeking approval from the Selectboard for the removal of these two trees. Ms. Mayberry motioned to approve the request to take down the two trees. Seconded by Mr. Dalessio. With Ms. Mayberry, Mr. Dalessio and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Type IV Permit Notice for Ruggiero Processing Facility: Mr. Dalessio stated that Selectboard received a letter noting a pending change in ownership of the Ruggerio facility. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the current operators will continue the operation of the facility. Mrs. Downing stated that a certified letter will be sent in addition to this letter. Mrs. Downing stated she did confirm the receipt of the letter by email.

PAYROLL:

Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Payroll Register totaling $32,696.84 dated 6/09/2023 and the 941 Payroll Tax Transfer of $6,952.57.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD MEETING MINUTES:

SELECTBOARD MEETING – May 31, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the Minutes of the Selectboard meeting of May 31, 2023.  Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

SELECTBOARD NON-PUBLIC SESSION – May 31, 2023:  Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the amended Minutes of the Selectboard Non-Public Session of May 31, 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.

ABATEMENTS:

Map and Lot# 005-036-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the gravel tax abatement for Map and Lot# 005-036-000 for $107.55. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 009-046-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the abatement for Map and Lot# 009-046-000 for $3,539 due to a lot that was subdivided in 7/22. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 007-026-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the abatement for Map and Lot# 007-026-000 for $923.52. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 019-071-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the abatement for Map and Lot# 019-071-000 for $1,120.32.  Adjustments were made due to the condition of the property. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 003-015-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to decline the abatement for Map and Lot# 003-015-000 as the applicants applied beyond the due date. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Citizen Comment: Mr. Graves asked the Selectboard if they could get the road agent to smooth up Meeting House Road. Mr. Dalessio stated that he would speak to Mr. Rau on Monday. Mr. Graves then mentioned a recent newspaper article about a drone purchased by the Police Department. Mr. Graves said there was a quote in the article from the chief stating that no money for this purchase came from tax dollars, but from fines. Mr. Graves felt this was still taxpayer money. Mr. Dalessio explained that the revolving fund exists for the Police Department, and that money from fines is deposited into this fund. Mr. Dalessio then stated that the Police Department must have Selectboard approval for all purchases.

SUPPLEMENTAL TAX WARRANT:

Map and Lot# 009-046-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the supplemental tax warrant for Map and Lot# 009-046-000 for $3,780. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Map and Lot# 009-046-001: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the supplemental tax warrant for Map and Lot# 009-046-001 for $1,608. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

TIMBER INTENT:

Map and Lot #004-033-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the timber intent for Map and Lot# 004-033-000 for wooded lot that is part of Alyson’s Orchard. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

TIMBER CERTIFICATE OF YIELD AND TAX WARRANT:

Op# 22-461-02, Map and Lot # 027-005-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the timber certificate of yield and tax warrant for Map and Lot# 027-005-000 for $9,560.30. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Op# 22-461-18, Map and Lot #004-033-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the timber certificate of yield and tax warrant for Map and Lot# 004-033-000 for $196.83. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

BUILDING PERMIT:

2023-20, Map and Lot# 013-041-000: Mr. Dalessio moved to approve the building permit for Map and Lot# 013-041-000 to construct a 17’ x 14’ covered deck. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Open Container Request:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the 6/10/2023 open container request from Alyson’s Orchard. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

Cemetery Deed:  Mr. Dalessio motioned to accept the cemetery deed for lots D586 and D588. Seconded by Ms. Mayberry. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Liberty Utilities Billing Problem: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that Liberty Utilities was supposed to change their billing on 4/26/2023. It was supposed to be reflected in the May bill. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that May bills were sent out with the old 22 cents per kilowatt hour because Liberty Utilities did not change their rates as previously agreed. Mrs. Pschirrer stated this matter will be resolved.

Trees on the Common: Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Selectboard was in receipt of an email note asking when the Town would replant trees on the Common. Mr. Dalessio stated that an arborist gave the town a quote. Mrs. Downing stated that there is nothing in the municipal budget for the planting of new trees this year.  Mrs. Pschirrer read a 11/2022 quote listing the Tupelo trees at $780 and American Jefferson at $750, with a total planting cost of $4,705. Ms. Mayberry asked if Liberty was going to replace the trees they removed. Mrs. Pschirrer asked Mrs. Downing to follow-up with the arborist regarding Liberty replacing trees on the Common. Mrs. Pschirrer will respond to the person who wrote the letter. Ms. Mayberry stated that the Town would be willing to accept donations for replacing trees, as there is no present money in the budget for trees.

NEW BUSINESS:

Sewer Bond:  Mrs. Pschirrer stated that a letter was received by Robert Grenier concerning sewer bond payments in Bellows Falls. Mr. Dalessio stated that there are multiple bonds. Mr. Dalessio will follow up on this matter. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the response letter should include the clarifying information dealing with sewer bonds. Mrs. Pschirrer asked Mrs. Downing to respond to Mr. Grenier with an explanation that the Selectboard will be responding soon.

Police Revolving Fund Purchase Request:  Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Police Department submitted a request of $5,033.70 for an incident management subscription and setup for the schools. Ms. Mayberry stated that when she met with the Police Department on Monday, she discussed the impact of doing this pilot program in Walpole. Ms. Mayberry voiced her concern that this matter was not brought to the Selectboard first. Mrs. Pschirrer stated her opinion that the school should pay for this program. Mr. Dalessio voiced his concern that the timing is off, given the arrival of a new superintendent and new business administrator in the school district. He stated that the Walpole Police Department is short-staffed, and that there is not enough human capacity to do this project. He stated he was not in favor of doing the pilot program at this time. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that there is more to consider before giving approval. Mrs. Pschirrer stated that the Town is going to pass on this request.

Two Invitations to North Walpole School:  Mrs. Pschirrer stated that on 6/12/2023 there are two separate academic events at the North Walpole School. She stated she would be attending one of the events on this date.

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

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Non-Public Session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) at 7:35 PM. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:00 PM.

HOOPER TRUSTEES MEETING: 

Mr. Dalessio moved to enter into Hooper Trustees Meeting at 8:01 PM. Ms. Mayberry seconded. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the motion was approved.

The meeting was reconvened at 8:08 PM.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Dalessio motioned to adjourn at 8:09 PM. Ms. Mayberry seconded the motion. With Mr. Dalessio, Ms. Mayberry, and Mrs. Pschirrer in favor, the Selectboard meeting adjourned. 

Respectfully submitted,

Jordan Cannon, Recording Secretary